Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

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 h...

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...

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-befor...

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...

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...

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 pa...

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 f...

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 ev...

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 ab...

Are you unknowingly bleeding cash from your business?   In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Mike Milan, famously known as “Cash Flow Mike”—the coach who’s helped over 25,000 business owners uncover $150 million in hidden cash. Discover why most entrepreneurs fly blind with their finances, and how a simple, actionable framework can radically transform your business life. Mike opens up abou...

What if mastering sales was less about scripts—and more about psychology, habits, and building lasting systems? In this electrifying, curiosity-driven conversation, Matt Raad sits down with renowned sales coach Howard Wolpoff, who reveals why confidence—not pressure—powers high-performing teams. From escaping the clutches of toxic micromanagement to the overlooked magic of CRMs, discover not just...

So many of us are thrown into the deep end of sales, armed with nothing but a phone, a quota, and a sense of dread. But what if everything you knew about selling—and leading—was wrong? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with veteran sales and leadership coach Howard Wolpoff, who reveals how he transforms struggling teams and uncertain professionals into confident, high-performing closers. Fro...

Could your next book be the spark for seven-figure success? Meet Aurora Winter, bestselling author, publisher, and master of turning words into wealth, as she unpacks the secrets behind building authority, attracting premium clients, and multiplying income—all from the written word. In this episode, Aurora reveals actionable strategies—from “show me the money” mindset to leveraging books for brand...

What if the path to real influence wasn't about shouting the loudest, but about mastering your story? In this episode, best-selling author, publishing mentor, and entrepreneur Aurora Winter shares the powerful journey from childhood inspiration to helping leaders craft bestselling books and unforgettable brands. With raw honesty and actionable wisdom, Aurora breaks down the costly mistakes most as...

Have you ever felt the itch to leave it all behind and create a life on your own terms? In today’s episode, Jerry Dugan reveals the honest, often messy truth behind walking away from a secure corporate role to chase a creative dream—becoming a full-time voiceover artist. From risking it all on gig platforms to navigating the loneliness of entrepreneurship and mastering the art of authentic storyte...

How far would you go to reclaim your life? In this transformative, heart-on-sleeve interview, Jerry Dugan peels back the curtain on his bold escape from corporate leadership into the uncertain but exhilarating world of creative entrepreneurship. With raw honesty, Jerry shares the moment he realized success was a golden cage, how his family catalyzed his leap, and why reinventing yourself demands b...

What if you could finally measure what really drives revenue—without cookies, guesswork, or silos? In this episode, Jeff Greenfield, the authority behind Provalytics, takes us on a riveting journey through the future of marketing measurement. Get ready for a conversation that shatters the myths of digital attribution, revealing how data and AI can uncover the true impact of every marketing dollar—...

Imagine discovering that the data guiding your marketing dollars is a lie. On today’s episode, Junaid Ahmed unpacks a seismic shift in marketing attribution with Jeff Greenfield—CEO and founder of Provalytics, pioneer behind C3 Metrics, and a leader whose ideas are rewriting the rules in a world with no more cookies. Jeff shares hard-won truths from his three-decade journey, exposing why most mark...

What does it really take to go from nothing to a thriving company—without a safety net? Brian Clayton, CEO and cofounder of GreenPal, returns for a raw, curiosity-fueled conversation on the lonely reality of building, scaling, and letting go. Discover why delegation can kill a startup—or make it unstoppable, how bootstrapping turns founders into wild animals on the hunt, and which hidden traps you...

What if the secret to building a multi-million dollar business is hidden in door-to-door flyers, no shortcuts, and your personal cell number? In this emotional and curiosity-driven conversation, Brian Clayton—CEO and co-founder of GreenPal—reveals the raw journey of turning an old-school lawn mowing hustle into a $30 million empire. Forget Silicon Valley fairytales. This is a masterclass in resili...

What if the real secret to leading isn’t about titles, but invisible work behind the scenes? In this raw and revealing conversation, award-winning mentor and Navy veteran Enrique Acosta Gonzalez exposes how the world’s most authentic leaders are built in silence, not on stage. With emotional honesty and practical wisdom, Enrique shares how to overcome fear, prepare for your defining moment, and tr...

What does it take to go from the shadows of the unknown to the spotlight of global recognition? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Enrique Augusta Gonzalez, CEO of Triad Leadership Solutions, retired Navy veteran, and six-time bestselling author, to uncover the raw truth behind leadership, legacy, and the courage to chase your dreams. Enrique’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and...

What if losing your dream job was the best thing that ever happened to you? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Kirk Gimenez, a two-time Emmy winner and the first Latino to anchor in English at ESPN, to uncover the untold story behind his rise, fall, and ultimate reinvention as the founder of sizzle TV. Kirk reveals how losing his authentic voice in mainstream media led him to create a pl...

What if you could rewire your brain to break free from trauma and step into a life of confidence, clarity, and calm? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Hilary Russo—certified havening practitioner, podcast host, and trauma healing expert—to uncover the science and soul behind emotional resilience. Hilary reveals the hidden mechanisms of the brain, shares powerful real-life transformation...

What if you could rewire your brain for resilience and joy? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Hilary Russo—one of only 50 certified havening trainers in the world, trauma-informed holistic practitioner, and host of the globally top-rated “Holistically Speaking” podcast. Hilary reveals the neuroscience behind self-healing, the transformative power of gratitude, and how her “Hug It Out” m...