The Hardcore Therapist

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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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Does having a spiritual connection to a higher power actually affect your mental health? In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I break down the research, the real-life examples, and the clinical insights so you can understand how spirituality can help—or sometimes hurt—your mental health. We talk about what a higher power can mean for different people, how beliefs can provide meaning, coping, and community, and when spiritual struggles might actually increase anxiety or depression.

If you want practical takeaways, evidence-backed insight, and a no-judgment look at how spirituality interacts with mental health, this episode is for you.

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m joined by Vennie from South Florida hardcore outfit Spit Truth, a band gearing up to drop their new EP Good For You this fall. Known for their raw energy and unapologetic honesty, Spit Truth will also be taking their sound on the road with a Texas tour this coming March. At the center of it all is Iraldes Jose Abreu (pronounced ee-RAHL-des ho-SEH ah-BREH-oo), who not only fuels the band’s drive but also runs Soul Search Therapy LLC. Whether delivering hardcore intensity on stage or guiding people in their healing journeys, Abreu embodies the same authenticity and unwavering commitment to truth.

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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 understand the psychology — and the hope — behind loneliness.

Listener Reflection Questions

1. When was the last time you felt alone even while surrounded by people? What was missing from that moment?
   
   
   
2. How safe do you feel showing your authentic self in your current relationships?
   
   
   
3. Which small vulnerability could you try this week to move one step closer to authentic connection?
   
   
   

   4. How does your body signal loneliness? What sensations or patterns do you             notice?

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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 power of community—themes that connect deeply with what we explore here. I’m excited to dive into his story, talk about the bands that shaped him.

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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 heal the body-mind connection in the bedroom.

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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, emotionally charged, and absolutely unforgettable.

We’re going to dig into their creative process, what inspired Souvenir, and how they’re carving their own space in the hardcore scene. 

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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, and how to start reconnecting with your feelings safely.

You’ll learn:

• Subtle signs you’re emotionally numb (not grounded)
• How trauma and chronic stress rewire your emotional responses
• Somatic and relational tools to help you “thaw” and feel again
• What real emotional regulation — not avoidance — actually looks like

If you’ve ever said “I don’t know” when asked how you feel, or if joy just doesn’t hit the way it used to, this episode is for you.

Trigger warning: Discussion of trauma and emotional disconnection.
 Want support? DM Sarah on Instagram @thehardcoretherapist

REFERENCES & SOURCES

• van der Kolk, B. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score. Penguin Books.
• Walker, P. (2013). Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving.
• Levine, P. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma.
• Porges, S. (2011). The Polyvagal Theory: Neurophysiological Foundations of Emotions, Attachment, Communication, and Self-Regulation.
• Menakem, R. (2017). My Grandmother’s Hands: Racialized Trauma and the Pathway to Mending Our Hearts and Bodies.
• Harvard University Center on the Developing Child. (2019). Toxic Stress and Brain Development.
• American Psychological Association. (n.d.). Emotional Numbing.

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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, merging his hardcore intensity with the devotional fire of bhakti. He’s a singer, a master of traditional kirtan instruments like harmonium, mridanga, and karatals, and someone who bridges two worlds — the gritty honesty of hardcore and the transcendence of sacred sound. 

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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.

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