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. 4d ago

    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)

  2. 6d ago

    How to Build Unshakable Credibility with a 3-Word Message (and Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else)

    5 Big Takeaways Clarity is your compass: A powerful credibility foundation starts with a simple, under-10-word C-Pop that defines who you serve and what they’re trying to achieve or escape. Specificity creates demand: Narrowing from “entrepreneurs” to “podcasters” made Junaid’s offer sharper, more memorable, and more attractive—even to non-podcasters who see themselves in the message. Pain vs. pleasure C-Pops: Beginners resonate with pain (“podcasters struggling with lighting and audio”), but premium clients align with aspiration (“podcasters leveling up”). Your C-Pop should match where your revenue actually comes from. Credibility leaks are usually unintentional: Showing up late, being unprepared, ignoring context, or clinging to being “always right” quietly erodes trust—even from good people who were simply taught the wrong models. Credibility is built in relationships, not scripts: Vulnerability, coachability, respect, and sharing your stage (spreading “cred dust”) are the real drivers of long-term trust and referrals—not a perfectly rehearsed elevator pitch. Timestamps 00:00 – Turning credibility into action Junaid sets the stage for Part 2: moving from theory to a practical credibility audit and clear next steps. 03:26 – Live C-Pop surgery: Junaid on the hot seat Mitchell walks Junaid through his framework and refines his audience from “entrepreneurs” to “podcasters.” 09:00 – From struggling to leveling up The shift from “struggling with lighting and audio” to “podcasters leveling up”—and why the paying clients live in the latter. 11:36 – Kill your 30-second elevator pitch Why you should ditch the memorized pitch and replace it with a short hook + C-Pop + intentional silence. 15:27 – What to give beginners (and why you shouldn’t chase their money) Using checklists, free courses, and webinars to serve early-stage podcasters while focusing your offers on serious clients. 21:54 – The 10 values of credibility & living them under pressure Mitchell connects clarity, vulnerability, coachability, and integrity to how you actually show up when things get stressful. 39:17 – Your 7-day credibility challenge A concrete homework plan: self-360, C-Pop clarity, and how to share your “north star” so your network can finally refer you properly. Guest Links – Mitchell Levy Website (start here):https://mitchelllevy.com Referral Webinar (credibility & LinkedIn relationships): Access Mitchell’s quarterly referral webinar and latest resources via his website:https://mitchelllevy.com 🎙 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 to Build Unshakable Credibility with a 3-Word Message (and Stop Sounding Like Everyone Else)

  3. Aug 13

    Global Credibility Expert on Why Credibility Starts With Clarity (and the 3‑Circle Framework That Changes Everything)

    5 bullet takeaways Credibility = Trusted + Known + Liked: credibility is relational, measurable, and actionable — not just reputation. Integrity lives in two places: what you say (external) and what you do (internal). Incongruity kills trust. Clarity is a superpower: define who you serve in Respect is tactical: show up early, come prepared, and bring your heart — small rituals compound into enormous credibility. Asynchronous presence matters: a broken website, missed messages, or no follow‑up predicts poor real‑time behavior. Timestamps (short, enticing labels) 00:00 — Why credibility is misunderstood (the old definition vs. Mitchell’s) 02:59 — The 3‑circle definition: Trusted, Known, Liked (and the 10 elements) 06:22 — External vs. internal integrity: the moment your neck hairs stand up 08:14 — Clarity as a compass: why 98% of leaders lack it 13:06 — The 500 interviews that changed everything (and why Napoleon Hill inspired this) 24:32 — Rituals that show respect: how executives structure meetings to signal credibility 34:42 — Ecosystem thinking & “executive abundance”: influence without chasing it Guest links Website: https://mitchellevy.com Executive Abundance (waitlist / program): https://executiveabundance.com TEDx talk & talks: (link available from Mitchell’s site) https://mitchellevy.com/talks Books & publishing projects: (link available from Mitchell’s site) https://mitchellevy.com/books LinkedIn: search Mitchell Levy (profile linked on his website) 🎙 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.

    Global Credibility Expert on Why Credibility Starts With Clarity (and the 3‑Circle Framework That Changes Everything)

