Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

What if the people promising you “10k followers in 30 days” are telling the truth – but hiding the real cost? In this episode, former quantitative finance engineer turned growth hacker Tim O’Hearn pulls back the curtain on the hidden Instagram underworld that helped him build a $500k side hustle. From DJs in New York nightlife to spam-at-scale and exploiting weak platform limits, Tim reveals how growth really happens behind the scenes – and why the line between optimization and manipulation is much thinner than you think. We talk about fake engagement that feels real, data that might be quietly breaking terms of service, and why no one actually “understands the algorithm” the way they claim online. This is a conversation about ethics, growth, vanity metrics, and what it actually means to play the social media game without losing your soul. You’ll learn: How Tim went from quant finance “code monkey” to building a $500k Instagram growth machine The truth about algorithms and why anyone claiming to “beat” them should be treated with suspicion The gray zone between good marketing, bad marketing, and outright manipulation Why those “attendee lists” and “targeted leads” might be built on terms-of-service violations How vanity metrics secretly control who we trust, book, and refer – even when we think we’re above it Timestamps 00:00 – The Instagram Underworld BeginsTim’s journey from quant finance to building a $500k growth side hustle. 03:30 – The Lie of “Beating the Algorithm”Why no one can truly tell you how social algorithms work – and why that matters. 05:25 – Spam That PaysHow exploiting loose activity limits turned automated spam into a profitable business. 07:10 – Optimization vs ManipulationThe ethical gray zone behind paid leads, scraped data, and “legit” marketing. 11:20 – Followers for Sale & Vanity MetricsWhy fake-seeming tactics work – and how numbers quietly shape real-world opportunities. 14:25 – From Tennis Courts to Pickleball CourtsThe human side: Tim’s life as an endurance athlete and sports fan. 17:20 – Meta, Reddit, and the Real Villains of Social MediaWhy Tim sees major platforms as net drains on human productivity and truth. Guest Links – Tim O’Hearn tjohearn.com/linkshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2X8YSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What if your biggest breakthroughs come from the moments you think your life is falling apart?

What if losing everything is what it takes to find true happiness?

Could your voice become your most valuable asset?In this episode, Dennis Meador—visionary behind The Legal Podcast Network—reveals how podcasting is no longer a side hobby but an essential tool for professionals seeking authority, growth, and lasting credibility. With signature candor and a strategic eye, Dennis uncovers why execution matters more than ideas, how content breeds influence, and the untapped power of storytelling for business development. Discover why “a million-dollar idea is nothing without million-dollar execution,” and learn how even the busiest professionals can leverage consistent, curiosity-driven content to build trust at scale.What You’ll Learn: • Why the attorneys who win online are those who remove friction for clients• How ideas are useless without relentless execution—insights from successful brands (like Calendly)• The step-by-step system Dennis uses to keep clients producing standout content without burnout• How to build an omnichannel presence and hack the algorithm for credibility• The future of podcasting: AI-driven content, narrative journeys, and cartoon-inspired brandingTimestamps: 0:01 — Podcasting for Professionals: Beyond Hobby, Into Strategy2:15 — Ideas vs. Execution: The Calendly Case Study4:49 — Amplifying Authority: Multi-Channel Content & SEO Domination7:27 — Query-Based Content: Preparing for the Era of AI & Search9:01 — Preventing Content Burnout: Dennis’ Game-Changing System13:06 — What’s Sustainable? Finding the Sweet Spot for Busy Leaders15:00 — The Future: Narrative Cartoons, Character Branding & the AI RevolutionGuest Links: Website: thelegalpodcastnetwork.comLinkedIn: Dennis Meador on LinkedIn(Instagram and book links were not provided in the transcript—please update if available.)

What if one strategic move could make you internet-famous in your field and keep delivering clients for years to come? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed dives into the mind of Dennis Meador, founder and CEO of the Legal Podcast Network, master marketer, and the creative force turning podcasts into branding engines for lawyers and white-collar professionals. Relentlessly curious and refreshingly honest, Dennis shares the lessons, scars, and breakthroughs from 30 years in marketing. Discover why he walked away from a million-dollar business, how high-production podcasting became his secret weapon, and the underrated marketing law firms are still missing. Takeaways: Production quality isn’t just about polish—it’s the difference between obscurity and influence. Evergreen podcasting content trumps pay-per-click ads for long-term ROI in legal marketing. Building an authority brand requires ditching old-school media personas; authenticity wins trust. Tailored content solves real client pain points—focusing on query-driven, not ego-driven, stories. Rapid growth brings chaos; Dennis's team culture and high standards drive 94% retention. Where to reach our Guest Website: ⁠https://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com/⁠ Twitter: https://twitter.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyer Instagram: https://instagram.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyer Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyers LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismeador/ Listen to discover how Dennis Meador’s obsession with excellence could be the missing ingredient in your authority journey. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices