Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind
Soul & Science is an award-winning podcast where marketing’s brightest minds reveal what it takes to build breakthrough brands. Hosted by Jason Harris, each episode explores the balance between brand building (Soul) and business performance (Science). From legacy brands to emerging disruptors, we delve into the insights, culture, and vision behind the most successful brand stories.Soul & Science is a Mekanism podcast produced by Maggie Boles, Ryan Tillotson, and Lily Jablonski. The show is edited by Daniel Ferreira, with theme music by Kyle Merritt.Brought to you by Mekanism.
#103: BetterHelp Chief Growth Officer Sara Brooks | Scaling Empathy
Empathy at scale isn’t easy—but it’s the heart of BetterHelp’s mission.With two decades of marketing leadership at Facebook, The RealReal, and Beyond, Sara Brooks has helped brands grow from startup to IPO and beyond. Now, as Chief Growth Officer at BetterHelp, she’s using data and storytelling to make mental health care more accessible around the world.
In this episode, Sara joins Jason Harris to talk about leading with empathy in a data-driven world, the power of authentic storytelling, and how vulnerability has become one of the most effective...
#102: Redefining Success Through Service | Stinson Parks III, Former Marketing Executive at PepsiCo & Amex
Building a brand takes focus. Building a meaningful career takes range.
From leading global campaigns at L’Oréal, PepsiCo, and American Express to driving purpose-driven change in accessibility, youth empowerment, and the arts, Stinson Parks III has built a career by refusing to be boxed in. After surviving a near-death experience, he redefined what success means—shifting his focus from building brands to building impact.
Today, Stinson is using his marketing mindset to drive change across four pillars: accessibility, youth, community, and the arts. In this episod...
#101: When a Movement Becomes a Brand | Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation
How do you turn civic engagement into a brand people actually want to join?
Kyle Lierman, CEO of Civic Nation and former Obama White House staffer, joins Jason Harris to talk about leading large-scale movements—It’s On Us, When We All Vote, Made to Save—and the organizing principles that make them work.
Kyle shares how his time at the White House shaped his leadership philosophy, why Gen Z is the most pivotal generation for social change, and how cause-driven campaigns can harness creativity and data to mov...
#100: From Viral Content to Retail Scale | Black Rifle Coffee CMO Donny Jensen
How do you build “America’s coffee” without getting lost in politics?
Donny Jensen, CMO of Black Rifle Coffee, joins Jason Harris to share lessons from a career that’s spanned Nike, Red Bull, Beats by Dre, Spartan Race, and now one of America’s fastest-growing coffee companies. Donny explains why brand is the ultimate differentiator, how Black Rifle balances irreverent viral content with disciplined growth marketing, and what it means to stand for veterans and first responders without playing politics.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Below $1B, CMOs must...
#99: Oura CMO Doug Sweeny | Turning Wellness Into a Movement
How do you scale a wellness brand without losing the mission?
Doug Sweeny, CMO of Oura, joins Jason Harris to unpack the playbook behind Oura’s evolution—from a sleep device born in Finland to a holistic health platform used by pro teams, biohackers, and everyday members. Doug shares why the internal reset comes first (“align the company, then tell the world”), how revenue ownership changes the CMO seat, and what it takes to balance brand campaigns with hard-nosed performance.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Revenue responsibi...
#98: What Makes a Brand Worth Betting On | John Lowe, Managing Director at Amok Consumer Growth
How do you recognize a “super concept” before it goes mainstream?
John Lowe, Managing Director at Amok Consumer Growth and former CEO of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, joins Jason Harris to share his playbook for identifying breakout food and beverage brands.
During his 14 years as CEO, John scaled Jeni’s by more than 100x in revenue—while also serving on the boards of White Castle, Watershed Distillery, and more. Today, he’s bringing that experience to founders through Amok Consumer Growth, backing companies like Fox in the Snow and...
#97: Meta CMO & VP of Analytics Alex Schultz | Measuring the Unmeasurable
What you can measure drives growth, but what you can’t often drives breakthroughs.
Alex Schultz, Chief Marketing Officer and VP of Analytics at Meta (and author of the upcoming book Click Here), joins Jason Harris to unpack the soul and science behind decisions that move billions of people: the rebrand from Facebook to Meta, launching Threads to 400M MAU, the retention curve that signaled Ray-Ban Meta glasses were a hit, and why a great creative brief is the beating heart of iconic work.
Key Takeaways:
#96: Hinge CMO and President Jackie Jantos | Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World
In a world obsessed with instant results, Jackie Jantos makes the case for brand building that lasts.
