

Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind
Mekanism and Jason Harris
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
Mentioned books

Oct 2, 2023 • 29min
#52: Harmless Harvest CEO Ben Mand | Marketing for Impact
Today on the show, I’m talking with Ben Mand. He’s the CEO of Harmless Harvest, a pioneer in U.S. refrigerated premium coconut water and plant-based dairy products. And if you’ve had Harmless Harvest’s coconut water, you know it’s the best. Since joining the company as CEO in 2018, Ben has expanded the brand beyond coconut water, more than doubled its business, and radically streamlined its supply chain. In today’s episode, you’ll learn: How Ben uses solution-based thinking to help his team run efficientlyHow to build up a brand as a multidimensional persona that meets people where they areThe number one rule when it comes to impact marketing? You’ve got to have a great productBrought to you by Mekanism.

Sep 18, 2023 • 30min
#51: Beia Beauty Founder and CEO Brittany Lo | Magnetic Authenticity
Today on the show, I’m talking with Brittany Lo, Founder and CEO of Beia Beauty, a premium skincare brand that brings skincare and sexual wellness together in a new and luxurious way. Before founding Beia, Brittany’s NYC-based bridal beauty experience was featured in People Magazine, The New York Times, The Knot, BRIDES and more. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
There’s a huge value in surrounding yourself with a great support team of like minded individuals.
Living authentically draws more of the people and opportunities that align with your values and goals.
You can find power in surprising places. Case in point: naivety.
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Sep 11, 2023 • 30min
#50: BBC Correspondent Katty Kay | Rethinking Power
This week, for our 50th episode, we’re doing something a little different. We're joined by the US Special Correspondent for BBC Studios Katty Kay to discuss power and the joy and fulfillment we can all find when we make an impact. Katty is an award-winning journalist and the co-author of several New York Times bestselling books including The Confidence Code, and most recently, The Power Code. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
Women’s instincts have a special kind of power. Katty argues that women's inherent qualities, such as empathy, collaboration, and emotional intelligence, are assets that can revolutionize the way we approach leadership
We should rethink power all together. The pandemic changed the way we think about work and flexibility, challenging the traditional definition of power.
Stay optimistic. A more equitable distribution of power is possible and by fostering a mindset of optimism and possibility, we can create a future where power is a force for good.
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jul 31, 2023 • 28min
#49: Girl Scouts of the USA CMO Jocelyn Johnson | Learn, Earn, Return
This week, I’m joined by Jocelyn Johnson. She’s a proud Girl Scout alum and Lifetime Member and she joined Girl Scouts of the USA as CMO in 2021.Before joining Girl Scouts of the USA, Jocelyn worked at General Electric, where her focus on data-centric marketing strategies helped grow revenue from $50 million to $20 billion.In this episode, you’ll learn:
The importance of being able to make a quick decision when needed, coupled with an ability to pivot just as quickly
The powerful filter that values provide to an organization when it comes to balancing data and instinct
A great mantra to live by courtesy of Jocelyn’s mom and dad: Learn, Earn, Return
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jul 24, 2023 • 29min
#48: Disruptive Innovation | Dan Josebachvili, CEO and Founder of Silvertree
Creating a tech device specifically designed for older adults might seem like a tough sell. But having the right approach and a great spokesperson makes all the difference. This week, I’m speaking with Dan Josebachvili. He’s the Founder and CEO of Silvertree, which makes a safety wearable for older adults. Dan was part of the founding team at Urban Escapes, an adventure-travel company which was eventually acquired by LivingSocial. After that, he spent a few years developing strategic partnerships for ad-tech giant, Epsilon, got a graduate degree, and worked with ZX Ventures, the venture capital arm of Anheuser-Busch, where he led the deal on the acquisition of Cutwater Spirits.In this episode you’ll learn:
The key to marketing a tech device to an often tech-averse demographic
The opportunities for growth within the Boomer Plus generation and how disruptive innovation makes it possible
Don’t settle for what you have. The journey is never over and Dan has a great mantra to help us keep it in mind.
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jul 17, 2023 • 30min
#47: Oishii VP of Brand Marketing Lesia Dallimore | Power in Partnerships
If you live on the East Coast, you may have seen Oishii strawberries for sale at Whole Foods or a smaller specialty food retailer. If not, you’ve definitely seen them online. We did a taste test in the Mekanism office and they were amazing. Today, I’m speaking with Lesia Dallimore, the VP of Brand Marketing at Oishii. A passionate storyteller with a diverse background and extensive expertise in the field of marketing luxury goods, including lululemon, Lunya, and Erewhon. What is it that makes Oishii strawberries so special and how do you communicate that story thru marketing? In this episode, you’ll learn:
