And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

And The Writer Is
And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. Ep. 216: Ryan Tedder (pt.3) | The Truth About Fame & How to Win in Music and Life

    7 JUL

    Ep. 216: Ryan Tedder (pt.3) | The Truth About Fame & How to Win in Music and Life

    Today’s guest is the mastermind behind some of the biggest songs on earth – a creative force whose melodies have shaped generations. From crafting timeless anthems with Beyoncé, Adele, and Taylor Swift to leading OneRepublic to global dominance, he’s not just a hitmaker – he’s an architect of modern music. In this conversation, Ryan Tedder rips the veil off fame and fortune, revealing the hidden costs of success, the brutal truths no one talks about, and his unfiltered blueprint for building wealth, longevity, and creative mastery in a world obsessed with trends. He dives deep into why most artists fail, how boredom became his superpower, and what it actually takes to build a legacy that lasts. This isn’t an interview. It’s a wake-up call for every creator chasing relevance in 2025 and beyond. And The Writer Is… Ryan Tedder! (Part 3) Produced by Joe London, Ross Golan, & Jad Saad Chapters: 00:00 Intro 00:52 His Morning Routine That Changed Everything 02:06 How Boredom Made Him Creative 03:40 The Hidden Dark Side of Fame 05:50 Justin Timberlake’s Brutal Warning 10:15 Fame is a Prison: Stories from the Top 14:14 Why He Hid His Singing Talent as a Kid 17:25 Lady Gaga’s Secret Ambition Revealed 20:55 Money Makes You a Target 23:02 His Dream: Rich But Unknown 25:26 Investing Millions Outside Music 27:05 Why Famous Artists Go Broke 31:02 Getting Dropped Saved His Career 36:13 What $50 Million a Year Really Means 39:22 NMPA Sponsor Break 41:01 Labels Want You Wild & Broke 44:40 Can You Win Without Flexing? 47:12 Managers Who Destroy Artists’ Careers 50:52 Why Tate McRae Is Built Different 53:37 OneRepublic’s Secret to Longevity 57:12 Sync Deals vs Streaming: Where Money Really Is 01:00:52 His Songwriting Secrets & ‘God Moments’ 01:05:00 How He Stays Creative After 20+ Years 01:09:00 The Role of Trust in Hit-Making 01:13:00 Stories of Working With DJs & Pop Stars 01:17:00 The Future of Music & AI’s Impact 01:21:00 His Philosophy on Work Ethic & Success 01:25:00 Final Words: Advice to Creators 01:29:00 Outro Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    1h 27m
  2. Ep. 215: Jessie Reyez | The Story of Betting On Herself (For Anyone Starting Over)

    23 JUN

    Ep. 215: Jessie Reyez | The Story of Betting On Herself (For Anyone Starting Over)

    Today’s guest is a fearless storyteller whose voice is as raw as her lyrics—bold, emotional, and unapologetically real. A first-generation Colombian-Canadian, she turned hustle into art, weaving her experiences into songs that hit like truth bombs. Whether she’s penning heart-wrenching ballads or delivering razor-sharp verses alongside icons like Eminem and Beyoncé, her work is grounded in authenticity and fire. She’s busked, she’s bartended, she’s broken through. And now, with her third studio album, she continues to push boundaries—proving that vulnerability, grit, and honesty never go out of style. From Toronto to the world… And the writer is… Jessie Reyez! Produced by Joe London, Ross Golan, and Jad Saad Special thank you to our season sponsor NMPA! Chapters: 00:01:36 – Start Here: Why This Episode Will Change You 00:02:37 – How Jessie Met Eminem and Earned His Respect 00:09:50 – What Jessie Learned Giving Back to Songwriters 00:16:52 – Jessie’s First Song Ever (It’s Cringey… and Brilliant) 00:18:28 – Jessie’s Crazy Lyric Memory & Why It Matters 00:18:51 – From Choir Rooms to Stadiums: Where It All Began 00:27:57 – The Moment She Gave Herself One Year  00:31:12 – How Her Mom’s Brutal English Drills Made Jessie a Genius 00:35:35 – What Happens After the Hit? Jessie Tells All 00:37:11 – The Exact Moment She Knew Her Life Was Changing 00:42:36 – The Video That Changed Everything (She Almost Didn't Post) 00:45:14 – How a $50 Bus Ride Got Her Into the Remix Project 00:48:18 – Why She Stayed Up 14 Hours Editing Her First Video 00:50:12 – The Brave Story Jessie Told That Changed Everything 00:51:17 – Writing 'Figures' — The Raw, Drunken, Real Truth 00:56:44 – The Writing Camp That Sparked Her Breakthrough Hit 00:57:11 – How 'Figures' Was Really Written (And Why It Still Hurts) 01:00:00 – Gatekeeper: Calling Out Sexism in the Music Industry 01:01:42 – What MeToo Missed — And What Jessie Risked to Say 01:02:58 – The Heavy Cost of Telling the Truth 01:05:43 – Why Being Vulnerable is Jessie’s Greatest Superpower 01:06:20 – Jessie on Drake, Bieber, The Weeknd & Canadian Greatness 01:07:14 – Why So Many GOATs Come Out of Canada 01:08:11 – From Open Mics to Eminem: The Legacy She’s Building 01:18:14 – The Insane Calvin Harris Story (You Won’t Believe This One) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    1h 30m
  3. Ep. 214: Ian Fitchuk | How Sobriety, Struggle & Soul Led Him to a Grammy

