Isaac Hayes III, a visionary entrepreneur and tech innovator, joins Tom and Jeffrey to talk about the journey behind Fanbase, a platform poised to change the game in content creation and monetization. Imagine a space where creators can truly own their narratives and get paid directly for their influence—Isaac shares how this idea became a reality. He opens up about the moment he saw the need to bridge the gap between social media platforms and Black culture, inspiring him to create Fanbase’s ...

Unlock the secrets of equity crowdfunding (yikes! that's another 25 cents for the swear jar), scratch that, "community round" with our insightful guest, Jonny Price – VP of Fundraising at WeFunder. Learn how the 2012 JOBS Act has transformed the way everyday Americans can engage in pre-IPO investments, making it accessible beyond the traditional wealthy elite. Embark on a captivating journey as we explore Jonny's personal story of transitioning from a consulting career in London to impacting ...

How did a CCO, a music industry veteran, and a hip-hop artist come together to explore the intersection of branding and culture? In this episode, discover the invisible thread that connects hosts Tom Frank, Jeffrey Sledge, and Mickey Factz, forming the foundation of Unglossy.First, we dive into Jeffrey Sledge’s remarkable career. Known as one of "Hip-Hop’s Most Impactful Black Music Executive," Jeffrey recounts his transformative years at Jive Records, where his broadened perspective beyond N...

What happens when a tech visionary starts his journey in an auto repair shop with no mechanical knowledge? In this captivating episode, Jason Stirman, a multifaceted innovator, shares his unconventional path from running a failing business to making significant strides at Twitter and Medium. We dive into his early challenges, managing unreliable employees, and dealing with dissatisfied customers, revealing how these initial setbacks sharpened his business acumen and conflict resolution skills...

Get ready to be inspired by Stirman, a visionary who has left a lasting impact on the tech and mindfulness landscapes. He shares his transformative journey of building Medium, the platform that bridged long and short-form writing, and his personal story of discovering meditation amidst the high-pressure of Silicon Valley, leading to a more grounded family life. This episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at Medium's creation and Sturman’s decision to leave.Stirman also discusses his encounte...

Ever wondered how a simple apartment podcast evolved into a cultural phenomenon? Join us for Part 2 of our amazing conversation with Eric and Jeff Rosenthal, as they take us through the extraordinary journey from creating comedic sketches to becoming recognized voices in the podcasting world. They open up about the magic that happens when genuine relationships and authenticity become the foundation of your work, sharing unforgettable moments from their podcast, 'A Waste of Time with ItsTheRea...

Join us (minus Mickey) as we navigate through technical mishaps and laugh-out-loud moments with our special guests, Eric and Jeff Rosenthal from It's The Real. From their kitchen table in Westchester County to collaborations with hip-hop legends, their journey is a testament to passion and perseverance. These brothers bring authenticity and humor, sharing their evolution from comedic sketch creators to serious documentarians.Rewind to 2007: imagine producing weekly sketches on YouTube from a ...

Join us as we explore the incredible journey of Kianna Henson, aka KJ Rose. From her roots in Southside Chicago to her academic achievements at Florida A&M, KJ's story is one of passion, perseverance, and profound success. You'll hear firsthand about her early days overcoming stage fright and then balancing a corporate job with session artist gigs and finally her evolution into a sought-after performance coach. She has worked with massive stars like Janet Jackson, Britney Spears, and Just...

Join us for Part 2 of our conversation with KJ Rose as she reveals her transformative journey, from signing to discovering her true calling in coaching. She shares with the guys her invaluable lessons learned from music industry giants like Clive Davis, and how these experiences shaped her passion for helping other artists find their unique strengths. KJ Rose offers a deep dive into her personalized artist development strategies, including her impactful work with Lil Nas X. Learn how she tail...

Ready to dive into a world where music meets marketing? Join us on Unglossy as we sit down with industry veteran Chris Atlas to uncover the symbiotic relationship between music, brand, marketing, and culture. We reminisce about our personal encounters with promotional products from major brands and how they’ve shaped our views, giving you a peek into the unpolished reality behind the glossy ads. Chris shares his incredible journey from working with industry giants to spearheading innovative p...

Ever wonder how marketing magic happens in the music industry? Join us as we sit down for Part 2 of our conversation with the legendary Chris Atlas, the mastermind behind iconic campaigns like Kanye West's "Through the Wire" and Boost Mobile's Rock Corps. Discover the secrets to his innovative strategies, the vibrant atmosphere at Cornerstone, and unforgettable moments like Mickey Factz first encounter with Lupe Fiasco. Chris offers a treasure trove of behind-the-scenes stories and insights, ...

This week on "Unglossy" hosts Tom Frank, Mickey Factz, and Jeffrey Sledge engage in a captivating conversation with Lee Hawkins, a distinguished journalist, author, and musician. Lee shares his remarkable journey from his early days in Minnesota, through his journalism career at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and Wisconsin State Journal, to his 19-year tenure at the Wall Street Journal. He highlights pivotal moments, such as the advice he received from Jimmy Iovine to prioritize his book, "I ...

