Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed
Self-Improvement
About
Hacks & Hobbies is where passions turn into profit stories. Host Junaid Ahmed interviews entrepreneurs, creators, and builders who are turning what they love into real momentum—income, confidence, community, and impact. Expect practical takeaways on podcasting, video content, home studios, personal branding, systems, and mindset—so your next idea doesn’t stay “someday.” If you’re building something (a show, a brand, a business, a better version of yourself), you’ll feel at home here. 🎙 Wanna be a guest? Apply on PodMatch: https://www.podmatch.com/member/hacksandhobbies 📖 Home Studio resources: https://homestudiobook.com 🔗 LI: https://linkedin.com/in/superjunaid
Episodes
- The “Robin Hood of Podcasting” Who Wants You to Start Messy (How Minimal Gear, Minimal Editing & Maximum Courage Create Real Impact) - Rory Paquette
Rory Paquette, known as the "Robin Hood of Podcasting," discusses his minimalist approach to podcasting, emphasizing starting messy with minimal gear and editing. He shares insights on how this philosophy helps creators build real communit…
- Samurai Success Mentor Reveals the Hidden Identity Shift That Creates Your Destiny - David Alcott
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, David Alcott discusses how identity shapes destiny and introduces a Samurai-inspired framework for personal transformation. He covers practical identity audits, the importance of congruent behavior, an…
- Lefteris “Lefty” Koutinas: The Filmmaker Helping Entrepreneurs Escape the Short‑Form Trap and Build Cinematic Brands That Outlive Algorithms
Lefteris “Lefty” Koutinas, a filmmaker and branding strategist, discusses how entrepreneurs can build cinematic brands and escape the short-form content trap. He shares insights on storytelling, nonverbal communication, and developing a co…
- Founder of Samurai Success on Recreating Your Identity, Building Destiny, and the Lessons Behind Swords of Illumination - David C. Olcott
David C. Olcott, founder of Samurai Success, joins Hacks and Hobbies to discuss how individuals can recreate their identity and build their destiny. He shares insights on personal mastery, learning, and recovering emotional energy from pas…
- Real Estate Investor & Community Builder Who Turned Distress Into a $50M Playbook - Fuquan Bilal
Fuquan Bilal, a real estate investor and community builder, discusses his strategies for transforming distressed properties into thriving communities. He explains his approach to raising institutional capital, structuring deals, and buildi…
- From Distressed Properties to $50M Raised – The Hidden Mechanics of Wealth, Trust, and Discipline - Fuquan Bilal
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid Ahmed interviews Fuquan Bilal, CEO of NNG Capital Fund. Fuquan shares his 26 years of experience in real estate investment, including raising over $50M in capital and transforming communities. H…
- The $100M “Built to Run” System That Turns Chaos Into Scalable Growth - Stewart Ervin
In this episode, Stewart Ervin introduces his "Built to Run" system, which aims to transform chaotic companies into profitable businesses. He details six core strategies that align communication, financial clarity, operations, and growth,…
- The $100M Operator’s System That Saves Broken Businesses From the Brink - Stewart Ervin
Stewart Ervin, founder of Bracket Management, discusses his "Built to Run" $100M System. This episode covers how businesses can improve revenue and profit through an execution-first operating system and focuses on pricing, cost control, an…
- The Autism Mom Who Built America’s First Autism Treatment Franchise - Nichole Daher
Nichole Daher, founder of Success on the Spectrum, discusses her personal journey from a desperate parent to building the first autism treatment franchise in the United States. She shares how her daughter's autism diagnosis became the cata…
- James Showalter — From Hurricane Survival to Disrupting a $100B Industry (Founder of Signature Solar, EG4 & Solar 76)
In this episode, James Showalter, founder of Signature Solar, EG4, and Solar 76, shares his story of building a successful solar hardware and battery company. He discusses his experiences from hurricane survival to disrupting the solar ind…
- Tom Freiling — Publishing Powerhouse: Why AI Is Forcing Authors to Become More Human
