Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Junaid Ahmed
  • 5.0 (66)
  • Self-Improvement
  • Updated Semiweekly

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.

  1. 1d ago

    How Dr. Kary Oberbrunner Turns One Idea into 18 Revenue Streams (and Protects It in the AI Era)

    How Dr. Kary Oberbrunner Turns One Idea into 18 Revenue Streams (and Protects It in the AI Era) Episode DescriptionYou’re sitting on assets you don’t even know you own. In this powerful conversation, Dr. Kary Oberbrunner — Wall Street Journal best-selling author, creator of Instant IP, and TEDx speaker — pulls back the curtain on how to turn your hidden intellectual property into 18 streams of income… and why if you don’t protect your ideas in the age of AI, someone else will. We go deep into the mindset shift from “I just do this thing” to “I own a proprietary framework,” how naming your process instantly increases your authority, and how blockchain is quietly becoming the truth machine for creators, coaches, founders, and thought leaders. If you’ve ever dismissed your way of doing things as “not that special,” this episode will completely reframe how you see your work — and your worth. Top 5 Takeaways You’re already an IP company – your frameworks, checklists, operating systems, and even color choices can be intellectual property if you name and protect them.Naming equals ownership – from Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” to Kary’s “Igniting Souls Proven Process,” naming your process is the first step to building authority and defending your ideas.Blockchain as the “truth machine” – how Instant IP turns your phone into an IP engine, moving ideas from smartphone to smart contract in 60 seconds.Confidence comes from frameworks – clients trust you more (and pay more) when you show them a clear process instead of “I think I can help.”AI is accelerating IP theft – with AI tools scraping content 24/7, creators who don’t protect their ideas risk not just being copied, but being outpaced by their own stolen work.Timestamps 00:00 – The question that changes everythingWhy some entrepreneurs scale effortlessly while others burn out protecting one income stream.02:07 – French Alps, flow state, and the birth of an ideaHow cycling off the grid became the catalyst for a new way to think about IP and creativity.03:06 – “Abracadabra” and the curse of self-awarenessWhy kids create fearlessly, adults don’t, and how Instant IP was born from “I create as I speak.”05:10 – Are you accidentally giving away your IP?Taylor Swift’s 300+ trademarks, the “Hacks and Hobbies” example, and why your systems are more valuable than you think.07:36 – The power of naming your processFrom Simon Sinek’s “Golden Circle” to Kary’s “Igniting Souls Proven Process” and Junaid’s studio framework.11:29 – Smartphone to smart contract in 60 secondsHow blockchain, provenance, and certification marks turn your everyday ideas into protected assets.19:03 – Colors, scents, and a $4.7 trillion fake economyPlay-Doh’s smell, John Deere green, Tiffany blue, red soles — and what they teach creators about brand protection.21:01 – When AI stole his TEDx talkKerry’s real-life story of discovering his words copied online and the simple move that gave him leverage.23:20 – The real risk: creators who stop creatingWhy unprotected ideas lead to burnout, resentment, and lost momentum — and how Instant IP aims to fix that.Guest Links – Dr. Kary Oberbrunner (Note: Exact URLs may vary; search the titles/names below to find the most current links.) Instant IP (App/Platform): Search for “Instant IP Kary Oberbrunner” to access the tool and learn how to protect your ideas on blockchain.Book – “You Are an IP Company” by Dr. Kary Oberbrunner: Available via major book retailers (Amazon, etc.) – teaches the full framework for turning ideas into IP-backed revenue streams.Podcast – Igniting Souls (and related content): Look up “Kary Oberbrunner podcast” to find episodes, teachings, and IP-focused content.LinkedIn: Search “Kary Oberbrunner” on LinkedIn to connect professionally and follow his latest work on IP, AI, and entrepreneurship.Website / Hub: Look for “Kary Oberbrunner official site” or “Igniting Souls Kary Oberbrunner” for his speaking, books, trainings, and resources. 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Dr. Kary Oberbrunner Turns One Idea into 18 Revenue Streams (and Protects It in the AI Era)

  2. 6d ago

    How Soul-Level Patterns, Worthiness & Visibility Shape Your Success (And How To Rewrite Them)

