Best Alex Engel Podcasts (2025)

1
Bernardo Garcia (Félix) on doing things that don’t scale, the power of your first 20 customers and getting the flywheel going 29:26

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9d ago29:26

29:26

On this episode Pat sits down with Bernardo Garcia, Co-Founder of ripping remittances startup Felix Pago to dive into the early days of the business, finding product-market-fit and doing things that don't scale. In particular we chat about how they realised that the existing solutions were not really solving the problem for hispanics in the US send…

1
S26E6 - Ari Engel Emmett Mullin Nick O'Hara 1:23:25

9d ago1:23:25

1:23:25

This week, we are joined by the cashiest poker player in history - Ari Engel. We also welcome poker player and moustache aficionado Emmett Mullin. For strategy, we will take a look at a hand of David's from the Partypoker UK Tour Glasgow. Nick O'Hara stops by to discuss the now WPT Global sponsored IPO Dublin. Plus, Poker Twitter God, now on Instag…

1
S26E5 - Seth Davies TheSaurus Ivonne Montealegre 1:38:51

27d ago1:38:51

1:38:51

This week, we are joined by highstakes beast and the biggest tournament winner of the last 12 months Seth Davies. We also welcome poker player and Battle Rap legend Thesaurus. For strategy, we take a look at a hand of Dara’s from a WSOP event. Ivonne Montealegre stops by to discuss the Sigma Poker Tour. Plus, Meme-Tsar and Friday Party Madness cham…

1
Puren Ucar (fmr. Head of Talent @Earlybird) on why founders need to spend 40% of their time on hiring, the unequal impact of AI on startup roles and revenue / employee as a metric 32:47

1M ago32:47

32:47

On this episode Pat sits down with Puren Ucar, the fmr Head of Talent at Earlybird Digital East, to dive into building out the talent function at one of Europe's leading VC firms, Earlybird, what does it take to build high performance teams and why founders up until Series-B still need to dedicate 40% of their time on hiring and how AI changes the …

1
S26E4 - Nacho Barbero Olga Iermolcheva 1:37:24

1M ago1:37:24

1:37:24

Banger Alert as we welcome to the show highstakes poker pro and WPT Global ambassador Nacho Barbero for what is a very frank interview. We are also joined by poker pro, podcaster and CoinPoker ambassador Olga Iermolcheva. For strategy, we will take a look at a tricky endgame satellite spot of mine. Dara and David talk sbout playing on your own bank…

1
Gaurav Biswas (Trukker) building the uber of trucks in MENA, scaling in a fragmented industry and growing on century old logistic routes from Turkey to Kaszakstan 30:57

2M ago30:57

30:57

On this episode Pat sits down with Gaurav Biswas, Co-Founder & CEO of leading freight forwarder and logistics scaleup Trukker. We dive into the company’s journey from their initial launch in India, focusing on MENA scaling to 200M+ in revenues, servicing 1,500 clients across 9 countries and raising $300M+ from the likes of ADQ, Ruya and Investcorp …

1
S26E3 - Kenny Hallaert Jaime Staples 1:25:19

2M ago1:25:19

1:25:19

This week we are joined by Pokerstars ambassador and WSOP Main event double final tableist Kenny Hallaert. We welcome to the show poker pro, vlogger, streamer and Partypoker ambassador Jamie Staples. For strategy, we analyse David's first hand of note from the WPT Global tables. Dara talks all about his decision to be financially transparent about …

1
The Lock-In 105 - Lucas Robinson 47:38

2M ago47:38

47:38

This week, David and Barry are locked in with Pokernews Streamer Lucas Robinson! While Dara attempted to take down the WSOP 800, Barry subbed in to help discuss the WSOP Main Event, previewing the chances of Margets, Mizrachi, Hendrix and Hallaert. Lucas’s role as a Pokernews streamer is discussed with emphasis on his successful WPT Global grind. T…

1
[Operator Stories] Lucas Vargas (Nomad) on diversifying your assets, investing like the 1% and scaling to 100M+ in ARR 35:30

