Ep. 225: Julia Michaels | The Woman Who Changed Pop

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 Splice is the industry’s top sample library—royalty-free for all. It empowers creators with its incredible library and ethical AI tools, supporting original artists every step of the way. Download Splice today and follow them on social media at @splice And The Writer Is... Hosted by Ross Golan Executive produced by Joe London and Jad Saad Follow us on socials at @andthewriteris