The Jason Hennessey Podcast

Jason sits down with two-time World Series of Poker Champion, Dan Cates- known to many as JungleMan Dan, and regarded as one of the leading poker players today. Dan recently secured one of the most coveted titles in the game for a second time in a row, as he made history by winning back-to-back $50K Poker Championship Titles, in both 2021 and 2022. This extraordinary win broke records, and totaled his live cash earnings to well above $11 million — a drastic shift from his humble beginnings working at McDonalds to offset thousands of dollars of debt. Join us as we broach everything from the lessons Dan learned from hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro, his experience with his strip-poker-playing alter ego, and the beauty that comes along with surrendering to the flow of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Today in the studio, Jason has the privilege of interviewing young actor, martial artist, and dumpling enthusiast, Brandon Soo Hoo. After acting in a Toys-R-Us commercial, Brandon caught his big break at just 11 years old, starring in the mega-hit film, Tropic Thunder. He shares what it was like to play the iconic role of Tran, the contentious young cartel leader, and spend months living in Kauai acting and sparring alongside comedy legends Ben Stiller and Jack Black. He also tells tales from his crazy life journey involving opulent royal weddings in Cambodia, a new anime series on Netflix, and an exciting and unexpected new overseas venture. Tune in as Jason and Brandon play a rousing game of New Phone, Who Dis, and hear all about how Brandon harnesses and embraces his eccentricities, including his deep-rooted fascination with Cantonese cuisine, reptiles, insects, and the mantis shrimp. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Natasha Graziano - Mindset Coach, Motivational Speaker, and Best-Selling Author Today, Jason has the great honor of sitting down with world-renowned mindset coach, the powerful and inspiring Natasha Graziano. Ranked #1 female motivational speaker under 40 in the world by Forbes magazine and Business Insider, Natasha is one of the most influential thought leaders of our generation. She'll chat with Jason around her passions helping people transform their lives through her MBS method, which combines neuroscience and ancient breathing techniques. Tune in as she shares with Jason her unbelievable journey starting out as a single mom to becoming a best-selling author, meeting the love of her life, acquiring 11 million Instagram followers and moving to the U.S. to grow her business in just 4 years' time. Her determination, work ethic and brand savvy has made her a mogul in the industry and an up-and-coming entrepreneur who Jason thinks will soon be a household name. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Jonathan Fellus - Neurologist, Traumatic Brain Injury Specialist, Researcher, Mushroom Forager Today Jason sits down with the truly remarkable, Dr. Fellus, someone who embodies the concept of ‘making your mess, your message.’ Jason gets the opportunity to catch up with the Internationally renowned neurologist, researcher, and traumatic brain injury specialist to learn Dr. Fellus is more than just your typical brain doctor. Dr. Fellus is a lover of language, a steward of storytelling, a medicinal mushroom forager, and one of the brightest and creative minds in the field of neurorehabilitation. Dr. Fellus shares with Jason what fuels his intense desire to problem solve no matter how complex and through his rarely tenacious and exceptional out-of-the-box thinking, we learn that our black-and-white healthcare system desperately needs more of his expertise. Tune into this captivating and mind-expanding conversation that broaches everything from the concept of free will, the power of integrative medicine, the controversial case involving a Saudi Princess, and Dr. Fellus’ unbelievable personal journey as she shares with Jason and fuels his curiosity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Daneshgar - Founder of Whippy, Co-Founder of BloomNation, and Poker Champion Ranked as the #2 poker player in the world in 2006, World Series of Poker champ turned entrepreneur, David Daneshgar, always knew he was destined for more. Join us as Jason chats with the Berkeley grad about his love for soccer & the Lakers, being a math whiz, and a self-proclaimed nerd. Jason gets to the bottom of why David's fascinated with statistics and probability, and how betting with friends in high school set him up for later in life. David will share his journey to success starting with collecting baseball cards which later turned into playing cards at casinos around the globe, and eventually pushing him to gamble on a couple companies: BloomNation and Whippy. Tune in to today's engaging episode as Jason’s curiosity leads David to spill how he convinced Lakers’ owner, the late Jerry Buss, to write him a recommendation letter to business school, what it truly takes to be a great poker player, a better business owner, and even better person. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Debra Furr-Holden - Dean, Epidemiologist, Activist, and Proud Grandma Today, Jason has the great pleasure of sitting alongside the highly esteemed epidemiologist and public health research professional, Dr. Debra Furr-Holden. Jason will learn after earning her bachelor's in PhD from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Dr. Deb has gone on to have an immensely impressive career dedicated to solving health disparities, advocating for preventative medicine, and sounding the horn for leaders to make change. Probably most known for her massive and highly effective efforts in addressing the Flint, Michigan water crisis, Dr. Deb will share her joy as the new Dean of NYU's School of Global Public Health, where she sits on multiple task forces for racial disparity and inequity. She'll also chat with Jason around how she's achieved the monumental feat of closing the COVID racial disparity gap in Michigan, and how she's sustained that progress. Above all Dr. Deb advocates for being unapologetically yourself and inspires others to do the same. This is one episode, you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tyler Gaffney - Super Bowl Champion, MLB Prospect, and Tech Entrepreneur Today, Jason has the great pleasure to be sitting down with retired NFL running back, pro-baseball outfielder, entrepreneur and family man, Tyler Gaffney. Listen in as Jason traces Tyler's whirlwind sports career from playing college baseball at Stanford as minor league captain, to playing football for the New England Patriots and winning the super bowl. But, just because Tyler went from taking the mega-bus to charter planes doesn’t mean his life is all glitz and glamor. Tyler gets deep and vulnerable with Jason into the “non-facebook version” of life: the rigorous reality of a pro-football player’s schedule, healing from injuries, having kids at age 24, and the bold sacrifices one needs to make in order to win the game while trying to live life to the fullest. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgetta Foreman - Mega TV Producer, Speaker, and Daughter of the Champ Today Jason sits down with the lovely and inspiring Georgetta Foreman- She’s a supervising producer for court TV, a Jefferson Texas native, and the daughter of the legendary heavyweight world champion of boxing, George Foreman. In Jason and Georgetta's engaging and motivating talk, we learn what it was like to grow up fishing and crabbing on the ranch, Georgetta talks about her job at HBO Sports, her feelings around working alongside her dad, the pivot she made away from law school, and how this Mother of two boldly moved her family across the country to pursue her dreams. This episode is loaded with words of wisdom and truth as we get to the heart of why everybody loves a comeback, how tough times build tough people, and why it’s most rewarding to feel the fear and do it anyway. Join Jason and Georgetta on an unforgettable episode of "The Jason Hennessey Podcast". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Richard Pink - President of Richard Pink & Associates and Co-Owner of Pink’s Hot Dogs Today Jason has the honor to sit down with the exceptionally charismatic, successful, and totally humble restaurateur, Richard Pink. Richard Pink is the co-owner of the legendary Pink's Hot Dogs, a Los Angeles institution that has been bringing smiles, satisfaction, and snappy sausages to its clientele since 1939. Listen in as Jason discovers how Pink's Hot Dog stand went from a little push cart, to a Hollywood legend and celebrity hotspot, eventually garnering an endless list of superstar patrons such as Diana Ross, Tom Hanks, Brad Pitt, Oprah, Marlon Brando, and hundreds more. In this inspiring episode, Richard gives Jason the inside scoop on expanding business overseas, the origins of his secret chili recipe, and why making a difference is always more rewarding than making a buck. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Lindsey Heppner - creative director, artist, and marketing maverick - Today Jason gets real and raw with the CEO and Founder of VAMPPED, an internationally renowned creative agency that revolutionized the social media space, being one of the first to monetize influencers and align them with brands on IG. Join us as she shares how she's been making waves ever since. Lindsey recounts her journey starting as a surfer girl, to creating VAMPPED with no money after a chilling, near-fatal car accident, to throwing historic celeb parties at Coachella, to working with iconic brands such as Harley Davidson, Amazon, Sephora, Puma, and countless others. Lindsey teaches Jason what it means to be a fearless risk taker, a big dreamer, fitness enthusiast, astrology lover, innovative designer, and shares her commitment to inspiring others just as life has inspired her. This is one episode you'll want to mark and follow. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

