Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

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 Creative & Marketing Officer at Ruggable, for a conversation about brand transformation, understanding your consumer, and the marketing challenge of taking a business to the next level. After helping build startups like TaskRabbit and leading digital and retail at Nike, Lauren now leads both marketing and product design at Ruggable, bringing creative, innovation, and consumer insights together under one vision. Lauren shares how Ruggable is deepening brand connection by listening to its audience, why creativity should lead business transformation, and how product, design, and marketing can work together to better serve customers. They also discuss Ruggable’s latest product innovations, expanding their reach beyond Instagram, and the role AI should—and shouldn't—play in the creative process. Key Takeaways ✅ Knowing your customer makes you able to serve them ✅ Product, design, and storytelling are all essential to building brand love ✅ Creativity should lead business transformation, not follow it ✅ Brand and performance marketing are strongest when they work together ✅ AI should accelerate execution, not replace human creativity Memorable Moments 💡 “Bringing product and marketing closer is a smart business decision.” 💡 “I don't think there's a more meaningful consumer to serve than moms.” 💡 “It's marketing and creative's responsibility to tell the story of where the brand is going.” 💡 "What got us here is not going to get us there." 💡 "Start with yes." Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 and interview co-hosts Jason and Lindsay Harris about the inspiration behind Soul & Science: Crashing Cannes, how Cannes has evolved beyond an awards show, and what gives them hope about the future of the industry. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 McBride (Founder & CCO at Cutwater) and Bill Oberlander (Co-Founder & Creative Chair at Oberland) about why they started Indie at Large, why more creatives are launching independent agencies, and how building community among indies can help them compete on a global stage. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 sit down with Carlo Cavallone (VP & Head of Global Creative at LEGO Agency) and Nils-Petter Lövgren (Co-Founder & CCO at Chaos x Magic) about what makes client-agency partnerships successful, why fresh perspectives matter, and how independent agencies earn trust. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 (President & CEO at AICP) and Kevin Swanepoel (Co-Founder & CEO at The One Club for Creativity) to discuss why independent agencies punch above their weight, how AI is reshaping creative work, and why agencies that embrace change will be the ones that thrive. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 and Lindsay Harris talk to Kai Devereaux Lawson (co-founder & CEO at Valerie) and Dr. Charlene Thomas (SVP of Marketing at Def Jam Recordings) about the role of culture in modern marketing, how indies are able to move faster and better understand nuance, and what marketers can learn from the music industry about building cultural relevance. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Growth Officer at Noble People) and Matt Weiss (founder at SoulPurpose Advisory) to discuss what independent agencies can do that holding company-owned agencies can’t, why saying "no" is a growth strategy, and why solving problems is more important than selling services. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 how her company uses AI to help brands identify overlooked audiences, how inclusion and representation can help brands grow, and why she took a leap of faith and started her own company. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Shapiro about turning user insights into brand collaborations, how dating apps are adapting to changes in dating habits, and why staying curious is the best way to stay relevant. Brought to you by Mekanism.

“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 Jack Westerkamp and Geno Schellenberger to discuss building a media company from scratch, how they got their live show up and running, and their interest in the people behind the ads. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Brian Bonilla about the biggest stories from Cannes, best practices for approaching journalists, and why a little discomfort is essential to achieving your full potential. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Heidi Arthur about ideas that change behavior, why the messenger is just as important as the message, and how her optimistic outlook has guided her work through global crises and major cultural shifts. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 by Sophie Kelly, SVP of Global Tequila and Mezcal at Diageo, to discuss the ideas that move people to action, the importance of taking risks in marketing, and her biggest takeaways from judging Cannes this year. Brought to you by Mekanism.

