[ 00 ] The book — first edition, 2026 · Self-published
Authentic:
An Operating
Manual
A field guide for brand, business, and community leaders to understand and map what it means to be authentic. Self-published, independently funded.
Written & researched by Frankie Margotta
Design & art direction by John Bresciani
Get notified at launch ↓
[ 01 ] Why I wrote this
This is an independently funded passion* project.
Authentic: An Operating Manual is a practical exploration into authenticity. Specifically, what it’s meant historically, what it means today, how it actually works in practice, and how we can map it effectively as brand, business, and community leaders.
Candidly, the “passion” in this passion project grew from a frustration with how much weight we place on authenticity, and how rarely it’s clearly defined or qualified. This work is my attempt to better understand authenticity, make it more concrete, and help others do the same.
[ 01.1 ] Table of contents
Contents
01
Origins
How history has shaped our perceptions of authenticity
02
Evolutions
How and why our relationship with authenticity is changing
03
Model
A modern operating model for mapping authenticity
04
Modes
How authenticity shows up and shape-shifts in our lives
05
Application
How to operate with authenticity in a fluid, fast-moving world
[ 02 ] The Tri-Relational Model
Authenticity is a relational construct. That means authenticity depends on who or what’s being claimed as authentic, and who’s evaluating the claim.
The Tri-Relational Model maps authenticity as a relationship across three dimensions, plus the modes that form where they overlap. It’s the framework the whole book builds on, and the tool for tracing and pressure-testing any authenticity claim. Don’t worry about understanding it all right now. Just have fun exploring it.
Mode 00 / Full alignment — Self + Social + World
Coherence within and across all three dimensions. Authenticity in its most ideal form.
Mode 01 / Sovereign — Self + World
Inner coherence with a lived or constructed world, independent of social approval. Validated by fidelity to personal ethos and the world’s internal logic.
Mode 02 / Nomadic — Self + Social
Shared identity carried across contexts, without reliance on a fixed world or place. Validated by consistency of identity and meaning across many settings.
Mode 03 / Performative — Social + World
Credible performance within a rule-bound world, without requiring inner belief. Validated by faithful participation in roles, rituals, and expectations.
Dimension 01 / Self — Internal alignment
Consistency across behavior, expression, and intention. Validated by one’s own values, identity, and motives.
Dimension 02 / Social — Interpersonal alignment
Shared participation in the beliefs and behaviors of a group. Validated by recognition from others in it.
Dimension 03 / World — Contextual alignment
A plausible connection to a lived or constructed world. Validated by fit with its sensibility and logic.
[ 03 ] Inside the book
A look inside.
[ Snaps & spreads — more coming ]
[ Launching soon ]
Final proofs. Final touches. Almost there.
Get notified when it ships ↓