Seth Folkenroth before his 35th birthday !

00:01 Okay, this is Poonam Dubal again, and I'm here with my good friend Seth Folkenroth three days before his 35th birthday. Happy early birthday, Seth.

00:14 Thank you.

00:16 And it is October 16, 2024. So, Seth, we're gonna go back to the beginning. First off, I just want to, like, get this on record. If there were to be a book made about your life, what would that book be called?

00:33 Oh, it would be called. I've never thought about this before.

00:35 Never ever.

00:36 It would be called From Farm to Fabulous, and then colon.

00:40 So good.

00:41 Something. But we're still working out, like, the something.

00:44 You know, I actually didn't know that there was a colon because I feel.

00:46 Like all great books will have, like, Lord of the Rings, the Two Towers. Like, you need to have something that gives it more zhuzh.

00:53 Yeah.

00:54 So, like, From Farm to Fabulous, my story from blah, blah, blah. I don't know.

00:58 Okay, let's start there. Seth, tell me about where you grew up. What was it like?

01:04 So I grew up in Fabulous Red Lion, Pennsylvania, and read Lion L I O, N. Because sometimes people think I'm saying line N. It's lion, and cute little farm town out outside of, like, York, Pennsylvania. And, yeah, it was, like, a really good place to grow up because I lived in, like, a neighborhood. But, like, my grandparents were both farmers. Well, not both of them. Like, one was a military, like, family, and then the other one, they were, like, the actual, like, farming part of the family.

01:43 Got it.

01:43 Okay. And so it was really cool. Like, I have a lot of good memories, like, growing up and, like, picking tomatoes and picking strawberries. And, like, my grandma would, like, come up in, like, her little minivan and be like, hey, like, I need Seth to go, like, to the grocery store with me. And my grandpa would be, like, annoyed because he's, like, he didn't pick all his bushels of strawberries yet.

02:02 And I'd be like, I'll come back and do it, Grandpa. I promise.

02:05 Yeah. And as I, like, run into the minivan with Grandma.

02:09 See you later, Grandpa.

02:10 Like, literally, I never picked all of my bushels of strawberries because Grandma always knew when I was just tired. Like, my little hands couldn't pick anymore, and I needed to go, like, buy some new clothes.

02:24 That's the beginning of Farm to Fabulous.

02:26 Thus, the beginning of Farm to Fabulous. Yes.

02:30 That's incredible. So, okay, where is your mom's family from? And then where is your dad's family from? Like, yeah, however you want to interpret that.

02:36 Ooh. So my mom's side of the family. They. We're, like, a military family. Like, my grandfather was in the Air Force, and so they, like, bounced around a lot. So my mom was actually born in Fort Worth, Texas, which is, like.

02:54 Did you know that?

02:55 Which is so crazy that, like, she's back now, but lived a lot of her life in, like, Minot, North Dakota. So, like, lived there for a while, and then when they moved back to, like, the York, Pennsylvania area, my grandma, like, took the kids and went back while grandpa, like, finished up his, like, whatever he was doing in North Dakota. And then that's kind of where they, like, set the roots.

03:17 Okay.

03:18 And then my dad's side of the family pretty much always lived in that area. Like, born and raised in Red Lion, Dallas Town, York, PA. Dallas Town.

03:29 The foreshadowing.

03:30 The foreshadowing of it all. Yeah. And, yeah. So, like, my. A lot of my family on my dad's side has always lived there. Still lives there. And then when I did, like, the little DNA 23andMe thing, I found out, like, I was 50% British, so, like, from, like, my grandmother's side, my mom's side, and then 50% German from my, like, grandfather, from my dad's side. And what was interesting about that is they, like, traced back that, like, my, like, lineage, I guess, comes from some of the first farming German farming communities in our area. And so there's, like, a really strong presence of, like, my genes in the 717 Area Code of Pennsylvania.

04:16 I love that. Which one also say that farming is in your genes, and that shows up all the time now.

04:22 Farming, pop culture, for sure. I do know how to, like, pick a good watermelon at the store now, like, you know, you have to knock on it. It's true.

04:32 And it's true.

04:34 And if you want, like, a ripe cantaloupe, you smell like the one. Like, the one side of the cantaloupe.

04:38 Oh, okay. I didn't know that that's how you.

04:40 Pick the right cantaloupe.

04:41 Oh, my God.

04:42 So I learned stuff being on the farm.

04:46 I bet you did.

04:47 But I also learned how to get out of hard labor, and it's always call grandma.

04:52 Okay, that checks out. So strong, right? Talk about consistent. Talk about consistent. Okay. All right. Are there any funny stories that your family tells about you?

05:07 Ooh. So I would say, like, I'm naturally kind of like a loud, very energetic person. And my family always does say that. Like, when I was a kid, I would just be, like, a beacon. They call me beacon head. When I was Like a kid. Because I would just scream for no reason. Like, my diaper didn't need change. I didn't need food. I would just be like, oh, I'm not getting attention. Scream. And you know what? It worked. And I would get attention.

05:41 Oh, my God.

05:42 Yeah.

05:42 Consistency.

05:43 Consistency yet again. Maybe. From farm to fabulous. My consistent life of being a diva.

05:50 Consistently a diva from day one, right?

05:55 So, like, Beacon Head was, like, my little childhood nickname. And then, like, the running joke growing up was always, like, my dad would film videos. Like, he had, like, his old school camcorder, and he would do, like, five minutes every month of, like, Rachel and five my sister, and then five minutes of me. But Rachel was never in my videos. But I'm always in Rachel's video either. Like, in the background, poking around the corner like, hey, hey. What y'all doing? What? Oh, is the camcorder on? Oh.

06:29 Oh, my God. Should I twirl? Do you need me to do a cartwheel?

06:33 Literally. Literally. There was a video of me as a kid, and I was like, dad, dad, watch it. He's like, Rachel's, like, sitting in the bassinet or something. Like, can't even walk or talk or move. I'm like, watch me. Watch me. I'm a tree, I'm a leaf. I'm a hurricane. I'm a. And just being so extra and so ridiculous, because when the light is on, honey, I'm going to perform.

06:56 I know that. Yeah, I know that about. I know that about you.

07:00 So, yeah, I would say that those are probably the two that my family tells most often. And both are about, you know, that checks out, how to get attention. Yeah.

07:09 Okay. And then, like, circling back really quickly to your grandparents, because I know that you have a really special relationship with a couple of your grandparents. Tell me about them.

07:18 Yes. My. So my Grandma Folkenroth is just like my person, okay? She growing up, like, I was the only grandson. She had four kids of her own and adopted over 30 or fostered over 30, like, in her lifetime, because if a kid needed a home, like, she had a spot for him, right? And, like, the rule was that you have to, you know, do your work, you have to do good in school, you have to come home and pick your bushels of strawberries, which, again, Grandma always got me out of. Sorry, everyone. But, like, you know, there were, like, the rules. But she was. Had a really big heart and just loved every single person she ever came in contact with. And so, like, for me, my grandmother, my Grandma Folkenroth was just Such a role model in a way of how to just, like, look at the world. Like, she would give their shirt off her back to someone who needed it more than what she does. Because that's just what you do as, like, a human being in this world. Right. So, like, when. And she was always at all of my, like, sporting events. And, I mean, up until, like, the day she died, like, the last, like, really core memory I have with her, she had cancer. Beat breast cancer, and then a couple years later came back as bone cancer.

08:38 Oh, wow.

08:39 But she was at every single track meet, every single soccer game, every single event, oxygen tank. She had her wheelchair. And she was like, come howler hot water. I'm going to come and see my grandson.

08:51 Oh, my God.

08:52 And so it was just, like, really special. And at the district track meet in Redline, I think it was, like, fifth grade. I see my. It was, like, on a track, and there was, like, a gate around because cars can't go on the track. But my grandpa in his little, like, farm truck has grandma in there with her oxygen tank strapped on, share a little morphine popping. And she was like, well, I can't see, so we got to get closer. He just starts driving down the little driveway to get close to the, like, track so she can watch me run my event. Wow. And, like, the district people were like, sir, like, you can't be here. And he was like, oh, yeah, no, I know. But she needs to watch her grandson real quick, and then we'll get out of here, and it's all okay. And I still remember just, like, seeing the truck kind of coming down the hill, and I'm, like, getting ready for my meet, and I'm just like, all right, Grandma's here.

09:46 Steaks are high.

09:47 Stakes are high. Grandma was here, and she is ready. The oxygen is pumping, the morphine pop is dipped, and she's ready to watch me run.

09:57 Wow.

09:58 And we don't even know.

10:00 Need to know the outcome of that race because you and grandma already won, right?

10:04 I couldn't tell you anyway. Like, honestly, I probably got, like, halfway around the track, was like, oh, I'm tired. And then my grandma got me out of it.

10:14 We need to go pick some bushels of strawberries.

10:16 Exactly.

10:18 Okay. And then tell me about your sister, Rachel.

10:22 So with Rachel. One more thing with grandma before I get to Rachel.

10:26 Yeah, please.

10:27 So another just, like, beautiful memory I have is she never saw me play football because she passed away before. And my very first football game, you know, I get, like, the little handoff. I'm like, run into the end zone. And, like, I see a woman in a wheelchair with the, like. And it is my grandmother. I know it's my grandma. So I'm running, running, running. It's the first touchdown I ever scored.

