Épisodes

  • Mounir Tajiou Brings No Filter to Life w/ Michael Mizrachi, Scotty Nguyen & Juha Helppi
    Sep 30 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 35th episode, Connor talks with No Filter Poker Series founder Mounir Tajiou about growing up in Sweden, working as a high court judge, playing professional soccer, making a deep run in the 2025 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event, and the new No Filter Poker Series, which values fun at the table over poker strategy.

    We also hear from 1998 Main Event champion Scotty Nguyen, reigning WSOP champ Michael Mizrachi and Finnish poker legend Juha Helppi about their involvement with the No Filter Poker tour, including their plans to play at the upcoming 2025 Nordic & Baltic Championship Open in Tallinn, Estonia from Oct. 17-22.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Mounir Tajiou by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Mounir Tajiou and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker! Timestamps TIMETOPIC0:00Intro0:34Growing up in Sweden2:00Playing professional soccer for seven years3:23Working as a judge4:38Chasing Viktor Blom in Sweden POY6:39Running deep in 2025 WSOP Main Event9:19Main Event strategy11:55Will Kassouf/Playing with Michael Mizrachi16:36No Filter Poker Series20:33Nordic and Baltic Championship Open25:47Advice for younger self27:08Favorite life lesson from poker30:00Scotty Nguyen interview44:40Michael Mizrachi interview58:30Juha Helppi interview

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    1 h et 7 min
  • Sam Abernathy's Journey from Poker Stardom to Motherhood
    Aug 26 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 34th episode, Connor talks with WSOP free-to-play app ambassador Sam Abernathy about growing up in Georgia, studying design, the similarities between gymnastics and poker, finishing third in the 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event, and a notorious slow roll that took place in that event.

    Abernathy also talks about first getting into poker through the WSOP Play app before becoming an ambassador years later, motherhood and being married to fellow poker player Lautaro Guerra, who finished 15th in this year's WSOP Main Event for $450,000.

    This interview was filmed at the 2025 WSOP at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Samantha Abernathy by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Sam Abernathy and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TIMETOPIC0:00Intro0:34Growing up in Georgia1:12Studying design2:35Finding poker through WSOP app3:10Gymnastics4:56Hollywood dream of poker8:27Transition from cash games to tournaments9:44Deep run in the 2016 Aussie Millions Main Event11:15Getting slow-rolled14:04Stepping back from poker14:48Being a mother16:09Being married to PLO crusher Lautaro Guerra18:20WSOP Main Event21:08Main Event advice21:58WSOP Play24:29Book recommendation24:51Advice for younger self25:14Favorite life lesson from poker
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    26 min
  • Joe Stapleton Reveals 'Worst Mistake I Ever Made in My Entire Life'
    Aug 12 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 33rd episode, Connor talks with comedian and poker commentator Joe Stapleton about growing up in Albany, New York, first seeing Rounders while visiting a college campus, working at MADtv, getting his start in the poker industry and his favorite memories from PokerStars The Big Game.

    Stapleton also talked about his friendship with late comedian Norm Macdonald, the European Poker Tour (EPT), doing commentary at the 2025 WSOP and making the "worst mistake I ever made in my entire life" by attempting to make a documentary about a stand-up comedy tour.

