Hacks and Hobbies with Junaid Ahmed

Are you trapped in the corporate maze, dreaming of entrepreneurial freedom? Meet John Anderson, the franchise whisperer who has helped countless professionals escape the 9-to-5 grind and build businesses that align with their lifestyle. As a seasoned franchise consultant and author of "Be the CEO of Your Life," John decodes the complex world of franchising, revealing strategies that transform ordi...

Hey hobby hackers! Today's episode is going to blow your mind. We're diving deep into the world of franchising with John Anderson, the man known as "that franchise guy." Imagine going from operating a student painting business in college to running multiple successful franchise locations, and then becoming a top franchise consultant who helps others navigate this exciting business landscape. John'...

What if the real future of business isn’t about replacing people with AI—but using AI to amplify top performers? In this follow-up episode, Kasim Aslam explains how he built global teams, why hiring international talent is the most overlooked growth strategy, and how AI exposes mediocrity while rewarding excellence. From his “replace yourself” mindset to his predictions on AI-driven economies, Kas...

Welcome to another episode of the Hux and Hobbies podcast! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re diving deep with Qasim Aslam—entrepreneur, strategist, and one of the brightest minds in building businesses that don’t burn you out. In this episode, Qasim shares game-changing insights on how to build and lead high-performing teams, the power of effective delegation, and why your first hire sh...

Welcome to another episode of Hobby Hackers! Today, we’re joined by the incredible Elizabeth Solaru—a true trailblazer who’s made bold career transitions, from scientist to celebrity cake designer, and now, a leading luxury business consultant. As CEO of Diversity in Luxury and founder of the Diversity in Luxury Awards, Elizabeth brings a fresh perspective to the world of high-end brands. In this...

Welcome to episode 750 of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed. Today, we’re diving into the next level of business—not by chasing more, but by serving better. We’ll reflect on five powerful conversations from episodes 745 to 749, pulling out the most actionable ideas around three big themes: service and access, systems and simplicity, and purpose and presence. You’ll hear how real peopl...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid, and today we’re diving deep into the world of entrepreneurship, wealth-building, and lifestyle freedom with our returning guest, Chad Willardson. Chad is the founder of Pacific Capital and creator of the Platinum Elevated coaching program, where he helps entrepreneurs not just grow their businesses, but also achieve true finan...

Why do so many entrepreneurs achieve financial success but end up with broken personal lives? In this episode, Chad Willardson—founder of Pacific Capital and Platinum Elevated—shares the truth about building wealth while keeping your family and health intact. From leaving Merrill Lynch after the 2008 recession to building his own firm, Chad reveals the hidden traps that keep entrepreneurs overwork...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed. Today, we’re diving deep into a revolutionary concept that’s transforming the way companies operate: integrating consciousness into business. Our special guest, Charlie Johnson, shares his powerful journey and introduces us to the groundbreaking role of the Chief Consciousness Officer—a position designed to elevate aware...

Welcome to Hacks and Hobbies! In today’s episode, we dive deep into the future of leadership with our special guest, Charley Johnson. Charley brings over 20 years of business experience, seven years leading the Pay It Forward Foundation, and a decade of spiritual mentorship to the table. Together, we explore what it means to be a Chief Consciousness Officer and why this role is becoming essential...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed. Today, we’re joined once again by Ron Souers, who’s back to share more of his inspiring journey with ADHD. In our last episode, Ron opened up about embracing ADHD as a unique strength, and today, we’re diving even deeper—exploring how podcasting has become a powerful creative outlet and a tool for focus and self-expressi...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! Today, we’re diving into the world of ADHD—not as a challenge, but as a superpower. I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and joining me is Ron Souers, a regular guy with an extraordinary story. Ron opens up about his journey with ADHD, from childhood diagnosis to turning workplace struggles into opportunities for growth. We’ll explore how embracing his uniq...