    Key Takeaways Soul-level patterns explained – Why your coping strategies from childhood silently become your adult identity (and how to see them clearly). Human doing vs. human being – How tying your worth to checklists, performance and productivity keeps you in pressure, burnout, and imposter syndrome. Entrepreneur vs. employee vs. caregiver – The different ways striving, control, and invisible labor show up depending on your role. The “Life is…” diagnostic – A simple sentence that reveals your core belief about life — and a process to rewrite it so you’re no longer addicted to struggle. A 60-second reset for strivers – A short, repeatable practice to release pressure, choose peace, and return to joy in the middle of a busy day. Timestamps 00:00 – Why most people don’t have a clarity problem, they have a truth problem The soul-level question behind striving, shrinking, and staying stuck. 01:27 – What are “soul-level patterns” really? Donna explains how childhood coping strategies become your adult identity. 05:11 – The high achiever trap: proving your worth through performance From “human being” to “human doing” — and why your checklist is not your value. 08:23 – Growth mindset vs. perfection: softball, skinned knees, and riding a bike How one early failure can make you hide from entire arenas of your life. 10:53 – Entrepreneurs, employees, and caregivers: same patterns, different costumes Why entrepreneurs feel everything is “up to me” and how zones of genius change everything. 14:26 – The ‘Life is…’ diagnostic: what your nervous system really believes How one unfinished sentence reveals your hidden operating system. 21:29 – Releasing the past & choosing a new foundation “My past doesn’t determine my future… unless I let it” — and what to do when old stories return. 27:01 – A 60-second reset when you’re striving instead of living Guided micro-practice to choose joy, peace, and safety in real time. 28:40 – Surrender, visibility, and living aligned on purpose Why surrender isn’t weakness, and how to make visibility feel safe, not dangerous. Guest Links – Dr. Donna Tashjian Website https://www.ivibrantliving.com/ LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnatashjian/ Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/drtashjian/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drtashjian/ Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMFNossw9VN2QwDtVitzKg 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Soul-Level Patterns, Worthiness & Visibility Shape Your Success (And How To Rewrite Them)

  3. Sep 8

    How Faith, Truth & “Spiritual Intelligence” Unlock Your Highest Purpose — with Donna Tashjian

    Key Takeaways Clarity isn’t the problem—truth is. Most people say “I don’t know what to do,” but deep down they’re avoiding the truth they already sense God is showing them. Purpose lives in the small hinges. A single conversation, a prayer, a hug, or one belief‑shifting sentence can change someone’s entire trajectory. Identity is the hidden clarity block. How you see yourself (and whose you believe you are) silently governs every decision, risk, and action you take. Mindset alone will burn you out. When everything is “up to you,” declarations and hustle turn into striving; co‑partnering with God changes the entire experience. Visibility exposes old wounds. Fear of being seen is often rooted in childhood pain and shame; rewriting that inner story is what finally unlocks your calling. Timestamps 00:00 – The bold claim: “You don’t lack clarity—you’re avoiding it.” 02:52 – Small hinges, big doors: how one quiet coaching call saved a life. 05:55 – Purpose, metrics, and why your likes, views & dollars are lying to you. 10:50 – Stopping identity theft: who you really are vs. who you think you are. 15:34 – Why mindset isn’t enough in a world obsessed with mindset. 22:43 – Calling without striving: stress, grace, and Donna’s G.R.A.C.E. framework. 33:06 – The spiritual cost of visibility and rewriting your story about being seen. Guest Links — Connect with Donna Tashjian Website https://www.ivibrantliving.com/  LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/donnatashjian/  Facebook Personal: https://www.facebook.com/drtashjian/  Instagram https://www.instagram.com/drtashjian/  Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXMFNossw9VN2QwDtVitzKg 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Faith, Truth & “Spiritual Intelligence” Unlock Your Highest Purpose — with Donna Tashjian

  4. Sep 3

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Brain, Melts Fat & Gives Busy People Their Life Back

