Featuring Maxwell

is an incredible DJ an interview er. He has interviewed the biggest stars from Lady Gaga to Ariana Grande to Christina Aguilera and so many more, and I am honored to have him on my podcast. I look up to him so much, not only as an interviewer, but just his energy. I wanted to be like Maxwell, I can't wait for you to listen and I look forward to your feedback. Maxwell, I can't believe you're on my podcast. How full circle is this? This is like one of

the coolest things. And I'll tell you, Sammy j Um, I was waiting for this day to how been so I'm glad it finally has. It's you know what they say when they say, like all good things come to those who wait. That's how I feel right now. So thanks for having me. Okay, I was looking back at my memories. It is next mental be four years, four

years since we met. And just to give everybody context, Maxwell was there when I was quote unquote discovered, and he was there during the Jordan Fisher interview, and I remember I was sitting in the chair and then you're like, no, you're going to like you're sitting in the big boy chair. You're sitting in that posting chair. And Okay, I'm about to show you this photo. Okay, this is thirteen year old me. I'm going to post my Instagram on that day.

I got to pull it back, I know. Oh yeah, because as you said, you first hopped in the chair where Jordan's like next to him, and I'm like, no, you're in the commander seat. This is all you. So um, I don't know if you want to just like start with this, but I'm so freaking proud of you, dude, Like you sat in that chair and you never left, so that's super cool. I remember when I started, You're like, wait,

hold up, hold up, and you're like you whispering. You said you have to stay an intro and he said, like you made me say, like my name is Sammy j and I just remember that so clearly. So thank you for teaching me. No, well, thank you for letting me be there, and thanks for letting me kind of, you know, help you launch into what's been so rad now. So it's it's all you girlfriend. Man, this is like so cool. Oh my god, I know it's been a

crazy four years. No, seriously, it has been. Um. I mean I remember my first thought of when you came through and sitting back and and having like a little sidebar conversation with dad while we were watching you do your thing, and we kind of glanced over at each other like this, like a couple of times like wait a second, there was I was scared in my heart for a little bit because I'm like, there is no way that I'm going to have a job in eight

years if she continues down this path right here. You're so flipping good, dude. I remember you said to my dad, so, how many any of these has she done? And he was like, oh, this is her first, and you're like, no, yeah, said I mean not to be you know, turning this into a big old gush fest. But I mean, it's just was the coolest thing to watch somebody with so much passion, like just really jump in because it's it's scary, it's it's intimidating. And you were hanging out with one

of the biggest stars on Earth. I mean, we all know what Jordan Fisher has gone on to do, and you like it was no big deal to you. You took the bull by the horns, as they say, and you just kind of win with it. I was freaking out. I remember I got to cut gym class for that and he was like the fun way to skip, Jim, But that is a memorable day for sure. Night. I'm not one who really advocates ditching school for stuff, but I'll be I'll be. That's what I'm saying. I'll be

honest with you. For Jordan Fisher. You did the right thing. You like, you really did the right thing. Thank you. You know we've talked, but I actually don't know, like your story. How have you become a DJ? Oh my gosh, Okay, I'll give you like the real quick answer, because not a lot of people do realize kind of how it came together for me. Um. I went to college in California. I went to cal Poly in San Luis, Obispo. And I don't know if I've ever told you this, but

I used to play sports. I was a college football athlete, you know. But then let me stand up like, I'm not I'm barely getting out of the camera frame. I'm not that big, Okay, So I had to think, what can I do that's not gonna get me beat up on a football field? And I was a speech communication, like a not a broadcast communication, but like a general communication major in college. And we had a really cool radio program at my school and a buddy of mine

who I played football with. We also shared a lot of classes together, and he was a DJ at the local radio station in the city in San Luis, Obispo, California, small city, central coast. Shout out to everybody who has made their way into that beautiful I mean, it's one of the most perfect places on the planet. Seriously. So when I was kind of begging him a little bit, like hey, dude, how did you get this job? Or

I want to do the same kind of thing? And I would pester him for a long time and he finally gave me the uh, the opportunity to go and meet his program director because at the time they were looking for some more people to drive the van around what we called beyond the street team, toss off the T shirts, do all the fun stuff. I mean, you've been to a lot of events, right and you see our kind of do that. So I thought, Okay, that's

my that's my my opening, that's my chance. And I met with the program director and it just so happened that they were also looking for someone to be like a part time on air personality, and that was my biggest dream, you know. So I did a couple of auditions.