    16 JUN

    Ep. 214: Ian Fitchuk | How Sobriety, Struggle & Soul Led Him to a Grammy

    Today’s guest is a musical architect whose fingerprints are on some of the most emotionally resonant and sonically rich records of the last decade. He’s not the loudest in the room—but when he’s in the studio, every note, every tone, every beat matters. A multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, and producer with an unmatched intuition, he brings out the soul in every song, guiding artists to their most authentic performances. From Grammy-winning collaborations with Kacey Musgraves to shaping records across indie, country, rock, and beyond, he’s the quiet force behind the soundtracks to our lives. All the way from Nashville, Tennessee, this master of nuance proves that subtlety can be a superpower. And the writer is… Ian Fitchuk! 0:00 – Intro: Sobriety, Fear & Creativity  0:55 – NMPA Sponsor Message  3:25 – Growing Up in the Chicago Suburbs  6:15 – Musical Upbringing: Classical Roots & Church Influence  9:05 – Early Influences: CDs, Cassettes & Graceland  12:05 – Bear Killer, Drums & Songwriting Beginnings  17:30 – From Church Bands to Writing Real Songs  20:50 – Leaving Home & Moving to Nashville  27:30 – First Touring Gig & Life Lessons  30:50 – Discovering Production via the Christian Music Scene  35:50 – A Decade of Struggle Before the Breakthrough  40:50 – Why Ian Never Quit (Even With Kids)  45:00 – Golden Hour Era: Writing With Kacey  50:50 – Making Golden Hour Using Logic Stock Sounds  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    1h 20m
  4. Ep. 212: How Russ Built An Indie Empire: Business, Burnout & Self-Belief