  4. Aug 11

    The Advisor to Icons on Breaking Orbit and Finding the Genius Inside You

    5 Big Takeaways Your gift is not a talent; it’s who you are when you’re fully alive. Frederick breaks down why your genius is less about skill and more about identity. Comfort can become a cage. How “zones of comfort” and “discomfort zones” silently dictate your life – and why staying in discomfort is the doorway to growth. Acceptance is the first key to discovering your gift. Before tactics, strategy, or niche, you have to uninstall the belief that you’re “not special.” Purpose vs success: why chasing someone else’s path keeps you small. Frederick explains how walking in purpose attracts success instead of chasing it. You are a category of one. How to see yourself as the “LeBron James” of your own lane and build a life and business where people have to come to you. Timestamps [00:00] – From small-town Mississippi to icon advisor Junaid introduces Frederick and we go back to the early days: ministers’ homes, music dreams, and forming a singing group. [02:58] – The first business: a cleaning franchise and a borrowed $300 How a networking event, a subway conversation, and a risky deposit birthed Frederick’s first business. [05:42] – Eviction notices, a failing agency, and the $500 that changed everything Frederick hits financial rock bottom, hires a coach with money he doesn’t have, and hears a line that detonates his old identity. [08:40] – “We’re rockets, not planes”: breaking orbit explained The analogy that reframes success, orbit, and why most people spend life circling the same planet instead of reaching for the stars. [13:12] – The summer camp talent show that exposed his hidden gift A 12-year-old, an unplanned comedy routine, a standing ovation – and what it revealed about invisible genius. [17:11] – The first key to your gift: acceptance and uninstalling old beliefs Why you must remove the belief that you’re “unspecial” before you can ever step into who you truly are. [24:14] – Chasing success vs walking in purpose Comparing yourself to LeBron vs becoming the LeBron of your own lane – and why your gift is the room-making force in your life. Guest Links – Frederick Douglass Bussey 7-Figure Circle - Free Facebook Group for entrepreneurs building 7-Figure+ Businesses: https://www.facebook.com/groups/7FigureCircle   Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://bit.ly/ICONSTATUS_YT   Get the Book - Breaking Orbit: Rip Out of the Regular By Unearthing the Power Within: Get it on Amazon - https://amzn.to/33MmytB   Get more time back with the Time Freedom Formula Course: https://www.moretimemoremoneychallenge.com/launch   Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredrick-bussey-iconstatus/   Follow Me on Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/share/182mfTyXSE/?mibextid=wwXIfr   Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/FredrickBussey   Follow me in Instagram: @Fredrick.Bussey   Follow me on TikTok: @FredrickDouglasBussey 🎙 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 Advisor to Icons on Breaking Orbit and Finding the Genius Inside You

  5. Aug 6

    How Billy Turned Small-Batch Bacon into a National Cult Brand (Without Losing Its Soul)

    You’ll Learn How a single late-night phone call revealed Billy’s bacon had gone from local love to a national movement. What really changes first when you scale – demand, storytelling, or team – and how to stay in control. The “small batch” philosophy: how Billy protects quality, culture, and craft as demand explodes. The biggest mistake artisanal founders make when scaling – and how to avoid being “sold the shiniest penny.” Why marginal people create marginal products, and how to build a team of growth-minded A-players. Timestamps 00:00 – From Story to Scale: Recap of Part 1 and how Billy’s bacon became culture, not just food. 01:16 – The Call That Changed Everything: A 10 p.m. phone call that proved the brand had gone national. 03:13 – When TV Comes Calling: Behind the scenes of the Food Channel shoot and what it did for the brand. 04:14 – Rustic, Off-the-Grid, and On-Camera: How a “seaside shack” became a national food destination. 06:26 – Avoiding Founder Burnout: Why Billy refused to be “the guy on the line” and built a real team instead. 08:12 – Protecting the Small-Batch Soul: Inside the hand-crafted curing, smoking, and gift-like packaging. 10:57 – Scaling Without Selling Out: The #1 mistake artisans make when they grow too fast. 13:25 – From Survival Mode to Optimism: How business pressure changed Billy—and how he fought his way back. 16:12 – Finding Your Voice as a Founder: Why you must work for others (winners and strugglers) before opening your own place. 17:59 – Advice to Day-One Billy: What he’d do differently with money, marketing, and hiring people. 19:44 – Where to Taste the Magic: How to experience Billy’s bacon in person and online. 20:51 – Vintage Motorcycles & Second Lives: Billy’s favorite hobby and why he loves restoring old bikes. Guest Links – William “Billy” Sid Experience Billy’s world and his small-batch bacon: Restaurant Website: www.billies.com Bacon Company: www.billiesbaken.com YouTube Channel: Search “Billy’s Bacon” or “Billies Bacon YouTube” to find his channel where he talks bacon, burgers, hobbies, and adventures. Location (In-Person Experience): Fairhope, Alabama – on the eastern shore of Mobile Bay, between Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL 🎙 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 Billy Turned Small-Batch Bacon into a National Cult Brand (Without Losing Its Soul)

  6. Aug 4

    William “Bill E.” Stitt: How Serenaded Bacon, Soulful Hospitality & Storytelling Built a National Food Brand