I went to the college radio station, practiced a little bit, and came back maybe about three weeks after first meeting his boss, and he gave me some point or some tips and said, hey, I think you got some potential, and kind of the same way that who and I met, he was like, let's go for it and and you know, just see what happens. And I was lucky enough, or I guess at that time, blessed enough to be good

enough to hop on the radio. And that's where I first started, and since then it's taken me to a bunch of different radio stations, and um, lucky enough and blessed enough to have landed in. I mean, Z one is just the best. That's kind of how I got my start. I mean just believe to myself, and I just thought, if he can do it, I can do it. Let me bug him a little bit and let's make it happen. And then you're gonna make it happen. Well, you know, my first interview was Geordan Fisher. Who is

your first celebrity interview? I mean, wow, you put me on the spot because I'm bringing it back. Yeah, you're bringing it back, man. I think I want to say it was like a long time ago, no one who was really big. The one that sticks in my mind is like maybe the most uh popular or still has a career going. Um. I got to while I was in Central California. We have this big thing called Central Coast or the Fair, the State Fair and massive artists,

and I got the chance to interview Christina Aguilera backstage. Yeah, this is a long time ago. This is like I'm talking Genie in the Bottle. Christina Aguilera. Just yeah, that was and it was it was scary. It was nerve racking for me because it was kind of like one of those situations where you've been in several of them where you're in the backstage of a show and it's hectic. So that was That was one that sticks out of my mind because I remember there were people coming in

and out bringing coffee. Uh, there was music going on in the background from the other artists performing. Plus we were at a state fair, so it smelled like cows. That was a little weird, you know. Interview. From what I recall, it was pretty quick. It was more of the hey, how's it going, how is it? It was nowhere where I've kind of honed my skills to be now Um, it wasn't bad, and you know what, it makes me think, I need to find a picture of that.

If I could find a picture, I'm definitely gonna put it on I G for Throwback Thursday. But that's the one that sticks out in my mind as one of my first big artists interviews. I find that I didn't know you were a football player. Yeah, I was. I grew up playing sports, And I think that that might be kind of where my drive comes from to want to like be here because me being like, I mean, you're almost taller than me, dude, which is really scary. I'm like five eight on a good day, you know. Okay,

do you know how tall I am? Are you five two on a good okay? All right, well, okay, that is a I'm they Thank you for reassuring me that that I'm still taller. Thank you. No, my goal is to get to five three, and I know I'm not getting there, and that's what's so sad. I heard that Vans has like a dope sneaker platform that you can rock, so maybe that'll help. I think I'm going to look

up after we talk. But yeah, I played. I played college sports, and that was my thing, and like growing up and being the smaller guy and always really having to scratch and claw to kind of prove myself into really kind of earn whatever position it was on the playing field. A lot of people who know me growing up kind of understand that getting here to ze one hundred is a lot kind of like my sporting career is that I had to work my butt off to really show that I could be that person who got

the chance to, you know, play in the game. So I worked my butt off the same way in my radio career like I did to you know, earn a college scholarship and too you know, play sports as a college athlete. Would you ever do UM interviews instead of radio but just for sports? Oh? You know what I thought about that. I like interviewing, um all types of I mean not only just artists, but athletes. I've had some opportunities to do some stuff on some like red

carpets and events. For sports, it's a little bit more difficult, UM because I mean to be quite to be quite honest, when you get the chance to talk to athletes, UM, you know, you have to you have to relate and steer the conversation in a whole different way that I'm used to with with interviews talking to artists because as we talked to celebrities who are in the music world, you know, it's it's a lot about you know, the creativity and maybe they're promoting an album or you know

something like that. Yes. Yeah, So when I talk sports, I kind of have to put my mind into a whole different type of a mentality to really get to know and really get to uh pinpoint that thing that the athlete is passionate about other than the sport, you know. So I like to UM, I like to try to challenge myself to try to find that in that would be kind of cool to talk to like Lebron You know what I mean? Man, I just want to something crazy.

