Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, rediscover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a coping skill.Welcome to a space where music and mental health meet. Safe in Sound is a podcast with host Jeremy Houtsma, a licensed mental health counselor, that dives deep into the emotional stories behind the songs that shaped a generation — exploring how artists, therapists, and record label owners navigate mental health in the music industry.
Each episode blends raw conversation and reflection, connecting the nostalgia of 2000s emo music with real, modern-day mental health experiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan of bands like Minus the Bear, Further Seems Forever, or Taking Back Sunday, or simply someone who finds healing through music, you’ll find honesty, connection, and hope here.
Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, rediscover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a coping skill.
Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, rediscover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a coping skill.Welcome to a space where music and mental health meet. Safe in Sound is a podcast with host Jeremy Houtsma, a licensed mental health counselor, that dives deep into the emotional stories behind the songs that shaped a generation — exploring how artists, therapists, and record label owners navigate mental health in the music industry.
Each episode blends raw conversation and reflection, connecting the nostalgia of 2000s emo music with real, modern-day mental health experiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan of bands like Minus the Bear, Further Seems Forever, or Taking Back Sunday, or simply someone who finds healing through music, you’ll find honesty, connection, and hope here.
Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, rediscover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a coping skill.
It is hard to sum up the work of Chad Johnson in a snippet. Chad had an enormous impact on the post-hardcore and emo scene in the early 2000's and therefore the scene even to this day. Band like Underoath, Hopesfall, Further Seems Forever all got their start on either Chad Johnson's Takehold Records or put out songs on splits or compilations under Chad. Chad also did A&R for Tooth and Nail in the early 2000's, helping bands on the label excele. Chad is also the man behind the inception and continuance of Furnace Fest in Birmingham ,Alabama which has created both one of the scenes most iconic festivals and communities.
Chad is known by most musicians and people as one of the most positive people you will ever meet, but this year was a year that almost broke Chad.
Listen as we talk about Chad's story and his struggle with his own mental health in this episode.
Stacy Hilt is a founding member and bass player for the bands Coalesce and The Casket Lottery, both of which have had a remarkable impact on the music scene.
In this episode, we go over a myriad of topics about his life. We explore his introduction to music and his ventures into Krishna Core, how growing up in a lower socio-economic status affected his life and mental health, his time with the Casket Lottery for over 2 decades, and how it felt to decide to leave the band.
Most importantly, we talk about Stacy's own struggles with his mental health and being diagnosed with Bipolar II disorder later on in life. Stacy provides a candid look at how music has both been therapy and, at times, a hindrance to his own mental health.
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Join us for an exclusive conversation with Jake Snider, founding member, guitarist, and lead singer of Seattle’s iconic indie rock band Minus the Bear. With their groundbreaking sophomore album Menos el Oso turning 20 years old, the band is celebrating with a long-awaited comeback tour.
In this episode, Jake opens up about the legacy of Minus the Bear, their influence on the emo and math rock scenes, and the evolution of their sound over the past two decades. We also dive into his passion for guitar gear, songwriting, and his personal journey toward better mental health.
Whether you were blasting Menos el Oso in your college years or you’re just discovering Minus the Bear now, this episode is a nostalgic yet fresh listen for elder millennials and fans of the indie/emo revival.
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25 Years ago False Cathedrals by Elliott was released into the world. A blend of electronic sampling, swelling, and atmospheric guitar sounds mixed with haunting vocals made the album one of the most regarded and masterful albums of the scene. My guest today is Chris Higdon, the lead singer of the bands Falling Forward, Elliott, and Mirrorless.
In this interview, we start with Chris's background, growing up in Kentucky, and follow his musical journey through his early interest in the Louisville hardcore scene to the start and end of Elliott. We also explore Chris's passion for the music industry, his views on religion and his current band Mirrorless.
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Brian Carley is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Penfold. Penfold started in 1995 in Livingston, NJ, as bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral were making their impact on the scene. Playing shows on weekends while attending college during the day, Penfold's work ethos was unmatched. They were a mainstay in the NJ DIY scene that led to bands like Saves The Day, Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Armor for Sleep receiving commercial success. Penfold released a handful of EP's until their breakup in the early 2000's.