2M ago35:30

35:30

On this episode Pat sits down with Lucas Vargas, CEO and Founder of Nomad, a leading cross border account and investment solution for Brazilians that want to reduce their exposure to the local currency investing in US dollar dominated assets. Lucas takes us down the rabbit hole on building out the product, scaling to 100M in ARR within 5 years, inc…

1
S26E2 - Ali Nejad Gary Blackwood Alex Fitzgerald 1:45:42

3M ago1:45:42

1:45:42

On the week when the WSOP Main Event began, we are joined by Triton, Merit and WSOP commentator Ali Nejad. We welcome to the show poker pro, vlogger, upswing coach and coin poker ambassador Gary Blackwood. For strategy, we are doing one of our classic hands - a famous spot from the 2016 WSOP Main Event between Michael Ruane and James Obst. Alex Fit…

1
The Lock-In 104 - Barry Carter 41:20

3M ago41:20

41:20

This week, we are locked in and hanging out with the George to our John and Paul, Barry Carter. We discuss the WSOP Millionaire Maker Collusion story, the antics of Martin Kabrhel and the Poker Player’s Championship dominance of Michael Mizrachi! We also preview the WSOP Ladies event as Shiina Okamoto goes for back-to-back titles.…

1
S26E1 - Gus Hansen Paul Carr Ben Spragg Tanya Masters 1:26:54

3M ago1:26:54

1:26:54

On this week’s Season 26 curtain-raiser, we have an exclusive interview with 3-time WPT champion and great summer prognosticator Gus Hansen. We are joined by Irish poker player and IPT leaderboard champion Paul Carr. For strategy, we’ve got award winning twitch streamer and Pokerstars ambassador Benjamin Spragg. Irish Poker Tour ambassador Tanya Ma…

1
The Lock-In 103 - David Docherty 47:18

3M ago47:18

47:18

This week, we are locked in with Pokerstars Live League Chaser David Docherty right after his trip to Namur and right before his trip to Malaga. Dara has his bags packed (for him) ahead of his trip to the Vegas and he is threatening to unleash a new lucky shirt. David Docherty is convalescing after some kidney stones hampered his trip to Belgium. D…

1
WPT GLOBAL PREMIERE SPECIAL - Doug Polk Sinead Davenport Padraig O'Neill Justin Young Art Parmann 1:35:04

4M ago1:35:04

1:35:04

For our WPT Global Premiere Special, we have got an absolute banger! We have an exclusive interview with poker player, card-room owner, training site owner and CLUB WPT GOLD ambassador Doug Polk, right off the back on his incredible appearance as a stand up comedian on 'Kill Tony'. We are joined by the WPT World Championship Ladies event 3rd place …

1
The Lock-In 102 - Xuan Liu 53:11

4M ago53:11

53:11

This week, we are locked in with Xuan Liu for an exclusive chat after her Triton WPT Global Slam victory in Montenegro. Just hours after announcing their new ambassador deals with WPT Global, which includes sponsorship of all The Chip Race content, Dara and David take some deep dives with Xuan. Dara and David discuss Steve O’Dwyer’s strong words fo…

1
Revolution in the Sahel: Sankara, Traoré, and the New World Order w/ Inemesit Richardson 1:19:55

4M ago1:19:55

1:19:55

Educator and journalist Inemesit Richardson—co-founder of the Thomas Sankara Center in Burkina Faso and contributor to African Stream—joins us for a powerful conversation on the revolutionary history of the Sahel, the legacies of Thomas Sankara and Ibrahim Traoré, and the rise of a multipolar world order. This is a compelling interview you won’t wa…

1
S25E6 - Espen Jorstad Ian Simpson Monica Vaka Henry Kilbane 1:57:33

4M ago1:57:33

1:57:33

For our grand finale, David and Dara have put together a Unibet Poker reunion! They welcome the 2022 WSOP MAIN EVENT champion Espen Jorstad. They are joined by the 2013 Irish Open champion and 888 ambassador Ian Simpson. For strategy, the lads analyse a hand with Norwegian poker champion Monica Vaka. Triton commentator Henry Kilbane stops by for so…

