Episodes

  • Mini: Leadership in Times of Uncertainty

    Mini: Leadership in Times of Uncertainty
    Apr 21 2025
    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 when the path ahead isn’t clear.

    Uncertainty isn’t just something to survive — it’s a chance to lead with more purpose, connection, and strength.

    Brought to you by Mekanism.
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    5 mins
  • The Soul & Science of Culture | Best-Selling Author Dr. Marcus Collins (2024)

    The Soul & Science of Culture | Best-Selling Author Dr. Marcus Collins (2024)
    Apr 14 2025
    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 understand both.

    You’ll learn:
    • How culture and marketing intersect to shape successful campaigns
    • The core elements that define culture and how we interact with it
    • How brands can show up with real cultural relevance — not just follow trends
    Brought to you by Mekanism.
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    47 mins
  • Mini: Literature is Fashion’s Newest Muse

    Mini: Literature is Fashion’s Newest Muse
    Mar 31 2025
    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 counterbalance.

    From “BookTok” buzz to billboards with classic quotes, Jason unpacks why the fashion world is rewriting its narrative—and what marketers can learn from it.
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    4 mins
  • Mini: How Trump's Tariffs Are Reshaping Brand Marketing

    Mini: How Trump's Tariffs Are Reshaping Brand Marketing
    Mar 24 2025
    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 autos to electronics, tariffs are impacting more than just supply chains—they’re changing how we connect with customers.
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    5 mins
  • #86: AI vs. Human Creativity: Why Brands Still Resist the Future | Fredrik Thomassen, Co-founder & CEO of Superside

    #86: AI vs. Human Creativity: Why Brands Still Resist the Future | Fredrik Thomassen, Co-founder & CEO of Superside
    Mar 17 2025
    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 surprising ways AI outperforms human-generated creative, why the briefing process is the real bottleneck in marketing, and how companies can rethink their approach to creative strategy before they fall behind.

    What’s Inside:

    ✅ The biggest misconception about AI-generated creative—and why brands still resist it.
    ✅ How AI-powered briefing tools are solving the #1 bottleneck in creative work.
    ✅ The Soul & Science of AI—why the real challenge isn’t tech, but trust.
    ✅ Why brands that fail to integrate AI into their workflow will struggle to compete.

    Memorable Moments:

    💡 "People say AI can’t do strategy or taste—but the data tells a different story."
    💡 "If you don’t get your clients to embrace AI, you’ll be left behind."
    💡 "AI isn’t replacing creatives—it’s freeing them up to make better work."

    Brought to you by Mekanism.
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    32 mins
  • Mini: Why CMOs Get Fired

    Mini: Why CMOs Get Fired
    Mar 10 2025
    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 value.

    With CMO tenure averaging just 40 months, Jason will be focusing on learning how top CMOs gain buy-in, build trust, and prove their impact in upcoming episodes.
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    5 mins
  • #85: The Art of Executive Coaching | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 2)

    #85: The Art of Executive Coaching | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 2)
    Mar 3 2025
    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 all the difference.

    What’s Inside:

    ✅ How Rob’s GROW framework helps leaders set goals, align teams, and drive change.
    ✅ The Soul & Science of Coaching—balancing instinct, psychology, and structure.
    ✅ Why creative leaders need to understand business fundamentals, including finance.
    ✅ How agencies and brands can move from taking orders to shaping bold ideas again.

    Memorable Moments:

    💡 "We’ve gone from transformational to transactional. Show up. Listen. Get to the real goal."
    💡 "Great coaching isn’t about telling people what to do—it’s about helping them realize what’s already inside them."
    💡 "Want to unlock creative potential? Start with values that actually mean something."

    Brought to you by Mekanism.
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    22 mins
  • #84: From Creative to CEO | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 1)

    #84: From Creative to CEO | Rob Schwartz, Executive Coach, on Leading with Vision (Part 1)
    Feb 24 2025
    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, allowing him to innovate in times of disruption and inspire teams to reach their full potential. He also opens up about his transition from CEO to Executive Coach, offering powerful insights on nurturing human potential and coaching the next generation of creative leaders.

    What’s Inside:
    • How Rob’s philosophy of “Clarify, Simplify, Unify, Amplify” reshaped TBWA\Chiat\Day New York.
    • The importance of listening and having a bias toward action in creative leadership.
    • Why understanding the economics of an agency is crucial for moving from CCO to CEO.
    • The lessons he learned guiding teams through industry disruptions and global crises.
    Memorable Moments:
    • "Business is a creative act. Being CEO was the most creative thing I ever did."
    • "Listening isn’t just about hearing words—it’s about understanding culture, trends, and human needs."
    • "Great leaders adapt and grow with the times, just like great brands."
    Brought to you by Mekanism.
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    21 mins
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