Let's go forward week's episode. Kevin Love is my season finale? Are you just recorded it? Hold on a second, alright? So see what I'm saying, Like it's it's to be able to talk to like some another superstar in their a world like that, like if you got the plug. You know, Kevin Love is only like one degree separation from Lebron, So put in a good word for dude. He was the absolute sweetest. It's a great episode. Tune

in for next week. But I remember, I remember a few years ago Radio Disney sent me on assignment to cover the SPS and I foreign to me but my dad and my brother and so my thing that I did, I was like, how am I going to set myself apart? Here? I am like a fifteen year old girl, just like what am I going to do? So what I did it was scorching hot and at Disneyland, I was there a few days before I got this thing where not

only sprayed water, but it was a fan. So they all came to me, and that's how I did it. That's clutch. The spray bottle uh fan thing is one of the most underrated things at souvenir shops at Disneyland. I'm telling you, it's so worth it. It It got me so many they wanted to come to me because it was they were sweating out of their minds. And I remember it was right after the the Kiki Do You Love Me? So I got to do that with Oh my gosh, oh dude. All right, they came to me

because of it. But can I ask you how how tall was everybody? And how short did you feel? Okay, So at that time, I was probably five one and I was wearing sandals because I knew i'd be, so I wasn't even wearing heels like when you've seen me, I've probably been wearing like little wedges or something. So at least six five. Everybody they had to hold the camera because when I did, it was like it was crazy.

But dude, that is hilarious. But it's it's cool. It's cool when you're you're able to challenge yourself to do that, so that's really dope. Challenge is always like good to overcome. Like I'm always terrified of live streams, but I've just been like trying to do it because like you're talking to a camera. But you know, I feel like when don't you challenge, you only get better. Yeah, I mean that you're you're under a right. I mean it's like, um,

it adds another tool in your toolbox. I say this a lot to my terms, is like that's now a skill set that you have that you can whip out of your toolbox when it's necessary. Because not all the time are you gonna get the chance to sit in studio with you know, Lizakchi. Not every time are you going to get the opportunity to be right next to uh, you know, Julia Michaels. But there's gonna be those opportunities like now, for instance, I mean, look at the world

that we're living in. If you hadn't honed those skills, you hadn't practiced those abilities to maintain a conversation through a digital space like this, um it would you would you would be fumbling over yourself. But right now, I mean you're already five steps ahead of a lot of people because you were willing to take that challenge before and and you practice and I mean that's just kind of one of those things that not a lot of people, I don't think in our position fully understand that to

have all those different tools. You're Swiss army knife dude. You gotta have all those different things and be prepared for anything, because anything can happen. I've always just looked up to because you're an incredible interviewer and you've also interviewed in the crazy places. You did it in a ball pit, yes, you've you've wrapped gifts, You've done the whole shebang. So which is what is that like doing interviews?

And how do you concentrate during an interview? Because I'm looking for just advice here, how do you, you know, talk to like Halsey in a ball pit still focus on the interview. But let me tell you, Sammy J. That was like a dream come true for I mean, first off, for me to be in a just like in a ball pit, curled up next to Halsey. I was just like, yeah, of course your Instagram bio dude. I mean I was a guy on the ball pit.

That's just that was it. Yeah. Um, It's it's hard to it's hard to really um and difficult to explain, but you really just kind of gotta remember that that person that you're next to is just as excited or just as out of their element as you are, you know. So that's that's one thing that you can both instantly relate on from the very big any and that also it puts you on an equal playing field to where I'm in a ball pit with freaking Halsey, one of

the biggest pop stars on the planet. But for this next five minutes, we're just two goofy people in a ball pit, and which is so much fun, which is so there you go. That's it. So that's the That's what leads and what guides the conversation is just that, and what comes from the conversation is just two people who are having fun in a ball pit, no matter

who that other person is that's next to me. I mean that same day that was at our I Heart Radio Music Award or not awards but festival, accuse me years ago and uh, in that same day, I was in the same ballpit with French Montana. Nobody when was the last time the French Montana was in a ball pit? Yo? You know what I mean? Never? But the thing was is that we were just being too just goofy people,

just having a conversation in this absurd um. Yeah. So so when when you're asking about like how's it to be doing those things, it's I'm doing interviews with one d holding puppies, you know what I mean. But it's just like you really have to understand when they brought those puppies. Oh my goodness, that was I think my

first I Heart Music festival. That's actually when Jordans introduced me to Radio Disney, and I remember there was this I was just like holding like an absurd amount of puppies and they could be adopted and I was like, Dad, we need to get to know and I cried. It's but the thing is is that the same feeling, the same rush of emotions that you're having, the same thing that whoever that superstar is that's next to you is having,

and you equal there cool people forget that. I think that they're human and that's what stuff you do exactly. That's one thing I'll tell you that you since day one have really understood and noticed and you know, for someone And I don't like to get on the idea of like your age and all that kind of stuff.