From Coca-Cola to Spotify to Hinge, Jackie has spent two decades shaping brands that endure by focusing on cultural insights, inclusive teams, and work that actually serves audiences. Now, as President and CMO at Hinge—the dating app “designed to be deleted”—she’s proving that long-term growth comes from products that deliver real outcomes.
In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Jackie to explore why usefulness...
#95: Why Clients Don’t Want Collaborators | Michael Palma, Founder of The Palma Group
What do basketball, brand reviews, and $400M in agency wins have in common? Michael Palma.
From being a Parade All-American athlete to coaching under Jim Valvano, Michael Palma pivoted into advertising recruitment—eventually placing more than 1,300 top talents and helping agencies win over $400 million in revenue. Today, as founder of The Palma Group, he manages reviews for global brands like Coca-Cola, Heineken, Peugeot, and Zaxby’s.
In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Michael to unpack what makes partnerships last, how to spot red...
#94: Future-Proofing Your Brand | Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine
Change is inevitable—but the most successful leaders know how to turn it into their greatest advantage.
In this episode, Jason sits down with Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine and author of Build for Tomorrow. From walking away from his first reporting job to pitching national outlets cold, Feifer has built a career on spotting opportunities no one asked him to pursue—and helping others do the same. They unpack how to future-proof your career or brand, the filter he uses to separate hype from lasting change, and why your...
Mini: Cannes Lions Scandal — When AI Crosses the Line
This year’s Cannes Lions Festival — the world’s biggest celebration of creativity — made headlines for all the wrong reasons. Brazilian agency DM9 was stripped of multiple awards — including a Grand Prix — after using AI to fabricate campaign case study results.
Jason Harris breaks down how they pulled it off, why it’s a symptom of a bigger problem in the industry, and what Cannes is doing to prevent it from happening again. From deepfakes to fabricated results, AI is making award scams easier than ever — and the fallout could change the way we measure creative...
#93: AI-Native Storytelling Is Already Here | Jason Zada, Founder of Secret Level
AI isn’t just speeding up production—it’s rewriting the rules of storytelling.
In this episode, Jason sits down with award-winning director and creative pioneer Jason Zada, founder of the AI-native entertainment studio Secret Level. From Elf Yourself to Take This Lollipop to an AI-generated Coca-Cola ad that sparked headlines and backlash, Zada has spent his career pushing the boundaries of how audiences engage with content.
They dive into the power of participatory storytelling, what it means to build with AI from the ground up, and why creative leaders need to think less like t...
Mini: Leading with AI: C-Suite Strategies That Work
If you're in the C-suite, it's no longer enough to delegate AI experimentation to mid-level staff. In this Soul & Science mini, we unpack three smart, actionable ways senior leaders can stay sharp in the age of AI—from reverse mentorship to hands-on sprints to rewarding the AI-forward thinkers in your org.This is your leadership playbook for getting off the sidelines and into the AI sandbox.
✅ Key Takeaways:Reverse mentorship helps leaders learn directly from internal AI experts.Blocking time for AI experimentation keeps the C-suite hands-on and informed.Rewarding innovation signals that AI curi...
#92: When Creative Trust Changes Everything | Kate Torrance, VP of Brand at SickKids & Josh Budd, CCO at Citizen Relations
How do you take a hospital’s 150th birthday and make it feel like a city-wide celebration instead of just a line in a press release?
In this episode, Jason sits down with Kate Torrance, VP and Head of Brand at SickKids, and Josh Budd, Chief Creative Officer at Citizen Relations, to unpack one of the boldest healthcare campaigns in recent memory. They share how SickKids transformed a milestone into a powerful storytelling opportunity through creative risk-taking, clear brand strategy, and a true partnership between client and agency. From crafting 150 stories of im...
Mini: Don't Let DEI D-I-E
As brands across the country scale back or scrap their DEI initiatives, it’s time to ask: what happened to the values they claimed to stand for? In this short solo episode, we examine the wave of corporate rollbacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion—from Target and Amazon to McDonald’s and Coca-Cola—and what these choices say about brand integrity.
We’ll dig into:Why DEI isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a business imperativeThe backlash companies like Target are facing from consumers and investors alikeHow younger, more diverse audiences are demanding more from brandsWhy retreating from DEI can cost you bot...
#91: Build Bold. Invest Early. Stay Human. | Ben Lerer, Founder of Thrillist & MP at Lerer Hippeau
He built Thrillist. He bet on media. Now Ben Lerer is navigating a world obsessed with AI.
