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Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

By: Mekanism and Jason Harris
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 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.2025 Mekanism Art Economics Marketing Marketing & Sales
Episodes
  • #117: Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO Brandon Rhoten | The Science Behind Viral Marketing

    #117: Dave’s Hot Chicken CMO Brandon Rhoten | The Science Behind Viral Marketing
    Mar 23 2026
    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
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    39 mins
  • #115: Bloomberg CMO Brenda Tsai | Marketing a Market-Maker

    #115: Bloomberg CMO Brenda Tsai | Marketing a Market-Maker
    Mar 13 2026
    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.
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    26 mins
  • #115: Andrew Rebhun, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer @ CAVA | Why the Best Brands Lead with Generosity

    #115: Andrew Rebhun, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer @ CAVA | Why the Best Brands Lead with Generosity
    Feb 23 2026
    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.
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    36 mins
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