being humn

Most businesses don’t fail because of bad products—they fail because of unclear marketing. In this debut episode of Being HUMN, Rob and Curt share the five biggest mistakes companies make when trying to connect with customers.
They reveal how the StoryBrand framework shifts the spotlight away from the company and onto the customer, why “random acts of marketing” waste money, and how to align your entire team around one clear message.
Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Being HUMN with Rob & Curt
(00:42) The 5 Key Marketing Mistakes Businesses Make
(02:57) StoryBrand: Making the Customer the Hero
(06:13) Why Businesses Struggle to Focus on One Problem
(08:47) Random Acts of Marketing: Wasting Time and Money
(11:30) Disconnected Tactics and Burnout in Teams
(13:42) Why Sales, Marketing, and Leadership Tell Different Stories
(16:55) The Cost of Information Overload in Messaging
(19:23) Customer Feedback Loops and Staying Aligned Over Time
(22:18) Why Generic Messaging Doesn’t Work in the Age of AI
(25:04) Building Emotional Connection Through Tone and Voice
(28:39) Authenticity vs. Confusion: Why Clarity Wins Trust
(33:57) The Role of Empathy in StoryBrand Messaging
(36:33) Empathy + Credibility: A Formula for Trust
(40:14) Why More Traffic Isn’t the Answer Without Conversion
(43:10) The 3-Step Plan Every Website Needs
(46:26) Calls-to-Action That Convert vs. Confuse
(47:28) A Simple Self-Assessment to Evaluate Your Marketing
(49:25) Why Being HUMN Matters More Than Ever
👉 Learn how to simplify your brand story, build trust through empathy and credibility, and create messaging that actually drives growth.
🔗 Resources:
HUMN Free Assessment: gowithhumn.com
#MarketingStrategy #StoryBrand #BusinessGrowth #BrandClarity #Entrepreneurship #BeingHUMN #MarketingMistakes

Creators and Guests

Host
Curt Kuiper
Curt Kuiper is co-founder of HUMN, helping leaders clarify their message and lead with human-first marketing.
Host
Rob Monacelli
Rob Monacelli is co-founder of HUMN, helping brands clarify their message and connect with customers through human-centered, story-driven marketing.

What is being humn?

being humn, is a show about making marketing human again. Hosts Rob and Curt—co-founders of the HUMN agency—share real conversations, proven frameworks, and practical insights to help brands connect deeply with their customers. If you care about clarity, empathy, and marketing that actually works, this podcast is for you.