The Hardcore Therapist

Send us Fan Mail  What happens when the entire family system bends over backwards to cater to the most toxic person in the room? I’m talking about the person who wrecks every holiday, throws emotional grenades at family events, and somehow... everyone else ends up apologizing to them . If this is ringing some uncomfortable bells for you, stick around.  You are absolutely not alone — and you’re not...

Send us Fan Mail Today’s guest is an absolute powerhouse in the plant-based world. Natalie Slater is a Chicago-based vegan cookbook author, content creator, and all-around food industry badass. She’s the go-to expert for high-protein vegan eats and isn’t afraid to drop some hot takes on the plant-based food scene. As the Director of Sales and Marketing for Upton’s Naturals, she’s shaping the futur...

Send us Fan Mail “Can you really rewire your brain for positivity?” It sounds a little... woo-woo, right? Like something you'd see on a Pinterest quote board. But here's the thing—it’s not just a feel-good idea. There’s actual neuroscience to back it up. So today, we’re digging into how our brains work, why they’re wired to lean negative by default , and how we can shift that wiring towa...

Send us Fan Mail On this Episode of the Hardcore Therapist, I had the pleasure to speak with Joe Bando who will be sharing his journey, starting in the underground hardcore music scene of Cleveland, Ohio—a world of raw energy and defiance that shaped his path in comedy. Along the way,he has overcome a childhood marked by severe abuse, rebuilt his life through entrepreneurship, and embraced persona...

Send us Fan Mail Hey everyone, welcome back to The Hardcore Therapist ! I’m so glad you’re here. Today we’re diving into a question that hits close to home for a lot of us: “How do I set boundaries without feeling guilty—and what do I do if someone crosses my boundaries after I was clear about them?” Whew. This is a big one. And if you're anything like me—or like most of the people I work wit...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, Kyle Donovan and Tyler Hillman, members of the Michigan Hardcore band Suffer No Fools. They're celebrating the release of their debut album, "To Live Is To Suffer," which is out  now via Heroes + Martyrs. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re diving into a loaded, raw, and often painful topic—how to let go of people who don’t enhance your life—including family. I’m not here to sugarcoat this. I’m here to help you honor your mental health, even when it means making decisions that go against every message you've been taught about loyalty, tradition, or what it means to be a “good person.” Prompts for He...

Send us Fan Mail What an amazing collaboration episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast and Pit Therapy Podcast ! Kyle and Trevor were so much fun. Check out this hilarious episode chalked full of hardcore, family life, growing up and a wild thought about specific songs! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I was joined by Scott Crouse. Coming up through the thriving Syracuse, NY hardcore movement of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Scott helped shape the sound and message of a generation. As a founding guitarist of Earth Crisis, his work on albums like Firestorm and Destroy the Machines cemented their place as some of the most influential hardc...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, today we're diving into a powerful topic: self-abandonment. This is something so many of us struggle with without even realizing it—saying yes when we mean no, ignoring our own needs, or constantly putting others before ourselves. But what does it really mean to abandon yourself, and more importantly, how can we stop doing it?  Suppo...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I am thrilled to welcome Ray Harkins. Ray is the host of the influential podcast 100 Words or Less, where he dives deep into the stories of musicians, artists, and creatives. Beyond the podcasting world, Ray is also the lead singer for the melodic hardcore band Taken. We'll explore his journey through music, the evolution of the har...

Send us Fan Mail First, I just want to acknowledge how incredibly painful and confusing this must feel. To be in a marriage where one person has emotionally stepped away, while you’re still physically sharing a home and parenting together, is a deeply complicated experience. It makes sense that you’re struggling with what to do next. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail I'm beyond excited to welcome a fellow Detroiter and friend of the show, Monica Sklar, Ph. D.! Monica is an associate professor and director of the Historic Clothing and Textiles Collection at the University of Georgia, where she dives deep into the intersections of fashion, subculture, and technology in archival practice. She’s also the vice president of education for the Co...

