Folkes Unfettered| Speak Freely!

This isn't about whether I love America. It's about whether America has ever loved all of us equally and what 250 years of evidence actually say. Not the sanitized kind of answer. Not the kind that fits neatly on a flag or a bumper sticker. The kind that comes from a Black man who swore an oath to defend this country, and then had to spend decades watching this country decide, over and ove...

People keep asking me about The Apprentice. And I get it. But a moment is not a mission. I am built from Frederick Douglass, James Baldwin, Malcolm X, Marcus Garvey, and Martin Luther King, Jr., men who didn't show up for cameras. Men who showed up because silence was not an option. People paid in blood for the right to speak. To waste that right would be a disgrace. That is the lineage I carr...

They told us. Orwell told us. Baldwin told us. Twain told us. Morrison told us. We read the books. We passed the tests. We called it fiction. In this episode of Folkes Unfettered, Gene Folkes draws on the most unflinching voices in American and world literature to examine what's unfolding in leadership right now, and why none of it is actually new. The patterns were already named. The characte...

What if your leadership were displayed in a museum?  Not your resume. Not your job title. Not your social media profile.  Your actual leadership. Every decision. Every sacrifice. Every act of courage. Every compromise. Every life you've impacted. What story would it tell? In this episode of Folkes Unfettered, We explore a powerful question inspired by a visit to the Museum Of Modern Art (MoMA)...

What can Jazz Musicians teach us about Leadership?  More than people realize... In this episode, I explore the powerful connection between Jazz and Leadership, from improvisation and emotional intelligence to humility, trust, adaptability, and communication under pressure. Inspired by the life and legacy of legendary Jazz Saxophonist Sonny Rollins, this episode examines why some of the greatest le...

In this powerful Memorial Day episode of Folkes Unfettered, Gene Folkes explores the true meaning behind "The Cost of Freedom" -- beyond the barbecues, sales, and long weekends. This episode takes listeners through the history of Memorial Day, from its origins after the Civil War to the sacrifices that continue to shape America today. But this conversation goes deeper than history. It ch...

In this episode, I examine the recent ruling from the Supreme Court of The United States and what it may signal about the future of civil rights protections in America. Moving beyond political theater and media outrage, this conversation explores how power, legal interpretation, and institutional shifts can gradually redefine who has access to protection, justice, and opportunity. This is not just...

In a time of political tension, economic Uncertainty, and rapid social change, many leaders are reacting instead of positioning. In this episode of Folkes Unfettered, Gene Folkes, MSOL breaks down how to think clearly, lead strategically, and build power when the rules keep changing.  This is not political Commentary. It’s structural analysis. We explore:  The difference between survival mode and...

In a time of political tension, economic uncertainty, and rapid social change, many people feel stuck - reacting instead of leading. In this episode of Folkes Unfettered, Gene Folkes breaks down how to think clearly, lead strategically, and thrive when the rules keep changing. This conversation goes beyond surface-level commentary and focuses on agency, accountability, and decision-making in unsta...

In a time of political tension, economic pressure, and rapid social change, silence isn’t an option—and confusion is costly.  Folkes Unfettered  cuts through the noise with honest conversations, real-world strategy, and unfiltered insight from leaders who’ve been in the trenches. Hosted by veteran business strategist  Gene Folkes, MSOL , this show is for entrepreneurs, professionals, and change-ma...

If you’ve been rocking with this channel for a while, you may have noticed…I went quiet. No weekly Drops. No Interviews. No Long-form conversations. That wasn’t accidental. And it definitely wasn’t burnout. It was intetional. Watch and listen to Why I stepped away…

In the next transformative episode of Folkes Unfettered , we dive into the art of reclaiming your story and embracing the power of resilience. Life can hand us challenges that threaten to define us, but we don't have to be confined by the labels others impose or the struggles we face. Join us as we explore practical strategies to break free from the victim mindset, rewrite our inner dialogue,...

The truth isn't always comfortable. It's not always pretty. But it's always worth telling. Folkes Unfettered returns with a vengeance, challenging the status quo and shining a light in the stories that demand to be heard. Season 5: We're not holding back. Are you ready?

We are returning to continually push the envelope, challenge the norm, and take you on a journey through stories that matter. We are curating stories from the untamed corners of the world to the complexities of the human experience, this season we explore it all.  Folkes Unfettered isn't just about change; we are about revolutionizing our thoughts and lives! If you are looking to be inspired,...

In this episode of Folkes Unfettered, we dive deep into the concept of liberty and its ever-changing nature. We explore the Biden/Trump rematch calling into question the lack of challengers to the current candidates in either party. We contemplate our understanding of freedom and how our election process has evolved throughout history, shaped by social movements, political shifts, and technologica...

We   are back, and this time we're diving into the chaotic, hilarious, and often frustrating world of American politics! Buckle up with me as I attempt to dissect the current political landscape, from the upcoming elections to the latest scandals, with my signature blend of humor, historical context, and (sometimes) brutal honesty. Get ready for: Campaign chaos:  We'll break down the 2024...

Well, it's our first episode of 2024! After just ending the first month of the new year, I am back from a hiatus with a brand new discussion about developing habits that last instead of New Year Resolutions. Leave your thoughts and comments on this topic and share some of your healthy habits that have helped you transform your life.

Welcome to the new look, feel, and sound of Folkes Unfettered. As always, I am working on bringing you more relevant content, more engaging interviews, and more resources to help you navigate this world we live in. Grand Rising is the title of our intro, and it's meant to represent how we choose to embrace each day, we can dread it, or we can choose to Grand Rise!

In this holiday episode, we discuss the bottlenecks that are preventing you from achieving your professional and personal goals. This time of year brings more stress and anxiety as we all are navigating wrapping up work, planning vacations, and spending time with friends and family. We must focus on the spiritual, physical, and emotional practices that will strengthen our ability to endure these i...

As we come to the precipice of concluding Season 3 of Folk(e)s Unfettered, we wanted to discuss how to embrace change and be resilient in times of adversity. In just a few weeks, we will reflect on the year that's passing and ponder changes for the year ahead, We are all contemplating making the necessary changes to create the type of life we desire. What we often overlook is how change can be...

A short message on what's ahead on Folk(e)s Unfettered. Join us this Thursday at 10 am as we discuss strategies for embracing change and being resilient in adversity. It has been said that the only things guaranteed in life are death and taxes, I'd like to add one more topic that is guaranteed and that is Change. Change is inevitable, and we must deploy strategies to help us cope with chan...

In this bonus episode, we patronize several local businesses that are offering specials for Veteran's as a show of gratitude for our service. We have Coffee at Starbucks, as well as Donuts provided by Dunkin' Donuts, and then I head over to Dave and Buster's to enjoy lunch and gameplay offered by this organization. So, join me for food, fun, and a lighteharted episode showcasing a few...

Our Annual Veteran's Day Episode focuses on what happens when Johnny comes marching home again and has to navigate the complexities and bureaucracy of dealing with the aches and pains of Military Service. Gene shares his experience and difficulty in obtaining access to health benefits through the Veterans Affairs Agency in the hopes of raising awareness of the needs of Veterans across our coun...

Do you want to achieve more in your career, relationships, and personal life? If so, then you need to develop a high-performance mindset. A high-performance mindset is a belief that you are capable of achieving your goals, no matter how difficult they may seem. It is also a willingness to put in the hard work and dedication necessary to succeed. In this podcast episode, we will discuss how to deve...

Today I sit down as a guest on The Blue Dog Whisperer podcast hosted by Evan Grollman. We discuss current political events and share our perspective on the dangers facing our country.