

The Built Not Born Podcast
David Kitchen
Hosted by former Division 1 football coach turned mindset and leadership entrepreneur, David ”Coach Kitch” Kitchen, The Built Not Born Podcast brings you stories and lessons from leaders, athletes, and entrepreneurs who embody what it means to live in The Arena and to prove once and for all that leaders are #BuiltNotBorn
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 29, 2024 • 1h
EP43: Building a Top Down Culture w/ Lyndsay Dowd
After spending 25 years leading high performing teams at companies like IBM, Lyndsay Dowd created her company, Heartbeat for Hire, and has devoted her career to transforming leadership through building irresistible culture and modern leadership practices to get the best results from their teams. As a Speaker, Founder, Author, Coach, Podcast Host and a Disruptor, she was recognized as a Top 10 Business Coach by Apple news and was the recipient of the 2023 Award for Innovation and Excellence, and also named Business Coach of the Year.
This conversation took deep dives into:
-Modern Leadership shifts
- Empowering your team
- Creating top-down culture
- Embracing change as a leader
To learn more about Lyndsay:
https://heartbeatforhire.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/lyndsaydowdh4h https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC9asGvE8Ks4XjR2UNwNmKDw https://www.instagram.com/lyndsaydowdH4H https://www.facebook.com/LyndsayDowdH4H https://www.tiktok.com/@lyndsaydowdh4h https://www.topdownculture.com/

May 22, 2024 • 59min
EP42: Balancing Creativity and Ambition w/ Forrest Tuff
Forrest Tuff is a the definition of a leader. He is a former college Hall of Fame basketball player turned entrepreneur. He’s award-winning author, film producer, master coach, and keynote speaker.
Featured in CIOTimes Magazine as a 'Top 5 CEO to Watch in 2024,' Forrest is the founder of One Vision Productions, an award-winning media and branding agency. On the stage, he’s been recognized as a top 100 speaker in the world, and is also noted as one of John Maxwell’s top leadership speakers.
We dive deep into:
- The mindset of success
- Navigating challenges and building resilience
- The keys to building a strong team
- Balancing creativity and ambition as an artist
Learn more about Forrest:
Professional: www.ForrestTuff.com
Business: www.OneVisProd.com

May 15, 2024 • 1h 6min
EP41: Life of Leadership: From Special Ops to the Whitehouse w/ Atlas Aultman
Atlas Aultman is a five-time bestselling author, TEDx speaker, and a veteran with nearly three decades of service in Special Operations and the White House military office, Atlas brings a wealth of leadership wisdom.
He has 4 degrees, hundreds of leadership awards including being named and top 40 under 40 in innovation and technology, and now lives in Phoenix when he is not on stages doing keynotes or masterclasses.
Today, we delve into key aspects of decision-making, building meaningful connections, navigating failures, the essence of feedback, and the intriguing story behind his call sign."
Learn more about Atlas:
Instagram: @Atlas_Aultman
LinkedIn: Atlas Aultman
X: @AtlasAultman
Website: www.leaders-KIT.com

May 8, 2024 • 1h 5min
EP40: How to Have Better Conversations w/ Patti DeNucci
Patti DeNucci is the author of the award-winning success guide, The Intentional Networker: Attracting Powerful Relationships, Referrals & Results in Business and has just released her new book More Than Just Talk: The Essential Guide for Anyone Who Wants to Have Better Conversations.
She is also a speaker, workshop facilitator, and consultant. Organizations such as Microsoft, Rodan + Fields, HEB, MGM Resorts, Hewlett Packard, the Texas Conference for Women, and many others have invited Patti to help their teams and event participants learn how to attract, experience, and enjoy more meaningful conversations and more rewarding connections.
Patti believes it’s not how many people you know or talk to; it’s the quality of your conversations and connections.
We dive deep into:
- What makes a good conversation
- Who has the best conversations - introverts or extroverts
- What holds people back from connecting
- How to network authentically
- How to manage hard conversations
- Becoming a great conversationalist
For more info on Patti and her work:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pattidenucci/ https://intentionalnetworker.com/category/blog/ https://intentionalnetworker.com/resources/

