The Built Not Born Podcast

In this episode of Built Not Born, David “Kitch” Kitchen sits down with award-winning author, TEDx speaker, and repeat software founder Tisa Richards to explore what it really means to build resilience as a leader. Together, they break down how values create clarity, why self-advocacy is a leadership skill, and how to train resilience like a muscle before adversity hits.

Key Topics:

Rethinking resilience: from reactive to intentional

The 3Rs Framework: Reflect, Repeat, Replace

Anchoring decisions in vision, mission, and values

Post-traumatic growth and capacity building

Self-advocacy, confidence, and communication

Operationalizing culture and leadership behaviors

Practical KPIs for leadership development

Timestamps:

00:00 – Introduction & “What built you?” question

05:45 – Shutting down her company and redefining resilience

10:32 – Post-traumatic growth vs. post-traumatic stress

16:18 – The 3Rs Framework: Reflect, Repeat, Replace

24:41 – Values → Behaviors → Systems

35:09 – How to measure resilience in teams

47:50 – Self-advocacy, confidence, and “I’m known for…” framework

58:12 – What-So-What-Now-What: turning clarity into action

1:05:10 – Lightning round & closing thoughts

Connect with Tisa:

Website: www.linkedin.com/in/tisarichards

Instagram / YouTube: @tisarichards

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:

Timestamps:

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

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 from 15 combat deployments to building a $90M real estate portfolio, and how the real battlefield wasn’t overseas—it was internal. The two dive deep into emotional regulation, identity beyond the uniform, and what it really means to lead yourself and others.

Emotional regulation as a performance tool

Identity shifts post-military and post-career

Why clarity is a prerequisite for commitment

The hidden cost of misaligned ambition

Masculinity, legacy, and redefining success

Breathwork, meditation, and nervous system mastery

How to build a new life without losing your edge

00:00 – Welcome + Ashton’s background in special ops

Ashton Leverak is a 21-year U.S. Special Operations veteran with 15 combat deployments, now turned real estate investor, fund manager, and performance coach. He is the founder of Valkere Investment Group, where he helps everyday investors build generational wealth through real estate. Ashton also runs a coaching community focused on mindset, purpose, and post-career reinvention. His mission is to help high performers build lives of clarity, strength, and service.

Website: www.valkeregroup.com

LinkedIn: Ashton Leverak

Instagram: @ashtonleverak

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 actually means something. From filling orders in his basement to leading a 7-figure apparel empire, Drew shares the mindset shifts and lessons that fueled the rise.

If you’ve ever felt like the lone wolf in your circle… this one’s for you.

🔥 Topics Covered:

⏱ Major Timestamps:

👤 Guest Bio: Drew Beech is the co-founder of Few Will Hunt, an American-made lifestyle and apparel brand focused on restoring the dignity of hard work. What began as a blog turned into a movement, growing into a multi-7-figure brand known for its mantra “Most people want to eat. Few are willing to hunt.” Drew is also a father, jiujitsu practitioner, and mentor to aspiring entrepreneurs through Few Will Hunt’s private community, Rise.

🔗 Follow Drew:

IG: @drewbyo

Brand: fewwillhunt.com | @fewwillhunt

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 Not Born Podcast, Coach Kitch sits down with Mike Shill—entrepreneur, former D1 football player, executive producer, and founder of Full Circle Agency—for a conversation that hits harder than a kickoff return.

They dive deep into:

Whether you're in sales, building your first brand, or trying to level up in life—this episode is full of gold.

Get your notepad. This one’s a masterclass in intensity, intentionality, and playing the long game.