In this episode, Jason sits down with Ben Lerer, co-founder of Thrillist, creator of Group Nine Media, and now Managing Partner at Lerer Hippeau. They talk about the shifting tides of media, tech, and early-stage investing. From building one of the first great digital brands to navigating the rise of creators, platforms, and AI, Ben shares hard-earned insights on what it takes to survive—and thrive—through disruption.
Key Takeaways:
Mini: Launching a Product in Uncertain Times
Launching a new product is never easy. But doing it during economic uncertainty? That’s a whole different challenge.
In this mini episode, we explore how today’s shifting landscape—from tariffs to market instability—requires a smarter, more agile approach.Jason shares three core principles that can help entrepreneurs and innovators not just survive, but thrive during turbulent times.
Key Takeaways:Agility beats the grand revealFocus on value without slashing pricesHarness power of community and brand trustBrought to you by Mekanism.
#90: What Marketers Can Learn from StockX (and Its Sneakerhead Hype Machine) | StockX CMO Nicholas Karrat
Not every brand explodes. Some rise slowly, and win big.
In this episode, Jason talks with Nicholas Karrat, CMO of StockX, about the Soul & Science of marketplace models—and what it takes to build brand trust, cultural relevance, and business performance at the same time. A veteran marketer with experience across Fortune 100 companies and DTC startups, Nick has held leadership roles at AT&T, Citibank, Plated, Boll & Branch, and Tommy John. Now at the helm of marketing for StockX, he’s focused on staying true to the brand’s core while expanding its reach.
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Mini: What the Adidas Pet Collection Gets Right (and What It Misses)
🐶 Adidas just launched a China-exclusive pet collection—and it’s more than just cute.
In this Soul & Science mini, Jason unpacks the marketing strategy behind Adidas Originals’ latest capsule: apparel and accessories designed for pets and their owners. Matching outfits? Yes. Global rollout? Not yet.
For marketers, this launch raises big questions:
🧠 Is this a clever test-market move or a missed brand moment?
📍 Why China first—and why not global?
📱 How could influencer strategy have amplified the rollout?
Whether you're building brand love or exploring new categories, there's a lot to learn from...
#89: Building Brands from the Inside Out | Bryant Brennan, Chief Creative Officer at Fi
Creative teams have the most impact when they’re trusted stewards of the brand—not just executors.
In this episode, Fi’s Chief Creative Officer Bryant Brennan joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of in-house creativity, product-first marketing, and building brands with staying power.
From launching Nook at Barnes & Noble to scaling Peloton’s creative team into an award-winning force, Bryant shares how to align teams, collaborate with agencies, and use design to drive results. He also shares how Fi brings those lessons to pet tech—blending emotion, data, and surprising uses of AI.
Mini: The Return of HBO Max
What do you call a streaming service that can’t sit still? Apparently, HBO Max… again.
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks why the HBO brand is once again reclaiming its name, and what this says about brand equity, consumer sentiment, and the fine art of knowing when to walk it back. From Gap to Tropicana to the Twitter-that-shall-not-be-named, some branding detours are better left reversed.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Don’t mess with strong brand equity—especially when it’s called “HBO.”
✅ A reversal doesn’t have to be a failure if you own it...
#88: Why Purpose Still Matters | Bill Oberlander, Founder & Creative Chairman at OBERLAND
Why does doing good still feel risky in the boardroom even when it’s good for business?
In this episode, OBERLAND Founder & Creative Chairman Bill Oberlander joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of purpose-driven marketing and talk about why creativity, commerce, and consciousness can (and should) coexist.
Bill shares his journey from Madison Avenue to launching a values-first agency that's now AdAge’s Purpose-Led Agency of the Year. He opens up about building OBERLAND from scratch, pitching campaigns like ELF’s So Many Dicks, and why he believes hustle, resilience, and un...
#88: Why Purpose Still Matters | Bill Oberlander, Founder & Creative Chairman at OBERLAND
Why does doing good still feel risky in the boardroom even when it’s good for business?
In this episode, OBERLAND Founder & Creative Chairman Bill Oberlander joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of purpose-driven marketing and talk about why creativity, commerce, and consciousness can (and should) coexist.
Bill shares his journey from Madison Avenue to launching a values-first agency that's now AdAge’s Purpose-Led Agency of the Year. He opens up about building OBERLAND from scratch, pitching campaigns like ELF’s So Many Dicks, and why he believes hustle, resilience, and un...
#87: B2B Marketing Shouldn’t Be Boring | Jim Lesser, Chief Brand Officer at ServiceNow
Just because it’s B2B doesn’t mean it has to be boring.
