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Kill Complacency

Kill Complacency – Real conversations with entrepreneurs, investors, and thinkers who refuse average, build with purpose, and live intentionally in faith, business, and life.

Latest Episodes:

EP 193: Your Message Matters: Stop Waiting and Hit Record with Aubrey Johnson Oct 20, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Marty Hofmann sits down with Aubrey Johnson to discuss what it really takes to start a podcast, share your message with the world, and build something meaningful that lasts.

Starting a podcast isn't about screaming for attention or begging people to listen. It's about putting yourself out there, talking to people, building relationships, and having the confidence to share what you believe in. If you have a message worth sharing, don't let the fear of being judged or the discomfort of promoting yourself keep you from taking that first step.

Marty and Aubrey explore why quality matters more than quantity. A successful podcast isn't simply about producing more episodes or chasing bigger numbers. It's about delivering meaningful conversations, sharing valuable insights, and creating a show that genuinely connects with its audience. Your message matters, and the value you bring to listeners is what gives your podcast a reason to exist.

They also discuss the importance of longevity and credibility in podcasting. Building a trusted show takes time, consistency, and commitment. You won't necessarily see results overnight, but every conversation and every episode is an opportunity to strengthen your voice, develop your credibility, and reach the people who need to hear your message.

The truth is, there will never be a perfect time to start. You don't need everything figured out, the perfect equipment, or a massive audience waiting for you. If you believe your message can make a difference, start where you are, press record, and learn along the way.

If you've been thinking about launching a podcast but keep putting it off, this episode is your reminder to stop waiting for permission and start sharing your voice with the world.

Key Takeaways

1. Put Yourself Out There and Share Your Message
Don't be afraid to start conversations, connect with people, and promote your podcast. Building an audience requires initiative, genuine relationships, and the courage to let people hear what you have to say.

2. Focus on Quality, Not Just Numbers
A meaningful podcast is built on valuable content, authentic conversations, and a message that resonates with listeners. Prioritize the impact you want to make instead of chasing downloads and episode counts.

3. Stop Waiting for the Perfect Time
Podcasting takes consistency, patience, and time to build credibility. You don't need to have everything figured out before you begin. If your message is worth sharing, hit record and start.

Follow Aubrey Johnson:

https://road2rediscovery.com/

Follow Marty Hofmann:

www.killcomplacency.com

EP 192: Stop Scrolling, Start Living: Faith, Peace & Real Connection with Levi Martens Oct 13, 2026

Show notes

In this episode Marty Hofmann sits down with Levi Martens to discuss the transformative power of surrendering your life to God, finding hope through difficult seasons, and discovering the peace that comes from building a deeper relationship with Him.

Life can bring challenges that make us feel misunderstood, isolated, or uncertain about what to do next. Levi shares why we don't have to face our struggles alone and how surrendering control to God can help us navigate life's hardest moments. Sometimes, moving forward means letting go of relationships that no longer support our growth and making room for connections that strengthen our faith and purpose.

Marty and Levi also explore the impact of social media on our mental well-being. While social platforms can inspire and encourage us, endless scrolling can fill our minds with noise and distraction. True connection requires us to be present, engage with the people around us, and invest in meaningful relationships rather than getting lost in the digital world.

Ultimately, a life rooted in God can bring a sense of peace and fulfillment that changes how we see ourselves and the world around us. As we begin to experience the fruits of faith, our priorities shift, old habits lose their appeal, and we discover a renewed desire to live with intention, hope, and purpose.

If you're feeling lost, overwhelmed, or ready for a fresh start, this conversation is a reminder that you don't have to figure everything out on your own. Sometimes, the first step toward a new life is learning to surrender, trust God, and allow Him to lead the way.

Key Takeaways

1. Surrender Control and Trust God
You don't have to carry every burden by yourself. Letting go, strengthening your relationship with God, and trusting Him through uncertainty can help you find peace and direction.

2. Don't Face Your Struggles Alone
Even when you feel misunderstood, you deserve support and connection. Seek hope, surround yourself with people who encourage your growth, and build relationships that strengthen your faith.

3. Choose Real Connection Over Digital Noise
Social media can inspire, but excessive scrolling can distract you from what matters most. Be present, invest in meaningful relationships, and make space for a life grounded in faith, purpose, and genuine connection.

Follow Levi Martens: inkedin.com/in/levi-martens-22735a277

Follow Marty Hofmann: https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 191: What If You Just Tried? with Jerrod Hardy Oct 06, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Jerrod Hardy to discuss why you don't always need to have everything figured out before taking the first step. Jerrod shares how exploration, experimentation, and simply taking action can lead to unexpected opportunities, new experiences, and personal growth.