Fandoms aren’t target audiences—they’re dynamic cultural communities. In the third installment of “Crashing Cannes,” recorded live from Cannes Lions, Jason and Lindsay Harris talk to Kay Hsu, Head of Global Creative Lab at Spotify, about understanding your audience, building experiences fans actually value, and how following her mom’s advice to “burn the bridge” has kept her constantly moving forward. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Advertising Week Global President Ruth Mortimer about ideas that make an impact, the real value of networking, and the leadership philosophy she brings back from Cannes every year. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 catch up with Adweek Chief Brand and Community Officer Jenny Rooney to discuss the power of community building, the distinction between advertising and marketing, and the “work hard, play hard” ethos that has guided her since college. Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Rewards, about the changing nature of customer loyalty and why today's marketing leaders need to think beyond campaigns and creative. With experience spanning marketing, operations, and merchandising at brands like Zoom and Walmart, Wendy brings a uniquely cross-functional perspective to brand building. Wendy shares how Rakuten navigates the needs of its shoppers as well as its merchant brands, how AI is reshaping everything from product experience to customer discovery, and why the best CMOs think like a general manager. Key Takeaways ✅ Trust is the foundation of a successful marketplace ✅ Emotional connection makes loyalty programs stand out ✅ AI use should prioritize business impact, not usage metrics ✅ AEO is the new SEO ✅ Modern CMOs need to think like GMs Memorable Moments 💡 “Data beats opinions.” 💡 “Marketing isn't just about creative and media anymore.” 💡 ​​“Every interaction is a moment of re-qualifying loyalty.” 💡 “It’s not about keywords anymore; it’s about prompts.” 💡 “Trust is the number one thing brands need with customers.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 with White Castle CMO Jamie Richardson, Tripadvisor Head of Media Kristin Tormey, and Lands' End CMO Sarah Sylvester for a conversation about modernizing legacy brands without losing what you stand for. The panelists share how White Castle, Tripadvisor, and Lands’ End balance heritage with innovation, why authenticity matters more than ever, and how marketers can connect with younger generations without alienating loyal customers. They discuss the tension between performance marketing and brand building, the role of AI and emerging technologies in their work, and the importance of evolving without losing sight of who they are Key Takeaways ✅ Heritage is an asset when paired with innovation ✅ Just because it’s trending doesn’t mean it has sticking power ✅ Don’t be afraid to make mistakes ✅ Building community and connection within teams is essential ✅ Great marketing starts with listening to consumers Memorable Moments 💡 “People want experiences” 💡 “Keep it real, keep it relevant, and keep it resonant.” 💡 “The more honest brands are, the more trust there will be.” 💡 “If you always got it right, you’d never learn.” 💡 “There’s a great big world outside of your brand—get out there.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 fastest-growing fintech brands maintains a consistent narrative across a wide range of industries and audiences. With a background in consumer insights, agency leadership, and nearly a decade leading marketing at Klarna, David brings a nuanced understanding of consumer psychology and how brands earn attention, trust, and preference. David shares why Klarna has intentionally positioned itself as the alternative to male-coded fintech and credit card companies, how AI has unlocked new opportunities for creative production across dozens of markets, and why he believes hyper-personalization may actually weaken brands over time. They also discuss the importance of building shared brand experiences, the power of simple “zero-calorie ideas,” and why the seemingly minor details that don’t drive efficiency are actually the key to building consumer trust and humanizing your brand. Key Takeaways ✅ Relevancy is more important than personalization ✅ Strong brands are built through shared experiences ✅ AI should expand creative possibilities, not just improve efficiency ✅ Consistent storytelling matters more as organizations scale ✅ The smallest details often have the biggest impact on trust Memorable Moments 💡 “Personalization can only take you so far” 💡 “Super Bowl ads works because we’ve all seen the same thing.” 💡 “Quantity leads to quality.” 💡 “A lot of people don’t actually know what they want.” 💡 “I believe in zero-calorie ideas.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 & Communications at Mastercard, about building a brand that resonates across cultures, markets, and generations. Born and raised in India amid the country’s surge towards consumerism, Rustom has lived and worked across four continents and brings a uniquely international perspective to branding, consumer behavior, and the evolving relationship between creativity and technology. Rustom shares how Mastercard balances global consistency with local relevance across hundreds of markets, the growing importance of regulation and data governance, and why the best brands integrate into local culture instead of simply extracting value from it. They also discuss the future of marketing, why successful marketing will increasingly need to put data at the center of strategy, and why AI and data are most powerful when they’re used to guide thinking—not replace it. Key Takeaways ✅ Global brands succeed when they integrate into local culture ✅ Data should inform decisions, not dictate them ✅ AI adds real value in data analysis, not automation ✅ Consistency builds trust, but relevance drives connection Memorable Moments 💡 “To gain something new, you have to give up something old.” 💡 “People are more similar than they are different.” 💡 “Use data for illumination, not support.” 💡 “If you’re comfortable, you’re stagnating.” 💡 “A global brand needs to be seen as a contributor, not an extractor.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 challenges of marketplace marketing and why trust can’t just be built through brand—it has to be built into the platform itself. From Expedia to eBay, Llibert has spent his career building businesses that connect people through technology and studying both the supply and demand sides of the marketplace. Llibert shares how Thumbtack approaches marketing as a profit center tied directly to business growth, the challenge of scaling hyperlocal trust between homeowners and maintenance professionals to a national market, and how AI is improving the platform’s matching engine. They also discuss why differentiating “brand” and “performance” marketing is counterproductive, the critical role of data in successful outcomes, and why the strongest marketplace brands are built through consistent customer experience. Key Takeaways ✅ Build trust into the product—not just the brand ✅ Successful marketplace marketing considers both supply and demand ✅ Brand and performance marketing are intertwined ✅ CMOs must be able to speak the same language as CEOs & CFOs ✅ Hyperlocal marketplaces require hyperlocal thinking at scale Memorable Moments 💡 “Marketing is not a cost center, it’s a profit center.” 