Julian Dorey Podcast #357

Guest: Stu Feiner
Recorded: November 20, 2025
Theme: Stu Feiner Unloads — The Wild Life of a Sports Handicapping Legend: Perfect Sex Method, Life Struggles, Gambling Realities, Mafia Run-ins, 9/11’s Impact, and More

Episode Overview

Julian Dorey sits down with the Stu Feiner—sports betting icon, legendary personality, and real-life inspiration for Al Pacino’s character in Two for the Money—for an unfiltered ride through Stu’s outrageous stories, life lessons, crushing lows, astonishing highs, and powerful opinions. This episode is as much about the chaos and truths of the gambling world as it is about family, struggle, American culture, and personal growth.

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. The Infamous "15-15-30" Perfect Sex Method

(Timestamps: [00:00], [159:02], [161:30], [162:04])

Stu opens the podcast describing his “perfect hour of sex” formula—15 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and throws in raunchy instructions involving vibrators and his signature mouse-head technique.
The “15-15-30” became an unexpected cultural touchstone.
- “Girls and guys come up to me… ‘because of you, I’ve never used a vibrator; now I do. You saved our relationship, saved our lives.’” —Stu Feiner [161:30]
Even his cameo requests demand the legendary 15-15-30 speech.

2. Stu’s Unmatched Energy & People-Pleasing Philosophy

([00:42], [01:10])

From the get-go, Stu’s energy fills the room. He attributes his drive to a love of life, being a natural people pleaser, and wanting everyone to "have a good time."
- “I don’t know if it’s a fucking Jew thing or it’s something, but I love people. I really do.” —Stu Feiner [01:10]

3. Meteoric Rise & Brutal Fall in Gambling

([01:09]–[03:42], [19:36], [46:20])

Rose rapidly from teenage success to 16 years of everything turning to “gold”—then dismissed the internet revolution as a “fad” and lost everything.
Spent seven years in financial hell—unable to pay bills, mortgage, barely keeping up appearances.
This struggle forged empathy: “I don’t ever look like I’m better than anyone—because I’m not. Because one second you’re on top, next second you’re on the F and bottom.” [03:53]
Gives back regularly to the homeless as a result.

4. Surviving Depression & Suicidal Thoughts

([03:49]–[05:56])

Stu discusses years-long battles with depression; even considered suicide for his family’s financial benefit.
- “To be depressed is just brutal… But what it did is it opened up an area for me that I never experienced. And I’m a better person for it right now.” [04:48]
Developed daily meditation and gratitude rituals.

5. Early Days: Handicapping, The “Underdog System,” and Mafia Entanglements

([20:23], [24:41], [112:06]–[127:51])

Father introduced him to gambling at 12 with parlay cards and the strategy of “always bet home underdogs.”
Worked his way from marble-mouthed high-schooler to the first mainstream sports betting tout.
In the 1980s, invented the boiler room approach; 220+ staffers, nationwide ads, and later, an unwelcome partnership with the Mafia after territorial threats.
- “If you have any problems ever, I’ll take care of them… Just got out of jail, there for 17 years for killing… five people.” —Mob associate to Stu, [112:14]
Paid protection money to keep his business safe—$25,000/year and $5,000 at Christmas.
Built the “Sports Advisors” show (see [132:19]) which pioneered much of what Barstool does today.

6. Realities of Gambling—Danger, Addictiveness, Consequence

([09:37], [19:36], [13:53])

Offers brutally honest insight: most lose, some lose everything, only “the rich should gamble.”
- “Gambling and losing are equal… That’s why it’s so dangerous now that gambling is legal.” [12:38]
- “There are two types of gamblers: a loser, and a liar and a loser. Because there are no winners.” [28:55]
Warns that the house always wins, math is brutal: “You can ruin your fucking life.”

7. Generational Change & 9/11’s Deep Cultural Impact

([51:02], [67:13], [71:08])

Expresses concern that 20-to-30-year-olds are lost, entitled, “not built” for setbacks, fed a “bill of goods.”
- “They think they know the person [online]. You have no fucking idea what’s going on.” [47:33]
Cites 9/11 as the moment everything changed in America, softening even “tough love” parenting:
- “I think 911 changed everything… people first of all were very scared for the first time… I had to take a step back… do I want to just enjoy what I have?” [67:15]
Admits he went from tough enforcer to enabler as a father.