David Matthew Brown - Counselor, Author, Hot Yoga Enthusiast, Spiritual Practitioner, and Soccer Dad - On this special day, Jason gets to sit down with someone he now calls a new friend, David Matthew Brown. David is a published author, a world renowned speaker, a teacher and counselor, a spiritualist, and a man who tells the true tale of the time he “died and then was reborn”. David had a successful podcast where he interviewed over 600 people, and shares with Jason what it's like to be a single Dad, and a soccer Dad. David dives in about the time he was once up for one of the biggest acting roles in the history of cinema and what made him go from almost being a household name in the fantasy genre, to choosing a whole new path of self discovery. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alana Miller - Professional Psychic, Social Worker, and Mental Health Advocate - In today’s episode, Jason sits down with the lovely and compassionate Alana Miller. She's a science and psychology buff, a professional psychic, and has made her mark in the nonprofit management space. Jason chats with Alana abut her strong advocacy for diversity, as she shares her mission to empower low-income, at-risk youth and their families using skills to pursue higher education by creating strong communities. In this deep and vulnerable episode, Alana will discuss the nuances of the foster care system and how to deconstruct the negative narrative in our minds. Alana shares with Jason how we find our tribe and embrace and accept all parts of ourselves. Jason will also tap into his spiritual side and receive his very first tarot (“taro”) card reading - This is an episode you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Alex Yudovich - Pediatrician, Medical Myth-buster, and Vaccine Advocate - Today Jason sits down with accomplished pediatrician and Houston, Texas native, Dr. Alex Yudovich. With an expertise in preventative medicine, Jason talks with Alex around his passion for teaching health literacy and dispelling medical myths. Join Jason as he chats with Alex about meeting his wife at the LA Children’s hospital, where they'll discuss the complexities of ADHD and the overprescription of antibiotics. We'll learn how Alex defines success, and his top tips to managing self doubt. We'll also dive into Alex's unexpected Mexican heritage, and hear about his unbelievable family lineage which entails narrowly escaping Nazi-occupied France. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Adam & Noah Bremen - Entrepreneurs, Founders, Philanthropists, and Brothers - Today Jason chats with dynamic-duo Adam and Noah Bremen: successful entrepreneurs, business co-founders, fitness enthusiasts, sports fanatics, and inseparable brothers who are bonded for life. Jason discovers adversity is no stranger to this persevering pair, between Adam being born with cerebral palsy and confined to a wheelchair, to Noah’s recovery from a harrowing near-death experience, it’s clear their unwavering zeal for life and immense success in business is due to an unshakeable, “can-do” attitude. Tune in and enjoy Adam and Noah's unbelievably inspiring story as Jason traces their journey from selling neon glow sticks at school parties, to building invaluable business relationships and multiple thriving companies from the ground up. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Troy Hoffman - Founder, Entrepreneur, Executive Coach, and Surfer - Today, Jason meets with entrepreneur, executive coach, and a good personal friend of his, Troy Hoffman. Jason and Troy trace his career trajectory from his humble beginnings hog hunting in Coco Beach, Florida, to where he is today, the founder and head honcho at Simpluris Inc., a successful class action settlement administration company. In this powerful and personal episode, jam packed with words of wisdom, Troy gets specific about how to rewire your mind for happiness, magnetize what you want by shifting your mindset, and how to build and scale something from nothing. Troy teaches Jason the importance of identifying and removing your triggers, taking a methodical approach to daily living, and finding your very own meaning of success in an episode filled with emotion and important takeaways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Réal