Safe Place. Stay Heavy!
Welcome to Moshpit & Mental Health, the international podcast where the loud world of rock, metal, punk, and hardcore meets the vulnerable reality of psychological well-being.
This podcast is hosted by a social psychiatric specialist who is also a dedicated concertgoer and fan.
Taking deep dives into iconic lyrics, solo episodes with professional coping insights, and raw conversations with musicians and fans.
Because screaming along to heavy music is liberating - but you shouldn't have to face the heavy stuff in your head all alone.
Note: I‘m no therapist and I don‘t offer therapy here!
#mentalhealthrocks
EP 11 - A talk with Aut of Orda: about Mental Health, staying grounded and how hope is above everything
Everything is driven by hope. Hope is above everything. 🖤
In this episode of Moshpit & Mental Health, I sat down with Paul and Daniel from Aut of Orda to talk about life on tour, emotions on stage, and how music creates a deep connection between people, reminding us that we are never alone with our feelings.
We talk about how music acts as a vital coping mechanism, why both humor and sadness can be tools to process the same reality, and how sometimes it’s not even the lyrics of a song, but the melody that makes someone feel truly seen. An honest conversation about staying grounded, and how true attitude and integrity matter more than the thought of money or commercial quick fixes.
What is most important and needs to be posted here from this talk:
"Go to therapy if you need it, go to live shows because you need it, and don't be an asshole."
Look out for each other, and be kind to one another—and listen to Aut of Orda.🖤
#AutOfOrda #MentalHealth #Music #Podcasting #MentalHealthAwareness
I made it to the double digits – yeah, 10th episode! 🥳 To celebrate, I’m taking you to my hometown at the border in southeast of Austria where I come from: Rock an der Grenze – a small independent festival located right in Jennersdorf.
Far away from massive mainstream stages, this festival is all about what rock and alternative music are truly about: community, raw passion, the emotional connection to the sound and a non-profit mindset. All proceeds go directly to social projects right here in the village.
This episode features three exclusive short-talks: Two members of Slaughter the Pigs are brand new on the scene and share what it feels like to hit the stage. A passionate music lover dives deep into rock music and lyrics, sharing how songs resonate on a personal, emotional level. Plus, we talk to a passionate multi-project musician and organizer who played in four(!) different bands on the exact same evening while helping run the event. His mindset? He makes music purely for the love of it - creating an authentic, infectious energy that radiates straight to the crowd! 🖤
Don't forget all the hard work behind the scenes—it takes a lot of dedicated people to make something like this happen.
Tune in, turn it up, and feel the genuine, handmade energy of the scene.
Enjoy the episode! 🖤
16 Sept 2026
Episode 9: Epic Talk with Künzi pt. 2 - Inner Critics, personal Coping Tools & Good Music
Part two of my talk with Künzi is online! An honest and completely unfiltered conversation covering everything from battling our own worst inner critics to our current song obsessions (make sure to check out his amazing Spotify playlists and give a listen to all those fantastic artists we talked about! You'll find his playlist linked below.)
We also dive into our personal coping toolkits for heavy days, rant about annoying ads nobody wants to pay for, and share our favorite drinks because at the end of the day, we're only human (we both love Laško btw). Plus, Künzi shares a direct message for anyone going through a hard time.
Make sure to also check out JJ Peters, James Cottriall, and Veins of Suffering - artists I've recently had great talks with!
While brainstorming for future episodes in this one, we had so many great ideas. Let’s see where this journey goes - keep your eyes peeled!
You can always write to me at moshpit.mentalhealth@gmail.com.
#moshpitandmentalhealth #podcasttalk #alternativemusic #hardcorepunk #musicandmentalhealth #musiclovers
3 Sept 2026
Episode 8 - Voices from the Crowd & Backstage Realities: Metal on the Hill Talks with Vladi (Veins of Suffering)
Heavy music isn’t just about the noise - it’s a lifeline.
In this episode I’m taking you straight to Metal on the Hill on the Schlossberg in Graz! First, I'm out in the crowd talking to Hannah and Mana about why we live for live music and how there’s a soundtrack for every single struggle.
Then, I head backstage to sit down with Vladi from Veins of Suffering (make sure to check them out!). We talk openly about the raw realities of songwriting, mental health, and why there is no simple right or wrong - everyone has to find their own path through the heavy stuff. Vladi also shares how the writing leaves space for the listener to find their own meaning and connection.
Note: I was a bit late with my press request for Soulfly and Burning Witches, and trying to catch them directly on-site didn't work out because schedules were already way too packed - definitely a lesson learned for next time!
Huge thanks to Vladi, to Hanna and Mana for their time, and to Grazer Spielstätten for making these conversations possible at Metal on the Hill!
Special thanks to Julian for helping me clean up the audio and a massive thanks to my friends for always having my back and believing in my project - love you all!
🎧 Listen now and stay heavy!
#MoshpitAndMentalHealth #MetalOnTheHill #VeinsOfSuffering #MentalHealthAwareness #MetalPodcast #RealTalk #HeavyMusic #soulfly #burningwitches #SchlossbergGraz #GrazerSpielstätten
21 Aug 2026
Episode 7 - In Tune with James Cottriall: From Moshpits to Melodies, dealing with Emotions & Behind the Scenes
Did you know that James Cottriall grew up in moshpits? 🤘🏼
In this episode, I’m joined by James Cottriall for an open, honest talk. We dive into his musical roots, his musical preferences, and a quick look at guilty pleasures. It’s a raw conversation about storytelling through melodies and why 'saying you're going to do something is half the battle' . Plus we touch on the heavy side of self-criticism and the question 'Am I worthy of this?'.
We talk about why he never gets tired of singing tracks like Unbreakable for the tenthousandth time, how he deals with emotions, and why his main goal is simple: making you smile when you're listening to his music.
James also explains why he dislikes the word 'fans' (calling them friends he just hasn't met yet).
At the end, he's also giving a short insight into a new song coming up!
A huge thanks to James for his time, his openness, and for being such a talkative, genuinely great person. I was pretty nervous beforehand because we hadn't met in person yet, but my nerves vanished immediately because he made me feel so comfortable right away!
Also, a massive shoutout to my friends for always supporting me - and a very special thanks to a friend of mine and sound engineer - Julian. We had a lot of background noise, like cutlery clattering and soundcheck vibes around us, but Julian worked his magic on this episode and cleaned up the audio completely!
Thank you everyone for listening. Stay heavy, see you in the pit! 🖤
13 Aug 2026
Episode 6: More Than Music - Real Talk on Mental Health with JJ Peters & Kuenzi
Two great conversations exploring how music becomes a safe space for both artist and fan.
🔥 Kuenzi: We talk about his 20th anniversary, how concerts are like therapy, and parenting. (Bonus: You can hear him buying a parking ticket in the background—real life doesn't stop for doing a podcast!)
🔥 JJ Peters: He tells me about how his songs evolved into more serious tracks and why every song on the new Deez Nuts album is therapeutic - make sure to check out and stream their new album Saudade! Hearing how his music helps fans feel less alone is truly powerful. Honestly, I wish we had more time - definitely need a part two with him!
Grab your headphones and listen now! 🎧
#MoshpitAndMentalHealth #MentalHealthAwareness #MusicIsMySafeSpace #PodcastEpisode #JJPeters #DeezNuts #kuenzi #MentalHealthMatters #RealTalk #MentalHealthRocks 🤘🏻🖤
6 Aug 2026
Episode 5 - An epic talk with Kuenzi pt. 1: From Festival Pits to Park Benches & Pests
Welcome to Part 1 of our chat! In this episode, we are talking about music preferences, aggression, and fighting fatigue with a little bit of Ballermann—plus a funny detour about festivals without bands. Pop-metalcore (which isn't a new genre ofc, but I haven't really used that term before!) also comes up, as well as Rap-Core.
We also survived some annoying park pests while recording, chatted about a lot of artists, (touching on what Kuenzis favorite is rn) and Kuenzi shared some wild stories from his countless concert visits and talks with artists.
