Behind The Wall: Presented by Daniel Wall

n this episode, we uncover the remarkable story of Mike Posner, an artist whose career has been defined by reinvention, resilience, and personal growth. Mike Posner burst onto the scene with hits like "Cooler Than Me", but few know the challenges he faced behind the scenes. After being dropped by his label and giving away some of his biggest songs to Justin Bieber and Maroon 5, Mike hit a crossroads. Instead of letting the setbacks define him, he transformed them into his greatest strengths. His hit "I Took a Pill in Ibiza" became an anthem of reflection, marking a turning point in his journey both personally and artistically. In our conversation, Mike opens up about his path to self-discovery, his decision to walk over 2,000 miles across America, and his ultimate conquest of summiting Mount Everest. This episode is a deep dive into the mind of a man who didn’t just make hits—he made a profound impact on how we see persistence, purpose, and the courage to evolve.

This series goes beyond music, shining a spotlight on the human stories that inspire change and growth. Mike’s story is a powerful reminder that success isn’t always a straight line—and that the toughest roads often lead to the most meaningful destinations.

A huge thank you to Mike for Going Behind The Wall with us! Your story of resilience, creativity, and unwavering determination has been a true inspiration, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.

In this episode, we're diving into the inspiring journey of benny blanco, a true music icon who has shaped the sound of pop music as we know it. benny blanco isn’t just the mastermind behind some of the biggest hit songs—he’s also a genuine, down-to-earth guy who’s just as creative in the kitchen as he is in the studio. From working with legends like Rihanna and Ed Sheeran to crafting his own unforgettable tracks, Benny’s journey is as inspiring as it gets. I got the chance to chat with him about his career, his passions, and the lessons he’s learned along the way, including his latest venture into the world of writing with his new book Open Wide. It’s a deep dive into the life of a true music icon—and we’re going Behind The Wall of it all! But it’s not just about the music. This series is dedicated to shining a light on the people and stories behind the scenes of music, movies, and media—to inspire every underdog out there to pursue their dreams, no matter the obstacles. Benny’s story is a testament to that mission, showing how far passion, creativity, and perseverance can take you. Where You Can Find More of Benny Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5CiGnKThu5ctn9pBxv7DGa?si=izWZ2mbLQr6luucG68rK_Q Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsbennyblanco/ YouTube:  @bennyblanco  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsbennyblanco Where You Can Find More of Benny YouTube:  @DanielsWall  TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@danielswall Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danielwall/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/@danielsecretwall Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zub00BWq11qjXx2aMM0b2?si=bb702ad9924e4cc4 Thank you, Benny, for Going Behind The Wall with us! It’s been a surreal experience getting to hear your story firsthand and share it with the world. I hope your journey, including your new book Open Wide, inspires others as much as it’s inspired me.

I Interviewed Simon Cowell!

Not too long ago, I got an email asking me to interview Simon Cowell at his house. I thought it was a prank, but surprisingly, it wasn’t. I showed up to Simon Cowell’s house where we had one of my favorite conversations yet, especially because of what Simon says at the end!

When I was 6 years old, I started watching Season 1 of American Idol every week. As someone who’s always loved music, it became one of my favorite shows as a kid. As I grew up, I learned more and more about music, but the one man who never left our television screens was Simon Cowell. I continued to watch America’s Got Talent, Britain’s Got Talent, X Factor and all the shows. 

Today, Simon and I talk about why his biggest regret is Britney Spears, how One Direction’s biggest song was made, why Leona Lewis’s biggest song almost never happened, and a partnership he’s doing with one of the biggest songwriters of all time. But many people don’t know that Simon started as a 17 year old mailroom reject. And most people don’t know that the same company that rejected him at 17 is the same company that would distribute his most successful shows years later. But it’s time we go Behind The Wall to learn more his story and his return to music! 

Thank you Simon for the opportunity to get to know you a little better and chat about how you plan to change the music industry. And who knows, maybe soon (next year shhhhh) we’ll get to sit down for a full interview about your full story. 

Where You Can Find Simon Cowell

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simoncowell/ 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/simoncowell?lang=en 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@stemdrop 

Thank you to every person who has helped me make this episode into a reality!

Manager & Partner: Alec Udell

Creative Director While Filming: Aaron Kelly

Thumbnail Designer: Jack Gordon / Jonathan Sippel

Editor: Directed by B & Daniel Wall

Creative Editor: Daniel Wall

Mentors: Tim, Jake Udell, Brody, Phil, David Foster, Loren Allred, Chris Martin, Ryan T,, Ryan H

Friends that kept me sane during this time: Brandon: @CleanThatUp, Tyler Walsh, Ryan Bell, Zach Cohan, Tyler Poelking

And Mostly Importantly THANK YOU SIMON!!!! 

