Ali Nejad Opens up to Kara | Ep: 21

The Heart of Poker Podcast

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.