💡 “The brand is the product, and the product is the brand.” 💡 “Awareness is not a business metric.” 💡 “Every ad must both build the brand and drive performance.” 💡 “There’s no manual that comes with buying a home.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 discuss B2B marketing and how AI is fundamentally changing the way brands communicate with consumers. From a 10-year stint at Adobe to navigating AI adoption at Box and now Twillo, Chris brings a deep understanding of how technology transforms both marketing strategy and customer behavior. Chris shares how Twilio is rethinking marketing from the inside out, from creating dedicated AI innovation roles to rebuilding workflows around speed, experimentation, and parallel collaboration. He explains how AI is changing discovery as consumers shift from search engines to AI agents—and why marketers now need to optimize for both humans and machines. They also discuss the increasing importance of brand awareness, the evolving roles of specialists and generalists, and why less is more in a market oversaturated with AI-generated content. Key Takeaways ✅ AI is both tool and a means of discovery ✅ Generalists work faster, but specialists are the gut-check ✅ Brands awareness is critical in an AI-driven world ✅ Adapting to AI means rethinking entire workflows ✅ The future of marketing is knowing how to say less Memorable Moments 💡 “B2B doesn’t have to suck.” 💡 “Everyone wants to feel like they’re building something.” 💡 “Content used to be the bottleneck; now it’s ubiquitous.” 💡 “How do you convince AI agents to recommend your brand to humans?” 💡 “The best teams are the ones brave enough to say less.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Crayola, to discuss how she helped evolve one of the world’s most recognizable brands into a multi-platform growth engine. Drawing on her experience in both marketing and finance, Victoria’s approach ties brand strategy directly to business results. In their conversation, Victoria shares how redefining Crayola as a “creativity brand” unlocked new revenue streams, from in-person attractions to entertainment and digital platforms. She explains why the most effective brands know what they stand for: they’re built on clear, simple ideas that extend beyond a single product. They also discuss the realities of modern marketing, from navigating ambiguity and complexity to managing large teams that can execute with both creativity and discipline. Key Takeaways ✅ Knowing what your brand stands for can unlock growth ✅ Successful ideas need time, iteration, and refinement ✅ Simplicity makes it easier to understand and execute the vision ✅ Focusing on what matters most increases your chances of success ✅ Innovation isn’t just products; it’s how the business evolves Memorable Moments 💡 “Don’t get distracted by shiny objects.” 💡 “What difference do you make in their life?” 💡 “There’s no business you’ll ever be in where you don’t fail.” 💡 “Most successful businesses take a little bit of nurturing.” 💡 “You have to be comfortable living with ambiguity.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 director and producer behind André Is an Idiot: a documentary that follows their friend André Ricciardi as he faces stage four colon cancer with a sense of humor. What began as an outrageous pitch from André—that if he was going to die, they should film it—became a three-and-a-half-year journey documenting the final years of his life through laughter, tears, and honest, irreverent storytelling. Tony and Lee share how the film came together, the challenge of balancing comedy and grief, and why staying true to André’s voice meant refusing to make the “sad cancer film” the world expected. They also look back on the film’s whirlwind path to success, from getting picked up by A24 to winning the Audience Award at Sundance and finally securing distribution, and how it has evolved into something more than just a documentary: it’s sparking conversations, encouraging people to get screened for cancer, and ultimately saving lives. Key Takeaways ✅ Humor can help us face the hardest truths ✅ Being invited in is an honor and a responsibility ✅ Sharing your story can make a difference ✅ Always stay true to your voice ✅ Great stories start with real relationships Memorable Moments 💡 “To be invited into those last years of his life was a huge honor.” 💡 “André’s like, ‘I’ve got stage four cancer, let’s make a comedy." 💡 “The bigger goal the whole time was to save lives.” 💡 “It was one of the best times of my life, as horrible as that sounds.” 💡 “Laughter was the best medicine—not just for André, but for all of us” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Duggal, SVP and CMO of Major League Soccer, to discuss what it takes to grow a league when your competition isn’t just other sports—it’s everything people do for fun. With a background in consulting, fintech, and pharma, Radhika brings an outsider’s perspective to MLS, using data to understand how to turn first-time viewers into diehard fans. They discuss how mapping the full fan journey reveals that consumers stay in the “awareness and consideration” phase much longer than you might expect, and why the most important step for growth is understanding what your consumer is looking for. Radhika also shares why focus is her most important leadership tool, what it means to market a product that’s shared across clubs and platforms, and how she’s preparing MLS for a once-in-a-generation opportunity as the World Cup heads to the U.S. Key Takeaways ✅ Moments don’t build fandom—habits do ✅ Understand what the consumer is looking for ✅ Fewer, bigger bets drive stronger results ✅ Always take time to say “thank you”✅ Big events need a long-term plan Memorable Moments 💡 “It takes time to build interest and passion.” 💡 “Confidence will make you successful.” 💡 “Pick three things and make the outcomes as big as possible.” 💡 “Our job is to turn World Cup fever into MLS fever.” 💡 “Keep the main thing the main thing.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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-time Grammy Award winning musician, philanthropist, and entrepreneur, for a conversation about identity, creativity, and his upcoming album, Brightside. Born into one music’s most iconic legacies, Ziggy shares how he’s found his own voice by learning from his parents, being authentic to himself, and always searching for more. In their conversation, Ziggy tells Jason about his lifelong search for music that “speaks to angels” and how the recording frequency of his new album (432 Hz instead of 440 Hz) changes how people hear it — and how it makes them feel. He also explains why he sees love as a powerful armor that protects and grounds everything he does, from writing songs to putting them out into the world. For him, marketing his music isn’t about selling something: It’s about creating something honest and trusting that people will feel the vibe. ✅ Stay true to what you feel ✅ Sound and frequency can shape emotion ✅ Love as both guide and protection ✅ Make something real, not something to sell ✅ Creativity has the power to heal 💡 “We’re trying to heal people through sound.” 💡 “Love is a very powerful armor.” 💡 “The whole planet needs a change of frequency.” 💡 “I need to find this music that speaks to angels.” 💡 “Love is my religion.” Key TakeawaysMemorable MomentsBrought to you by Mekanism.