1
[Operator Stories] Pedro Arnt (dLocal) on preserving startup agility whilst becoming big company, the IPO is just the beginning and his new chapter as dLocal CEO 42:56

4M ago42:56

42:56

On this episode Pat sits down with legendary operator and former MELI CFO, and of late CEO of dLocal, Pedro Arnt, to dive into his learnings of 20+ years of company building. We discuss Why he is bullish on emerging market's potential His learnings around the early innings of MELI riding the wave of digitisation in commerce in the 2000s and why lon…

1
The Lock-In 101 - Barry Carter 48:07

4M ago48:07

48:07

This we were are locked in for what the lads are saying is their final ever episode the popular Chip Race spin-off (but then they said that on the last episode too). Fittingly, it is Barry who joins them for a chat about the stories of the week. After some shameless plugging of the actually excellent Simplify Poker (Use Code CHIPRACE for 20% off) a…

1
S25E5 - Simon Wilson Jamie Kerstetter Karim Chelli 1:41:21

5M ago1:41:21

1:41:21

As we count down our final 3 shows for Unibet Poker, we welcome the 2025 Irish Poker Champion Simon Wilson. We are joined by poker player commentator and WPT Club Gold marketing manager Jamie Kerstetter. For strategy, we take a deep dive into a hand David played versus Chip Race former newsman Daragh Davey at the Unibet DSO Barcelona. Mindset coach…

1
[Investor Journey] Camila Vieira (QED) on prioritizing moats over themes, the fund’s structure through multiple instruments and know where you land on Liquidity 39:37

5M ago39:37

39:37

On this episode Pat sits down with Camila Vieira, Partner and head QED’s Brazil operation. We dive into the fund’s evolving commitment on the region, how they got it right investing in Nubank in 2015, what their thesis and structure looks like today 10 years later and whether LatAm’s next outbreak success will also be Fintech? How do sector specifi…

1
Temple ov Blood, O9A, and the New Generation of Mass Shooters w/ BX 1:19:35

5M ago1:19:35

1:19:35

@bx_on_x joins to talk about her groundbreaking research studying the emerging online phenomenon of satanic nazi accelerationist death cults and their influence behind a number of murders and mass killings across the globe. We talk about their emergence, ideology, strategy, and how parents can protect their children from becoming sucked into this o…

1
Crisis, Capitalism, and the Path to Socialism w/ Ted Reese 1:25:06

5M ago1:25:06

1:25:06

In this episode, I sit down with Marxist theorist and author Ted Reese @grossmanite to explore the work of Henryk Grossman, one of the most important yet overlooked economists of the 20th century. Grossman’s crisis theory explains how capitalism’s internal contradictions make its collapse inevitable—raising the urgent question of what comes next. T…

1
[Investor Journey] Michael Lints (Golden Gate Ventures) launching the fund’s MENA presence, synergies between South East Asia and the GCC, liquidity and the role of secondaries 32:29

5M ago32:29

32:29

On this episode Pat sits down with Michael Lints, Partner at leading South East Asian VC firm Golden Gate to dive into their expansion into MENA, his move to Qatar, why now and how he sees the two regions complementing each other in terms of ecosystem maturity, VC and LP landscape. You will learn about: Doing business in MENA Cross pollination oppo…

1
S25E4 - Matt Affleck Steve O'Dwyer Jim Reid 1:44:43

6M ago1:44:43

1:44:43

What a show we’ve got this week! We welcome poker player and coach Matt Affleck. We are joined by highstakes crusher and Irish Poker open champion Steve O’Dwyer. For strategy, we welcome back to the show poker player, RecPoker podcast host and Firaldo Cup runner-up Jim Reid. The lads discuss their fears about another Black Friday on the horizon. Pl…