I think it's really rad but I just think that you're just like a dope journalists, interviewer, you know, broadcaster, because I mean just being on being real with you, because you don't have that same sense of fawning over someone or losing your composure when you're put in a situation as absurd as it might be, even just being in a radio station studio, like you're hanging out at Radio Disney. Oh you know how many rad people have come through that studio before you will be there afterwards.

But you never lose your cool. And it's because you're able to just really kind of just understand that you're in this situation with this other really awesome person, but at the same time, as I keep on doing this, you're both equals. And that's why people love talking with you.

And that's why I hope a lot of the artists that I get to chat with like talking to me, because it's like for that little bit of time where they're running through crazy promo for a day or five days or ten days in a row, there for fifteen minutes of time, they're just hanging out with somebody who was just like, you're just a regular person like I am there you think, you know, as talented as people are.

They're just people, and that's what people forget, and then you built them up on this pedestal, but then you forget that they're human. They believe like we do, they cry like we do. I think my favorite piece that you've done is when you went to an arcade with Billie Eilish and you just you beat her, But yeah, I kicked not even you don't even know that. Oh my god. We have so much footage of me just like whooping her buttet like all the games. Dude, she

she was threatening, but she you just came out. Listen, I come of play. There's no there's no holding back, you know what I'm saying. I don't care if you're Billy Eilish or if you're you're my grandma. If we're playing Dance Dance Revolution, you're going down in the in the story. But that was like one of the coolest things ever. And the other thing that's really rad about that is a lot of people don't know this is that every time I've seen her since then, we instantly connect.

And that's another thing that's really cool about some of the situations I've been in is that I've been able to have just some really just chill and genuine conversation sations with a lot of these A less superstars first off interview, you know what I mean. Yeah, And it's just like we were going back in her mind when she's even like, dude, next time I see you, I'm

we're going to the arcade, bro, I'm kicking. Like we have that conversation, whether it be a thirty second convo or we go on for ten minutes talking about it, it's just something that we can relate on, and it's really really cool and fun for me to see to this day. Here's another one that a lot of people people don't know. Excuse me, Katie Perry years ago. I'm talking when she was just doing her Warped tour stuff, when her first song like I Kissed a Girl came

out and really was smashed on pop radio. Um, she came to a radio station I was working with. I was working in Columbus, Ohio at w n C I, and we played Dance Dance Revolution when it was like on the Xbox right. And I've spoken to her tons of times after that, and every time that she sees me, she's always like, dude, year, I still need to kick your butt at that video game, and I'm like, that was like ten years ago. And she was like, I'm never going to forget that. I'm never gonna forget that.

And I was like, whoa, that's coming from Katie Perry, Like holy cow, you know, but but that's just the whole part of humanizing like these people. But I will. I can't always keep my cool and I have dann girls because there who well in my head like of course I've made a vision board, Okay, all right, and it's like my dream interviews and there are three dream interviews and I know those three. I will fan girl even though I know they're human. Okay, Okay, Sell Obama,

Linn Madmalmarana An Oprah. Oh yeah, oh yeah, you better that. I mean if if that's if you don't fan girl over like Oprah, I wouldn't be able to talk you know what I'm saying, exactly human. But she's like she's yeah, the same thing, the same thing with Michelle Obama, Like I like, you come up with some of the dopest playlists, I might not be able to talk to you either. Lynn Manuel, are you met him? I have not the closest I've come was and I'm surprised you hadn't talked

to Jordan about this? Was I got to have no I mean, like, did he ever get you to see Hamilton's while he was performing on Broway? Didn't see it while he was in it. But when I found out I have talked to Jordan's about Lynn any time I can talk to him, because that's like what I want to talk. And I was like, I don't tell me about Lynne, Like I need to know my goal. Okay, I'm putting this on the univers season to Lynne, please come on my podcast, Like, yeah, we got to come