Send us Fan Mail Mornings can feel hard—scrambling to get out the door, rushing through tasks, and starting the day already overwhelmed. That chaotic energy doesn’t just disappear; it lingers, affecting mood, focus, and stress levels. But what if small, intentional changes to your morning routine could set a completely different tone for the day? On the podcast, we’ll explore science-backed strate...

Send us Fan Mail I'm beyond excited about this episode with  Kulpa and Vasudeva from SOMA—Sacred Order of Mystic Apogees. This New Jersey-based ecstatic kirtan band brings a powerful fusion of their hardcore and metal roots into the world of devotional music. Blending traditional Indian kirtan with amplified instruments, folk influences, and raw energy, SOMA creates a sound that's as tra...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, we’re diving into something a lot of people don’t talk about: when self-help actually does more harm than good."\ We live in a world that tells us we should always be improving, leveling up, and becoming our ‘best selves.’ But what happens when the pursuit of growth turns into a never-ending cycle of self-criticism, anxiety, and burn...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist,  I am stoked to be  joined by Walter Schreifels, one of the most celebrated musicians, producers and songwriters in hardcore & punk. Walter is known for his time in legendary bands like Youth of Today, Gorilla Biscuits, and Quicksand, Rival Schools, Vanishing Life, and Dead Heavens.  Support the show

Send us Fan Mail We hear these words all the time—narcissist, gaslighting, triggered—but are we really using them correctly? Ever heard someone say, 'My ex was a total narcissist,' but deep down, you wonder… were they really? Or is it just the go-to breakup insult now? In this episode, we’re breaking down the true meaning of these words, how they get misused, and why pop culture might be...

Send us Fan Mail J. Curtis Strickland. He’s a SAG-AFTRA actor bringing stories to life on screen, the host of The T&F Podcast where conversations get real, the mastermind behind Hellsheart Merch Co, and the bass player with the band Lockdown. IG: @thetandfpodcast @tenthcanto @hellsheatco Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I tackle the challenges of co-parenting with a narcissistic ex and answer your questions on how to navigate this difficult dynamic. I also clarify the important distinction between Narcissistic Personality Disorder (NPD) and narcissistic traits. Co-parenting with a high-conflict ex can be emotionally exhausting, but protecting your well-being starts with setting f...

Send us Fan Mail On today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I have the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Paulo Segadaes—better known as Sega. Sega is a powerhouse of creativity, blending his talents as a musician, cinematographer, and photographer into a truly inspiring career. Sega’s musical journey began as the drummer for Human Beans , but his hardcore roots were firmly planted when he...

Send us Fan Mail Today in this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, we’re diving into a crucial topic: the difference between being triggered and just being upset. Ever had a moment where your reaction felt way bigger than the situation? Or found yourself spiraling over something that shouldn't have hit that hard? We’ll explore why that happens, how trauma plays a role, and how to tell whether...

Send us Fan Mail I’m honored to have an absolute legend in the hardcore and punk scene—Brian McTernan! Hailing from the Washington D.C./Maryland area, Brian has left an undeniable mark as both a producer and musician. He’s the mastermind behind Salad Days Studio , where he’s worked with countless hardcore and punk bands from the ‘90s to today, shaping the sound of the scene. But Brian has also bee...

Send us Fan Mail This episode answers questions about connecting a growing intimacy.  Love Map Worksheet Introduction A Love Map is your knowledge of your partner’s inner world—their likes, dislikes, fears, dreams, and daily experiences. Keeping your Love Map updated strengthens emotional intimacy and helps partners feel truly known and understood. Instructions: Take turns asking and answering the...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist ! Today, I have the absolute pleasure of speaking with Gabe Ochoa, the powerhouse vocalist of Darasuum, signed with New Age Records and his first band Bound in Blood. Gabe is a proud straight-edge dad with a deep love for hardcore music, and I can’t wait to hear his incredible story of growing up in Riverside, navigating life, and how hard...