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.
Episodes
181 episodes
#131: Bazooka Brands CMO Dave Dreyer | The Pirate Playbook for Category Disruption
Want to compete with the biggest brands? Stop playing by their rules. This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris sits down with Dave Dreyer, CMO at Bazooka Bran…
#130: Why the Four Ps Still Matter | Amanda Teder, CMO at Generac
How well does your business really understand its customers? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris talks to Amanda Teder, CMO at Generac, about how consume…
#129: Ruggable Chief Creative & Marketing Officer Lauren Sherman | The Art of Brand Transformation
EPISODE DESCRIPTION: How do you turn a great product into a brand people love? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris is joined by Lauren Sherman, Chief Cre…
Crashing Cannes #15: Jason & Lindsay Harris (The Upside Down Interview)
How do you make the trip to Cannes worth it? In the final Crashing Cannes minisode, Indie at Large co-founders Chuck McBride and Bill Oberlander turn the tables…
Crashing Cannes #14: Chuck McBride, Founder & CCO at Cutwater, & Bill Oberlander, Founder & Creative Chair at Oberland
Why is now the moment for independent agencies? In this Crashing Cannes minisode in collaboration with Indie at Large, Jason and Lindsay Harris talk to Chuck Mc…
Crashing Cannes #13: Carlo Cavallone, VP & Head of Global Creative at Our LEGO Agency, & Nils-Petter Lövgren, Co-Founder & CCO at Chaos x Magic
How can a client-agency relationship become a true creative partnership? Live from Cannes Lions in collaboration with Indie at Large, Jason and Lindsay Harris s…
Crashing Cannes #12: Matt Miller, President & CEO at AICP, & Kevin Swanepoel, Co-Founder & CEO at The One Club for Creativity
Why is everyone going indie right now? In this Crashing Cannes minisode in collaboration with Indie at Large, Jason and Lindsay Harris are joined by Matt Miller…
Crashing Cannes #11: Kai Deveraux Lawson, Co-Founder & CEO at Valerie, and Dr. Charlene Thomas, SVP of Marketing at Def Jam
Most brands that think they’re driving culture are really just borrowing from it. In this Crashing Cannes minisode in collaboration with Indie at Large, Jason a…
Crashing Cannes #10: Tom Morrissy, Chief Growth Officer at Noble People, and Matt Weiss, Founder at SoulPurpose Advisory
What gives independent agencies their edge? In collaboration with Indie at Large at Cannes Lion, Jason and Lindsay Harris sit down with Tom Morrissy (Chief Grow…
Crashing Cannes #9: Asha Shivaji, CEO & Co-Founder at SeeMe Index
Who isn't your brand reaching? In this minisode from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris are joined by SeeMe Index CEO and co-founder Asha Shivaji to discuss…
Crashing Cannes #8: Vicki Shapiro, Head of Media at Match Group
The smallest consumer insight can lead to a breakthrough campaign. Live from Cannes Lion, Jason and Lindsay Harris speak with Match Group Head of Media Vicki Sh…
Crashing Cannes #7: Jack Westerkamp & Geno Schellenberger, Founders at Breaking & Entering
“Overnight success” is usually years in the making. In this minisode live from Cannes Lion, Jason and Lindsay Harris are joined by Breaking & Entering founders…
Crashing Cannes #6: Brian Bonilla, Senior Reporter at Ad Age
Want a reporter’s attention? Don’t start with a pitch—start with a conversation. Live from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris talk to Ad Age Senior Reporter…
Crashing Cannes #5: Heidi Arthur, Chief Campaign and Program Officer at the Ad Council
Can marketing actually make a difference? In this Crashing Cannes minisode, Jason and Lindsay Harris catch up with Ad Council Chief Campaign and Program Officer…
Crashing Cannes #4: Sophie Kelly, SVP of Global Tequila and Mezcal at Diageo
Great marketing doesn’t just capture your attention—it makes you want to do something. In this minisode from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris are joined b…
Crashing Cannes #3: Kay Hsu, Head of Global Creative Lab at Spotify
Fandoms aren’t target audiences—they’re dynamic cultural communities. In the third installment of “Crashing Cannes,” recorded live from Cannes Lions, Jason and…
Crashing Cannes #2: Ruth Mortimer, Global President at Advertising Week
Cannes isn't just about parties and awards—it’s about the people. In this minisode recorded live from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris chat with Advertisi…
Crashing Cannes #1: Jenny Rooney, Chief Brand & Community Officer at Adweek
Jenny Rooney has been coming to Cannes for 13 years, but she’s never seen it this intense. In this minisode live from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris cat…
#128: The Future of Customer Loyalty | Wendy Bergh, CMO at Rakuten Rewards
How do you build customer loyalty when switching brands is easier than ever? This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris talks to Wendy Bergh, CMO of Rakuten Rewa…
#127: Soul & Science LIVE @ White Castle HQ | Born Again Brands
How does a brand stay relevant for generations? In this special episode of Soul & Science recorded live at White Castle headquarters, Jason Harris sits down wit…
#126: Klarna CMO David Sandstrom | Consistency in the Age of Over-Personalization
Has marketing become too personalized? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris sits down with Klarna CMO David Sandstrom to discuss how one of the world’s fa…
#125: Mastercard EVP and Head of Marketing & Communications Rustom Dastoor | How to Make a Global Brand Feel Local
How does a brand stay culturally relevant across 200 countries? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris talks to Rustom Dastoor, EVP and Head of Marketing &…
#124: Building Trust in Marketplace Marketing | Llibert Argerich, CMO of Thumbtack
How do you make a digital marketplace feel human? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris talks to Llibert Argerich, CMO of Thumbtack, about the unique chall…
