Welcome to “When Words Fail, Music Speaks,” the podcast that turns melodies into medicine for the soul.

In today’s episode host James Cox sits down with Jastin Artis—a gold‑and‑platinum‑streamed indie producer, songwriter, A&R mentor, and relentless “chronic‑health warrior.” From the origins of his unusual middle name—Jastin, a blend of his parents’ names, and Artist, a tribute to a grandfather he never met—to his journey from a class‑room clarinet player to a guitar‑driven “hip‑hop Renaissance” creator, Justin shares the stories that have shaped his sound.

We’ll dive deep into his creative process, exploring how a simple keyboard chord evolves into the layered instrumentals of Love in Darkness and the genre‑bending anthem “Tag This.” Jastin reveals the challenges of living with fibromyalgia, insomnia and low testosterone, and how music, meditation, video games, and even Netflix binge‑watching become his lifelines when depression looms.

The conversation also touches on:

• The power of naming and identity in an artis' career.
• The mastermind collaborations he’d love to see—Pharrell, Jimi Hendrix, and a female legend like Queen Latifah or Alanis Morissette.
• The songs that move him to the brink of tears—Lauryn Hill’s MTV Unplugged performance and John Mayer’s “Gravity.”
• A glimpse of his future merch empire (stickers, throw‑pillows, beach towels) and his relentless drive to turn streams into tangible support for creators.

If you’ve ever felt the weight of chronic illness, the sting of creative doubt, or simply crave a soundtrack for resilience, this episode is your reminder that when words stumble, music never does. Grab your headphones, press play, and let Jastin’s story inspire the next stanza of your own journey.

As always.....when words fail...music speaks!

In today’s episode host James Cox sits down with veteran rocker David Ellefson—a guitarist whose love affair with music began at eleven, when the bass line of Bachman‑Turner‑Overdrive’s Not Fragile sparked a lifelong obsession. From those early needle‑drops to the thunder of KISS‑era amps, David walks us through the soundtrack of his life: the grind of marching‑band sax, the thrill of early cover‑band gigs, and the relentless quest to chase the songs that saved him from the darkness of depression.

We dive deep into David’s recent projects—his “No Cover” collection of beloved cuts, the hard‑rock collaboration with Jeff Scott Soto on the new album Unbreakable, and the behind‑the‑scenes stories from legendary Battery Studios in London, the very rooms that birthed Iron Maiden, Def Leppard, and even the original Nevermind console. Along the way, we hear anecdotes about the Trans‑Siberian Orchestra, Megadeth’s “Big Four” saga, and a poignant moment recording a video right as the world mourned Ozzy Osbourne’s passing.

If you’ve ever found solace in a guitar solo, a soaring vocal, or the simple act of pressing play, this conversation is for you. Tune in as we explore how music not only fuels a career but also becomes a lifeline—one chord at a time. 🎸✨

In this episode, host James Cox— himself a resilient, hands‑on survivor of depression—welcomes a multifaceted friend, Tommy Giorlando. Tommy’s journey threads together three passions that seem worlds apart yet perfectly in sync:

• A lifelong love of music – From teen garage‑band mischief with Opus Podunk, through the folk‑pirate vibes of Boca Musica, to newly‑released pop‑punk tracks like “Bad Intentions.” He’ll share the wildest tour memories—like a dreamy canal cruise in Giethoorn, the spontaneous shanty sing‑alongs with international musicians, and the hypnotic crowd‑choreography of his old Opus Podunk finale.
• The science of sound – Tommy explains how certain frequencies can coax the brain into alpha‑ and theta‑states, making the stage feel like a trance. He’ll reveal how he weaves droning ambience, chimes, and even the Benny Hill theme into his comedy‑hypnosis shows, turning ordinary listeners into foot‑tappers, face‑dancers, and even accidental Irish river‑dancers.
• A faith‑based take on hypnosis – As a committed Christian, Tommy has wrestled with the theological controversy surrounding mind‑work. He’ll discuss his newly published book Transformed: Hypnosis Through the Lens of Scripture, the ethical line suggestion and control, and how modern research (even a Harvard study on bone‑healing) proves hypnosis is a neutral tool—like a hammer—shaped by the hands that wield it.
• Carrying the torch of the Tom Silver Foundation – After a poignant mentorship with the late hypnosis pioneer Tom Silver, Tommy now serves on the board of the nonprofit dedicated to spreading scientifically‑backed hypnotherapy to underserved communities, funding free pain‑relief sessions, and training medical professionals worldwide.

