The Heart of Poker Podcast

If there’s anyone championing women in poker, it’s Erin Lydon. The Poker Power president has an incredible passion for not only the game, but also the lessons we can learn from it and apply to everyday life. From working on Wall Street to speaking at Tedx events, Lydon has had an incredibly decorated professional career(including being the Vice President of JP Morgan for 6.5 years). However, she’s spent the last 4 years in leadership positions at Poker Power, where they teach women+ about the game and how to apply its teachings to their professional lives as well. During the podcast, Erin and Kara discuss her upbringing and how she’s tried to do things differently raising her own children. Other topics the two discuss include work-life balance, saying “yes” to more things and what lies ahead in her personal and professional life. Check out our interviews with earlier guests from The Heart of Poker, including David Lappin, Maria Ho, Tana Karn, Justin Bonomo & more!

On this month’s episode of The Heart Of Poker Podcast, Kara Scott speaks with poker player, writer and fellow podcast host David Lappin. Not one to mince words, Lappin is known for calling it as he sees it when it comes to his writing. However, as this podcast unfolds, we learn that he’s far from motivated by clickbait titles or attention seeking behaviour. Interestingly, both Kara and David found poker through TV. Lappin reveals that a writing gig, where one of his characters was a poker player, was the impetus for him to pursue a deeper understanding of the game. As luck would have it, the writing gig dried up and he turned to his newfound poker skills to keep “to keep the wolf from the door” as he describes it. The conversation evolves from poker to relationships and Lappin shares what qualities he’s always sought out in his friendships. The two go on to discuss other topics such as underground online card rooms, aging & his family. Check out our interviews with earlier guests from The Heart of Poker, including Tana Karn, Justin Bonomo, Alex O’Brien, and Maria Ho.

If you’ve ever found yourself at a RunGood poker tournament or sporting one of their signature t-shirts, then you have Tana Karn to thank. The mastermind behind the apparel and live event brand sits down with Kara Scott for a candid exchange on his humble beginnings. As a first-generation American born to Thai parents, he talks about his upbringing in his parents' restaurant and how that experience formed the foundation of his hospitality skills. His father’s advice of “build things to last” clearly stuck with Karn, as he launched RunGood when he was only 23. Though it wasn’t the powerhouse it is today, he shares how success early on meant “someone buying a t-shirt.” Even though RunGood has become a three-time Global Poker Awards Best Mid-Major Tour winner, Karn still speaks of his superstitions and how he doesn’t like to show up for the beginning of a Day 1A “in case no one shows up.” Although it's hard to believe that would ever be the case, it's become clear that Karn is a man of the people and his infectious energy is what continues to bring people into the RunGood world. Check out our interviews with earlier guests from The Heart of Poker, including Johnnie Vibes, Justin Bonomo, Mustapha Kanit, and Maria Ho.

If you’re familiar with Brazilian poker players, then you will certainly have heard of Felipe Ramos. Playing professionally for 16 years now, Ramos currently sits at 4th in the Brazil all-time money list and has racked up a whopping $3.6 million in live earnings alone. Kara and Felipe actually worked together over 10 years prior, so the two have a level of comfort that lets them get deep right off the bat. Ramos opens up about how he left a 6-year career in finance to pursue poker and the disappointment and worry it caused in his family. He shares how despite this unfavourable reception, he trusted the vision he had for himself and stuck to the goals he set out for himself. The conversation then moves to his upbringing, and when asked what he would change about his childhood, he shares his thoughts on lying to children(and how that affects his parenting today). Other topics the two cover include conserving Brazilian national parks, growing up in a rough neighbourhood and being very emotional. Check out our interviews with earlier guests from The Heart of Poker, including Johnnie Vibes, Justin Bonomo, Mustapha Kanit and Maria Ho.

Alex O’Brien is a fascinating person - poker player, science writer and author. She first captured the poker industry’s attention when she won a tournament which should have resulted in a high profile heads-up match with Dan Bilzerian. However, when the match fell through, it ignited a conversation around women in poker and the role of ambassadors in our game.  Her new book ‘The Truth Detective’ will be published later this year and it uses the game of poker as a blueprint for how to discover truth in our current ‘post-truth’ world. The ability to sniff out truth in a poker game is crucial to a player’s bottom line, but the stakes are even higher in politics, public life and our personal lives. Using the skills that poker teaches us, we can create a roster of techniques to employ when trying to separate the truth from the lies.  As friends, Alex and the Heart of Poker host Kara Scott dive into how truth affects us each on a deeply personal level, how it impacts our friendships and relationships, while  discussing those things that truly motivate us.  Check out our interviews with earlier guests from The Heart of Poker, including Jaman Burton, Angela Jordison, Mustapha Kanit and Maria Ho.

You may already know quite a bit about Johnnie Moreno AKA ‘Johnnie Vibes’ from his popular vlogs and videos, but in this episode of The Heart of Poker podcast, he dives even deeper into life’s big questions with host Kara Scott. The two walk back through Johnnie's personal history with the game of poker and how his incredibly tight knit family group has been such a huge source of joy and support for him throughout his career. He has a deep curiosity about life and loves to throw himself into new things, to push his own boundaries and learn new skills. As one of the big content creators in the poker space, Johnnie is well positioned for a discussion with Kara on how the poker media is changing right now, and not always for the good. They discuss how living and working in such a public way is both a privilege and a responsibility and they evaluate how to find balance, including figuring out what is his ‘north star’ in life. Check out previous episodes with Nemo, Greg Merson, Ebony Kenney, Justin Bonomo, David Williams and more!

