This week we have our friend Sydnee Washington on the pod, and this episode is everything we hoped it would be: hilarious, honest, chaotic, vulnerable, and completely unforgettable.

Sydnee is currently on tour with her show My Black Barbie Story, and while she was in Nashville, we got to sit down and talk about everything from childhood and comedy to anxiety, stage fright, people pleasing, and learning how to finally be yourself.

In this episode, we talk about:

Sydnee’s childhood and what she was like as a kid

Growing up with older caregivers and feeling different

Learning struggles, embarrassment, and being hyper-aware

How comedy became an outlet

Anxiety, stage fright, and self-doubt

People pleasing and anxious attachment

Why the funniest people are often the most sensitive

Her one-of-a-kind storytelling style

The truth behind My Black Barbie Story

Sydnee is one of the funniest people we know, but what makes this conversation so special is how open she is. She shares her story in a way that is both deeply real and unbelievably funny — and we know so many of you are going to relate to her honesty.

If you love comedy, storytelling, and conversations about how creative minds actually work, this episode is for you.

Make sure you check out Sydnee Washington on tour and follow along with My Black Barbie Story.

#SydneeWashington #ComedyPodcast #StandUpComedy #Anxiety #Storytelling #MentalHealth #CreativeBrains

Welcome back to The Write Brain podcast.

With Autism Awareness Month approaching in April — and World Autism Awareness Day on April 2nd — we wanted to create an episode that gives a clear, big-picture understanding of autism and neurodivergence.

There is so much confusion around autism today.
This episode is about simplifying it.

Dr. Robert Melillo shares decades of clinical experience and neuroscience research to explain:

• What autism actually is (from a brain-based perspective)
• The role of the right brain vs left brain
• Why autism exists on a spectrum
• What “neurodivergence” really means
• Why autism may be increasing
• Common misconceptions about diagnosis and development
• How understanding the brain can change outcomes

Instead of focusing on labels, this conversation focuses on function, development, and possibility.

Whether you’re a parent, someone on the spectrum, or just trying to understand the topic better — this episode is meant to bring clarity to something that is often misunderstood.

📍 Live Lecture – New York City (March 31st)
Dr. Melillo will be hosting a live lecture focused on autism, brain development, and treatment approaches.

Two sessions available:
• 11:00 AM
• 6:30/7:00 PM

For more details, visit: www.drrobertmelillo.com

We’ll be doing more episodes like this — diving deeper into autism, neurodivergence, and the brain.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who needs it.

🎙 Hosted by Ellis Melillo & Dr. Robert Melillo

In this episode, we sit down with country artist Sadie Bass to talk about her new single “F You, I’m ADHD” — and the deeper reality behind what ADHD actually feels like.

This conversation goes way beyond the label.

We get into:

• The difference between ADD vs ADHD (and why it matters)
• Right brain vs left brain — and how it affects learning & creativity
• Why ADHD isn’t really an “attention deficit”
• Growing up with ADHD and navigating school
• The connection between creativity, empathy, and anxiety
• Stage fright, overthinking, and performing under pressure
• Depression, brain chemistry, and finding what works for you
• Misophonia (why certain sounds can trigger intense reactions)
• Why so many artists struggle with mental health

Sadie also shares her personal journey — from writing songs as a kid to building a career in music — and how being different actually became her biggest strength.

This episode is honest, funny, and incredibly relatable — especially if you’ve ever felt like your brain just works… differently.

If you’ve ever:

Overthought everything

Felt overwhelmed by your own mind

Struggled with focus, anxiety, or emotions

You’re not alone.

And you might just be wired for something special.

🎙 Hosted by Ellis Melillo & Dr. Robert Melillo

🎧 Listen to Sadie Bass’s new single: “F You, I’m ADHD”