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
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