Nemo Qiyu Zhou (also known online as AkaNemsko) is a gamer, esports star and content creator with an impressive following. After learning chess at the age of 3, she found incredible success in the game, earning herself title after title. A women’s Chess grandmaster, Nemo gave up professional chess to focus on her life, and although you can still find her streaming chess, other games including poker, round out her interests now. In an interview recorded in November 2022, Kara and Nemo get into some of the crossovers they see between broadcasting and content creation, including the anxiety that can come with both. Nemo speaks candidly about the toll that kind of pressure can take on a person, especially at such a young age. Nemo and Kara go on to discuss the ‘sliding doors’ moment where she stepped away from her studies and how futile it can be to focus on past choices, even the wins. As someone who has achieved so much, so young, her focus now is to continue building a sense of ‘home’ – wherever that might take her. Don’t forget to check out our previous episodes with Ryan Laplante, Jaman Burton, Adam Pliska, Mori Eskandani, Barny Boatman, Nadya Magnus and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

With over $60 million in live tournament earnings, Justin Bonomo sits squarely at the top of the all-time money leaderboard for poker. No stranger to controversy or strong opinions, Justin opens up to The Heart of Poker’s Kara Scott about topics ranging from Burning Man, what he wishes people knew about him, his greatest fears and his idea of an absolutely perfect day.  Justin reveals to Kara what he’d love his life to look like in the future and the importance of connection, love and friendships. They pull at the threads of misperception around the term ‘toxic masculinity’ and dive into how important it is for men and boys to be able to talk comfortably about their feelings and the actual strength that shows.  Content warning: While talking about his early struggles with depression Justin and Kara touch on the difficult subject of dealing with suicidal ideation and what it can be like to face that and come through it. If anyone listening is feeling a similar darkness please reach out for help or call a suicide hotline in your area.  Don’t forget to check out our previous episodes with such fantastic guests as Mustapha Kanit, David Tuchman, Tiffany Michelle, Jon Van Fleet and Benny Glaser.

Angela Jordison was named 2022 GPA Breakout Player of the Year after narrowly missing out on two GPI POY awards. Not only a fierce competitor, and a real joy to watch on the felt, she’s a fan favourite and for good reason.  During their interview, Angela and Kara discuss how important it is to have a positive impact on the poker community.  Not one for empty words, Angela recently put her money where her mouth is. She tells the story of what prompted her to spearhead an initiative along with her friend and fellow poker player Jackie Burkhart to send multiple US veterans to play in the WSOP Salute to Warriors tournament.  Speaking about her sometimes surreal journey through 2022, she opened up on how tough it was to give herself proper credit at the time. She talks about her fantastic support system full of people who pushed her to own her success and examines the perils of wrestling with imposter syndrome, even while being held up as ‘one to watch’.  Through their conversation Angela gives valuable insights into what it takes to play your best. They dive into what concrete things made the difference THAT year in particular and how having the freedom to finally focus solely on poker gave her exactly what she needed.  Don’t forget to check out our previous episodes with Mustapha Kanit, Xuan Liu, Patrick Leonard, Farah Galfond, Fedor Holz and Greg Merson.

With his recorded winnings closing in on the $20 million mark, it would be easy to think Italian high roller Mustapha Kanit’s greatest skills are on the felt. However according to Kanit, it’s his natural willingness to embrace making mistakes and his drive to confront his fears that are his real super powers.  In this candid and personal interview, Mustapha tells the story of his early entry into poker and the lessons he learned along the way. In fact, his love of games started from a very young age. He recalls a memory of playing a card game with his nanny at just 3 years old and shares how those early experiences gave him an understanding of math before he even began school.  The accomplished pro goes on to talk about the key differences that create the chasm between the good and the truly great players in poker and how family, friends and love are at the foundation of a life well lived.  Check out earlier episodes of the Heart of poker with guests such as Vivian Saliba, Ryan Laplante, Lon McEachern and Jon ‘Apestyles’ Van Fleet.

With 4 WSOP final tables under her belt already, Brazilian poker pro and streamer Vivian Saliba is a force to be reckoned with at the PLO and NLHE tables.  The 888poker Ambassador’s drive to succeed in poker was actually born out of necessity. At just 18 years old, while her family was contending with financial difficulties, a young Vivian played poker to put herself through college and pay her bills. Failure was not an option for her.  With that kind of grounding in the game, it’s no wonder she places so much value on hard work. As she sits down with Kara to talk about the drivers for her success and where she wants to go next, the two touch on topics such as making the world a better place, the benefits of constantly evolving into a better version of yourself, aging and learning all that life has to offer. Kara and Vivian then go on to discuss a recent snowboarding trip, which included both Vivian’s most terrifying moment and one of her most embarrassing!   Check out earlier episodes of The Heart of Poker with guests such as Benny Glaser, Greg Merson, Katie Lindsay, Adam Pliska and Nadya Magnus.

For this episode of the Heart of Poker podcast, Kara digs into the history of one of the most prolific and recognizable voices in poker commentary, David Tuchman. With extensive credits, going all the way back to the early 2000s for Live at the Bike, David Tuchman is easily recognizable as one of the OG player/broadcasters of the poker industry.  Kara and David start off discussing how they became friends, traveling the poker circuit and working on many of the same poker broadcasts over the years. They look back at those wild, early days and reminisce about the infamous EPT player's party at the ‘Titty Twister Bar’ in Dortmund, Germany - a volatile cocktail of debauchery and enormous snakes that few have forgotten. When Kara asks David about the phenomenon of ‘love at first sight’, the answer was one she was NOT expecting.  The two friends sift through the generational differences they have seen with their parents and their kids, and David opens up about some of his own biggest fears and how he has approached them in life.  In typical Heart of Poker fashion, David and Kara go on to discuss such odd and varied topics as David’s temper, their shared fear of dentists and which would be the best way to die.  Don't forget to check out previous episodes with great broadcasters and poker players like Lon McEachern, Jennifer Harman, Vicky Coren, Dominik Nitsche and Jason Koon.

With a wealth of experience in poker, British funnyman and commentator Nick Wealthall has an insight into the industry that rivals anyone. Currently one of the main voices of 888poker’s live and online events, Nick has had a long and storied past in the industry. In fact, it was nearly 20 years ago now that he and The Heart of Poker host Kara Scott were doing commentary on a tiny, middle of the night cable TV show in London.  The two are old friends and have since worked together on many of the game’s biggest platforms. They discuss the old days of poker, how things have changed in the industry and reminisce about their early days on the road together. They talk about some of their big moments; from being there when the other was struggling, boozy pre-show dinners, to Kara performing the ceremony at Nick's wedding. Kara and Nick also relate about the nerves that can come during live broadcasts and give some tips for turning that potential anxiety into something productive. They also share some great insights on dealing with some of life’s scariest things(for Nick, that would be hippos) and they deliberate over where a ‘drive to succeed’ comes from.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with recent Women in Poker Hall of Fame inductee Vanessa Selbst, Tony Dunst, Ali Nejad, Andrew Neeme, Faraz Jaka, David Willams and Jennifer Harman.

