Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Junaid Ahmed
  • 5.0 (65)
  • 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. 10h ago

    Dr. Beth Capecchi, Psychologist: How Perfectionism Fuels Anxiety, Procrastination & Burnout

    In this episode: How perfectionism can lead to paralysis, overwhelm, and procrastination.Why ADHD, emotional reactivity, and perfectionism can overlap.How vulnerability and authenticity can help people connect.What a balanced, supportive parenting approach can look like.Why aiming for “good enough” may be healthier than demanding 100% all the time.Timestamps00:00 — Meet Dr. Beth Capecchi and the “Never Perfect” message06:03 — People-pleasing, perfectionism, and getting stuck08:01 — ADHD, procrastination, and imposter syndrome11:03 — How perfectionism undermines your potential19:47 — Practical ways to challenge your inner critic26:37 — Perfectionism, parenting, and modeling imperfection41:05 — Dr. Beth’s challenge: practice progress over perfectionGuest LinksWebsite: neverperfect.org@neverperfectpodcast 🎙 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.

    Dr. Beth Capecchi, Psychologist: How Perfectionism Fuels Anxiety, Procrastination & Burnout

  2. 2d ago

    The Dyslexia Researcher Asking If Writing Could Unlock Reading

    5 key takeaways Russell describes how accommodations during a state government internship—and later experiences in law school—shaped his path into dyslexia research.He argues that identifying reading difficulties early can help families and schools respond sooner.His “write first, read next” approach starts with a student’s interests and builds from words to sentences.He demonstrates how reading a sentence aloud and revising it can help students notice grammar and spelling.For older students, he outlines a structured writing process using specific questions, evidence, and a “warrant” to connect ideas.Timestamps 01:17 — The internship experience that turned dyslexia into a mission11:11 — The advice Russell says can make struggling readers wait too long for support19:53 — A live demonstration of the “write first” approach29:00 — Why student interests and motivation matter32:00 — Building ideas from specific questions toward bigger themes37:31 — A framework for writing stronger body paragraphs48:33 — Where to learn more about Russell’s workGuest links Website:https://dyslexiaclasses.comLinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/russell-van-brocklen-2007ab87Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/dyslexiaclasses (page with 2,091+ followers) 🎙 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 Dyslexia Researcher Asking If Writing Could Unlock Reading

  3. Oct 22

    How an AI Creator Built 2.5 Million Followers—and Turned Attention Into a Business

    In this episode, you’ll learn: Why creators need a business strategy—not just followers and views.How to spot a proven format and bring a fresh perspective to it.Why choosing a focused niche can help a new account find its audience.How multiple platforms and an email list can make a creator business more resilient.How batching content and setting limits can support consistency without constant filming.Timestamps00:02 — The mindset shift: creator to business owner00:07 — The viral reel that showed him what could work00:17 — Why views don’t automatically turn into income00:24 — Rene’s playbook for building a faceless content account00:32 — The software products behind his creator business00:42 — Content batching, boundaries, and avoiding burnoutGuest linksAll my links: https://beacons.ai/reneremsikMy website: https://aitrendz.xyz/ 🎙 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 an AI Creator Built 2.5 Million Followers—and Turned Attention Into a Business

  4. Oct 20

    Goal Crazy Founder on Finding a Business Idea Worth Leaving Everything For

    Five takeaways: Why chasing “easy money” can leave entrepreneurs without the motivation to push through hard moments.How ten minutes of daily dreaming helped Jason clarify what he wanted from his life and work.What the 3L framework—Longing, Lifting, and Lightness—can reveal about a business idea.How focus groups, beta testers, and pre-sales can help test whether an idea solves a real problem people will pay for.Why finding your first customers and learning from mentors may matter more than perfecting your logo or website.Timestamps00:00 — From the family car dealerships to entrepreneurship06:26 — The daily habit that helped Jason find clarity09:11 — “Easy money” versus a dream-driven business13:42 — Jason’s 3L framework for choosing an idea22:30 — Focus groups, feedback, and pre-selling28:39 — Finding your first customers and reaching new audiences34:15 — Why mentors can shorten the pathGuest linksWebsite: goalcrazy.comIdea to Profit Blueprint: goalcrazy.com/blueprintBook: Dream Driven — featured on Jason’s 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.

