Today’s guest is more than a hitmaker — she’s a creative force who has shaped the sound of a generation. From penning chart-toppers like “Thank U, Next” (Ariana Grande), “High Hopes” (Panic! at the Disco), and “Love Lies” (Khalid & Normani) to building her own label, publishing company, and artist career, her story is a masterclass in reinvention, resilience, and longevity.

And the writer is… Tayla Parx!

In this episode, Tayla sits down with Ross to unpack how she’s navigated more than a decade at the top of the music industry — from her start in Hairspray to writing with Babyface, to becoming one of the few Black women with a #1 country song. She opens up about:

• Surviving the pressures of back-to-back sessions and industry burnout
• Turning setbacks into fuel for her artistry and business ventures
• Why branding yourself as a songwriter matters as much as the songs
• The art of staying relevant without chasing trends
• How to keep building a catalog that pays you for decades to come

For every songwriter, artist, or creative grinding to build a career that lasts — this is the blueprint.

🎧 Listen now and learn how Tayla Parx keeps writing hits… again and again.

Chapters

0:00 Teaser – Why Longevity Matters in Music

1:37 Intro: And The Writer Is… Tayla Parx!

8:33 From Dallas Kid to Hairspray & Nickelodeon Star

12:49 Finding Songwriting & Learning From Babyface

14:07 Leaving Acting Behind to Chase Music Full-Time

24:53 The Warner Chappell Era: Building a Writer Community

27:15 Breakthrough Hits: “Thank U, Next” & “High Hopes”

31:38 NMPA Ad – Fighting for Songwriter Rights

32:45 Inside the Story of “Thank U, Next”

39:37 How to Build a Catalog That Pays for Decades

40:55 “Love Lies” & Crossing Genres as a Hitmaker

50:34 Advocating for Women, Black Creatives & LGBTQ+ Voices

52:00 Why Tayla Still Releases Her Own Music

53:20 From Bieber to John Legend to Country #1

55:32 Exploring Jazz, R&B, and Children’s Music

59:34 Song Splits, Collaboration & Session Dynamics

1:03:41 Why Collaboration Matters (and When to Write Alone)

1:11:38 The Secret to Longevity & Reinvention

1:16:25 Closing Reflections & Legacy

And The Writer Is… is presented by The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) — advocating for songwriters, music publishers, and their essential rights.

Learn more at NMPA.org

Hosted by Ross Golan

Executive Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad

Watercolor by Michael White

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest is nothing short of a phenomenon.

With roots in Iceland and China, raised in a family of classical musicians, she grew up between symphony halls and jazz records — and has now become the defining voice of her generation.

Her music is a breathtaking blend of timeless jazz, classical elegance, and modern storytelling that has captivated millions around the world. From posting standards online during college to headlining the Hollywood Bowl, she’s built a movement — proving that jazz not only lives, but thrives in the hands of a new generation.

Her Grammy-winning sophomore album, Bewitched, cemented her as an international force. And now with her brand-new release, A Matter of Time, she dives deeper into emotional vulnerability and sonic ambition — pushing jazz, classical, and folk influences into a sound that feels both cinematic and intimate.

Named one of Time’s Women of the Year, celebrated by critics and adored by fans, she is redefining what it means to be an artist in the modern age.

And The Writer Is… Laufey!

And The Writer Is… is hosted by Ross Golan and executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad.

As always, we’d like to thank our friends at the National Music Publishers’ Association. The NMPA is dedicated to protecting the rights of songwriters and music publishers, ensuring that the creators behind the songs we love are fairly represented and compensated. We’re grateful for their continued support of this show and our community of writers.

Learn more at NMPA.org

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today’s guest began on YouTube — a teenager posting bedroom covers to a handful of viewers.

Now, his songs have been streamed billions of times across the globe.

He’s headlined sold-out arenas on multiple continents, become a global fashion force, and built one of the most devoted fanbases of his generation.

He’s collaborated with legends like Max Martin, while never losing the raw honesty that made his music essential in the first place.

He’s not just a rising star — he’s already one of pop’s defining voices.

And with his new album, he proves that even at the biggest scale, vulnerability is still his superpower.

And the writer is… Conan Gray!

Follow us on socials! @andthewriteris

Thank you to NMPA for sponsoring this season, and fighting for songwriters as well as this podcast.