Well known for his incredible work ethic, both as a poker pro and as the founder of his own training site Learn Pro Poker, Ryan Laplante believes that life and poker reflect the hard work we put into them.  Laplante took down his first bracelet in a 2016 PLO event as one of the highlights of a live poker career that started the literal moment he turned 21. When Black Friday shut down online poker, Ryan waited an agonizing 4 weeks to be legally allowed to play live and he was standing at the doors of a casino ready to play the moment the clock struck midnight. That moment was the start of a live career which has netted him nearly $3 million in cashes, since.  A romantic at heart, Ryan married his partner of 12 years just a few months ago in a Star Trek themed wedding. He talks about how Black Friday hitting just after they started dating impacted their relationship and how important his now-husband's support has been throughout the past 12 years.  Kara and Ryan go on to talk about how a difficult early childhood, that was marked by poverty, was part of the motivation that drove him. He also shares how a recently revealed family secret held for decades has resulted in his family circle becoming even larger and more full of love than he could have imagined.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Jaman Burton, Katie Lindsay, Adam Pliska, Brandon Shack-Harris, Xuan Liu and Patrick Leonard and more.

If you follow poker vlogs, then you have no doubt come across The Drawing Dead vlog by Jaman Burton.  Burton, who is one the most influential poker vloggers in the space, brings something completely unique to the table in the form of a poker vlog with graphic novel style illustrations woven in.  And while it may be nice to gain some recognition within the poker community, Burton shares with Kara that it’s not all roses. Between the pressures of being an “influencer”, having opponents who may know far more about your game than you’d like or the pressure to always be “on”, it can be a lot to deal with. Still, he recognizes that these are small problems to have in the big picture.   Kara and Jaman go on to discuss the importance family has played in his life. From the gratitude he has for an incredible upbringing to the pride and sense of accomplishment he gets from raising his daughter, family has always been a key component of his life.  Other topics Kara and Jaman cover include quitting smoking, the possibility that we’re living in a simulation and how he used to use his charm and persuasiveness for evil as a young man.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Greg Merson, Tiffany Michelle, Lon McEachern, Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Katie Lindsay, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho, Fedor Holz and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

One of the more notable names from the ESPN era of the World Series Of Poker is undoubtably Greg Merson.  Merson, who took home $8,531,853 for winning the Main Event in 2012, instantly became a household name within the poker community. Having gotten sober a year prior, his story and accomplishment became an inspiration to many who battled addiction.  But where do you go after winning the Main Event? For Merson, his obsession with becoming the best version of himself motivated him to seek out ways to progress and increase his edge in the game. He shares how hypnotherapy and meditation have been powerful tools in his growth on and off the felt.  Interestingly, even more than a decade after winning the Main Event, he shares how he still gets a sense of euphoria from playing poker and how his focus has now shifted to competing with himself.  However, for all the excitement and achievements he’s earned in his poker career, Merson shares how becoming a father, not once but twice, is the greatest accomplishment of his life.   Other topics Kara and Greg touch are playing poker during the pandemic, his relationship with his parents and how he had the most fun at the WSOP this year since winning the Main Event.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Tiffany Michelle, Lon McEachern, Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Katie Lindsay, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho, Fedor Holz and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

On this episode of The Heart of Poker, Kara goes deep with poker player, social media maven and tv personality Tiffany Michelle.  Michelle, who many would recognize on and off the felt, first made a splash in the poker world at the 2008 World Series of Poker, when she finished 17th out of 6844 players, making her the last woman standing.  In fact, it was that huge accomplishment that Michelle credits for opening the doors to many of the opportunities she’s had in her life since. It wasn’t all positivity though, as that attention came with its share of negativity and even a made-for-tv rivalry with Kara (who was in contention for last woman standing that same year).  Poker accomplishments aside, Michelle credits a lot of her success to a supportive upbringing and the strong foundation it created for her to move forward confidently in life.  Gratitude is a common theme, as the traumatic moments she(and those close to her) have gone through have helped her put into perspective the seemingly trivial things we sometimes get hung up on. She opens up about her twin brother’s near-death experience and how that’s started a dialogue around mortality, something she is still trying to get comfortable with.  Other topics that Kara and Tiffany go on to discuss include her religious upbringing, learning to play poker with her grandfather and an appreciation for authenticity in her friendships.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Lon McEachern, Nadya Magnus, John Van Fleet, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Benny Glaser, Katie Lindsay and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

On this episode of the Heart of Poker, Kara is joined by prolific businesswoman and poker powerhouse, Katie Lindsay.  Lindsay, who has racked up nearly 2.5 million dollars in live and online cashes combined, has been a been a mainstay in the poker community for many years dating back to pre-Black Friday.  After getting hooked on poker by the fascinating story of Chris Moneymaker, she got a foot in the door of the industry by writing for a poker magazine and eventually started an agency where she represented up to 30 poker pros. However, despite her knack for putting people in the spotlight, she prefers to keep a private life and has zero desire to be famous herself.  And while she may be a laser-focused entrepreneur and an accomplished poker pro, she also likes to remind herself how fortunate she is to play poker for a living and doesn’t mind having a drink and some fun while sitting at the table. She shares how having this attitude helps her relax and enjoy her time at the table, no matter what the results.  Kara and Katie go on to touch on the double standards women in poker experience, why happiness is a choice and how Katie makes new friends everywhere she goes.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Lon McEachern, Nadya Magnus, Jon Van Fleet, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

In this episode of the Heart of Poker Podcast, Kara Scott speaks with long-time friend and colleague Lon McEachern. An absolute poker legend, known as the "Voice of Poker", Lon McEachern has been one half of the commentary team that started providing commentary for the World Series of Poker Main Event in 2003. And for many years Kara has been right there with him as part of the WSOP broadcast team. The two developed a strong working relationship and friendship that shows in this far-ranging discussion.McEachern's voice is burned into the minds of poker players around the world so it's interesting to hear him talking when he's not calling poker action. It's also striking to hear him when he's not playing the straight man to Norman Chad's comic relief. In this episode, McEachern and Scott delve into existential quandaries like the meaning of life and how Kara big-timed Lon the first time they met at the WSOP back in 2008. You know, regular friend stuff. Listen to the newest episode for another fascinating look at the people behind the world's most popular poker faces, and check back in our catalogue for episodes with Fedor Holz, Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