This week on Soul & Science, Jason sits down with Jim Lesser, Chief Brand Officer at ServiceNow, the enterprise platform helping organizations simplify workflows and put AI to work across their business.
Before stepping into the world of B2B tech, Jim led award-winning campaigns as CEO and Executive Creative Director at BBDO San Francisco, including the well-known "Imagine the Possibilities" campaign for Barbie. He shares how creative thinking, operational reinvention, and a people-first approach have shaped his leadership path.
Mini: Why Do Influencers Start Beverage Brands?
From Prime to Chamberlain Coffee, influencers are making serious moves into the beverage aisle.
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason unpacks the rise of creator-led drink brands—and why the beverage industry has become the go-to playground for digital tastemakers. With built-in audiences and high margins, the formula is simple: influence + hydration = $$$.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Beverages are easy to produce and offer premium profit margins.
✅ Built-in audiences become built-in distribution channels.
✅ Drinks match the lifestyle-driven narratives influencers are already selling.
Forget merch drops. The new influencer flex? Something you can sip...
Mini: Leadership in Times of Uncertainty
In a world that feels more chaotic by the day, leading with clarity has never been harder — or more important.
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores how leaders can navigate the “liminal experience” of constant change. From reaffirming values to strengthening team bonds, he breaks down the strategies that help leaders anchor themselves—and their organizations—when everything else is shifting.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Ask the big questions: What do you value, where do you stand, and how can you move ahead?
✅ Focus on fundamentals: core purpose, collaboration, and resilience.
✅ Lead with stability and hope, even w...
The Soul & Science of Culture | Best-Selling Author Dr. Marcus Collins (2024)
From TikTok trends to viral campaigns, brands are constantly trying to tap into culture. But what actually defines culture — and how can brands engage with it in a meaningful way?
This week, we’re re-airing a great conversation from April 2024 with Dr. Marcus Collins — marketing professor, best-selling author, and cultural strategist.
Dr. Collins, author of For the Culture and former Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy, has worked with brands like Apple, Nike, and even Beyoncé. In this episode, he breaks down the deep connection between culture and behavior — and how marketers can better un...
Mini: Literature is Fashion’s Newest Muse
What do J.Crew, Tiffany & Co., and Prada all have in common? They’re falling in love with the written word.
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason explores fashion’s latest unexpected muse: literature. From literary salons to author collaborations, brands are embracing the written word in a digital age—and it's not just for show.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Fashion brands are aligning with literature to appeal to Gen Z’s love of books.
✅ Literary collaborations give brands more depth, substance, and cultural cachet.
✅ In a world of fleeting content, literature offers a timeless coun...
Mini: How Trump's Tariffs Are Reshaping Brand Marketing
What do Trump’s new tariffs have to do with your brand strategy? A lot.
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down how the latest wave of tariffs is creating ripple effects across industries—and what it means for marketers trying to navigate a rapidly shifting economy.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Brands are reallocating budgets toward performance marketing as margins tighten.
✅ Expect a rise in “Made in America” messaging to appeal to patriotic sentiment.
✅ Companies will lean into transparency, explaining price hikes to consumers.
From auto...
#86: AI vs. Human Creativity: Why Brands Still Resist the Future | Fredrik Thomassen, Co-founder & CEO of Superside
Why are brands still hesitant to embrace AI in creative work—even when it delivers faster, cheaper, and often better results?
In this episode, Superside co-founder & CEO Fredrik Thomassen joins Jason Harris to explore the Soul & Science of AI-powered creativity—and why the biggest barrier to AI adoption isn’t the technology, but human resistance to change.
Fredrik shares how Superside is reshaping the creative industry, using AI to optimize workflows, scale production, and help brands break through the noise. He reveals the surpri...
Mini: Why CMOs Get Fired
CMOs have the shortest lifespan of any C-suite executive. Why?
In this Soul & Science mini-episode, Jason breaks down insights from a recent Adweek article, exploring the top reasons CMOs get fired—and how they can avoid the same fate.
Key Takeaways:
✅ Overpromising results is the #1 reason CMOs lose their jobs.
✅ Many fail to earn trust from CEOs, CFOs, and the leadership team.
✅ Only 1 in 3 CEOs & CFOs feel aligned with their CMO.
✅ CMOs need to “market the marketing”—internally proving their va...
#85: The Art of Executive Coaching | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 2)
How do you go from leading an agency to coaching the next generation of leaders?
In Part 2 of our conversation, Rob Schwartz—former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day and now an Executive Coach—talks with Jason about the Soul & Science of Coaching. He shares his philosophy on guiding teams, unlocking creative potential, and moving businesses from transactional back to transformational.