    This interview was filmed at the 2025 WSOP at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Joe Stapleton by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Joe Stapleton and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TIMETOPIC0:00Intro0:23Meeting Joe at RunGood Poker Series2:00Growing up in Albany, New York3:53Seeing Rounders & getting into poker7:10Early comedy influences12:48Moving to Los Angeles & MADtv16:33Comedian stories19:45First poker job interning at Card Player Magazine21:29PokerRoad25:41UIGEA & Black Friday27:04European Poker Tour31:42Favorite Big Game moments34:48Phil Hellmuth & Daniel Negreanu37:00PokerStars & EPT39:18Broadcasting & commentary41:54WSOP44:12Trapped comic book50:39Consulting on The Card Counter54:02Stand-Up Documentary Tour57:27Norm MacDonald1:01:09Steve Albini1:04:38Book recommendation1:06:12Advice for younger self1:07:38Favorite life lesson from poker
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    1 h et 10 min
  • Abby Merk Left Corporate Job to Become One of Poker's Top Creators
    Jul 29 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 32nd episode, Connor talks with Global Poker Award-winning content creator Abby Merk about growing up in Chicago, studying philosophy at Wake Forest University, leaving her corporate job to become one of poker's top creators, playing her first World Series of Poker in 2021, making a goal to post daily content and being nominated for two Global Poker Awards.

    Merk also talks about battling with Stephen Chidwick in the WSOP Main Event and being at the final table for a 2023 controversy over a man winning a ladies poker tournament in Florida.

    This interview was filmed at the 2025 WSOP at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Abby Merk by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Abby Merk and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TIMETOPIC0:00Intro0:18WSOP Tag Team3:12Growing up in Chicago & getting into poker7:44Studying philosophy at Wake Forest University8:00Working at an options trading firm11:25First WSOP in 202113:55Content creation15:09Posting daily19:48Women in poker21:49Florida man wins ladies tournament controversy25:34Playing the Main Event27:10Battling Stephen Chidwick29:20Winning a Global Poker Award33:16Barcelona/Travel38:48Book recommendation39:36Advice for younger self40:14Favorite life lesson from poker
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    42 min
  • Poker Creator Frankie C Challenged Daniel Negreanu Heads-Up & Fought a UFC Champion
    Jul 8 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 31st episode, Connor talks with poker content creator Frank "Frankie C" Cucchiara about growing up in the hometown of Wild Bill Hickok, getting into poker in college, Next Gen Poker, building one of the most successful YouTube channels in poker, his 2023 World Series of Poker (WSOP) Main Event run, how new WSOP rules will impact vloggers, and playing this year's $25,000 Heads-Up Championship.

    Frankie C also talked about being married to poker pro Kitty Kuo, being a dad, his new All-In Brownie challenging Daniel Negreanu to a $10,000 heads-up poker match and stepping into the ring with UFC champion Sean "Suga" O'Malley.

    This interview was filmed at the 2025 WSOP at Horseshoe and Paris Las Vegas.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Frank Cucchiara by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Frank Cucchiara and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TIMETOPIC0:00Intro0:53Growing up in Wild Bill Hickock's hometown2:02First getting into card games3:26Studying engineering at Soutern Memphis University4:56Getting laid off/Next Gen Poker7:55Starting Frankie C YouTube channel11:05Content creator influences13:08Frankie's most popular videos16:05Meeting Kitty Kuo18:17Being a dad20:27All In Brownie25:05Fighting Sean O'Malley28:30Challenging Negreanu to heads-up match30:25Other heads-up matches31:40Playing Triton32:52Martin Kabrhel35:022023 WSOP Main Event run37:44How new WSOP rules will impact poker vlogging40:12Playing $25k Heads-Up Championship41:43Book recommendation43:20Advice for younger self45:34Favorite life lesson from poker
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    47 min
  • Reigning Main Event Champ Jonathan Tamayo on New WSOP Rules & Hellmuth Boycott
    Jun 24 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 30th episode, Connor talks with 2024 WSOP Main Event champion Jonathan Tamayo about growing up in Humble, Texas, studying hotel management at Cornell University, graduating during the 2008 recession, running deep in the 2009 and 2015 Main Events, his friendship with fellow Main Event champion Joe McKeehen, winning the biggest-ever WSOP Main Event for $10 million, and his first purchase as world champion.

    Tamayo also spoke about his infamous fold with pocket queens late in the 2024 Main Event, which he says cost him $120,000 in equity, and gave his thoughts on new rules implemented at the 2025 WSOP in the wake of "LaptopGate."