On this episode of The Heart of Poker, Kara sits down with a true online poker OG, Jon “apestyles” Van Fleet.  Van Fleet, who regularly crushed the biggest online MTT’s in the mid 2000’s, continues to grind to this day and currently sits at #3 for all-time online poker winnings with over $20,300,000 in online cashes.  But his journey to this accomplishment hasn’t been without its share of challenges along the way. Now nearly 9 years sober, Van Fleet recalls multiple occasions where he punted his entire bankroll while playing in an intoxicated state.  However, as challenging situations often do, those moments (and the subsequent healing journey that followed) provided Van Fleet with tremendous insights into himself and his purpose in life: to touch lives positively and to give love.  Jon shares one particularly impactful experience of his healing journey when during day 3 of a 10-day silent retreat he was completely overwhelmed by a feeling of “being on fire with loneliness”. Working through this moment with the retreat leader, he was able to recognize that moment as a release of all the negative emotions he had pushed down over the years.  Kara and Jon go on to discuss a variety of topics including setting boundaries, the fear of rejection and how streaming (and the loss of anonymity that comes with it), has affected Jon's experience at live tournaments.   Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Adam Pliska, Nadya Magnus, Brandon Shack-Harris, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

Outside of big-name players, few people have had such an impact on the growth of poker globally as World Poker Tour President & CEO Adam Pliska.  Pliska, who has now been part of the iconic WPT brand since 2003, is credited as being the driving factor behind the company's expansion into numerous foreign markets around the world and exposing new players to the game through their big-budget, final table productions.  However, for all the accolades, you’d be hard pressed to find a humbler person in the industry. Pliska credits the humility of his parents, and their gratitude for life's simplest things, to his modest outlook.  It’s that very gratitude-first mentality that has helped Pliska get through some of the more challenging times in his life, like when his mother lost nearly all her memory and the passing of a young poker player who had sought out his guidance.  Kara and Adam also discuss his non-linear, thematic approach to life and the idea that 20 decisions could shape the entire course of your life. Pliska acknowledges his own tendency towards being too cerebral at times, which can often lead to spiral thinking.  The interview is not all serious though. We learn about Adam’s musical side and find out that he co-wrote the WPT theme song and sings to his dogs every morning while feeding them.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Benny Glaser, Maria Ho, Fedor Holz and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

In a time where No-Limit Holdem still dominates the poker landscape, it’s rare to come across a young pro so proficient in mixed games as Benny Glaser.   This is perhaps best demonstrated by Glaser’s most recent WSOP results, where he cashed in 5 events (including winning his 4th bracelet in the $10k Razz Championship and placing 2nd in the $25k H.O.R.S.E. event) for a total of $784,243.  But don’t let these results fool you into thinking Benny is a one-dimensional poker grinder. As it turns out, he hasn’t played online for more than 5 months in order to make room for other interests in his life. Most notably, he’s looking to deepen his longtime relationship with music by learning to produce, joining a band and teaching guitar lessons.  Kara and Benny go on to talk about his recent move to Vancouver, his martial arts background and what it means for him to have a positive impact on the world, including the fulfillment he has gotten from teaching both poker and music.  They also touch on what it means to be “poker famous” and protecting one's personal life. As a special treat, Benny frequently turns the questions around on Kara and we get to glean a little insight into her world as their conversation unfolds.  Don’t forget to check out previous episodes with Nadya Magnus, Phil Galfond, Jason Koon, Ebony Kenney, Dominik Nitsche, Maria Ho, Fedor Holz and many more of poker’s most fascinating personalities.

Fresh off the heels of her 2021 GPI Player of the Year award, Nadya Magnus gives Kara a glimpse into the sacrifice and dedication it took for her to achieve this prestigious title. Magnus, whose first Hendon Mob cash dates back to 2008, has been steadily grinding the tournament circuit for well over a decade en route to the top of the GPI index. Her consistency paid off last year with her taking home $426,161 of her $1,287,596 total career earnings. But there’s more to the story. Magnus was in position to earn the GPI title in 2020, when on December 3rd, it was announced the 2020 title would be canceled due to the pandemic’s effect on travel and live events. She goes on to detail the emotional and physical toll it took to replicate her results two years in a row, especially while falling victim to the bad side of variance in the final two months of the year. Kara and Nadya then dive deeper and discuss her unwillingness to compromise her beliefs, her upbringing in the Soviet Union and what it means to see more women at the poker table. This includes her recent philanthropic efforts where she gifted three $5,000 buy-ins to women poker players at the Wynn Winter Classic. Don’t forget to check out our previous episodes with Ebony Kenney, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho and many more of poker's most fascinating personalities.

In this month’s episode, Kara asks poker pro Brandon Shack-Harris why it’s so important to bring the fun, the silly and the unexpected to the poker table. Shack-Harris is a two-time WSOP bracelet winner with $3.5 million lifetime tournament earnings. Top-level poker skill notwithstanding, he’s probably better known for his personality and antics at the poker table. Shack-Harris also made news when he voluntarily released his ROI numbers for every World Series of Poker he ever played.  All told, Shack-Harris competed in 230 events with total buy-ins of $1,227,830. He made 14 final tables, won two bracelets and took home $3,485,335 in prizes. That’s a net profit of $2,257,505 for an ROI of 184%. That is $188,125 per series on average, or $9,815 per event.   That move was just one example of Shack-Harris’s honest and engaging approach to being a poker pro. It’s a big part of his personality and it shines through in a big way in this episode of Heart of Poker. Kara and Brandon have known each other for a while and as usual, the conversation gets into it right away. Highlights include the intersection between music, muay thai and poker, and of course, the meaning of life, because it wouldn’t be an episode of the Heart of Poker Podcast without a serious existential deep-dive. Make sure to check back on our channel for tons of in-depth interviews with poker’s most fascinating characters!

