Hoffman Hour

What does it take to build a restaurant that people keep coming back to for decades? And what really makes a great burger?

On this episode of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, host Robert Hoffman sits down with Phil Chavez, owner of The Grill in Albuquerque, New Mexico, for a conversation about restaurant ownership, family history, Route 66, entrepreneurship, and the passion behind perfecting your craft.

Phil's journey into the restaurant business began after serving in the United States Navy. While stationed in San Francisco, he spent time learning the restaurant business from an experienced owner in Santa Rosa, California. When he returned to New Mexico, he teamed up with his father to convert part of the family's auto repair property into a small restaurant called Grandpa's Grill.

That restaurant would become the foundation for decades of experience in the food industry.

Phil shares stories about growing up in Gallup, New Mexico, where his father owned the Shell station near the historic El Rancho Hotel along Route 66. He explains how his father anticipated the construction of the interstate bypass and made an important business decision before the traffic patterns changed.

Robert and Phil also explore the history of Route 66, the legendary El Rancho Hotel, and its connections to Hollywood icons like John Wayne and Ronald Reagan.

Of course, you can't sit down with Phil without talking about the food!

Phil breaks down the science and experience behind making a great burger, including why the 80/20 beef-to-fat ratio works best on his grill, how different suppliers affect the final product, why seasoning the meat properly matters, and how cooking over mesquite wood creates The Grill's signature flavor.

Beyond the burgers, this episode is about what it really takes to build a business.

Phil recalls operating a small 1,700-square-foot restaurant with just 25 seats, doing the cooking himself while one employee handled the front. For six years, he put in the long hours and repetitions that helped shape his experience as a restaurateur.

Robert and Phil discuss the importance of finding work you're genuinely passionate about, how repetition builds expertise, and why loving what you do can be one of the greatest competitive advantages in business.

Phil's journey from the U.S. Navy to restaurant ownership

The origins of Grandpa's Grill and its Route 66 history

Growing up in Gallup and the legendary El Rancho Hotel

How Phil's father anticipated the interstate bypass

The evolution from Grandpa's Grill to The Grill

The secret behind The Grill's mesquite-grilled burgers

Why 80/20 ground beef makes a difference

The realities of operating a small, independently owned restaurant

Building expertise through passion, consistency, and repetition

Why doing something you love makes the hard work worthwhile

Whether you're a business owner, a food lover, a New Mexico history enthusiast, or someone looking for inspiration to pursue your passion, this episode offers a look at the experience behind one of Albuquerque's local restaurant stories.

A shorter episode of the Hoffman Hour, packed with local history, great food, and lessons from decades in business.

🎙️ Hosted by Robert Hoffman

▶️ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HoffmanHourPodcast

🎧 Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Podbean.

The Hoffman Hour Podcast is proudly brought to you by the Hoffman Agency — Farmers Insurance.

Based in Rio Rancho, New Mexico, the Hoffman Agency helps individuals, families, and business owners protect what matters most.

Our team provides personalized insurance solutions, including:

Homeowners & Auto Insurance

Business & Commercial Insurance

Life Insurance & Mortgage Protection

Landlord & Rental Property Insurance

Specialty Insurance Coverage

📞 Call Hoffman Agency: 505-771-3035

Whether you're protecting your family, buying a home, or growing a business, we're here to help you understand your options and find the right coverage.

Hoffman Agency — Protecting what you've worked hard to build.

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to the Hoffman Hour Podcast, leave a review, and share it with someone who appreciates New Mexico history, local businesses, and great entrepreneurial stories.

#HoffmanHour #PhilChavez #TheGrill #Albuquerque #Route66

🎙️ Hoffman Hour Podcast | Mike Adams – Albuquerque, Sports, Boxing & Getting 1% Better Every Day

Hosted by Robert Hoffman | The Hoffman Agency Insurance

In this episode of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with Mike Adams for a conversation about Albuquerque, New Mexico, sports, boxing, radio, storytelling, community, winning, and getting 1% better every day.

Mike has spent roughly 30 years in radio and ring announcing, with experiences spanning New Mexico, Las Vegas, Florida, Los Angeles, and beyond. Along the way, he's interviewed fascinating people, covered the fight world, and learned firsthand what separates champions from everyone else.

Mike shares one of his core beliefs:

“Winners win. They find a way to win.”

Robert and Mike explore how sports can become a blueprint for business and life. 

