The Hardcore Therapist

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Today’s guest is an absolute powerhouse in the plant-based world. Natalie Slater is a Chicago-based vegan cookbook author, content creator, and all-around food industry badass. She’s the go-to expert for high-protein vegan eats and isn’t afraid to drop some hot takes on the plant-based food scene. As the Director of Sales and Marketing for Upton’s Naturals, she’s shaping the future of vegan protein. You might’ve seen her in the CM Punk documentary Best In the World, throwing down on Cupcake Wars, or baking up a storm on The Perfect 3.

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“Can you really rewire your brain for positivity?”

It sounds a little... woo-woo, right? Like something you'd see on a Pinterest quote board. But here's the thing—it’s not just a feel-good idea. There’s actual neuroscience to back it up. So today, we’re digging into how our brains work, why they’re wired to lean negative by default, and how we can shift that wiring toward a more positive, grounded, and empowered mindset.

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On this Episode of the Hardcore Therapist, I had the pleasure to speak with Joe Bando who will be sharing his journey, starting in the underground hardcore music scene of Cleveland, Ohio—a world of raw energy and defiance that shaped his path in comedy. Along the way,he has overcome a childhood marked by severe abuse, rebuilt his life through entrepreneurship, and embraced personal responsibility through a 110-pound weight loss on a carnivore diet. He will talk about his navigated estrangement and reconciliation in fatherhood, found love and wisdom in marriage to a psychologist, and stood firm as a business owner and performer during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

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Hey everyone, welcome back to The Hardcore Therapist! I’m so glad you’re here. Today we’re diving into a question that hits close to home for a lot of us:

“How do I set boundaries without feeling guilty—and what do I do if someone crosses my boundaries after I was clear about them?”

Whew. This is a big one. And if you're anything like me—or like most of the people I work with—you’ve probably struggled with this at some point.

Questions to ask yourself if you struggle with boundaries:

“Where in my life am I consistently feeling drained—and what boundary could help protect my energy there?”

“What kind of pushback am I afraid of—and what does that fear really say about my past experiences?”

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, Kyle Donovan and Tyler Hillman, members of the Michigan Hardcore band Suffer No Fools. They're celebrating the release of their debut album, "To Live Is To Suffer," which is out  now via Heroes + Martyrs.

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Today, we’re diving into a loaded, raw, and often painful topic—how to let go of people who don’t enhance your life—including family.

I’m not here to sugarcoat this. I’m here to help you honor your mental health, even when it means making decisions that go against every message you've been taught about loyalty, tradition, or what it means to be a “good person.”

Prompts for Healing:

Take a moment—right now or later today—and grab a journal, a voice note app, or even just some quiet time alone. Ask yourself the following questions:

1. Who in my life consistently leaves me feeling drained, anxious, or unseen?
    (Name them without judgment—this is about truth, not blame.)
   
   
   
2. What have I tried to do to change or heal this relationship? Have those efforts been mutual?
    (Notice if you’ve been carrying the weight alone.)
   
   
   
3. What would protecting my peace look like with this person?
   
   
   
   • Less contact?
     
     
     
   • Stronger boundaries?
     
     
     
   • Emotional distance?
     
     
     
   • Full disconnection?
     
     
     
4. What am I afraid will happen if I let go?
    (Get honest about the guilt, fear of backlash, or fear of being alone.)
   
   
   
5. What might open up in my life if I create space from this person?
    (Energy, clarity, new relationships, joy, rest, freedom?)
   
   
   

Bonus Prompt:

Write a letter you’ll never send to this person. Say everything you’ve never had the safety to say. Then either keep it, burn it, or delete it—but let it move through you.

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What an amazing collaboration episode of The Hardcore Therapist Podcast and Pit Therapy Podcast! Kyle and Trevor were so much fun. Check out this hilarious episode chalked full of hardcore, family life, growing up and a wild thought about specific songs!

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist I was joined by Scott Crouse. Coming up through the thriving Syracuse, NY hardcore movement of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, Scott helped shape the sound and message of a generation. As a founding guitarist of Earth Crisis, his work on albums like Firestorm and Destroy the Machines cemented their place as some of the most influential hardcore records of their time.

Beyond Earth Crisis, Scott’s passion for hardcore and straight-edge activism continued through projects like Path of Resistance, Framework, Sect, and Tooth and Claw.

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, today we're diving into a powerful topic: self-abandonment. This is something so many of us struggle with without even realizing it—saying yes when we mean no, ignoring our own needs, or constantly putting others before ourselves. But what does it really mean to abandon yourself, and more importantly, how can we stop doing it? 

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I am thrilled to welcome Ray Harkins. Ray is the host of the influential podcast 100 Words or Less, where he dives deep into the stories of musicians, artists, and creatives. Beyond the podcasting world, Ray is also the lead singer for the melodic hardcore band Taken. We'll explore his journey through music, the evolution of the hardcore scene, and the intersection of mental health and creativity. Check out Ray's new band Bloodguilt!

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