Go to the Tom Silver Foundation website here:

https://www.tomsilverfoundation.org

Visit Tommy's website here:

https://www.likeahypnotist.com

All of this is wrapped in genuine friendship, a few off‑the‑cuff jokes about favorite bands (Beatles, Nirvana, Korn, Linkin Park), and a heartfelt moment when Tommy reveals the one song that still brings him to tears—Chris Tomlin’s “Holy Forever.”

Tune in to discover how music can crack open the doors of the subconscious, lift the weight of depression, and turn a simple beat into a bridge between science, spirituality, and pure human connection. When words fail, music—and a good dose of hypnotic rhythm—speaks. 🎧✨

Welcome back to When Words Fail, the podcast that battles depression one riff at a time. James Cox—a self‑styled “handicapped” guide on a mission to prove that music can be the therapy we all need.

In today’s episode we sit down with the ever‑mysterious Jeff Tuttle—known for his work with The Dillinger Escape Plan, the post‑hardcore outfit Old Gods, and the lightning‑fast super‑group Shock Narcotic. Jeff walks us through his winding road from a small‑town Michigan kid who grew up with the eclectic bassist and became a songwriter behind some of the most relentless, under‑a‑minute tracks in modern metal.

We’ll unpack:

• The “Super‑Group” Myth – Jeff’s take on why labels like “supergroup” can feel limiting, and why the chemistry of a true unit matters more than star power.
• Songwriting in the Abyss – How he wrestles with riffs that won’t fit, splits them into new songs, and finally lets the creative flow take over.
• From Old Gods to Shock Narcotic – The evolution of his sound, the freedom he finally found writing his own heavy material, and the collaborative dance with vocalist Sean.
• A Time‑Travel Tour Fantasy – If Shock Narcotic could crash any era, which one would it be and why?
• Personal Passions Outside the Stage – Jeff’s love of classic horror (the Evil Dead forever), his admiration for John McLaughlin’s jazz‑fusion vision, and his secret devotion to Sleep Token.

Whether you’re a metalhead craving ferocious riffs, a fan of genre‑blending experiments, or simply looking for a reminder that angry music can still be a soundtrack for happy souls, this conversation will hit all the right notes.

So crank the volume up, tighten those headphones, and get ready for a raw, honest, and unapologetically heavy dive into the mind of Jeff Tuttle—only on When Words Fail. Let the healing begin.

Welcome to the When Words Fail Music Speaks podcast that fights depression one chord at a time.

In today’s episode, host James Cox, sits down with seasoned songwriter‑producer Dennis Welch—a nearly‑70‑year‑old journeyman who’s penned over 500 songs, toured the world, and been nominated on five Grammy ballots.

From the first spark of a melody that woke James up in the middle of the night, to Dennis’s secret weapon—restorative sleep and a steadfast daily power‑nap—the conversation drifts through a lifetime of creative breakthroughs, health hacks, and the raw, unglamorous moments that shaped a career.

Listeners will hear the origin story of Dennis’s debut album, the serendipitous restaurant encounter that birthed the Grammy‑track “Why Not Me,” and the heartbreaking yet uplifting tale of Mark Houser, a prolific lyricist who battled metastatic pancreatic cancer while still delivering two full albums.

The duo also pulls back the curtain on the rise of house concerts, the quirky anecdotes that turned into hit songs (think “Uncle Joe”), and the deeper purpose behind Dennis’s music; writing what people need to hear, not just what they want.

Whether you’re a songwriter hunting inspiration, a fan craving authentic storytelling, or anyone looking for the healing power of music, this episode offers a heartfelt roadmap—proving that even when life gets “bigger than us,” a good song can still light the way.

Stay tuned, press play, and let the music speak. 🎙️✨

Welcome to “Music Speaks,” the When Words Fail Music Speaks podcast where we battle depression with the power of music.

In today’s episode we kick things off with a quick shout‑out to our sponsor, BetterHelp—your affordable, on‑your‑schedule mental‑health ally offering listeners 10 % off the first month of therapy.

We dive straight into a lively conversation with Milwaukee’s own Alan Hales—radio host, founder the independent‑music hub Breaking and Entering, and the mastermind behind the tongue‑in‑cheek “Bad Pitches Only” series that spotlights the most cringeworthy artist submissions. Allen walks us through:

• The gritty reality of band‑to‑radio submissions (missing ISRC codes, un‑licensed MP3s, and why a simple artist bio is a must).
• How his weekly “Love Local Radio” hour on FM 101 gives Milwaukee’s DIY talent a dedicated airtime—and the art of curating an hour‑long, genre‑spanning playlist that keeps listeners tuned in.
• The evolution of the indie music landscape from the 90s to today’s streaming‑driven world, and why the internet may actually be a bigger equalizer than any record label ever was.
• The rise of merch on Amazon, t‑public, and the challenges of quality control when you’re a one‑person shirt empire.
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We also explore the future of music creation, tackling the hot‑button debate around AI‑generated—sharing Allen’s own viral AI‑track that racked up millions of plays before anyone realized it wasn’t human‑made.