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 Slate Auto, to explore how bold creativity and disciplined measurement come together to build something truly different. From his beginning as a self-taught graphic designer, to helping companies like Great Big Story and launching an EV brand, Ben shares how he’s learned to trust his instinct but not lose sight of his results. In their conversation, Ben breaks down how Slate Auto carved out its own space in a crowded automotive market with a radically simple, customizable vehicle and an unconventional launch. He also explains why building the right team is the foundation of great marketing, how brands can scale without losing their edge, and why the best marketers operate on “gut with guardrails”—taking risks, then measuring everything that follows. ✅ Why great marketing starts with people, not just ideas ✅ Do things that make you uncomfortable ✅ The smartest marketers engineer buzz instead of hoping for it ✅ Why brand and performance marketing must work hand in hand ✅ How simplicity can become a powerful competitive advantage 💡 “You’ve gotta try some stuff that’s pure gut, but if you don’t learn from it…afterwards, then it wasn’t worth it.” 💡 “Before you make a single creative decision, nothing matters more than the people.” 💡 “The internet loves to solve a mystery, and they figured it out. They figured out that that weird everyday changing vehicle on the curb was slate.” 💡 “How do we break every rule? How do we do something that any other auto brand would say…That's unacceptable.” Brought to you by Mekanism. Key TakeawaysMemorable Moments

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 Chicken, to discuss the discipline behind breakthrough marketing. Known for shaping the iconic digital voice of Wendy’s and leading brand turnarounds at Papa John’s and Potbelly, Brandon shares how he blends creativity with rigorous analysis to drive real business results. In their conversation, Brandon shares how Dave’s Hot Chicken built a cult following by letting its fans define the brand — not by chasing trends. He also explains why value is just as important as brand in today’s quick-service restaurant industry, why research and experimentation are key to developing campaigns that actually work, and why the best CMOs are the ones that do their homework. ✅ Why the best marketing ideas are built on research ✅ How viral moments should support long-term growth, not replace it ✅ Balancing marketing and brand identity with real value ✅ How customers can shape a brand from the outside in ✅ Why CMOs should treat marketing like a scientific experiment 💡 “If it was just doing the TikTok dance, everyone would do the TikTok dance.” 💡 “I believe in finding a decade of growth in a brand.” 💡 “You don’t say you’re funny — you tell a joke.” 💡 “The big ideas come out of the blocking and tackling.” 💡 “Do your homework.” Brought to you by Mekanism. Key TakeawaysMemorable Moments

What does reinvention look like when you invented the industry standard? This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris welcomes Brenda Tsai, Chief Marketing Officer at Bloomberg, for a conversation about leading a brand that has helped define modern financial markets. Brenda shares how her background in finance, global operations, and brand leadership shapes her approach to marketing at Bloomberg. They discuss the role of the modern CMO and how it has evolved over the years, from brand stewardship in the early aughts to metrics obsession in the 2010s to AI strategy today. Brenda explains why legacy alone is never enough, how to establish credibility with CEOs and boards, and why category leaders must continuously redefine the markets they created. The conversation also touches on AI adoption in high-trust industries and the delicate balance between modernizing at pace and ensuring responsible governance. ✅ Why legacy brands must evolve or risk becoming irrelevant✅ How modern CMOs connect brand investment to enterprise value✅ Transforming marketing into a commercial growth driver✅ Why AI literacy and business judgment go hand in hand✅ How to position marketing as a strategic partner with CEOs 💡 “Legacy can be an advantage, but only if you evolve.” 💡 “Marketing becomes exponential when brand, demand, and data operate in harmony.”💡 “You’re not evaluated on awareness anymore. You’re evaluated on growth.”💡 “Be brave enough to reinvent before the market forces you to.”💡 “Marketing’s impact should be enterprise-level, not campaign-level.” Key TakeawaysMemorable MomentsBrought to you by Mekanism.

