What’s the secret to building lasting and successful partnerships? This week, we dive into the Soul & Science of agency-client relationships with Stephen Boehler, founder of Mercer Island Group and former Procter & Gamble brand manager. Stephen shares his journey from growing up in a family business to leading one of the most respected agency search consultancies. Learn how a serendipitous flight led to the creation of Mercer Island Group, his lessons from turning around the Pringles brand, and why fostering chemistry between teams is vital for innovation and growth.

What’s in this episode?

• Why short-termism is a growing challenge—and how to refocus on long-term brand building.
• Tips for creating meaningful client-agency relationships that stand the test of time.
• How training gaps are impacting the marketing industry—and what we can do about it.

Brought to you by Mekanism.

Let's talk about the Soul & Science of disrupting an industry and scaling a business. This week, Jason sits down with Erika Badan, CEO of Food52, to discuss her journey from early career uncertainty to becoming a leader in the home goods and lifestyle industry.

Erika shares how her time at Barstool Sports taught her to embrace risk, her vision for reimagining Food52’s role in the market, and the importance of building brands that connect authentically with their communities. From navigating investor relationships to cultivating a team capable of disruption, Erika’s insights offer a fresh perspective on leadership in today’s dynamic business environment.What’s in this episode?

• Lessons on scaling businesses while staying true to your brand’s essence.
• The role of adaptability and intuition in managing teams and growth.
• Why community and fearless experimentation are central to long-term success.

Brought to you by Mekanism.

This week, we’re throwing it back to a classic episode that won us not one, but two Signal Awards.  

Douglas Martin, Chief Brand and Disruptive Growth Officer at General Mills, is a brand growth champion with over 22 years of experience.

In his role at General Mills, Doug has worked on marketing initiatives for Cheerios and Yoplait, and his experience spans across household names in addition to General Mills, with roles at Gap and Walt Disney Studios.

On today’s episode you’ll learn: 

• How a company that’s not only a household name, but 167 years old – can still disrupt their categories.
• What makes an idea not only great, but a scalable $50 million business idea.
• The value of good old fashioned pen and paper when framing and solving big picture problems. 
• There’s no company so big that it shouldn’t keep finding new opportunities for growth.

Brought to you by Mekanism.  

*This episode originally aired in October 2023

There’s just one day left before the election, and Kamala Harris has recently intensified her critique of Donald Trump, calling out his "unstable" and "fascist" tendencies. In this mini episode, Jason talks about why, as a Harris voter, her campaign’s strategic pivot to a tougher tone aimed at swaying independents and energizing her base might not have been the best move. 

Brought to you by Mekanism.

How is influencer marketing evolving in the creator economy? In today's mini episode, we explore the shift from one-off campaigns to building long-term relationships with micro-creators who drive engagement and authenticity. Plus how we here at Mekanism are leading the way by leveraging creator networks to foster genuine connections, fill content gaps, and optimize strategies for lasting brand success.

Brought to you by Mekanism.

Building a lasting brand is all about balancing long-term strategy with short-term wins. In this episode of the Soul & Science Podcast, Jason sits down with William White, SVP and CMO at Walmart, to talk about the secret sauce marketers can use to drive both ongoing engagement and immediate business results.

With a career spanning several major brands like Coca-Cola, Target, and KitchenAid, William shares insights on the world of long-term brand building for some of the largest brands in retail. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• How to balance long-term brand strategy with the pressure of immediate sales goals.
• Why innovating with your customers in mind is key to driving year-over-year growth.
• Why staying with a brand for the long haul can deepen your insights into both the business and your career.

Brought to you by Mekanism. 

In this episode of the Soul & Science Podcast, we’re exploring what it means to find your creative voice with a person who has built a legacy on taking calculated risk. Chase Jarvis is an award-winning artist, entrepreneur, and Emmy-nominated director who has shot global campaigns for Apple, Nike, and more than 100 other brands – as well as contributed to the Pulitzer Prize-winning NYT story Snowfall.

His previous book Creative Calling was a National Best Seller, and his new book Never Play It Safe is out October 8th. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• How reconnecting with your true self will lead to both personal and professional fulfillment, even if it means defying societal expectations 
• What lies beyond your comfort zone and how to take intelligent risks that push you forward without jeopardizing your well-being
• Why “fitting in” cuts a clear path to mediocrity in both marketing and life, and how embracing what makes you you is how to make a difference 

Brought to you by Mekanism. 

In today’s mini episode, we explore the core business orientations that shape how companies sell and market their products. We break down the four key approaches: sales, market, product, and societal orientation. Discover how brands like Apple, Nike, and Patagonia align their strategies with these orientations, and why knowing your business orientation is essential for crafting effective marketing plans.

In today’s episode of the Soul & Science Podcast, we’re talking to Mark Pollard, brand strategist, CEO of Sweathead, host of the Sweathead Podcast and author of the book Strategy is Your Words. For the past 20 years, Mark has worked with global brands such as The Economist, Meta, and The Wall Street Journal to solve complex marketing challenges and build winning strategies. Throughout his career, he has blended non-traditional ideas, creativity, and analytical data that prove that sometimes it’s best to break the mold. 

In today’s episode, you’ll learn: 

• Why leveraging low-budget content and experimental ideas can be a winning part of your social media approach
• Which types of nontraditional data and insights can better inform your strategy
• How a diverse career path and experience help build a better skill set to solve complex and novel marketing challenges

Brought to you by Mekanism. 

Is it time to update your company values? In today’s mini episode, we dive into why values matter and we’ll share the six new guiding principles at Mekanism. From embracing bold creativity to fostering teamwork and innovation, these values will help us redefine our company’s future.

Brought to you by Mekanism.