All of is threaded together with humor, personal anecdotes about skate‑boarding, Tony Hawk video games, and Allen’s ultimate “Mount Rushmore” of musical influences—from the Ramones to the Beastie Boys and local legend Twan Mac.

Stay tuned for actionable tips for aspiring artists, a glimpse into the Milwaukee‑vs‑the‑world music scene, and a reminder that when words fail, music always speaks.

Grab your headphones, hit play, and let the conversation—and the beats—begin.

In today’s episode we’re thrilled to have Reeya Banerjee—writer, vocalist, voice‑over artist, and the raw, honest storyteller behind the critically‑acclaimed album The Way Up—joining host James Cox for a deep‑dive into the healing power of music.

We kick things off with a quick word from our sponsor, BetterHelp, reminding listeners that affordable, flexible online therapy is just a few clicks away (and you can snag 10 % off your first month at betterhelp.com/music‑speaks).

From there, James and Reeya wanders through the musical landscape that shapes her art:

• the Beatles’ “Something,”
• Springsteen’s “Thunder Road,”
• U2’s “The Sweetest Thing,”
• Fiona Apple’s “Criminal,”
• Peter Gabriel’s “Sledgehammer,”
• and Eminem’s “Lose Yourself.”

Reeya reveals how each of these tracks inspired her own songwriting, and why certain songs—like her own “The Way Up,” “Deep Water,” and the childhood‑memory‑laden “Snow”—feel easier to say when they’re sung. She also opens up about the mental‑health crisis she faced in 2019, the intensive therapy that helped her reclaim her voice, and the way music became her conduit for processing grief, insomnia, and the restless energy of a night‑owl musician.

Listeners get a sneak peek at Reeya’s upcoming August release “This Place,” a concept album that maps nine cities to nine core emotions, and we hear about the stories behind singles such as “Misery of Place,” “For the First Time,” “Runner,” and the soon‑to‑drop “Upstate Rust.”

The conversation rounds out with playful cover‑quiz challenges, a nostalgic look at the Hudson‑Valley bar that sparked her creative community, and a heartfelt promise that when words fail, music always speaks.

Stay tuned, grab your headphones, and prepare for an episode packed with candid conversation, lyrical insights, and a reminder that—no matter how dark the night—there’s always a melody waiting to lift you up.

And remember: when you need a mental‑health boost, BetterHelp is just a click away at betterhelp.com/music‑speaks.

Welcome back to When Words Fail, Music Speaks, the show that battles depression one riff at a time. In today’s episode we’ve got a jam‑packed hour that’s part heartfelt sponsor shout‑out, part deep‑dive into the creative process, and part quirky tech‑savvy brainstorming session.

First, a quick word from our sponsor, BetterHelp, the affordable, on‑demand therapy platform that lets you match with a licensed counselor via text, chat, phone or video—and gives our listeners 10 % off the first month.

Then we roll into the main event: a conversation with the members of the up‑and‑coming rock outfit Human Race— bassist Jeff, guitarist Heath, and their ever‑curious crew. We unpack the story behind their brand‑new single Human Race, a track born from Jeff’s post‑Berlin‑Wall reflections and a tour of war‑torn Croatia, exploring themes of closed societies, police‑state paranoia, and personal selfishness.

The band walks us through the nitty‑gritty of getting the song out there:

• Distribution: Why they chose TuneCore over DistroKid and how the release timeline works.
• TikTok Blitz: 200+ videos ranging from live takes to AI‑generated art (including a homage to Wire’s Pink Flag), global pronunciation challenges, and fan‑generated clips.
• AI Experiments: From bizarre Bigfoot chats to horse‑sized chicken battles, we hear the team’s love‑hate relationship with generative tools.

We also get a behind‑the‑scenes look at their DIY marketing machine—Fiverr editors, chat‑GPT analytics, and a rotating posting schedule that lets the “universe decide” which clips stick.

Finally, the band shares future plans: a six‑week single release cadence, a full‑album wrap‑up by year‑end, merch drops (CDs, tees, stickers), and the dream of a live session at Sun Studios.

All of this is wrapped in the usual banter, weather‑talk, and spontaneous anecdotes that make the Music Speaks family feel like a living, breathing jam session.

So grab your headphones, settle in, and let the conversation—and the music—speak for itself. 🎸✨