Two podcasts that inspired me to make this series: And The Writer is... By The One and Only Ross Golan! and How To Take Over The World!!!!! ← Fav Podcast Right Now

We’re on a mission to go Behind The Wall with The Greatest Creatives in Entertainment, Welcome to Episode 4! And in this episode we are meeting with one of the most viral singers and songwriters today, Salem Ilese! Salem Ilese is one of the most viral singers & songwriters on the internet, but you may not know her name. Yet, you probably know her viral hit song, “Mad At Disney” or “PS5”. And you may also know the hit songs she’s written with Bella Poarch, Tomorrow X Together, Alan Walker, and Jamie Miller. But what I bet almost no one knows is that Salem was actually against posting her songs on the viral platform TikTok. In fact, she almost let perfection stop her from posting the video that would change her entire life. So how did it all happen? Well, its about time we find out because my name is Daniel Wall and we’re going Behind The Wall with the one and only, Salem Ilese! Let’s actually speak to Salem about her incredible story, struggles with hate, why she dropped out of college, and how she went from on to write some of the most viral songs on TikTok. Where You Can Find Salem Ilese Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3QJUFtGBGL05vo0kCJZsmT?si=PLfSzQJnSuSffg3NJlLPSQ Her New Album: https://open.spotify.com/album/5DSSWFgWsyelKKtMEUe1cK?si=TGOobOA-SGON0r0vsku6uQ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/salemilese/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@salemilese?lang=en Songs Written By Salem Ilese: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFBbcqtG3dkbh?si=99323c8a07e7454f Thank you Salem for Going Behind The Wall with us! You have truly been vulnerable and honest with your story and I’m happy so many more people are going to hear it. Also, check out Salem’s new album which just came out! Thank you to every person who has helped me make this episode into a reality! Manager: Alec Udell Creative Director While Filming: Danny Pollack Filming: Dojo House Creative Producer: Ryan Bell Creative Editors: Ryan Bell & Daniel Wall Thumbnail Designer: Ryan Bell Mentors: Jake Udell, Brody, Phil, David Foster, Loren Allred, Chris Martin, Ryan Tedder, Ryan H Friends that kept me sane during this time: Brandon: @CleanThatUp, Tyler Walsh, Zach Cohan, Tyler Poelking Two podcasts that inspired me to make this series: And The Writer is... By The One and Only Ross Golan! and How To Take Over The World!!!!! ← Fav Podcast Right Now Playlist Highlighting The People Who Make The Music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zub00BWq11qjXx2aMM0b2?si=affc421731ab4e61

I'm on a mission to go Behind The Wall with The Greatest Creatives in Music, Welcome to Episode 3!  And in this episode we are meeting with one of the greatest songwriters of all time, Justin Tranter!

Justin Tranter is one of the most successful songwriters in the world! Behind some of the biggest songs for artists like: Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, Imagine Dragons, Halsey, Ariana Grande, Fall Out Boy, Bebe Rexha, Hailee Steinfeld, and so many more! But you might not have ever heard of them until today. Well, it’s time we changed that! Because Justin Tranter is one of the most honest people in all of music. Today Justin reveals secrets about the industry, how payment in the music industry works, and the future of music. We also go into detail about how Justin went from being dropped by 4 record labels to becoming one of the greatest songwriters today. So it's about time we go Behind The Wall with the one and only, Justin Tranter! Let’s speak to Justin about their incredible story!

Where You Can Find Justin Tranter

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1EFQn0XRhyzu2L?si=aed92ce90f3f42be 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tranterjustin/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tranterjustin 

Spotify Artist Page:  https://open.spotify.com/artist/3D7L8f9VRhsXHHNPiTBioz?si=9QDmtfYFTkqUhEM_hl3Oaw 

Thank you Justin for Going Behind The Wall with us! You are one of the most open and honest people I’ve met and to hear your story and share it with the world has truly been an experience like no other. Excited to go Behind The Wall on the music next!

Thank you to every person who has helped me make this episode into a reality!

