The Write Brain

Ellis Melillo
  • 5.0 (9)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Write Brain is a podcast that explores the intersection of mental health and the music industry. Hosted by singer/songwriter Ellis Melillo and functional neurologist Dr. Robert Melillo, each episode features intimate conversations with musical artists about their mental health journeys. With insights from Dr. Melillo on brain health and Ellis' personal experiences, the show uncovers the challenges musicians face in balancing creativity, performance, and well-being. Tune in for powerful stories of resilience, healing, and creative expression.

  1. 12/16/2025

    Johnathon Schaech: What Healing Actually Looks Like

    This might be one of the most vulnerable episodes we’ve ever done. Today on The Write Brain podcast, we sit down with actor Johnathon Schaech to talk about dyslexia, shame, Hollywood, sexual abuse, addiction, and what real healing has looked like for him. Johnathon opens up about growing up as a creative, right-brained kid in Baltimore, excelling in art, dance, and sports while secretly struggling in school. He shares how he went from drawing and “breaking” to booking a Franco Zeffirelli film in his early 20s… and then reveals what really happened behind the scenes during that movie — including the night Zeffirelli came into his room. For years, Johnathon didn’t have language for what happened to him. It wasn’t until the Me Too movement — and reading Rose McGowan’s story — that he realized he was a survivor of the same thing. He talks about how that one minute of his life shaped decades of shame, self-destruction, substance abuse, and sabotaged opportunities… and how EMDR, brain-based work, and 12-step recovery helped him finally get free. ⚠️ Content note: This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, trauma, addiction, and self-destructive behavior. Please take care of yourself while listening. In this episode, we talk about: Johnathon’s childhood as a creative right-brain kid Dyslexia, remedial classes & the shame of “feeling stupid” Creating games, drawing, dancing, and discovering acting The wild path from Baltimore to Wilhelmina Models to LA Landing a Franco Zeffirelli film — and the casting story behind it The night Zeffirelli came into his room and how it changed everything Dissociation, the freeze response, and how trauma lives in the brain How shame drove addiction, bar fights, and self-sabotage in Hollywood Losing a huge role opposite Meryl Streep because of drinking Getting sober, finding AA, and learning he’s not “broken,” he’s an addict EMDR, brain-spotting & making the unconscious conscious How healing trauma changed his acting, relationships, and self-worth Finally working shame-free on his TV series Blue Ridge Advice to survivors: it wasn’t your fault, and you’re not alone

    53 min

  2. 12/10/2025

    Not Just ‘In Your Head’: Real Tools to Rewire Your Brain

    We finally did it — after 50 episodes, we’re revealing The Right Brain Box. This is the kit we’ve spent years talking about, experimenting with, and using in real life… and now we’re putting it into one place so anyone can start balancing their brain at home. In this episode, Ellis and Dr. Robert Melillo walk through everything inside the new Right Brain Box (and the upcoming Left Brain Box): vibration tools, TENS units, visual stimulation glasses, essential oils, brain-specific vitamins, primitive reflex tools, smell integration, and even The Brain Driver. Whether you struggle with anxiety, shame, dyslexia, ADHD, gut issues, overthinking, sensory overwhelm, or mood swings—this episode explains why these tools work and how they fit into right- vs. left-brain dominance. In this episode, we cover: • Why we built the Right Brain Box after 50 episodes • What each tool does — vibration, TENS, smell, vision, vitamins & more • How right-brain dominance shows up (anxiety, dyslexia, shame, sensitivity) • How left-brain deficits affect mood, memory & development • Using sensory tools to activate one hemisphere and calm the other • Why couples should know their brain dominance before having kids (!?) • How gut issues, chronic stress & neurodevelopment are all connected • Early signs of imbalance—and what you can do at home The Right Brain Box Includes: • TouchPoint vibration tools • TENS unit for hemisphere-specific activation • Essential oils for smell-based stimulation • Left/Right brain vitamins & digestive support • Eyelights (visual stimulation) • Dry brush for primitive reflex work • The Brain Driver (top-down stimulation device) Why this matters: Most people struggle with symptoms—anxiety, mood swings, gut issues, focus problems—without ever realizing the root cause is an imbalance between the hemispheres. These tools are designed to help you balance your brain, support your nervous system, and improve emotional regulation at home.

