The Hardcore Therapist 142- Todd Kowalski (Propagandhi)

The Hardcore Therapist 142- Todd Kowalski (Propagandhi)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/fan_mail/new] Today’s guest is someone who has been shaping the sound—and the message—of punk and hardcore for decades. I’m joined by Todd Kowalski, bassist and vocalist of Propagandhi. If you know Propagandhi, you know this isn’t just music—it’s political, it’s ethical, it’s challenging, and it forces you to think. Their work has always pushed beyond the surface, questioning systems, accountability, and what it actually means to live in alignment with your values. And that’s exactly why this conversation matters. Because what Todd has been writing about for years—power, responsibility, internal conflict, how we show up in the world—those are the same themes we’re working through in therapy every day. In this episode, we’re talking about:  what it means to live your values when it’s uncomfortable,  how identity evolves over time,  and how we reconcile who we were with who we’re trying to become. This is one of those conversations that sits right at the intersection of hardcore and mental health—which is what this podcast is all about. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 141.5- “Why do I keep ignoring red flags when I know better?”

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/fan_mail/new] In this discussion on The Hardcore Therapist, I dive into the painful reality of staying when our nervous system is already screaming that something is wrong. We explore the powerful forces ike intense chemistry, the pull of potential, the weight of loneliness, and deep attachment wounds that make it so difficult to honor what we know to be true. This conversation is about moving from panic to clarity by slowing down, using your body as data, and shifting your focus from isolated moments to repeated patterns as you rebuild self-trust. Ignoring the red flags doesn't mean you are failing; it just means you are human. Healing isn’t about being perfect it’s about learning how to come back to yourself sooner. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 141- Kevin Salk (Punk Rock Photographer)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/fan_mail/new] Today’s guest is someone who captured a moment in time that a lot of people talk about—but very few people actually saw the way he did. I’m joined by Kevin Salk, a photographer who documented the early Southern California hardcore scene in the 1980s—not as press, not as an insider trying to make a name for himself, but as a kid with a camera who was just trying to make sense of where he fit. Kevin was there photographing bands like Black Flag, Circle Jerks, Minor Threat, and the Misfits—at a time when hardcore wasn’t polished, it wasn’t nostalgic, and it definitely wasn’t safe. It was raw, chaotic, and, for a lot of people, one of the only places they felt like they belonged. What makes Kevin’s work so different is that he wasn’t trying to document history. He wasn’t trying to build a career. He was observing. He was paying attention. And in a lot of ways, he was standing just outside of it all—capturing something that people inside the chaos don’t always see. And then, he walked away from it. For decades. Until recently, when those photos resurfaced—and now they’re being seen not just as documentation, but as a really honest perspective of what that time actually felt like. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 140.5- How Do You Rebuild Trust With Yourself After Betrayal or Heartbreak?

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/fan_mail/new] After betrayal or heartbreak, the hardest part is not always trusting someone else again — t is learning how to trust yourself. In this episode, I explore how betrayal impacts the nervous system, self-worth, rumination, attachment wounds, and your sense of judgment. I breaks down how to move from self-blame into self-trust through boundaries, emotional regulation, small self-promises, and learning to come back to yourself without shame. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 140- Anthony Giannotti ( Victory Crown Barber Co.)

Send us Fan Mail [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/fan_mail/new] On this episde of The Hardcore Therapist, I’m joined by Anthony Giannotti, founder of Victory Crown Barber Co., and someone who has spent over a decade mastering his craft as a barber, entrepreneur, and educator. Anthony didn’t just step into a career—he built one from the ground up. From making his own pomade in his kitchen and selling it at merch tables, to growing a brand that’s now used in barbershops across the country, his story is rooted in discipline, creativity, and a really strong sense of identity. And what I’m excited about in this conversation is that we’re not just talking about barbering or business. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]