10:49 Oh, my God.

10:50 I run to the end zone. You know, we all cheer and all of that stuff. And, like, I turn around to, like, see who the lady was. She was gone. So, like, I know that even in, like, even in her passing, like, she's always with me every time I go on a flight. Cause she was afraid to fly. I always say a little prayer to my grandma and I'm like, hey, get us there safely. You know, protect me. Cause I make bad decisions sometimes. God. Sorry, Grandma, if you are really watching. But, like, I always say a little prayer. Always want her to come with me because she just is like, that, like, guardian angel that I have in my life that I know is always looking out for me. And, like, I just always feel her presence. So I just. I love her.

11:34 Oh, yeah. Wow. Thank you for sharing that. That gave me chills.

11:39 Like, that's.

11:40 That's so beautiful, Grandma Folkenroth Yeah. I feel like I know her personally. Right?

11:48 Rosina. We love Rosina.

11:50 Yeah.

11:50 Yeah.

11:51 Okay, so then, yeah, tell me about. Tell me about Rach and, like, your relationship with her.

11:55 Yeah. And so my sister and I, we, like, all siblings. You know, growing up, we had our, like, battles and our sibling arguments and stuff. Like, I remember she would never put my PlayStation games back into the case. So, you know, they would get scratched and you can play the games anymore. And so she had this, like, little baby doll. She would leave my DVDs and, like, my, like, PlayStation games out. She had this baby doll called Pink Baby. And anytime then she would leave my games out, I would hide her baby doll, obviously, or I would throw it up into the fan, or I would, you know, just, like, big brother stuff, being a disaster of a human, right? And it was always like, do this again. Like, it's going to escalate, right?

12:38 Pink Baby's going to die.

12:39 Pink baby will die if you scratch ratchet and clank one more time.

12:45 Wow.

12:45 Yeah, wow.

12:46 Wow.

12:46 So, you know, like, the sibling stuff. And it's really funny because we always just argued growing up, but it wasn't until I went, because we're, like, five years apart, so it wasn't until I went to college then that her and I became very close. Because I think that she realized, like, oh, damn. Like, I. I do kind of enjoy the like the torment of having a big brother, but also, like, there is, like, love there, right? Like, torment with love. Like, I never killed Big Baby Pink Baby. You know, I did leave her intact, but wow. I can say the same for my PlayStation games, so. Oh, maybe I'm the better person.

13:23 Wow.

13:24 Wow.

13:24 You heard it here first.

13:25 Yeah, yeah.

13:29 Wow.

13:29 But, yeah, we had, like, a good relationship, like, growing up as kids. And she, like, mom would always, all right, make sure you, like, you take your sister to, like, go ride bikes or to go do this. And so even though it was annoying, I always felt like I was very inclusive with her because, you know, I was my only sibling and I was very happy that I had a sibling. And then when I went away to college, our bond got a lot closer.

13:57 Yeah.

13:58 And, yeah, like, I know that she has done a lot for me behind the scenes that I, like, will never know, you know?

14:05 Oh, yeah, that's really beautiful. All right, okay, tell me a little bit about our friendship. Tell me your version of our friendship.

14:17 Oh, okay. So Poonam, when I first met her, was a little worker bee, which, again, consistency theme. I'm not, like, I do work and I do enjoy working, but when I don't want to, I'm not gonna.

14:33 I've seen that.

14:34 I still remember our first time meeting. It was at, like, Rusty, Taco and Cassandra and I. We were like, all right, she better be cool, because, like, we got a good vibe and, like, the energy was great. It was so nice. It was just like a beautiful, like, time, like, you know, coworkers, like, meeting each other and then it was just. What I appreciate about our friendship is I feel like we learn a lot from each other because we just grew up very differently in very different contexts. We appreciate a lot of very vastly different things. But then we have enough overlap, which I think is what brings us together. And I just still remember, like, twirling in my chair listening to the Bebe Rexha album. And I was like, well, have you listened to it yet as you're, like, over there, click clacking away and writing your 18th white paper of the day.

15:27 Yeah.

15:27 And I had just come from the self care room where I took a nap. I was trying to learn all the lyrics to the new Bebe Rexha album. And then I just kind of sat and stared at the wall for maybe like 20 minutes. And you were just like, no, I have not heard Bibi Rexa. I do not know who she is. And I was like, all right, well, I think I'm gonna go read by the pool. So do you wanna come?

15:49 Oh, my God, I was so pissed off at you.

15:54 So I think. But then I think what I was able to teach you in those moments is like, yes, work is work. Do good work because it is important to do good work. But, like, it's also okay to just, like, have a little fun and giggle a little bit. And if you need a nap, go take a nap.