on Lynn putting this out in the universe. I got to go to Jordan's final performance when he was on Broadway and Hamilton's Hamilton's Hamilton's Lynn. I touched the ground on stage and I was like, there you go. Take me now, who do you fan? Girl? It's like, um, let me see like I have before, Like, don't get me wrong, I'm definitely a fan of I lost all train of thought. And this was a while ago. Rihanna, Um I got the chance to I interviewed her a

long time. It wasn't during an interview, this is actually during a meet and greet at a concert when I really started to become like yeah, Like Rihanna is like yeah yeah. I took this picture with her where I was smiling and she looked over and she said, boy, you better smile bigger than that, and I almost like almost melted. So I found girl of real' and that's how I took it. Sammy. I was like, Okay, it might be she kind of so I'm gonna I'm gonna

go I'm gonna take that one with me forever. Um, Rihanna. I found girl over j Lo a couple of times too, just because her presence. It's not only so like comforting and calming, but it's also when you, you know, you start to think about who she is in the game,

you're just kind of like WHOA. So I was really really smitten by her and someone else who I've had to really check myself and I've had to control myself around because I know that not only just because of who she is in the game, but also just what she means to so many people. Was Lady Gaga and you were in her documentary for like a split interview, I was I was so nervous during that whole interview I remember I saw you on her documentary, and I remembering I was like, is that you in the studio

just right over here. I was nervous that entire interview, only because not only was it it's Lady Gaga, but just because she is so intelligent and she is so brilliant, and she is so heartfelt with everything that she says and does that I just didn't want to screw it up, you know what I mean, Like, I was like, I better not f this up, dude, because you were like the coolest person on earth. The more I get to know about you, the more I get to learn about you.

And um, there were a lot of people in the studio at that time too, and I was just like, there are a lot of people watching me conduct this conversation. She had a really heavy day that day, um, but you know, I still was just in awe, not only just of being Gaga, but just how intelligent she is and how um just warming she is. I Mean, it just was like, do you still get nervous before interviews sometimes? I mean I think that like anxious good? Yeah, Yeah,

Like I really do. I got nervous before this, Like I'm not even gonna lie to you. Yeah, I was like, I mean, it's really it's just like I love um. I think the biggest reason why I get nervous is because it's an opportunity for me to to learn from someone. It's an opportunity for me. Yeah, you see what I'm saying. So it's like it's it's like, I'm anxious. I'm excited to whether it's talked to Harry Styles about his brand

new album. I'm like, I'm excited to get to talk to him and learn what's going on in his head at this point in time. You know, and been here, I mean I was. It took me ten minutes to get set up before we connected here. I was like, I don't want to screw this up. I want to hear your craziest interview story, oh, favorite interview story. And I know you can't say names, but the most bizarre, odd or uncomfortable interviews you Okay, I can't. I will

say names. I'll say names about Yeah, I'll drop I'll drop names. Alright, So most bizarre, believe it or not, for a lot of good reasons and bad. Maybe was Ariana Grande. I'm going to spill some tea here, Okay, tell me, all right now, The reason why it was really good was because she was and it's really unfair.

I think that a lot of people kind of shroud who she is in this really weird odd I don't want to say negativity all the time, but in this weird kind to nobody really fully gives her the benefit of just all the amounts of everybody watching her every move, you know, and just how crazy that must be to be that person on the receiving Could you imagine everybody commenting or watching you when you just wanted to go

to CVS to grab like a toothbrush, you know. So it was weird because of that, because I was already kind of in my mind. What the other part that made it really weird was that she came into the studio at the time that she was dating Big Sean with Big Sean all right. Now, Not only did she come into the building while she was dating Big Sean with Big Sean, but we were told not to ask

any questions about Big Sean. So the part that makes it even weirder is that Big Sean was sitting in the corner of the room while I'm interviewing Ariana grand Day and not supposed to ask questions about Big Sean, but he's in the corner of the room while I'm sitting there. It's so it was so not only was that like super difficult to not literally address the elephant in the room. Um, I didn't. I did not, and I'll tell you because I respected that was something that

she didn't want to talk to. But the fact of the matter that this dude is like looking at me while I'm talking to his girlfriend and everybody knows they're dating. Everybody knows what's going on. But then I'll tell you where it was super cool that I maybe only shared this with a few people is after the conversation, we had a fun chat. I've got to find that interview somewhere. And he came up to me afterwards that she was