    12 JUN

    Ep. 212: How Russ Built An Indie Empire: Business, Burnout & Self-Belief

    This week’s guest is one of the most successful independent artists in modern music. He’s a rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer who built his career from the ground up. in this rare conversation, he opens up about the side of the journey we don’t usually hear: The emotional weight of ownership, the mental toll of doing it all alone, and the belief system that kept him going when no one else did. This is a blueprint for any creative who wants to build something real without losing their peace. And The Writer Is... Russ! Chapters00:00 – Intro 02:14 – How Russ Beat the System Without Selling His Soul 04:16 – Childhood Chaos, Cop Cars & Creative Spark 07:06 – Soulja Boy, Pep Rallies & Atlanta Music Culture 08:19 – Rock Ballads & Soul Roots You Didn’t Expect 10:11 – The Guitar That Started It All 11:49 – GarageBand & Making Beats for Friends 12:41 – Wayne, Wiz & Folk Rock: A Weird Musical Diet 13:56 – Why Russ Doesn’t Sound Like Anyone Else 15:29 – Publishing Wars: Russ vs. Drum Programmers 26:18 – Why Songwriters Are Fighting for the Wrong Money 29:32 – The $850K Sample Mistake 30:21 – Power, Control & Protecting His Business 34:05 – Why He Still Handles His Own Deals 35:11 – A Wake-Up Call to Songwriters: Keep Your Records 39:03 – When a Song Hits Mid-Dinner, You Leave 41:44 – Burnout, Collaboration & Creative Revival 45:11 – The Line He’ll Never Cross in Rap 48:01 – Turning Fights Into Hits (Literally) 50:07 – Writing in the Shower & Whispering Hooks at 2AM 54:14 – Harmonizing with His Partner—In Music and Life 56:02 – When He Doesn’t Create, Everything Unravels 57:09 – The 20% Rule That Changed His Sanity 58:07 – How Columbia Let Him Stay Indie (Kind Of) 61:06 – Ownership, Spending, and Where the Real Money Is 63:56 – What Russ Would Do If He Had to Start Over 65:19 – Vulnerability vs. Confidence: The Real Inner Battle 66:07 – Why He Samples Even Though He Can Write Anything 66:38 – Burnout & Building a Life Outside of Music 67:52 – Being Your Own Engine (and Breaking Down) 69:25 – The Hidden Prison of Fame 70:38 – Panic Attacks, Depression & Healing 72:01 – Therapy, Faith & Finding Balance 75:17 – Music as Medicine (and a Mental Trap) 78:42 – Dopamine Detox & Spiritual Warfare 81:11 – Why He Hates LA 82:22 – “I Can Make a Hit in 20 Minutes”—But Should I? 83:33 – Escaping the Productivity Hamster Wheel 84:38 – A $25M Lesson Every Artist Should Hear 86:51 – Love, Identity, and the Power of a Creative Partner 89:09 – Real Talk on Timing, Trust, and Tension 90:54 – What Actually Grounds Russ (That You Don’t See Online) 92:33 – What He Hopes to Be Remembered For 94:10 – For the Dreamer Who’s Almost Out of Gas 96:22 – Why Gratitude Isn’t Optional 97:47 – Ego vs. Purpose: The Shift That Saved His Career 99:21 – Navigating Hate, Criticism & Longevity 102:06 – Owning Your Story Without Needing a Comeback 104:33 – Faith, Flow & Letting Go 107:18 – Redefining Wealth: What Energy Are You Leaving Behind? 109:55 – Art as Therapy: Why He’ll Never Stop Writing 112:11 – Leaving a Legacy Without Forcing It 115:03 – What He Still Doesn’t Feel Comfortable Sharing 117:12 – A Final Message to Artists Who Feel Alone 120:10 – Outro: What Russ Hopes You Take From This Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    2h 13m
  5. Ep. 213: David Israelite | How Songwriters Get Paid — And Why the System Is Broken

    12 JUN

    Ep. 213: David Israelite | How Songwriters Get Paid — And Why the System Is Broken

    In this special episode, Ross Golan sits down with David Israelite, the influential President and CEO of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA). A fierce and tireless advocate for songwriters, David has spent nearly two decades fighting for the rights, recognition, and fair compensation of music creators in an ever-evolving industry. From spearheading groundbreaking legislation like the Music Modernization Act to navigating complex battles over streaming royalties and copyright protections, David shares a behind-the-scenes look at the work that goes into defending the value of songwriting. With unique insights into policy, publishing, and the business of music, this candid conversation reveals why David is one of the most pivotal figures working on behalf of songwriters today. If you care about music creators and the future of songwriting, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. 00:00 – Intro: Why This Episode Matters More Than Ever 03:40 – How Songwriters Get Paid (Explained Like You’re 15) 05:19 – The Truth About Songwriter Pay: 75% Controlled by the Government 07:28 – The Music Modernization Act: Progress or Political Cover-Up? 09:13 – The Broken System: Why Songwriters Can’t Say No 12:01 – Artists vs. Songwriters: The Industry's Unspoken Divide 13:50 – Ghostwriting, Publishing Abuse & The Elvis Tax Nobody Talks About 20:16 – Why Unionizing Won’t Save Songwriters (And What Might) 23:55 – What the CRB Is — And Why It Still Screws Creators 26:22 – Free Market vs. Rigged Game: Labels Win, Songwriters Lose 28:33 – Why Songwriters Have No Real Political Power 31:01 – Consent Decrees Explained: The 1940s Laws Holding Music Back 33:19 – Selective Withdrawals: A Strategy That Could Change Everything 39:10 – Are Big Publishers Quietly Crippling Independent Writers? 45:25 – The Power of ‘No’: The One Tool Songwriters Don’t Actually Have 46:25 – Are Labels and Publishers Working Against Each Other? 49:45 – The Billion-Dollar Boom: Why Everyone’s Selling Their Catalogs 54:37 – Final Word: Gratitude, Hope & the Fight Ahead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    56 min
  6. Ep. 211: BANKS | Why One Song Isn’t Enough: Rejection & Longevity in Music

