What if the greatest risk in life isn't failure, but slowly drifting away from the person you're capable of becoming?

In this inspiring episode of What's Important To You?, James sits down with entrepreneur, author, real estate investor and podcast host Marty Hofmann to explore why living intentionally is one of the most important decisions we can make.

Marty shares how growing up on a farm in Iowa shaped his values around hard work, discipline and service before building a successful real estate business. But beyond financial success, his mission has become helping people create lasting impact by living with greater purpose and refusing to settle for complacency.

Together, James and Marty discuss the seven key areas of intentional living—faith, family, fitness, finances, future self, friends and fun and why success isn't built through motivation alone, but through consistency, discipline and the small decisions we make every day.

The conversation also explores marriage, family, resilience, financial awareness, endurance sport, integrity and the importance of surrounding yourself with people who challenge, support and believe in you when you need it most.

Whether you're feeling stuck, questioning your direction, or simply looking for inspiration to take the next step, this episode is a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with today's choices, not tomorrow's intentions.

Marty Hofmann is an entrepreneur, author, speaker, real estate investor and host of the Kill Complacency Podcast.

After building a successful real estate business and completing more than 80 property transactions, Marty has dedicated his work to helping others live intentionally through practical habits, discipline and personal growth.

His book, Kill Complacency, encourages readers to stop drifting through life, focus on what truly matters and create lasting impact through consistent daily action.

• Impact starts with the people closest to us.
• Consistency matters more than occasional motivation.
• Intentional living requires attention across every area of life.
• Small daily disciplines create extraordinary long-term results.
• Family is the foundation for lasting impact.
• Fitness creates positive ripple effects throughout life.
• Financial awareness creates greater freedom and opportunity.
• Support from others helps us overcome self-doubt.
• Drifting happens slowly unless we choose to live intentionally.
• Integrity is built by doing the right thing when nobody is watching.

"Impact starts close to home and expands outward."

"Drift is the enemy."

"We are capable of so much more."

"Consistency beats intensity."

"Integrity is doing what you said you'd do."

👉 Website

What if care wasn't seen as a personal issue, but as something that shapes every family, every workplace and every community?

In this thought-provoking episode of What's Important To You?, James sits down with Dr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney, founder of The Care Advocate, researcher at the University of Limerick, and passionate champion for family carers, to explore why care deserves to be prioritised, valued and visible.

Rosemary shares the deeply personal experiences that shaped her purpose, from raising three children with additional needs to supporting family carers through research, advocacy and workplace change.

She explains why caring is often invisible until it affects us personally, and why organisations must begin preparing now for the growing impact of an ageing population and changing workforce.

Together, they discuss purpose, compassion, reflective practice, identity, difficult conversations and how our personal experiences influence the way we see the world.

Rosemary also introduces practical ways organisations can better support employees who are balancing work with caring responsibilities, creating healthier workplaces and stronger communities.

Whether you're currently caring for a loved one, leading a team, managing a business, or simply interested in building a more compassionate society, this conversation will leave you reflecting on what care really means and why it matters to us all.

Dr. Rosemary Daynes Kearney is the Founder and Director of The Care Advocate, where she works to create a world in which care is prioritised, visible and valued.

She is a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Limerick, specialising in online support groups for family caregivers, and combines lived experience, academic research and practical workplace solutions to improve the lives of family carers.

Rosemary works with organisations to raise awareness of the challenges facing working carers, helping employers build compassionate, sustainable workplaces that support both people and business.

Her work blends strengths-based practice, compassion-focused approaches and evidence-based research to create meaningful, long-lasting change.

• Caring is something that will affect almost every family at some point in life.
• Purpose becomes clearer when our head, heart and gut are aligned.
• Compassion begins with how we speak to ourselves.
• Family carers face invisible challenges that workplaces often overlook.
• Supporting carers is not just the right thing to do, it also makes good business sense.
• Difficult conversations become possible when we approach them with curiosity rather than judgement.
• Our upbringing, experiences and identities shape how we see the world.
• Small, consistent changes create lasting organisational change.
• Reflective practice helps us better understand ourselves and others.
• Building a caring society starts with recognising the humanity in every person.

"My family is the reason I do everything."

"All of us are wounded humans."

"Caring is disruptive but essential."

"Do or don't do, but there's a cost regardless."

👉 Website

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What happens when the pursuit of success comes at the expense of your wellbeing? And how do you rebuild your life when you realise you've been wearing emotional armour for decades?

In this deeply honest episode of What's Important To You?, James sits down with motivational speaker, author and mental health coach Brian Kennedy to explore a remarkable personal journey through leadership, burnout, resilience and recovery.

Brian reflects on a successful corporate career spanning decades in banking and leadership, while revealing the hidden reality behind the promotions, achievements and outward success.

He shares the impact of childhood experiences, surviving multiple armed robberies, working in toxic corporate environments, and ultimately reaching a point of complete mental exhaustion that forced him to rethink everything he believed about success.

Together, they discuss why so many men struggle to ask for help, the importance of emotional intelligence in leadership, how running became a lifeline during recovery, and why true success is measured by relationships, purpose and authenticity rather than job titles or status.

Whether you're leading a team, navigating workplace stress, supporting someone through burnout, or simply trying to build a more meaningful life, this conversation offers powerful lessons on self-awareness, courage and choosing a healthier path forward.

Brian Kennedy is an international motivational speaker, executive coach, mental health and wellbeing specialist, and author of The Bulletproof Banker.

Following a distinguished corporate career leading global banking operations and customer-focused organisations, Brian now helps executives, managers and professionals recognise, manage and recover from workplace stress before it becomes burnout.

He is also passionate about supporting leaders during the critical first 90 days following promotion and helping organisations develop emotionally intelligent leadership cultures.

As a member of the European Mentoring & Coaching Council (EMCC), Brian combines lived experience with professional coaching to help people build healthier, more authentic and more fulfilling careers.

• Success without wellbeing comes at a significant personal cost.
• Childhood experiences often shape the beliefs we carry into adulthood.
• Self-awareness is the foundation of authentic leadership.
• Men often struggle to ask for help, but vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness.
• Toxic workplace cultures can have a profound impact on mental health.
• Emotional intelligence should be at the heart of every leadership role.
• Physical activity can play a vital role in supporting mental wellbeing.
• Setting boundaries is essential for long-term success.
• Living with purpose creates far greater fulfilment than chasing status.
• Your past may shape you, but it doesn't have to define your future.

"Men find it so hard to ask for help."

"Self-compassion is vital for healing."

"My future needs me, not my past."

"Nobody sees you the way you see yourself."

"It could have been so much easier."

👉 Website

👉 LinkedIn