8. Dysfunctional Family, Trauma & Growth

([79:23], [86:56], [88:03])

Father: physically abusive “psychopath,” always falling short; mother: “people pleaser,” enabler who taught to hide pain and always help others first.
Endured anti-Semitic abuse as a child, becoming a "people pleaser" and class clown to fit in.
Childhood trauma fueled addictions, compulsive eating, and later, self-awareness.
- “I summed him up really quickly. Nothing ever went right for him… [my father] was a rageaholic. He was a psycho fuck.” [39:57]
- “My mother… the saint of the earth… said… ‘Howie, don’t hit him in the face or the arms, hit him in the stomach.’” [79:23]

9. Addiction & Recovery—Drugs, Food, Therapy, 12-Step Programs

([95:57], [179:46])

Launched into drugs in high school, including heavy pot and acid use, with a brother involved in selling cocaine.
- “My druggie years, full blown drugs, was 10th, 11th, 12th. That was it. Well, you got it out of the way early…” [101:43]
Food remains his “hardest drug”—ties back to his mother’s comforting through food.
Multiple 12-step groups—Overeaters, Narcotics, Gamblers Anonymous—guided his healing.
- “There’s not one day that goes by that a little bit of that [addiction] is in me and I can make a bad move.” [71:23]
- “How do you get rid of things that are killing you? …You pray for them… do writing assignments and then you burn it.” [179:22]

10. The Barstool Rebirth: Embracing Modern Audiences

([151:59], [157:13])

Resurrected after years in decline, Barstool’s Big Cat and PFT discover and mimic his 90s persona, drawing instant viral attention. Dave Portnoy reconnects Stu to a new generation via “Barstool Sports Advisors.”
- “He [Dave Portnoy] gave you this second act in life.” —Julian [166:08]
- “100%. Effectively, 100%… he literally made me… I credit Dave Portnoy for 90% of my later success. 90%.” —Stu [166:11], [167:58]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“Gambling is for the rich to have fun and lose money.” —Stu Feiner [12:38]
“There are two types of gamblers: a loser, and a liar and a loser. Because there are no winners.” —Stu Feiner [28:55]
“If you don’t have an STD, you’re not trying.” —Stu Feiner [112:14]
“Anything can be taken away in a moment. And again going back to 9/11, that really was my eye opener because I never thought that up until 9/11. The United States changed overnight and it’s never come back.” —Stu Feiner [77:25]
“Most people are not gonna like you. Where is it said that people are supposed to like you? That’s not reality.” —Stu Feiner [81:44]
“Anybody that you hate that lives in your heart… is like a cancer. You can never allow any negativity to live rent free in your head… You pray for them… and then you burn it.” —Stu Feiner [179:39]
“I would shoot someone in the head. I would take a bullet for [Dave Portnoy].” —Stu Feiner [164:27]

Notable Segments with Timestamps

Stu’s Perfect Sex Method & Mouse Head Vibrator: [00:00], [159:02]
Business Ruined by the Internet; 7-year Struggle: [01:10]–[03:42], [149:41]
Candid Talk on Suicidal Ideation: [03:49]–[05:56]
Gambling Psychology, Addiction, and Consequences: [09:37]–[20:23], [19:36], [46:20]
Mafia Run-ins & Paying for Protection: [112:06]–[127:51]
Sports Advisors: The Boiler Room Era: [132:19]
The Barstool Era & Young Audience Challenges: [157:13]–[158:44]
Discussion of 9/11’s Impact on Parenting and Culture: [67:13], [71:08]
Therapy, 12-Step, and Overcoming Trauma: [179:46], [181:14]
Two for the Money: Movie Truth and Myth: [169:03]–[177:20]

The Episode’s Underlying Message

Stu Feiner’s story is a cautionary tale and a celebration—of hustle, resilience, consequence, adaptation, and honest self-examination. From sex advice to survival through business collapse (and Mafia threats), severe depression to national TV glory, his every tale is laced with raunchy humor and sobering wisdom.

For Stu, nothing is permanent but effort and perspective:

Enjoy the highs, survive the lows.
Be transparent—especially about your failures and weaknesses.
Forgive, let go, and keep moving forward.
Whether it’s in sex, business, or life: know your limitations, but don’t be afraid to go all in.