Listen as Jeremy and Brian talk about the formation of Penfold, it's influences, songwriting process and reunification for Best Friends Forever Festival in October.
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Damon Atkinson is a legendary drummer in the mid-west emo scene. Damon started playing for the influential band Braid in 1997 and would go on to help write and record Braid's most critically acclaimed albums in the scene, Frame and Canvas. After Braid's demise Atkinson went on to help form Hey Mercedes with two of the other founders of Braid.
Listen as we got through Damon's time in his youth, where he first discovered his love for the drums at 3 years old, to his 20's touring and writing music with Braid and Hey Mercedes as well as working as tour production office manager for Warped Tour. More importantly we talk about Damon's inspiring story of dealing with anxiety and alcoholism to his current sobriety.
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My guest is Chad Neptune of the legendary hxc band Strongarm and Further Seems Forever. Join us as we dive into the history of both bands as well as the ups and downs of being in two of the scene's most iconic bands. We discuss Chad's relationship with each of the singers on Further Seems Forever 4 albums and how each change brought its unique challenges.
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Jason Trabue has been a drummer for band like Hopesfall, The Casket Lottery and Vedera. He currently is the Tour and Production manager for Jimmy Eat World, Garbage and A Perfect Circle. His music career in the scene is vast. Listen as we talk about his music career with it's ups and downs.
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Joe Marro is the former guitarist and keyboard player for The Early November from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2011-2017. He also played in HelloGoodbye from 2011 to 2018. In this episode, we talk about the fuzzy timeline of The Early November's early formation and its ever-revolving door of musicians at first. Joe also talks about what it was like to be so young and on tour as well as the legal dispute The Early November had with the Getup kids over the song Baby Blue, their reformation and his current band management company.
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Join me as I talk all things Minus the Bear with bass player and founding member Cory Murchy. We talk about Cory's love of ska music, forming Minus the Bear, a painful back injury that threatened to sideline him and what he is doing now.
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Orion Walsh is a solo musician the lead singer of Slow Coming Day. With the bands album Farewell to Familiar turning over 20 years old recently and a string of reunion shows coming in April it only seemed appropriate to have Orion on the podcast. Orion and I talk about the band, his solo career,his journey through grief at the loss of his dad at 15 years old and his personal therapy journey now. This is a candid one so bit back and enjoy.
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Jeff Jenkins is a paranormal enthusiast, believer and also happens to be the lead singer of North Carolina Melodic Post-Hardcore indie outfit Codeseven. Jeff takes us on his journey of musical love from the womb, to the rise , demise and resurrection of his band Codeseven.
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Johnny Smrdel is the bass player for the gone-to-soon band Beloved, as well as the hardcore outfit Advent. Listen as Johnny takes us through his early love affair with music as a kid in a single parent household to his inclusion in the hardcore scene as a teenager. Johnny also talks about his introduction to Beloved, tim touring and the formation of Advent. Johnny's passion for music, his family and life is sure to captivate those who listen.
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Shai Hulud has a special place in hardcore history. With the 20th anniversary of the band's trailblazing album "That Within Blood Ill-Tempered" and the thrilling announcement of their reunion at Furnace Fest 2024, my guest today is the vocalist of that album, Geert van der Velde. As the vocal cords behind the influential music, Geert unveils his journey from a metal-obsessed teen to frontman and vocalist of Shai Hulud, leaving an indelible mark on the hardcore scene. But the man behind the mic is more than just riffs and growls; he's a figure of multiple facets, including his ventures with The Black Atlantic and the strategic world of chess at Chessable.com, not to mention his strides in long-distance running and his cherished role as a father.
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When the mic goes live, it's not just about the podcast voice—it's about the echoes of old friendships and the music that's been the soundtrack to our lives. Reunited with Joe Morin of Edison Glass, we wade through the laughter, the struggles of life on the road, and the burrito joints that somehow stick in our minds more than the venues we played. This episode isn't just a trip down memory lane; it's an exploration of the personal growth that comes from the genuine connections we forge, and a testament to the therapeutic power of revisiting our history.
As we stitch together the tapestry of our past, Joe and I grapple with the concepts of redemption and grace that have framed our narratives. From the unpredictability of touring life to the bittersweet act of sifting through memories, we unpack how these experiences have shaped us into the adults we've become. Joe's continued dedication to music, post-Edison Glass, serves as a poignant reminder that our artistry captures the essence of who we are at different moments—each album a chapter in the story of our lives.
