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.