Tom Freiling joins Junaid Ahmed to discuss his extensive career in publishing, the publishing industry's evolution, and the impact of AI on authors. He covers topics like discoverability challenges, common mistakes made by self-published a…
- How Dan Schinder Built a 100M‑View Media Brand With Zero Ad Spend — And Why Almost Everyone Is Wrong About Hashtags
Dan Schinder, founder of Drum Talk TV, explains how he built a global media brand with zero ad spend, reaching over 100 million people annually. He shares his approach to content, community, and developing an effective social media strateg…
- Adam Torres: From 6,000 Interviews to 30,000 – How Story, Faith, and Relentless Volume Built a Global Media Brand
Adam Torres, co-founder of Mission Matters, details his journey from a finance career to building a global media brand. He explains how he achieved this through thousands of interviews, driven by personal story, faith, and a commitment to…
- David Schafran: How Salsa, Emotional EQ & Embodiment Can 10x Your Leadership and Sales
In this episode, David Schafran discusses the role of dance, emotional EQ, and embodiment in enhancing leadership and sales skills. He explains how these elements can help prevent burnout and foster genuine human connection in professional…
- How Salsa Saved My Life: MIT Entrepreneur David Schafran on Burnout, Healing, and Dance Immersions in Colombia
David Schafran, an MIT entrepreneur, shares his story of burnout and how he found healing through salsa dance immersions in Colombia after leaving his healthtech company. He explains how continuous immersion in dance helped rewire his inte…
- The Podcast Lawyer Exposes the Legal Traps That Could Kill Your Show Overnight - Gordon Firemark
This episode of Hacks and Hobbies features attorney Gordon Firemark, also known as "The Podcast Lawyer." He discusses common legal pitfalls for podcasters, covering topics such as intellectual property, guest releases, trademarks, and AI c…
- How to Legally Bulletproof Your Podcast & Brand – with Gordon Firemark, The Podcast Lawyer - Gordon Firemark
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid Ahmed and Gordon Firemark, "The Podcast Lawyer," discuss legal blind spots that affect online creators. They cover topics such as fair use, trademarks, LLCs, and the risks associated with using…
- How Curiosity Destroys Limiting Beliefs and Builds High-Trust, High-Performance Teams - Jon Bassford
Jon Bassford joins Junaid Ahmed on Hacks and Hobbies to explore how curiosity can be a superpower for leaders, helping to dismantle limiting beliefs and build psychologically safe, innovative teams. He discusses the importance of leaders f…
- How Curiosity Can Save Your Company, Transform Culture & 5x Your Impact - Jon Bassford
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Jon Bassford explains how curiosity can function as an operational strategy, leading to significant revenue and programming growth. He discusses methods for integrating curiosity into company culture,…
- The Pricing Coach Who Built a 6-Figure Practice from One Podcast & Zero Traditional Marketing - Robin Waite
In this episode, Robin Waite shares his journey of building a six-figure coaching practice. He explains how focusing on partnerships, podcasts, and books, rather than traditional marketing, led to significant lead generation and revenue, i…
- The Fearless Pricing Blueprint That Turns Underselling Coaches into Premium Brands - Robin Waite
In this episode, Junaid Ahmed and Robin Waite discuss pricing strategies for coaches and freelancers. They cover how childhood money stories and fear of rejection can lead to low-ticket offers and how adopting value-based pricing can trans…
- How Creative Leadership Unlocks Your Team’s Hidden Potential (and Your Own) - Kate Volman
In this episode, Junaid Ahmed and Kate Volman explore creative leadership, focusing on how leaders can unlock their team's hidden potential and reignite their own creative spark. They discuss building a culture where people feel seen, appr…
- The CEO Who Proves You Don’t Have To Quit Your Job To Live A Wildly Creative Life - Kate Volman
In this episode, Kate Volman, CEO of Floyd Coaching, shares her approach to living a creative life without leaving her job. She discusses how her experiences shaped her view on work and creativity, highlighting the importance of creative p…
- How Soulful Systems Give Entrepreneurs Their Freedom Back - Jennifer Bennett
In this episode, Jennifer Bennett, a productivity strategist and founder of Get Desky, discusses how entrepreneurs can implement soulful systems to regain freedom, build strong teams, and design their lives to prioritize family, health, an…