1
Mihai Faur (UiPath) on timing and IPO readiness, Act 2 for the company from UiPath to AiPath combining the power of AI and automation 41:19

6M ago41:19

41:19

On this episode Pat sits down with Mihai Faur, CIO of UiPath to discuss his 10 year journey with the company from a small startup in Romania to the global automations company it is today. We dive into the IPO readiness piece, how as a Chief Accounting Officer he set the company on the path for IPO following Daniel Dines' vision in 2019 to bring the…

1
S25E3 - Alex Fitzgerald Jen Shahade Sam Greenwood Jason Koon 1:36:04

6M ago1:36:04

1:36:04

What a luminous line-up of guests we have this week! We welcome to the show poker player, author and coach Alex Fitzgerald. We are joined by poker player, chess champion, ambassador, author and podcaster Jen Shahade. For strategy, we welcome back to the show one of the games top players Sam Greenwood who brings with him a ‘punt of the day’ from the…

1
S25E2 - Scott Seiver Annette O’Carroll Danny Maxwell Tom Hall David Curtis 2:16:17

6M ago2:16:17

2:16:17

To celebrate our 10th anniversary, we welcome a wonderfully eclectic and appropriately exceptional bunch of guests. We’ve got the 2024 WSOP player of the year Scott Seiver. We are also joined by Irish legends Annette O’Carroll, David Curtis and Global Poker Award winning photographer Danny Maxwell. For strategy, Tom ‘Jabracada’ Hall brings a spot w…

1
[Investor Journey] Rafael Costa (Across Capital) driving alpha through portfolio concentration, inflection stage capital for LatAm & US 44:12

7M ago44:12

44:12

On this episode Pat sits down with Managing Partner of Across Capital, Rafael Costa, to dive into his journey building Across investing cross-border in the US & LatAm after a successful career at Summit Partners and Vulcan Capital, how he things around portfolio construction and liquidity for growth stage, getting to conviction when deciding to inv…

1
Alchemy to AI: The Occult History of Western Science (Pt. 2) 2:01:21

7M ago2:01:21

2:01:21

Matthew Ehret @ehret_matthew returns to discuss his newly published trilogy, Revenge of the Mystery Cults, which uncovers the deep occult influences shaping the history of modern science. We’ll dive into the mythology surrounding Nikola Tesla, the Technocracy Inc. movement, and its ties to techno-feudalist Elon Musk. This is an episode you can't mi…

1
S25E1 - Tom McEvoy Abby Merk Dylan Weisman 1:44:35

7M ago1:44:35

1:44:35

The now 3-time Global Poker Award winning podcast is back for its 25th Season as Global Poker Award winning author Dara and Global Award losing journalist David welcome to the show WSOP Main event champion Tom McEvoy. They are joined by Global Poker Award winning Rising Star in content creation Abby Merk. For strategy, they take a look at a fascina…

1
Alchemy to AI: The Occult History of Western Science (Pt. 1) 2:06:11

7M ago2:06:11

2:06:11

Matthew Ehret @ehret_matthew returns to discuss his newly published trilogy, Revenge of the Mystery Cults, which uncovers the deep occult influences shaping the history of modern science. We’ll dive into the mythology surrounding Nikola Tesla, Isaac Newton, and the alleged Nazi UFO programs while cutting through the distortions spread by Western pr…

1
[Investor Journey] Milena Oliveira (Volpe Capital) on taking concentrated bets in Latin America, dynamics of early growth investing and lessons on portfolio construction 35:02

7M ago35:02

35:02

On this episode Pat sits down with Milena Oliveira, Partner of Latin American early-growth fund Volpe Capital to dive into the dynamics of investing post Series-A, portfolio construction and making concentrated bets in a few select opportunities. We dive into why LatAm Tech entrepreneurs and VCs can produce top tier returns, and Volpe has the data …

1
[Operator Stories] Alexis Pantazis (Hellas Direct) scaling an insurtech, profitable markets vs. TAM, vertical integration as a moat 30:30