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 Harris is joined by Andrew Rebhun, Chief Experience Officer at CAVA, to explore how a rapidly growing brand maintains its commitment to "spirited generosity.” From his early days at Ford and McDonald’s to navigating CAVA’s impressive growth, Andrew has learned that the most effective marketing strategies prioritize human connection over transactional frequency. They explore the philosophy behind Mediterranean hospitality, how CAVA cultivates customer relationships with a “Love Button,” and why you should always take the toughest assignments. Plus, Andrew breaks down how to build a loyalty program that turns casual customers into brand advocates. Key Takeaways ✅ When points get redeemed, brands get remembered. ✅ Why rewarding guest relationships drives more value than chasing frequency metrics. ✅ Using technology enhance human connection, not replace it. ✅ How to expand a brand’s reach without losing the core values that made it special. ✅ Why the biggest P&L impact often comes from your mid-tier customers Memorable Moments 💡 “Reward connection, not just frequency.”💡 “Loyalty is not a growth hack. It’s an extension of how we show up for our guests.” 💡 “Human warmth is non-negotiable 💡 “Bring the weather, set the tone.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 down with Winston Warrior, Amazon Senior Global Marketing Executive, content creator, R&B artist, and “The Dope Professor,” for a conversation about reinvention, influence, and leading with humanity inside one of the biggest companies on the planet. From corporate marketing to academia, music, consulting, and culture, Winston shares how authenticity and empathy have been the throughlines connecting it all. They discuss the tension between humanity and performance, staying people-first in results-driven systems, and earning the trust that allows you to lead on your own terms. Drawing from his time at Amazon and beyond, Winston breaks down how culture, creativity, and accountability intersect when you’re building something meant to last. Key Takeaways ✅ Why empathy can be a competitive advantage, even in big corporate environments ✅ How to evolve your career without abandoning earlier versions of yourself ✅ Why impact matters more than reach when it comes to influence ✅ How delivering results gives you the freedom to lead with values Memorable Moments 💡 “When you put points on the board, it’s hard to tell you you’re too empathetic.” 💡 “I don’t deliberately use connection—it’s just who I am.” 💡 “If you change your mind, you can change your world.” 💡 “Profit matters, but culture and humanity are what make brands win long-term.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 with Stacy Taffet, Chief Growth Officer at The Hershey Company, to talk about what it takes to modernize a over 130-year-old brand portfolio while protecting the meaning people already love.  They also explore how Hershey thinks about snacking moments across candy, salty snacks, and better-for-you options. Plus the role of experimentation when measurement tools don’t capture long-term brand value. And Stacy breaks down a standout example: the Reese’s x Oreo launch, built with a culture-first, fan-powered approach that outperformed traditional playbooks. Key Takeaways ✅ Why brand stewardship requires restraint, and not constant reinvention ✅ How to design platform-first creative built for modern attention ✅ Using cross-functional operating models to turn insight into growth ✅ When to trust the data, and when to invest beyond what’s easy to measure ✅ Balancing nostalgia and innovation without diluting legacy brands Memorable Moments 💡 “Restraint is harder than reinvention.” 💡 “In a world of sensory overload, people want something they can trust every time.” 💡 “We shifted from reach-first to resonance-first.” 💡 “Business is a matter of human service.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 Boehler, founders of Mercer Island Group and authors of It’s Not About You: Winning New Business in a Crowded Agency World, to unpack why most agencies lose new business before they even walk into the room—and what the winners do differently. Key Takeaways:✅ Most clients can’t name agencies—your agency brand has to earn recognition✅ Strategy (not creative alone) is the biggest predictor of winning the business✅ “Prospect-friendly” means leading with the client’s business, not your credentials✅ Great Q&A is preparation (and skipping the gimmicks) Memorable Moments:💡 “Clients can’t name any agencies 95% of the time.”💡 “Your agency acting like a brand is critically important.”💡 “Creative without strategy turns everything into subjective opinions.”💡 “Chemistry can disqualify you if it’s bad.”💡 “It’s not ‘which one’—it’s the why.” Order a copy their book, It’s Not About You: Winning New Business in a Crowded Agency World on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-You-Business/dp/1965629075 Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 explore how modern parenting is reshaping brand expectations—and what it takes to connect with one of the most values-driven and overwhelmed consumer groups today. Sarah shares how her career has been guided by purpose, and how that belief is now shaping Carter’s approach to storytelling, value, and trust. Together, they unpack the cultural shifts defining millennial and Gen Z parents—from slowing down and letting kids be kids, to demanding authenticity, affordability, and emotional connection from the brands they invite into their families’ lives. Key Takeaways:✅ Purpose creates stronger, more resilient brand connections✅ Modern parents value trust, authenticity, and emotional resonance✅ Slowing down can be a powerful cultural differentiator✅ Not every marketing investment should be measured the same way Memorable Moments:💡 “Purpose can fuel performance.”