Unglossy

Is influence built through hard work—or shaped by the choices no one sees?

Hosted by hip-hop legend Bun B, music industry veteran Jeffrey Sledge, and brand strategist Tom Frank, Unglossy cuts through the noise to explore what really drives creativity, influence, and legacy. No rehearsed talking points. No brand-approved answers—just honest conversations with people who’ve built something real.

Unglossy brings you inside the minds of artists, athletes, founders, and cultural architects to unpack the grind behind the growth: the risks taken early, the setbacks that sharpened the work, and the discipline it takes to turn ideas into impact.

If you care about culture, music, business, branding, or how ideas spread when effort meets opportunity, this is your front-row seat.

Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts. Follow @UnglossyPod and join the unfiltered conversation.

Produced by Merrick Studios — where culture takes the mic.

All Episodes

Unglossy

RE-RELEASE: Marcus Samuelsson

January 09, 2026 • Tom Frank, Jeffrey Sledge, Mickey Factz, Marcus Samuelsson • Season 6 • Episode 44

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