#123: Twilio CMO Chris Koehler | Marketing in an AI World
Most marketers see AI as a tool. What if it’s also the audience? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris sits down with Chris Koehler, CMO of Twilio, to disc…
#122: Reimagining an Iconic Brand | Victoria Lozano, C-Suite Marketing Leader & Former CMO at Crayola
What does it take to turn a legacy brand into something bigger? This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Victoria Lozano, former CMO and EVP at…
#121: “André is an Idiot” Director Tony Benna & Producer Lee Einhorn | The Last Laugh
What if your last idea was the one that mattered most? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris sits down with Mekanism alums Tony Benna and Lee Einhorn, the…
#120: Major League Soccer SVP & CMO Radhika Duggal | Turning Casual Viewers Into Lifelong Fans
The World Cup will get Americans talking about soccer. Can MLS keep the conversation going? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris is joined by Radhika Dugg…
#119: Ziggy Marley | Changing the World’s Frequency
What does it mean to create something that people don’t just hear, but feel? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris sits down with Ziggy Marley, the eight-t…
#118: Turning Mystery Into Momentum | Ben Whitla, Head of Brand & Marketing at Slate Auto
Big brand breakthroughs don’t come from playing it safe. This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Ben Whitla, Head of Brand and Marketing at Sla…
#117: Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO Brandon Rhoten | The Science Behind Viral Marketing
Big marketing moments rarely happen by accident. This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Brandon Rhoten, Chief Marketing Officer at Dave’s Hot…
#115: Bloomberg CMO Brenda Tsai | Marketing a Market-Maker
What does reinvention look like when you invented the industry standard? This week on Soul & Science , Jason Harris welcomes Brenda Tsai, Chief Marketing Office…
#115: Andrew Rebhun, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer @ CAVA | Why the Best Brands Lead with Generosity
The hardest part of scaling a brand isn't growing—it's resisting the distractions that pull you away from your core values This week on Soul & Science, Jason Ha…
#114: Amazon Senior Global Marketing Executive Winston Warrior | The Dope Professor’s Playbook for Modern Leadership
In a world obsessed with specialization, Winston Warrior has never been interested in fitting neatly on a resume. This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits…
#113: Hershey’s CGO Stacy Taffet | Modernizing a Timeless Brand Without Losing the Magic
For legacy brands, the hardest work isn’t necessarily making change—it’s choosing what to protect. In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down wit…
#112: Why Agencies Lose Pitches | Robin & Stephen Boehler, Mercer Island Group
Agencies obsess over the pitch. Clients obsess over whether you actually understand the business. In this episode, Jason Harris sits down with Robin and Stephen…
#111: Carter’s CMO Sarah Crockett | How Purpose, Value, and Trust Build Modern Brands
Purpose can fuel performance—but only when brands truly understand who they serve. In this episode, Jason Harris sits down with Carter’s CMO Sarah Crockett to e…
#110: Glassdoor CMO Eric Petitt | Leading With Soul in an AI World
Marketing is being rebuilt by AI—but the most important decisions still can’t be automated. In this episode, Glassdoor CMO Eric Petitt joins Jason Harris to exp…
#109: Building a Brand at 190 MPH | Amber Balcaen, Race Car Driver
Amber Balcaen didn’t just have to prove she could win races. She had to prove she was worth backing. In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down w…
#108: A New Playbook for Standing Out in Advertising | Jack Westerkamp & Geno Schellenberger, Co-Founders of Breaking & Entering Media
Breaking into advertising can be tough—and standing out once you’re in is even tougher. But two young creatives are showing there’s a new path. In this episode,…
#107: Moving Your Brand Out of the Friend Zone | Doug Zarkin, CMO of Take 5
Great brands don’t win by being faster or louder—they win by treating every customer as if they’re the only customer. That philosophy sits at the core of this w…
#106: How Champions Think | Dr. Bob Rotella, World-Renowned Sports Psychologist
Exceptional performers aren’t defined by talent alone—they’re defined by how they think. And in marketing—where uncertainty, pressure, and change are constant—t…
#105: Keurig Dr Pepper CMO Drew Panayiotou | Challenger Energy Fuels Dr Pepper
When you’re up against giants, speed and creativity become your superpowers. Recorded live at Advertising Week New York 2025, this conversation with Drew Panayi…
#104: Building a Brand That Lasts Beyond the Hype | Sara Kear, CMO at Condado Tacos and Tequila
Energy gets attention. Trust builds loyalty. In a world obsessed with virality, longevity still wins. The best brands aren’t just loud—they’re reliable, repeata…
#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 Broo…
#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 purpo…
#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…
#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…
#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…
#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 Cre…
#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…
#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 d…
#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 Valvan…
#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, Edit…
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…
#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…
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, actionabl…
#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…
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 s…
#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 Thrill…
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’…