In this episode, we sit down with Bill Werde: journalist, analyst, and longtime observer of the forces shaping the modern music business. As the former Editorial Director of Billboard, Werde helped define how the industry understands charts, culture, and the shifting mechanics of success. Today, he leads the Bandier Program at Syracuse University, one of the country’s top music business programs, where he mentors future executives and continues publishing sharp, data-driven commentary on the state of the industry. In our conversation, Werde tells us stories from his years at Billboard, takes on a round of rapid-fire questions, and shares his unfiltered views on today’s music landscape, offering a candid, insightful look at how the business really works.