Hacks & Hobbies

Junaid Ahmed

Junaid Ahmed talks to hobbyists, entrepreneurs, cyclists, artists, actors, and some awesome guests in season 2. We learn about their journey and origin stories, what makes them tick and how they got to where they are today. A lot of these lessons are immediately actionable and start giving you results.

  • 22 minutes 43 seconds
    The Hidden Power of Personal Branding (and Why It’s Costing You Millions) - Jeremy Bishop

    You’re building everyone else’s brand… except your own.

    In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with celebrity brand strategist Jeremy Bishop, the man behind brands for Netflix stars, top realtors, artists, and authors. Jeremy reveals how losing everything in his early twenties forced him to confront a brutal truth: if your name doesn’t stand for something, your success can disappear overnight.

    They break down what truly makes a personal brand that sells, why most entrepreneurs are invisible online (despite posting every day), and how a simple shift in how you show up on social media can open doors to mentors, clients, and seven-figure opportunities. This episode is a powerful reminder that your name is your most important asset—and you’re probably under-using it.


    What You'll Learn:

    • Why Jeremy’s first company collapsing overnight made him obsessed with building his name, not just a business.
    • The real reason most social media profiles don’t match the mission people say they’re on.
    • How a clear personal brand creates instant trust, credibility, and opportunity—often before you say a word.
    • The number one monetization mistake creators and entrepreneurs make: ignoring direct, daily communication.
    • How timeless principles from “How to Win Friends and Influence People” still drive Jeremy’s networking and mentorship today.

    Timestamps

    • 00:00 – The man behind the brands you already follow
    • 01:10 – Losing everything at 20: the moment that created a brand builder
    • 03:30 – Your company can die. Your name doesn’t.
    • 05:24 – “Google you” test: what your online presence really says about you
    • 08:10 – Why your social media doesn’t match your mission (and how to fix it)
    • 11:00 – From metal tours to Michael Bublé: the other side of Jeremy
    • 13:24 – The coffee shop cold-caller: a live lesson in connection and sales
    • 16:11 – The #1 monetization mistake no one realises they’re making

    Guest Links – Jeremy Bishop
    (Based on the conversation; please search to find the latest and most accurate links)

    • Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jeremybish0p_/
    • Recommended Book: How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie

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    24 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 23 minutes 7 seconds
    The Villain Who Hacked Social Media – Dark Growth, Algorithm Manipulation & Ethical Influence ( Tim O’Hearn )

    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/links
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2X8YSK

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    22 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 28 minutes 3 seconds
    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 Begins
      Tim’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 Pays
      How exploiting loose activity limits turned automated spam into a profitable business.

    • 07:10 – Optimization vs Manipulation
      The ethical gray zone behind paid leads, scraped data, and “legit” marketing.

    • 11:20 – Followers for Sale & Vanity Metrics
      Why fake-seeming tactics work – and how numbers quietly shape real-world opportunities.

    • 14:25 – From Tennis Courts to Pickleball Courts
      The human side: Tim’s life as an endurance athlete and sports fan.

    • 17:20 – Meta, Reddit, and the Real Villains of Social Media
      Why Tim sees major platforms as net drains on human productivity and truth.

    Guest Links – Tim O’Hearn

    tjohearn.com/links
    https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DW2X8YSK

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    17 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 38 minutes 53 seconds
    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


    (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:)

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    16 December 2025, 5:00 am
  • 18 minutes 34 seconds
    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.

    Where to reach Our Guest:

    https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-moses-/

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    10 December 2025, 4:00 pm
  • 31 minutes 10 seconds
    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.

    Where to reach our Guest


    Listen to discover how Dennis Meador’s obsession with excellence could be the missing ingredient in your authority journey.

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    9 December 2025, 7:50 am
  • 27 minutes 21 seconds
    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 branding


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    9 December 2025, 7:39 am
  • 18 minutes 18 seconds
    From Venezuelan Survival to Wall Street Disruptor—The Truth Behind Stocks (Sebastian Uzcategui)

    Can you escape the “American Trap”—turning lifelong struggle into lasting wealth?

    In this episode, Sebastian Uzcategui reveals the transformational journey that led him from hardship in Venezuela to global stages and the creation of a financial learning revolution. 

    Sebastian, founder of Stocks University and United Nations speaker, throws out the old rulebook. We dive deep into why traditional pathways to success keep so many locked out, why financial education is rigged, and how he’s opening the gates for everyone—with a disruptive pay-after-you-profit model. 

    This episode isn’t just advice—it’s a model for rebuilding your life, whatever your starting point.

    What You'll Learn :

    • Breaking the American Dream myth: How Sebastian’s family escaped poverty in Venezuela—only to face it again in the US.
    • The predatory financial system exposed & why the poor stay excluded from wealth conversations.
    • Behind the scenes at the UN Women’s Conference: Empowering those left out of global leadership.
    • The genesis of Stocks University—Sebastian’s risk-free, results-first revolution in financial education.
    • Real investing hacks: Why discipline trumps luck, and how you can break out of your financial echo chamber.

    Timestamps:

    • 0:02 — Introduction to Sebastian Uzcategui: Escaping the American Trap
    • 1:11 — Family sacrifice, broken dreams & the fire to change everything
    • 2:27 — The financial system is rigged—and who gets left behind
    • 4:08 — Speaking at the United Nations: Empowering women worldwide
    • 7:02 — The birth of Stocks University: Building trust in a broken industry
    • 9:51 — Market hacks: How to avoid losses & spot the winning moves
    • 11:59 — Next episode preview: Multiply your resources, master your money-mindset

    Guest Links:

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    2 December 2025, 9:00 am
  • 31 minutes 13 seconds
    Creating Unforgettable Events—How Jazz, Failure, and the 3M Framework Transform Audiences ( Phil Mershon )

    What if the worst night of your life became the spark behind your greatest impact?In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Phil Mershon—jazz musician, event designer, and author of “Unforgettable”—to break down the art of building events people remember for a lifetime.