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Jonathan Tamayo by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Jonathan Tamayo and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TimeTopic0:00Intro0:45Growing up in Humble, Texas1:45Getting into poker3:15Studying hotel management at Cornell University5:46Pursuing poker full-time10:13Deep run in 2009 Main Event13:29Learning how to handle the Main Event17:26Phil Hellmuth Main Event boycott22:222015 Main Event run/Joe McKeehen victory25:082024 Main Event29:43Final table lineup32:02Folding pocket queens/ lighting $120k of equity on fire38:41Should you ever fold aces41:33Laptopgate/WSOP rule changes45:37Last three tables of Employees Event46:54First purchase after winning $10 million48:11How did winning Main Event change your life?50:27Next person in friend group to win Main Event?55:14Advice for younger self56:33Favorite life lesson from poker
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    58 min
  • Jennifer Tilly on Nearly Voicing Marge Simpson, Dating Phil Laak & Bracelet Anniversary
    Jun 10 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 29th episode, Connor talks with actress and high-stakes poker player Jennifer Tilly about the 20th anniversary of her World Series of Poker (WSOP) bracelet win, high-stakes cash games, the recent cancellation of Chucky, Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, voicing Bonnie Swanson on Family Guy, dating poker pro Phil Laak, and her goal of getting into the Poker Hall of Fame.

    Tilly also revealed that she tried to stop her ex-husband, Sam Simon, from creating The Simpsons and told the story of how she was nearly the voice of Marge Simpson.

    This interview was filmed inside PokerGO Studio in Las Vegas ahead of the One Step Closer Foundation All In for CP Charity Event on April 26.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Jennifer Tilly by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Jennifer Tilly and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TimeTopic0:00Intro0:34One Step Closer Foundation2:43Celebrity poker6:5720th anniversary of bracelet win10:00WSOP video game11:17Getting seriously into poker14:15High-stakes cash games16:41First learning poker21:08Meeting Phil Laak25:19Playing Phil heads-up30:33Chucky canceled32:52Real Housewives37:21Family Guy38:07Almost playing Marge on The Simpsons44:31TV recommendation45:00Favorite life lesson from poker47:43Poker Hall of Fame
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    49 min
  • Sam Greenwood Talks Battling Gambledore & High-Stakes Online Poker Cheating
    May 20 2025

    Life Outside Poker is a podcast for PokerNews hosted by Connor Richards that seeks to pull back the curtain on poker players and allow viewers and listeners to get to know them on a personal level.

    In the 28th episode, Connor talks with Canadian high-stakes pro Sam Greenwood about getting into poker with his two brothers Lucas Greenwood and Max Greenwood, running up a bankroll in high school, traveling the world playing high-stakes tournaments, climbing Canada's all-time money list and battling with Vladimir "Gambledore" Korzinin at Triton.

    Greenwood also talked about the state of online poker, how to deal with cheaters, being a dad and his new "Punt of the Day" blog where he breaks down key hands from high-stakes tournaments.

    The Life Outside Poker podcast is available on major streaming platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, SoundCloud and iHeartRadio. You can also watch the interview with Sam Greenwood by heading to the PokerNews YouTube channel.

    Be sure to follow Sam Greenwood and Connor Richards on X.

    Learn More About Life Outside Poker!

    Timestamps TimeTopic0:00Intro1:07Early online poker days4:14Brothers Luke & Max Greenwood6:55Running up a bankroll in high school11:26College & professional poker16:25Transition to high stakes21:27High-stakes tournament scene27:35Jean Noel-Thorel30:10Gambledore34:05Traveling the high-stakes circuit38:05Canada all-time money rankings40:13Online results41:32RTA & cheating in online poker48:20Punt of the Day1:01:10Being a dad1:04:12Movie recommendation1:06:47Advice for younger self1:08:05Favorite life lesson from poker
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    1 h et 10 min