💡 “Trust is the most important value when you’re building a relationship with a child.”💡 “Let kids be kids.”💡 “Beware the lollipop of mediocrity—lick it once and you’ll suck forever.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 explore what it takes to build a resilient marketing career in an AI-shaped world. Drawing from more than two decades of experience across mission-driven companies like Mozilla and Glassdoor, Eric shares how marketers can stay adaptable, creative, and deeply human as the industry evolves. They unpack why data should define problems—but not dictate solutions—how understanding how you think matters more than mastering every new platform, and why character, conviction, and taste are becoming the true differentiators in modern marketing. The conversation also examines how organizing teams around outcomes can unlock speed, clarity, and shared ownership—and what that shift means for developing the next generation of marketers. Key Takeaways: ✅ Data defines problems—but gut shapes solutions ✅ Resilience comes from stretching skills without losing your core strength ✅ Character, taste, and conviction are marketing’s hardest skills ✅ Outcome-driven teams move faster and create clearer ownership Memorable Moments:💡 “We use data to define problems—and our gut to shape solutions.”💡 “The soft skills are becoming the hard skills.”💡 “Curiosity is a choice—and it builds resilience.”💡 “Only boring people are bored.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 with Amber Balcaen, a third-generation race-car driver who made history in 2016 as the first Canadian female to win a NASCAR-sanctioned race in the United States. With a background in dirt racing, Amber became the first in her family to transition to asphalt stock cars and has since made more than 40 starts in the ARCA Menards Series.Together, Jason and Amber explore the parallels between racing and business: the discipline of consistency, the importance of feedback loops, and the mindset required to keep going when results don’t come easily. From cold-calling sponsors to refining her brand story, Amber explains how resilience becomes operational—and why the ability to assess, adapt, and implement is what separates short careers from long ones.Key Takeaways:✅ Performance earns attention, but sponsorship sustains opportunity✅ Resilience works best when it’s treated as a system, not a feeling✅ Strong brands attract partners instead of chasing them✅ Long-term success is built through consistency, feedback, and adaptationMemorable Moments:💡 “If I wanted to be a race car driver, I first had to be a businesswoman.”💡 “Resilience isn’t just emotional. It’s operational.”💡 “Racing and business are so similar: it’s always assess and implement.”💡 “Hold your vision.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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, Jack Westerkamp and Geno Schellenberger, co-founders of Breaking & Entering Media, join Jason to share how they built one of the most energetic and attention-grabbing brands in the industry by combining cultural instinct, social-first thinking, and a healthy disregard for the “traditional” career playbook.They share how a pandemic Zoom interview series turned into a movement: raising their first $50K from friends and family, moving to New York on a leap of faith, bootstrapping their first office, and building momentum through daily content like Whiteboard News, Super Bowl coverage, and agency tours. Jack and Geno also open up about learning to run a media company for the first time—from managing a team, to keeping content fresh, to navigating an industry where algorithms, attention, and expectations shift constantly.Key Takeaways: ✅ Energy is a differentiator—fun and momentum cut through a jaded industry✅ Great content wins when it’s built for the busy professional: fast, social-first, and useful✅ When the fall isn’t far, risk becomes a competitive advantage for young marketers✅ Trust, instinct, and consistency matter more than having a five-year planMemorable Moments:💡 “If someone gives you 60 seconds, you better give them something worth it.”💡 “We didn’t have a master plan—we just believed there was something there.”💡 “It’s not illegal to have energy in advertising.”💡 “Life’s not about finding yourself. It’s about creating yourself.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 week’s guest, Doug Zarkin, Chief Marketing Officer at Take 5, an award-winning brand builder known for transforming legacy companies into modern-day leaders.In this episode, Doug joins Jason to break down his “Thinking Human” approach—the method he’s used to reinvent brands like Victoria’s Secret PINK, Avon, Pearle Vision, and now Take 5. He shares what it really takes to move a brand out of the “friend zone,” build trust through emotional experience, and drive growth without racing to the bottom on price.Doug also opens up about the realities of leading transformation: overcoming fear-based resistance, elevating customer experience at scale, and why marketers must rally both consumers and employees for change to stick.Key Takeaways✅ Treat every customer like they’re the only customer—that’s the root of brand love✅ Brand reinvention succeeds when emotional experience matches business strategy✅ The frontline team is your most powerful marketing channel✅ Small, consistent improvements (“the sum of marginal gains”) outperform big swings✅ Great CMOs lead by casting the right team—not by being the smartest in the roomMemorable Moments💡 “It’s not about putting a brand on the brain—it’s putting a brand on the heart.”