You might hear 100 no's before getting 10 yeses. Can you rebound, make another call, send another email, and keep moving?

They also discuss:

• Mike's decades in radio and broadcasting

Mike's “Foundation of the Sticks” represents another major theme of the conversation. He'll grab a trash-picker, head into a neighborhood, and clean up—not for recognition or applause, but because he believes in leaving his community better than he found it.

That philosophy immediately connects with something Robert has built into the Hoffman Agency culture:

1% better each day.

At its core, this episode is about people, resilience and improvement—helping others score, rebounding when life knocks you down, taking pride in your community, and finding a way to keep moving forward.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, athlete, salesperson, leader, boxing fan, or proud New Mexican, there's something in this conversation for you.

Serving New Mexico, Texas & Arizona with Home, Auto, Commercial, Life, Flood and Specialty Insurance.

📞 (505) 771-3035

🎙️ Watch the Hoffman Hour Podcast on YouTube and listen on Podbean, Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

#HoffmanHourPodcast #MikeAdams #Albuquerque #NewMexico #Leadership

Kade Walenta, owner of Kade’s Kleanup, joins Robert Hoffman on the Hoffman Hour Podcast for a conversation about entrepreneurship, leadership, building a team, and developing the mentality it takes to grow a business at a young age.

Kade shares his perspective on overcoming self-doubt as a young entrepreneur and learning how to lead by example as his business and responsibilities have grown.

A major part of the conversation focuses on building the right team. Robert and Kade discuss the importance of hiring people who align with your values, giving employees the autonomy to do their jobs, and moving away from micromanagement. They also talk about creating an environment where employees are motivated through trust, responsibility, and recognition.

In this episode:

• Kade’s journey as a young entrepreneur

ABOUT KADE’S KLEANUP

Kade Walenta is the owner of Kade’s Kleanup, a New Mexico-based junk removal and cleanup company serving residential and commercial customers.

ABOUT THE HOFFMAN HOUR PODCAST

Rob sits down with entrepreneurs, business owners, creators, athletes, and leaders to uncover the stories, lessons, and strategies behind their success.

Hosted by Robert Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Agency Insurance in New Mexico.

🎙️ New clips and full episodes every 2 weeks.

LISTEN TO THE HOFFMAN HOUR

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BROUGHT TO YOU BY HOFFMAN AGENCY INSURANCE

Hoffman Agency helps individuals, families, and businesses with Auto, Home, Life, Commercial, Flood, Landlord, Restaurant, Real Estate, and Specialty Insurance.

📞 Hoffman Agency: 505-771-3035

#HoffmanHour #KadesKleanup #KadeWalenta #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #SmallBusiness #NewMexicoBusiness

What separates talented players from the ones who actually make it?

On Episode 55 of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with Patrick Schmittdiel Jr., a New Mexico soccer coach with deep roots in the game, to talk about what really goes into developing athletes, building winning teams, and turning talent into results.

Patrick shares his journey through soccer, his experience coaching in Santa Fe, and the lessons he’s learned working with competitive players.

We get into the reality of being a goal scorer, why discipline can matter more than raw talent, what coaches actually look for in players, and the mentality required to keep improving when natural ability isn’t enough.

We also talk about the growth of soccer in New Mexico, the professional game, and the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup coming to North America.

This episode goes beyond soccer. It’s a conversation about coaching, leadership, discipline, competition, accountability, and what it takes to perform at a high level — lessons that translate just as well to business and life.

Patrick’s background and journey through soccer

Coaching and developing competitive players

Talent vs. discipline

The reality of being a goal scorer

What separates good players from great ones

Building confidence and handling pressure

Soccer culture and its growth in New Mexico

The 2026 FIFA World Cup

Leadership, accountability, and continuous improvement

The Hoffman Hour Podcast features conversations with entrepreneurs, business owners, athletes, coaches, creators, and leaders about the experiences, failures, lessons, and strategies that shaped their success.

Hosted by Robert Hoffman, owner of Hoffman Agency.

Need insurance? Hoffman Agency can help with:

Auto Insurance

Home Insurance

Commercial & Business Insurance

Life Insurance

Flood Insurance

Landlord & Investment Property Insurance

Restaurant Insurance

Real Estate Insurance

Specialty Insurance

📞 CALL HOFFMAN AGENCY: 505-771-3035

▶️ WATCH THE FULL EPISODE ON YOUTUBE:

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#HoffmanHour #PatrickSchmittdiel #Soccer #SoccerCoach #NewMexicoSoccer

🔥 HOFFMAN HOUR PODCAST — MICHAEL ESPINOSA | BULLDOG FAB505

Michael Espinosa joins the Hoffman Hour Podcast to talk about what it really takes to build and operate a business in Albuquerque.

