Soul & Science: Fast Forward Your Marketing Mind

#115: Andrew Rebhun, Chief Marketing & Experience Officer @ CAVA | Why the Best Brands Lead with Generosity

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.

#114: Amazon Senior Global Marketing Executive Winston Warrior | The Dope Professor’s Playbook for Modern Leadership

In a world obsessed with specialization, Winston Warrior has never been interested in fitting neatly on a resume. This week on Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Winston Warrior, Amazon Senior Global Marketing Executive, content creator, R&B artist, and “The Dope Professor,” for a conversation about reinvention, influence, and leading with humanity inside one of the biggest companies on the planet. From corporate marketing to academia, music, consulting, and culture, Winston shares how authenticity and empathy have been the throughlines connecting it all. They discuss the tension between humanity and performance, staying people-first in results-driven systems, and earning the trust that allows you to lead on your own terms. Drawing from his time at Amazon and beyond, Winston breaks down how culture, creativity, and accountability intersect when you’re building something meant to last. Key Takeaways ✅ Why empathy can be a competitive advantage, even in big corporate environments ✅ How to evolve your career without abandoning earlier versions of yourself ✅ Why impact matters more than reach when it comes to influence ✅ How delivering results gives you the freedom to lead with values Memorable Moments 💡 “When you put points on the board, it’s hard to tell you you’re too empathetic.” 💡 “I don’t deliberately use connection—it’s just who I am.” 💡 “If you change your mind, you can change your world.” 💡 “Profit matters, but culture and humanity are what make brands win long-term.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

#113: Hershey’s CGO Stacy Taffet | Modernizing a Timeless Brand Without Losing the Magic

For legacy brands, the hardest work isn’t necessarily making change—it’s choosing what to protect. In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Stacy Taffet, Chief Growth Officer at The Hershey Company, to talk about what it takes to modernize a over 130-year-old brand portfolio while protecting the meaning people already love.  They also explore how Hershey thinks about snacking moments across candy, salty snacks, and better-for-you options. Plus the role of experimentation when measurement tools don’t capture long-term brand value. And Stacy breaks down a standout example: the Reese’s x Oreo launch, built with a culture-first, fan-powered approach that outperformed traditional playbooks. Key Takeaways ✅ Why brand stewardship requires restraint, and not constant reinvention ✅ How to design platform-first creative built for modern attention ✅ Using cross-functional operating models to turn insight into growth ✅ When to trust the data, and when to invest beyond what’s easy to measure ✅ Balancing nostalgia and innovation without diluting legacy brands Memorable Moments 💡 “Restraint is harder than reinvention.” 💡 “In a world of sensory overload, people want something they can trust every time.” 💡 “We shifted from reach-first to resonance-first.” 💡 “Business is a matter of human service.” Brought to you by Mekanism.

#112: Why Agencies Lose Pitches | Robin & Stephen Boehler, Mercer Island Group

Agencies obsess over the pitch. Clients obsess over whether you actually understand the business. In this episode, Jason Harris sits down with Robin and Stephen Boehler, founders of Mercer Island Group and authors of It’s Not About You: Winning New Business in a Crowded Agency World, to unpack why most agencies lose new business before they even walk into the room—and what the winners do differently. Key Takeaways:✅ Most clients can’t name agencies—your agency brand has to earn recognition✅ Strategy (not creative alone) is the biggest predictor of winning the business✅ “Prospect-friendly” means leading with the client’s business, not your credentials✅ Great Q&A is preparation (and skipping the gimmicks) Memorable Moments:💡 “Clients can’t name any agencies 95% of the time.”💡 “Your agency acting like a brand is critically important.”💡 “Creative without strategy turns everything into subjective opinions.”💡 “Chemistry can disqualify you if it’s bad.”💡 “It’s not ‘which one’—it’s the why.” Order a copy their book, It’s Not About You: Winning New Business in a Crowded Agency World on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Its-Not-About-You-Business/dp/1965629075 Brought to you by Mekanism.

#111: Carter’s CMO Sarah Crockett | How Purpose, Value, and Trust Build Modern Brands

Purpose can fuel performance—but only when brands truly understand who they serve. In this episode, Jason Harris sits down with Carter’s CMO Sarah Crockett to explore how modern parenting is reshaping brand expectations—and what it takes to connect with one of the most values-driven and overwhelmed consumer groups today. Sarah shares how her career has been guided by purpose, and how that belief is now shaping Carter’s approach to storytelling, value, and trust. Together, they unpack the cultural shifts defining millennial and Gen Z parents—from slowing down and letting kids be kids, to demanding authenticity, affordability, and emotional connection from the brands they invite into their families’ lives. Key Takeaways:✅ Purpose creates stronger, more resilient brand connections✅ Modern parents value trust, authenticity, and emotional resonance✅ Slowing down can be a powerful cultural differentiator✅ Not every marketing investment should be measured the same way Memorable Moments:💡 “Purpose can fuel performance.”💡 “Trust is the most important value when you’re building a relationship with a child.”💡 “Let kids be kids.”💡 “Beware the lollipop of mediocrity—lick it once and you’ll suck forever.” Brought to you by Mekanism.