And The Writer Is...with Ross Golan

• Key Moment: Russ | What Every Artist Needs to Know (10-Minute Blueprint)

  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 NMPAhttps://www.nmpa.org/Chapters:0:00 Why Songs Don’t Blow Up0:15 Is Inspiration Overrated?0:33 Writing Big Songs While Uninspired1:05 How Russ Would Start From Zero Today1:24 Stockpiling Songs & Posting Strategy1:57 Do You Want Success Bad Enough?2:01 Russ’ Duality: Confidence vs. Doubt2:21 The Power of Delusional Self-Belief3:02 Why Songwriters Should Stop Giving Songs Away3:51 Why Most Artists Stay Broke5:06 Taking Control of Your Music Business6:38 The Purity of Creating Without an Audience7:04 The Audience Picks The Hits8:07 Russ’ Song-a-Week Strategy Explained8:39 When a Song Flops: Russ on Bankrupt9:13 Why It’s Okay If It’s Not The One Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 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 SaadSpecial thank you to our season sponsor NMPA!Chapters:00:01:36 – Start Here: Why This Episode Will Change You00:02:37 – How Jessie Met Eminem and Earned His Respect00:09:50 – What Jessie Learned Giving Back to Songwriters00:16:52 – Jessie’s First Song Ever (It’s Cringey… and Brilliant)00:18:28 – Jessie’s Crazy Lyric Memory & Why It Matters00:18:51 – From Choir Rooms to Stadiums: Where It All Began00:27:57 – The Moment She Gave Herself One Year 00:31:12 – How Her Mom’s Brutal English Drills Made Jessie a Genius00:35:35 – What Happens After the Hit? Jessie Tells All00:37:11 – The Exact Moment She Knew Her Life Was Changing00:42:36 – The Video That Changed Everything (She Almost Didn't Post)00:45:14 – How a $50 Bus Ride Got Her Into the Remix Project00:48:18 – Why She Stayed Up 14 Hours Editing Her First Video00:50:12 – The Brave Story Jessie Told That Changed Everything00:51:17 – Writing 'Figures' — The Raw, Drunken, Real Truth00:56:44 – The Writing Camp That Sparked Her Breakthrough Hit00:57:11 – How 'Figures' Was Really Written (And Why It Still Hurts)01:00:00 – Gatekeeper: Calling Out Sexism in the Music Industry01:01:42 – What MeToo Missed — And What Jessie Risked to Say01:02:58 – The Heavy Cost of Telling the Truth01:05:43 – Why Being Vulnerable is Jessie’s Greatest Superpower01:06:20 – Jessie on Drake, Bieber, The Weeknd & Canadian Greatness01:07:14 – Why So Many GOATs Come Out of Canada01:08:11 – From Open Mics to Eminem: The Legacy She’s Building01:18:14 – The Insane Calvin Harris Story (You Won’t Believe This One) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 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.

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• 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 – Intro02:14 – How Russ Beat the System Without Selling His Soul04:16 – Childhood Chaos, Cop Cars & Creative Spark07:06 – Soulja Boy, Pep Rallies & Atlanta Music Culture08:19 – Rock Ballads & Soul Roots You Didn’t Expect10:11 – The Guitar That Started It All11:49 – GarageBand & Making Beats for Friends12:41 – Wayne, Wiz & Folk Rock: A Weird Musical Diet13:56 – Why Russ Doesn’t Sound Like Anyone Else15:29 – Publishing Wars: Russ vs. Drum Programmers26:18 – Why Songwriters Are Fighting for the Wrong Money29:32 – The $850K Sample Mistake30:21 – Power, Control & Protecting His Business34:05 – Why He Still Handles His Own Deals35:11 – A Wake-Up Call to Songwriters: Keep Your Records39:03 – When a Song Hits Mid-Dinner, You Leave41:44 – Burnout, Collaboration & Creative Revival45:11 – The Line He’ll Never Cross in Rap48:01 – Turning Fights Into Hits (Literally)50:07 – Writing in the Shower & Whispering Hooks at 2AM54:14 – Harmonizing with His Partner—In Music and Life56:02 – When He Doesn’t Create, Everything Unravels57:09 – The 20% Rule That Changed His Sanity58:07 – How Columbia Let Him Stay Indie (Kind Of)61:06 – Ownership, Spending, and Where the Real Money Is63:56 – What Russ Would Do If He Had to Start Over65:19 – Vulnerability vs. Confidence: The Real Inner Battle66:07 – Why He Samples Even Though He Can Write Anything66:38 – Burnout & Building a Life Outside of Music67:52 – Being Your Own Engine (and Breaking Down)69:25 – The Hidden Prison of Fame70:38 – Panic Attacks, Depression & Healing72:01 – Therapy, Faith & Finding Balance75:17 – Music as Medicine (and a Mental Trap)78:42 – Dopamine Detox & Spiritual Warfare81:11 – Why He Hates LA82:22 – “I Can Make a Hit in 20 Minutes”—But Should I?83:33 – Escaping the Productivity Hamster Wheel84:38 – A $25M Lesson Every Artist Should Hear86:51 – Love, Identity, and the Power of a Creative Partner89:09 – Real Talk on Timing, Trust, and Tension90:54 – What Actually Grounds Russ (That You Don’t See Online)92:33 – What He Hopes to Be Remembered For94:10 – For the Dreamer Who’s Almost Out of Gas96:22 – Why Gratitude Isn’t Optional97:47 – Ego vs. Purpose: The Shift That Saved His Career99:21 – Navigating Hate, Criticism & Longevity102:06 – Owning Your Story Without Needing a Comeback104:33 – Faith, Flow & Letting Go107:18 – Redefining Wealth: What Energy Are You Leaving Behind?109:55 – Art as Therapy: Why He’ll Never Stop Writing112:11 – Leaving a Legacy Without Forcing It115:03 – What He Still Doesn’t Feel Comfortable Sharing117:12 – A Final Message to Artists Who Feel Alone120:10 – Outro: What Russ Hopes You Take From This Episode Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• 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 Ever03:40 – How Songwriters Get Paid (Explained Like You’re 15)05:19 – The Truth About Songwriter Pay: 75% Controlled by the Government07:28 – The Music Modernization Act: Progress or Political Cover-Up?09:13 – The Broken System: Why Songwriters Can’t Say No12:01 – Artists vs. Songwriters: The Industry's Unspoken Divide13:50 – Ghostwriting, Publishing Abuse & The Elvis Tax Nobody Talks About20:16 – Why Unionizing Won’t Save Songwriters (And What Might)23:55 – What the CRB Is — And Why It Still Screws Creators26:22 – Free Market vs. Rigged Game: Labels Win, Songwriters Lose28:33 – Why Songwriters Have No Real Political Power31:01 – Consent Decrees Explained: The 1940s Laws Holding Music Back33:19 – Selective Withdrawals: A Strategy That Could Change Everything39:10 – Are Big Publishers Quietly Crippling Independent Writers?45:25 – The Power of ‘No’: The One Tool Songwriters Don’t Actually Have46:25 – Are Labels and Publishers Working Against Each Other?49:45 – The Billion-Dollar Boom: Why Everyone’s Selling Their Catalogs54:37 – Final Word: Gratitude, Hope & the Fight Ahead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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