Hacks & Hobbies

What if everything you’ve been taught about social media growth is wrong? In this episode, returning guest Dan Schinder — founder of Drum Talk TV, a global media brand reaching over 100 million people a year organically — breaks down how he did it without ads, SEO tricks, or jumping on every “trending” hack. From celebrating 10+ years of Drum Talk TV and launching a virtual membership playground for music fans, to dismantling the “hashtag hustle” and exposing how most creators are just copying the herd, Dan shares a radically simple but deeply disciplined approach to content, community, and long-term brand building. If you’ve ever felt exhausted by algorithms, confused about what to post, or pressured to follow every new social media “rule,” this conversation will reset how you think about marketing, audience growth, and creating content that actually converts. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Drum Talk TV still reaches ~100M people a year organically across platforms Why video is still king—and

What happens when a shy finance kid, terrified to go on camera, commits to doing 30,000 interviews? In this raw and inspiring conversation, Adam Torres, co-founder of Mission Matters and host of a top 2.5% global podcast, reveals how he went from managing millions in assets as a financial advisor to building one of the most prolific interview catalogs in modern media. He shares the divine moment that pushed him out of a safe 14-year finance career, the flood that destroyed his hard-earned licenses in one night, and why he believes the next generation of creators has more leverage than Oprah, Johnny Carson, or Howard Stern ever did. If you’ve ever felt called to start a podcast, write a book, or simply tell your story—but doubted your talent, credentials, or confidence—this episode will challenge your excuses and give you a concrete, numbers-driven way to think about your impact and legacy as a creator. You’ll learn: How a “$5 product” (a book) accidentally changed Adam’s entire life and career Why

If you feel successful on paper but numb inside, this conversation is your wake-up call. In this episode, Junaid sits down (for part two) with David Schafran, founder of Somo Loco salsa immersions, to explore how dance, emotion, and embodiment can completely transform the way you lead, sell, and show up in your life. David shares how Latin partner dance became the missing piece that made him feel whole as a founder — unblocking his emotions, deepening his relationships, and turning “sales” into genuine human connection. They dive into why burnout is a silent killer for entrepreneurs, why presence is the ultimate business skill, and how a week of dancing in places like Medellín can create a lifetime of ROI in your leadership, relationships, and inner aliveness. If you’ve ever felt like a “zombie” in your own company, this episode shows you a completely different way to live and work. 5 Big Takeaways Dance as emotional therapy: How salsa helped David cultivate EQ, prevent burnout, and feel whole as a

He built a cutting‑edge healthtech company at MIT. Then, in one brutal week, he lost his company, his relationship, and turned 30 — and walked away from everything. In this episode, Junaid sits down with David Schafran, an MIT‑trained entrepreneur who traded boardrooms and burnout for salsa, soul, and full‑body healing in Medellín, Colombia. David went from building smartphone‑based eye diagnostics to building transformational dance immersion retreats for founders, high performers, and “two‑left‑feet” beginners. David explains why success without emotional fulfillment is a trap, how salsa became his therapy when nothing else worked, and why immersion — not dabbling — is what truly rewires your internal state. If you’ve ever felt numb, overworked, or disconnected from your own joy, this conversation will challenge what you think “work,” “play,” and “healing” are supposed to look like. In this episode, you’ll learn: How an MIT startup founder hit emotional rock bottom and found healing through dance in C

Most creators are one wrong clip, one lazy reaction video, or one AI mistake away from a legal nightmare. In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid sits down with Gordon Firemark – “The Podcast Lawyer” – to expose the legal blind spots that threaten podcasters, YouTubers, coaches, and online creators every single day. From “fair use” myths and reaction videos, to trademarks, LLCs, and the hidden risks of AI tools, Gordon explains—plainly and practically—how to protect your content, your brand, and your future. If you’ve ever wondered, “Can I use this song?” or “Is my show name really mine?” or “What happens if AI gets it wrong in my content?” this conversation is your legal wake-up call. You’ll walk away with a mini legal startup kit for creators: the 4–5 pillars that turn your “little show” into a truly protected business. Fair use is not a vibe – it’s a legal test. Most music and “lazy reaction” content is not fair use, and platforms are getting more aggressive at flagging it. Trending sounds