16:12 Go take a nap, man.

16:13 Yeah, take a nap.

16:15 Because the man is not gonna let you, like, go send you on a nap. No, take your own nap.

16:20 You have to be your own advocate. And if you need a nap, by God, take a nap.

16:25 Thank you so much for that lesson. I have learned immensely from you. And I have then in turn taught other people about how to do less work.

16:37 Yeah.

16:37 And like, work smarter, not harder.

16:40 Exactly, exactly. Because it's like an eight. Like an eight to five or nine to five. Like, that's a lot of time to be, like, fully focused in. And, like, I feel like if you can get, like, two really focused hours out of your eight, that's pretty good.

16:56 Absolutely. I love that for you.

16:58 Yeah. Because it's really high quality work for those two hours.

17:01 Yes. No, it is.

17:03 But then the other six is daydreaming. Daydreaming, I think, is very important to just work general. We all need to daydream.

17:10 We do. Yeah, we do.

17:11 Daydream by Mariah Carey. One of my favorite albums.

17:13 Oh, wow. Yes. Thank you.

17:17 Come on. Whistle note.

17:18 I got that from you. I got that from you. Okay, let's see. Tell me about someone who has had a big influence in your life or someone who stands out as being, like, one of the most kindest in your life.

17:34 Oh, I would say my biggest influence was is honestly, Francine Taylor. I just love that woman so much.

17:47 Who is.

17:47 Oh, so Francine Taylor. When I was a teacher, she was my principal, and she was like, the new principal coming in. It was a new school for me. The old principal hired me, and I really liked the old principal. But. And then, so when Francine came in, I was like, well, oh, I don't know this person. And she's like six foot, wears heels all the time. And, like, she would, like, walk down the hallway and you would hear her click, clacking down the hallway with power, gusto and emission. And, like, I was terrified of her for, like, the first, like, six months because, like, she just is such a, like, force to be reckoned with. And when she has her mind set on something, like, nothing will get in her way. Of, like, getting that done. But she also is very good about bringing the right people on board to get the mission done. And I felt like she was the first person in my professional career that, like, saw something special in me. And I think had it not been for her, I don't know where my career would be right now. Because I think she was very instrumental in, like, pushing me outside of comfort zones. Like, I was one of, like, the teacher liaisons with some of these, like, teacher trainings that she was going through. She would, like, bring me into, like, data meetings. And, like, she just really had a very special way of crafting, helping me understand, like, the joy and the craft of teaching. Like, it's not just, like, giggling with kids, like, they gotta learn, too, but there's a way to learn and have fun. And I think that she's the one that taught me how to do that, because my first two years of teaching, I felt like it was more about, like, the data and the content. And then I felt like my second, my third and fourth year with Francine, she, like, gave me permission to, like, enjoy and love and, like, wow, it's a. Great. Teaching is so hard, but it is, like, such a rewarding job when you can enjoy it with your kids, you know?

19:44 Yeah.

19:44 And, yeah, she just. She saw something in me. And still to this day, I mean, we get together, like, once a month, once every two months, and, like, she sets me straight. She's like, Folkenroth I'm gonna need you to blah, blah, blah, blah, blah, and the next time we check in, da, da, da, da, da. And I'm like, yes, ma'am.

20:01 Yes, ma'am.

20:02 Yes, ma'am. Yes, Francine.

20:04 I love that.

20:05 Yeah. So I think that she has had probably the biggest impact on, like, my professional life.

20:10 Wow. That's fantastic.

20:12 Yeah.

20:13 Yeah. And I would say you were probably. I mean, you were never my teacher, but I would have wanted you to be my teacher. FYI, I think my entire relationship to history would have been changed if you had been my teacher.

20:26 I really appreciate you saying that. And I do love when, like, I have, like, former students who will be like, mister, like, you being in your class, like, it made me actually, like, enjoy history.

20:37 Yeah.

20:38 Because, like, again, with the love and guidance of Francine, giving me the permission to just, like, explore the, like, joy of it all, you know, I would be able to, like, have more fun and make connections to, like, pop culture and, like, you know, bring elements of myself into history instead of having to be, like, this sterilized teacher. That's like, yeah, the war of 1812. Da da da. So I was able then, like, I would have. I love Britney Spears, right? And so I would have these things called Britney Day where each unit, it would be a different, like, Britney themed, like, lesson. Right? And so, like, for example, the War of 1812, no one can really tell you about that, but I bet all my students could because we did Britney Day on that day. It's the second time we fought the British. Oops I Did it Again. Oops I Did it Again was our like, deep dive pop culture connection. So it's like we're learning all about the impressment of us sailors. And we're also like watching clips from Oops I Did it Again and like breaking down the lyrics and how it relates to history.

21:43 Wow. And this is also like, who I know you to be as a person. There's like so much stuff going on, like Britney, Mariah, B.B. rexa, Charlie, XCX and then like World War II, you know?

21:58 Oh, I love history so much.

22:00 I think you do.

22:01 It's.

22:02 It's incredible. It's incredible. I love that.

22:04 Yeah. I actually just finished like a 20 episode series of like the American Civil War. And it was like a historian just talking.

22:13 It's like my worst nightmare.

22:15 I tried to get some of my friends to listen to it who like history. And they were like, no, this is so dry. Because he's just like. And then Stonewall Jackson and I was hanging on his every word, like, okay, I loved it.

22:29 All right. I love that for you. I love that for you. Okay. How has your life been different than what you imagined when you were younger?

22:41 All right, so I think for me, growing up in a very, like, just conservative small farm town where it was like, everyone dates their high school sweetheart, they get married, they have kids, they buy a house, they are an accountant, and then they die. Like, that kind of is like the zhuzh of like where I grew up, right? So in my head, like, that was kind of the thing. Like, I was gonna go to college, I was gonna be a dentist. Because, like, I was gonna be a dentist. Yeah. My high school job in the summer I worked at like, Rita's. But my high school job also, I worked at a dental or an orthodontist office. And I would do the fittings for retainers and like, help do the brackets and shit and stuff. So, like, yeah, I was going to be a dentist. And so I went to the University of Pittsburgh because they had one of the best dental programs, right? And then I Was like, I had my first, like, little, like, patient at, like, the clinic. And, like, I guess I didn't realize, like, not everyone had as, like, great oral hygiene as, like, me and my friends. And I was like, oh, I don't know that this is for me. Like, oh, yikes. So, like, that was all happening. Like, this clear path I had towards dentistry was also in conjunction with this. I thought I was gonna, like, be with a woman. Right. So, like, clearly, that was not the path that the universe set out for me. And, you know, I tried dating girls, and I tried, like, the girl thing, and it just, like, it was not my thing. So it was like, at the same time, I felt like my career dream was shattering. This, like, dream of marrying a woman and having kids and having a white picket fence was shattering. And it was February 2009, and Britney Spears in 2008 had just come out with her, like, Circus album. And on it, she has a song called Circus, and she talks about being the ringleader, kind of taking ownership and control. Like, you know, I call the shots. Like, so that song came out, and I just, like, really, like, resonated. I've always been a Britney fan, but that song just, like, resonated with in a different way. Because in February 2009, that's when I came out to my family. The guy that I was dating at Pitt at the time, like, him and I had broken up, and I think we dated maybe, like, three weeks, but it was, like, the first guy I'd ever been with. So I was like, this is the love of my life.

25:03 Right, Right.

25:04 I still remember he was like, hey, like, let's get lunch on Upper Campus. And I lived on Lower Campus, so I had to walk up this huge hill to get to him just for him to break up with me.

25:15 Okay, that's mean.

25:16 It was so mean. I was so tired and sweaty, so I didn't look cute when he broke up with me.

25:20 That's when you send him a picture later.

25:22 Yeah, Right.

25:22 Like, this is what you've lost.

25:23 Look at me now. Right? So, like, all of that was going on. So career, the life I thought I was gonna have was kind of shattered, right?

25:34 Yeah.

25:36 But there's also a song by Mariah Carey called Through the Rain. And in it she just talks about, like, you can have all these trials and tribulations in your life, and you can make it through the rain. Like, you can build yourself back up. You have to find, like, your spirit and who it is you want to be and then, like, build yourself back up step by step. And, like, that was kind of like my rock bottom, where I, like, felt shattered. But also, I think in the shatter is where you can find the beauty to, like, put yourself back together in the mosaic that you create, not the mosaic that someone else is putting on you or that someone that society wants you to be.

26:16 Yeah.

26:16 And so I remember just really leaning into, all right, we're going to just kind of see what's up. And I took a bunch of random courses that next semester saw, like, try to figure out where my, like, passions were. And I remember I had a Latin American. Latin American politics class, and I had never taken a class like that before.

26:36 Yeah.

26:37 And I remember the professor just, like, really challenging all of my beliefs. Like, we talked about, like, Latin American relations in, like, the 60s and 70s, which were just very, like, tumultuous and very, like, us with a big stick kind of.

26:49 Yeah.

26:50 And he just challenged me in a way that I was like, wow, there are two things that can exist. Like, people can believe this narrative, that narrative, and then there's the facts in the middle, and the facts in the middle is what matters. And I remember that that was like, a really big turning point for me, that, okay, I'm not on this dental route anymore, but I can do other things with this, with information and with power and, okay, let me take some Spanish classes. Let me do some more politics classes. More, like, so I just was able then to again put myself into this mosaic, into the person I am today. And. And the reason I keep using mosaic is, like, I. Because you can always keep adding small pieces to it.

27:33 Oh, I love that.

27:35 Yeah.

27:35 Yeah. And that is precisely who you are. Just. I. You always surprise me.

27:41 Yeah.

27:41 Like, there's always new dimensions.

27:43 You never know what's going to come out.

27:45 I love it. But what never changes is, like, the shine that you carry, you know, like, the brightness.

27:53 Oh, thanks, friend. Yeah. Yeah. And I do think that that positive energy and that positive light that has always been, like, a through line in my life. Like, even as a kid, like, I comes back to my grandma, right? She always just taught me to be a good person. And, like, my mom and dad always taught me just to, like, serve others, help others, and bring your energy and your light to every situation. And, you know, obviously, like, there are days that are tough and there are days that are bad, but even in, like, the worst days, if you can just find, like, the gratitude or the gratefulness. And, like, that's something I really learned from you, was just finding small pieces of gratitude. Even in some of your most challenging times, you know? And I still remember feeling like my whole world had collapsed because I had a rocky relationship with my family during that coming out phase. But I had friends that just rallied around me in such a beautiful way that I was like, okay, it's all going to be all right. And if it's not all right, I could go down to the corner store, get some Ben and Jerry's, and I'm going to cry it out for a little bit. I ate so much ice cream that, like, spring semester my freshman year. Yeah, it was like the freshman 35, not the freshman 15.

29:11 Breaking records. Seth Folkenroth

29:13 Won't he do it?

29:16 Oh, my gosh, I love that. Okay, so kind of speaking of that, like, relationship arena came out. Had your first relationship in college, and what lessons have you learned from your relationships? What wisdom would you share, maybe with young Seth or what? Or someone who is new to the dating world?

29:43 New to the dating world. Girl, get out. It sucks.

29:50 You better run.

29:51 Run fast, honey. Oh, God. No. I think the biggest thing that I've learned through multiple relationships is, and I know it sounds, like, so cliche, but RuPaul at the end of every Drag Race episode is, like, if you can't love yourself, how the hell you gonna love somebody else, right? And, like, I think for me, like, you. You have to love yourself and be your best advocate first. And if there's someone that you meet that also matches that energy and can be, like, your secondary cheerleader, that's great, but they should never. In my. What I've learned is I don't want someone to be my primary cheerleader. Like, I want to know that I am a good person, and I am offering all these things up to the world. And, like, I never want to play second fiddle to anyone, and I never want my partner to play second fiddle to me. Like I've recently described it to one of my friends is like, I know that I'm a king, and I want to find another king, because kings have build empires, and I don't want a partnership that's just, like, cool. We're just going to kind of do this thing. No, I want an empire, and I want him to be able to stand up on his own, and I want to be able to stand up on my own. And we both come together with, like, greatness and love and friendship and joy, and, like, we both can. Like, in the words of Tinashe, I want to find someone who matches my freak, but, like, matches my freak in multiple Ways and ways of, like. Yeah. And if I could give advice, I would say be selective and be choosy. Like, go on the dates. Follow your gut. And if your gut says no, like, be clear. Have clear boundaries. That's another thing I learned, is clear boundaries. And clear is kind. Because if you try to people please and you try to do something because you think it makes your partner happy, but it doesn't make you happy, that's never going to work. Make yourself happy. And, like, yes, you need to consider other people's feelings.

32:00 Yeah.

32:01 But if you don't want to do something, it's okay to say no. And, like, if a situation doesn't feel right or doesn't feel like what you want anymore, it's also okay to sit down with that person and have an honest conversation. Because if you just keep leaving, like, the gray area there, then everything just kind of gets, like, hazy and lost and you lose yourself. So don't lose yourself. Know who you are. Love yourself and find someone who's gonna love the authentic and real you and find that king that has his empire. And I'm gonna have my empire. We gonna get together.

32:38 Yes.

32:39 So if there are any kings out there.

32:42 You know where to find them. Dallas, Texas. All right. And then what is Seth, your favorite thing to, like, think about and talk about? Why?

32:56 Oh, my God. So many things. Like, literally so many things. Oh, God.

33:00 Okay, okay, okay. Tell me, like, three.

33:02 Oh, God. Okay. I love obviously talking about, like, all things pop culture. Like, I am just, like, for the.

33:11 Record, everything that I learned about pop culture, I have essentially learned from Seth Folkenroth. I would still be living under the adorable little rock that I had. It was very cute, but thank you.

33:23 Just today I talked to you about Captain Underpants. Yeah.

33:26 Like, I didn't know about that, but, like, I didn't, like, really know anyway.

