Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

What if the algorithms you’re trying to “beat” were quietly rewiring who you become as a creator? In this episode, Junaid sits down with Tim O’Hearn, software engineer, growth strategist, and author of Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media. Tim has lived on both sides of the screen: he’s built persuasive recommendation systems and broken the rules to generate millions of followers for clients. Together they uncover how modern platforms shape culture, push creators toward extremes, and quietly reward behavior that many of us would have considered unacceptable 15 years ago. Tim shares how he “bent” the algorithms, why a villain’s perspective is often more honest than most marketing books, and how creators can grow intentionally without becoming products of the platforms they use. You’ll never look at your feed—or your content strategy—the same way again. 5 Big Takeaways Why Framed is the perfect word for how social media shapes our perspective—and how we’re all “in the frame.” How Tim generated millions of followers by bending algorithmic rules at scale. The subtle ways platform design pushes creators toward provocative, extreme, or controversial content. A practical mindset shift to stop being a product of the platform and start creating on your own terms. Whether ethical growth at scale is still possible—and how your personal values should govern your sponsorships and brand deals. [00:00] The dark side of social media – Tim returns to go deeper [00:57] Why “Framed” – the hidden architecture behind your feed [02:50] The villain’s perspective: breaking rules & building the machine [05:08] How platforms quietly reshape who you become as a creator [07:35] Escaping platform addiction: creating without being consumed [09:05] Selling out vs staying true – sponsorships, gambling ads & values [12:23] Is ethical growth at scale still possible in 2025? [15:24] Where to find Tim, his book, and his deeper research Book: Framed: A Villain’s Perspective on Social Media – available on Amazon (ebook & paperback) Website & Archive: tjohearn.com Newsletter (Beehiiv): timohearn.beehive.com (Tim’s long-form posts) LinkedIn: Tim O’Hearn – long-form essays and updates TimestampsGuest Links – Tim O’Hearn tjohearn.com/linkshttps://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2X8YSK Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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.)