walking through and you've been around our studio space. She was in our kind of lobby area with her people leaving, and he pulled me aside and he was like, look, bro, I just want to tell you, that's like the coolest thing ever. Like He's like, I've been with her for the past you know, a couple of hours going and doing all these radio promos and TV things or whatever. And he was like, I really appreciate the way that

you made my girl feel comfortable. And I was like, I mean, it blew my mind because he genuinely came inside to me and told me that. He was like, dude, yeah, it was so nice, so genuine. So it ended with like a positive. But it was the most awkward, weird because it was all that anyone was talking about in the trade magazines on the elephant in the room, and you just couldn't d literally staring at me. So yeah, so it was really cool. Yeah, so that was that

was probably the most weird situation. Yeah, you have this essence about you were you just like make people feel comfortable, like automatically. I remember I was petrified before the Jourdany interview. I was terrified, and then you just made everything so common it's like, okay, it's all good, Well, thank you. I mean, that's that's what I tried to That's what I try to do. I mean, I'm just listen, I'm just trying to be the best me I can be, which is which is just all I know how to do.

And I'm just yeah, it's all you can do. And I'm you know, I guess in that situation, blessed and fortunate to be able to allow whoever it is that sitting across from me feel that same way. And it's just um, you know, shout out to mom and dad. Thank you Mom and Dad. I love you guys. So, Lady Gaga, I'm assuming is one of your top ones up there? What about like your craziest story, So the craziest, like weirdest or like wacky. Um, I think we kind

of already touched on. I mean just some of the situations say it again, yeah, yeah, but also like just being like in the ball pits, you know, um, being in arcades, like really kind of when I got to do like a dance battle with baby Shark, Like those things are like when I sit back and think about those are like the craziest and weirdest things that I know when my life stories like being told old people would be like this dude had the most random like

encounters ever, Like every it's pretty popping. I can think about it. I don't do that enough. But I've been lucky enough to not really be in a situation where there's been anything like too awkward, no negative space or energy, you know, there hasn't really been a time in my career where somebody's coming has been in a bad like that would be yeah, let's if we have some around here there it is. I remember, I think it was

like a year. It was some time at night, and I remember my mom and I were in the car listening to the radio and I heard your voice. I was like, Oh my god, that's Maxwell. Is that weird for you, because it's weird so odd. I'm like, wait, I know him. It's it's like when you see someone that you like know that are like yeah, Like I have a friend who's like on the Disney Channel and I was just flipping channels and I was like, oh

my god, that's her. It's like like you know them and your friends with them in real life, and it's like you see for me for me, like a lot of artists. I mean, I think you and I are both in that same place where we're kind of lucky to be able to call some of these really you know,

talented people friends. So that's like the weirdest thing to me to literally be at home and I'll watch any one of these TV shows from like the Masks singer when Jojo see what takes off the t Rex hat and I'm just like, holy crap, dude, like I know her. I get weirded out by it. I always I kind of wonder that sometimes because you know, I'm here in the studio and I chill out and I do my thing,

and there's intern tears sometimes. So I'm here by myself, and it's kind of strange when I think about how many people listen. Oh man, it's I mean, there's times where I'll be talking, We'll be playing a new I'm just looking at the computer screen here. We'll be playing a new Arianna Grande song to say her name again, And twenty minutes later, my voice is on her Instagram

story because she's listening to Z one recording it. And I'm just like, I think about it, like what like like I'll remember the very first time that Nick Jonas jealous. I remember he was in l A and we're one of the few stations that are on the serious XM app also, and he had his he was in this like his fiat in Los Angeles. I'm playing this song, he's recording it, and then like people are hitting me up like do you know that you're on Nick Jonas And I'm like, what are you talking about? It's just

like the weirdest thing. It messes with your mind sometimes because you're like, they're actually about it? Are people listening like it's it's range, It's the oddest thing. It doesn't make sense, not at all, not at all whatever. I don't even know. But since you are a very talented radio host, how do you judge? I'm always curious by this because you've played so many hits. Can you tell

when something is going to be a hit? And if so one of the qualities, Wow, you know what, that's a tough one because I think it's just it's a feeling you get, um and because I've been I've been in music for a while and I've listened to a lot of songs. As you said, some just feel right. I don't know what it is. I don't know if it's a certain sound, if it's a tip. It's just

there's really no way to explain it. Because all of these artists create records from their heart, you know, even if it's just the most simplest pop record, I mean, it's it's still a story that they're choosing to tell. But sometimes one just jumps out that feels bigger than the others, right, you know, Yeah, it's just a feeling and I don't it just it just hits you sometimes. Um, But you can't really tell that because there are other songs that you would never think would become massive hits.