    Phil reveals his personal story of stepping onstage and falling short—then using years of practice (and a near-disaster) to fuel a revolution in how we think about experiences. Discover the science, emotion, and strategy behind making your message resonate and your audience transform.

    What You'll Learn:

    • How a humiliating jazz performance set Phil on a path to mastery—and what it taught him about growth.
    • The 3M Framework: Memorable, Meaningful, Momentous—a playbook for powerful experiences.
    • The secret power of senses—why a whiff of coffee can make your event unforgettable.
    • The top mistake event planners make (and how to avoid designing for yourself instead of your audience).
    • Why storytelling isn’t fluff—it’s the glue that makes every lesson stick.

    Timestamps: 00:03 – Jazz, Failure, and Fuel: Phil’s Pivotal Night in Chicago
    05:15 – The 3M Framework Exposed: Memorable, Meaningful, Momentous
    09:30 – Engaging the Senses: Coffee, Smell, and Memory Triggers
    12:20 – Crafting Emotional Journeys: Audience Relevance & Deep Impact
    16:10 – Pitfalls to Avoid: Who Are You Really Designing For?
    18:45 – Storytelling Hooks: From Morpheus to Avengers—Making Lessons Stick
    22:40 – How to Connect: Phil’s Book, Links & Where to Go Next

    Where to reach our Guest:

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    27 November 2025, 9:26 am
  • 25 minutes 19 seconds
    Phil Mershon (Social Media Examiner) — The Secrets Behind Unforgettable Events & Lifelong Connections

    What makes an event not just memorable—but transformative?


    In this episode, Phil Mershon, acclaimed Director of Experience at Social Media Examiner and author of "Unforgettable," pulls back the curtain on the art and science of creating experiences that linger long after the final applause.

    What if you could orchestrate events that people talk about for years, bond over for a lifetime, and that even change the course of careers? Phil’s journey from jazz saxophonist to global event architect is rich with hard-won insights, missteps, and soaring successes. Dive into an emotional, curiosity-driven conversation about how “belonging,” intentional design, and the courage to innovate forge truly unforgettable experiences.


    What You'll Learn :

    • Experiences have the power to transform—not just entertain—when people feel genuine belonging.
    • The road from jazz musician to event visionary taught Phil that great events are “living organisms” that evolve every year.
    • The book “Unforgettable” was inspired by the need to turn intuitive magic into practical frameworks others can follow.
    • Unpredictable, immersive moments—like a mysterious “secret family reunion” in Tuscany—create lifelong bonds and new opportunities.
    • The best events blend personal touches, meaningful conversations, and a willingness to learn from failures along the way.

    Timestamps:

    • [00:02] The Spark: Phil’s unconventional journey from jazz saxophone to event design
    • [01:22] Early Mentors & Why Quality Management Changed Everything
    • [03:22] The Birth of “Unforgettable”—Turning Vision Into Framework
    • [05:00] Why Most Events Miss the Mark: The Belonging Factor
    • [08:37] Creating Experiences No One Forgets—The Science & Emotion of Memorable Events
    • [10:31] The Secret Family Reunion—A Lesson in Anticipation & Connection
    • [16:53] If You Could Build an Event Anywhere: Middle Earth, Narnia… or Beyond?

    Guest Links:

    Let this episode show you: Every event has the potential to change lives—if you dare to make it unforgettable.

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    25 November 2025, 1:29 pm
  • 30 minutes 3 seconds
    Cash Flow Mike Milan: The State Trooper Who Unlocks Business Potential—Why Motivation, Not Math, Changes Everything

    Bold, emotional, and brutally honest—this episode rips back the curtain on business advice and coaching. Hosted by Junaid Ahmed, "The Diary of a CEO" welcomes Mike Milan—known as “Cash Flow Mike”—who reveals the untold story behind his journey from state trooper to financial motivator.


    Why do so many entrepreneurs ignore solid advice? What makes some finally take action? This episode is as much about emotional transformation as it is about balance sheets.


    Mike shares his revolutionary "Elevation Sequence," a method forged on the front lines of human behavior, not just in boardrooms. Learn why most consultants get it wrong, why changing behavior is the only path to true business success, and how you can ignite breakthrough results in yourself and others.


    What You'll Learn:

    • Why business owners resist advice—and what really motivates change
    • The Elevation Sequence: 8 actionable coaching steps to drive results
    • How to create buy-in and ownership: the “Nudge Pact” and its real power
    • Mike’s emotional lessons from hoarders, parenting, and policework
    • A mindset shift: facilitating change instead of preaching answers

    Timestamps:

    • 00:01—From State Trooper to Cash Flow Coach: Mike’s unlikely journey
    • 02:10—Why “Don’t Tell Me What to Do” is the advisor’s core challenge
    • 05:25—Verbal Judo & The Art of Business Motivation
    • 08:45—What Hoarders Can Teach Us About Business Owners
    • 13:19—The Elevation Sequence: Eight Steps That Transform Clients
    • 18:47—Emotion Meets Action: Connecting Money to Motivation
    • 20:55—How to Unlock Commitment and Crush Resistance

    Guest Links:

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    20 November 2025, 1:06 pm
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