Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed
Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Junaid Ahmed

Overview
Episodes

Details

This is more than a podcast — it’s a space for dreamers, builders, and creators who believe that passions aren’t just pastimes… they’re the seeds of purpose and profit. Each episode uncovers real stories, practical strategies, and powerful lessons to help you build confidence, authority, and success. From hobbies to business breakthroughs, discover how your passion can become your purpose — and your legacy. 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Junaid’s book Home Studio: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid

Recent Episodes

The $500K Instagram Underworld, Growth Hacking, and the Dark Psychology of Social Media
DEC 17, 2025
The $500K Instagram Underworld, Growth Hacking, and the Dark Psychology of Social Media
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
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28 MIN
From Heart Attack & Bankruptcy to “Prosperity Flow” – Why Chasing Success Is Making You Poorer ( Alex Moses )
DEC 15, 2025
From Heart Attack & Bankruptcy to “Prosperity Flow” – Why Chasing Success Is Making You Poorer ( Alex Moses )
What if your biggest breakthroughs come from the moments you think your life is falling apart? In this deeply honest and spiritual conversation, Alex Moses – an entrepreneur who’s built empires, lost everything, survived a stroke and a heart attack, and come back stronger – shares the philosophy he calls “Prosperity Flow.” This isn’t about hustling harder, manifesting more, or playing the fake “law of attraction” game. It’s about learning to trust the path in front of you, release the obsession with control, and become the kind of person who can hold massive success and inner peace. From running out of gas at the worst possible moment to negotiating six-figure deals without emotional drama, Alex shows how everyday situations are actually spiritual training grounds. If you’ve ever felt burned out, stuck in hustle mode, or constantly at war with yourself, this episode will challenge how you see money, work, faith, and what it really means to be successful. What You'll Learn : Why “stop pursuing” might be the most powerful money advice you’ll ever hear How a simple story about running out of gas reveals who truly shows up for you The surprising link between inner peace, health, and physical strength (including Alex’s push-up story at 53) A completely different way to see negotiation, “bullies,” and unfair deals Why your biggest enemy isn’t the market, your boss, or your competitors – it’s the lies you tell yourself [00:00] The man who built empires, lost everything, and found something deeperHow Alex frames “prosperity flow” and why it’s not about working harder or smarter. [03:45] “Stop pursuing anything” – the radical shift that changes everythingWhy Alex believes opportunities are already on your path and how trying to be someone else repels the right people. [06:10] The gas station story: how a bad day revealed who really shows up for youJunaid’s car breaks down at the light—what Alex sees in the strangers who helped and the brother-in-law who came through. [10:30] Prosperity Flow in real life: awareness vs. living like a robotHow missing small moments and interactions can cost you life-changing opportunities. [14:30] Negotiating big money without ego, anger, or dramaAlex breaks down a real negotiation, why his wife saw “bullying,” and why he only focuses on the reality of options. [18:40] Burnout, stress, and why learning to breathe can change your entire lifeThe psychology of stress, cortisol, and why most people would rather face death than uncertainty. [21:30] “Nobody will lie to you more than you lie to yourself”A confronting discussion on self-deception, survival mode, and knowing yourself as your only real advantage. [27:15] Peace as the ultimate flex: health, aging, and 53 push-upsHow inner peace transformed Alex’s health and performance after strokes and a heart attack. [30:20] If Alex’s life was a Netflix series: ‘Shift’ and the mission behind itWhy he’d call it Shift and how he sees his role as helping people move from where they are to where they’re meant to be. (As shared in the episode, Alex is not active on most social platforms and primarily focuses on business. The best place to reach or follow him is:) LinkedIn: Alex Moses – https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-moses-/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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38 MIN
From Immigrant Hustler to Millionaire — The Collapse, The Truth & The Secrets of Prosperity (Alex Moses)
DEC 10, 2025
From Immigrant Hustler to Millionaire — The Collapse, The Truth & The Secrets of Prosperity (Alex Moses)
What if losing everything is what it takes to find true happiness? In this gripping episode, host Junaid Ahmed delves into the extraordinary story of Alex Moses—a man who went from broke and alone in a foreign country to working with Steve Jobs and selling companies for hundreds of millions. But when it all crumbled, Alex discovered a deeper truth about success, loss, and meaning. Hear never-before-shared insights about resilience, the illusions of “right timing,” and the real lessons hiding behind collapse. This episode isn’t just about business—it’s about the pursuit of purpose, the emotional price of ambition, and finding gratitude amidst chaos. What You'll Learn: Resilience fuels reinvention: how Alex built an empire from nothing, and rebuilt after losing it all. The myth of the “right people, right time, right place”—and what actually creates opportunity. Brutally honest stories of working with Steve Jobs—creative genius or master salesman? Why true learning comes from loss, not gain—and the psychology behind breakdowns. The single mindset shift you need for prosperity: drop expectations and embrace the moment. Timestamps: 00:00 – The Hollywood-script life: Alex’s immigrant hustle and overnight business empire 03:11 – Meeting Steve Jobs: pure chance, NDAs, and the real story behind the myth 06:43 – Collapse at the top: health crisis, loss, and facing hard truths 08:50 – “It’s not about money”—finding joy in the smallest moments 10:21 – Would you sell ice to an Eskimo? The power of empathy in sales 11:30 – The lesson hidden in loss: why business setbacks create the best teachers 12:42 – Prosperity Flow: the secret shift to happiness, leadership, and legacy Where to reach Our Guest : https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-moses-/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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18 MIN
Building Authority with Podcasts—The Secrets Lawyers & Leaders Don’t Know (Yet) ( Dennis Meador )
DEC 9, 2025
Building Authority with Podcasts—The Secrets Lawyers & Leaders Don’t Know (Yet) ( Dennis Meador )
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.)
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22 MIN
How Dennis Meador Built Trust & Authority for Lawyers, The Evergreen Marketing Secret the Legal World Ignored
DEC 9, 2025
How Dennis Meador Built Trust & Authority for Lawyers, The Evergreen Marketing Secret the Legal World Ignored
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. Timestamps:[0:00] – Why Dennis left a multimillion-dollar agency to launch Legal Podcast Network[0:42] – Lessons from producing 60 podcast episodes in 3 months—production versus competition[5:46] – The real power of podcasting: building human connection and trust[8:07] – Firing clients for protecting culture and commitment to quality[11:48] – When experience matters, but results win—Dennis' core marketing philosophy[13:55] – The “fight in the firm”: turning authentic stories into video assets lawyers use[17:53] – The evergreen effect—why a single podcast episode beats $10,000s in PPC advertising Where to reach our Guest :https://twitter.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyerhttps://instagram.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyerhttps://www.facebook.com/legalpodcastnetwork.lawyershttps://www.linkedin.com/in/dennismeador/https://www.thelegalpodcastnetwork.com/ 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
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31 MIN