In case you haven’t noticed after 26 episodes, Heart of Poker is about a lot more than just poker. We’ve had incredible guests from the top of the game share insights into their lives off the felt, including some of their most personal and intimate moments and struggles they’ve overcome. Enter Xuan Liu. Over a star studded career in poker Xuan has won over $3,000,000, but these days she’s just as interested in seeing how poker experience can be applied in other aspects of life. She and Kara discuss the essential skills of being a successful poker player - whether it’s aggressiveness, risk-taking, or reacting to a loss - and how they can contribute to success in tons of other parts of life. On that note, they discuss PokerPower, the platform for which Xuan Liu acts as an advisor that runs workshops and classes to empower and inspire women using a poker framework. Xuan grew up in China during the one-child policy, and she shares a fascinating window into her childhood, as well as some tougher times during her parents divorce - which was a complicated thing to navigate in the country at the time. Kara and Xuan have a natural rapport, and both wind up talking honestly about some of the tougher times they’ve each experienced since the pandemic landed. But there’s also plenty of positivity in this episode too, including reminiscing about sailing around the Greek islands sipping Ouzo, and a hopeful look ahead to the future. Don’t forget to check out previous Heart of Poker episodes with guests like ​​Fedor Holz, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Ebony Kenney, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

Patrick Leonard is an online superstar. He has collected ​​$13 million in online tournament cashes so far, regularly just crushing online MTT fields. He’s no slouch on the felt either, with more than $2.5 million in live tournament cashes. That’s a huge amount of money in anyone’s book - even if money is ultimately irrelevant and we’re all just living in a simulation. That’s just one of the pretty out there theories that Patrick and Kara get into on this week’s episode of Heart of Poker. Patrick is clearly very much on board with thinking outside the box, which makes him a perfect candidate to answer Kara’s special psychological questions. Patrick and Kara are on the same wavelength from the start, bonding over their shared FOMO of not being able to make it to the WSOP this year. They both have lots of interesting thoughts on the psychology behind being a successful poker player, including whether the game attracts marginalized personalities or creates them. They trade lots of stories, from their respective lockdown experiences to some extremely intense and dangerous moments they’ve both had in the back of cabs. In fact, it turns out Kara and Patrick have a lot in common, which is funny since as far as Kara knows they’ve never met before in person. That turns out not to be strictly true however, as Kara soon discovers in this episode... Don’t forget to also check out the Heart of Poker back catalogue, including episodes with Fedor Holz, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

Quite simply, Fedor Holz is one of the best poker players of all time and one of the most emblematic players of poker’s modern era. At just 28 years old, Fedor has more than $32,000,000 in live cashes alone. What makes all of this even more remarkable, is that poker is just one string to Fedor’s bow. As Kara says in this episode, he’s a true modern day Renaissance man and he’s a dream guest on Heart of Poker. Kara’s set of psychologist-designed questions were originally created to see if two complete strangers could fall in love. She’s adapted them a little, but they’re basically tailor-made for someone like Fedor, who is so naturally inquisitive, philosophical and self conscious in the best kind of way. As you might expect, poker is just one small part of this episode. Fedor and Kara discuss NFTs and deconstructing the concept of art, the psychology behind helping other people, and the different ways we build communities. Fedor has clearly thought a lot about family and personal relationships, and his own have evolved significantly over time. He shares some of the things he’s discovered that work for him with Kara. We do also find time for at least one great poker story, although maybe not one that Fedor wants to remember. It was his most embarrassing moment at a poker table, and it came at a high roller event in Monte Carlo. Fedor Holz is a very familiar name to poker fans, but this is a side to him you certainly don’t see at the poker table. Don’t forget to check out our previous episodes, including with Ebony Kenney, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

Ebony Kenney is so much more than just a poker pro. She’s a model and a content creator. She’s an entrepreneur, a women's advocate and a life coach. And this week she’s joining Kara on Heart of Poker. Heart of Poker is all about stripping back the layers and getting to, well, the heart of each guest - and Ebony couldn’t be more open to the experience. Kara uses a specially modified set of questions that were originally designed by psychologists to see if they could get two complete strangers to fall in love. Ebony is naturally attuned to this kind of introspection, which basically makes her the perfect guest. Ebony has had a pretty incredible life. She had her two kids relatively young and shares how the three of them have all grown together, her biggest teachers and supporters. We find out how she stumbled into poker because she was suspicious about what her boyfriend at the time was up to staying out so late, and how she found herself working as a makeup artist, heavily pregnant, on a porn site at just 19. Since being a confidence coach is such a big part of Ebony’s life, you might think confidence and self love came easily and naturally to her - but you would be wrong. She opens up about her journey, the challenges she has overcome in her life, and dealing with the glare of other people’s judgement from a young age. Both Ebony and Kara have thought a lot about the role of women in modern life, and they discuss their own lived experiences and how they have observed and even participated in the commodification of women over the years, in different forms. This is a very special episode of Heart of Poker, with a special person. There are even a few tears along the way. You can also check out all the earlier episodes of Heart of Poker too, with guests including Ali Nejad, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

This week’s guest on Heart of Poker is one of the biggest and warmest personalities in the extended world of poker. Kristy Arnett is a poker player and former poker journalist, but she is still very much in the world of media and content creation. As she mentions in the episode, Heart of Poker is right up Kristy’s street. Over her career presenting poker coverage for PokerNews and others, she developed a well deserved reputation for creating original and interesting content, the kind of stuff that goes one step beyond the usual sanitized media perspective of poker players that we’re all used to - which reads a little like a mission statement for Heart of Poker. Like many people, Kristy’s life was turned upside down by the pandemic. With no live poker, no immediate way to make money and (not long later) a baby on the way, Kristy takes us through how she and her husband (poker pro Andrew Moreno) hustled to adapt and keep things going during the chaos of COVID. One of Kristy’s most impressive attributes is her honesty and directness. Kara’s questions are designed especially to tease out personal and intimate parts of people’s lives, and Kristy is ready to confront them unflinchingly. She talks about how she and her husband wrestled back their marriage from the brink of divorce, her struggles to get pregnant, her first big win in Vegas and more. Don’t forget to also check out all the earlier episodes of Heart of Poker too, including editions with Ali Nejad, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