Michael is behind Bulldog FAB505, a local, family-run metal fabrication company specializing in custom welding, gates, fencing, signage, awnings, carports, commercial fabrication and more.

In this episode, we get into the parts of entrepreneurship that don't always make it onto social media — cash flow, making payroll, working hard when things get difficult, growing a local business, and the lessons Michael wishes he could give his younger self.

🎙️ IN THIS EPISODE:

🔧 CONNECT WITH BULLDOG FAB505

🎧 HOFFMAN HOUR PODCAST

🤝 BROUGHT TO YOU BY HOFFMAN AGENCY

📞 505-771-3035

#HoffmanHour #MichaelEspinosa #BulldogFAB505 #AlbuquerqueBusiness #Entrepreneurship

🎙️ Hoffman Hour Podcast | Episode 53 – Brandon Saiz of NCB Mechanical

Hosted by Robert Hoffman | The Hoffman Agency Insurance

Robert Hoffman sits down with Brandon Saiz, owner of NCB Mechanical, for an honest conversation about entrepreneurship, marketing, leadership, sales, business growth, and what it really takes to build a successful home service company from the ground up. Brandon founded NCB Mechanical with a vision of building more than just an HVAC company. Through consistent marketing, disciplined execution, and an unwavering commitment to customer service, he has grown the business into one of New Mexico's trusted names in residential and commercial HVAC services.

This episode goes far beyond heating and air conditioning. Robert and Brandon dive into the realities of running a growing business, overcoming setbacks, developing systems, hiring the right people, and creating a brand that customers immediately recognize and trust. The conversation explores:

• Building NCB Mechanical from the ground up

• Marketing across every channel to become the obvious choice

• Why consistency beats occasional advertising

• The psychology of brand familiarity and customer trust

• Sales, rejection, and developing resilience as an entrepreneur

• Why customer service can become your biggest competitive advantage

• Hiring, leadership, and building the right company culture

• The importance of discipline, systems, and continuous improvement

• Lessons learned from growing a home service business

• The seasonality of the HVAC industry and adapting during slower periods

• Marketing strategies that generate long-term business growth

• Plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and residential service experiences

• Memorable customer stories and unexpected service calls

• Funny behind-the-scenes moments from the trades

• The realities of entrepreneurship that most people never see

• Why success comes from repetition, consistency, and showing up every day

Throughout the conversation, Brandon shares practical insights that apply far beyond the HVAC industry. Whether you're building a service business, growing a sales organization, leading a team, or simply looking to improve your marketing, the lessons are immediately applicable. The discussion also explores why relationships still matter in an increasingly digital world. While technology continues to evolve, Brandon believes businesses that consistently deliver value and remain visible in their communities will continue to earn trust and long-term customer loyalty.

Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, salesperson, tradesperson, marketer, or someone looking to grow a company, this episode is packed with actionable advice, real-world stories, and lessons learned through experience. At its core, this conversation is about becoming the business people remember. Not because you advertised once—but because you consistently delivered value, built trust, and showed up long before they needed your service. 

About Brandon Saiz & NCB Mechanical Brandon Saiz is the owner of NCB Mechanical, a New Mexico-based residential and commercial HVAC company specializing in heating, air conditioning, ventilation, plumbing, maintenance, repairs, and system installations. Through a focus on quality workmanship, customer service, and consistent marketing, Brandon has built a rapidly growing company serving homeowners and businesses throughout the Albuquerque area.

About The Hoffman Agency Insurance At The Hoffman Agency, we specialize in protecting what matters most—offering commercial, home, auto, life, flood, and specialty insurance solutions throughout New Mexico, Texas and Arizona. If you're looking for a fast, no-obligation quote backed by exceptional customer service, call us today at (505) 771-3035.

🎙️ Hoffman Hour Podcast | Episode 52 – Jeff Faulwell

Hosted by Robert Hoffman | The Hoffman Agency Insurance

In Episode 52 of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with longtime insurance professional Jeff Faulwell for a wide-ranging conversation about insurance, entrepreneurship, sales, technology, music, leadership, and what it takes to stay relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Jeff has spent decades helping clients protect what matters most while building a successful career in one of the most relationship-driven industries in America. Along the way, he's developed a unique perspective on customer service, risk management, business ownership, technology, and the human side of insurance.