Andrews - Emmy Award Winning Actor, Founder, Speaker, Stuntman & Transformational Coach - Today Jason is in studio with actor, speaker, transformational coach, cancer survivor, and Emmy award winner, Réal Andrews. Best known as a soap opera star, Réal is most recognized by his daytime television fans for his role as Lieutenant Taggert on 57 season strong "General Hospital", or Chance Walker in "Soldier of Fortune". Despite growing up with less, living on the other side of the tracks, and moving from one apartment to the next with his single mom, Réal was raised in a loving and supportive environment, to which he attributes his success and positive mindset. In this honest and heartfelt episode, Jason will go deep into Réal’s weight loss journey, discuss his battle with alcohol, cocaine, and cancer, learn how he built two 7-figure businesses and became the first black stuntman out of Canada - this is one episode you won't want to miss. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Robert Yoho - Cosmetic Surgeon, Emergency Physician, Author, and Rock Climber - Today Jason is joined by cosmetic surgeon, author, triathlete, and master rock climber, Dr. Robert Yoho. Throughout his long-standing career as a physician, Dr. Yoho became increasingly skeptical about medical corporations, and has since dedicated his time to raising awareness about corruption in the healthcare system. Join Jason as he talks with Dr. Yoho about his compelling books, "Butchered By Healthcare", and "Hormone Secrets". And, we'll hear from the Doctor on the importance of being our own advocate when it comes to healthcare and how we can do our part to reform and repair the system. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rich Correll - Sitcom Director, Actor, Producer, Creator of Hannah Montana, and Sci-Fi /Horror Film Memorabilia Collector - In today’s star-powered episode, Jason sits down with the remarkably accomplished and charismatic, Rich Correll. Rich is a successful sitcom creator and director, TV actor, writer-producer, author, and rare collector, whose 2,900-piece collection of sci-fi, fantasy, and horror film memorabilia is famed as the largest in the world, and the only of its kind. Join Jason as Rich shares exclusive, almost unbelievable stories from his charmed childhood, growing up next door to the Playboy Mansion, and having neighbors and close friends such as Walt Disney, Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, Carol Burnett, Fred Astaire, and Jerry Lewis, just to name a few. Rich takes Jason and our audience on a journey from his start co-starring in “Leave It To Beaver" to eventually directing his 719th episode of television. This is a 20th Anniversary Podcast episode, not to be missed. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cate Garcia - Groomer, Certified Pet Aesthetician and Animal Intuitive - Today Jason sits down with pet esthetician and certified animal intuitive Cate Garcia, who has been communicating with animals for as long as she can remember. What started as merely a childhood passion turned into a lucrative thirty-year career as a luxury pet groomer, providing top-of-the-line care and high end pampering to thousands of pooches throughout Southern California . Join Jason as he talks to Cate about her wild journey from punk rock rebellious high school years, to international trade shows in Italy, to working behind the scenes in Hollywood, getting canines camera-ready on HBO Max’s original dog grooming competition series, "Haute Dog". Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Roger Nygard - Director, Author, Documentarian, Triple-time Emmy Nominated Editor, and Producer - Jason sits down with triple time Emmy-nominated editor, filmmaker, and author, Roger Nygard. Roger is best known for his documentary films "Trekkies", "The Nature of Existence", and "The Truth About Marriage". Roger shares with Jason his experience working on TV shows he's directed such as "The Office", "The Bernie Mac Show", and "The Comedy Store" which he co-produced and edited. Roger shares his latest book, "Cut to the Monkey", which is all about making and editing a hit comedy series, chock full of invaluable wisdom from comedic luminaries such as Sacha Baron Cohen, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Larry David. Join Jason as he traces Roger’s exciting journey from growing up on Lake Minnetonka, to mailing out 1,000 resumes, to eventually making it big as a Hollywood editor, cutting hit TV shows such as "Curb Your Enthusiasm", "Grey’s Anatomy", "VEEP", and "Who Is America?". The two also get deep as Roger spills the secret to a happy relationship, and what according to him is the true meaning of life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices