An unabashed guide and rueful confessional, this work explores the troublesome impact of influence in our culture while offering the freedom of intentional living. Jessica Elefante Davis, a former master manipulator, sought to escape traditional expectations by pulling the strings of influence herself. Her journey from bad influence to award-winning corporate strategist revealed a crucial truth about influence—how it can be used and abused. This led her to question whether she was truly avoiding influence or simply wielding it. Now a reformed brand strategist, she shares her misadventures to illuminate a freer way of living, highlighting the forces that shape our choices, from consumer behavior to personal values. In a world inundated with overwhelming influences, understanding the "How-Come" and "How-To" is essential for finding one’s own voice. With her innovative approach to intentional living, she introduces a simple practice to navigate these influences: Spot the Folklore—recognize widely accepted myths; End the cycle of Folktales—challenge the stories we tell ourselves; Embrace the Folk Rebellion—pause to assess influences and make authentic choices. After a transformative realization, Elefante Davis confronts the boxes she and others have been trapped in, offering an unpretentious, ingenious path to liberation from external influences.
