Episode description

Writer, director, and star of the hit film Poolhall Junkies, Mars Callahan is currently in pre production for the movie's sequel, Poker Junkies. Inspired by the sweeping popularity of Texas Hold’em tournaments and the ever growing World Series of Poker, held in Las Vegas each year, Mars Callahan tells the story of an unknown card player who wants to take on the biggest names in the poker world. Struggling to raise the WSOP tournament buy-in fee of $10,000, Mars Callahan’s characters are taken on a tour of high stakes games from the top clubs to the back room. True to a long tradition of directors assuming small roles in their own films, Mars Callahan has appeared in each of his movies. While he starred in Poolhall Junkies, he originally intended to play the role of Joe, the younger brother. However, after a long delay, Callahan felt he no longer fit the younger brother role, and assumed the lead role of Johnny. Fascinatingly, no special effects were included in the filming of Poolhall Junkies, as Mars Callahan is a pool enthusiast and longtime player. For Poker Junkies, Callahan again wrote about a beloved hobby of his. To write a better script and accurately portray the poker world, Mars Callahan recently entered the World Series of Poker Tournament, placing 94th out of thousands of players.

In this episode, Mars and Brad discuss Mars’ story, evolution, his film career, and how his childhood became a reality from then to now. 

00:00 Intro

01:24 Mars’ background and family

06:14 “I wanna do the thing that makes my Mom smile.” - Mars Callahan

13:00 The value films bring to Mars

17:25 The craft of writing

19:10 Christopher Walken

20:34 When someone 30 years in the movie industry endorses you

22:00 Manifestation

30:00 Jazz and filmmaking

34:40 “The act of searching kept me alive.” - Mars Callahan

40:20 Loving people who may have done something terrible. Rehabilitation versus punishment.

41:40 Shout out to George Clooney

44:00 “You can either make life or be made by life.” - Mars Callahan

50:00 Why storytelling is so important

57:00 Mars’ new show

01:03:00 Billions meets The Godfather

01:05:00 Crypto Coins

01:14:00 Fear instilled

01:18:00 Show is launched! Check out https://www.veuit.com

01:24:00 “Everyone has a lion inside of them.” - Mars Callahan