🔗 Connect with Mike Shill

Instagram: @mike_shill_

TikTok: @themikeshill

LinkedIn: Michael Shill

Website: fullcircleagency.co

Watch Lanier on Amazon Prime: Lanier Movie

🎥 Mentioned in the episode:

0:00 – Intro: Blood on the knuckles, fire in the eyes

3:10 – From athlete to executive producer: Mike’s origin story

8:25 – First exposure to next-level discipline

14:47 – Lessons from Florida State and elite performance environments

19:02 – Building confidence through preparation

23:56 – $75M in sales: the systems, structure, and chaos

31:20 – How to train your team like D1 athletes

36:40 – Why brand is the #1 cheat code in business

43:22 – The “price tag” moments most people run from

48:11 – The mindset gap between $1M and $1B

54:55 – Documenting the journey: building brand in real time

1:01:14 – Inside “Lanier” and the future of Shill Studios

1:08:32 – Advice for young entrepreneurs

1:13:10 – Wild Card Questions + Final word from Mike

Instagram: @coachkitch

LinkedIn: David Kitchen

Website: edgeleadershipacademy.com

Newsletter: Finish Friday Newsletter

🎙️ Listen + Subscribe to the Built Not Born Podcast

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On this episode of Built Not Born, David Kitchen sits down with Dr. Amber Selking, mental performance coach for LSU Football and founder of Selking Performance Group. Dr. Selking works with top athletes, business leaders, and high performers to leverage mindset and leadership for peak performance.

If you're serious about winning in any arena, this episode is for you.

00:00 Introduction and Season Kickoff 00:43 Guest Introduction: Dr. Amber Selking 01:57 Key Takeaways from 'Winning the Mental Game' 03:34 Understanding and Training the Mind 08:17 Traits of High Performers 15:45 Embracing Failure and Building Resilience 20:45 Analyzing Performance: Well, Better, Learned 21:45 Emotional Stability in Sports and Business 24:01 Building Identity Beyond the Game 25:06 Vision, Mission, and Core Values 27:33 Personality Assessments and Leadership 30:46 Stated vs. Experienced Culture 34:17 Leadership and Accountability 38:39 Quickfire Questions and Legacy

🔗 Follow Dr. Amber Selking:

👊 If you found this valuable, drop us a review & share it with a high performer in your life!

🔥 As always, this is your weekly reminder: Leaders are built, not born.

In this episode of the 'Built, Not Born' podcast, host David Kitchen welcomes Wayne Barringer, CEO of Jaro Group, to discuss his transformative experience climbing Mount Kilimanjaro and how it reshaped his approach to leadership. They explore key principles such as owning your calendar, understanding your superpowers, and defining your vision. Through engaging stories and actionable insights, Behringer illustrates the importance of leadership vulnerability, the value of guided mentorship, and the impact of creating a growth mindset in teams. This conversation is packed with practical advice and wisdom for leaders and entrepreneurs striving for excellence.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:34 Wayne's Journey to Climbing Kilimanjaro

03:59 Lessons from the Climb

06:32 Applying Climbing Lessons to Leadership

10:05 The Importance of Mentorship and Coaching

14:35 Evaluating and Developing Teams

19:36 Time Management Strategies

30:20 Exploring Detail Orientation and Self-Judgment

31:08 Harnessing Competitiveness and Pain Tolerance

32:34 Understanding Superpowers and Team Dynamics

33:24 Living in HD: Awareness and Consistency

35:18 The Power of Non-Judgment and Neutrality

35:57 Embracing Your Superpowers

38:35 Vision, Mission, and Values in Leadership

45:56 KPIs and Employee Satisfaction

47:09 Building Trust and Shared Goals

51:34 Addressing Conflict and Collaboration

56:38 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

🎧 Enjoying the show?

Drop us a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs it!