Stu’s Links:

Picks: stufiner.com
Cameo & Merch: belikestu.com
Social: @StuFeiner (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is an electrifying snapshot of wild ambition, deep humility, and absolute authenticity. Stu Feiner truly is “one of one.”

Julian Dorey Podcast #357

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. The Infamous "15-15-30" Perfect Sex Method

(Timestamps: [00:00], [159:02], [161:30], [162:04])

Stu opens the podcast describing his “perfect hour of sex” formula—15 minutes, 15 minutes, 30 minutes, and throws in raunchy instructions involving vibrators and his signature mouse-head technique.
The “15-15-30” became an unexpected cultural touchstone.
- “Girls and guys come up to me… ‘because of you, I’ve never used a vibrator; now I do. You saved our relationship, saved our lives.’” —Stu Feiner [161:30]
Even his cameo requests demand the legendary 15-15-30 speech.

2. Stu’s Unmatched Energy & People-Pleasing Philosophy

([00:42], [01:10])

From the get-go, Stu’s energy fills the room. He attributes his drive to a love of life, being a natural people pleaser, and wanting everyone to "have a good time."
- “I don’t know if it’s a fucking Jew thing or it’s something, but I love people. I really do.” —Stu Feiner [01:10]

3. Meteoric Rise & Brutal Fall in Gambling

([01:09]–[03:42], [19:36], [46:20])

Rose rapidly from teenage success to 16 years of everything turning to “gold”—then dismissed the internet revolution as a “fad” and lost everything.
Spent seven years in financial hell—unable to pay bills, mortgage, barely keeping up appearances.
This struggle forged empathy: “I don’t ever look like I’m better than anyone—because I’m not. Because one second you’re on top, next second you’re on the F and bottom.” [03:53]
Gives back regularly to the homeless as a result.

4. Surviving Depression & Suicidal Thoughts

([03:49]–[05:56])

Stu discusses years-long battles with depression; even considered suicide for his family’s financial benefit.
- “To be depressed is just brutal… But what it did is it opened up an area for me that I never experienced. And I’m a better person for it right now.” [04:48]
Developed daily meditation and gratitude rituals.

5. Early Days: Handicapping, The “Underdog System,” and Mafia Entanglements

([20:23], [24:41], [112:06]–[127:51])

Father introduced him to gambling at 12 with parlay cards and the strategy of “always bet home underdogs.”
Worked his way from marble-mouthed high-schooler to the first mainstream sports betting tout.
In the 1980s, invented the boiler room approach; 220+ staffers, nationwide ads, and later, an unwelcome partnership with the Mafia after territorial threats.
- “If you have any problems ever, I’ll take care of them… Just got out of jail, there for 17 years for killing… five people.” —Mob associate to Stu, [112:14]
Paid protection money to keep his business safe—$25,000/year and $5,000 at Christmas.
Built the “Sports Advisors” show (see [132:19]) which pioneered much of what Barstool does today.

6. Realities of Gambling—Danger, Addictiveness, Consequence

([09:37], [19:36], [13:53])

Offers brutally honest insight: most lose, some lose everything, only “the rich should gamble.”
- “Gambling and losing are equal… That’s why it’s so dangerous now that gambling is legal.” [12:38]
- “There are two types of gamblers: a loser, and a liar and a loser. Because there are no winners.” [28:55]
Warns that the house always wins, math is brutal: “You can ruin your fucking life.”

7. Generational Change & 9/11’s Deep Cultural Impact

([51:02], [67:13], [71:08])

Expresses concern that 20-to-30-year-olds are lost, entitled, “not built” for setbacks, fed a “bill of goods.”
- “They think they know the person [online]. You have no fucking idea what’s going on.” [47:33]
Cites 9/11 as the moment everything changed in America, softening even “tough love” parenting:
- “I think 911 changed everything… people first of all were very scared for the first time… I had to take a step back… do I want to just enjoy what I have?” [67:15]
Admits he went from tough enforcer to enabler as a father.

