The Hardcore Therapist

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist , I’m really excited to welcome Cindy Hulej. Cindy is the builder behind Cindy Hulej Custom Guitars, where she handcrafts instruments that are as intentional, expressive, and individual as the musicians who play them. Her work lives at the intersection of artistry, precision, and deep respect for music culture especially the underground and hardcore...

Send us Fan Mail We love to say pets heal us but what does neuroscience actually say? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast , I break down how animals affect the brain and nervous system, from stress reduction and emotional regulation to trauma and attachment. We also explore the limits of pet therapy when animals help, when they don’t, and how pets can sometimes increase stress or rei...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I spoke to Knocko Nolan is a retired NYPD and LAPD officer whose career spanned specialized units including Narcotics, Vice, CRASH, the Career Criminal Unit, and the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force after 9/11. Known for his straight-forward storytelling and unfiltered honesty, Knocko brings decades of real-world experience with crime, traum...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re the person who stays calm when everyone else is spiraling… who softens your tone, thinks twice before speaking, and keeps it together so others don’t have to… this episode is for you. Being the regulated one is exhausting not because regulation is hard, but because it’s rarely shared. In this episode, I break down the hidden cost of emotional labor, why over-functioning...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I'm sitting down with Mike Judge frontman of Judge and, for those who truly know their history, the original drummer for Youth of Today . In other words… this one’s big. Mike has been part of some of the most foundational moments in hardcore. His voice and presence in Judge were raw, honest, and way ahead of their time. But what make...

Send us Fan Mail Why does your brain always go to the worst-case scenario first?  And how do you become more positive without lying to yourself or bypassing reality? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down the neuroscience behind negative thinking, why your brain is wired for threat, not happiness, and why “just think positive” doesn’t work. Guided Mind-Mapping Exercise Interrupti...

Send us Fan Mail In today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I amshining a light on someone whose impact on the hardcore scene has been felt for decades—even if she’s rarely stepped into the spotlight. Tina Coyle, wife of vocalist John Coyle, has been a quiet yet powerful force behind Outspoken and the broader hardcore community. Introduced to the scene through John, Tina quickly became part of...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I  breaks down what childhood trauma really is (including emotional neglect and attachment wounds), why healing can feel so confusing, and where to begin without retraumatizing yourself. This is a grounding, research-informed conversation focused on nervous system safety, self-compassion, and realistic first steps toward healing especial...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist, Sarah sits down with her husband, Don Rossington, a key figure in the Bay Area hardcore scene. Don’s work with Second Coming HC, Breakaway, and Rabid Lassie helped shape the raw sound and spirit of Northern California hardcore in the early ’90s. In this episode, they dive into his journey, the scene that influenced him, and how music, identity, and...

Send us Fan Mail  In today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I breaks down one of the most common relationship struggles: the panic that hits when someone you love pulls away — even just a little. If you’ve ever gone into fight, flight, freeze, or frantic texting mode when a partner goes quiet, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening inside your brain and body. We explore...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist, we’re talking with Chris Lohman — guitarist, vocalist, and true veteran of the Southern California hardcore scene. Hailing from Huntington Beach, Chris has been part of the scene since the mid-’80s, playing in bands like Blackspot, Collateral Damage, Done Dying, and John Henry Holiday. He’s not just a musician, he’s also the founder of his own scre...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I breaks down the truth about perimenopause, menopause, and the massive impact hormonal shifts have on anxiety, depression, mood, sleep, and cognitive function. She explains why so many women are prescribed SSRIs during this phase — and why sometimes the real issue is unaddressed hormonal imbalance. You'll learn the science behind e...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist Podcast , I’m sitting down with Benny Capaul — vocalist and co-founder of the high-energy ska-punk band The Boy Detective, born out of southeastern Michigan’s DIY scene. The band, which began as a recording project between Benny and guitarist Nic Good, has evolved into a powerhouse of sharp songwriting, infectious energy, and emotional honesty. But...

Send us Fan Mail  If that question hits a nerve, this episode is for you. In this powerful, science-backed episode of The Hardcore Therapist ,I breaks down why so many of us become people-pleasers — from attachment to nervous system conditioning to psychological theories like the Sociometer Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and self-silencing research. You’ll learn:   The neuroscience and psychol...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I’m talking with Brian Burdzy, the new frontman of Hundreds of AU . Brian stepped into a band with an established sound and history, and with their latest album Life in Parallel , he’s helping push their music into new territory. His lyrics explore the tension between expectation and reality, social issues, and personal disillusionmen...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling stuck with chronic gut issues or back pain? Wondering how pain can be “neuroplastic” when it feels so real? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I breaks down the science of the brain–gut connection, the role of the nervous system in chronic pain, and why disorders like IBS and chronic back pain are often rooted in neural pathways—not damaged tissue. You’ll learn: h...

Send us Fan Mail Steve Larson has been a cornerstone of Orange County hardcore. You know him from Insted, A18, and The Alligators—and today he’s hanging out with me on The Hardcore Therapist Podcast . We talk about Insted signing with Epitaph Records, the misconceptions they faced on the road, and how they were ahead of their time as one of the first true “merch bands.” I first met Steve right bef...

Send us Fan Mail Does having a spiritual connection to a higher power actually affect your mental health? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I break down the research, the real-life examples, and the clinical insights so you can understand how spirituality can help—or sometimes hurt—your mental health. We talk about what a higher power can mean for different people, how beliefs can provide...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist , I’m joined by Vennie from South Florida hardcore outfit Spit Truth , a band gearing up to drop their new EP Good For You this fall. Known for their raw energy and unapologetic honesty, Spit Truth will also be taking their sound on the road with a Texas tour this coming March. At the center of it all is Iraldes Jose Abreu (pronounced ee-RAHL-des ho...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I explore one of the most common — and misunderstood — emotional experiences: feeling lonely even when you’re not alone.  Drawing from neuroscience, attachment theory, and her work as a therapist, she breaks down why this happens, how modern culture reinforces disconnection, and what you can do to rebuild genuine emotional intimacy. If you’ve ever wondered why bei...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist , I’m joined by someone whose bass lines have been the backbone of some of the most influential punk and hardcore records of the last few decades. Michael Cotterman has played in legendary bands like Kid Dynamite, The Loved Ones, Title Tracks, Partyline, and his latest project, Laughing Matter. He was the touring bassist with Trial by Fire, No justi...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , IIdives deep into the conversations couples therapists must be having about sexual health — and why avoiding them keeps partners disconnected, resentful, and misunderstood. Drawing from functional mental health, relationship science, and clinical experience, I explores the emotional, physiological, and psychological layers of sexual well...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast, I’m thrilled to be joined by two incredible guests — Viggy Ram and RJ Rabe from the Bay Area melodic hardcore band Drought. Their debut LP, Souvenir, dropped on July 18th through Iodine Recordings, recorded by the legendary Jack Shirley. Souvenir is a powerful 13-track journey that blends hardcore aggression with melody, drawin...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever wondered if you’re truly “chill”  or if you’ve just stopped feeling altogether? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast I breaks down the difference between emotional calm and emotional numbness a trauma response that often masquerades as being easygoing, detached, or “unbothered.” Drawing from the work of Bessel van der Kolk, Pete Walker, Stephen Porges, a...

Send us Fan Mail Today on The Hardcore Therapist Podcast, we’re joined by a truly unique guest whose roots run deep in both hardcore and sacred sound. Akincana Krishna grew up in New York immersed in music, first as a multi-instrumentalist and later as a bassist in bands like Glassjaw and As Kindred Spirits, taking that raw hardcore energy across the globe. His journey didn’t stop there — in 1998,...