The most important aspect of marketing a luxury brand is the same regardless of the product– whether it’s a strawberry or a pair of expensive leggings– and it happens at the intersection of product and experience
Storytelling and brand mission are key when it comes to reaching critical mass
Never underestimate the power of a good partnership. If you want to get your brand on everyone’s minds, you need to create a symbiotic relationship with influencers and other brands.
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jul 10, 2023 • 29min
#46: Finding Your Voice ft. The Parr Method Founder Wendy Parr
Have you ever wondered how Grammy-winning singers get so good at what they do? Most of them have a great teacher helping them along the way. Today I’m speaking with Wendy Parr, acclaimed holistic artist coach and founder of The Parr Method. Wendy has spent more than 20 years helping artists develop their authentic voice with Grammy and Academy Award Winning results. In this episode you’ll learn:
The importance of stepping outside your discipline
Whether data should be a main influence in your creative process
Some methods Wendy uses to help artists discover and cultivate their personal brand
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jun 26, 2023 • 30min
#45: It Gets Better Director of Communications & Public Relations Ross von Metzke | Impact and Authenticity
This week, we’re talking with Ross von Metzke, Director of Communications & Public Relations at It Gets Better. It all started more than a decade ago in 2010, when more than 70,000 people took to social media to share their stories and provide hope and encouragement to young LGBTQ+ people.Today, It Gets Better is a non-profit that reaches millions of young people all over the world through inspiring media programming, educational resources, and more. Ross is a communications and PR specialist with over 12 years experience working in the non-profit and multimedia space. He co-created and ran ITMFA, which raised more than $1 million for Planned Parenthood, ACLU and the International Refugee Assistance Project. We’ll let you look up ITMFA to see what those letters stand for. And Ross has been published in Newsweek, The LA Times, The Advocate, Entertainment Weekly, and even Seventeen magazine.In this episode, you’ll learn:
How a non-profit like It Gets Better measures success, considering some of the recent anti-LGBTQ+ state measures and Pride month backlash
That if allyship was meant to be easy, it wouldn't be so important. If you want to support the queer community, don’t bail at the first sign of controversy.
About some of It Gets Better’s most successful campaigns, plus who they reached and why they worked
Practical advice on how to reach the LGBTQ+ community in an authentic way
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jun 20, 2023 • 40min
#44: Peace Out Skincare Co-founder Junior Pence and SVP of Global Marketing Amanda Knappman | Be an Ally 365 Days a Year
You’ve probably seen Peace Out Skincare at Sephora, it’s hard to miss. And their most well-known product is their pimple patches. Today, I’m talking with Co-founder and CMO Junior Pence and Senior Vice President of Global Marketing Amanda Knapmann about the founding of the brand and their commitment to supporting the LGBTQ+ community. Over the past 20 years, Junior has worked for or with inspiring companies and people across the fashion, eyewear, entertainment and music space. Amanda has a passion for puzzles and people, and has worked with brands like COVERGIRL, Max Factor, and Skinfix.In this episode, you’ll learn:
How vision and process can complement each other to create a truly effective brand voice
You’ll learn how and why you can build a strong community around your brand and leverage customer loyalty to reach new people
And you’ll get a reminder to listen more. Not only just in business, but in all aspects of your life.
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Jun 12, 2023 • 30min
#43: OkCupid Director of Brand Marketing & Communications Michael Kaye | Reaching the LGBTQ+ Community
In celebration of Pride month, we’re taking some time to focus on brands that both address and uplift the LGBTQ+ community. Maybe the most inclusive dating app out there is OkCupid. Michael Kaye is the Director of Brand Marketing & Communications at OkCupid and now Archer, which you’ll learn about today, both under the Match Group umbrella. Michael leads communications, influencer marketing and social media. And since being there, he has secured more press for the brand than any other year since it launched in 2004, and got OkCupid data mentioned in a White House press briefing. Michael is a true dating app success story. And in this episode, you’ll learn:
When marketing to the LGBTQ+ community, there’s no room for a one-size-fits-all approach
How effective storytelling is at the heart of OkCupid’s success
Rather than shying away from taboo or controversial topics, lean in and show your customers that you’re the real deal
Brought to you by Mekanism.