The conversation explores the importance of stepping outside your comfort zone, meeting new people, learning from different perspectives, and being willing to try something even when you don't know exactly where it will lead. Sometimes, clarity doesn't come before action, clarity comes because you took action.

Marty and Jerrod also discuss the many possibilities available to create income and build a business. Instead of waiting for the perfect opportunity, they encourage listeners to look for problems to solve, discover opportunities, or create something of their own.

They also emphasize the importance of putting your ego aside. Starting something new requires humility, a willingness to learn, and the courage to admit that you don't have all the answers. Success isn't built alone either. Investing in other people, building relationships, and creating a strong community can open doors and create opportunities that wouldn't exist otherwise.

Key Takeaways

1. Take Action Before You Have It All Figured Out
You don't always need a perfect plan. Explore, experiment, and learn as you go. Sometimes the best opportunities appear only after you take the first step.

2. Create Opportunities Instead of Waiting for Them
There are countless ways to build income and create value. Look for opportunities, solve real problems, and don't be afraid to create your own path.

3. Put Your Ego Aside and Build Community
Growth requires humility and a willingness to learn from others. Invest in people, build genuine relationships, and surround yourself with a community that helps everyone grow.

Follow Jerrod Hardy: https://www.theonpurposepodcast.com/about

Follow Marty Hofmann:

https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 190: People Before Profit: Build Better Teams, Create Better Customer Experiences with Dave Molenda Sep 29, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Dave Molenda to explore what it takes to build a successful and sustainable business by putting people and customer experience first.

Dave shares why entrepreneurs should pay attention when they see a problem, need, or desire they genuinely care about solving. But entrepreneurship also requires the willingness to fail. If the fear of failure keeps you from taking action, you may never discover what your business could become.

The conversation dives deep into customer experience and why understanding what customers truly need is essential. Instead of guessing what customers want, Dave encourages business owners to ask them directly, identify problems, and continuously look for ways to improve. A memorable customer experience can become one of a company's greatest competitive advantages.

Marty and Dave also discuss the importance of consistency, communication, and building the right team. Your employees don't have to think or act exactly like you. In fact, bringing together people with different personalities, perspectives, and strengths can make a business stronger and help everyone learn from one another. Great leaders also learn to communicate with people in the way they prefer to be communicated with.

Finally, Dave challenges the traditional idea of putting profit first. His approach is simple: strengthen the team + improve the customer experience = PROFIT.

By putting people first and identifying the blind spots within your business, you create opportunities to improve, grow, and build something customers remember.

Key Takeaways

1. Put Customer Experience First
Don't assume you know what your customers want. Ask them, listen to their feedback, identify their problems, and continually improve their experience. Customers remember how a business makes them feel.

2. Build a Team With Different Strengths
You don't need employees who are exactly like you. Different personalities, perspectives, and strengths can make your team more powerful and help your business see opportunities you might otherwise miss.

3. People Before Profit
Strong businesses are built by strengthening the team and creating exceptional customer experiences. Look for your business's blind spots, bring in people who can challenge your thinking, and focus on improving the things that matter most to your customers and employees.

Follow Dave Molenda: https://positivepolarity.com/

Follow Marty Hofmann:

https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 189: Life Transitions, Marriage & Parenting: How to Stay Human in a Changing World with Kevin McNulty Sep 21, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Kevin McNulty to explore marriage, parenting, personal growth, life transitions, and what it means to stay human in an increasingly AI-driven world.

Kevin challenges the way we think about relationships by reframing love as a verb something we actively practice through our choices, actions, communication, and commitment. The conversation also highlights the importance of developing soft skills and understanding human dynamics, especially when navigating relationships, leadership, and major life transitions.

Marty and Kevin dive into the challenges of entering new stages of life and why the way we approach a transition can influence how we experience it. They also discuss parenting and the difficult balance of protecting children while giving them enough room to struggle, learn, become resilient, and develop independence. Sometimes, being a strong parent means allowing your child to experience challenges rather than immediately solving everything for them.

The conversation also explores one of today's biggest questions: How do we remain human in an increasingly AI-driven world? Kevin emphasizes the importance of understanding the human side of technology and developing the attitudes, relationships, and soft skills that technology cannot replace.

Ultimately, this episode is about learning to conquer your attitude, embrace struggle, strengthen your relationships, and intentionally become a better version of yourself.

Key Takeaways1. Love Is Something You DoLove isn't just a feeling it's demonstrated through actions, commitment, communication, and the daily choices we make in our relationships.