It’s an exciting time to be Vanessa Kade. Fresh off by far her biggest win after taking down $1.5 million dollars at the Sunday Million, Vanessa sits down with Kara to discuss how she got to this point in her poker career. It’s been quite a journey - from moving to New Zealand alone at 16, to travelling around South East Asia and even a near death experience on an icey Canadian highway. As always on Heart of Poker, Kara uses her special set of psychological questions to get deep with her guest, and Vanessa is happy to get into some big subjects. Vanessa and Kara discuss how to deal with setbacks and stay positive, and how we can create new family connections in life. She talks us through her previous life as a video game producer, and why the flexibility of being a poker player feels like a better fit for her. And of course, they cover Vanessa’s recent online win at the Sunday Million. Vanessa is such a naturally interesting and inquisitive person, and it really shines through in this episode. Check out how previous guests have faired with Kara’s questions, including episodes with Ali Nejad, Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more

Heart of Poker is a podcast built around guests opening up and letting Kara into their personal lives - but this episode is something else. Right from the off, Kara and Ali dive into some of the biggest questions of all, from spirituality to dealing with loved ones passing away. For the first time ever in public, Ali talks with grace and clarity about dealing with personal tragedies and grief early in his life - and how in an oblique way those experiences ended up leading him to poker. Ali is perceptive and sensitive, so much so that little moments of poignancy almost seem to follow him around in life. But he and Kara zoom out from his personal life too. They unpack the disparity in society between public and private images, and how real strength is not necessarily what we advertise about ourselves to other people. Ali also talks about being an extrovert in school, and getting his big break after finding himself playing poker on a cruise ship with none other than previous Heart of Poker guest Mori Eskandani. As broadcasters and colleagues, Kara and Ali also talk about their own relationship, how it’s changed off the back of their conversation on Heart of Poker, and Ali even flips the script a little and turns the questions on Kara. Some guests are more comfortable than others getting deep and philosophical with Kara’s highly personal questions. Ali Nejad is next level. Don’t forget to also check out previous episodes including Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

With the 888poker WPTDeepstakes events beginning just around the corner on April 15th, Kara is talking to yet another of the most recognizable voices from the World Poker Tour. It feels like Vince Van Patten has already lived a couple of lifetimes’ worth of experiences. He’s been a professional tennis player, a Hollywood actor and screenwriter, and now a beloved poker personality. But this interview is a new one, even for him. Kara is using her special set of psychological questions to get personal with Vince, as we get a glimpse into what motivates one of the most interesting and multi-talented guests we’ve ever had on Heart of Poker. We take a trip through Vince’s somewhat unconventional but happy childhood, through his crazy drive to succeed in the tennis world and how he’s learned a more balanced life is the key to happiness in later years. Kara and Vince talk getting caught in earthquakes in California, chasing storms in New England and how the key to friendship is not sugarcoating the important things. Vince also explains why, despite everything he’s done, he still considers commentating with WPT to be the greatest job ever. Vince is clearly in a great place in his life, he’s happy to share and not afraid to get a little cosmic. Basically, a perfect Heart of Poker guest. Check out previous episodes starting with Vince’s WPT colleague Tony Dunst, as well as Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, and more.

In honor of the first ever WPTDeepstacks and 888poker online collaboration (April 18-26th on 888poker), Kara speaks to professional poker player and WPT commentator Tony Dunst. If you’ve ever tuned into a WPT broadcast, Tony’s voice is going to be instantly familiar. Only this time, instead of analyzing bet sizing and ranges, he’s answering Kara’s special menu of “36 Questions to Fall in Love”. Tony has had an amazing life so far. From growing up in the “safe and pleasant bubble” of Madison, Wisconsin, he ended up diving straight into the exciting worlds of gambling, poker and cryptocurrencies. After living in several countries around the globe, he’s now a big part of the World Poker Tour broadcast – a show he used to watch every week on TV - as one half of the iconic commentary team, and he’s at a very happy place in his life. But that’s not to say he doesn’t touch on more serious subjects on Heart of Poker. Tony tells Kara about challenging his own physical limits by attempting to reach single digit body fat - including falling asleep in hospital with the small chance he might not wake up. There’s also his personal experiences with COVID-19, how his thinking on the subject has evolved over time, and what’s around the corner in the aftermath of the pandemic. Tony is such an engaging talker on all things poker, but this is something else. This is Tony Dunst as you’ve never heard him before. For more of the biggest names in poker getting personal, check out earlier episodes with Phil Galfond, Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Brad Owen, and many more.

We are thrilled that Episode 18 of Heart of Poker is our first ever family sequel! Last week we had Phil Galfond answer Kara’s set of specially designed psychological questions, and this week it’s the turn of his wife Farah Fath Galfond. Farah is lucky (and talented) enough to have made it in two separate careers: acting and high stakes poker. She starred in Days of Our Lives for almost a decade, and also has multiple cashes in the WSOP to her name, as well as regular appearances on shows like Poker After Dark. In this episode, she shares how she balances poker with being a mom, her early experiences with acting, and scheduling lessons from her husband. It’s fascinating to compare Farah’s responses to Kara’s highly personal questions with those of her husband, including the story of how they first met and fell for each other. Will they remember it differently? You’ll have to listen to find out... If you haven’t checked out last week’s episode with Phil make sure you do that too, as well as earlier episodes with some of the biggest personalities in poker: Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Brad Owen, and many more.

Phil Galfond is one of the most thoughtful and interesting people in poker, and his wide ranging personality is plain to see in the latest episode of Heart of Poker. Phil is an OG in online poker and his PLO Galfond Challenge matches against some of the best players in the game have become legendary over the last few years. He’s also got 3 WSOP bracelets for good measure. Using her menu of psychologist-approved questions, Kara gets personal with Phil. He explains how he met his now-wife Farah Fath on Twitter, his thoughts on parenting, and even losing friendships in the poker world. Phil also gives us a sneak peak into the book he might just get around to writing.... Phil is routinely called one of the nicest guys in poker and these insights into his life, family and values do nothing to disprove that reputation. Enjoy the episode and don’t forget to check out previous editions with poker pros and personalities, including Mori Eskandani, Jason Koon, Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Brad Owen, and many more.

