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8
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100
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Sep 8, 2025

#96: Hinge CMO and President Jackie Jantos | Long-Term Thinking in a Short-Term World

In a world obsessed with instant results, Jackie Jantos makes the case for brand building that lasts. From Coca-Cola to Spotify to Hinge, Jackie has spent two decades shaping brands that endure by focusing on cultural insights, inclusive teams, and work that actually serves audiences. Now, as President and CMO at Hinge—the dating app “designed to be deleted”—she’s proving that long-term growth comes from products that deliver real outcomes. In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Jackie to explore why usefulness beats flash, how empathy and courage guide her leadership, and why staying patient pays off in brand building. Key Takeaways:✅ Design for outcomes, not vanity metrics—Hinge optimizes for “great dates,” not swipes✅ Big insights upstream fuel creative ideas that can scale globally✅ Credibility-rich programs compound more than week-long activations✅ Empathy and courage work best as operating systems inside the company✅ Long-term brand consistency beats short-term distraction every time Memorable Moments:💡 “What better way to encourage people to try your product than to be a product that really works?”💡 “I get most excited upstream—at the insight—when it feels unique and true.”💡 “Not every brand needs another stunty activation. Put resources where they’re genuinely useful.”💡 “Empathy and courage mean saying the hard thing, even if you botch it the first time. ”Brought to you by Mekanism .

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37
m
Aug 25, 2025

#95: Why Clients Don’t Want Collaborators | Michael Palma, Founder of The Palma Group

What do basketball, brand reviews, and $400M in agency wins have in common? Michael Palma. From being a Parade All-American athlete to coaching under Jim Valvano, Michael Palma pivoted into advertising recruitment—eventually placing more than 1,300 top talents and helping agencies win over $400 million in revenue. Today, as founder of The Palma Group, he manages reviews for global brands like Coca-Cola, Heineken, Peugeot, and Zaxby’s. In this episode of Soul & Science, Jason Harris sits down with Michael to unpack what makes partnerships last, how to spot red flags before they sink a pitch, and why true leaders walk with a “humble swagger.” Key Takeaways: ✅ Clients don’t want collaborators—they want leadership that listens✅ There’s no “perfect” agency, only the ideal fit for the moment✅ Good agencies get comfortable; great ones never stop bringing ideas✅ A pitch is won or lost in the first five minutes of emotional connection✅ Agency culture—not case studies—ultimately drives client choice Memorable Moments: 💡 “Clients want leadership that listens. They don’t want collaborators.”💡 “If you’re gonna lose, lose as you. Don’t lose pretending to be someone else.”💡 “There is no perfect agency—only the best possible fit.”💡 “The mortal enemy of good agencies is efficiency. Great ones never stop caring.” Brought to you by Mekanism .

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38
m
Aug 18, 2025

#94: Future-Proofing Your Brand | Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine

Change is inevitable—but the most successful leaders know how to turn it into their greatest advantage. In this episode, Jason sits down with Jason Feifer, Editor-in-Chief of Entrepreneur magazine and author of Build for Tomorrow . From walking away from his first reporting job to pitching national outlets cold, Feifer has built a career on spotting opportunities no one asked him to pursue—and helping others do the same. They unpack how to future-proof your career or brand, the filter he uses to separate hype from lasting change, and why your personal mission statement should never hinge on a single role. Key Takeaways: ✅ “Opportunity Set B” can unlock your biggest career leaps✅ Anchor your identity to transferable value, not your current title✅ Trends that last solve old problems, not new ones✅ Redefining productivity can help you sustain growth and avoid burnout Memorable Moments: 💡 “Never be satisfied with the thing you already have. It’s a launching point for what’s next.” 💡 “If nobody’s asking you to do it, that’s probably where the best opportunities are hiding.” 💡 “Your mission statement should survive any change in title, industry, or medium.” 💡 “Things that last are things that solve old problems in better ways.” 💡 “Change doesn’t mean losing your value—it’s a chance to apply it somewhere new.” Brought to you by Mekanism .

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39
m

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