Podcast · 35 episodes
Unfamous with Justin Tranter
by Justin Tranter + Morgan Stuart · English
Most of what you love in pop culture didn't happen the way you think it did. Unfamous, hosted by Grammy-nominated songwriter Justin Tranter, reveals how creative work actually gets made. Each episode pairs a celebrity with the collaborator behind their biggest moments in music, comedy, film, and entertainment. You get honest stories, real insight, and a practical blueprint for building a creative career. New episodes drop every Wednesday. Like, comment and subscribe. www.instagram.com/unfamousthepodcast www.tiktok.com/@UnfamousThePodcast www.patreon.com/Unfamousthepodcast
Latest episodes
When "Pushing Through" Stops Working: Rainbow Kitten Surprise on ReinventionRainbow Kitten Surprise’s movement director and lead singer/songwriter discuss reinvention through collaboration—how adding choreography, connection, and trauma-informed communication reshaped…30 Sep 2026 · 58 min
Inside Pop Songwriting: Hits, Failure, Fear + What Actually Makes a Song WorkPop songwriting and collaboration—how hits are built, why failure and fear happen, and what actually makes a song work (including riff/melody trends, creative freedom, and “marketing is empathy”).23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 29 min
Why Some Songs Work Onscreen and Others Don’t: Pitch Perfect, The Devil Wears Prada + WednesdayHow songs get selected and adapted for film/TV (and why some don’t), with a focus on collaboration between music supervisors, songwriters, and vocal/arranging teams.15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 3 min
All episodes
When "Pushing Through" Stops Working: Rainbow Kitten Surprise on ReinventionRainbow Kitten Surprise’s movement director and lead singer/songwriter discuss reinvention through collaboration—how adding choreography, connection, and trauma-informed communication reshaped…30 Sep 2026 · 58 min · 18 chapters
Inside Pop Songwriting: Hits, Failure, Fear + What Actually Makes a Song WorkPop songwriting and collaboration—how hits are built, why failure and fear happen, and what actually makes a song work (including riff/melody trends, creative freedom, and “marketing is empathy”).23 Sep 2026 · 1 h 29 min · 36 chapters
Why Some Songs Work Onscreen and Others Don’t: Pitch Perfect, The Devil Wears Prada + WednesdayHow songs get selected and adapted for film/TV (and why some don’t), with a focus on collaboration between music supervisors, songwriters, and vocal/arranging teams.15 Sep 2026 · 1 h 3 min · 30 chapters
How Music Gets Into Hit TV Shows | The Hidden Process Behind Prime's "Off Campus" + MoreHow music supervisors get songs into hit TV, using Prime Video’s Off Campus as the case study, plus general advice on pitching, clearance, and writing original TV songs.9 Sep 2026 · 1 h 4 min · 22 chapters
Bella Kay + Alexis Idarose Kesselman | “iloveitiloveitiloveit”+ How Great Collaborators DisagreeCollaboration and disagreement in songwriting/production, using Bella Kay and Alexis Kesselman’s partnership as the case study; how they balance structure vs rule-breaking; and how songs with…2 Sep 2026 · 1 h 7 min · 27 chapters
Ruth B + Cole MGN | What Happens After Your First Song Becomes a Massive HitWhat happens after a first breakout hit; how artists and producers navigate “marketing is over,” viral longevity, and collaboration when writing an album.26 Aug 2026 · 1 h 13 min · 28 chapters
Recap | How Artists Rebuild, Find Their Identity + Build the Right TeamRecap of how artists rebuild identity after being dropped, and how to build the right team—especially the manager–artist match, the difference between emerging vs established artists, and why…19 Aug 2026 · 36 min · 12 chapters
Bea Miller | Child Stardom on The X Factor, Depression and the Wild Stories Behind Her SongsBea Miller discusses child stardom and the X Factor, depression, misogyny in pop collaboration, and how her songwriting process works—often starting from conversation and real-life experiences.12 Aug 2026 · 1 h 35 min · 34 chapters
Recap: Kid Cudi on Creative Trust, Criticism, and the Meaning of "Pursuit of Happiness"Kid Cudi’s approach to collaboration—creative trust, handling criticism, pushing vocal boundaries, and how songs evolve in public (“Pursuit of Happiness”).5 Aug 2026 · 28 min · 13 chapters
