Teach me how Google Ads really works, 1-hour paid call (ex-Google a big plus)

I run a small local service business in Hawaii where most new business comes in by phone. I recently started running Google Ads myself (search and Performance Max). The campaigns are live and working, but I don't just want to run ads, I want to actually understand the machine behind them. Looking to book a paid 1-hour Zoom call where you teach, not audit. Things like: What actually happens in the ad auction and how Google decides what I pay What Quality Score really is and how much it matters vs bid How Google spends and paces my budget, and what smart bidding is doing behind the curtain How loose match types really are and why negatives matter What Performance Max is under the hood and when it helps vs just eats budget What Google's algorithm learns from my conversion data Where the defaults favor Google over the advertiser, and what insiders know that small advertisers don't You're a fit if you can explain this stuff in plain English to a business owner. Former Google employees (Ads, gTech, ad sales) are especially welcome, I want the insider's view of how the system works. Hands-on freelancers who manage small local accounts are also great, that's a different and equally useful perspective. To apply: in 2-3 sentences, explain Quality Score like you're talking to a business owner. That answer is basically the interview. Budget: $150 fixed per call, flexible for the right background.