Manager & Partner: Alec Udell

Creative Director While Filming: Ryan Bell @ryanbellflowss 

Thumbnail Designer: Jonathan Sippel - Thumbnail Grail

Film & Editor: Directed by B, Daniel Wall, Andrew Ellis

Mentors: Jake Udell, Brody, Phil, David Foster, Loren Allred, Chris Martin, Ryan Tedder, Ryan H

Friends that kept me sane during this time:  Brandon: @CleanThatUp, Tyler Walsh, Zach Cohan, Tyler Poelking

A podcast that inspires: How To Take Over The World!!!!! ← Fav Podcast Right Now

Playlist Highlighting The People Who Make The Music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zub00BWq11qjXx2aMM0b2?si=affc421731ab4e61 

Ryan Tedder is one of the biggest singers & songwriters in the world, but you may not know his name. Yet, you probably know his 100 million record selling band which is currently the 4th most streamed group on Spotify: OneRepublic. And you may also know the hit songs he’s  written with and for Adele, Beyoncé, Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Blackpink, Selena Gomez, Leona Lewis, and so many more. But what I bet almost no one knows is that Ryan was actually too scared to sing in front of people and too afraid to put his music out. So How? How did Ryan go from a scared kid to one of the biggest singers and songwriters in the world? Well, its about time we find out because my name is Daniel Wall and we’re going Behind The Wall with the one and only, Ryan Tedder! Let’s actually speak to Ryan about his incredible story, struggles with stage fright, why he sometimes wants to quit, and how he went from debt up to his eyeballs to selling his catalog for over $200 million dollars!

Where You Can Find Ryan Tedder

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/5Pwc4xIPtQLFEnJriah9YJ?si=93toJy1NThSSMYHxQoLy-w 

Instagram: Ryan - https://www.instagram.com/ryantedder/ OneRepublic - https://www.instagram.com/onerepublic/ 

TikTok: Ryan - https://www.tiktok.com/@realryantedder?lang=en OneRepublic - https://www.tiktok.com/@onerepublic 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@OneRepublic 

Thank you Ryan for Going Behind The Wall with us! You are someone I’ve looked up to for years so to hear your story and share it with the world has truly been a dream come true. Excited to go Behind The Wall with OneRepublic next…

Thank you to every person who has helped me make this episode into a reality!

Manager & Partner: Alec Udell

Creative Director While Filming: Ryan Bel @ryanbellflowss 

Thumbnail Designer: Jonathan Sippel - Thumbnail Grail

Film & Editor: Directed by B, Daniel Wall, Andrew Ellis

Mentors: Jake Udell, Brody, Phil, David Foster, Loren Allred, Chris Martin, Blue, Zack H, Ryan H, and the entire OneRepublic Team!! Appreciate you for helping me bring this series to life

Friends that kept me sane during this time:  Brandon: @CleanThatUp, Tyler Walsh, Zach Cohan

Two podcasts that inspire me: And The Writer is... By The One and Only Ross Golan! and Diary of a CEO

Playlist Highlighting The People Who Make The Music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zub00BWq11qjXx2aMM0b2?si=affc421731ab4e61 

Julia Michaels is one of the biggest singers and songwriters in the world. In fact she’s behind some of Justin Bieber’s biggest songs, most of Selena Gomez’s biggest songs, as well as many of the biggest songs in the world. (Ed Sheeran, Hailee Steinfeld, Disney Channel) But many people had never heard her name. In fact, she didn’t want people to know her name. But what happens when one of the most talented songwriters writes a song that’s so personal that everyone wants it? And what happens when for the first time she chooses to come into the spotlight to release the song herself? Well, it’s about time we find out because my name is Daniel Wall and we’re going Behind The Wall with the one and only, Julia Michaels! Join me as we talk to Julia Michaels about her unbelievable story, the stories of how she made the biggest songs in music, her battle with stage fright, her advice for artists wanting to make it into the industry, rejection, how she accidentally sang on two of the biggest songs in music, and a special surprise! 

Where You Can Find Julia Michaels 

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/0ZED1XzwlLHW4ZaG4lOT6m?si=GkvpqfYuSFClwW93p4Bmgg 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliamichaels/ 

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/ @juliamichaels   

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@juliamichaels/videos   

Thank you Julia for sharing your story and for helping me bring this series to life. Appreciate your honesty and vulnerability through our conversations. And don't worry, I now have eaten lots of hot cheetos (hahaha!)   

Big shout out to every person who has helped me make this series into a reality! (You Know Who You Are) This is something we've worked on for quite a long time and I'm so excited to finally see it come to fruition. Many more episodes to come soon!   

Playlist Highlighting The People Who Make The Music: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7zub00BWq11qjXx2aMM0b2?si=df9c24d2cbdf420f

Let's Go Behind The Wall... Hi there, my name is Daniel Wall and I am on a mission to bring all of you on a journey that goes behind the scenes of the greatest music of all time. But we're not just learning about these songs, no... We are going to the people who you usually never hear about. We're talking about the people behind the scenes who made these songs. And it's about time we bring them out from behind the scenes to learn their stories...

We're talking about the people who wrote, produced and made the songs. We're talking about the people nobody knows. And we have some of the biggest people in music for Season 1: Coldplay, Rick Astley, OneRepublic, The Chainsmokers, Ryan Tedder, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, and many more...