8M ago30:30

30:30

On this episode Pat sits down with Alexis Pantazis, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of European insurtech Hellas Direct to dive into the insurtech playbook, succeeding in smaller yet profitable markets in Southern and Eastern Europe, and how to go about vertical integration as a moat to build maximum value for consumers. To date Hellas has raised more than $…

1
S24E7 - Eugene Katchalov Nikki Limo Ben Spragg Rania Nasreddine 2:01:24

8M ago2:01:24

2:01:24

We close the season 24 curtain on the now 5-time Global Poker Award nominated podcast by welcoming poker legend Eugene Katchalov. We are joined by two-time global poker awards nominated poker player, comedienne and content creator Nikki Limo. For strategy, poker pro, streamer and Pokerstars ambassador Ben Spragg brings us a hand from last year’s Ir…

1
The Lock-In 97 - Kat Arnsby 52:04

8M ago52:04

52:04

This week, the lads are locked in with poker player, marketeer and Party-Gammon, Kat Arnsby! After briefly discussing Kat’s imminent departure from Kindred, the trio dig up a controversial story from the end of 2024, namely Bonomo getting threatened with WSOP Super Main Event disqualification for wearing a keffiyeh. Kat highlights the hypocrisy of …

1
[Investor Journey] Jimena Prado (Hi Ventures) on filtering through the AI noise, investing in lines not dots and transitioning from founder to funder 29:58

8M ago29:58

29:58

On this episode Pat sits down with Jimena Prado, Partner at Latin American VC firm Hi Ventures, which has backed the likes of Cornershop and Fintual. We explore Jimena's journey from one of the first female founders in Mexico to becoming an investor, how she thinks about navigating the current AI craze and where LatAm entrepreneurs can play at and …

1
S24E6 - Jason Koon Arian Kashani Zak VanKeuren Thomas Murphy 1:54:56

8M ago1:54:56

1:54:56

This week, we welcome back to the show one of the game’s all-time greats Jason Koon. We are joined by UKIPT Nottingham champion Arian Kashani. For strategy, Irish poker player and twitcher Thomas Murphy brings with him a hand he played versus Dara in the IPO Dublin. WPT Prime champion Zak VanKeuren stops by to talk about holistic wellness. Plus, Lo…

1
[Investor Journey] Izabel Gallera (Canary) on getting to conviction in early stage investing, pattern recognition and what will be the next Nubank of Brazil? 33:29

8M ago33:29

33:29

On this episode Pat sits down with Izabel Gallera, Partner at Canary, one of the leading early stage VCs in Brazil. We dive into: - The evolution of the Brazilian VC ecosystem and Canary alongside it - How to get to conviction and structure your investment decision process at the seed stage - Professionalizing a VC firm through recycling capital, d…

1
S24E5 - Scott Stewart Rob Sherwood Aidan Quinlan Dominick French 1:32:39

9M ago1:32:39

1:32:39

For our first episode of 2025, we welcome to the show the new WPT World Champion Scott Stewart and the man he defeated heads-up Rob Sherwood. For strategy, Aidan Quinlan brings us a hand from The IPO Super-Highroller. Dominick French stops by to discuss his epic flag-hunting adventures in 2024. Plus, the Meme-Lord Barry Carter has all the news.…

1
Burning Man Is an Inside Job: Psychedelic Culture as MKULTRA Bio-Warfare w/ John Potash 1:07:03

9M ago1:07:03

1:07:03

Author of "Drugs As Weapons Against Us" John Potash joins again to share his research for his newest documentary "CIA Drugs R Us", a dive into how the CIA has used illicit substances against the masses for decades all while framing it as "sticking it to The Man". We talk about how the hippie movement was essentially baked in a lab and used as dedic…

1
[Investor Journey] Christine Kenna (Ignia) on navigating ambiguity in investing, introducing Mexican pension funds to VC and driving DPI 30:51