Most podcasters are one email away from losing everything they’ve built — and they don’t even know it. In this episode, Junaid sits down with Gordon Firemark, the industry’s go-to “Podcast Lawyer” and veteran entertainment & media attorney, to reveal the uncomfortable legal truths creators avoid until it’s too late. If you’ve ever thought, “They use it on radio, so I can use it on my podcast, right?” — this conversation is your wake-up call. Gordon breaks down the quiet legal risks hiding in your music choices, guest interviews, brand name, contracts, and AI tools. You’ll learn why “I paid for it, so I own it” is often a dangerous lie, how one podcaster with 13+ years of content nearly lost his show title, and why a simple guest release might be the most powerful protection you’re not using. This is the legal foundation every creator, podcaster, and digital entrepreneur wishes they’d had from day one. You don’t need fear. You need clarity — and this episode gives it to you. Podcasting is not radio – t

What if the stories you tell yourself are the biggest thing holding you back? In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Jon Bassford, a former lawyer turned nonprofit founder, startup scaler, and organizational strategist, whose superpower is curiosity. Jon shares how being “the inquisitive kid who always sat with the adults” turned into a career of challenging the status quo, rebuilding cultures from the inside out, and helping leaders create teams that feel safe enough to innovate. This conversation dives deep into psychological safety, ego, fear, and the silent stories that run our lives and our companies. From Google’s Project Aristotle to meditation, mindset work, and the book that helped Jon dismantle his shame, this episode is about what really changes when leaders stop pretending to have all the answers—and start getting genuinely curious. Curiosity as a superpower – How Jon discovered that curiosity was his core advantage and used it to transform organizations rather th

What if the question you’re not asking is costing your company millions? In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid sits down with Jon Bassford – an operational change agent and former COO who helped lead a $7M nonprofit out of a downward spiral, 20% revenue growth, and 500% programming growth… all starting from one simple question: “Where is this written?” Jon reveals how curiosity is not a soft skill – it’s an operational strategy. From uncovering broken systems buried in conference manuals to turning every team member into a daily “auditor” of their own work, Jon shows how leaders can build cultures where people don’t just do their jobs… they improve them. If you’re a founder, operator, or leader who wants sustainable growth, deeper engagement, and a culture that actually thinks – this episode is your roadmap. 5 Big Takeaways Curiosity is an operational weapon – Jon shows how a single curious question unlocked 20% revenue growth and 500% more programming. 95% of your day is on autopilot – an

What if one podcast interview could replace four and a half years of marketing? In this powerful conversation, business coach and author Robin Waite reveals how he built a six-figure coaching practice not through funnels, ads, or endless content—but through partnerships, patience, and radical alignment. After burning out from posting “a squillion times” on social media and following every marketing guru’s playbook, Robin walked away from the noise and doubled down on three simple assets: speaking, podcasts, and books. He breaks down how one appearance on Ali Abdaal’s Deep Dive brought him over 3,000 leads, £250,000+ ($300,000) in revenue, and more clients than four and a half years of social media ever did. Robin explains the real mechanics behind high-leverage partnerships, why helping other people’s teams can be your secret backdoor into powerful rooms, and how solopreneurs can build trust-based ecosystems without playing the “tit for tat” game. This episode is a masterclass in value-led networking, authe

Most coaches, consultants, and creatives are quietly terrified of saying their prices out loud. In this episode, Junaid sits down with Robin Waite — best-selling author, founder of Fearless Business, and pricing strategist for coaches and freelancers — to dismantle the “underselling epidemic” that keeps brilliant entrepreneurs broke and burned out. Robin reveals how childhood money stories, “charge by the hour” thinking, and fear of rejection trap us in low-ticket offers… and how a few brave pricing decisions completely transformed his own agency from £500 logos to £18,000 days. He shares the exact mindset and mechanics behind value-based pricing, why higher-paying clients really do behave differently, and three tactical moves you can implement this week to raise your revenue without more hustle or more clients. If you’ve ever frozen when a client asks, “So… how much do you charge?”, this conversation will change the way you see your worth, your offers, and your business model. 5 Big Takeaways Your m