    27 MAY

    Ep. 211: BANKS | Why One Song Isn’t Enough: Rejection & Longevity in Music

    Today’s guest is an artist whose voice cuts through like a blade—sharp, emotional, and unforgettable. Emerging from the shadows of alternative R&B and electro-pop, she’s crafted a sonic identity that’s both intimate and cinematic. Her lyrics are deeply confessional, fearless in their vulnerability, and her production choices push boundaries while staying rooted in undeniable emotion. From viral beginnings to critical acclaim, she’s stayed true to her vision, building an aesthetic that’s dark, empowering, and always evolving. All the way from Los Angeles, California—this is the sound of raw artistry at its finest. And the writer is… BANKS! 00:00 - Intro  01:07 - Growing Up in L.A.  03:52 - Music as Math?  06:16 - 100% Songs, No Concept First  08:08 - First Song Became a Jack Collab  10:04 - Social Anxiety + Going Out Hard  12:06 - Fans, Fame & Divine Feminine Energy  15:41 - Jillian vs. BANKS  18:10 - Stage Fright to Frontwoman  21:13 - Regrets & Album Titles That Got Away  22:28 - Streaming Era Beginnings  27:02 - Indie Artist Real Talk  31:12 - Viral Hits vs. Tour Culture  34:09 - “Don’t Try To Write a Hit”  36:04 - Underrated BANKS Songs  38:05 - Why This Album, Why Now  39:28 - How “I Hate Your Ex” Happened  41:24 - Voice as a Shape-Shifter  42:02 - Collaboration Energy Shift  43:03 - Studio Magic Stories  44:14 - Writing for Other Artists?  46:18 - Why Artists Look to BANKS  48:06 - 3 Life-Changing Decisions  49:40 - Five-for-Five Lightning Round  53:08 - Music + Visuals Are One  54:16 - Ross on BANKS’ Legacy Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    56 min
  7. Ep. 210: Jon Bellion | Choosing Art Over Algorithm

    13 MAY

    Ep. 210: Jon Bellion | Choosing Art Over Algorithm

    Today’s guest is one of the most original minds in modern music—a genre-defying powerhouse who returns to this podcast six years after his first unforgettable visit. Hailing from Long Island, this producer, performer, and lyrical architect has built a sonic universe entirely his own. He’s the mastermind behind cinematic pop records that blur the line between the underground and the mainstream, with a resume that spans from crafting platinum hits for chart-toppers to delivering soul-baring solo projects that redefine authenticity. Now a father of three, his creativity has only deepened, as he balances vulnerability and virtuosity with relentless hustle. He’s not just a hitmaker—he’s a visionary, a builder, and a storyteller for a generation that craves depth. And the writer is… Jon Bellion! Episode Timestamps: 0:00 Bellion’s Return & Industry Fire  0:36 Ross ATWI Intro 2:05 Supporting Songwriters’ Rights  2:41 Jon Bellion Returns After 6 Years  3:56 Jon vs. the Algorithm  6:56 AI, Effort & Meaning  9:22 Craft Over Convenience  11:57 Identity, Process & Philosophy  18:21 Credit, Ego & Industry Power  25:32 Sponsor Message from NMPA 27:09 Staying Dangerous with Purpose  32:06 Becoming the Label  45:07 Removing Ego from the Process  50:41 Returning to Joy in Creation  54:58 Art vs. Math in Production  57:23 Hits Beyond the U.S.  1:05:16 On Raising Creative Kids  1:07:52 Jon's Words of Advice to His Younger Self 1:18:06 Grief, Healing & Writing Through Loss  1:22:32 What Success Really Means in 2025  1:25:00 Writing vs. Recognition  1:47:58 ATWI Credits & Closing Reflections Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
    1h 47m

About

Every week, we sit down with an acclaimed and venerable songwriter to intimately discuss what happens behind closed doors in the music industry. There are millions of singers, thousands of artists, and only 40 top songs per genre at a time... this podcast is about the people who make them. Produced by Joe London & Ross Golan in association with Big Deal Music & Mega House Music. And The Writer Is... ™ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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