The Hardcore Therapist welcomes Popeye Vogelsang — the unmistakable voice of Farside, the iconic Orange County melodic hardcore band that helped shape the sound of the '90s punk scene. Known for blending raw emotion with introspective lyrics, Popeye carved out a unique space in hardcore music, setting himself apart from the noise with vulnerability and heart. Now leading Calling Hours, he continues to push musical boundaries while staying rooted in the honesty that’s defined his career. This is a super fun episode!

Sending your child off to college is one of the biggest transitions we face as parents—and it’s not just their new chapter, it’s ours too. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I share my personal perspective on what it feels like to navigate empty nesting while weaving in insights from Mel Robbins, psychologist Guy Winch, Dr. Rachel Glik, and Dr. Janine Furdella.

From the first few days of adjustment, to the instinct to rescue, to sitting with the quiet at home, we’ll unpack the grief, the growth, and the possibilities that come with letting go. You’ll hear about the importance of allowing yourself to feel, reframing the experience as a fresh start, and learning to trust your child’s wings—while finding your own again.

This conversation is for every parent wrestling with worry, identity shifts, and the bittersweet ache of watching your kid step into independence. Remember—empty nest doesn’t mean empty life. It’s a chance for rediscovery, renewal, and love in a new form.

On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast, I spoke to Drew Maxey. He is a high school English teacher, comic book writer for DC under the name DrewXdeficit, and frontman for the St. Louis hardcore bands, Good Grief, Like Heaven and Time and Pressure. He’s also straight edge and brings a fierce, thoughtful voice to everything he does—on stage, in the classroom, and on the page.

Have you ever landed a promotion, finished a project, or reached a milestone only to think, “They must have made a mistake…I don’t really deserve this”? That nagging self-doubt is called imposter syndrome, and in this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I explores why it shows up, how family dynamics and perfectionism feed it, and why high achievers and creatives are especially vulnerable. In this 20-minute conversation, you’ll learn what imposter syndrome really is (and isn’t), how therapy modalities like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), and Schema Therapy can help reframe those thoughts, and practical tools you can use right away — from keeping a success journal, to naming imposter thoughts, to practicing self-compassion. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I really good enough?” this episode will remind you that you are not a fraud, and you are not alone.

Today on The Hardcore Therapist,  I’m sitting down with someone who blends creativity with deep compassion — Alison Mennor AKA FAST ALI. Ali is an accomplished artist and founder of Lost & Found Tattoos, and you may know her from the late '90s/early 2000s New Jersey Hardcore band Fast Times. Alongside her art and music, Ali dedicated her time to providing  nipple tattoos for breast cancer survivors — a powerful way of helping people heal. 

Today, we’re diving into a relationship pattern that so many of my clients — and honestly, me in my past life too — have found themselves stuck in. It’s being with someone who is emotionally unavailable… and somehow finding yourself doing 80% of the work to hold things together while they coast at 20%.

Now, if you’ve ever been the one chasing texts, planning dates, initiating deep talks, and being the emotional glue… only to realize they’re just kind of along for the ride… this is going to hit home for you.

And here’s the thing — this pattern isn’t just about them. It’s also about why you stay, why you keep over-functioning, and what needs to shift so you don’t get pulled into it again. So today, I’m breaking down the signs of emotional unavailability, why we fall into the 80/20 trap, and what you can start doing differently… starting now

This episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I had the chance to talk to Joe Nelson, co-founder of Trust Records, is a pivotal figure in the hardcore punk community whose roots in the scene run deep. A former vocalist for bands like Triggerman and member of seminal acts including Ignite, Nelson brings decades of lived experience and passion to his work preserving the legacy of punk’s formative years. With Trust Records, he’s made it his mission to honor and reissue influential albums from the genre’s golden era—ensuring that the stories, ethics, and sounds of hardcore remain accessible to new generations. 

Can an algorithm truly support your mental health—or are we just outsourcing intimacy? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I  takes a deep dive into the world of AI mental health apps like Woebot, Wysa, and Replika.

We’ll explore the research behind these tools, the appeal of 24/7 emotional support, and the potential risks of replacing real human connection with artificial “empathy.” Sarah shares insights from her clinical practice, including how AI can sometimes help—and how it can dangerously fall short.

Whether you're curious about digital therapy, using these tools yourself, or supporting someone who is, this episode will help you think critically about where tech ends and true healing begins

On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I spoke to Dr. Kate Quinn i a UK-based clinical psychologist and co-director of Heavy Metal Therapy, a community project that uses heavy music to support mental health. A lifelong metalhead, Kate created HMT to challenge stigma and show how metal can help people process emotions like anger, grief, and loss. Through her clinical work, public speaking, and her podcast The Church of HMT, Kate advocates for embracing difficult feelings and finding healing through music.

In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down one of the most misunderstood dynamics in relationships: the difference between emotional intimacy and emotional enmeshment. If you’ve ever wondered whether your deep connection with someone is healthy—or if it’s crossing into codependent territory—this episode is for you.

We’ll explore:

• The key signs of emotional enmeshment
  
  
  
• What real intimacy looks and feels like
  
  
  
• Why those of us with trauma or attachment wounds often confuse the two
  
  
  
• How to begin untangling yourself without losing connection