J. Wukotich

Greetings! I'm Joel, an experienced writer, content creator, and disability advocate. My writing journey spans diverse topics, including captivating explorations of music and film. With articles published in various online publications, I'm committed to using storytelling as a tool to break down stereotypes and foster understanding. Explore my portfolio for a glimpse into my impactful and multifaceted writing.

My Recent Work

Devoted to Vinyl •

10 Metal Bands with Black Singers That Are Amazing

Unlike hip-hop and jazz, heavy metal music has generally been considered a white-male-dominated art form. There are always exceptions to the rule, especially in niche genres’ often unexplored nooks and crannies. Below is a list of some of my favorite metal bands with black singers.

Killswitch Engage was one of the first metalcore bands to achieve success in the early 2000s. Howard Jones sang on three of the band’s most popular releases (The End of Heartache, As Daylight Dies, and Killswitch Eng
Toledo Parent •

Beyond Healthcare Toledo: Nurturing Mental Wellness Beyond Boundaries - Toledo Parent

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, Beyond Healthcare emerged as a beacon of hope, pioneering a transformative approach to mental health care for adolescents aged 11 to 17 and their families.

Founded in 2021 by Lisa Richardson, a seasoned professional with over 15 years of experience in behavioral health, Beyond Healthcare transcends conventional healthcare norms to address the multifaceted challenges young minds face.

The Genesis of Beyond Healthcare

Richardson founded Beyond Healthcare in
Toledo Parent •

Toledo Public Schools: A Pioneer in Innovative and Inclusive Education - Toledo Parent

Toledo Public Schools (TPS) stands out as an outstanding example of innovative and inclusive education in Ohio. Explore some of the unique programs TPS offers that establish the district’s commitment to enhancing traditional learning.

One of TPS’s most notable programs is the Toledo Technology Academy (TTA). TTA focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, equipping students with the skills for modern success. The program blends real-world experiences, project-
Koshas •

My Experience With EMDR Therapy To Treat Depression

I’m Joel – a fifty-year-old father and husband from Northwest Ohio. I’m a writer and graduate student passionate about film studies, photography, and heavy metal. Officially diagnosed with major depressive disorder and generalized anxiety disorder in 2007, I have suffered from both for most of my life. I’d like to share my journey with depression and specifically how EMDR therapy helped me.

Over the years, I have tried multiple methods to find relief. Initially, I spent some time in a psychiatr
Devoted to Vinyl •

10 Songs About Poetry That You Will Love | Devoted to Vinyl

There’s something magical about songs that incorporate poetry into their lyrics. It’s a beautiful blend of two art forms that can evoke powerful emotions and connect with listeners on a deep level. Whether it’s a classic ballad or a modern pop hit, songs about poetry have a unique way of capturing the essence of life and love.

There is a cartoon drawing of two men riding in a train. The man on the left stares at a dark, blank wall beside him, frowning as he laments, “Life has no meaning.” The m
Devoted to Vinyl •

15 Songs About Midnight That Are Amazing Jams

Looking for some awesome songs about midnight? Well lucky you, because I have just the perfect list for you. Below are my selections for the best midnight songs ever made. So let’s get this countdown list started!

The Best Songs About Midnight Ever Made

Let’s begin in the early days of heavy metal with Judas Priest.

Judas Priest released the album British Steel in 1980, radically changing the course of heavy metal music. Priest and bands like Iron Maiden and Motörhead ushered in the New Wave
Devoted to Vinyl •

The Top 13 Led Zeppelin Albums Ranked Worst to Best

If you’re reading this, you’re likely in one of the following camps. Either you’re a long-time Led Zeppelin fan, or you’re someone that wants to know how a long-time fan would rank the best Led Zeppelin albums.

During the thirty-plus years I’ve been a Zeppelin fan, I’ve developed a solid opinion on the matter of “best” and “worst.” Most fans will agree on the top four or five on any list but argue on the order. That suits us just fine here because we love talking about Led Zeppelin. So, without
Moon Maker Entertainment •

Belonging

If you’re having trouble sleeping, relaxing, or eating; if you walk around with a lump in your throat for any serious length of time and feel like the chaos you surround yourself with will never let you rest… say that shit out loud to as many people who will listen.

Call yourself out. Own your pain. And when it passes – because it always does – remember the people who stood right next to you, holding your breath for you, picking up pieces you were too out of it to notice you dropped in the firs
Moon Maker Entertainment •

Notes for the Novel #01

Uncovered from the comfort of sleep with all of its nightmares

I make my way to the sink.

I use the cheap mouthwash because it stings. Self-harm hygiene, I guess. The pain is real, but it won’t leave a mark, and if the pleasure that brings me makes the Devil laugh, I’m okay with that. He can’t say I’m not minty fresh. So, mission accomplished.

I go back to bed, if I can. I watch documentaries about aliens and the keeping of time. Gear by gear.

I’d like to learn how to enjoy my own company.
Moon Maker Entertainment •

Outlaw Country in Detroit w/ Nikki Lane

I’m a heavy metal guy these days. It is the music that speaks the loudest to the parts of me that crave connection. This hasn’t always been the case, especially during my twenties and thirties when songwriting played the most significant role in how I understood the world. One of my favorite artists from that time of my life is Jason Pierce of the band Spiritualized. I last saw them perform in 2012, with opening act Nikki Lane.

At the time she had only one album out (Walk of Shame, 2011), and t
The Metal Wanderlust •

Review/Interview: Grey Aura

Grey Aura’s second full length, after more than a six year break, is finally upon us! I was lucky enough to hear an advanced copy of “Zwart vierkant,” so I’ve been sitting on my excitement for a while! This is extremely forward-looking atmospheric/avant-garde Black Metal that challenges at every turn, and I love an album that makes me think. Bands the likes of Blut Aus Nord, Aastraal, Panopticon, and Liturgy are the closest I can come to making a solid comparison as far as Metal goes. All four o
The Metal Wanderlust •

Interview: Sushant Rawat – Raat

Every now and then an album just comes out of nowhere and tattoos itself on your psyche. This is never particularly easy to explain, especially if you’re not a tattoo-type person, but impressions this deep aren’t the kind you feel much like hiding either. So, you just walk around unashamedly showing off your strange new ink to anyone you can get to look. Such was the case with the recently released album “Raison D’être” by one-man atmospheric Metal project, Raat.

With a home base of Delhi, Indi