Ep. 216: Ryan Tedder (pt.3) | How to Win in Music and Life

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