Concluding with musings on our desire for control, this episode touches on the personal anecdotes and shared experiences that have defined our evolving music careers. We laugh about sneaking into concerts and those formative years that laid the foundation for our musical identities. As we discuss the challenges of aging, parenthood, and health, there's a sense of camaraderie and understanding that resonates deeply. Join us for an intimate journey through the complexities of life, the pursuit of dreams, and the unbreakable bond of music that intertwines our stories.
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As a first for the Podcast, I am excited to welcome Jolie Lindholm lead singer of The Rocking Horse Winner and The Darling Fire. Listen as Jolie talks about her time in Florida's rising music scene as one of the few female-fronted bands in the rock/emo scene in Florida. Jolie takes us through singing with Chris Carrabba's band the Vacant Andy's and subsequently on the iconic song Age Racer Six off of Dashboard Confessionals' first LP, the Swiss Army Romance to her own bands The Rocking Horse Winner, and currently The Darling Fire. This conversation is sprinkled with awesome little anecdotes about the scene and our mutual love for The Twilight Zone.
So sit back, relax grab your favorite beverage, and let me welcome you to the scene.
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On October 15, 2002, Hopesfall released a seminal album called The Satellite Years. 21 years later the band remixed and remastered the album. Ryan Parrish was a driving force in the formation, songwriting, and touring force that Hopesfall would become until the end of his time in the band shortly before the full release of the album.
This conversation takes us from the inception of Hopesfall to the complications within the band, and Ryan's journey into other music endeavors. Finally, we discuss Ryan's life as a Video Producer in Nashville, Dad and husband.
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Challenging the status quo and diving headfirst into the colorful world of music, our episode today resonates with the influential beats of Jake Brown, a creative force behind bands 238, Moments in Grace and Isiya dot exe. A small-town musician with considerable talent, Jake talks us through his journey of juggling parenting responsibilities while feeding his passion for music.
As we navigate through Jake’s narrative, we touch upon some profound discussions around mental health and the therapeutic role music plays in coping with the same. Exploring the evolution of his music career, we delve into his punk influences and the incredible journey of his band, 238 Moments in Grace. Further, we crack open the recording process, examining the significant influence of lyricism and the exhilarating experiences of touring with big-name bands.
Ending our captivating conversation with a deep dive into the complexities of the music industry, we shine a spotlight on the challenges that small-town bands face. No stranger to these struggles himself, Jake shares the compelling journey from being a small-town band to touring with the iconic My Chemical Romance. Finally, we get a glimpse of Jake's life as a 42-year-old musician and father of three, his creative exploration of music, and his appreciation for the reinterpretation of genres by the younger generation. This is a compelling exploration of music, mental health, and the balance of life that is sure to leave you inspired.
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Strap in as we explore the intricate dance between faith and music, a narrative that is deeply personal to Jeremy. He speaks candidly about the challenges and triumphs he faced in merging these two worlds, providing a unique perspective that's as enlightening as it is engaging.
We also talk about Jeremy's Podcast "The Rumors Are True!" The podcast, marinated in his rich background and seasoned by the relationships he has nurtured over the years, is a testament to Jeremy's unwavering belief in the power of communities and the transformative ability of music. Whether you're an avid music lover, an ardent podcast enthusiast, or someone seeking a slice of life in the Midwest music scene, this episode has something for everyone. Don't miss out on this harmonious blend of music, faith, and life experiences that are sure to strike a chord.
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American Football is perhaps one of THE most influential bands in the scene, especially when it comes to Midwest Emo. Steve Lamos is the founding member, drummer, and trumpet player for the band but Steve is also an accomplished professor and academic.
In this episode, Steve and I talk about how influential the music scene was in his college years for not only him but many other young people in Champaign-Urbana. We also cover the reunion of American Football and his subsequent leaving again and coming back.
We also talk about Steve's work and teaching at the University of Colorado, Boulder, specifically surrounding the history and evolution of writing instruction especially in the Civil Rights Era. It was my absolute pleasure to get to talk to Steve and dive into all these topics.
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