    Goal Crazy Founder on Finding a Business Idea Worth Leaving Everything For

  5. Oct 20

    The Goal-Setting Coach on Why You Don’t Follow Through—and How to Change It

    5 Key TakeawaysBuild a reliable task-management system that grows with your responsibilities.Protect scheduled time for high-impact, money-making activities.Use “junk drawer” blocks for small tasks and buffer time for the unexpected.Choose a key quarterly goal and create a “not now” list to guard your focus.Spend ten minutes a day dreaming about the work and life you want to build.Episode Timestamps00:00 — Why ideas aren’t enough to create follow-through04:20 — The “busy but not building” trap07:17 — Planning your week around high-impact work10:25 — Buffer time, accountability, and avoiding derailment15:26 — The power of a quarterly “not now” list18:40 — How boundaries can make you more effective23:37 — Jason’s seven-day dreaming challengeGuest LinksWebsite: goalcrazy.comFree Life Crash Course: goalcrazy.com/course 🎙 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 Goal-Setting Coach on Why You Don’t Follow Through—and How to Change It

  6. Oct 15

    30 Years in Corporate Leadership—What It Really Takes to Build Wealth, Family and Legacy

    5 takeawaysBring your strengths into a new chapter. Andrew adapted skills from corporate leadership rather than leaving them behind.Make the plan measurable. Regular check-ins and clear tactics help turn a strategy into tangible progress.Don’t let FOMO make the decision. Evaluate the land, the property, and your long-term goals before committing.Success includes how you show up for family. Andrew describes the intention and support it took to stay engaged while traveling for work.Build a life around what matters. For Andrew and Meg, living on Long Beach Island brought community, purpose, gratitude, and a fresh start.Timestamps00:00 — Andrew’s next chapter after corporate leadership06:34 — The example he hoped to set for his children09:25 — Why disciplined planning matters in real estate14:41 — How to avoid a fear-of-missing-out purchase17:38 — Doing right by clients—and building trust20:14 — Creating a meaningful life on Long Beach Island25:33 — Andrew’s advice for high performers chasing the next titleGuest linksWebsite: https://lbifreemanco.com/agents/andrew-paetowLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewpaetow 🎙 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.

    30 Years in Corporate Leadership—What It Really Takes to Build Wealth, Family and Legacy

  7. Oct 13

    The Four Cs of Trust—and Why He Walked Away From a Billion-Dollar Career

    5 key takeawaysCompetence earns trust: Know your work deeply and keep sharpening your skills.Confidence grows through clarity: When you can explain what you know, others can make decisions with greater assurance.Commitment shows up in the follow-through: Work ethic, preparation, and keeping your word matter.Care makes trust personal: People want to feel valued—not treated as a means to an outcome.Success can change with age: Andrew now puts more emphasis on family time, health, and meaningful work than on accumulation alone.Timestamps00:00 — Andrew’s unlikely path from pharma to real estate05:58 — What “meaningful success” looks like at 5510:35 — The Four Cs: Andrew’s framework for building trust18:58 — Teaching kids discipline, work ethic, and investing25:43 — How to assess a professional before you hire them31:12 — Why quality matters most when nobody is watching32:42 — Where to connect with AndrewGuest linksWebsite: https://lbifreemanco.com/agents/andrew-paetowLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewpaetow 🎙 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 Four Cs of Trust—and Why He Walked Away From a Billion-Dollar Career

  8. Oct 8

    From Tough Mudder Lawyer to Wellness Community Builder—Why Relationships Beat Marketing

    5 key takeawaysHow an internship at Tough Mudder redirected Brian from a traditional legal career toward entrepreneurship.Why being clear, following through, and building genuine relationships can matter more than a marketing playbook.How a few conversations sparked the Wellness Growth Mastermind.What helps people feel safe enough to show up authentically and help one another.Why community is defined by the relationships members build—not just the events, calls, or platforms that bring them together.Episode chaptersTimecodes are estimates based on the transcript’s sequence; verify them against the audio before publishing. The supplied transcript includes only a start time. 00:00 — Meet Brian: the unexpected engine behind business growth~01:30 — From law school to Tough Mudder~05:00 — The lessons Brian learned about sales and marketing~08:00 — The first gathering that became a mastermind~12:00 — Creating a give-first space for wellness leaders~16:00 — Why community lasts beyond events and platforms~19:00 — The surprising opportunities sparked by connectionGuest linksLinkedIn : linkedin.com/in/brianvonancken Website : https://www.joinwgm.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.

    From Tough Mudder Lawyer to Wellness Community Builder—Why Relationships Beat Marketing
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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.

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