Oh, and we decided that instead of "don't drink and drive," we need to make "sauf and lauf" a thing - but seriously: don't drink and drive!
Note: It only took us about four attempts to record this, so enjoy the chaos! Part 2 is right around the corner. 🍻🎙️
20 Jul 2026
Episode 4 - One More Light - A Tribute to Chester Bennington
On the anniversary of Chester Bennington’s passing, I wanted to take a moment to reflect on the music that shaped so many of us.
In this special tribute episode, I look at three tracks that deeply reflect his journey and his message to the world: 'Leave Out All The Rest', 'One More Light', and 'The Messenger'. I selected these three tracks because they resonate with me deeply when it comes to navigating loss and the strength we find in community.
This episode is a space for us to remember, to feel, and to hold onto the truth that we don't have to carry the weight alone.
You can read more of my personal thoughts on this topic in my blog post here: https://whatyaexpectofanything.blogspot.com/2017/09/who-cares-if-one-more-light-goes-out.html?m=1
Thank you for listening and for being part of this community. If you want to share your thoughts, please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email to moshpit.mentalhealth@gmail.com
If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, please know that you are not alone and help is available. You can find local support services and helplines worldwide at findahelpline.com (https://findahelpline.com).
9 Jul 2026
Episode 3 - The Taste of Ink: Learning to Accept What We Feel
In my first episode, I talked about the weight of "In the End" and the feeling of powerlessness. Today, I’m taking that conversation a step further.
Looking at the lyrics of "The Taste of Ink" by The Used, I explore what happens when powerlessness turns into anger—and why that anger isn't always destructive. It can be a fuel, a scream for attention, and a starting point for something new.
Rather than looking for quick fixes, I’m inviting you to practice a little mindfulness with me. We’ll move away from suppressing our feelings and towards acknowledging them, which is the first step to truly understanding what we’re going through."
At the end, I share a sneak peek of what’s coming up—including new music from Ninth Key and a dive into Evanescence. As for the rest? Please be patient with me; I love to keep some things as a surprise!
I’m glad you’re here to sit with these thoughts for a while.
#mentalhealthrocks
24 Jun 2026
Episode 2 - Broken Pieces & Spelling Errors: A Raw Conversation
This episode is a bit different—a little rawer, less polished, and above all: very personal.
We all have moments where things don’t go as planned. A few days ago, I had an embarrassing experience involving Melrose Avenue, and today I’m being completely honest about it—including my own "Mosphit" mishap.
I’m sharing the full story. We’ll dive into how this all went down, what it meant to me.
At the heart of this conversation are the songs that soundtracked these moments. We’re looking at the lyrics of Linkin Park and Palaye Royale—bands that have been there for me through it all, among others, helping me make sense of everything when things get messy.
A note on content:While we explore deep and sometimes sensitive topics, please remember that this is a discussion about music and emotions—it is not a substitute for therapy. If you feel triggered or uncomfortable at any point, please listen to your gut, take a break, or skip ahead. Your mental health comes first.
Let’s embrace the idea that our mistakes are just part of the journey. Thanks for listening and being part of this space.
#mentalhealthrocks
11 Jun 2026
Episode 1 - In the End
Welcome to my very first podcast episode! I am so happy you are here. In this podcast, I want to build a bridge: We will dive deep into the lyrics of the Alternative, Metalcore, Emo and Post-Hardcore scene and connect them with practical approaches from mental health work.
In this debut episode, I’m talking about the Linkin Park classic "In the End." We take a look at what the feeling of resignation in these lyrics means from a psychological perspective and how we can manage to pull ourselves out of such phases. Along the way, I’m sharing a small, tangible mindfulness exercise designed to help you lower the pressure in your daily life.
Since this is my absolute podcast debut, please excuse the little "rough edges" in the audio—we are growing together here!
Join me on this journey through the music that shaped us and shows us today that we are never alone in our struggles.
Let me know what you think—what does this song mean to you?"
#mentalhealthrocks🤘🖤
9 Jun 2026
Moshpit & Mental Health announcement
Announcement for a very new Podcast combining heavy music and mental health.
#mentalhealthrocks
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