Julia Michaels has quietly rewritten the emotional DNA of pop music.
From Selena Gomez to Justin Bieber to Sabrina Carpenter — her pen reshaped how vulnerability sounds on the radio.
In this episode, Julia sits down with Ross to unpack the craft behind her catalog: the psychology of honest writing, the architecture of a hit, and the years she spent changing pop from behind the glass.
They dive into the writing of hits, the evolution of her artistry, and what it means to sustain creative integrity in a fast-changing industry.
Chapters
0:00 Intro: The Woman Who Reshaped Pop Music
0:59 Welcome Back: Reflecting on 8 Years in the Industry
2:13 Music Industry Evolution: Then vs. Now
3:00 Adapting Songwriting to Social Media and Trends
4:32 Early Career Advice: Mental Health and Boundaries
6:03 Panic Attacks and Performance Anxiety
9:25 From Songwriter to Artist: Reluctance and Breakthrough
11:23 Influence on Songwriting: Changing Pop's Sound
15:06 Hit Runs, Burnout, and Creative Pauses
17:55 Writing for Disney's Wish: Behind the Scenes
19:42 Future Plans: Musicals, Retirement, and Balance
21:05 Artistry and Collaborations
23:00 Inside the Sabrina Carpenter Camp
29:01 Breaking Down Hits: Taste, Bed Chem, and Coincidence
30:50 Joining Tate McRae: From 17 to Global Hits
33:39 Favorite Producers: Ryan Tedder, Stargate, and More
36:04 Working with Ed Sheeran: Panic, Brotherhood, and Hits
39:30 Crafting Lose You To Love Me with Selena Gomez
43:24 Longtime Bond with Selena: Firsts and Milestones
45:50 Celebrating Wins in a Changing Industry
47:19 Songwriter Struggles: Pay, Radio, and Streaming
50:26 Fair Splits and Standing Up for Writers
55:09 Gender Challenges: Overworking Female Writers
1:00:06 Regimented Life: Balance and Boundaries
1:02:40 Running Her Own Label: Freedom and Control
1:04:15 Career Lows and Highs
1:06:10 Perfect Studio Moment: Working with Britney Spears
1:07:34 Reflections: Where She Thought She'd Be
1:08:45 Uncut Demos and Sacred Songs
1:11:27 Wrapping with Selena, Benny, and Unlikely Stars
1:15:55 Ego-Free Sessions and Lifelong Roots
1:18:22 Outro and Credits
NMPA fights for songwriters' rights, ensuring fair pay and protection.
Check them out at NMPA.org and follow them on social media at @NMPAorg
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And The Writer Is...
Hosted by Ross Golan
Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad
Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris
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