Few people have seen more of the poker world than Mori Eskandani, albeit Mori has done most of it from behind the camera. Known as "Uncle Mori" to players and crew, Eskandani is the visionary behind many of poker's most iconic television broadcasts. A poker player himself, Mori is also a long-time friend and mentor of Kara Scott. In this episode of Heart of Poker, Mori shares fascinating stories from his professional and personal lives. Kara and Mori have a high level of trust and it's on full display in this truly honest and in-depth conversation.  Listen to the full episode and make sure to check out previous episodes with poker pros including Andrew Neeme, Jamie Kerstetter, Vanessa Selbst, Jason Koon, Danielle Andersen, Faraz Jaka, David Williams, Brad Owen, Chris Moorman, Maria Ho, Dominik Nitsche and Barny Boatman.

Televised poker was a phenomenon and it drove the game's growth for years. Poker on YouTube is no less a force and in this episode of Heart of Poker, we talk to one of its pioneers. Andrew Neeme has been vlogging about poker for almost a decade and he puts it all out there on his channel. Even so, he told Kara Scott that this was the most personal interview he's ever done. As someone that makes a living playing live poker and filming it, Neeme was professionally impacted by the pandemic. On the personal side, he was forced to delay his entire wedding. It's been an eventful year for Neeme and he opens up about it all in this 45-minute, candid conversation. After you listen to this episode, check out previous shows featuring fascinating poker pros Jamie Kerstetter, Vanessa Selbst, Jason Koon, Danielle Andersen, Faraz Jaka, David Williams, Brad Owen, Chris Moorman, Maria Ho, Dominik Nitsche and Barny Boatman.

Poker Hall of Famer Jennifer Harman has seen it all. As one of the few women to battle her way into the high-stakes Las Vegas poker scene, she knows firsthand how exciting and challenging the poker world can be. We're so excited to have her on the Heart of Poker and even more excited to dig into her life away from the felt. Harman is an organ-transplant survivor and in this candid interview with Kara Scott she opens up about that, the loss of her mom and a long list of fascinating personal events. Adversity is something we're all dealing with during this pandemic and Jennifer Harman has an combination of grit, life experience and optimism that is both refreshing and inspiring. Listen to the full episode to get to know poker legend Jennifer Harman like never before and check out our previous episodes for in-depth conversations with poker's biggest personalities.

We are SO excited to have Vicky Coren on the podcast. An accomplished writer, television personality and a massively successful live poker tournament player, Coren is one of the most intriguing guests we've had the chance to speak with so far. In this far-ranging and intimate interview, Coren is famous in the poker world for being one of the only people to win two EPT championships, and the only woman to do so. And while they do talk about poker, Kara dives into a long list of other topics you definitely have never heard Coren speak about in interviews before. Enjoy this episode with Victoria Coren-Mitchell and make sure to check out previous shows with interesting poker pros including Dominik Nitsche, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Brad Owen, David Williams, Barny Boatman and lots more.

Next up on the Heart of Poker Podcast by 888poker is the one and only Jennifer Shahade. Competitive chess player, poker pro and podcast host, Jennifer is one of the most interesting and engaging characters in the poker world today. In this episode, Kara and Jennifer have a far-ranging conversation that touches on tons of interesting topics. How will AI and data-mining change relationships in the future? What do you find most terrifying? What was it about New York that hooked you from day one? Kara also digs into Jennifer's new award-winning poker podcast The Grid and what makes it so special. Listen to the entire episode and make sure to check out previous shows with poker pros including Jason Koon, Jamie Kerstetter, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Danielle Andersen, Faraz Jaka, David Williams, Brad Owen, Chris Moorman, Dominik Nitsche and Barny Boatman.

On the latest episode of the Heart of Poker Podcast, Kara speaks with ultra high-stakes poker pro Jason Koon. Known best for his huge high roller wins and his ability to compete and win against the best poker players on the planet, Jason is also an extremely thoughtful and down-to-earth human.Don't judge a book by its cover. Jason Koon might look like a tough guy, and he is, but he's also very tapped into his emotions. He's also honest and that's a combination that sets up very well for the Heart of Poker Podcast.Kara asks Jason increasingly personal questions, modeled on the famous questions developed by psychologist Arthur Aron, and the conversation goes in all sorts of interesting directions.Jason opens up about the changes he's been making in his own life over the last 5-10 years, some of his favorite people in poker and a few of his most embarrassing moments.Jason also goes into detail on how he was able to get good enough at poker to play for millions of dollars against the best players in the world.You may have heard interviews with Jason Koon before but we're willing to bet you've never heard one like this. Listen to the full episode for tons if interesting insights and make sure to check out previous episodes with Jamie Kerstetter, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Danielle Andersen, Faraz Jaka, David Williams, Brad Owen, Chris Moorman, Dominik Nitsche and Barny Boatman.

Poker pro, podcaster, broadcaster ... political activist? Jamie Kerstetter is all over the poker scene. In this episode of Heart of Poker, Kara Scott goes in-depth with the woman who won Twitter personality of the year at the Global Poker Awards. Kara and Jamie are long-time friends and their bond makes for an intimate and fascinating conversation that goes way beyond the poker table. Kara' probing and provocative questions, a spin on psychologist Arthur Aron's famous questions, help reveal things about Kerstetter that we've never heard before. It's a rare chance to really get to know one of poker's most interesting and outspoken characters. Listen to the full episode, subscribe, and check out past episodes with Vanessa Selbst, Chris Moorman, Maria Ho, Faraz Jaka, Barny Boatman, Dominik Nitsche, Brad Owen, David Williams and Danielle Andersen.

We're so excited to welcome American poker pro and entrepreneur Faraz Jaka to the Heart of Poker. Faraz is an outstanding candidate for this podcast. He's intelligent, thoughtful and has more interesting experiences every year than a lot of people capture in a decade. If you've listened to the show before, you know it's not your average poker interview. Our goal is to get to know the people behind the poker faces. Faraz has a killer poker face but he wasn't afraid to take it off for this in-depth conversation with Kara Scott. Faraz has racked up almost $7 million in tournament winnings but, as you'll find out, his most interesting experiences happened away from the poker table. They cover a lot of ground, thanks to truly probing and personal questions. Listen to the full episode and check out previous episodes with poker pros including Barny Boatman, Brad Owen, Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Chris Moorman, Dominik Nitsche and more.