- How to Build a Business That Doesn’t Break Your Marriage, Your Kids, or Your Soul - Jennifer Bennett
Jennifer Bennett, a third-generation entrepreneur, shares her journey of building a successful real estate career while realizing the toll it took on her personal life. She discusses the importance of avoiding burnout and introduces Get De…
- The Retention Architect Reveals Why Your Brand Is Leaking Millions in Silent Revenue - Nikita Vakhrushev
Nikita Vakhrushev joins Junaid Ahmed on Hacks and Hobbies to discuss customer retention. He shares insights on converting casual buyers into lifelong customers and optimizing email and SMS strategies for direct-to-consumer brands. The disc…
- The 7-Figure Retention Engine Hiding in Your Email List - Nikita Vakhrushev
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Nikita Vakhrushev explains how direct-to-consumer brands can utilize their existing email lists for significant profit. He details essential email and SMS strategies, emphasizing retention over constan…
- Trauma-Informed Storytelling, Vicarious Trauma & How to Share Stories Without Causing Harm - Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan joins Hacks and Hobbies to discuss trauma-informed storytelling. She explains how to share stories ethically, reduce harm, and protect both storytellers and those whose stories are shared, covering topics such as vicarious trau…
- Trauma-Informed Storytelling, Nonprofit Fundraising & How Stories Can Harm (and Heal) - Maria Bryan
Maria Bryan discusses trauma-informed storytelling, nonprofit fundraising, and how traditional storytelling can cause harm. She offers a blueprint for ethically sharing lived-experience stories, focusing on safety, consent, and agency.
- How to Rewire Your Brain, Escape Burnout & Stop Living on Autopilot - Irina Alexander
Junaid Ahmed and Irina Alexander discuss how to escape burnout and live intentionally. Irina shares her "3P method"—pause, pull back, and physical scan—and emphasizes the importance of integrating knowledge into daily life for lasting chan…
- How To Rewire Your Subconscious, Escape Hustle Culture & Build a Life By Choice - Irina Alexander
On Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid Ahmed and Irina Alexander discuss how to rewire your subconscious and escape hustle culture. Irina shares her neuroscience background and methods for building a life by conscious choice. She also talks about he…
- The “No 0% Days” Rule That Turns Ordinary People Into High Performers - Jake Smolarek
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Jake Smolarek shares his "No 0% Days" rule, the 10-80-10 rule, and his Vision GPS system. He discusses discipline, success, and how to achieve extraordinary results despite having limited time.
- The 1080/10 Rule – How to Build Unshakeable Discipline, Vision & “Lucky” Success - Jake Smolarek
Junaid Ahmed and Jake Smolarek discuss building discipline, vision, and "lucky" success using the 1080/10 framework. They explore how the "messy middle 80%" of any journey is crucial for champions and how to build systems for long-term fre…
- Paden Squires: The CPA Teaching Entrepreneurs How to Stop Flying Blind With Their Finances
CPA and founder Paden Squires joins Hacks and Hobbies to discuss why many entrepreneurs struggle with financial management. The conversation covers the importance of proactive tax planning, establishing clear financial systems, and moving…
- Paden Squires: How to Think Like a Wealthy Founder (Even If Your Finances Feel Like Chaos)
Junaid Ahmed interviews Paden Squires, founder of Squires Tax Planning, about how entrepreneurs can improve their financial standing through behavioral changes and sound habits. The discussion covers the role of radical transparency, ident…
- The Inspiration Engineer Who Turns Personal Brands into Legacies (Not Just Followers) - Cauveé [kaw-vay]
Junaid Ahmed discusses building legacy-driven personal brands with Kaveh, the Inspiration Engineer. They explore systems, mindset, and strategies to turn content into conversions and impact, moving beyond vanity metrics to create lasting l…
- Cauveé [kaw-vay] The Inspiration Engineer: How Motivation Music, Adversity & Personal Branding Turn You Into Your Highest Self
In this episode, Cauveé, "The Inspiration Engineer," discusses his method for transforming adversity into success. He introduces his SIP Method (Strategy, Instruction, Programming) for building a personal brand and explains how motivation…