💡 “Think of every customer as if they’re the only customer.”💡 “You can’t lead a brand from a PowerPoint. You have to learn the business from the ground up.”💡 “Speed is a cost of entry. Experience is the differentiator.”💡 “If I’m the smartest person in the room, I don’t need to be in the room.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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—the right mindset is a competitive advantage.In this episode, Dr. Bob Rotella, one of the world’s most influential sports psychologists, joins Jason to explore the mental principles that fuel greatness in sports, business, and brand leadership. Bob has coached champions like Rory McIlroy, Nick Price, and Ernie Els—but his teachings apply just as powerfully to CMOs, founders, and teams navigating high-stakes decisions every day.Key Takeaways:✅ Confidence is a leadership skill—and marketers have to choose it daily✅ Process beats outcomes: breakthrough marketing comes from consistent attitude, not periodic wins✅ Optimism fuels resilience in fast-changing markets✅ Exceptional teams maintain belief through uncertainty, noise, and shifting conditionsMemorable Moments:💡 “Fear and doubt kill more dreams than failure.”💡 “How you think about yourself has to match the dream of you—and the dream of your company.”💡 “If you want to be exceptional, you can’t think like the middle.”💡 “Blind faith is seeing success long before anyone else can.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

When you’re up against giants, speed and creativity become your superpowers.Recorded live at Advertising Week New York 2025, this conversation with Drew Panayiotou, CMO at Keurig Dr Pepper, dives into how Dr Pepper’s challenger mindset—and relentless creativity—turned an underdog into a market leader.From transforming Best Buy’s digital future to guiding Pfizer through the pandemic, Drew has built a career on driving growth through agility and purpose. He and Jason explore how to turn legacy brands into modern disruptors, why longevity beats reinvention, and what it really takes to build raving fans in a world that rewards speed over substance.Key Takeaways: ✅ Challenger energy fuels creativity, not chaos ✅ The best campaigns evolve—they don’t reset ✅ Great brands grow by deepening relationships, not widening reach ✅ Progress beats perfection in a world that never slows downMemorable Moments:💡 “The best brands don’t chase new fans—they obsess over their raving ones.”💡 “Marketers get bored faster than consumers ever will.”💡 “Agility isn’t about moving fast—it’s about moving together.”💡 “It’s not funnel thinking anymore. It’s a flywheel.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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, repeatable, and relentlessly consistent.With a background in digital strategy and brand storytelling, Sara Kear, Chief Marketing Officer at Condado Tacos and Tequila, has turned a regional taco spot into a fast-growing national brand built on creativity, consistency, and community.In this episode, Sara joins Jason to talk about balancing creative energy with operational discipline, rebuilding a brand after rapid growth, and how structure can actually unlock innovation. She shares lessons from Condado’s rebrand, the role of “flavor rebellion” in defining identity, and how listening—to both teams and guests—became the company’s most powerful growth strategy.Key Takeaways:✅ Consistency is the foundation of brand trust✅ Creative limits can expand, not restrict, innovation✅ Listening to your audience reveals what data can’t✅ Growth without structure risks brand identityMemorable Moments:💡 “A million small moments make up the feeling of belonging.”💡 “We outgrew our brand before we realized it—so we paused to rebuild.”💡 “Confines create creativity. When you define the sandbox, you can scale.”💡 “Fun brings people in. Trust makes them family.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 tools in brand building. She also shares lessons from campaigns with Lewis Capaldi and college athletes that prove empathy—and humor—can coexist with rigor and scale.Key Takeaways:✅ Empathy and data aren’t opposites—they’re accelerants✅ Authenticity can’t be automated, but it can be scaled✅ Vulnerability builds affinity faster than perfection✅ Destigmatizing mental health starts with honest storytellingMemorable Moments:💡 “When you feel better, everyone in your life feels better as well.”💡 “Vulnerability isn’t a risk—it’s the whole point.”💡 “Don’t let perfect be the enemy of good. Just get started.”💡 “If not us, then who? If not now, then when?”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 episode, he joins Jason Harris to talk about transforming professional skills into personal impact—and why the same tools that move brands can also move people.Key Takeaways:✅ The skills that build brands can also build change✅ Accessibility isn’t charity—it’s innovation and inclusion in action✅ Art and storytelling have the power to heal and connect✅ True success isn’t what you achieve—it’s who you helpMemorable Moments:💡 “I went to the school of Mattel, PepsiCo, and Amex—these were my universities.”💡 “I was literally dead for a month. Now I see my injury as the biggest blessing of my life.”💡 “Change happens one person, one conversation, one community at a time.”💡 “It’s not what you have to do—it’s what you get to do, and who you get to serve.