👉 Connect with Wayne Barringer:

🔹 Website: Jaro Group

🔹 LinkedIn: Wayne Barringer

🔹 Company LinkedIn: Jaro Group

👉 Connect with David Kitchen & Edge Leadership Academy:

🔹 Website: Edge Leadership Academy

🔹 LinkedIn: David Kitchen

🔹 Instagram & Twitter: @CoachKitch

🔹 Join The Arena: The Arena Community

In this episode of the 'Built, Not Born' podcast, host David Kitchen sits down with Michael Unbroken, an entrepreneur, award-winning speaker, bestselling author, and advocate for adult survivors of childhood trauma. Michael shares his harrowing personal journey from a traumatic childhood, including abuse and homelessness, to becoming a successful coach and public speaker. He emphasizes the importance of honesty, self-discipline, and aligning with one's values. This powerful and inspiring conversation provides deep insights into overcoming adversity and the path to personal and professional transformation.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:37 Michael's Early Life and Childhood Trauma 06:05 Turning Point and Pursuit of Success 07:29 Self-Sabotage and Rock Bottom 14:43 Journey to Healing and Transformation 21:50 The Power of Truth and Authenticity 27:58 The Power of Truth and Authenticity 29:04 Journey to Self-Love and Confidence 30:24 Self-Preservation and Personal Growth 32:23 Building Confidence Through Action 38:51 The Importance of Values and Boundaries 45:19 Business Journey and Authenticity 51:37 Final Thoughts and Wildcard Questions

🎧 Enjoying the show?

Drop us a 5-star review and share this episode with someone who needs it!

👉 Connect with Michael Unbroken:

🔹 Website: ThinkUnbroken.com

🔹 LinkedIn: Michael Unbroken

🔹 Instagram: @MichaelUnbroken

🔹 Podcast: Think Unbroken Podcast

🔹 Book: Think Unbroken (Available on Amazon)

👉 Connect with David Kitchen & Edge Leadership Academy:

🔹 Website: Edge Leadership Academy

🔹 LinkedIn: David Kitchen

🔹 Instagram & Twitter: @CoachDKitch

🔹 Join The Arena: The Arena Community

In this episode of the 'Built, Not Born' podcast, host David Kitchen welcomes Damon Lembi two-time bestselling author, host of the Learn It All podcast, and CEO of Learn It. Damon shares his journey from a high school baseball All-American drafted by the Atlanta Braves to leading a company that has upskilled over 2 million people and the hard lessons he learned along the way.

They delve into the importance of overcoming limiting beliefs, the significance of empathy in leadership, and the power of building a strong team. The conversation also covers valuable lessons from Damon's sports career, the challenges of leadership, and how to foster a positive organizational culture. This insightful discussion provides practical advice for aspiring leaders and anyone aiming to achieve high performance in their field.

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:17 Damon's Early Baseball Career 02:52 College Baseball Challenges and Lessons 06:59 Transition from Baseball to Business 12:43 Building a Career at LearnIt 18:48 Leadership and Team Building 27:11 Hiring for Potential: Joe's Story 29:04 The Importance of Company Culture 29:46 Character Over Credentials 32:24 Tough Decisions in Leadership 36:11 Coaching and Letting Go 38:05 Empathy and Competitiveness in Leadership 46:29 Final Thoughts and Wildcard Questions

🎧 Enjoying the show?

Drop us a 5-star review and share this episode with a friend!

👉 Connect with Damon Lembi:

🔹 LinkedIn: Damon Lembi

🔹 Website: LearnIt

🔹 Podcast: The Learn-It-All Podcast

🔹 Book: The Learn-It-All Leader (Available on Amazon)

👉 Connect with David Kitchen & Edge Leadership Academy:

🔹 Website: Edge Leadership Academy

🔹 LinkedIn: David Kitchen

🔹 Instagram & Twitter: @CoachDKitch

🔹 Join The Arena: The Arena Community

In this episode of the 'Built, Not Born' podcast, host David Kitchen welcomes Jeremiah Brown, a former NFL player turned motivational speaker, author, and leadership coach. They discuss the importance of emotional intelligence and relational building in leadership, the concept of transferable skills from athletics to business, and the critical role of preparation, awareness, trust, and heart work in developing confidence. Brown shares insights into his 'training camp' period as an entrepreneur, emphasizing the importance of off-season preparation. This inspiring conversation is packed with practical advice for athletes, leaders, and anyone looking to succeed in their endeavors.