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In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I  breaks down what childhood trauma really is (including emotional neglect and attachment wounds), why healing can feel so confusing, and where to begin without retraumatizing yourself.

This is a grounding, research-informed conversation focused on nervous system safety, self-compassion, and realistic first steps toward healing especially if you’ve spent years telling yourself it “wasn’t that bad.”

This episode is not about blaming parents or reliving the past. It’s about understanding how you adapted to survive and how to begin building a safer present.

Listener discretion is advised. Take care of yourself as you listen.

Important note: This episode is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for therapy. If you feel overwhelmed, consider reaching out to a trauma-informed mental health professional or a trusted support person.

If this episode resonated with you, consider sharing it with someone who might need permission to start healing slowly.

You can journal on these or sit with them quietly:

1. What did I learn about safety, love, or worth as a child?
2. Which of those lessons no longer serve me?
3. What does safety feel like in my body—if only for a moment?
4. What support do I resist, and why?
5. If my symptoms were messengers, what would they be asking for?

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, Sarah sits down with her husband, Don Rossington, a key figure in the Bay Area hardcore scene. Don’s work with Second Coming HC, Breakaway, and Rabid Lassie helped shape the raw sound and spirit of Northern California hardcore in the early ’90s. In this episode, they dive into his journey, the scene that influenced him, and how music, identity, and resilience intersect in unexpected ways. Tune in for a powerful and personal conversation.

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 In today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down one of the most common relationship struggles: the panic that hits when someone you love pulls away — even just a little. If you’ve ever gone into fight, flight, freeze, or frantic texting mode when a partner goes quiet, this episode will help you understand what’s really happening inside your brain and body.

We explore:

• How attachment patterns make distance feel dangerous
  
  
  
• The neuroscience behind panic and “rejection alarms”
  
  
  
• Why your nervous system reacts before your thoughts do
  
  
  
• How this pattern affects relationships
  
  
  
• And three powerful in-the-moment regulation tools you can use to calm your body and reconnect with clarity
  
  

Proceeds from this podcast go directly to supporting uninsured and underinsured individuals seeking mental health care.
 Follow, share, and help us get healing tools into more hands.

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, we’re talking with Chris Lohman — guitarist, vocalist, and true veteran of the Southern California hardcore scene. Hailing from Huntington Beach, Chris has been part of the scene since the mid-’80s, playing in bands like Blackspot, Collateral Damage, Done Dying, and John Henry Holiday. He’s not just a musician, he’s also the founder of his own screen printing company, supporting the same community he helped build through decades of music, creativity, and DIY spirit.

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In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down the truth about perimenopause, menopause, and the massive impact hormonal shifts have on anxiety, depression, mood, sleep, and cognitive function. She explains why so many women are prescribed SSRIs during this phase — and why sometimes the real issue is unaddressed hormonal imbalance.

You'll learn the science behind estrogen’s role in mental health, practical tools to manage symptoms, how to find a menopause-literate clinician through The Menopause Society, and why hormone therapy can be life-changing for some people.

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist Podcast, I’m sitting down with Benny Capaul — vocalist and co-founder of the high-energy ska-punk band The Boy Detective, born out of southeastern Michigan’s DIY scene. The band, which began as a recording project between Benny and guitarist Nic Good, has evolved into a powerhouse of sharp songwriting, infectious energy, and emotional honesty.

But Benny’s story goes far beyond the stage. He’s also a fourth-generation funeral director and death doula, dedicating his life to helping people navigate the sacred transition between life and death. His unique balance between creating music that celebrates life and holding space for grief and mortality offers a profound perspective on what it means to be human — to feel deeply, love fiercely, and honor every ending as much as every beginning.

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 If that question hits a nerve, this episode is for you.

In this powerful, science-backed episode of The Hardcore Therapist,I breaks down why so many of us become people-pleasers — from attachment to nervous system conditioning to psychological theories like the Sociometer Theory, Self-Determination Theory, and self-silencing research.

You’ll learn:
  The neuroscience and psychology behind people-pleasing
 How chronic performing disconnects you from your authentic self
 ACT-, CBT-, and IFS-informed strategies to break the cycle
  Boundary scripts, micro-no’s, and behavioral experiments
 A 2-minute guided practice to help you reconnect with your values

If you’ve ever felt like your worth depends on staying likable, agreeable, or accommodating, this episode will help you reclaim your identity — without guilt, without shame, and without performing.

Listen now and start becoming the version of yourself you actually recognize.

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On today’s episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I’m talking with Brian Burdzy, the new frontman of Hundreds of AU. Brian stepped into a band with an established sound and history, and with their latest album Life in Parallel, he’s helping push their music into new territory.

His lyrics explore the tension between expectation and reality, social issues, and personal disillusionment ,topics that resonate far beyond music. Today, we dive into what it’s like to find your voice in a creative collective, how art can reflect life’s struggles, and why speaking your truth matters.

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Feeling stuck with chronic gut issues or back pain? Wondering how pain can be “neuroplastic” when it feels so real? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down the science of the brain–gut connection, the role of the nervous system in chronic pain, and why disorders like IBS and chronic back pain are often rooted in neural pathways—not damaged tissue.

You’ll learn:

• how the gut and brain communicate through the vagus nerve
• why the brain creates pain even when nothing is “wrong”
• what neuroplastic pain is (and what it isn’t)
• the groundbreaking research behind Pain Reprocessing Therapy (PRT)
• how somatic work helps retrain your nervous system
• a step-by-step plan for people who think their pain might be neuroplastic
• This is a compassionate, grounded, science-backed episode that empowers you to understand your pain — and finally heal it.

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Steve Larson has been a cornerstone of Orange County hardcore. You know him from Insted, A18, and The Alligators—and today he’s hanging out with me on The Hardcore Therapist Podcast. We talk about Insted signing with Epitaph Records, the misconceptions they faced on the road, and how they were ahead of their time as one of the first true “merch bands.”

I first met Steve right before the Big Frank Memorial Show, where he played in Bonds of Friendship with so many incredible people. Seeing him perform was a full-circle moment for me, and having him on the show now makes this episode even more special.

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