Did you love Zaria from "The Parent 'Hood" as much as Mickey Factz? Get ready to dive into the fascinating journey of Reagan Gomez-Preston. From her early days making waves on "The Parent 'Hood" to achieving lasting success in Hollywood, Mickey reveals his childhood admiration for her, sparking a lively brainstorm about potential 90s TV character crossovers that blend nostalgia with modern storytelling.Reagan offers heartfelt and sassy insights into her rise to fame, the iconic role of Zaria,...

How can a brand be both innovative and environmentally conscious? Eric Liedtke, co-founder, and CEO of the Unless Collective, joins us to share his visionary approach to regenerative fashion, where apparel is crafted entirely from plant-based materials without a trace of plastic. Eric's illustrious 26-year career at Adidas, during which he led major brands like Reebok and Yeezy and turned Adidas' e-commerce into a multi-billion-dollar empire, lends credence to his insights on the intersection...

On this episode of Unglossy Matt Jacob, a private jet pilot turned photographer, joins the guys to share compelling stories from his life in the skies and behind the camera lens.Have you ever wondered what it's like to transition from flying private jets to capturing powerful images around the globe? Matt Jacob takes us through his extraordinary journey, detailing his passion for technology and photography. He recounts the emotional story behind his photograph "Girl in Green," and talks about...

Join us for an auditory journey to the moon with our gravity-defying discussion on creating a lunar experience right here on Earth. Anthony Laney of Laney LA joins hosts Tom Frank, Mickey Factz, and Jeffrey Sledge, adding a riveting dimension with tales of high-end residential design, where playful luxury like beachside pickleball courts becomes a reality. Discover the seamless blend of lifestyle, vision, and architecture—a trio that transforms spaces into personal sanctuaries tailored to the...

Exploring the Evolution of Basketball CultureGet ready for an electrifying journey through the heart of basketball culture in Episode 4 of Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture! Hosts Tom, Mickey, and Jeffrey are thrilled to be joined by the NBA’s Sr. VP of Communications, Tim Frank. Join us as we unravel Tim's remarkable career path, from his collegiate days at Notre Dame to his quick rise with the Houston Rockets, who won an NBA championship in his first year, followed by the Comets’ impressi...

Pushing the boundaries of culinary artistryWitness culture and the unexpected converge, revealing the medley of tastes, sounds and experiences that influence the brand that is—Marcus Samuelsson. From a young age, Marcus aspired to be great by recognizing greatness in others. His path to becoming a decorated chef, restaurateur and philanthropist who's accolades include a 2023 Emmy Award (that makes two cameos in this podcast), was powered by creative and cultural experiences from his travels a...

Exploring the elements of authentic storytelling The theme of the show, and this episode in particular, is brand, culture and the unexpected. Mags Miller, director, producer, and storyteller, is the perfect encapsulation of our theme. Mags is a Global Citizen who grew up in Nigeria, Tanzania and Zimbabwe. Over the past 20+ years she has worked on numerous Discovery Network and NatGeo TV shows. She’s embedded with the USMC in Afghanistan, navigated through hoarders' homes, chronicled the...

Unleashed through the power of YouTube Father, musician, poet, former professional athlete, creative advocate and commentator. Knox Hill’s combination of selves shouldn’t co-exist. It does. And it does so with contagious energy, passion and volume loud enough to inspire millions with his unique brand of art. Hear his stories, and how he’s leveraged YouTube to maximize their power and reach. "Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," is produced and distributed by Merrick Creative and hosted by...

Welcome to "Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," where we delve into the essence of branding beyond the surface sheen. This isn't your average corporate podcast. Join Tom Frank, Partner and Chief Creative Officer at Merrick Creative, Mickey Factz, Hip Hop Artist and Founder and CEO of Pendulum Ink, and Jeffrey Sledge, a seasoned music industry veteran, for "Unglossy" as they get to the heart of what truly drives individual and organizational brand . In a world where where image is carefully...

Welcome to Episode 1 of Our Love, Hate Relationship with Comic Culture. Learn how  Pete Rock, Tat Wza and Mickey Factz first got introduced to comics, their top 5 fav characters, comic characters that disgusts them (Did Mickey really just say Wolverine?) and what they love and hate about comic films. Check out more episodes and subscribe to Our Love, Hate Relationship with Comic Culture on Apple, Spotify, YouTube at or wherever you catch your podcasts. Our Love, Hate Relationship with Comic...

Curious about how the greatest Rappers make their art form look easy? Join host Mickey Factz, founder of the first school for lyricism, Pendulum Ink, on a new podcast called The Pendulum Podcast. He’ll bring you lessons from the school’s legendary guest speakers, including Inspectah Deck, Phonte, Masta Ace, Cory Gunz and more. Check out Pendulum Podcast on Apple (https://apple.co/3BpHNF1), Spotify (https://spoti.fi/3qmNvkJ) or wherever you catch your podcasts. Pendulum Podcast is brought to...

Introducing 5-Factor Authentication with Hill Harper. Listen to a preview as legendary music producer Isaac Hayes III tells us that the business models behind some of our favorite tech tools can drive inequities, so he decided to do something about it. Listen in as he chats with Hill about his latest initiative, Fanbase, a social media platform that empowers creators to get paid for their content directly by consumers. You’ll also find out why Isaac has a problem with ad-based models,...