    5 Big Takeaways Traditional workouts were never built for busy people – they were designed in 1891 for strongmen with 10+ hours a week to train. 42 minutes a week can outperform 7 hours, when you train with slow, continuous tension to complete muscle fatigue. If your brain doesn’t change, your results won’t last – most “failures” are really a mismatch between your brain type and your strategy. Food logs alone can boost results by 30% because they force mindful eating—even before you change a single food. Simple biohacks—light, sleep, hydration, and real food—beat most fancy gadgets when it comes to consistent energy and long-term health. Timestamps 00:00 – Why most people don’t need harder workouts, they need a better system Junaid sets the stage: why “doing more” is making people weaker, not stronger, and why PJ built a method for the busiest people on earth. 03:40 – The hidden time trap of traditional training (and why resolutions die by February) PJ breaks down the 3+ hours/week gym model, how it fails busy 40–70 year olds, and why expectations vs. results kill motivation. 08:45 – One set to failure: the 3-minute push-up that replaces an entire workout PJ walks through his TUT + CMF protocol, including the 7-second push-up method you can do at home with zero equipment. 15:20 – Brain types, willpower myths, and why 94% of resolutions fail How PJ’s brain type test personalizes mindset coaching, why willpower is a losing strategy, and how discipline is really just automated habit. 21:45 – “I’m working out but not losing fat” – rapid troubleshooting PJ’s two-step fix: food logs and custom swaps, plus why simply tracking food creates 30% better results. 26:50 – Exhausted all the time? The 3 things PJ checks first Stress, hydration, and processed food: the real energy vampires—and a dead-simple hydration formula to start fixing it today. 31:10 – Biohacking for real people: light, sleep, and tiny upgrades that compound From grounding pads and blue blockers to morning light routines and screen curfews, PJ’s favorite accessible biohacks for better sleep and sharper focus. Guest Links – PJ Glassey Website crackingyourcode.com (Other) xgym.com (Company) pjfit.com (Blog) (Check the XGym site for PJ’s latest social links, online programs, and resources.) Episode Snapshot (Quick Reference) Guest: PJ Glassey – Founder of XGym, creator of a 21-minute, twice-a-week training system for busy professionals. Core Topics: Time-efficient strength training, brain types & habit formation, nutrition audits, stress & energy, and practical biohacking. Perfect For: Busy parents, entrepreneurs, and professionals who feel like they’ve “tried everything” and still can’t stay consistent or see long-term results. 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Brain, Melts Fat & Gives Busy People Their Life Back

  5. Sep 1

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Muscles, Your Brain, and Your Excuses

    5 Big Takeaways Time isn’t the real problem — method is. Traditional training was designed to get people “jacked,” not to make busy people strong, functional, and injury-free. 21 minutes can equal 3.5 hours when you use slow, controlled reps, continuous time under tension, and train to true muscle failure. Plateaus are a feature of routine, not of your genetics. Your body and brain adapt fast; to keep progressing, you must keep changing the method, not just the exercises. High achievers secretly fear failing at health. Many start in private so no one sees them quit; PJ explains why building a support “posse” is the antidote. The safest starting point is smaller than you think. For some, it’s literally just standing up and sitting down slowly — and doing it consistently until the habit becomes part of who you are. Timestamps 00:00 – Why most people are training wrong Junaid sets the scene: most of us are doing more and getting less healthy — PJ introduces his “train smarter, not longer” promise. 03:39 – The 21-minute, twice-a-week protocol PJ explains how one slow, continuous set to true failure can replace hours of traditional sets and reps. 04:17 – The 7–7–7 method and splinter techniques How 7 seconds up, 7 seconds down, and strategic pulses/holds create brutal efficiency and complete muscle fatigue. 08:46 – One set vs. five: what the research really shows Why doing more sets doesn’t equal more results once you’ve hit true muscle failure. 09:30 – The moment PJ realized the old model was broken College, Eugene Sandow, 1891 bodybuilding, and why he decided to build something for “the rest of us.” 15:05 – Adaptation, boredom, and why you plateau How your nervous system erodes novelty, and why X Gym changes methods every 14 workouts to keep you progressing. 21:53 – The hidden fear high achievers carry about health PJ unpacks fear of failure, secret attempts at getting fit, and how to create a support system that keeps you accountable. 26:36 – The one exercise PJ wants you to start today Simple bodyweight sit-to-stands, done slowly and intentionally, as the first step back into fitness. Guest Links Website & Programs: https://xgym.com (Gym, online training, exercise app, brain type test, and resources) Book: Cracking Your Calorie Code by PJ Glassey (available via xgym.com and major booksellers) 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    The 21-Minute Workout That Rewires Your Muscles, Your Brain, and Your Excuses

