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 being surrounded by friends, classmates, or even family still feels isolating, this episode will help you unders...

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 justice. But beyond the music, Michael’s journey as an artist and collaborator speaks to resilience, creativity, and the...

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-being. From desire discrepancies to sexual shame, this episode unpacks how to open dialogue, break silence, and he...

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, drawing influence from post-hardcore and emo heavyweights like Pianos Become the Teeth and Title Fight. It’s raw, emotio...

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, and Peter Levine, Sarah explores the neuroscience behind numbness, why your body shuts down emotional signals,...

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, he traveled to India, where under the guidance of Aindra Prabhu he stepped into the world of 24-hour kirtan, merg...

Feeling scatterbrained, overwhelmed, or unable to concentrate? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I dive into why focus is so difficult for adults today—especially those with ADHD—and shares science-backed strategies, treatments, and accommodations that actually work. Learn how to manage distractions, support your brain chemistry, and reclaim your attention with practical tips you can start using right away.

Today on the Hardcore Therapist, we’re honored to welcome Steven ‘Steven In Stereo’ Walker, also known as PositiveSteven , a voice in the YouTube music commentary landscape. Steven has built a platform where he doesn’t just react to the big hits — he analyzes, dissects, and feels them, often doing full-album takes that bring out structure and subtlety many listeners might miss. What makes him even more compelling is his honesty: he’s spoken openly about living with anxiety and dep...

* This episode contains discussions of grooming, sexual abuse, and manipulation particularly how teenage girls have been exploited in the hardcore and DIY music scenes. If that’s triggering for you, please take care of yourself pause, skip sections, or come back later when you’re ready. Today, we’re diving into one of the hardest but most necessary topics we’ve ever talked about: how teenage girls have been groomed within the hardcore scene and how we can understand, heal, and pro...

On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I was honored to welcome a very special guest—someone whose journey through music, philosophy, and spiritual practice has inspired generations. Vic DiCara is best known as the guitarist for the legendary hardcore bands 108, Inside Out, and Shelter—all of which helped define the spiritual hardcore movement of the '90s. But Vic is far more than a musician. He’s also a Vedic astrologer, spiritual teacher, and author whose work blends ancient wisdom with...

Shame can leave us feeling unworthy, isolated, and stuck. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I unpacks the shame cycle—why it happens, how it affects your life, and practical tools to break free. Learn how to recognize shame, practice self-compassion, challenge shame-based beliefs, and reconnect through vulnerability so you can start feeling worthy again.

Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m honored to welcome J. Navarro. If you know anything about the punk and ska scene, you know his name—frontman of The Suicide Machines, Break Anchor, Hellmouth, J. Navarro & The Traitors, Roosevelt's Inaugural Parade, and more. A longtime force in music, Jay has never stopped creating and pushing boundaries. I’ve had the privilege of knowing him for years, and I’m thrilled to finally have him on the show to talk about his journey, his music, and the impa...

Family ties can be powerful—and painful. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I explores how to decide whether reconciliation or no contact is the healthiest path for you. Learn key signs to look for, questions to ask yourself, and steps to protect your well-being as you navigate this tough decision.

Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I spoke to the artist Christoph Jesus. Christoph Jesus is the electrifying frontman of Crazy & the Brains, the New Jersey-born band known for blending streetwise lyrics, punk aggression, and yes a xylophone. Whether he’s ripping through a live set or channeling emotion into his writing, Christoph brings honesty, grit, and heart to everything he does.

On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down one of the most common questions I gets: “What’s the difference between anxiety and panic—and what do I do in the moment?” You’ll learn how to distinguish key symptoms, understand what’s happening in the body, and explore evidence-based tools like grounding, breathing, and cognitive reframing to help yourself or your clients manage these intense experiences.

On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I sit down with bassist Matt Fletcher—known for his work with Shai Hulud, Life Force, and One—for a raw and thoughtful conversation about his journey through music, mental health, and meaning. We talk about what first pulled him into the hardcore scene, growing up in Norman, Oklahoma, and the legendary moment he drove a Camaro across state lines to audition for Shai Hulud. Matt also opens up about his work at Thunderbird Clubhouse, a mental health re...

Conflict in relationships is unavoidable — but what really determines the health and longevity of a partnership isn’t the fight itself, it’s how we come back together afterward. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast, we explore why repair after conflict often matters more than the conflict itself. Drawing on the work of John Gottman, Sue Johnson, and Harville Hendrix, we dig into the science of repair attempts, attachment theory, and how conflict can actually become a doorway to d...

Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m joined by the incredible Shoshana “Shana” Pederson — a force in both the legal world and the mental health advocacy space. By day, Shana is the Senior Manager of eData Specialized Recruiting, where she brings strategy and heart to hiring in one of the nation’s top law firms. But her story doesn’t stop at corporate success. Shana is also the founder of Life Preservers Project, a nonprofit she started over 15 years ago to support survivors of hum...

Ever felt yourself go completely blank during an argument? Or noticed you shut down emotionally when conflict comes up with someone you love? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, host Sarah Kuretzky breaks down why we go numb in conflict, how the body’s freeze response works, and why it often shows up most in our closest relationships. Drawing on research from polyvagal theory, real-life examples, and therapeutic strategies, Sarah offers practical tools to help you mov...

Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m joined by Reid Chancellor—cartoonist, illustrator, musician, and the author of Hardcore Anxiety, Sad Religion, and Hardcore Happiness. Reid reached out to me, and I’m so glad he did. His work dives deep into the intersections of mental health, punk rock, and personal growth—all told through honest, visually compelling storytelling. Whether he’s unpacking his own journey or highlighting the stories of others in the punk scene, Reid brings vulnerabilit...