This episode goes far beyond policy language and premiums.

Robert and Jeff discuss how many people accidentally find their life's work in the industry, why sales skills are essential for every entrepreneur, and what separates agents who survive from agents who thrive. Jeff shares lessons from years in the insurance industry, including memorable claims stories, customer experiences, and moments that reinforced the importance of serving clients the right way.

The conversation explores:

The conversation also takes several unexpected turns into music, creativity, and the realities of performing.

As musicians themselves, Robert and Jeff discuss the strange challenge artists face when their biggest songs become the songs they have to perform forever. With stories about legendary musicians they explore the tension between creative growth and audience expectations.

The two also discuss:

• The hidden realities of life as a musician

Throughout the episode, Jeff shares practical wisdom earned through decades of experience serving clients, building relationships, and adapting to change.

Whether you're a business owner, entrepreneur, insurance professional, musician, salesperson, or someone simply trying to build a meaningful career, this episode offers valuable insights into leadership, service, technology, personal growth, and the importance of staying human in an increasingly automated world.

At its core, this conversation is about value.

How do you stay valuable in your profession? How do you continue learning? How do you build relationships that last? And what happens when technology changes everything around you?

These are the questions Robert and Jeff explore in one of the most practical and thought-provoking conversations yet.

About The Hoffman Agency Insurance

At The Hoffman Agency, we specialize in protecting what matters most—offering commercial, home, auto, life, flood, and specialty insurance solutions throughout New Mexico. If you're looking for a fast, no-obligation quote backed by exceptional customer service, call us today at (505) 771-3035.

If you've ever wondered whether AI will replace insurance agents, why some insurance policies cost more than others, what really happens during a major claim, or how successful professionals continue adapting over decades of change, this is an episode you won't want to miss.

🎙️ Hoffman Hour Podcast | Episode 51 – Seth Hoffman

In Episode 51 of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with Seth Hoffman for one of the most personal, funny, and creatively driven conversations yet.

Seth is a singer-songwriter and musician based in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and the host of the public access and YouTube talk show Everybody’s Got Something—a platform centered around authentic conversations, music, storytelling, and the human experience. This episode quickly turns into what Rob jokingly calls “The Hoffman Squared.”

The conversation moves between music, creativity, life experiences, family, danger, healing, and the unpredictable moments that shape who we become.

Robert opens up about his mom’s serious car accident and the surreal moment his Apple Watch automatically notified him that she had been involved in a crash. They discuss the emotional aftermath, the healing process after severe injuries, and how quickly life can change in a single moment.

Naturally, the episode also takes a turn into humor—with dad jokes, wild roommate stories, and reflections on the strange situations both of them have encountered over the years.

We also dive into:

Seth’s journey as a musician and songwriter

And then… things get crazy.

The two share multiple stories involving dangerous encounters, getting mugged, feeling unsafe while traveling, and some genuinely unbelievable moments you have to hear for yourself—including Rob’s wild confrontation involving someone who stole a guitar from his house.

There’s also an unforgettable story about Rob’s old roommate Ben allegedly stealing his loop pedal and cash back in the day—proving that musicians don’t just collect songs… they collect stories.

At its core, this episode is about creativity, resilience, human connection, and the strange experiences that become part of our personal mythology over time.

About Seth Hoffman

About The Hoffman Agency Insurance

If you love music, storytelling, creativity, wild life experiences, and real conversations that go far beyond surface-level topics—this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

🎙️ Hoffman Hour Podcast | Episode 50 – Jason Cassidy

Hosted by Robert Hoffman | The Hoffman Agency Insurance

In Episode 50 of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with Jason Cassidy, District Manager for Farmers Insurance District 25, Presidents Council member, business coach, and leader responsible for helping develop and support insurance agency owners across Central New Mexico.

Jason has spent nearly a decade building and mentoring successful agency owners, helping entrepreneurs transform their lives through business ownership, leadership, accountability, and execution. Supporting dozens of agencies throughout Albuquerque and Central New Mexico, Jason shares what it actually takes to grow—not just professionally, but personally.

And yes… there’s a special surprise around minute 5 that you won’t see coming. 👀

This episode blends leadership, entrepreneurship, insurance agency operations, mindset, sports culture, and real-world stories from both the business and entertainment industries. Robert and Jason talk openly about ambition, pressure, coaching, and the willingness to accept direction from people who have already achieved what you’re trying to accomplish.