But then when you sit back and you think about it a little bit, you realize why they did. But you can't tell from the very beginning. Let's think, did you ever think that, like Louis Capaldi, someone you loved, was going to be on this record that everybody in the world, you know, jams to. It's weird because everyone has such a different taste in music, so you don't know what's going to kind of stand exactly what it's

so odd? What for all the musicians listening here, and what advice do you have for musicians who are want to get something on the radio or I want to

write a song that they think would be popular. First off, I would say, and I hear this from a lot of big time songwriters along with art a lot of artists, is you just have to write what's true to you, what is really a feeling that you have inside And it might sound like it's kind of selfish, but you have like an awesome you know time chatting with Julia Michaels, who is like one of the biggest and best songwriters

on Earth. She's brilliant. Have you heard the song Anxiety heard I'd love Julia Michaels, Julia, Julia shout out to shout out to you an you know. I the reason I have this podcast is because I filmed the pilot with her. Because of that interview. Yeah, you see what I'm saying, and and and I'll tell you and I can imagine that a lot of it had to do is that you were able and she was able to really just be who she is, you know, and she was able to speak her truth and and that comes

out through her music. So for like an upcoming artist, I would say, and I hear this, like I said from a lot of different people who have been in the game for a long time, is that you really can't fake, you know, you really can't try to be somebody else. Don't come into the game thinking, yeah, that you want to be the next Justin Bieber, Like there's only one Justin Bieber. Don't come into the game thinking, oh my gosh, I gotta be the next Miley Cyrus

and create with that being on the front of your brain. Um. You know that stuff happens for those artists over time because they're they're tapping into true emotions that they have they've got. You know, they're they're they're them. You know,

they're they're them. So I would say, just try to be the best you that you can be, especially now where music can be consumed so many different places that you know, fans want to come to you because of what they feel that you are saying, um, and how you're speaking your truth and how they can relate to the story that you're sharing. So if you're trying to be somebody that you're not, you're building a relationship right

through it. They can see right through it. You're building a relationship that is built off of lies and nobody. Kind of like it's the same thing that goes with interviews too. You can tell when something's you're your own like no one else can be maxwell, you know, like that's it. Yeah, that's exactly it. It's it's just be yourself.

Don't try to create a hit. Um. A lot of people have said that they've said they've had their best success when they just went into the studio and they just wrote what felt right to them and that was what came of the session. And next thing, you know, you've got a song on See one hundred and you're just like Lewis Capaldi was just like I was just writing a song that you know, I was dealing with loss at the time. That's how I felt. There you go, he was being awesome and he's been open and we

all connected to it. So that's all you can do at the end of the day. And you know you had a podcast, is it you haven't been putting out episodes? No? Actually, you know that's really funny that you have been, and whether you know it or not, you have been kind of like the fire under my butt to get back into doing stuff like that. Like we I had we myself and my friend Raven who was in who actually is and I should still say is in Dallas. She works her radiostation in Dallas, and we threw similar to

what we're doing here. We launched like two different seasons of a podcast that we called Friends with Work Benefits and it was just super cool. She and I. UH. One issue with that was that the scheduling. She's a midday personality on a bunch of radio stations and it's really dir I'm at night, coming together people using stuff. So that kind of we we had planned to do more seasons, but then actually too, as all this kind of crazy coronavirus stuff hit, it just became increasingly more difficult.

And then I started to do some stuff where, um, I actually have recorded quite a few more episodes of the podcast that I was doing by myself that I call It's Okay to be Loud, I know. And the people you got for that, those I've listened to them. They're incredible. You had liked the Jonas Brothers, Yeah, super cool. You had what the Chain Smokers. Yeah. So like so what I started to do is really start to get

back into doing that. And it's been it's really been watching like how driven and I'm I'm not lying to you at all when I've been sitting back and I'm thinking, Sammy Jay is kicking. But right now, like, if I want to maintain this, if I want to continue to, you know, make sure that I'm doing the best that I can do, I better start kicking. But also, um so, yeah, so I started to, uh, I started to put together some episodes together with my with my producers. We started

to reach out to some more artists. We started to gather some interviews and uh, yeah, so I've got some.