2. Let People Struggle So They Can GrowWhether you're raising children or navigating your own challenges, struggle can be an important part of learning. Sometimes the best way to help someone grow is to give them space to figure things out.3. Stay Human in an AI WorldAs technology continues to evolve, human skills such as empathy, communication, relationships, and emotional awareness become increasingly important. Learning to manage your attitude and understand human dynamics can transform the way you live and lead.

Follow Kevin McNulty: https://www.humadyn.com/

Follow Marty Hofmann:

https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 188: Stop Following, Start Leading with Ryan Watts Sep 15, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Ryan Watts to explore what leadership really means and why every person has the ability to lead their own life. They discuss how true leadership isn't simply about giving directions it's about recognizing needs, creating solutions, and building meaningful connections through everyday interactions.

The conversation dives into how complacency can quietly enter leadership through fear, comfort, selfishness, and a failure to listen to others. Ryan emphasized the importance of self-reflection, being willing to experiment, and learning from experiences even when things don't go as planned.

They also challenge the way we think about failure and risk. Failure isn't the opposite of success, it's often part of the process that gets us there. Taking risks may mean losing sometimes, but the potential to grow and win bigger makes the journey worthwhile.

Ultimately, this episode encourages listeners to stop waiting for the perfect path to appear. Keep showing up, keep trying, and recognize the progress that happens through consistency. Sometimes, the best way forward isn't to follow the path everyone else is taking it's to step off the path and create your own.

Key Takeaways

Leadership Starts With ConnectionLeadership isn't about simply telling people where to go. It's about listening, understanding what people need, creating solutions, and building genuine connections.
Failure Is Part of GrowthTaking risks means you may fail, but every attempt gives you experience and an opportunity to improve. When you keep trying consistently, you may not even notice how much you're growing.
Create Your Own PathDon't be afraid to step away from the familiar. Take calculated risks, experiment, learn from failure, and have the courage to create a path that is uniquely yours.

Follow Ryan Watts: www.ryanwattscoaching.com

Follow Marty Hofmann:

www.killcomplacency.com

EP 187: Don't Wait for One Day with Andrea and Fred Warner Sep 08, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Andrea and Fred Warner for a powerful conversation about building a strong, lasting relationship while navigating the struggles that come with life and partnership.

They discuss why long-term relationships require intentionality, honest communication, and a willingness to understand and accept each other's strengths and weaknesses. Andrea and Fred share why transparency and openness are essential to building trust and why accepting that failure is part of the journey can make a relationship stronger.

The conversation also goes beyond relationships and explores the importance of believing in yourself when others doubt you. They discuss how other people's opinions often reflect their own experiences and insecurities, and why you shouldn't allow criticism or negativity to stop you from pursuing what matters to you.

Marty, Andrea, and Fred also emphasize the importance of taking action instead of waiting for the perfect moment. Whether the goal feels big or small, progress comes from continuing to move forward despite doubt, fear, or uncertainty.

Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that you only get one life. If you don't like your current situation, you have the power to change it. Stop waiting for “one day,” start living intentionally today, and appreciate the life you're building along the way.

Key Takeaways

Be Intentional in Your Relationship
Long-term relationship success doesn't happen by accident. Understanding each other's strengths, communicating openly, and intentionally investing in one another creates a stronger foundation for the future.
Don't Let Other People's Opinions Stop You
Not everyone will believe in your vision, but their opinions don't define your potential. Keep believing in yourself, even when others try to knock you down. Your journey belongs to you.
Stop Waiting for “One Day”
If you don't like your situation, take action and change it. Don't let doubt or fear keep you stuck. Even small steps matter keep going, enjoy the journey, and make the most of the life you're living today.

Follow Andrea and Fred Warner:

https://7q.ltd/

Follow Marty Hofmann:https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 186: Become Who You Want to Be: Health, Identity & Intentional Living with Marisa McKenzie Sep 01, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Marisa McKenzie to discuss the importance of making intentional choices about your health, relationships, and the person you want to become. Marisa shares why being mindful of alcohol consumption matters not only because of its effects on the body, but also because of the additional calories that can easily add up.

The conversation also explores the importance of understanding and supporting women through perimenopause and menopause. Marisa emphasizes why husbands and partners need to understand the physical and emotional changes women may experience during these stages and approach them with patience, empathy, and support.

Marty and Marisa also dive into the connection between identity and daily choices. Your thoughts, words, actions, and behaviors should reflect the person you are today or the person you want to become. They discuss how developing healthier eating habits in your 20s and 30s can influence your health as you enter your 40s and beyond, including the importance of getting adequate protein based on your individual needs.