    42 min

  3. 12/02/2025

    Inside Consciousness: Brain Waves, Memories & Alternate Realities

    What is consciousness, really — and how does your brain build your reality? In this episode of The Write Brain podcast, Ellis and Dr. Robert Melillo dive into the trippy but practical side of consciousness: how your brain stitches together sight, sound, memory, and emotion into a “movie” of your life… and what happens when that timing gets thrown off (anxiety, paranoia, psychosis, false memories, and more). They get into gamma waves (40 Hz), quantum entanglement, parallel realities, why two people can remember the same moment totally differently, and how brain timing tools like the Interactive Metronome can actually help rebalance perception. All of that… plus Jackie’s pastries and Ellis’s croissant cravings as B-plot. 🥐 In this episode, we talk about: What consciousness actually is (and why it’s the #1 question in neuroscience)How the brain “binds” sight, sound, memory, and emotion into one realityWhy your brain is really a reality emulatorHow timing issues between the hemispheres can warp perceptionFalse memories, paranoia & “filling in the blanks”Quantum entanglement & the idea of a collective consciousnessHow tools like Interactive Metronome help sync the brain’s timingWhy big life changes (moving cities, quitting drinking) can feel like “timeline jumps”Timestamps 00:00 Intro, fasting, pastries & live audience energy 02:30 What is consciousness? Self-awareness & subjective experience 06:30 The “binding problem”: how the brain turns fragments into a single reality 10:30 40 Hz gamma waves & the brain as a reality emulator 14:30 When reality in your head doesn’t match the outside world 19:30 False memories & the left brain “filling in” stories 23:30 Right-brain big-picture paranoia (texts, tone, overthinking) 27:30 Quantum entanglement & universal/collective consciousness 33:00 Timelines, “quantum leaping” & changing your reality 38:00 Interactive Metronome, timing, and balancing the hemispheres 42:30 Wrap-up: how all of this connects back to mental health

    44 min

  4. 11/25/2025

    Tune Your Brain: The Science of Sound & Mood

    Can sound actually balance your brain? In this episode, Ellis and Dr. Robert Melillo break down the science of sound: high vs. low frequencies, why one ear can stimulate the opposite hemisphere, bone-conduction hacks, and how music choice (yes, even Mozart vs. jazz) can shift mood, focus, anxiety, and reading/rhythm issues. We also share quick at-home tests and everyday listening tweaks you can try safely. What you’ll learn High vs. low frequency sound and which hemisphere they stimulateWhy listening in your right ear targets the left brain (and vice versa)Bone conduction vs. air conduction (and when bone wins)Dissonance vs. resonance: turning brain “noise” into flowMusic types that tend to be more left- or right-brain activatingEasy daily tweaks: one-ear listening, volume biasing, playlist swapsTimestamps 00:00 Cold open & dinner debrief (Nashville updates) 02:15 Sound ≈ frequency—how the brain “hears” waves 05:40 High vs. low notes: which side of the brain they hit 08:55 Bone conduction headphones 101 (why they help vertigo/reading) 12:20 Jazz, classical, sad songs & what they say about your wiring 16:45 DIY tests: the one-ear trick, volume bias, tuning forks 21:10 Anxiety triggers (honks, dryers) & the startle/Moro reflex 25:30 Building a smarter playlist for focus or calm 30:10 Quick recap & how to experiment safely Try these quick experiments Run with one earbud in your right ear for focus (left-brain boost).Swap to lower-frequency, slower music when you feel overstimulated.Test bone-conduction headphones if you struggle with motion/reading rhythm.Notice which genres soothe vs. spike your nervous system—keep notes for a week.Resources mentioned Disconnected Kids (chapter on sound & color) – Dr. Robert MelilloBrain-balance music concepts & left/right-leaning playlists (Ellis’s notes)

    41 min

  5. 11/18/2025

    Bonner Black: Brain Balancing & Bird Watching

    In this episode of The Write Brain podcast, Ellis and Dr. Melillo sit down with singer-songwriter and viral bird-watcher Bonner Black to talk about ADHD, maladaptive daydreaming, and the brutal emotional comedown after big performances and life wins. Bonner opens up about panic attacks, self-harm, and growing up as a homeschooled, right-brained kid on a Tennessee farm—plus how bird-watching unexpectedly became one of the most powerful tools for calming her nervous system and activating her left brain. They break down right-brain vs left-brain ADHD, why creatives often feel intense shame and self-loathing after being in the spotlight, and the hopeful reality that you can retrain your brain without losing your gifts.