I've got some in the can. We're dealing with the design process now and the most stressful part because I, oh my god, for like my cover, it took me forever to decide because it's like this is because my podcast was the first thing that I ever like created from my mind, like the world's gonna see it, and I was like, I was so particularly just I couldn't decide, dude, it's it's I mean, it's been like the coolest thing.

And I'll tell you again, like it really sparked with me when I started hearing your voice on do you know what? I never I heard that they were playing it. People on my school were like, we heard you in the radio context. I never heard it, all right, I promise you. I was like, oh, all right, let me get myself together. I was like, Maxwell, I'm starting to hear Sammy j on your show right now, she's got you played my ad for my podcast. I have to

try to find oh you know what. I can't touch the computer now because mo Bounce is working from home, and if I mess with it now, but yeah, like I was going to play it for you now. Yes, I was like, oh, all right, timing to step the game up, buddy, because if not, so you So thank you for being my inspiration. Seriously, dude, you're my inspiration, and you know, I think it's only fair to leave this conversation you do. You often you have a stamp

of approval to see if something is Maxwill approved. So I want to know is this podcast Max Will approve a thousand a thousand percent. I'm jealous of the fact that you got to hang out with my homie Jordan Fisher again, the hats that you were drawing and coloring with one of the people don't even realize how much of an artist and how brilliant of an artist aside from music that Julia Michaels is. You brought that out

in her, you know what I mean. But then last, at least I'll tell you this, Sammy j just the fact that you got to touch Liza Cochy all the Maxwill Approved stamps everywhere every aware like you're kicking button taking names. Dude, I'm increasingly proud of you. So hats off to you for sure. Well, thank you so much. That is I am serious crazy. It's been a crazy four years. I remember the first time we met, you

were hosting. Well that's what I also want to ask you, what is your biggest accomplishment like, because I remember during the when we met, it was a Jason Drule concern. You hosted it and it was like over Time Square and You're like, this is what my goal has been. So was that like your biggest career chief and or has there been something else? I'll leave you with this, my biggest accomplishment like has has yet to be achieved? Um, I mean there's still so much that I want to do.

That was cool, Those opportunities were awesome. All the amazing stuff I've gotten to do with Nickelodeon, been seventy ft tall on a giant Jumbo tron in Times Square was nothing. Um, I would have ever dreamt when I started thinking, like we started this conversation, I'm just a football kid, let me try this out. I never imagine those things, and those just you know, fueled the fire to want to do more, to want to perform more if that's the case, or just to want to be better. How can we

do that more? Consistently. How can I, you know, be that guy to make each and every one of these artists feel the most comfortable that they feel. So um, I've gotten the opportunity to do a lot of really cool stuff, not gonna lie, But my biggest accomplishment, I think is it's still it's still on the other side of it. You know. Oh what I'll tell you. And I've told someone who you had the chance to talk to, and I've had a conversation with him, Ryan Seacrest, you know,

you and I did. We've had these convos. Bro, when you're tired, when you want to kick your feet up and you want to relax a little bit, you already know you've got somebody to step in and be all right, you know what I mean. So yeah, So I've I've kind of put that type of an energy out there and uh, and that's what I'm driving and striving towards.

He is a machine. I don't know how seeing him in action is like the best thing to study whole another ball game, right, I know, Listen, you're way you're way ahead of the curve and getting there, you know, And I'm doing my best to work towards that. Also so I mean, all you continue to do is just you know, work our tails off and together. I've been told before that success is when you know, uh, preparation

and opportunity meet. So I'm trying to prepare for when that opportunity comes, so that way, when I'm ready, that's where success lies. So still a lot to come, not only from me, but from you too, dude, like you're doing it. Boo, you're doing it. Thank you guys so much for listening to this week's episode. Maxwell, thank you for coming on. Make sure you go follow Maxwell on Instagram. It's at in Maxwell's house. He is a pretty popping Instagram. I'm not gonna lie, and don't forget to follow me

on Instagram. It's Sammy Jay. That's I T S S A M M y E j A y e. And also, if you haven't already, you should totally subscribe to the podcast and leave a common if you'd like next week's episode. I know you're gonna love. It's gonna be our season finale, which is crazy to say, and it is with NBA All Star and mental health advocate Kevin Love. Is such a good episode. You're gonna love it. I love it and I will see you next week. Bye.