    Top 5 Takeaways: Brand starts with identity, not product. “Bill-E’s” was born in a college speech class long before the first slice hit a smoker. Serenaded bacon is brand magic, not marketing fluff. Live music, visible craft, and ritual turn a commodity into an experience. Let the product be the star. A blunt bar regular forced Bill to redesign his menu so the bacon could finally take center stage. People are the secret ingredient. From dishwashers to managers, Bill builds systems where his team can grow from “a 4” to “a 10.” Ethical sourcing is a competitive edge. Carefully chosen bellies, salt, and sugar cost more than most finished supermarket bacon — and that’s the point. Timestamps 00:00 – From simple idea to national phenomenon Junaid sets the stage: why Bill E.’s bacon isn’t just food, it’s a movement. 02:19 – The line cook who wanted every station Bill E. on being the first to volunteer, mastering every role, and dreaming of chef status. 03:39 – When bacon stopped being a side and became the mission How years of making bacon “for himself” turned into a vision to supply kitchens nationwide. 04:58 – The birth of “Bill-E’s” in a college speech class The story behind the name, his father’s influence, and a brand portfolio that started as a class assignment. 06:12 – Serenaded bacon: the moment the brand magic clicked The tiny test kitchen behind the live music stage, the smoke, the sound, and the first time someone called it “serenaded bacon.” 10:30 – “You’re not letting the bacon be the star” A brutally honest bar regular changes everything — and Bill rebuilds the menu around his hero product. 18:20 – Why this bacon is unforgettable (even if you never taste it) Sourcing, ethics, ingredient quality, and how scaling smart will lower costs without losing soul. Guest Links Note: Add Bill’s actual links here once confirmed — these are placeholders for your show notes draft. Website: Bill-E’s Small Batch Bacon – Official site for products, story, and ordering (https://www.billesbacon.com/the-passion) Restaurant / Concept: Bill-E’s restaurant in Fairhope, Alabama LinkedIn: William “Bill E.” Stitt – Founder & Restaurateur Instagram: Behind-the-scenes of serenaded bacon, team, and restaurant life Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/BILLESTITT1 Press / Features: Food Channel and national media features on Bill-E’s Small Batch Bacon (add article links) 🎙 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.

    William “Bill E.” Stitt: How Serenaded Bacon, Soulful Hospitality & Storytelling Built a National Food Brand

  7. Jul 30

    The Secret Playbook Behind Million-Dollar Domain Deals (Sex.com, AI.com & the Future of Domains)

    Five key takeaways: Domains behave like real estate: due diligence, legal terms and the buyer pool determine true value — not just a price tag. Payment-over-time deals are risky — courts, bankruptcy and defaults make cash often king in high-stakes sales. The biggest mistake entrepreneurs make: underspending on the domain that will carry their brand — it erodes trust and costs more later. Valuation blend: commercial demand, industry CPC, comparable sales and how many extensions/variants are registered. AI and new extensions will change discovery, but domains will remain critical as the source of truth and identity in an increasingly app-driven world. TIMESTAMPS (short & enticing) 0:00 — Why domains are more than letters: the identity argument 4:04 — Sex.com in bankruptcy: urgency, offers and the $17M lesson 6:18 — Top mistakes founders make when picking domains (and how to avoid them) 11:38 — If you’ve got $10k–$50k: where to spend and why (.com vs .ai vs .net) 16:42 — How to value a domain: the appraisal playbook (real estate mindset) 21:00 — When common names sell: Ahmed, Khalid and the quirks of cultural value 25:09 — The future: AI, search, and whether domains become more or less important 31:37 — Where to go next (practical next steps and contact info) Guest links & resources Saw.com — https://saw.com (Jeffrey’s firm for buying/selling/evaluating domains) Contact Jeffrey: buzz@saw.com (mention the podcast — Jeffrey offers to talk through domain questions) Hacks & Hobbies show notes — https://hacksandhobbies.com (episode resources & links) Treat your domain like an asset, not an afterthought. Replay the first 10 minutes and start auditing the names you own — which ones deserve an investment, which ones should be parked, and which could be your next brand-defining move. If you’re stuck, email buzz@saw.com and mention Hacks & Hobbies — Jeffrey offered to help walk founders through valuation and strategy. 🎙 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 Secret Playbook Behind Million-Dollar Domain Deals (Sex.com, AI.com & the Future of Domains)

  8. Jul 23

    Empowered Podcasting CMO on Turning Followers into a Year‑Round Community (How EPC3 Makes Belonging Stick)

    5 key takeaways: Community ≠ audience: community is recurring, reciprocal, and built through shared experiences, not metrics. The magic happens in the hallways: stages teach, corridors create opportunities (collabs, podcasts, books). Design with belonging in mind: workshops, interactive journals, visible staff, and pre-event touchpoints turn attendees into contributors. Make introverts powerful connectors: be interested, not interesting — ask great questions and invite people in. Start local, know your "who": test pop-ups and meetups before scaling to travel-heavy conferences. Timestamps (with enticing labels): 0:00 — Opening: Why in-person gatherings still outvalue online reach 3:48 — Podfest pivot: Rich’s defining moment from virtual to real‑world belonging 7:08 — Airbnb retreat: How hallway encounters became a week‑long creative masterclass 15:17 — Hallways vs. stages: Where learning ends and collaboration begins 20:36 — Making newcomers belong: the staff-led approach that stops cliques 25:54 — Tips for introverts: simple questions that spark big conversations 33:15 — EPC3 preview & who benefits most: growth, monetization, and community in focus Guest links: Website / podcasts / book: https://richperry.com — 10 Minute Mentor, Purpose First Entrepreneur, and free copy of Talk of the Town Empowered Podcasting / event: https://empoweredpodcasting.com — EPC3 (Aug 21–23, Charlotte) Social (find EPC + community): Empowered Podcasting on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram (links via empoweredpodcasting.com) 🎙 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.

    Empowered Podcasting CMO on Turning Followers into a Year‑Round Community (How EPC3 Makes Belonging Stick)
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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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