Junaid introduces the episode on Hacks and Hobbies, setting the stage for a discussion about strategic conference attendance and building re

Welcome and Episode Preview

Jason Cercone shares his experience at the first Empowered Podcasting Conference, highlighting its design for small group connection and int

Empowered Podcasting 1 Origins

The discussion turns to the benefits of in person events over virtual options, emphasizing the unique value of face to face human connection

In Person Beats Online

Junaid and Jason explore how smaller, community focused conferences can create more meaningful outcomes than large industry events when appr

Smaller Event Outcomes

They offer advice on preparing for a conference with a clear agenda, including mapping out sessions and identifying key people to meet.

Pre Event Preparation

The hosts discuss how to move beyond generic 'what do you do' questions to spark more genuine and meaningful conversations at events.

Better Conversation Starters

They address how to convert conference inspiration and information into practical skills and actionable steps, avoiding feeling overwhelmed.

Turning Learning into Skills

Jason details his 'strategy first' philosophy for podcasting, explaining how it helps clients avoid overwhelm and build a solid foundation.

Strategy First Approach

Jason outlines the experience attendees can expect at EPC 3, focusing on its smaller, community driven environment for connection and learni

Empowered Podcasting 3 Experience

Junaid thanks Jason and encourages listeners to attend EPC 3 with purpose, build connections, and turn passions into purpose.

Final Thoughts and Invitation

Junaid Ahmed and Jason Cercone discuss the importance of intentional in person event attendance, strategic networking, and converting conference knowledge into practical skills for podcasters and creators.

Junaid Ahmed and Jason Cercone explore how to maximize value from conferences, especially in person events like the Empowered Podcasting Conference. They stress that true growth comes from intentional participation, not passive attendance. Jason shares his journey from attendee to a key organizer of EPC, highlighting the benefits of smaller, intimate gatherings for building genuine connections. The discussion covers strategic preparation before events, methods for starting conversations beyond simple introductions, and the critical step of turning conference inspiration into practical, lasting skills. They emphasize a strategy first approach to both podcasting and event engagement, ensuring

In Person Connection Value

Intentional Event Mindset

Effective Networking Strategies

Applying Learned Information

Community as a Growth Engine

Smaller Event Advantages

Jason Cercone is founder of Bombtrack Media. He says, "That was really what got me started when I launched Bombtrack Media. I knew I was pivoting 100% from where I had been that I needed to get out an

Bombtrack Media

We will also take you behind the scenes of Empowered Podcasting Conference 3, happening August 21st through the 23rd in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Empowered Podcasting Conference

I stole this from Patch Adams. Has anybody has ever seen that movie? When they open their little clinic, guy walks in, Patch asks him, what what are you passionate about? What makes you tick?

Patch Adams

We have used the Lifee journal, the Lifee brand. And Johnny was a big part of the event in year one. I know he has not been as involved, but he has helped with these journals and they are a great part

Lifee journal

I was on the Creative Roots podcast. It is the Charlotte Podcast Studio guys run this. And the host Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up something that I had never thought of, but I thought it was a great p

Creative Roots podcast

I was on the Creative Roots podcast. It is the Charlotte Podcast Studio guys run this. And the host Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up something that I had never thought of.

Charlotte Podcast Studio

Designing Events for Deeper Connections

Strategy First for Podcasters

That was really what got me started when I launched Bombtrack Media. I knew I was pivoting 100% from where I had been that I

I stole this from Patch Adams. Has anybody has ever seen that movie? When they open their little clinic, guy walks in, Patch asks him,

We have used the Lifee journal, the Lifee brand. And Johnny was a big part of the event in year one.

I was on the Creative Roots podcast. It is the Charlotte Podcast Studio guys run this. And the host Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up

It is the Charlotte Podcast Studio guys run this. And the host Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up something that I had never thought of.

So if you just go and you consume all this information and then go home and do nothing with it, what was the point?

