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!

00:00 – 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

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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

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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

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Today’s guest is a British sensation whose sound defies convention and whose rise has been anything but ordinary. With a style rooted in drum and bass, alt-pop, and early 2000s nostalgia, she’s redefined what it means to make bedroom pop in the digital age. Her songwriting is both diaristic and enigmatic, managing to say more in two minutes than most can in five. From viral fame to global stages, she’s built a world that’s entirely her own—introspective, stylish, and sonically daring. A true creative force who writes, produces, and performs with instinct and intention. From across the pond, the future is bright… And the wrier is… PinkPantheress!

00:00 – Intro

00:42 – Meet PinkPantheress

01:16 – The Self-Made Artist

05:02 – Growing Up Multicultural

09:49 – Emo, Piano & Early Music Obsession

13:03 – Building Her Unique Sound

16:26 – UK vs US Music Culture

21:04 – Not Chasing Numbers

23:01 – You Can’t Teach Taste

24:19 – Producing & Industry Bias

30:23 – Ad Read: NMPA + Peer Music

32:00 – Producing at 17 & Avoiding Media

34:06 – TikTok Fame Without Trying

38:22 – From Anonymous to Recognized

41:00 – Live Shows & Internal Standards

44:29 – Perfectionism & Learning in Public

45:04 – Writing 'Pain' in Her Dorm

46:31 – 'Boys a Liar' & Airbnb Vocals

50:16 – Taste as Her Superpower

52:15 – New Single & Feedback Avoidance

53:43 – Teasing the Next Song

54:59 – Dream Artists to Produce

55:27 – Where the Name Came From

55:32 – If She Started from Zero Today

57:05 – The Truth About Taste

58:12 – Rapid Fire: Bath, Family, Identity

58:57 – Final Thoughts: Breaking Through in the US

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

Today’s guest is a British sensation whose sound defies convention and whose rise has been anything but ordinary. With a style rooted in drum and bass, alt-pop, and early 2000s nostalgia, she’s redefined what it means to make bedroom pop in the digital age. Her songwriting is both diaristic and enigmatic, managing to say more in two minutes than most can in five. From viral fame to global stages, she’s built a world that’s entirely her own—introspective, stylish, and sonically daring. A true creative force who writes, produces, and performs with instinct and intention. From across the pond, the future is bright… And the artist is… Pink Pantheress!

00:00 – Intro

00:42 – Meet PinkPantheress 

01:16 – The Self-Made Artist 

05:02 – Growing Up Multicultural 

09:49 – Emo, Piano & Early Music Obsession 

13:03 – Building Her Unique Sound 

16:26 – UK vs US Music Culture 

21:04 – Not Chasing Numbers 

23:01 – You Can’t Teach Taste 

24:19 – Producing & Industry Bias 

30:23 – Ad Read: NMPA + Peer Music

32:00 – Producing at 17 & Avoiding Media 

34:06 – TikTok Fame Without Trying 

38:22 – From Anonymous to Recognized 

41:00 – Live Shows & Internal Standards 

44:29 – Perfectionism & Learning in Public 

45:04 – Writing 'Pain' in Her Dorm 

46:31 – 'Boys a Liar' & Airbnb Vocals 

50:16 – Taste as Her Superpower 

52:15 – New Single & Feedback Avoidance 

53:43 – Teasing the Next Song 

54:59 – Dream Artists to Produce 

55:27 – Where the Name Came From 

55:32 – If She Started from Zero Today 

57:05 – The Truth About Taste 

58:12 – Rapid Fire: Bath, Family, Identity 

58:57 – Final Thoughts: Breaking Through in the US

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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

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Today’s guest is a genre-shifting phenomenon who’s redefining what it means to break through in music today. With a sound that fuses indie, alt-pop, R&B, and emo influences, he’s crafted a raw, emotionally charged catalog that’s connected with a generation—and he did it all from his sister’s closet on a phone. In just a few years, his music has racked up billions of streams, topping global charts and earning him a fiercely loyal fanbase. But beyond the numbers, he’s an artist who leads with vulnerability, reshaping how young creators think about art, success, and authenticity. He’s not just making songs—he’s shifting culture, and sharing how at the same time.

And the writer is… D4vd!

0:00 Trailer Hook — Billion Streams Surprise 

1:32 Intro — From Phone to Playlist 

3:15 Growing Up — Early Life and Music Influences 

8:45 First Uploads — BandLab, YouTube, and Finding His Sound 

13:20 Going Viral — The Moment Everything Changed 

17:50 Pressure and Expectations — How He Handled the Blow-Up 

20:42 My Process — How I Make Music on a Phone 

23:10 Behind the Hits — How ‘Here With Me’ + ‘Romantic Homicide’ Happened 

26:17 What SZA Told Me That Changed Everything 

34:08 Advice for Young Artists — Make Music Nobody Wants 

36:09 Beyond Music — Directing, Acting, Manga Dreams 

43:35 Disrupting the Industry — Freaking Out the Business 

44:40 Validation Moment — Sitting Where Legends Sit

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Today’s guest is a Latin music powerhouse whose pen has changed the game globally. With a genre-defying catalog that spans regional Mexican, reggaeton, pop, and bachata, he’s crafted chart-topping hits that cross borders and break records. His work has earned him 26 Grammy wins, making him one of the most decorated writers in the industry today. But beyond the accolades, he’s a true musical chameleon—effortlessly fusing cultural roots with modern sounds to create melodies that resonate worldwide. He brings heart, hustle, and authenticity to everything he touches.

And the writer is… Edgar Barrera!

Timestamp | Chapter Title

00:00 | Intro and Sponsor

00:45 | Meet Your Host: Ross Golan

01:08 | Follow @AndTheWriterIs

01:17 | Presented by NMPA

02:09 | Guest Introduction: Edgar Barrera

03:00 | How Edgar Became a Hitmaker

06:30 | Global Success and Crossover Hits

10:00 | Writing for Regional Mexican Artists

15:00 | Secrets Behind Chart-Topping Songs

19:00 | Challenges and Pressure of Success

23:00 | Building a Cross-Cultural Career

28:00 | The Power of Simplicity in Songwriting

32:00 | Lessons from Collaborating with Legends

37:00 | How Edgar Approaches Artist Development

42:00 | Staying Grounded Amid Global Fame

47:00 | Behind The Scenes of Major Hits

52:00 | Edgar’s Advice to the Next Generation

57:00 | Wrapping Up: Gratitude and Staying Inspired

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Today’s guest is the mastermind behind some of the most captivating sounds in modern R&B and pop. With an ear for creating melodies that feel as intimate as they do expansive, he’s responsible for shaping hits that make you feel everything from joy to heartbreak. Whether he's behind the boards or penning the perfect lyrics, his ability to blend vulnerability with irresistible hooks has made him a go-to collaborator for some of the biggest names in music. From soulful ballads to undeniable bangers, his tracks are the ones that never leave your head—and always leave you wanting more. 

And the producer and songwriter is...Dernst "D'Mile" Emile II!

00:00 - Cold Open: Gaga, Bruno & a Midnight Session 

00:28 - Intro: Welcome to And The Writer Is  

01:22 - How D’Mile Got His Name  

05:10 - Growing Up with Jazz, Gospel & Biggie  

10:30 - Producing His First Song at Age 6  

12:15 - Almost Signed to Universal at 19  

16:45 - Rodney Jerkins & Darkchild Studio Era  

21:05 - 9 Creatives in a 3-Bedroom Apartment  

25:30 - Inspiration vs. Competition in the Come-Up  

27:20 - D’Mile Nearly Quit Music in 2017  

34:17 - The Comeback: Lucky Daye & Victoria Monét  

38:16 - How Silk Sonic Started from One Song  

46:44 - Making “Leave the Door Open”  

50:18 - “Die With A Smile” feat. Gaga & Bruno  

51:58 - Producing the Artist’s Soul  

59:00 - Copy-Paste Industry vs. Timeless Records  

01:01:08 - Final Thoughts: Doing It His Way

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Today’s guest is a genre-defying vocal powerhouse who’s been taking the music world by storm. Raised in the South with a love for soul, country, R&B, and rock, he blended these influences into an unmistakable style that’s all his own. With a voice that’s as powerful as it is emotive, he doesn’t just sing—he connects, turning raw, soulful covers into hits and proving he’s more than just a voice. He’s a true artist and songwriter who’s crafted songs about love, loss, and everything in between, resonating with millions around the world. Oh, and did we mention he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet? If you haven’t heard his music yet, trust us, you’ll want to.

And the writer is... Teddy Swims

Timestamp | Chapter Title

00:00 | Quick Message from Our Sponsor

01:43 | Meet Your Host: Ross Golan

02:39 | Teddy Swims: From Georgia to Global

03:30 | Leaving Football Behind for Music

08:00 | Finding His Voice Through Theater

12:30 | Tattoos, Identity, and Early Reinvention

17:00 | First Bands, Bad Songs, and Growing Up

21:50 | Sponsor Break

22:00 | The Dark Side of Touring and Mental Health

26:30 | Why Teddy Started Therapy (and How It Changed Him)

31:00 | Songwriting Camps, Magic, and the "Elf Theory"

35:30 | How Teddy Learned to Choose Songs Like a Pro

40:00 | The Origin of "Teddy Swims" (and a Crazy Early Tour)

44:00 | How Covers Blew Up Teddy’s Career During the Pandemic

47:00 | Signing with Warner: Building a Real Career

50:00 | Losing Faith, Rebuilding, and Finding His Sound

53:00 | Breaking Out with "Lose Control"

56:00 | What It Takes to Really Make It (Lessons Learned)

58:00 | 5 for 5: Teddy Swims Rapid Fire Q&A

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