- The Man Using AI To Let You Live Forever (Without Being Rich Or Famous) - Steve Endacott
Entrepreneur Steve Endacott explains how his AI platform, Life Echo, allows individuals to preserve their voice and stories for future generations. The episode covers the technology behind conversational AI autobiographies, its potential i…
- How to Retire from Your Business Without Killing Its Growth (AI, Startups & the “Gray Hair” Advantage) - Steve Endacott
Junaid Ahmed speaks with entrepreneur and investor Steven Endacott about stepping back from daily business operations while maintaining growth. The discussion explores an incubator model that pairs experienced mentors with AI-focused found…
- How Scott Durham Quit $10/hr & Built a 6‑Figure House Flipping Machine (Without HGTV Fairy Dust)
Junaid Ahmed speaks with real estate investor Scott Durham about his transition from a low-wage job to a successful house-flipping business. The discussion covers practical deal analysis formulas, managing project costs, and strategies for…
- How to Productize Your Expertise, Build Learning Assets & Scale Without Burnout - Parchelle Tashi
In this episode, Junaid Ahmed and Parchelle Tashi discuss productizing expertise, building scalable learning assets, and avoiding burnout. They explore different formats for turning experience into income, creating engaging learning experi…
- The Secret System Authors Use To Turn Their Books Into Profitable Learning Experiences - Parchelle Tashi
Parchelle Tashi, founder of The Author's Leverage, shares her method for helping authors turn their books into profitable learning experiences. She explains why many online courses fail and how to create impactful learning assets.
- How High-Performing Men Can Win at Home Without Losing in Business - Mitchell Osmond
Mitchell Osmond joins the Hacks and Hobbies podcast to discuss how high-performing men can maintain success in business while prioritizing their home lives and relationships. He outlines three key pillars—marriage, fitness, and mindset—to…
- How Hitting Rock Bottom Turned a Burned-Out Executive into a World-Class Dad & Leader - Mitchell Osmond
Leadership consultant and Dad Nation founder Mitchell Osmond discusses his journey from professional burnout, debt, and family struggles to personal transformation. He outlines frameworks like the "eulogy exercise" and "best three years" t…
- How Car Dealerships Go Viral on TikTok (Without Feeling Cringe) - Ina Coveney
Junaid Ahmed speaks with Ina Coveney of Auto Social Consulting about leveraging short-form video for car dealerships and local businesses. The episode covers content strategy, mindset shifts for creators, and practical tools like CapCut to…
- How Ina Coveney Turned a Podcast Talk into a Six-Figure Automotive Social Media Empire - Ina Coveney
In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, marketer Ina Coveney discusses how a chance appearance at a podcasting conference led her into the automotive industry. She shares how she became a successful social media strategist for car dealership…
- The Tech Executive Who Turned Silent Menopause Suffering Into a Global Wellness Movement - Amita Sharma
Amita Sharma, co-founder of Nourish Doc, discusses her personal journey with perimenopause and the need to address hormonal health in the workplace. She shares how she turned her experience into a platform to advocate for menopause awarene…
- The ADHD Business Strategist Who Turns Chaos into Focused Growth - Sky Waterson
ADHD strategist Sky Waterson discusses why traditional business productivity systems often fail ADHD entrepreneurs and offers alternative strategies. She explores concepts like the step-into-focus routine, managing time blindness, and dopa…
- ADHD Strategist Reveals How To Prioritize When Everything Is On Fire - Sky Waterson
ADHD strategist Sky Waterson joins host Junaid Ahmed to discuss overcoming overwhelm and managing tasks as an entrepreneur. They explore practical strategies for prioritizing work, managing energy levels, and navigating ADHD-related challe…
- The Personal Brand Architect Reveals How to Monetize Your Name Without Chasing Viral Fame - Jeremy Bishop
Jeremy Bishop, a personal brand architect, discusses how to monetize a personal brand by focusing on building trust and relationships instead of chasing viral fame. He shares strategies for entrepreneurs and creators to generate revenue th…