In this episode, David sits down with marketing expert and author Ben Guttmann to unpack the real reason most communication fails: complexity. Ben shares his 5 principles of message simplicity, the science behind fluency, and tactical tips leaders can use to clarify their message—whether they’re on a stage, writing emails, or building a brand. If you’ve ever wondered why your message isn’t landing, this episode is your wake-up call.

Topics Covered:

• The fluency model of communication
• Why most leaders overcomplicate their message
• The 5 principles of simple messaging
• How to write like a human (and not a press release)
• Storytelling, branding, and the shift from “authenticity” to “vibes”
• Why personal brands outperform mid-tier Legacy brands
• Practical branding advice for young professionals

Timestamps:

• 2:15 – Why Clarity beats complexity
• 10:30 – The fluency gap: sender vs. receiver
• 18:45 – The 5 principles of simple messaging
• 30:50 – Taylor Swift and the audience-of-one strategy
• 38:10 – How to write emails that get opened
• 46:20 – Brand-building in the attention Economy
• 55:45 – Kitch and Ben on storytelling frameworks

Guest Bio:

Ben Guttmann is a marketing and communication expert and the author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win and How to Design Them. He’s the former managing partner of Digital Natives Group and currently teaches digital marketing at Baruch College. His mission: help brands and leaders simplify their message to cut through the noise and connect more effectively.

📍 benguttmann.com

Most Recent Episodes

April 30, 2025 Mature Content

EP62: Creating Mission Clarity: Emotional Intelligence in High-Stakes Environments w/ Ashton Leverak

🎧 Episode Summary: In this episode, David sits down with Ashton Leverak—21-year special operations veteran turned Real Estate entrepreneur and mindset coach. Ashton shares how he transitioned...

Listen · 1:06:14

April 23, 2025 Mature Content

EP61: Everyone Wants to Eat. Few Will Hunt.The Mindset Behind Building a 7-Figure Brand in the Basement w/ Drew Beech

In this episode of the Built Not Born Podcast, I sat down with Drew Beech, co-founder of Few Will Hunt, to unpack the truth about entrepreneurship, Fatherhood, and building a mission-first brand that...

Listen · 58:39

April 16, 2025 Mature Content

EP60: $75M in Sales, Billion-Dollar Vision, and Building a Brand with No Permission w/ Mike Schilling

From $75 million in sales to building a billion-dollar brand—Mike Shill is not just talking about success, he’s documenting the whole thing in real time. In this high-energy episode of the Built...

Listen · 1:15:36

Load More Episodes

David Kitchen Founder / President of Edge Leadership Academy

Coach Kitch is the Founder and President of Edge Leadership Academy. He is a former Division 1 Coach, and a PhD Candidate with a master's degree in sport psychology, who has a decade of experience building leaders, culture, and mindset at the highest levels of sports and business. He is the author of The Pyramid: A System for Building Tomorrow's Leaders Today, and The Scoreboard: A Self-Audit System to Help You Build the Life You Want. As a speaker, consultant, and coach, Coach Kitch is trusted by 100+ CEO's, coaches, and high performers to help them lead and win in business, athletics, and life.