Rob breaks down where and how his GROW coaching framework works best, why deep listening is a leadership superpower, and how simply showing up—whether for a client, a team, or yourself—can make...
#84: From Creative to CEO | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 1)
How do you turn creative vision into leadership success—and inspire a team to grow through disruption?
This week, Jason dives into the Soul & Science of Creative Leadership with Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach and former CEO of TBWA\Chiat\Day. Rob’s journey from copywriter to CEO is a masterclass in creative transformation. Using his philosophy of “Clarify, Simplify, Unify, Amplify,” Rob revitalized TBWA\Chiat\Day New York and led iconic brands like Nissan, Visa, and McDonald's to global success.
Rob shares how his bias towards action and deep listening skills shaped his leadership style, a...
The Science Behind Ads That Truly Connect | Pranav Yadav, Neuro-Insight Founder and Global CEO
What if the secret to creating ads that truly connect isn’t in what people say, but in what their brains reveal?
Pranav Yadav, founder and global CEO of Neuro-Insight, leverages neuromarketing—technology that measures neural signals to track emotional responses—to uncover deeper truths that help brands like TJ Maxx and Anheuser Busch craft ads that stir emotions and hit the perfect pitch.
In this episode, you’ll learn:What neuromarketing is and how it’s revolutionizing the way brands are built.Why the first hour of a focus group doesn’t always predict real...
#83: Innovative Partnership | Dustin Baker & Maya French, Co-founders of HappyPop
This week, Jason explores The Soul & Science of Entrepreneur Partnerships with Dustin Baker and Maya French, co-founders of HappyPop. As the driving forces behind Koia and now HappyPop, Dustin and Maya have redefined what it means to create purposeful products in the competitive beverage industry.Discover how their unique partnership has evolved over a decade, how they turned personal challenges into groundbreaking products, and why community is at the heart of their mission to deliver happiness and wellness to all.What’s Inside:How Dustin and Maya’s entrepreneurial chemistry fuels their success.Lessons from launching Koia, a plan...
#82: Chemistry in Collaboration | Stephen Boehler, Founder at Mercer Island Group
What’s the secret to building lasting and successful partnerships? This week, we dive into the Soul & Science of agency-client relationships with Stephen Boehler, founder of Mercer Island Group and former Procter & Gamble brand manager. Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a family business to leading one of the most respected agency search consultancies. Learn how a serendipitous flight led to the creation of Mercer Island Group, his lessons from turning around the Pringles brand, and why fostering chemistry between teams is vital for innovation and growth.
What’s in this episode?Why short-termism is a grow...
#81: Disrupt and Scale | Erika Badan, CEO at Food52
Let's talk about the Soul & Science of disrupting an industry and scaling a business. This week, Jason sits down with Erika Badan, CEO of Food52, to discuss her journey from early career uncertainty to becoming a leader in the home goods and lifestyle industry.
Erika shares how her time at Barstool Sports taught her to embrace risk, her vision for reimagining Food52’s role in the market, and the importance of building brands that connect authentically with their communities. From navigating investor relationships to cultivating a team capable of disruption, Erika’s insights offer a fresh pers...
General Mills Chief Brand & Disruptive Growth Officer Douglas Martin | What Makes a $50 Million Business Idea
This week, we’re throwing it back to a classic episode that won us not one, but two Signal Awards.
Douglas Martin, Chief Brand and Disruptive Growth Officer at General Mills, is a brand growth champion with over 22 years of experience.
In his role at General Mills, Doug has worked on marketing initiatives for Cheerios and Yoplait, and his experience spans across household names in addition to General Mills, with roles at Gap and Walt Disney Studios.
On today’s episode you’ll learn:
How a company that’s not only a household...
Mini: What happened? From Brat Summer to Fascist Fall
There’s just one day left before the election, and Kamala Harris has recently intensified her critique of Donald Trump, calling out his "unstable" and "fascist" tendencies. In this mini episode, Jason talks about why, as a Harris voter, her campaign’s strategic pivot to a tougher tone aimed at swaying independents and energizing her base might not have been the best move.
Brought to you by Mekanism.
Mini: The Future of Influencer Marketing
How is influencer marketing evolving in the creator economy? In today's mini episode, we explore the shift from one-off campaigns to building long-term relationships with micro-creators who drive engagement and authenticity. Plus how we here at Mekanism are leading the way by leveraging creator networks to foster genuine connections, fill content gaps, and optimize strategies for lasting brand success.
Brought to you by Mekanism.
