In this episode of Suck It Up Man, Josh kicks things off with one of the most meaningful gifts he’s ever received—an artwork from his daughter that hits different when life gets heavy and perspective shifts. Wayne shares a surprisingly clutch “adult life” gift (the candle warmer lamp that saves the good candles), and the conversation expands fast with guest Andy Blum into poker culture, focus and self-control, weed/abstinence, integrity, toxic masculinity vs healthy masculinity, social media division, community, and why we’re losing the places where people actually come together.

They also get into New York poker finally leveling up (Queens casino talk), how technology changes society, and why curiosity might be the real divide in the AI era. Real stories, real laughs, real ethics — and the one thing none of it works without: integrity.

Wayne and Josh are joined by poker author Sara O’Connor to talk tournament swings vs cash-game mindset, poker etiquette, and what beginners actually need to know before stepping into a casino. Sara shares insight from her books A New Queen’s Guide to Poker and Shuffle Up and Deal With It, plus stories from dealers worldwide — including underground games. The episode also tackles the changing economics of poker: rising rake, shrinking comps, casino incentives, and the fight around gambling tax policy and advocacy

In this episode of the Suck It Up Man Podcast, Wayne and Josh are joined by NYC Mike, a private-game poker player with deep experience in high-stakes and underground games. The conversation starts with travel, personal growth, and lessons learned from poker losses before diving into the realities of juicy games, financial variance, and the risks players often overlook.

NYC Mike shares firsthand perspectives on underground poker, security concerns, cheating suspicions, and recent controversies that have raised serious questions about trust in private games. The episode also explores the economics of poker — rake, tipping, rising costs — and the difference between playing professionals versus amateurs. A raw, honest look at poker, discipline, addiction, and the price of chasing the game.