Recap: Caleb Hearon + Caitie Delaney on TV Writing, Ego, and Bad NotesRecap of Unfamous episode with Caleb Hearon and Katie Delaney on TV writing collaboration—ego vs creation, handling executive notes, setting creative boundaries, and “bad ideas” in a writer’s room.29 Jul 2026 · 26 min · 10 chapters
Wendy Goldstein | The Art of Building SuperstarsWendy Goldstein’s career path from NYC DJ to top A&R and Republic Records CCO/chairperson, plus her philosophy on how superstars are built: structure, research via listening/“crates,” decisive artist…22 Jul 2026 · 1 h 11 min · 28 chapters
Claire + Ragnar Rosinkranz | The Viral Hit, the Health Scare, and the ComebackClaire Rosencrantz and her father/producer Ragnar Rosinkranz discuss their long-running collaboration, the making of Claire’s viral breakthrough “Backyard Boy,” the aftermath and misconceptions of…15 Jul 2026 · 1 h 6 min · 34 chapters
Emei + Ricky Reed | How Radical Honesty Builds Great ArtistsEmma (Emei) and Ricky Reed discuss how radical honesty and true collaboration improve artists, using their partnership on Emei’s EP Night at the Opera as the main case study.8 Jul 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 29 chapters
Nick Jonas | The Rejections Behind His Biggest BreakthroughsNick Jonas discusses how rejection and insecurity shaped his career, the collaboration process behind major songs, and why he keeps creating—centered on building joy and community.1 Jul 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 26 chapters
Rose Gray | From Louder, Please to "Club to Your Arms"Rose Gray and co-writer/producer Justin Tranter discuss their collaboration process and the story behind Rose Gray’s song “Club to Your Arms,” plus how her second record differs from Louder Please.24 Jun 2026 · 1 h 9 min · 27 chapters
Katy Perry + Christian Breslauer | Watch It Burn, Feminine Fire, and Why It’s Okay to Be AngryKaty Perry and Christian Breslauer discuss writing and directing the “Band-Aids” and “Watch It Burn” music videos, plus why it’s okay to feel and express anger.17 Jun 2026 · 1 h 20 min · 29 chapters
Skylar Grey + Elliott Taylor | Eminem Hits, Bubble Grunge and WASTED POTENTIALHow pop hits and new music emerge from collaboration—especially Skylar Grey’s track-writing process, her relationship with Elliott Taylor, and the meaning behind Grey’s “Bubble Grunge” and Taylor’s…10 Jun 2026 · 1 h 15 min · 36 chapters
Bongo ByTheWay + Ant Clemons | Songwriting math, producer psychology + Ye hitsCollaboration and songwriting craft—how Bongo ByTheWay and Ant Clemons write fast, manage producer psychology, and handle sampling/publishing math; they also discuss industry economics (radio…3 Jun 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 25 chapters
Linda Perry + Don Hardy | Music, filmmaking, grief, and the power of vulnerabilityLinda Perry and director/cinematographer Don Hardy discuss their documentary about Perry’s life and grief, how collaboration works through conflict, and why vulnerability and honesty matter in music…27 May 2026 · 1 h 18 min · 26 chapters
Valencia Grace + Kyle Stuart | Finding your artistic identity and building the right teamValencia Grace and manager Kyle Stuart discuss finding artistic identity, building the right team, and managing creative collaboration—especially for an emerging artist.26 May 2026 · 1 h 20 min · 34 chapters
Valencia Grace performs “Picture Frames” live on UnfamousValencia Grace performs “Picture Frames” live on Unfamous, focusing on memory, childhood, and being unseen.20 May 2026 · 6 min · 2 chapters
Bonus: Valencia Grace performs “Picture Frames” live on UnfamousThis is a bonus episode featuring Valencia Grace performing “Picture Frames” live on Unfamous.20 May 2026 · 6 min · 1 chapter
Yadim Carranza + Darian Darling | Building beauty culture from the undergroundYadim Carranza and Darian Darling discuss building beauty culture “from the underground” through collaboration, including their early careers at MAC/Make Up For Ever/Dior, their iconic face-chart…13 May 2026 · 1 h 12 min · 24 chapters
Debbie Gibson | Youngest artist to write, produce, and perform a Billboard #1 hitDebbie Gibson discusses how she wrote, produced, and performed Billboard #1 hits as a teenager, using early cassette demos and a self-built four-track studio; she also reflects on collaboration with…6 May 2026 · 1 h 46 min · 44 chapters