    53 min

  6. 11/11/2025

    Color, Light & Your Brain: What Really Works

    Ellis and Dr. Melillo go deep on COLOR & LIGHT—how different wavelengths (red/orange/yellow vs. blue/indigo/violet) nudge left/right brain networks, impact reading, focus, anxiety, and even motion sensitivity. We cover practical tools (tinted & hemifield lenses, flashing-light glasses) and why some lights (hello, flickery fluorescents) can make you feel off. Plus: what 40 Hz “gamma” is and why meditators love it, and where laser/photobiomodulation fits in—without the woo. What you’ll learn Right vs. left brain: why warm colors often lift left-brain functions; cool colors often lean right-brainIrlen-style tinting & hemifield tricks: when colored overlays/lenses help reading and trackingFlicker matters: why certain room lights spike anxiety or fatigue40 Hz basics: how rhythmic light can entrain brainwaves (pros/cons, safety notes)Photobiomodulation (laser/red light): what it is, what it isn’t, and where the science is headedEasy self-checks: color in your room/wardrobe, quick one-eye/half-field experiment, safer swaps you can try todayTry this (safe, simple) Swap one environment to earth/neutral or warmer tones for a week; note mood/focus.Reading issues? Test a colored overlay or tinted display (warm vs. cool) and see if line-skipping eases.Sensitive to lighting? Replace harsh fluorescents with full-spectrum, low-flicker bulbs.Quick visual-field check: briefly cover one eye and the inner half of the other while looking straight ahead—notice if calm/focus changes. If it does, you might benefit from targeted visual work.Curious about devices (tinted/flash glasses or light therapy)? Work with a qualified clinician—wrong settings can feel worse even if they’re not harmful.Chapters  00:00 Nashville dinner + setup 02:00 Color frequencies & brain networks 06:40 Irlen lenses, reading & eye tracking 12:50 Hemifields and mood/anxiety 19:40 Fluorescent flicker & sensitivity 24:30 40 Hz gamma & entrainment 29:50 Photobiomodulation (laser/red light) 40:30 What to try at home (safely) 44:50 Wrap & next episode teaser Listen on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • iHeartRadio • YouTube Follow: @thewritebrainpodcast | @ellismelillo | @drrobertmelillo Booking/partners: thewritebrainpodcast@gmail.com Educational only; not medical advice. If symptoms are significant or new, see a clinician. Hashtags: #RightBrain #ColorTherapy #Irlen #Photobiomodulation #BrainWaves #40Hz #ADHD #Anxiety #Reading #Wellness #Nashville

    45 min

  7. 11/04/2025

    Brain–Gut Truths (No Fads, Just Facts)

    From Nashville writer rounds to the science of the brain–gut loop, Ellis and Dr. Melillo unpack why there’s no one-size-fits-all diet—and how to tell what YOUR body actually needs. We dig into food sensitivities (what blood tests really measure), “leaky gut” (and why it actually begins in infancy), chemicals/dyes (Red 40, etc.), and the TikTok trends around parasites, mold, and candida. Plus: how tools like the Brain Driver and Interactive Metronome help balance the system so digestion, mood, and focus improve. What you’ll learn Test, don’t guess: real food-sensitivity panels & how to do a true 6-week elimination + reintroduction Leaky gut 101: the role of the parasympathetic (vagal) system & why brain balance matters TH1/TH2 immunity, antibodies, and why creatives can be extra sensitive Dyes, chemicals & heavy metals: when to care, when to ignore the noise Parasites/mold/candida: how to confirm (stool/blood), and the why behind susceptibility Ellis’ stack: Brain Driver + Interactive Metronome to support timing, vagal tone & metabolism Try this Get a reputable antibody panel (foods + common additives). Eliminate strictly for 6 weeks, then re-challenge one item at a time. If you suspect parasites/mold—test first, then treat. Support the brain–gut loop: sleep, breathwork, gentle vestibular/balance drills, timing work. Listen on: Spotify • Apple Podcasts • iHeartRadio • YouTubeFollow: @thewritebrainpodcast | @ellismelillo | @drrobertmelilloContact: thewritebrainpodcast@gmail.com Disclaimer: Educational only; not medical advice. Always consult your clinician. Hashtags: #RightBrain #BrainGutConnection #FoodSensitivity #FunctionalNeurology #LeakyGut #ADHD #Anxiety #Wellness #Nashville #TheWriteBrain

    49 min

  8. 10/28/2025

    Understanding Vertigo, Motion Sickness & Balance

    Ever felt the room spin, gotten car sick, or had that wobbly “boat” feeling out of nowhere? In this episode, we break down the three different kinds of dizziness — and why it matters. Vertigo, motion sickness, and lightheadedness come from different systems in the brain, and knowing which one you’re experiencing is the key to actually helping it. Ellis shares her Brain Driver routine + 68 days alcohol-free, while Dr. Melillo explains how the inner ear, neck, eyes, and brain work together to keep us balanced. We also talk color therapy, why some right-brain dominant creatives feel things more strongly, and simple ways to support your own system at home. What we cover:• Vertigo vs. dizziness vs. lightheadedness• Why the side you turn your head matters• Car + bed hacks to reduce motion sickness• The Brain Driver (and how Ellis uses it daily)• Right-brain sensitivity, empathy & overthinking• Why there’s no “one-time fix” — just balance If you’ve ever said:“I get dizzy in cars.”“The room spins when I lie down.”“My stomach drops when I stand up too fast.”…this episode is for you.

    59 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Write Brain is a podcast that explores the intersection of mental health and the music industry. Hosted by singer/songwriter Ellis Melillo and functional neurologist Dr. Robert Melillo, each episode features intimate conversations with musical artists about their mental health journeys. With insights from Dr. Melillo on brain health and Ellis' personal experiences, the show uncovers the challenges musicians face in balancing creativity, performance, and well-being. Tune in for powerful stories of resilience, healing, and creative expression.

Information

  • Creator
    Ellis Melillo
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    52
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 Ellis Melillo

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