00:00 – This Is Conan Gray (teaser)

01:00 – Singing Disney With Ross 🎶

02:00 – From Bedroom Dreams to Billions

02:59 – Growing Up Lonely, Writing to Survive

04:45 – The Music Video That Rewired His Brain

06:30 – When Adele Proved Bedroom Songs Were Possible

07:30 – Uploading at Age 9 (Before He Knew the Internet)

14:15 – “Nothing Sounded Like Me”

15:45 – Panic Attacks → Falling in Love With Touring

21:15 – Dropping Out & Betting Everything on Music

23:20 – The Moment His Sister Realized He Was Famous

24:30 – Turning Heartbreak Into Healing on Stage

26:00 – The Nightmare of Empty Venues

28:30 – Dan Nigro: The Producer Who Changed Everything

30:15 – Why Conan Refuses to Believe He’s ‘Made It’

33:22 – Ad Break – Support Songwriters (NMPA)

34:00 – ‘Maniac’: The Shower Song That Hit a Billion 🚿

35:45 – Heather: The Song Everyone Slept On… Until They Didn’t

40:32 – Found Heaven: His Public Bootcamp

43:23 – Max Martin’s Biggest Lesson (That Changed His Writing)

47:00 – Rediscovering Himself on Wishbone

50:05 – The Falsetto High Note That Almost Broke Him

52:07 – Cornell: The Song Too Honest to Ignore

53:00 – Why Radical Honesty Is His Only Rule

55:00 – Why His Art Isn’t Just Music

56:00 – The Three Songs That Define His New Era

01:03:15 – What He’d Tell 12-Year-Old Conan

01:07:00 – Ross: “You Wrote a Song I Wish Was Mine”

Hosted by Ross Golan

Executive Produced by Joe London and Jad Saad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

He believed before anyone else did.

Before the Grammys.

Before the 39 billion streams.

Before Say My Name changed the sound of radio forever.

He was just a kid on a New Jersey bus, chasing a dream no one else could see.

In this episode, legendary producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins shares how faith, fire, and pure conviction took him from a basement studio to shaping the sound of a generation. From Michael Jackson to Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, and Sam Smith, Rodney opens up about the mindset behind the music — and why belief is still the most powerful tool a creator has.

You’ll hear about the reset that saved his career, the changing landscape of songwriting in the AI era, and the stories behind some of the most iconic records of the last 25 years.

And The Writer Is... Rodney Jerkins.

Topics:

• The real story behind Say My Name
• Working with Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, and Gaga
• Why belief matters more than talent
• How to stay inspired (even after burnout)
• AI, music tech, and what’s missing from today's process
• What every songwriter needs to know about their value
• 
  

Sponsored by:

SONA, DIMA, Amazon Music, and YouTube Songwriters.

Thank you for supporting us and protecting the future of songwriting!

Produced by Ross Golan, Joe London, and Jad Saad

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to become irreplaceable in music?

This is more than a lesson in music. It’s a masterclass in how to make yourself essential in any room you enter.

In this episode, Ryan Tedder shares a raw, unfiltered blueprint for building a career that stands the test of time.

From mastering guitar, piano, and production to writing two songs a day, Ryan unpacks why versatility, humility, and relentless work ethic are the hidden currencies of longevity. He breaks down the mindset shifts that separate fleeting success from lasting impact, and why assuming everyone is more talented than you might just be your greatest advantage.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

In this powerful 10-minute blueprint, Russ breaks down what every artist needs to know to build a real career in today’s music industry. From his mindset of delusional self-belief to strategic release plans and business truths, this clip will change the way you approach your music journey forever.

Subscribe for more industry insight and give us a rating if you enjoyed this! It helps us keep this show free forever, which is our commitment to the industry and our audience.

Presented by NMPA

https://www.nmpa.org/

Chapters:

0:00 Why Songs Don’t Blow Up

0:15 Is Inspiration Overrated?

0:33 Writing Big Songs While Uninspired

1:05 How Russ Would Start From Zero Today

1:24 Stockpiling Songs & Posting Strategy

1:57 Do You Want Success Bad Enough?

2:01 Russ’ Duality: Confidence vs. Doubt

2:21 The Power of Delusional Self-Belief

3:02 Why Songwriters Should Stop Giving Songs Away

3:51 Why Most Artists Stay Broke

5:06 Taking Control of Your Music Business

6:38 The Purity of Creating Without an Audience

7:04 The Audience Picks The Hits

8:07 Russ’ Song-a-Week Strategy Explained

8:39 When a Song Flops: Russ on Bankrupt

9:13 Why It’s Okay If It’s Not The One

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.