Safe In Sound

Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, rediscover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a coping skill. Welcome to a space where music and mental health meet. Safe in Sound is a podcast with host Jeremy Houtsma, a licensed mental health counselor, that dives deep into the emotional stories behind the songs that shaped a generation — exploring how artists, therapists, and record label owners navigate mental health in the music industry. Each episode blends raw conversation and reflection, connecting the nostalgia of 2000s emo music with real, modern-day mental health experiences. Whether you’re a longtime fan of bands like Minus the Bear, Further Seems Forever, or Taking Back Sunday, or simply someone who finds healing through music, you’ll find honesty, connection, and hope here. Tune in to hear how music can be both a mirror and a medicine — helping us feel less alone, discover what moves us, and learn to use sound as a healing mechanism. 

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Episodes

Friday Sep 05, 2025

Send us a text25 Years ago False Cathedrals by Elliott was released into the world. A blend of electronic sampling, swelling, and atmospheric guitar sounds mixed with haunting vocals made the album one of the most regarded and masterful albums of the scene.  My guest today is Chris Higdon, the lead singer of the bands Falling Forward, Elliott, and Mirrorless.  In this interview, we start with Chris's background, growing up in Kentucky, and follow his musical journey through his early interest in the Louisville hardcore scene to the start and end of Elliott. We also explore Chris's passion for the music industry, his views on religion and his current band Mirrorless. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Aug 15, 2025

Send us a textBrian Carley is the lead singer and guitarist for the band Penfold. Penfold started in 1995 in Livingston, NJ, as bands like Sunny Day Real Estate and Mineral were making their impact on the scene.  Playing shows on weekends while attending college during the day, Penfold's work ethos was unmatched. They were a mainstay in the NJ DIY scene that led to bands like Saves The Day, Thursday, My Chemical Romance and Armor for Sleep receiving commercial success.  Penfold released a handful of EP's until their breakup in the early 2000's.Listen as Jeremy and Brian talk about the formation of Penfold, it's influences, songwriting process and reunification for Best Friends Forever Festival in October. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Apr 18, 2025

Send us a textDamon Atkinson is a legendary drummer in the mid-west emo scene. Damon started playing for the influential band Braid in 1997  and would go on to help write and record Braid's most critically acclaimed albums in the scene, Frame and Canvas. After Braid's demise Atkinson went on to help form Hey Mercedes with two of the other founders of Braid. Listen as we got through Damon's time in his youth, where he first discovered his love for the drums at 3 years old, to his 20's touring and writing music with Braid and Hey Mercedes as well as working as tour production office manager for Warped Tour.   More importantly we talk about Damon's inspiring story of dealing with anxiety and alcoholism to his current sobriety. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Thursday Feb 27, 2025

Send us a textMy guest is Chad Neptune of the legendary hxc band Strongarm and Further Seems Forever. Join us as we dive into the history of both bands as well as the ups and downs of being in two of the scene's most iconic bands. We discuss Chad's relationship with each of the singers on Further Seems Forever 4 albums and how each change brought its unique challenges. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Feb 07, 2025

Send us a textJason Trabue has been a drummer for band like Hopesfall, The Casket Lottery and Vedera. He currently is the Tour and Production manager for Jimmy Eat World, Garbage and A Perfect Circle. His music career in the scene is vast. Listen as we talk about his music career with it's ups and downs.If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Nov 15, 2024

Send us a textJoe Marro is the former guitarist and keyboard player for The Early November from 2002 to 2007 and again from 2011-2017. He also played in HelloGoodbye from 2011 to 2018. In this episode, we talk about the fuzzy timeline of The Early November's early formation and its ever-revolving door of musicians at first. Joe also talks about what it was like to be so young and on tour as well as the legal dispute The Early November had with the Getup kids over the song Baby Blue, their reformation and his current band management company. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Sep 06, 2024

Send us a textJoin me as I talk all things Minus the Bear with bass player and founding member Cory Murchy. We talk about Cory's love of ska music, forming Minus the Bear, a painful back injury that threatened to sideline him and what he is doing now. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Mar 29, 2024

Send us a textOrion Walsh is a solo musician the lead singer of Slow Coming Day.  With the bands album Farewell to Familiar turning over 20 years old recently and a string of reunion shows coming in April it only seemed appropriate to  have Orion on the podcast.  Orion and I talk about the band, his solo career,his journey through grief at the loss of his dad at 15 years old and his personal therapy journey now. This is a candid one so bit back and enjoy.If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Feb 16, 2024

Send us a textJeff Jenkins is a paranormal enthusiast, believer and also happens to be the lead singer of North Carolina Melodic Post-Hardcore indie outfit Codeseven.  Jeff takes us on his journey of musical love from the womb, to the rise , demise and resurrection of his band Codeseven.  If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Friday Feb 02, 2024

Send us a textJohnny Smrdel is the bass player for the gone-to-soon band Beloved, as well as the hardcore outfit Advent.  Listen as Johnny takes us through his early love affair with music as a kid in a single parent household to his inclusion in the hardcore scene as a teenager. Johnny also talks about his introduction to Beloved, tim touring and the formation of Advent.  Johnny's passion for music, his family and life is sure to captivate those who listen. If you like the Podcast Subscribe! You can find us on all major Podcasting platforms at Welcome to the Scene Podcast.Instagram TikTok Youtube

Jeremy Houtsma

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