They reflect on Scott—the person who originally recruited Rob—and the importance of wanting to work for someone you genuinely want to emulate. From there, the conversation expands into mentorship, personal growth, and the idea that success often comes down to whether you’re coachable enough to stop “walking into the same wall” over and over again.

The two also go deep into:

The reality of qualifying for Topper’s Club and how Rob made it “by the skin of his teeth”

What it’s like living with five massive goals at all times

Football culture, competition, and developing a winning attitude

Agency staffing systems, accountability, and performance metrics

The nitty-gritty day-to-day work required to scale an insurance agency

Delegation, leadership structure, and building systems that actually work

How Jason has helped over 100 agents succeed through coaching and implementation

Why taking guidance and executing on it can completely change your life

The danger of becoming too comfortable once you start succeeding

Robert also shares stories from his time working music festivals and large-scale events, including dangerous moments surrounding events like Rolling Loud, the tragedy connected to Astroworld Festival, and reflections on the devastating events surrounding 2017 Las Vegas shooting.

One of the most ironic moments surrounding this episode? Rob accidentally filmed the podcast with the wrong camera exposure settings—especially funny after they had just pulled an April Fools prank pretending they lost the footage entirely. Karma, apparently, has a sense of humor.

More than anything, this episode is about growth:

Growth through mentorship.

Growth through discomfort.

Growth through execution.

And understanding that the moment you stop improving is the moment you stop growing.

About Farmers Insurance District 25

Jason Cassidy and his district team help recruit, train, and support entrepreneurs looking to build successful insurance and financial services businesses throughout Albuquerque and Central New Mexico through award-winning training, mentorship, and operational support.

About The Hoffman Agency Insurance

At The Hoffman Agency, we specialize in protecting what matters most—offering commercial, home, auto, life, and specialty insurance solutions. If you're looking for a fast, no-obligation quote backed by exceptional customer service, call us today at 505-771-3035.

If you’re serious about leadership, ownership, personal accountability, and building something meaningful—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In Episode 49 of the Hoffman Hour Podcast, Robert Hoffman sits down with Daniel Kearney, Principal and Qualified Broker at RESOLUT RE New Mexico, for an in-depth conversation about commercial real estate, economic development, urban planning, and the future of Albuquerque.

Daniel began his commercial real estate career in 2014 and helped launch the New Mexico division of RESOLUT RE in 2018. Today, he serves as Principal, Qualified Broker, and co-owner of the New Mexico office alongside his partners, helping investors, landlords, tenants, and business owners navigate the complexities of commercial real estate.

This episode goes far beyond buying and selling buildings.

Robert and Daniel explore what it means to operate as a "player-coach" in a growing company, the differences between owning a franchise versus building a business, and how leadership, partnerships, and marketing shape the long-term success of a commercial real estate firm.

The conversation also dives deep into some of Albuquerque's most interesting development projects and urban planning challenges.

Daniel shares insights into:

• The role of a Principal and Qualified Broker within a commercial real estate firm

Throughout the conversation, Daniel offers a unique perspective on how real estate, transportation, infrastructure, zoning, and economic development all intersect to shape the future of a city.

Whether you're a business owner, investor, developer, commercial property owner, or simply someone who cares about Albuquerque's future, this episode provides valuable insight into the forces influencing growth throughout the region.

At its core, this episode is about understanding how cities evolve—and the people helping guide that evolution.

About Daniel Kearney & RESOLUT RE

Daniel Kearney is Principal and Qualified Broker of RESOLUT RE New Mexico, a commercial real estate brokerage specializing in investment sales, landlord representation, tenant representation, site selection, acquisitions, dispositions, and commercial leasing throughout New Mexico. Daniel has been active in Albuquerque commercial real estate since 2014 and became a co-owner of RESOLUT RE New Mexico in 2025.

📍 RESOLUT RE

About The Hoffman Agency Insurance

At The Hoffman Agency, we specialize in protecting what matters most—offering commercial, home, auto, life, flood, and specialty insurance solutions. If you're looking for a fast, no-obligation quote backed by exceptional customer service, call us today at (505) 771-3035.

If you've ever wondered how commercial real estate projects are approved, how cities grow, why some developments succeed while others fail, or what the future of Albuquerque might look like over the next decade, this is an episode you won't want to miss.