  6. Aug 27

    How Kaboom’s Responsible AI Is Redefining Revenue & Relationships — with Anoushka & Ram (Kaboom AI)

    5 Big Takeaways Responsible AI = augmentation, not replacement – Kaboom’s core principle is simple: keep a human in the loop and use AI to make people superhuman, not obsolete. Trust starts with security, not slogans – SOC 2, audits, and enterprise-grade security aren’t “nice to have”; they are table stakes for serious AI in revenue teams. Most AI pilots fail on adoption, not ideas – Without organizational readiness, internal champions, and patience, even the best AI never gets past the shiny demo stage. Bring AI to where humans live – Adoption skyrockets when AI lives inside existing workflows (email, WhatsApp, microsites), instead of forcing people to “go to the AI.” Relationships will always stay human – AI should handle the follow-ups, research, and repetition so you can focus on what actually moves the needle: real human relationships.   Episode Timestamps [00:01:19] What “Responsible AI” Actually Means at Kaboom Anoushka breaks down their one-sentence definition of responsible AI—and why a human-in-the-loop is non-negotiable. [00:02:54] Security at the Gate: How Enterprises Decide Who to Trust Ram explains why security and data privacy are day one requirements and how Kaboom built an “uncompromising” security culture. [00:06:24] The AI Trust Checklist for CIOs & Revenue Leaders Organizational readiness, internal champions, data access, and why “closed-door” AI makes your system artificially dumb. [00:09:56] Meeting People Where They Are: The Shortcut You Can’t Take Anoushka on why Kaboom refuses to ignore existing workflows—even if it slows the deal—and how that earns real trust. [00:17:52] Live Exercise: Turning a Conference Attendee List into Real Meetings A step-by-step walk-through of Kaboom’s event intelligence product and how it prioritizes who you should meet now. [00:20:35] From Business Card Graveyard to Revenue Engine Junaid shares his embarrassing stack of untouched cards—and Ram shows how AI can triage, score, and draft follow-ups on autopilot. [00:22:05] What Stays Human Forever—and What AI Should Own Ram and Junaid draw the line: relationships, deals, and meaning vs. the mundane tasks AI should quietly automate in the background. [00:24:47] Final Advice: Trust, Revenue, and the Future of PRM One-sentence guidance for founders and revenue teams on trust, authenticity, and relationship-first growth in the AI era. Guest Links Kaboom AI Website: Kaboom AI (search “Kaboom AI event intelligence & revenue workflows”) LinkedIn: Kaboom AI (search “Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn) Anoushka – Co-founder, Kaboom AI LinkedIn: Search “Anoushka Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn Ram – Co-founder, Kaboom AI LinkedIn: Search “Ram Kaboom AI” on LinkedIn Listener Homework (From the Episode) Pick one workflow to simplify – events, prospect research, account planning, or follow-ups. Define the human moments that must always stay human in that workflow. Use the AI trust checklist when choosing tools: Boundaries Traceability Auditability Adoption 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How Kaboom’s Responsible AI Is Redefining Revenue & Relationships — with Anoushka & Ram (Kaboom AI)

  7. Aug 25

    How a Father–Daughter Duo Is Redefining Revenue Intelligence With Human-Centered Agentic AI (Anoushka Ram Kumar & Ram Gunnison)

