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Why Poker Makes You a Better Thinker - Annie Duke on Decision Science

About the guest:
Annie Duke is a decision strategist, author, and former professional poker player known for her expertise in cognitive science and decision-making under uncertainty. Originally pursuing a PhD at the University of Pennsylvania, she shifted paths due to illness and went on to win a World Series of Poker championship, eventually becoming one of the most successful female players in the game’s history. Leveraging her background in cognitive science and poker, Annie transitioned into writing, speaking, and consulting, authoring acclaimed books such as Thinking in Bets, How to Decide, and Quit. She is also the co-founder of the Alliance for Decision Education, advocating for better thinking skills in K–12 education. Annie’s work bridges rigorous research with practical frameworks for better decisions in life and business.

Connect with Annie! https://x.com/annieduke?lang=en
Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction & Life Pivot
03:38 Entering the Poker World
06:08 The Bridge Between Poker & Cognitive Science
09:00 Decision Education & Career Evolution
10:59 Forecasting in Personal Decisions
14:24 Qualitative vs. Quantitative Thinking
18:12 The Danger of “Going With Your Gut”
23:12 Aligning Internal & External Perspectives
25:48 Defining Terms & Clarifying Assumptions
34:01 The Myth of Mysticism in Decision-Making
40:43 Experience vs. Explicit Models
53:40 Closing Thoughts on Self-Improvement

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About the guest:
Luke Thorburg is a digital advertising specialist and the founder of Thordigi Media, a firm dedicated to scaling businesses through strategic use of Facebook, TikTok, and Google Ads. Holding a data-focused master's degree from Saint Louis University, Luke applies analytical rigor to optimize advertising campaigns. His expertise lies in crafting data-driven strategies that drive growth across multiple industries.

Connect with Luke! https://www.instagram.com/lukethorburg/
Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/

Chapters:
00:00 The AI Wild West
01:23 Rise of AI Integrators
02:10 $20M AI-Run Service Business
04:22 Mass AI Adoption & Internet Comparisons
06:22 Misuse and Gimmicks in AI Adoption
07:06 The Untapped Opportunity: LLM SEO
09:01 Agency Origins and Iteration
13:03 Offers, Niching, and Client Targeting
20:02 Brute Force Cold Outreach Tactics
26:08 From Cold Start to Scalable Momentum
29:49 AI, Personal Brands, and The Future of Work
36:46 Building 7-Figure Brands with Automation
43:00 Do the Unscalable to Become Scalable
50:03 Playing the Long Game with Clients
54:02 Digital Education: WAP, School, and the New University

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https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/
https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala

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The $100M Story Behind HydroFlask - Travis Rosbach

About the guest:
Travis Rosbach is an entrepreneur, inventor, and the founder of Hydro Flask, the award-winning reusable water bottle company that redefined the drinkware industry. Prior to launching Hydro Flask, Rosbach worked as a boat captain, scuba diving instructor, and commercial airline pilot, bringing a diverse and adventurous background to his business ventures. After exiting Hydro Flask, he founded the Tumalo Group, where he now advises startups and entrepreneurs across various sectors. Known for his practical mindset and passion for sustainability, Rosbach continues to influence product innovation and conscious entrepreneurship globally.

Connect with Travis! https://www.linkedin.com/in/travisrosbach/
Connect with Ryan! https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala
Connect with Us! https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/

Chapters:
0:00 – The Renaissance Entrepreneur
3:30 – How Hydro Flask Was Born
8:30 – Going All-In: The China Gamble
12:30 – Resilience and Risk in Business
17:00 – From Farmer’s Markets to 100,000+ Units a Month
26:30 – The Cost of Scaling
33:00 – Stepping Away: Exit and Identity
37:00 – The Kundalini Awakening
43:00 – True Fulfillment vs Fake Success
51:00 – Learning, Books & AI Wisdom
59:00 – Final Wisdom & Book Gift

Connect with Us!
https://www.instagram.com/alchemists.library/
https://twitter.com/RyanJAyala