The Heart of Poker Podcast

Vanessa Kade on Staying Positive and Winning Millions | Ep: 22

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

Ali Nejad Opens up to Kara | Ep: 21

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.

WPT’s Vince Van Patten Has the Greatest Job in the World | Ep: 20

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.

Tony Dunst as You’ve Never Heard Him Before | Ep: 19

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.

Farah Fath Talks Acting, Poker and Starting a Family | Ep: 18

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 Shares His Poker and Family Values | Ep: 17

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.

Poker Hall of Famer Mori Eskandani Drops Wisdom Bombs | Ep: 16

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. 

'The Most Personal Interview' of Andrew Neeme's Life | Ep:15

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. 

Jennifer Harman Opens Up on Love, Loss and Life | Ep: 14

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.

Vicky Coren Talks Motherhood, Zookeeping ... Porn? | Ep: 13

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.