33:30 Right. Pop culture. Yeah, pop culture. So I would say, like, that is something I just enjoy talking about. And, like, pop culture meaning, like, you know, TV shows and music and. Because I think that you. Life is hard, and I think that pop culture allows us to, like, just enjoy different emotions through different mediums. Right. Like, if I want. If sometimes you just need a good cry. So, like, I know what movie I'm going to put on or what book I'm going to read to, like, give myself a good cry. Other times I just need to have something mind. So, like, Real Housewives gonna be on. Right?

34:04 Like, I did learn about Real Housewives from you.

34:07 I know you love the Jersey Girls.

34:09 I did I do. What do I. What am I talking about? I do.

34:13 Yeah. So pop culture. Love talking about that. I think a new thing for me that I really enjoy talking about is like, cooking and like, recipes. Like, even So I bought 10 pounds of rolled oats at Sam's club because it was on sale.

34:28 Oh my God, you love Sam's club.

34:30 I really do. Maybe that's another thing I like talking about is Sam's Club. And no buying in bulk. Like, nothing makes me happier than buying in bulk.

34:38 Wow.

34:39 Yeah.

34:39 Yeah. Beautiful.

34:40 So I have 10 pounds of rolled oats.

34:41 Okay.

34:42 And I was kind of like, what am I gonna do with all these now? Like, I got home and it was like, wow, that's a lot of oats. So literally last night I was like, online, on YouTube, like, healthy, like, recipes using rolled oats. And I like learned the difference between like steel cut and rolled and. Right. So I think like the science of cooking and the science of food is something like within the past, like four years, I've really like fallen in love with like, when Covid hit and we had to cook for ourselves, I was like, I can't keep eating these bad meals. Like a king needs to eat good food. And unfortunately, I'm the only king in this house right now. So I get to sell me to cook, clean, and do the eating. Wow. And I honestly would say I also just love like talking or like talking about like people's journeys and people's stories. Like, I love hearing from other people about like, their stories and where they come from. And I like just like small talk and like connecting with people, you know, like, you never know what someone is going through. And like the cashier at the store, I'm gonna be like, hey, like, I love your earrings. And just something simple and something small. Cuz I know when someone compliments like my like, haircut or like a T shirt I have, like, I always remember that. Then when I get that T shirt out of the closet, I'm like, oh my gosh. I remember when you know.

36:08 Yeah.

36:08 So I think like, that's another thing I enjoy is talking about is like the. Just the small talk and connecting. But then also that can lead to like these deeper conversations that you have with folks. Like if you know, there are like many friends that I have now that I feel like it started out with a, hey, I like your shoes. And next thing you know, like, we're dancing at the roundup and hanging out and I'm like, hey, that was fun. Like, let's hang out again. You Know.

36:32 Yeah. Yeah. Oh, I love that. Amazing. So when is the last time you surprised yourself and what was it that it surprised you?

36:45 Okay. Something that has surprised me was I do think I'm a very, like, social and outgoing person, but I travel a lot for work and I realized that if I didn't go out with any of my coworkers, I would just, like, sit in the hotel room and like, order doordash. Right. And so I like, realized that I was, like, going to all these cool places and neat cities and not really going out and experiencing anything. And so this is like something like this year I really, like, committed to myself of, like, when I'm traveling, even if my co workers don't want to go out, like, go and do the thing. And I think it surprised me at 1. How difficult, how hard of an uphill that felt at first to like, sit at a table by yourself in a restaurant. Right. Because you think everyone's looking at you and everyone's going to be, like, laughing at you in the corner. And it's like, that's not the truth. That's not the case.

37:36 No one is.

37:36 Yeah.

37:37 Yeah.

37:37 And like, I've been able to have so many new experiences and I've gotten to meet so many new people across the country just because I'll go to the brewery and I'll read a book. And I actually met someone that was going to be in one of my trainings the next day.

37:50 Oh, cool.

37:50 Because she saw the book I was reading. She loved the book, we got to talking and she was like, wait, I teach at that school.

37:56 Oh, my gosh.

37:57 I'm going to be your trainer tomorrow.

37:58 Like, you know, so that's so cool.

38:01 Yeah. So I think that that was, like, something that surprised me is that I was so hesitant to do things on my own. And, like, there's a concert coming up next week. Couldn't find any friends to go with me. So I was like, I'm going to buy the ticket and just go on my own because I know I can go make a friend.

38:18 Yeah, you know, Absolutely.

38:20 Do the thing. Buy the ticket.

38:22 And that's also like. I mean, what I've seen over and over again is just like, the way you, like, open up to life and like, you have friends from all walks of life, I think, because of that, which is so cool.

38:34 Yeah, yeah, yeah.

