

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

Apr 29, 2024 • 41min
#70: The Soul & Science of Starting a Movement | Founder of The Complaint Free Movement Will Bowen
In this episode, we look into the Soul & Science of starting a movement. Small actions done consistently can have profound effects on our lives. The real challenge is doing those things every day. Something the majority of us seem to have no issues doing almost everyday is complaining. While complaining about this, that, and whatever comes to mind is easy, the negativity can block your focus, creativity, and productivity. This week, we’re talking with Will Bowen, who’s working on unlocking the secrets of positivity with his complaint-free movement. Will started his career as an advertising executive for Yellowpages, but even back then, he felt a passion for speaking and helping people discover a better way to live. In 2006, Will challenged 250 people to break the destructive habit of complaining by going 21 days in a row without speaking a single complaint. Now, almost 20 years later, he’s still traveling the country as a keynote speaker and working to change the lives and minds of thousands of professionals. His International best-selling book “A Complaint Free World” has sold nearly 4 million copies in 40 countries. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
The damage a complaining habit can do to your productivity and workflow
How to be more aware of your own complaints and negative thinking
What can happens when you step into a more positive mindset, and how to redefine your values with that in mind
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Apr 25, 2024 • 4min
Mini: 5 Laws of New Business
Discover the secrets behind successful client pitches! Explore the five essential laws that can elevate your pitching game. Learn about strategic client selection and the art of project planning. The importance of rehearsing and making a lasting impression is highlighted. Don't forget the role of feedback for continuous improvement. Uncover these strategies to win over clients and take your business to new heights!

Apr 22, 2024 • 47min
#69: The Soul & Science of Mindfulness | Dan Harris, ABC Journalist and Author
It’s easy to get lost in the details of those everyday small inconveniences – what’s for dinner tonight, that looming deadline, whether or not your joke landed in that meeting earlier. It’s also just as easy to switch our brains to autopilot when they get overwhelmed and disappear into social media or TV. And what about that narrator in our heads? The constant critic. The complainer. It really doesn't serve us. But the simple practice of mindfulness might offer a solution. And our guest this week believes that everyone can be at least 10% happier if they work mindfulness into their daily life.Dan Harris spent more than 20 years as a journalist for ABC where he was the co-anchor of Nightline and the weekend editions of Good Morning America. He’s covered wars, natural disasters, and even spent 48 hours in solitary confinement to better understand the criminal justice system. Today, Dan is the best-selling author of the meditation book “10% Happier” and host of the podcast of the same name. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
Not only how but also why you should incorporate a meditation practice into your personal and professional life
To apply the lessons Dan learned during his path towards mindfulness in your own life
How to better manage your own thought habits in order to be happier and healthier
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Apr 18, 2024 • 3min
Mini: Repurposing Your Great Ideas
What do you do with a great idea that your client didn't want? Toss it? Or keep it? In today’s mini episode, we tackle the dilemma of rejected concepts. Discover how to transform these creative casualties into proactive initiatives that not only promote your business but also make a positive impact on the world. Brought to you by Mekanism.

Apr 15, 2024 • 47min
#68: The Soul & Science of Culture | Best-Selling Author Dr. Marcus Collins
This week on the Soul & Science podcast, we take a look at the power of culture and consumption. Take the rise of social media marketing as an example of consumption as culture. Companies have piggybacked on viral sounds, trends, and cultural moments from TikTok and Instagram as a way to promote their products. On the flip side, a seemingly clever campaign can flop if it jumps on a trend too late or misses the point entirely. So, if culture ultimately drives everything that people do, how do brands keep pace? Today, we’re talking with Dr. Marcus Collins about the effects of culture on human behavior and the undeniable connection between marketing and culture. Riding the line between industry and academia, his award-winning book For The Culture: The Power Behind What We Buy, What We Do, and Who We Want to Be was a best-seller and he currently serves as a marketing professor at the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. In the past, he was the Head of Strategy at Wieden+Kennedy and has worked with brands like Apple, Nike, and even Beyoncé. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
How culture and marketing intertwine to create some of the most successful campaigns
What defines culture and how people choose to interact with it
How brands can put themselves in the driver’s seat of cultural relevance
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Apr 11, 2024 • 5min
Mini: Why Unexpected Ideas Win
What’s the true value of breaking free from conventional marketing mediums? In this week’s mini episode, we delve into some unconventional branding strategies that made impactful results. Oatly's 'Oatmilkers' initiative in Minor League Baseball, Stoked Dispensary's clever ads in neighboring stores, and Adidas' liquid billboard in Dubai showcase innovative approaches to circumvent restrictions and leave a lasting impression. Join us as we explore thinking outside the box in branding and advertising.Brought to you by Mekanism.

Apr 8, 2024 • 50min
#67: The Soul & Science of Life Coaching | Lauren Zander, CEO of The Handel Group
At some point in their career, everyone has had to answer the dreaded interview question: “Where do you see yourself in the next five years?” You might have a well-scripted answer, but do you really know? This week on the Soul & Science podcast, we sit down with the founder and CEO of the Handel Life Coaching Group, Lauren Zander, to explore how we can rebrand the mind, body, and soul. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
The true power of auditing your life in an honest way
How our minds, bodies, and souls are far more interconnected than we realize
What kinds of practical consequences you can give yourself to make your dreams a reality
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Mar 28, 2024 • 6min
Mini: Rules for a Rebrand
Ever wondered about the secrets behind a successful rebrand? Today, we'll unravel three essential rules for transforming your brand identity. From finding your why to executing a seamless rollout, we'll discuss what we can learn from iconic successes like Dunkin' and Airbnb, and how to avoid the pitfalls of missteps like Twitter's puzzling transformation to 'X'. Brought to you by Mekanism.

Mar 25, 2024 • 42min
#66: The Soul & Science of Airlines | Alaska Airlines Managing Director of Marketing and Advertising Eric Edge
Modern-day flying has become more of a chore than an adventure. If you’ve read any headlines about the airline industry in recent years, it’s clear that many customers are apathetic about which carrier they fly with. Long delays and cancellations, poor customer service, and fluctuating pricing all leads to a sourness in the industry. So how can an airline fly themselves back to customers' good graces? This week, we aim to answer that question with Eric Edge, Managing Director of Advertising and Marketing at Alaska Airlines. In today’s episode, you’ll learn:
How caring about your customer creates lifelong brand champions
How to pivot your marketing when the industry takes a turn for the worse
How gambling on new technologies can help put your brand ahead of the curve
Brought to you by Mekanism.

Mar 21, 2024 • 5min
Mini: Winning PR Strategies
Discover the critical role of PR in boosting your brand's success. Learn about four key benefits: gaining media coverage, enhancing website traffic and SEO, managing crises effectively, and building thought leadership. These elements are essential for increasing visibility, credibility, and resilience in today's competitive landscape.