Welcome back, hobby hackers! In today’s episode, we’re diving deep into the world of content creation and emotional resilience with the incredible Jayna Swan. If you’ve ever struggled to stay consistent with your content, felt overwhelmed by life’s chaos, or wondered how to balance your passion with family and business, this episode is for you. Jayna shares powerful insights on why understanding y...

What if your greatest pain could become your greatest teacher? In this conversation, I sit down with Jayna Swan—founder of HER (Healthy Emotional Regulation) Embodiment Retreats—to explore how emotional regulation saved her life and became the foundation of her mission. From enduring years of physical pain and trauma to discovering the connection between emotions and health, Jayna reveals how faci...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re diving deep into the world of government contracting with the incredible Melinda Colon. If you’ve ever wondered how to land lucrative government contracts or scale your business with stable, long-term revenue, this episode is for you. Melinda shares her proven GovCon sales strategy, breaking down the five...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! If you’ve ever wondered how to secure major government contracts and scale your business, you’re in for a treat. Today’s guest, Melinda Colon, is a powerhouse in business strategy and government contracting, with over two decades of experience and a track record of helping clients generate an astonishing $4.4 billion in new business. Melinda is a so...

Welcome back to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re diving deep into transformation, discipline, and the power of community with our returning guest, Austin Page. In this episode, Austin shares his journey from in-person to online coaching, revealing the unique “Gym Flow” method that’s helping people break through barriers and achieve real, lasting ch...

Welcome back to Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today’s episode is one you won’t want to miss. We’re joined by Austin Page, founder of Gym Flow Coaching—a man who turned personal adversity into a mission of empowerment. After surviving a life-altering accident, Austin rebuilt his life from the ground up, mastering the habits, discipline, and mindset that now fuel his coaching b...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re diving deep into the world of digital marketing for small businesses with our special guest, James Hipkin. James brings a wealth of experience from working with major brands like Apple and Visa, and now he’s on a mission to empower small business owners to drive real growth. In this episode, we uncover th...

Welcome to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! Today, we’re joined by James Hipkin, a marketing veteran with over 40 years of experience helping businesses connect meaningfully with their customers. From leading global initiatives for brands like Apple, Visa, and Toyota, to empowering small and medium-sized businesses with AI-driven marketing tools and website solutions, James brings a wealth of...

Welcome back to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re diving into the world of podcasting—not just as a platform for sharing stories, but as a powerful networking gold mine. Joining us is Mark Jake Carter, a veteran interviewer with over 25 years of experience and more than 100 podcast episodes under his belt. Mark’s passion lies in uncovering actionabl...

Welcome back to another episode of Hacks and Hobbies! I’m your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we’re joined by the inspiring Kay Wilkes, creator of the “Pondering Thoughts” podcast—a hub for curious minds. In this episode, Kay shares her journey to rediscovering her passion, launching her podcast, and the secrets behind crafting conversations that truly stand out. We dive into her unique approach to...

Welcome to Hacks and Hobbies, where passion meets purpose and ordinary people share extraordinary stories. I'm your host, Junaid Ahmed, and today we're diving into a journey of rediscovery and courage. Meet Kay Wilkes - a storyteller who refused to let her dreams collect dust. From teenage TV co-host to teacher, and now the passionate host of Pondering Thoughts Podcast, Kay's story is a testament...

What if your greatest leverage isn't talent, timing, or capital, but the way you choose to show up for others? What if real scale is less about follower counts and more about meaningful, sustainable rituals that energize you year after year? In today's episode, we're diving deep into the power of service, systems, and purpose. I've spoken with five incredible experts who've discovered that true im...

Welcome back to Hacks and Hobbies, where we explore extraordinary stories of innovation and purpose. Today, we're diving deep with Mike Kim, a visionary who's transforming the way we think about kindness and technology. Mike isn't just creating another app - he's building a movement. Imagine a digital platform that gamifies kindness, rewards compassion, and connects people in meaningful ways. His...