Hey H&H Family,

We all know that feeling. You attend a conference, get pumped up, take pages of notes, and then… life happens. Those amazing ideas slowly fade into the background. I've been there too, many times, struggling to bridge the gap between inspiration and implementation.

That’s precisely why I'm so excited about my recent conversation with my good friend, Jason Cercone, the COO of Empowered Podcasting. We talked about how to move beyond passive attendance and truly make events a powerful, consistent part of your growth journey.

Jason introduced a powerful 'strategy first' approach that applies to everything – from networking intentionally at conferences to launching your podcast with crystal-clear purpose. It’s about setting precise intentions, asking deeper questions, and most importantly, diligently acting on what you learn. We also explored why smaller, more intimate events often lead to deeper, more lasting connections rooted in shared values and community.

If you're ready to transform your event experiences into concrete skills and real opportunities for your creative life, this episode is a must-listen. You'll learn how to go from merely inspired to truly impactful, consistently and with discipline.

Click the link below to dive in and discover how to approach your next event, or your next creative project, with clarity, purpose, and the drive to build something meaningful.

Always Building,
Junaid Ahmed

Hi everyone,

I am excited to share a recent conversation I had on the Hacks and Hobbies podcast with my friend, Junaid Ahmed. We talked about something I am very passionate about: how to get real, lasting value from conferences and events.

Many of us attend events, feel a burst of inspiration, and then struggle to apply what we learned. In this episode, I explain my 'strategy first' approach. This mindset helps you define your goals for any event before you even get there, ensuring you connect with the right people and focus on insights that truly matter.

We also discussed the power of smaller, more intimate gatherings for building genuine relationships, and how to turn event inspiration into practical skills for your podcast or any creative project. If you are looking to approach your next conference or project with clarity and purpose, this episode offers a solid plan.

I believe these insights can help you avoid feeling overwhelmed and instead, build a strong foundation for your growth. Give it a listen and let me know what you think.

Warmly,
Jason Cercone

My Recent Conversation with Junaid Ahmed on Event Strategy and Podcasting Growth

Hi,

Just a quick follow up to ensure you saw my last email about my conversation with Junaid Ahmed on Hacks and Hobbies. We covered some vital points on making the most of your event attendance and applying a 'strategy first' approach to your podcasting efforts.

One key takeaway was the importance of converting learning into skills. It is not enough to just listen; you need to have a plan to implement what you learn. We talked about how to filter information and create actionable steps to truly move forward after an event.

If you are planning to attend any upcoming conferences or looking to refine your podcasting strategy, this episode offers practical guidance you can use immediately. It is about purposeful action and tangible outcomes.

Listen here to catch up.

Best,
Jason Cercone

Quick Follow Up: Insights from Hacks and Hobbies on Event Strategy

Hi,

This is a final reminder about my conversation with Junaid Ahmed on Hacks and Hobbies, where we dove deep into maximizing value from events and applying a 'strategy first' approach to podcasting.

We discussed why smaller events can be more powerful for genuine connections and how a clear strategy prevents overwhelm and ensures focused growth. My philosophy is that your podcast, or any project, needs a solid roadmap. It is better to take a few extra months to plan well than to jump in without direction.

If you have been thinking about how to get more from your networking or how to launch your podcast with clear purpose, this episode offers the clarity you need. It is packed with actionable advice to help you build a solid foundation and achieve your goals.

Do not miss out on these insights. Listen to the episode today.

Sincerely,
Jason Cercone

Final Reminder: Mastering Events & Podcasting with a Strategy First Approach

Are you ready to stop passively attending events and start converting them into actual, measurable growth? Join Junaid Ahmed and Jason Cercone for a live Q&A session where we'll break down the powerful 'strategy first' approach to conferences and purposeful podcasting.

Discover how to:
• Set crystal-clear intentions for every event, ensuring every moment counts.
• Build genuine, lasting connections that move beyond awkward networking.
• Transform fleeting inspiration into tangible, actionable skills and opportunities that serve your purpose.