10M ago30:51

30:51

On this episode Pat sits down with Christine Kenna, Managing Partner of Ignia, a pan-american VC firm that invests in early and Series-A stage tech businesses. You will learn about: Playing the Venture Game in emerging markets, how to think about liquidity The importance of building track record through multiple vintages Is the American style Ventu…

1
S24E4 - Andy Black Tony Dunst Xuan Liu Dave Kingston 1:46:12

10M ago1:46:12

1:46:12

For our final show of 2024, we welcome Irish poker tournament OG Andy Black. We are also joined by poker pro and WPT commentator Tony DUNST. For strategy, Xuan Liu is here to discuss an insane cash game hand from the Lodge stream. Dave Kingston stops by to talk about the new Simplify Poker website. Plus, our resident meme-God Barry Carter is here w…

1
The Lock-In 95 - Brad Owen 38:16

10M ago38:16

38:16

This week, we are locked in with poker player, award-winning vlogger and WPT ambassador Brad Owen. Brad stops by to discuss a myriad of topics, including the much-anticipated WPT $5M freeroll and World Championship. The lads give props to Maria Lampropulos on her win at the recent Women’s Winter Festival. Dara talks about his experience playing in …

1
[Operator Stories] Pavel Fedorov (Salmon) on building a challenger bank in the Philippines, the Tinkoff Playbook and why credit first 39:18

10M ago39:18

39:18

On this episode Pat sits down with Pavel Fedorov, Co-Founder of Philippines based challenger bank Salmon. We dive into scaling a neo-bank in emerging markets, product mix, customer profiles and how to ensure flawless execution You will learn about The fintech opportunity in the Philippines How Salmon targets the space and why they start with credit…

1
Making Marxism Great Again (End of the Flop Era) w/ Catherine Liu 1:11:55

10M ago1:11:55

1:11:55

Scholar and author of 'Vitrue Hoarders: The Case Against the Professional Managerial Class' Catharine Liu (@bureaucatliu) talks about her personal political journey as a Chinese-American within the trenches of western academia, where the Left went wrong, and her read on the 2024 elections. This is a super fun episode-- you're not going to want to m…

1
The Chip Race - S24E3 - Apestyles Nick Marchington Shaun Deeb 1:35:11

10M ago1:35:11

1:35:11

This week’s show is dedicated to Kris Bergvall who green lit season after season of this show as Unibet Poker’s Head of Poker for over six years. We wish him well with whatever is next. On the show this week, we welcome poker tournament OG Jonathan Apestyles Van Fleet. We are also joined by the new NAPT Las Vegas champion Nick Marchington. For stra…

1
[Investor Journey] Esteban Sosnik (Reach Capital) on building a sector specific fund, challenges of digitizing education and new value unlock through AI 34:14

11M ago34:14

34:14

On this episode Pat sits down with Esteban Sosnik, Co-Founder and GP of Reach Capital, an edtech specialised VC firm based in Silicon Valley to talk about the evolution of the industry, how AI changes the game and what are the opportunities he sees in emerging marketsYou will learn aboutBuilding a sector-specific fundThe evolution of the edtech spa…

1
The Chip Race - S24E2 - Jesse Lonis Matt Savage Leo Worthington Leese Kerry-Jane Craigie 1:43:27

11M ago1:43:27

1:43:27

This week, we welcome to the show the GPI Number 1 poker player Jesse Lonis. We are also joined by executive tournament director of the WPT Matt Savage. For strategy, we’ve got the newly crowned Eureka Cyprus champion Leo Worthington Lees. Kerry-Jane Craigie stops by to discuss the Women’s Winter Festival at the Hippodrome. Plus, resident meme-lord…

1
[Investor Journey] Alex Lazarow on Emerging Markets Fintech Quo Vadis - Data, Delivery, Distribution 32:26

11M ago32:26

32:26

On this episode Pat brings back Alex Lazarow, Managing Partner of Fluent Ventures to talk about where Fintech in emerging markets has been going and where we are heading. So much to unpack as they dive intoThe different tech waves in emerging markets and LatAm more specifically Embedded Finance and the potential that still remains to be unleashed W…