Tuesday, 27th October 2026 14:52

facebook twitter youtube twitch instagram

Home / News / News / The Tough Call: Maria Konnikova and James Hartigan launch new podcast

The Tough Call: Maria Konnikova and James Hartigan launch new podcast

October 27, 2026

News

by Jack Stanton

watch_later

3 Minute Read

Why do we make the decisions we make?

That’s the question PokerStars Ambassadors Maria Konnikova and James Hartigan will attempt to answer alongside special guests in a brand new podcast, ‘The Tough Call’.

The weekly podcast brings together leading figures, personalities and experts to dive into the people, pressures and perspectives behind the decisions we make, both on and off the tables. The first season will feature ten episodes, each offering a fresh perspective on decision-making, exploring how we think, assess risk and navigate uncertainty.

We’re in safe hands with our hosts: Konnikova, a New York Times bestselling author, psychologist, podcast host and poker player, and Hartigan, an award-winning broadcaster and the voice of PokerStars for over two decades.

And the line-up of guests is simply superb, bringing together a diverse group from the worlds of poker, business and entertainment.

Listen to The Tough Call on Spotify or watch on YouTube now.

Maria Konnikova and James Hartigan have a fantastic line-up of guests for Season One of the Tough Call podcast

“Poker gives you a unique window into people – how they think, handle pressure, make decisions and what drives them. But those qualities extend far beyond the poker table, which is what makes these conversations so interesting,” said Konnikova.

“What makes the podcast exciting is the range of people we’re speaking to, with every guest bringing completely different perspectives, their own stories, opinions and plenty of surprises along the way. We’ve really enjoyed the conversations so far, and hopefully listeners will enjoy them just as much.”

EPISODE ONE: WHY SMART PEOPLE MAKE BAD DECISIONS

Launching today (October 27), the opening episode sees Konnikova and Hartigan joined by American professional poker player, member of the Poker Hall of Fame and fellow PokerStars Ambassador, Jason Koon.

Look forward to a thought-provoking conversation about what it takes to perform at your best when the pressure is on, why even smart people can make poor decisions, and why a good decision does not always produce a good outcome.

Koon is the perfect first guest

Widely regarded as one of the leading high-stakes players of his generation and renowned for his analytical approach, Jason is a two-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner, holds 12 Triton Poker titles and has amassed more than $75 million in live tournament earnings. He also shares how his upbringing shaped his instincts and what years of making high-stakes decisions have taught him about risk, emotion, trusting your gut, and staying calm under pressure. Together, they explore how better decision-making can help us navigate poker, work, and everyday life.

“Strategic thinking wasn’t something that was taught to me. It was something that I had to learn. That journey has shaped the way I approach decision-making, risk and pressure, so I’m delighted to join the first episode of the podcast to explore what it takes to make better decisions when the stakes are high, from the poker table to life beyond it”, said Koon.

Throughout the first season, The Tough Call will feature conversations with leading guests including American investor, high-stakes poker player and Die With Zero author Bill Perkins, American journalist and New York Times bestselling author David Epstein, British mindset and performance coach Elliot Roe, American performance, mindset and relationship coach Samm Hunter and more, with each episode designed to uncover the stories, perspectives and experiences that make the world of decision-making so compelling.

The first episode from The Tough Call is available to watch on the PokerStars YouTube channel and listen to across leading podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, with new episodes airing weekly.