The Hardcore Therapist

The Hardcore Therapist 122- Maria (Doll Fest)

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2255460/open_sms] Today’s guest is Maria, the force behind Dollfest in Oakland, California. Maria created Dollfest as a radical act of space-making, centering women, femmes, and marginalized voices in a scene that hasn’t always made room for them. This isn’t just a festival; it’s community care, resistance, and creativity wrapped into one loud, defiant weekend. Maria is proof that when women build their own platforms, they don’t just participate, they change the culture. I’m really excited for you all to hear about her power, visibility, and what it means to build something on your own terms. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 121.5- Why does a healthy relationship sometimes feel boring after chaos?

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2255460/open_sms] In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I explore why emotional safety can feel uncomfortable especially after trauma, intense relationships, or nervous systems conditioned to unpredictability. You’ll learn how trauma impacts attachment, dopamine, and emotional regulation, why calm can feel unfamiliar or dull, and how boredom in long-term relationships doesn’t mean something is wrong. We also discuss how to rebuild connection and emotional aliveness without recreating chaos. This episode is for anyone healing from trauma bonds, navigating healthy relationships, or learning how to tolerate peace without self-sabotage. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 121- Scott Winegard (Texas Is The Reason, Fountainhead

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2255460/open_sms] Today’s guest is Scott Winegard — bassist for Texas Is the Reason, chef, author, and expert in plant-based cuisine. Texas Is the Reason helped shape the emotional core of 90s hardcore, creating space for vulnerability and introspection long before most of us had language for our nervous systems or grief. That music held a lot of people through formative years of intensity and becoming. Scott’s work, whether in music, food, or writing  carries a clear throughline: care matters. What we take in, emotionally and physically, shapes how we move through the world. In this conversation, we talk about identity beyond roles, creative evolution, nourishment, and staying grounded while continuing to grow. This episode is for anyone who found emotional safety in hardcore — and for anyone learning how to care for themselves after survival. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 120.5- Eating Disorders: Genetics Load the Gun, Environment Pulls the Trigger

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2255460/open_sms] Eating disorders are not choices or failures of willpower. They are serious, brain-based mental illnesses that emerge when genetic vulnerability meets environmental pressure. In this episode of The Hardcore Therapist, I breaks down what the research actually shows about eating disorders. Why some people are more biologically vulnerable, how dieting, trauma, and body-based pressure can activate a sensitive nervous system, and why blame (of individuals or families) delays recovery. This episode is for clinicians, parents, people in recovery, and anyone who has ever asked, “Why did this happen?” ⚠️ Trigger-aware note: This episode discusses eating disorders and recovery themes. No numbers or instructions are shared. Please prioritize your window of tolerance. 📚 Recommended Reading Sick Enough — Dr. Jennifer Gaudiani Eating in the Light of the Moon — Anita Johnston 🧠 Evidence-Based Treatment Approaches CBT-E (Enhanced Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) FBT / Maudsley Method DBT ACT 🏥 Support & Resources National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA) National Alliance for Eating Disorders Project HEAL 🚨 Crisis Support (U.S.) Call 911 in an emergency Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 Eating disorders are not about food—they’re about the brain.  And recovery is possible. Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]

The Hardcore Therapist 120- Cindy Hulej (Cindy's Guitars)

Send us a text [https://www.buzzsprout.com/twilio/text_messages/2255460/open_sms] Today on The Hardcore Therapist, I’m really excited to welcome Cindy Hulej. Cindy is the builder behind Cindy Hulej Custom Guitars, where she handcrafts instruments that are as intentional, expressive, and individual as the musicians who play them. Her work lives at the intersection of artistry, precision, and deep respect for music culture especially the underground and hardcore scenes that value authenticity over polish. Cindy’s journey into guitar building is rooted in passion, patience, and learning the craft from the inside out. In this conversation, we’re talking about creativity, discipline, identity, and what it means to build something meaningful with your hands in a world that often rushes past depth.  Support the show [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2255460/support]