Ultimately, this episode is about becoming more intentional with your health, relationships, and everyday decisions—and making sure the life you're living aligns with the person you want to be.

Key Takeaways1. Be Intentional About Your HealthUnderstanding what you're putting into your body including alcohol and its calorie content can help you make better decisions and build healthier habits for the long term.

2. Support Your Partner Through Every StageUnderstanding the changes women experience during perimenopause and menopause can help husbands and partners provide greater empathy, patience, and support.

3. Let Your Actions Reflect Your IdentityThe way you think, speak, behave, and make daily choices should align with who you want to become. Building healthy habits early, including prioritizing adequate protein, can support your long-term health and well-being.

Follow Marisa McKenzie: https://www.marisamckenziehealthcoach.com/

Follow Marty Hofmann:

https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 185: Why Do Men Struggle With Emotions? with Nick Jonsson Aug 25, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Nick Jonsson to talk about what happens when life brings you to rock bottom and why sharing your story can be the first step toward healing and rebuilding.

Nick discusses why many men struggle to talk openly about their emotions and vulnerability, and why having someone who will genuinely listen, understand, and support you can make such a difference. They explore what it means to acknowledge when you're struggling, find the right community, and take action before feeling stuck becomes a long-term battle.

The conversation also looks at the growing dependence on phones and social media, especially among younger generations. Nick emphasizes the importance of putting the screen down, being present, and building real human connections. Technology and AI can be useful tools, but they should never replace meaningful relationships and face-to-face interaction.

Marty and Nick also discuss the responsibility adults have to model healthy behavior for the next generation. When someone reaches their lowest point and experiences thoughts of suicide or feels there is no way forward, reaching out and talking to someone deeply can be a critical step toward getting support.

Ultimately, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to face your struggles alone. Your lowest moment can teach you something, your story can help someone else, and asking for help is a sign of strength not weakness.

Key Takeaways

Don't Face Rock Bottom Alone
Acknowledging that you're struggling and opening up to someone you trust can be the beginning of recovery. Your experiences can also become lessons that help others who are facing similar challenges.
Real Connection Matters
Phones, social media, and AI can be useful, but they cannot replace genuine human relationships. Making time for face-to-face conversations, community, and meaningful connection is essential for our well-being.
Speak Up Before You're Overwhelmed
When life feels hopeless or you find yourself struggling deeply, don't stay isolated. Reach out to someone you trust, find a supportive community, and get help. Taking action early can make a profound difference.

Follow Nick Jonsson:

www.linkedin.com/in/nick-jonsson/

Follow Marty Hofmann:

https://www.killcomplacency.com/

EP 184: Fear Is Not Your Enemy, Embrace it! with Tyler Dickerhoof Aug 18, 2026

Show notes

In this episode, Marty Hofmann sits down with Tyler Dickerhoof to explore fear, insecurity, courage, self-awareness, and what it means to become the best version of yourself.

Tyler explains that everyone carries fears and insecurities, and we may never completely eliminate them. Instead, the goal is to recognize them, own them, understand how they affect our decisions and relationships, and learn how to respond differently. He also discusses the importance of empathy, taking responsibility, and having the courage to act regardless of the outcome.

The conversation also explores how rapidly changing technology, including AI and advancements in agriculture, can create uncertainty while also opening new opportunities. Rather than fearing change, Tyler encourages listeners to become curious about how these developments can improve the way we live and work.

Marty and Tyler also discuss the importance of authenticity and recognizing the barriers people build around themselves and others. Instead of trying to become someone else, listeners are encouraged to discover their unique strengths, recognize their value, and become the strongest version of who they already are.

Key Takeaways

Own Your Fear and Insecurities
Fear doesn't necessarily disappear it can return throughout different stages of life. The key is recognizing it, understanding how it influences you, and learning to manage your response rather than allowing fear to control your actions.
Courage Means Moving Forward AnywayCourage isn't knowing exactly what will happen. It's being willing to take action despite uncertainty and accept whatever outcome comes from that decision. Taking ownership and responding intentionally can help you navigate difficult situations with greater confidence.
Become the Best Version of YouYou don't need to become someone else to create value. Discover what you're naturally good at, embrace what makes you different, and develop those strengths. When you know your worth and lead from your authentic self, you become someone who cannot easily be replaced.

Follow Tyler Dickerhoof:https://www.tylerdickerhoof.com/

Follow Marty Hofmann:https://www.killcomplacency.com/

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