What if the most creative version of you never has to quit their day job? In this episode, Junaid sits down with Kate Volman – CEO of Floyd Coaching, host of Create For No Reason and Lead With Culture, and author of “Do What You Love: A Guide to Living Your Creative Life Without Leaving Your Job.” Kate shares how a chamber of commerce job in her 20s unexpectedly rewired her idea of work, purpose, and creativity. She reveals why not every passion should be monetized, how to protect your creative practice while leading a company, and why waiting for “inspiration” is the biggest lie that keeps creatives stuck. If you’ve ever thought, “I’ll be creative when I finally leave my job” or “I can’t start until I know how to make money from this,” this conversation will challenge everything. You’ll learn to think in terms of ROI vs. ROC (Return on Creating), build discipline like a writer, and surround yourself with the kind of creative friends who refuse to let you stay small. You don’t need permission. You need a

What if your most powerful leadership skill isn’t strategy or execution – but creativity? In this episode, Junaid sits back down with creative leadership coach and CEO Kate Volman to unpack a radically human approach to leading teams, building culture, and reigniting your own creative spark. This is part two of their conversation, but it stands alone as a deep dive into why people feel stuck at work, how culture kills creativity, and what leaders can do to bring it back to life. From corporate burnout to Avengers actors walking away from billion-dollar franchises, Kate shows how a lack of empathy, recognition, and humanity quietly destroys teams. She then flips the script and walks through practical ways to build a culture where people feel seen, appreciated, and genuinely excited to contribute. Whether you’re a CEO, a manager, or a solo creator, this conversation will challenge how you think about work, creativity, and what people really come to your company for. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why ev

You can have the house, the car, the titles… and still wake up numb. In this intimate conversation, third-generation entrepreneur and systems strategist Jennifer Bennett reveals how she went from “doing everything right” in real estate — high-ranking roles, multiple states, accolades, and a thriving career — to realizing the hustle model was quietly destroying her joy, her presence as a mom, and her sense of purpose. Jennifer unpacks the real cost of high-performance culture, why so many entrepreneurs are silently burning out behind “success,” and how she and her mom created Get Desky — a movement designed to help overwhelmed founders stop carrying their business on their backs and start building with clarity, systems, and soul. If you’ve ever wondered why having “everything on paper” still doesn’t feel like enough — or how to grow a business without sacrificing your marriage, your kids, or yourself — this episode is your invitation to redefine what success actually means. Key Takeaways: How Jennifer’

What if scaling your business didn’t cost you your family, your sanity, or your soul? In this powerful part two, productivity strategist and founder of Get Desky, Jennifer Bennett, returns to dissect the how behind true entrepreneurial freedom. She shares how leaders can design their days, build teams they trust, and create systems that protect what matters most—family, health, and impact. From hiring before you feel ready, to stopping the “spaghetti bowl” of chaotic delegation, to raising entrepreneurial kids who see more than one path in life, this conversation feels like a masterclass in both strategy and humanity. If you’re scaling on paper but silently drowning in decision fatigue, this episode is your permission slip to stop doing it alone—and start building a business that actually serves your life. 5 Big Takeaways Freedom isn’t just revenue – it’s time with family, doing work that lights you up, and serving the people you’re called to help. You don’t need to scale like everyone else – soulfu

Most founders are obsessed with “new customers” and blind to the fortune sitting in their existing list. In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid sits down with Nikita Vakhrushev, founder of Aspect Agency and retention specialist for over 100+ direct-to-consumer brands, to expose the hidden systems that turn casual buyers into lifelong customers. If you’ve ever felt guilty about “not emailing your list enough” or wondered why your campaigns don’t translate into real revenue, this conversation will flip the way you think about email, SMS, and retention forever. Nikita breaks down why “set it and forget it” is killing your profitability, the real difference between campaigns and lifecycle marketing, and how to think about retention as a revenue engine, not a “nice-to-have” side project. From customer psychology and buyer journeys to plain-text emails that quietly print money, this episode is a roadmap for founders who are ready to stop leaking profit and start building a brand people return to again and a

