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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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Today on the Hardcore Therapist, we’re honored to welcome Steven ‘Steven In Stereo’ Walker,  also known as PositiveSteven , a voice in the YouTube music commentary landscape.  Steven has built a platform where he doesn’t just react to the big hits — he analyzes, dissects, and feels them, often doing full-album takes that bring out structure and subtlety many listeners might miss.

What makes him even more compelling is his honesty: he’s spoken openly about living with anxiety and depression, and he uses his platform not just to critique music, but also to advocate for mental wellness. 

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* This episode contains discussions of grooming, sexual abuse, and manipulation  particularly how teenage girls have been exploited in the hardcore and DIY music scenes. If that’s triggering for you, please take care of yourself pause, skip sections, or come back later when you’re ready.

Today, we’re diving into one of the hardest but most necessary topics we’ve ever talked about: how teenage girls have been groomed within the hardcore scene  and how we can understand, heal, and protect future generations.

I’ve been part of this community for decades, and I love it deeply. But love means accountability  and it’s time we name what’s been hidden for too long.

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On this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I was honored to welcome a very special guest—someone whose journey through music, philosophy, and spiritual practice has inspired generations. Vic DiCara is best known as the guitarist for the legendary hardcore bands 108, Inside Out, and Shelter—all of which helped define the spiritual hardcore movement of the '90s. But Vic is far more than a musician. He’s also a Vedic astrologer, spiritual teacher, and author whose work blends ancient wisdom with a deeply personal quest for truth and meaning. His transition from hardcore stages to the sacred texts of the Bhagavad Gita and Srimad Bhagavatam reflects the kind of inner transformation we explore on this show.

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Shame can leave us feeling unworthy, isolated, and stuck. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I unpacks the shame cycle—why it happens, how it affects your life, and practical tools to break free. Learn how to recognize shame, practice self-compassion, challenge shame-based beliefs, and reconnect through vulnerability so you can start feeling worthy again.

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Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m honored to welcome J. Navarro. If you know anything about the punk and ska scene, you know his name—frontman of The Suicide Machines, Break Anchor, Hellmouth, J. Navarro & The Traitors, Roosevelt's Inaugural Parade, and more. A longtime force in music, Jay has never stopped creating and pushing boundaries. I’ve had the privilege of knowing him for years, and I’m thrilled to finally have him on the show to talk about his journey, his music, and the impact he’s had on the scene and beyond.

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Family ties can be powerful—and painful. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I explores how to decide whether reconciliation or no contact is the healthiest path for you. Learn key signs to look for, questions to ask yourself, and steps to protect your well-being as you navigate this tough decision.

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