Jason Cercone is the COO of Empowered Podcasting and a seasoned podcasting strategist who helps creators move with clarity. He'll share how a purposeful mindset can fundamentally transform your approach to both live events and your own podcasting journey.

This is your chance to ask questions and learn practical ways to make your time at conferences and in your creative projects truly count. If you’re looking to maximize your impact, build a strong foundation, and cultivate lasting relationships, this event is crafted for you. Let's build this together!

Click RSVP to secure your spot and get ready to redefine your event experience and podcasting strategy!

Live Q&A: Master Your Event Strategy & Podcasting Growth with Junaid Ahmed and Jason Cercone

In this episode of Hacks and Hobbies, I sit down with Jason Cercone to explore how to truly extract profound value from conferences and in-person events. Many of us attend passively, but Jason introduces his powerful 'strategy first' approach—a blueprint for transforming fleeting inspiration into concrete skills and lasting, meaningful connections.

Discover how to:
• Leverage the power of smaller, more intimate events, like the Empowered Podcasting Conference, for building truly deep relationships and community.
• Prepare for any event with a clear agenda and specific, purpose-driven goals, turning up with a plan.
• Initiate better conversations that move beyond typical networking, focusing on shared passions and genuine connection.
• Strategically apply what you learn to avoid information overload and drive real, measurable growth, converting knowledge into skill.
• Embrace Jason's 'strategy first' philosophy for launching and diligently growing your podcast with unwavering purpose and intentionality.

Jason Cercone is a highly respected podcasting strategy and mindset coach, the founder of Bombtrack Media, and the Chief Operating Officer of Empowered Podcasting. He empowers professionals to use podcasting with clarity and purpose, always emphasizing a 'strategy first' approach. His insights will equip you to approach events and all your creative projects with greater intention, discipline, and effectiveness.

Chapters:
00:00:00 Welcome and Episode Preview: Turning Inspiration into Action
00:02:16 Empowered Podcasting Origins: Building Community & Clarity
00:11:11 In-Person vs. Online: The Power of Presence
00:19:43 Smaller Event Outcomes: Deeper Connections, Greater Impact
00:24:34 Pre-Event Preparation: Your Strategic Blueprint
00:28:27 Better Conversation Starters: Beyond the Business Card
00:32:37 Turning Learning into Skills: The Application Gap
00:39:20 Strategy First Approach: For Podcasting and Beyond
00:45:18 Empowered Podcasting 3 Experience: A Community in Action
00:48:21 Final Thoughts and Invitation: Building Your Purposeful Path

Tune in now and learn how to make every event a deliberate step forward in your growth journey, consistently building towards your purpose. Let's build this together.

Strategy First: Transform Events & Podcasting into Growth | Jason Cercone & Junaid Ahmed

But to me, when I am in a room with people, that is where I know there is more opportunity for me to make a

But in person still beats all of them because it is the number one, I mean, we are literally social animals.

I go with an agenda and typically leading my agenda is getting to meet fellow creators, fellow professionals, and learning if there is any synergy

But having that road map for yourself allows you to go in with purpose. Instead of just wandering the halls and then wandering into, hey,

You can not expect to close business. It is not on the rare occasion you might at a networking event. But for the most part,

I want to go into that into that event and meet one person that I know the next day I can follow up with them.

Getting back to that original question of knowing what you want to get from it and then actually putting it into practice. Do not go

Five key takeaways

 Stop collecting business cards: bring an agenda and one concrete follow-up goal per event.
 Small, intimate conferences often deliver deeper ROI than massive industry shows—if you show up with intention.
 Replace “What do you do?” with questions about passion and problems to spark memorable conversations.
 Use simple systems (journals, one friend covering another track, session recordings) to convert a firehose of info into usable action.
 Strategy-first podcasting (VIP planning, seasons vs. weekly grind) prevents overwhelm and accelerates meaningful growth.