Most brands think they need more traffic. Nikita says they’re already sitting on a goldmine. In this episode, email & SMS strategist Nikita Vakhrushev, founder of Aspect, breaks down how direct-to-consumer brands are quietly leaving $200,000–$400,000 a year on the table by ignoring the “boring” retention channels: email and SMS. After helping over 100 DTC brands and turning broken automations into $40,000/month profit engines, Nikita reveals why the real leverage isn’t in your next ad campaign—it’s in how you follow up. Junaid and Nikita go deep into the exact flows, systems, and mindset shifts that separate brands who coast from brands who compound. If you’ve ever wondered why your Klaviyo is “set up” but not really printing money, this episode is your wake-up call. In this episode, you’ll learn: How Nikita turned a failing email setup into $40k/month in just a few months The core email & SMS flows every brand needs (and how most are set up wrong) Why constant discounting destroys your brand and

Are your stories changing lives—or quietly causing harm? In this powerful conversation, nonprofit messaging strategist Maria Bryan returns to go deeper into trauma‑informed storytelling—and why every marketer, nonprofit leader, and creator needs to rethink how they collect and share stories. If you’ve ever shared a client story, testimonial, or case study “for the cause,” this episode will challenge you—in the best possible way. Maria explains how to move from well‑meaning to well‑practiced: embedding safety, consent, and dignity into every stage of your storytelling workflow. From fundraising campaigns to podcast interviews, she breaks down practical steps to reduce harm, protect the people behind the stories, and protect yourself from vicarious trauma. Whether you’re a nonprofit leader, creative, or solo podcaster, you’ll walk away with a new lens on your work—and a clear path to doing it more ethically and sustainably. 5 Key Takeaways Why trauma-informed storytelling matters even if you’re “just” a

What if the way you tell stories is quietly harming the very people you want to help? In this episode, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Maria Bryan, a trauma-informed storytelling trainer and host of the When Bearing Witness podcast. Maria has trained thousands of nonprofit leaders, fundraisers, and storytellers to share stories that inspire change without exploitation, re-traumatization, or stripping people of their dignity. Together they unpack how traditional nonprofit and marketing storytelling—especially “success stories” and testimonials—can unintentionally cause deep harm, and what it really looks like to tell stories rooted in safety, consent, and agency. From rethinking “we need hundreds of stories a year” to creating harm repair plans and no-questions-asked takedown policies, this conversation is a blueprint for anyone who interviews, fundraises, or shares lived-experience stories. In this episode, you’ll learn: How trauma-informed storytelling radically differs from traditional marketing and fund

If your life feels successful on the outside but empty, chaotic or exhausted on the inside, this episode is for you. In this conversation, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Irina Alexander – a high-performance coach who blends neuroscience, leadership, and ancient wisdom – to unpack what it really takes to stop living on default and start living by conscious choice. Irina shares how she burned out as a driven business owner and mother, the moment she realized her “normal” was actually toxic, and the exact inner work she used to rewire her brain, heal from autopilot patterns, and build a life that feels aligned at a soul level. You’ll learn her 3P method (pause, pull back, physical scan), how to integrate what you know into how you actually live, and why small 1-degree shifts can completely change the trajectory of your life. If you’ve ever felt like you’re smart, capable, and high-performing—but still not at peace—this episode will show you a new way forward. 5 Big Takeaways Awareness is the real starting

What if 95% of your life is being run by programs you didn’t choose? In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, Junaid Ahmed sits down with Irina Alexander, professional mental trainer and founder of the Academy of Motive, Action. With 20 years in neuroscience, entrepreneurship, and global wisdom traditions, Irina has helped hundreds of high-stress professionals step out of autopilot, dismantle hustle culture, and rebuild a life that actually feels like their own. Irina shares the moment she broke down on the highway, called her mother, and realised the successful life she’d built… wasn’t actually hers. From selling a thriving business to redefining success as soul-aligned living, she walks us through the inner rewiring required to move from obligation, burnout, and busyness into clarity, courage, and conscious choice. If you feel like you’re doing “all the right things” yet still feel empty, this conversation is a wake-up call. In this episode, you’ll learn: How your subconscious is programmed before age s