The Hardcore Therapist

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I got a chance to talk to 3 authors Keith Ward, Karl Buechner, and Jeremy Mueller about their book The Unraveling: The Counsel of Crows (1). The first book of their 3 book series. 

"The Unraveling is a fast paced, masterful work of imagination in which lovable characters remind us of our duty to preserve earth and animal rights in this vivid fable set in a compelling post-human world." -- Moby ― (Musician, Producer)

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The question is: Are you overparenting? And more importantly — how can you pull back in a healthy way and help your child develop independence, resilience, and confidence? If you’ve ever caught yourself doing too much, stepping in too soon, or worrying constantly… this one’s for you.”

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Rob and I sat down to talk about family, the Hamilton Hardcore scene, relationships, and plenty more. If you don’t know, Rob plays bass in RUST, a metallic-hardcore band out of Hamilton, Ontario. They’ve been around since 2019, making a name for themselves in the Ontario scene with a 4-way split and their EP World Upside Down, which got a lot of attention both locally and beyond.

Now in 2024, RUST is stepping things up with their new EP, True Decline, coming out on New Age Records. It’s got five tracks of heavy, unrelenting hardcore—think Terror meets Hatebreed—mixed by Andy Nelson (Bricktop) and mastered by Brad Boatright (Audiosiege), so you know it’s going to hit hard.

We get into the band’s journey, what it’s been like carving out a spot in the scene, and what’s coming next. Hope you enjoy this one!

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, we’re talking about something I see all the time in my practice and, honestly, have lived through myself: emotional burnout.

This isn't just feeling “tired.” This is a deep, soul-level depletion that creeps in when you're overextended, emotionally exhausted, and running on fumes.

So if you're wondering, “Am I just tired—or is this something more?”—this episode is for you.

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On today's episode, we welcome Justin King, a visionary entrepreneur and the founder of Ben & Esther's Vegan Jewish Deli. From motorcycle sales to punk-themed barbershops and bioplastics, Justin's journey has been anything but conventional. In 2019, he opened Ben & Esther’s in Portland, later transforming it into a fully vegan deli to align with his ethical beliefs. Beyond business, he’s a Hare Krishna devotee, a dedicated father, and the owner of Royal Harmonium and Hayden Island Boat Rentals. With a passion for philanthropy, he even runs a storefront providing free meals to those in need. Justin is proof that tradition and innovation can coexist

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Today, we’re talking about something that touches all of us at some point in life—grief. Specifically, two big questions I hear a lot:
 How do I cope with the loss of a loved one?
 and
 Can grief make you physically sick?

Whether you’ve just experienced a loss, or the waves of grief are still catching you years later, this episode is for you. Let’s talk about the realities of grief—emotional and physical—and how to take care of yourself when your world has shifted.

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist,  we have a special guest. Hailing from West Michigan, Sam Rottschafer has an incredible talent for capturing life through his lens—whether it’s the high-energy atmosphere of a concert, the breathtaking serenity of a landscape, or the raw emotion in a portrait. Guided by the art of storytelling, Sam’s photography isn’t just about taking pictures; it’s about freezing moments in time and turning them into lasting memories. I’m excited to dive into his journey, creative process, and what inspires him behind the camera.

https://www.samrottschafer.com/

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A trauma bond is when you’re deeply attached to someone who’s hurting you — emotionally, physically, or psychologically — and it’s that cycle of pain, then love-bombing, then pain again that makes you stick around.
 You’re basically bonded through repeated betrayal and emotional chaos.
 It’s that feeling of 'I know this is bad for me, but I can’t walk away.'

Key signs:

• You rationalize bad behavior constantly.
  
  
  
• You feel addicted to the highs and lows.
  
  
  
• You feel drained, not energized, after being with them.
  
  
  
• Your gut says 'get out,' but your heart says 'maybe it'll change.'
  
  
  
• There’s an uneven power dynamic — you’re walking on eggshells, they're walking free.
  
  
  

It’s NOT love. It’s survival mode dressed up like love.

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Today, we have an incredible guest who embodies the true essence of music, art, and hardcore culture. Born and raised in New York, he's been immersed in creativity from an early age, coming from a family of musicians. As a teenager, he found his love for graffiti—a bold and expressive art form that exploded in the '80s—and quickly became part of a movement that blended street art with the hardcore music scene.

His passion for both art and music has been a driving force throughout his life. Since joining the legendary New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front as their bass player in the winter of 2001, he's toured the world—from Europe to South America to Japan—experiencing diverse cultures that continue to inspire his creativity.

Beyond the stage, he channels his artistic vision into his own online store, offering a new way to share his work with the world. A true artist, musician, and adventurer, I’m thrilled to welcome Mike Gallo to The Hardcore Therapist Podcast.

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 What happens when the entire family system bends over backwards to cater to the most toxic person in the room?

I’m talking about the person who wrecks every holiday, throws emotional grenades at family events, and somehow... everyone else ends up apologizing to them.

If this is ringing some uncomfortable bells for you, stick around.
 You are absolutely not alone — and you’re not crazy for feeling exhausted."

We are going to get into it!

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