Timestamps

 0:00 — Opening: Why one conversation can collapse years of trial and error
 2:58 — The first Empowered Podcasting Conference: spotting potential in a small room
 7:50 — The hallway magic: why informal moments beat polished stages for collaboration
 14:11 — In-person vs virtual: what networking loses (and gains) online
 25:01 — Tactical prep: how to build a conference roadmap and why to recruit a “track buddy”
 35:55 — The EPC journal and the habit of capturing actionable notes (turn inspiration into execution)
 39:51 — Strategy-first podcasting: VIP days, seasons, and the roadmap before the mic

Guest links

 Bomb Track Media — https://bombtrackmedia.com
 Jason Cercon / Jason Circon — https://jasoncircon.com
 Empowered Podcasting Conference — https://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.

You can listen to the full audio of the episode on the official Hacks and Hobbies website.

You can listen to the full audio of the episode on the official Hacks and Hobbies website or via major podcast platforms like Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Pandora.

Hacks and Hobbies website

Jodi Krangle is also the host of the podcast Audio Branding: The Hidden Gem of Marketing.

Jodi Krangle is also the host of the podcast Audio Branding: The Hidden Gem of Marketing. She discusses the importance of sound in marketing on her show.

Audio Branding: The Hidden Gem of Marketing

Empowered Podcasting Conference 3, happening August 21st through the 23rd in Charlotte, North Carolina.

We'll also take you behind the scenes of Empowered Podcasting Conference 3, happening August 21st through the 23rd in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Empowered Podcasting Conference 3

It's going to be happening at the Heights Centric Charlotte South Park.

Hyatt Centric Charlotte South Park

I've known Mark for many years. And when we were standing there, I said, I think there's something here.

I've known Mark for many years. And when we were standing there, I don't know if it had been before the end of the event or at some point during the weekend, I said, I think there's something here.

Mark

And I should say for one third hand with Mark and Rich and the rest of our team.

Rich Perry

JR Sparrow told me, hey, this event is happening. And then Alex Sanfilippo, I was in his mastermind.

JR Sparrow told me, hey, this event is happening. And then Alex Sanfilippo, I was in I was in his mastermind.

JR Sparrow

And then Alex Sanfilippo, I was in his mastermind. He's like, hey, I'm going to be speaking at this event.

And then Alex Sanfilippo, I was in I was in his mastermind. He's like, hey, I'm going to be speaking at this event.

Alex Sanfilippo

I got to meet one gentleman, Zees Abdul Rauf. And we've been connected ever since.

What's cool is that I got to meet one gentleman, Zees Abdul Rauf. And we've been connected ever since.

Zees Abdul Rauf

I know Travis Brown was the mutual connection that Mark and I had. And I had connected with Travis.

I know Travis Brown was the mutual connection that Mark and I had. And I had connected with Travis and Mark had too.

Travis Brown

I stole this from Patch Adams. Has anybody ever seen that movie? When they open their little clinic, Patch asks him, what are you passionate

I stole this from Patch Adams. Has anybody ever seen that movie? When they open their little clinic, guy walks in, Patch asks him, what what are you passionate about?

And the host, Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up something that I had never thought of.

And the host, Tay, Tay Harris, he brought up something that I had never thought of, but I thought it was a great point.

Tay Harris

Johnny was a big part of the event in year one. He's helped with these journals.

Johnny was a big part of the event in year one. I know he hasn't been as involved, but he's helped with these journals.

Johnny

For example, if Pat Flynn shows up somewhere, everybody's going to flock to him because he's built that audience.

Pat Flynn

Jason Cercone

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.

🎙 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

Junaid Ahmed

Hacks and Hobbies

Books & Resources

Podcast Strategy Coach: Why Small Conferences Change Careers (and How to Network Without the Awkwardness)

Guest spotlight