My name is Wágner dos Santos. I’m an ad agency owner, rock music recording artist, tech innovator, futurist, socio-political activist, podcaster, and once, a New York State prison inmate. I’m that onion you keep peeling and never get to the core. I’ve been called mysterious, stoic, rebellious, and a few other adjectives that I will leave out of here.
My life has been a symphony with movements both dark and light. It began in NYC, where, at seven, I entered the Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and by 17, I was pressing vinyl and starting my own record label. My path wound through the echelons of the music industry, from Imago to TVT Records, and my own enterprise, Beloved Entertainment Group. But life has its crescendos and decrescendos. The latter brought me face to face with the harsh realities of the justice system—a system that incarcerates not just bodies but often spirits and futures.
Behind bars, I learned that justice often plays favorites, and the scales are tipped by wealth and influence. I experienced the deep flaws of a so-called correctional system and vowed—if I ever regained my freedom—to live a life that mattered, to elevate my voice in service to truth and integrity. Since my release from imprisonment over 20 years ago, I've rebuilt my life, navigating the world of marketing and advertising with giants like Omnicom and IPG. Today, my past is a chapter, but it's not my story's end. It has fueled my passion for tackling societal issues with a directness that spares no truth, no matter how uncomfortable.
Available on multiple platforms, Speaking Out With Wágner is a podcast and Substack publication that delves into current socio-political issues, cultural dynamics, and community matters. Hosted by me, the show explores controversial topics and diverse viewpoints often bypassed by mainstream media. Expect candid discussions that are honest, straightforward, and thought-provoking.
You can listen to the podcast here or on your preferred podcast platform. Fans can also catch a live streaming of the show on YouTube and Twitter. Previously recorded episodes can be found here along with supporting articles and comments from the community.
My voice, unbound and unvarnished, tackles controversial topics and different viewpoints that the mainstream is too afraid to touch. It's an extension of a life lived in defiance of expectations, a testament to second chances, and a call to action for those who will listen. Hang on to your seats because it's brutally honest, direct, unbiased, and provocative.
Thank you for joining this community, where the narratives are real, the commentary is raw, and the invitation to engage is open.
Join the dialogue and share your thoughts by following #WagnerSpeaks on your favorite social media destination and leaving a comment here.
