Raising the Stakes: Poker Strategies for Winning in Business and Life with Pasha Esfandiary

What if your biggest weakness could become your greatest superpower?Pasha Esfandiary went from professional poker player making millions to real estate mogul managing 2,500+ units, all while discovering that ADD wasn't holding him back–it was propelling him forward. His journey from immigrant kid to CEO of Evoke Capital reveals how self-awareness, reputation, and taking calculated risks create exponential success.Pasha's approach to business mirrors his poker philosophy: understand yourself first, then read the table. His "people-first" philosophy and transparent dealings have allowed him to borrow millions on reputation alone, proving that doing the right thing isn't just moral–it's profitable.Through powerful poker analogies, Pasha explores lifetime expected value, the danger of being "blinded out" by playing it too safe, and why most people overestimate downside risk while underestimating upside potential. His story challenges us to delay gratification, invest in education, and find the right game that matches our natural strengths.Join us as we explore self-awareness, reputation building, calculated risk-taking, and why every decision should be made for the person you'll be in 10 years.0:00 Introduction6:05 ADD: From Crutch to Superpower10:14 The Power of Self-Awareness15:06 Lifetime Expected Value Thinking20:13 Working for Free: The Mentor Investment25:24 Reputation as Your Greatest Asset28:24 Don't Get Blinded Out in Life36:26 Finding Your Right Game42:00 Book Recommendations and ClosingResources Mentioned:🌐 Evoke Capital: https://www.evokecapital.net/📚 "Raising the Stakes: Professional Poker Strategies for Winning in Business and Life" by Pasha Esfandiary📚 "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill📚 "Die with Zero" by Bill Perkins