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 move millions without losing their humanity.Key Takeaways:✅ Organizing and branding share the same goal: building trusted relationships at scale✅ Great movements have a sprint mentality—urgency drives innovation and impact✅ Gen Z controls the culture for a 30-year block; win their trust, and you shape the future✅ Build where people want to be, not just where they already areMemorable Moments:💡 “Put your head down, do your job incredibly well for six months, and then you can do anything.”💡 “We’re making one plus one equal five—organizing power plus creative storytelling.”💡 “Gen Z has the power to bring an issue to the forefront in a way no other generation does.”💡 “Our job isn’t to give people medicine—it’s to build the kind of community they want to join.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 know the growth levers themselves—not just manage from the top✅ The sweet spot is a hybrid model: in-house talent plus specialized agency partners✅ Brand is the moat—when ads shut off during COVID, Spartan’s traffic kept coming because of brand strength✅ Plan your own calendar: cultural relevance matters less than staying true to your brand momentsMemorable Moments:💡 “If you don’t know performance and growth, you’re at a massive disadvantage as a CMO.”💡 “We want to be America’s coffee, America’s energy—positive energy, every time you encounter us.”💡 “A great brand gets you the retail meeting. It makes everything easier.”💡 “My dad paid me a dollar an hour to sweep on his job sites—I still work like nothing is owed to me.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 responsibility sharpens marketing judgment and earns a bigger seat at the table✅ Use brand at the top, precision stories in the mid/lower funnel; measure each tier with distinct KPIs✅ Prioritize ruthlessly: global expansion and product velocity require explicit tradeoffs✅ When CAC is upside-down, pause and reset—efficiency first, then scaleMemorable Moments:💡 “I was getting much different answers… we had to reset it and embed it in the company—then you can tell the story externally.”💡 “Fifty percent of new members hear about Oura from a family member, friend, or coworker.”💡 “Give Us the Finger was about longevity and empowerment—and it became some of our highest-engagement social.”💡 “We’re here to do the best work of our lives.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 DOUGH.Key Takeaways:✅ Bet on founders with self-awareness—they’ll build the right team around them✅ Growth pace is determined by organizational bandwidth, not ambition alone✅ Cultural relevance (from Twitter to TikTok) is a marketing lever worth investing in✅ Copycats come fast—brands need a defensible “moat” in product, process, or communityMemorable Moments:💡 “When you’ve got people lining up every day, you know there’s some magic around it.”💡 “Private equity doesn’t make the food taste better—it’s about the founder and the product.”💡 “Jeni’s on a stick was right in front of us. I regret not pounding the table harder.”💡 “It’s not the size of the dog in the fight, it’s the size of the fight in the dog.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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:✅ Retention is the clearest signal of product-market fit—and the metric that decides whether to scale✅ Separate goals from metrics to avoid chasing numbers at the expense of strategy✅ Measure the measurable with rigor to earn credibility for the initiatives you can’t perfectly track✅ AI will transform marketing in three ways: making current work cheaper, unlocking previously uneconomical tactics, and enabling entirely new formatsMemorable Moments:💡 “The decision to change the brand was science. Everything else was art.”💡 “We couldn’t test the Meta rebrand—we had to keep it secret.”💡 “A metric can never perfectly describe a goal.”💡 “Incrementality is everything. If I do something, I want it to make a difference.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 beats flash, how empathy and courage guide her leadership, and why staying patient pays off in brand building.Key Takeaways:✅ Design for outcomes, not vanity metrics—Hinge optimizes for “great dates,” not swipes✅ Big insights upstream fuel creative ideas that can scale globally✅ Credibility-rich programs compound more than week-long activations✅ Empathy and courage work best as operating systems inside the company✅ Long-term brand consistency beats short-term distraction every timeMemorable Moments:💡 “What better way to encourage people to try your product than to be a product that really works?”💡 “I get most excited upstream—at the insight—when it feels unique and true.”💡 “Not every brand needs another stunty activation. Put resources where they’re genuinely useful.”💡 “Empathy and courage mean saying the hard thing, even if you botch it the first time.”Brought to you by Mekanism.

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 flags before they sink a pitch, and why true leaders walk with a “humble swagger.”Key Takeaways:✅ Clients don’t want collaborators—they want leadership that listens✅ There’s no “perfect” agency, only the ideal fit for the moment✅ Good agencies get comfortable; great ones never stop bringing ideas✅ A pitch is won or lost in the first five minutes of emotional connection✅ Agency culture—not case studies—ultimately drives client choiceMemorable Moments:💡 “Clients want leadership that listens. They don’t want collaborators.”💡 “If you’re gonna lose, lose as you. Don’t lose pretending to be someone else.”💡 “There is no perfect agency—only the best possible fit.”💡 “The mortal enemy of good agencies is efficiency. Great ones never stop caring.”Brought to you by Mekanism.