38:36 Okay, so let's see now. I know your family is entirely, like, relocated from York, Pennsylvania to Dallas, Texas.

38:50 Because they want to be with the baddest in the family.

38:52 That's Right. That's right. You're currently working at, like, an education company, but that's, like, in this area of, like, furniture with an education, which is, like, very specific and different.

39:06 Very niche.

39:07 Very niche. You just came back from a lovely trip to Europe with one of your good friends, and you're just like, you're on a journey in so many ways. What kind of taking all of that in together? What does the future hold for you?

39:25 Ooh, I think for me, the future holds investing. What I've, like, learned is investing in relationships is more important than investing in, like, a company or investing in, like, your career. Like, your career is important. And I love my career. Like, you know, I have a master's degree, my principal certification. Like, I know on paper, like, I'm a baddie. I know I can deliver results because I've been. I've done it. Right. But, like, you leave a school and then two years later, they're back in the same place because, like, you were the catalyst at that school versus empowering other people to be able to do the work right. Like, so, like. So your question, what does the future hold? I think the future for me holds continuing to invest in, like, those relationships and continuing just to invest in, like, the people around me that are good people, that want to do good things in the world. I forget what it was like some conference or something I was at. And I remember this. The speaker said, surround yourself with good people that do good work and want to do good things. And I was like, that's so simple. But that really is just, like, I think a good mantra to kind of, like, live by.

40:48 Yeah.

40:48 And like, I think the future for me just is not focused so much on the career part of things, which is, like, a shift for me. But focus on how you can leave your space better and how you can make an impact on those, like, around you.

41:08 Yeah, absolutely. That's super cool. Yeah, I love that. Like, the credo that you said, that's. I mean, it is simple, makes it easy to remember, but it's just like, yeah, like, that's. That's a good measuring stick. Yeah, it's a really good measuring stick. Okay, last question. How. How do you want to be remembered? Maybe a two parter. Okay, a two parter. If, God forbid, anything were to happen, what would you regret not having done? And why haven't you done it? And then how do you want to be remembered?

41:47 Oh, okay. All right, so let me start with how I want to be remembered. So how I want to be remembered is a Kind, positive, energetic person.

42:03 Done.

42:04 Check done. Right. Like, that's how I want to be remembered. And someone that, like, when they walk into a room, like, there's a lightness and, and energy. And I think some of the best compliments I get, like, from my trainings with people I've never met before is like, we thought we were just gonna sit here and talk about furniture, but like, this was so fun and so engaging and like. And that's just the kind of energy I wanna, like, bring. Like, I wanna leave the world a happier and more fun place because we can get weighted down by so much of the extra. And it's like. But also it is a beautiful life. Like, you have to find the beauty in it sometimes. And sometimes you gotta look real hard, but it's there somewhere. So I want to be remembered. Positive and energetic and kind and something that I would regret.

42:53 All right, all right.

42:54 So something I regret. This is like a really tough question because my whole mantra this past year has been like, book the ticket, do the thing, buy the stuff. So I think I'm in this spirit of just like, well, here's my credit card, swipe it and we're going to just like, have fun and do it.

43:08 Literally. No regrets.

43:09 Yeah, like, no regrets.

43:11 Okay.

43:12 But I think if I. I've always had thoughts about like, writing some type of like, book and not like just the Farm to Fabulous, but like, obviously Farm to Fabulous.

43:26 Okay, okay.

43:26 But like, it's just something like something else. Like, I just, I really enjoy like, reading all that. I don't necessarily enjoy the process of like, writing, actually writing things out, but like, you know, the thing about like, characters and ideas and that kind of stuff. And I think the other thing that I would regret, like, is taking a chance on myself. I have talked a lot about doing some type of like, business on my own and like doing something for me that is fully mine.

43:52 Yeah.

43:52 Because I think it's not that I don't like to work, it's that if I don't like the work, I don't want to do it. Uh huh. Yeah, we know that. We know that. I don't want to pick more strawberries, Grandpa. So here comes our grandma and her Dodge. You know, her white Dodge mini thing. I'm going. Beep beep, Seth, get in. We're gonna go shopping. But yeah, I think that that is something I would regret if I didn't ever just take the chance on myself and my own company. I just need to figure out what exactly that is and what the need in the world is. But that is something that I think I would really enjoy because, again, when I really love something, like, I love it through and through. Yeah.

44:37 Beautiful. Maybe 35 years of age. Bring you all the adventures and all the joy and connection and laughter and.

44:49 And a king.

44:50 And a king. And a business.

44:52 There's a lot. And a book. Oh, my God.

44:55 You have a lot of work to do.

44:56 Yeah. Oh, my God. I got to get. I got to get going.

44:59 Love.