Originally released April 18, 2024

"I recently stumbled across this podcast and specifically the episode with Marcus Samuelsson. So tasty. I love how he explains cooking through sound."

- Leon G.

Witness 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 around the world. With restaurants spanning the US, Canada, Bahamas and his native Ethiopia, this eight-time James Beard Foundation award winner has inspired with his lyrical dishes from kitchens located in neighborhoods one might not expect to find them. Journey with us as Marcus dives into the why and how behind his ability to bring people and communities together while blurring the lines between music and cuisine until their cultural significance feels almost one and the same.

"Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," is produced and distributed by Merrick Studios and hosted by Merrick Chief Creative Officer, Tom Frank, hip hop artist and founder of Pendulum Ink, Mickey Factz, and music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation and learn more at https://www.wearemerrickstudios.com/unglossy-pod

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Originally released March 21, 2025

In this episode of Unglossy, Tom and Jeffrey sit down with Keenan Scott II, a prolific playwright, poet, actor, director, and producer from Queens, New York. Keenan delves into his artistic journey, beginning with his early passion for visual arts and comic books, and transitioning into poetry and performance as he navigated his formative years in Maryland. His experiences at open mic nights in D.C. were pivotal, shaping his creative expression and laying the groundwork for his future in theater. Keenan also discusses the genesis of his renowned play, "Thoughts of a Colored Man," which started as college monologues aimed at authentically representing Black experiences absent from mainstream theater.

The conversation further explores the complexities and challenges of bringing a play to Broadway. Keenan sheds light on the logistical and financial hurdles, including navigating the influential theater families that control Broadway venues. Despite these challenges and the abrupt end to his play's run due to COVID-19, Keenan's work continues to make a significant impact. Looking ahead, he shares his excitement for future projects through his company, Project Toy Entertainment, aiming to fuse various artistic mediums and empower new creative voices. His advice to emerging artists—to believe in themselves and embrace perseverance—is a testament to his journey and dedication to the arts.

"Unglossy: Decoding Brand in Culture," is produced and distributed by Merrick Studio and hosted by Merrick Chief Creative Officer, Tom Frank and music industry veteran, Jeffrey Sledge. Tune in to hear this thought-provoking discussion on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you catch your podcasts. Follow us on Instagram @UnglossyPod to join the conversation and support the show at https://unglossypod.buzzsprout.com/

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This might be the wildest story we’ve ever told on Unglossy — and that’s saying something.

This week, Bun B, Jeffrey Sledge, and Tom Frank sit down with Owen Hanson, better known as The California Kid or The Cocaine Quarterback. Once a USC walk-on turned national champion, Owen’s life took a sharp left turn from the football field into international drug trafficking, cartel money, federal prison, and headlines that sound fictional until you realize they’re not.

Fresh off the Amazon Prime docuseries Cocaine Quarterback, Owen breaks his silence on what really happened — from how the documentary came together, to what it got right (and what it couldn’t fully show), to how you rebuild an identity when your name becomes a cautionary tale.

This isn’t a glamorized crime story. It’s a raw conversation about ambition, ego, consequences, survival, and second chances. We talk life inside prison, hustling legally and illegally, the mindset it takes to endure a decade behind bars, and how Owen turned a mop bucket, protein powder, and sheer will into a legitimate business on the outside.

From USC glory to federal time… and from rock bottom to redemption — this episode is about what happens after everything falls apart.

No polish. No excuses. Just the truth. This is Unglossy.

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