British poker legend Barny Boatman doesn't always open up in interviews, which is why this episode of The Heart of Poker is so special. To put it mildly, Boatman has seen a thing or two during his decades as a poker pro. It turns out that his personal life was just as varied and compelling. According to Wikipedia, Boatman has worked as a bartender, builder, English teacher, journalist, computer programmer, and as a legal advisor in Bermondsey, where he never lost a trial. It's hard to imagine that the real story is even more interesting. Kara and Barny go way back and you can tell there's a lot of trust there right away. Boatman gets personal in a way that we haven't seen in other interviews. The questions, designed by psychologist Arthur Aron and tweaked by Kara, cut right to the core. Listen to the full podcast and make sure to check out previous episodes with other poker greats including Chris Moorman, Maria Ho, Brad Owen, Vanessa Selbst, David Williams, Dominik Nitsche and Danielle Andersen. Tell us what you think of this episode in the comments!

You might think you know poker pro Danielle Andersen. After all, her life was explored in-depth in the documentary Bet, Raise, Fold. We love that documentary but with all due respect (and humility), this podcast episode is 1,000 times better. Kara and Danielle have been friends for a long time and their familiarity with and trust in each other is obvious right from the jump. This conversation goes deep and wide, tackling personal issues that are often approached in the context of the current Covid-19 pandemic. Danielle Andersen's poker playing is usually the focus of her interviews and it's refreshing to hear her speak from the heart about the things that are most important to her. The Heart of Poker format is designed to help us get to know the people behind the poker face, and this interview definitely delivers. Subscribe to our podcast and make sure to check out previous episodes with poker pros including Chris Moorman, Brad Owen, Maria Ho, Vanessa Selbst, Dominik Nitsche and David Williams. Also, keep an eye out for new episodes coming soon including UK poker legend Barny Boatman.

Dominik Nitsche and Kara Scott have known each other for a long time which is probably why this episode of the Heart of Poker is instantly one of the most candid so far. The high-stakes tournament pro has a lot to say and for once, not much of it is directly about poker. Dominik opens up on a long list of topics, some of which he's never talked about in interviews before. Stories, honest feelings and opinions, even life advice for Kara Scott herself are all included. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to the Heart of Poker podcast for in-depth introspection with the most interesting characters in the poker world.

Kara Scott's next guest on the Heart of Poker Podcast is David Williams. If you've followed his career, you'll know that Williams is anything but boring. He was runner-up in the 2004 WSOP Main Event and a finalist on Season 7 of Masterchef. In this interview we learned that he's also very comfortable participating in deep conversations. Kara and David cover a lot of ground. The questions range from funny and introspective to probing and serious. For example, when asked if he could use a crystal ball to find out the answer to his life's greatest mystery, David goes into detail about how he was disqualified from the 2001 Magic: The Gather World Championships for using marked cards, an allegation he denies to this day. Listen to the full episode to get to know David Williams like you never have before and check out previous interviews with Vanessa Selbst, Maria Ho, Brad Owen and Chris Moorman.

In the fourth episode of The Heart of Poker Podcast, Kara Scott interviews poker VLogger extraordinaire Brad Owen. Brad's poker YouTube channel has almost 200,000 subscribers and his videos get millions of views so he's no stranger to opening up to the audience. Nevertheless, this is far and away Brad's most personal and revealing interview ever. Kara has tweaked the questions developed by psychologist Arthur Aron in order to fast-track a deep and authentic connection with her guests. Its safe to say that it worked. Brad opens up about the rap song he's writing about his most embarrassing moment, his cat's perspective on poker, his most treasured poker memories, his dream of writing a poker movie, going broke and rebuilding, what's most important about his poker VLog and much more. Listen to the full show with Brad Owen and if you're in the mood for more, check out more episodes with Vanessa Selbst, Chris Moorman and Maria Ho. Also, keep an ear out for new shows coming soon with David Williams, Dominik Nitsche and more.

If you're a fan of Vanessa Selbst, this is a must-listen interview. It runs the gamut from fun topics like how Vanessa would fare in a zombie apocalypse (horribly) to much more personal revelations about being a first-time mom with a second baby on the way, mortality, life goals and much more. Selbst is one of the most interesting players in poker, hands down. She's a Yale-educated lawyer with almost $12 million in live tournament earnings and she has one of the most aggressive and creative playing styles of all time. She's done hundreds of poker interviews during her career but she's never done one like this. For Episode 3 of Kara Scott's new podcast The Heart of Poker, Vanessa opens up about a wide variety of topics, both in and outside of poker. Kara is using a modified version of the questions that were developed by psychologist Arthur Aron to try to hack intimacy and fast-track two people falling in love. Kara has modernized the questions and tweaked a few to make them more poker-specific, but overall the goal is the same: Try to create an authentic and intimate connection in a single conversation. Listen to the full episode and check out past interviews with Maria Ho and Chris Moorman. Also, subscribe to the podcast for notifications on upcoming episodes with the likes of Brad Owen, Dominik Nitsche and David Williams.

For the second episode in her new poker podcast, Kara Scott interviews the talented Maria Ho! Maria has been earning a living playing poker for over a decade and she's done more than a few interviews in her time. We can tell you definitively, she's never done an interview like this. Maria opens up about lots of topics, including her rebellious youth and her happy place which has something to do with her tush. That's all we're going to say here. You'll have to listen to the episode for the full story. On the Heart of Poker Podcast, Kara uses a modified version of the questions developed by psychologist Arthur Aron. Originally, Aron's questions were designed to help two people fall in love. Kara is using them to create an authentic connection with her interview subjects so we can get to know them like never before. Listen to the full episode where you listen to podcasts and subscribe for new episodes coming soon including Vanessa Selbst, Brad Owen and Dominik Nitsche.

Kara Scott's first guest is Chris Moorman, the most successful online poker tournament player of all time. You may have heard other interviews with the man they call Moorman1 but we can guarantee you haven't heard one like this. Kara is using a modified version of the questions developed by psychologist Arthur Aron of Stony Brook University. Aron designed the questions to see if he could make two people fall in love and although romance isn't the goal of this podcast, vulnerability and authenticity definitely are. Moorman tells stories he's never told before and opens up about his life on and off the poker felt. Listen to the first episode of The Heart of Poker Podcast with Kara Scott to get to know Chris Moorman like you never have before. Subscribe to the podcast for new episodes with the world's most interesting poker players, coming soon.