May 1, 2024 • 35min
EP39: Fighting for A Cancer-Free Future w/ Krissy Hitz
Krissy Hitz is a Campaign Development Manager with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
In this episode, we discuss:
- The mission of LLS
- Krissy's story
- The future of cancer research
- How to get involved with the LLS mission for a cancer free future

Dec 13, 2023 • 1h 9min
EP37: Is It Who You Are or What You Do? w/ Alex Molden
Alex was drafted in the 1st round (11th overall) of the 1996 NFL draft. He played 8-years battling some of the best athletes on EARTH before injuries pushed him to retire in 2005. Playing for 7 different head coaches in 8-years in the NFL Alex knows a thing or two about change, culture, influence & how to navigate the pitfall of having your identity intertwined with your platform & ability.
Alex is now a Personal Development/Leadership Speaker and Coach. His blueprint has given many individuals, organizations and executives PROVEN SOLUTIONS to help them build a more galvanized team. It starts with knowing the foundational principles of leadership which is influence; nothing more….nothing less.
Alex shares his insights on
- Understanding influence and how to use it
- The difference between who you are and what you do
- The pitfalls of tying your identity to your ability
- The pressures of competing at a high level in business, athletics, and life
- Developing character that fuels a purpose
- Seeking opportunities to serve others
- Raising children to find their purpose

Nov 29, 2023 • 1h 3min
EP36: Turning Pain into Purpose w/ Richard Yeargin III
Richard Yeargin III, is a former two time CFP national champion at Clemson University, Professional speaker and Author, Professor at Clemson University, and PhD student. However, he is called to make a difference in the school systems and be a strong asset to the aiding of student development and success.
In this conversation we discuss
- Finding the strength to take responsibility for your actions
- Stepping into new environments and finding success
- Turning pressure into a privilege
- Dealing with a near death experience
- Finding purpose through serving others
- Identifying your priorities and your gifts

Nov 22, 2023 • 60min
EP35: Leading From the Heart in a World of Data w/ Lindsey Witmer Collins
Lindsey Witmer Collins is an entrepreneur, software architect and founder of WLCM (pronouced “Welcome”), a full-service app development agency based in San Francisco, CA and with offices in Ukraine.
Over the past decade-plus and over a hundred apps for she’s worked with clients who range from major state health systems and international best-selling authors to Silicon Valley startups and European medical device companies.
WLCM has found its way onto Top 20 App lists, Fast Company magazine, Inc., Oprah Magazine, New York Times, and Vogue. Her company is also recognized as one of the fastest growing companies in the tech hub of the U.S. - the San Francisco Bay Area.
This week we discuss
- Building a tech global tech company
- Navigating the realities of a global team
- Leading during crisis
- Balancing data and instinct when making decisions

18 snips
Nov 15, 2023 • 57min
EP34: Creating Your Own Job Description w/ Lauren Petrullo
Former Disney Innovation Catalyst turned entrepreneur, Lauren Petrullo, discusses defining your own job description, the importance of clarity of expectations, choosing the right partners in life and business, utilizing standard operating procedures for consistency, and creating jobs as a profession.

Nov 8, 2023 • 1h 2min
EP33: How to Achieve Your Goals Without Sacrificing Your Mental Health w/ Dr. Nekeshia Hammond
Dr. Nekeshia Hammond is a psychologist, executive coach, and founder of her own practice. She is also the creator and host of the well-known show "Mental Health Moment with Dr. Hammond."
She’s known globally for her expertise in mental health, burnout prevention, and leadership development, as an international speaker who has given Ted talks and spoken to the Corporate Counsel for Women of Color and international best-selling author. You’ve probably seen her in one of her media appearances including NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, and Essence Magazine.
Dr. Hammond is an absolute force and thought leader in the mental health and high performance psychology space.
This conversation has some gems in it including:
- Strategies for balancing ambition and mental health
- Time management for high performers
- Gratitude in practice strategies
- Setting healthy boundaries to increase productivity