    5 Big Takeaways Intergenerational co-founding is a superpower when you combine AI-native speed with decades of enterprise pattern recognition and trust. Kaboom AI isn’t a “tool” — it’s a revenue operating system, embedding agentic AI into real GTM workflows from prospecting to customer success. Human-centered AI in sales means augmentation, not replacement — people still buy from people, especially in complex enterprise deals. Culture is a product you design on purpose, from coffee rituals and humor to psychological safety and truly egalitarian debate. Family co-founders must set hard boundaries and decision systems — united front to the market, clear domains of ownership, and space to cool off when disagreements get emotional. Timestamps 00:00 – Why this episode matters: building an AI startup across generations How Junaid frames the episode around the intergenerational edge in AI startups and introduces Anoushka and Ram’s backgrounds. 02:00 – Why a father–daughter founding team? The real story behind Kaboom AI Anoushka shares how her post-Yale uncertainty, Ram’s career inflection point, and shared brainstorming converged into co-founding Kaboom together. 04:00 – The AI-native speed advantage: “I already drafted the contract with AI.” Ram recounts being outpaced by Anoushka’s AI workflows and how her AI-native mindset changes their execution speed and complementarity. 09:30 – What Kaboom AI actually does: from CRM tracking to true revenue intelligence Ram explains Kaboom as a GTM operating system, using agentic AI to inject intelligence into every revenue touchpoint, not just log activity. 11:30 – Human-centered AI: why people still buy from people Anoushka breaks down why AI in enterprise sales must empower human sellers instead of trying to replace human-to-human relationships. 15:40 – The “event microsite” assistant: your Chief of Staff for conferences Anoushka walks through their new event microsite module that tells you who to meet and why at conferences, and Junaid shares how he would’ve used it at Podfest. 19:50 – Culture that scales: from the “pursuit of happiness” to New York coffee rituals Ram reflects on the culture magic at Surian, while Anoushka describes building Kaboom’s culture around excellence, friendship, and community (plus aggressive coffee-snob exploration). 26:50 – How they divide decisions without killing the relationship They unpack product vs. sales ownership, vision vs. operations, and how they avoid stepping on each other while both wanting to “do everything.” 35:30 – Handling conflict as family co-founders: from blow-ups to written reflection Anoushka and Ram share their disagreement playbook: debate, sleep on it, write it down, and come back as co-founders instead of as just father and daughter. Guest Links Website: https://kaboom.ai LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com (search “Kaboom AI” to find the company and both co-founders) (You can also find Anoushka Ram Kumar and Ram Gunnison on LinkedIn by name, and—if you’re in New York—over coffee near Madison Square Park.) 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    How a Father–Daughter Duo Is Redefining Revenue Intelligence With Human-Centered Agentic AI (Anoushka Ram Kumar & Ram Gunnison)

  8. Aug 20

    Marley Jax on Turning Hidden Expertise into Market Authority (Stage, Story, and the “Stage Book” Flywheel)

    Key Takeaways Expertise ≠ Authority: Why being brilliant at what you do is not enough—and how to create visible proof that positions you as the go-to. The “Uniform Problem”: How books, stages, and platforms function like a new “uniform” that instantly changes how people trust and value you. The Stage Book Model: How a simple two-day event can become your book, your funnel, your testimonial engine, and your authority flywheel. Founder Story as a Growth Lever: Why sharing the parts of your story you’re scared of can become your most powerful marketing asset. From Content Clutter to Authority Assets: What to stop doing right now if you’re grinding out content but not building true market authority. Timestamps 00:00 – The real problem: not expertise, but invisibility Junaid opens with why most experts stay hidden and introduces Marley’s concept of “authority assets.” 03:50 – Zone of genius vs. zone of excellence Marley explains why being “good” at many things keeps you from becoming the name in your industry. 09:45 – The Stage Book: turning a 2‑day event into a perennial book and authority engine How Marley and her team turn live workshops into books, funnels, and an evergreen sales flywheel. 15:10 – “I already wrote a book… now what?” The ecosystem authors are missing: book funnels, companion courses, and no-lead-left-behind systems. 18:20 – The fear of the founder story (and why you must share it) Marley opens up about sharing her divorce publicly and how vulnerability became a story of perseverance. 24:20 – Building your “bag of stories” and storytelling as a skill How to collect everyday stories, use them to teach, and make your content unforgettable. 29:00 – Stop content clutter: what real authority-building looks like From green-screen reels to stages and books—what to stop, what to start, and how to think like a titan of your industry. Guest Links – Marley Jax Website – Titans of Industry: https://titansofindustry.com Stage Book Model: https://thestagebook.com Instagram: www.instagram.com/marleyjaxx YouTube: www.youtube.com/marleyjaxx 🎙 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 Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    Marley Jax on Turning Hidden Expertise into Market Authority (Stage, Story, and the “Stage Book” Flywheel)
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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.

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