The Hardcore Therapist

Send us Fan Mail Today, we’re diving into one of the most underrated, yet powerful, parenting tools you have—managing your own emotions. Let’s be real: staying calm when your kid is pushing every button isn’t easy. But if you’re losing your cool, how can you expect them to keep theirs? In this episode, we’re cutting through the noise to talk about why your triggers matter, how to stop reacting on...

Send us Fan Mail  I’m excited to share another incredible episode with my dear friend and fellow Detroiter, Von Bortz. Von has been the powerhouse vocalist for bands like Ricochet , 20 Dead Flower Children , and Noble Truth . He’s not only an OG vegan straight-edge dude but also the founder of Rescued Friends Animal Sanctuary in Fort Collins, Colorado. We’ll dive into his journey from the Detroit...

Send us Fan Mail  On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist  addresses the common parental concerns of getting kids to listen the first time and limiting screen time. It provides strategies for both issues, emphasizing clear expectations, positive reinforcement, consistency, and parental control tools for screen time. The document also recommends the book "How to Talk So Kids Will Listen &amp...

Send us Fan Mail Mark Johnston is a fascinating figure in the Posi-core music scene, fronting the band Knelt Before from Portland, Oregon. He lives by the principles of PMA (Positive Mental Attitude), embracing a vegan straight-edge lifestyle. Beyond music, Mark wears many hats—he’s a devoted father, a combat firefighter, and a fire marshal, making him a hero both on stage and in his community. Ma...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I tackle the topic of financial infidelity—what it means, how it can erode trust, and the emotional and financial toll it takes on relationships. I also explore practical steps to repair the damage and rebuild a foundation of trust and transparency with your partner. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I had a chance to speak to Angel Graves, my straight-edge sister from the Bay Area, exemplifies the power of combining passion and purpose. As an active member of the Straight Edge Run Club, Angel credits the club as a cornerstone of her mental health and well-being. Beyond running, she dedicates her time to volunteering with Rocket Dog Re...

Send us Fan Mail "In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I dive into the complex topic of emotional cheating—how to recognize the signs, understand its impact, and take proactive steps to enrich your emotional well-being. Learn how to foster deeper connections within your current relationships and avoid seeking validation or intimacy elsewhere. This episode offers valuable insights for a...

Send us Fan Mail Craig Holloway, a fellow Detroiter and Wayne State University alumnus, is both a talented bassist and visual artist. He has played bass in bands such as Ricochet, Full Circle, Blunt Force Trauma, and is currently active in Cold As Life, H8 Inc, and Prevenge. As a visual artist, Craig has created album covers and show flyers for notable bands like Agnostic Front, Cold As Life, Nega...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist , I tackle a powerful question: What is a dismissive-avoidant attachment style, and how does it show up in relationships? A dismissive-avoidant person’s attachment style is shaped by a deep discomfort with emotional closeness and dependence. This isn’t something they consciously choose. More often than not, it’s rooted in their early exper...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode I had the chance to talk to my new best friend John Coyle a key figure in spreading positive hardcore through his work in several influential bands. As the vocalist of Outspoken, John helped create some of the most celebrated West Coast hardcore records, following in the footsteps of bands like Uniform Choice.a few years before them.  Later, he explored a more punk...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, Don and I discuss our goals and intentions for 2025. Attach is a helpful handout for you to use!  Couples Journal Prompts Instructions for Use:  Dedicate time together each day, week, or month to fill out your journal. Use these prompts as conversation starters or written reflections to deepen your connection and track your growth as a co...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I am ending the year with an amazing interview with Mark Scondotto, the vocalist of the iconic hardcore band Shutdown, who have been tearing it up for over 30 years. Shutdown just announced the release of their brand-new EP, By Your Side , dropping on Friday, January 17, 2025, through Equal Vision Records. I can’t wait to dive into what t...

Send us Fan Mail This episode of The Hardcore Therapist dives into the power of gratitude and my personal gratitude practice. I’ll explore the brain’s connection to gratitude, how a Positive Mental Attitude (PMA) fosters lasting changes in the brain, and the profound impact it can have on our lives. Most importantly, I’ll share my heartfelt thanks to everyone who made The Hardcore Therapist podcas...

Send us Fan Mail On this Episode of The Hardcore Therapist, we’ve got a very special guest joining us. He’s none other than Eric ‘EK’ Komst! EK grew up in Boston and now calls California home. He’s an accomplished drummer who’s played with legendary bands like Miracle Boy, Wrecking Crew, Warzone, Sick of It All, and Straw Dog. Fun fact: his mom is the only one who calls him Eric! Support the show

Send us Fan Mail As we head into the new year, what’s the best way to set yourself up for success? Should you focus on intention setting, goal setting, or the classic New Year’s resolutions? In this episode, we’ll break down what each approach offers, the key differences, and how they can work together to create real momentum in your life. Whether you’re building habits, chasing big goals, or just...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I spoke to Manohara Das who is the bass player for Back to Godhead, The band formed in 2021 and has quickly gained traction in the hardcore scene, especially after signing with New Age Records. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail A listener of my recent podcast asked, “How do you help a teen coregulate, especially if they don’t want to be touched or think you’re judging them because of your facial expression?” Helping a teenager coregulate involves offering emotional support while modeling healthy regulation strategies. Teens often experience intense emotions and benefit from a parent’s calm presence and e...

Send us Fan Mail On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist . Today we have legendary photographer Danielle Dombrowski. Since the 1990's Danielle has documenting hardcore shows and festivals all over the Northeast and beyond, creating an unparalleled visual archive of this powerful subculture. From every iconic venues, her work has captured the intensity, passion, and community that define the...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode I am going to give a synopsis of the best therapy books I have read or listened to this year and a few other books that have been important in my own personal development. The book selection is in no particular order and I am going to give a brief synopsis and who I would recommend the books to. Gaslighting Recovery Workbook https://a.co/d/fU5pkGv Gaslighting Recov...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I had Chris Ruffini, from the iconic Long Island hardcore band Overthrow. Overthrow was onTriple Crown Records in the '90s, are back and set to release their new album, Setting the Price , in the first quarter of next year. Beyond the music, Chris serves as an Assistant Principal and heads the guidance department at his high school—a...

Send us Fan Mail Anxiety is a natural response to stress that can be beneficial in helping us stay alert and prepared, but when it becomes overwhelming, it can lead to conditions like Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD). While both involve excessive fear or worry that disrupts daily life, their focus differs. SAD centers on a fear of social situations due to concer...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, Sarah talks to Gene Meyer about therapy, music, growing up, his first CD at 5 (Rage Against The Machine), being in a Grindcore Band and a therapist. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I answer questions about discussing sex with your partner and how to approach it so you can feel comfortable with open ended questions. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I spoke to Jon Sinko (Backlash and Unrestrained). We talked about being human, being a good quality friend, life as a Global Executive at multiple brands and being a leader. Support the show

Send us Fan Mail The science behind coregulation is deeply rooted in our biology and psychology, highlighting how interconnected we are as social beings. Let’s explore the scientific principles that explain why and how coregulation works. Then let's talk about how we can help kids coregulate and teach them emotional resilience. Support the show