8. Dysfunctional Family, Trauma & Growth

([79:23], [86:56], [88:03])

Father: physically abusive “psychopath,” always falling short; mother: “people pleaser,” enabler who taught to hide pain and always help others first.
Endured anti-Semitic abuse as a child, becoming a "people pleaser" and class clown to fit in.
Childhood trauma fueled addictions, compulsive eating, and later, self-awareness.
- “I summed him up really quickly. Nothing ever went right for him… [my father] was a rageaholic. He was a psycho fuck.” [39:57]
- “My mother… the saint of the earth… said… ‘Howie, don’t hit him in the face or the arms, hit him in the stomach.’” [79:23]

9. Addiction & Recovery—Drugs, Food, Therapy, 12-Step Programs

([95:57], [179:46])

Launched into drugs in high school, including heavy pot and acid use, with a brother involved in selling cocaine.
- “My druggie years, full blown drugs, was 10th, 11th, 12th. That was it. Well, you got it out of the way early…” [101:43]
Food remains his “hardest drug”—ties back to his mother’s comforting through food.
Multiple 12-step groups—Overeaters, Narcotics, Gamblers Anonymous—guided his healing.
- “There’s not one day that goes by that a little bit of that [addiction] is in me and I can make a bad move.” [71:23]
- “How do you get rid of things that are killing you? …You pray for them… do writing assignments and then you burn it.” [179:22]

10. The Barstool Rebirth: Embracing Modern Audiences

([151:59], [157:13])

Resurrected after years in decline, Barstool’s Big Cat and PFT discover and mimic his 90s persona, drawing instant viral attention. Dave Portnoy reconnects Stu to a new generation via “Barstool Sports Advisors.”
- “He [Dave Portnoy] gave you this second act in life.” —Julian [166:08]
- “100%. Effectively, 100%… he literally made me… I credit Dave Portnoy for 90% of my later success. 90%.” —Stu [166:11], [167:58]

Memorable Quotes & Moments

“Gambling is for the rich to have fun and lose money.” —Stu Feiner [12:38]
“There are two types of gamblers: a loser, and a liar and a loser. Because there are no winners.” —Stu Feiner [28:55]
“If you don’t have an STD, you’re not trying.” —Stu Feiner [112:14]
“Anything can be taken away in a moment. And again going back to 9/11, that really was my eye opener because I never thought that up until 9/11. The United States changed overnight and it’s never come back.” —Stu Feiner [77:25]
“Most people are not gonna like you. Where is it said that people are supposed to like you? That’s not reality.” —Stu Feiner [81:44]
“Anybody that you hate that lives in your heart… is like a cancer. You can never allow any negativity to live rent free in your head… You pray for them… and then you burn it.” —Stu Feiner [179:39]
“I would shoot someone in the head. I would take a bullet for [Dave Portnoy].” —Stu Feiner [164:27]

Notable Segments with Timestamps

Stu’s Perfect Sex Method & Mouse Head Vibrator: [00:00], [159:02]
Business Ruined by the Internet; 7-year Struggle: [01:10]–[03:42], [149:41]
Candid Talk on Suicidal Ideation: [03:49]–[05:56]
Gambling Psychology, Addiction, and Consequences: [09:37]–[20:23], [19:36], [46:20]
Mafia Run-ins & Paying for Protection: [112:06]–[127:51]
Sports Advisors: The Boiler Room Era: [132:19]
The Barstool Era & Young Audience Challenges: [157:13]–[158:44]
Discussion of 9/11’s Impact on Parenting and Culture: [67:13], [71:08]
Therapy, 12-Step, and Overcoming Trauma: [179:46], [181:14]
Two for the Money: Movie Truth and Myth: [169:03]–[177:20]

The Episode’s Underlying Message

For Stu, nothing is permanent but effort and perspective:

Enjoy the highs, survive the lows.
Be transparent—especially about your failures and weaknesses.
Forgive, let go, and keep moving forward.
Whether it’s in sex, business, or life: know your limitations, but don’t be afraid to go all in.

Stu’s Links:

Picks: stufiner.com
Cameo & Merch: belikestu.com
Social: @StuFeiner (Twitter, Instagram, Facebook)

For listeners and non-listeners alike, this episode is an electrifying snapshot of wild ambition, deep humility, and absolute authenticity. Stu Feiner truly is “one of one.”

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#357 - Stu Feiner UNLOADS on Perfect Sex Method, 9/11 & "The One w/ the Mouse Head

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Summary

Julian Dorey Podcast #357

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. The Infamous "15-15-30" Perfect Sex Method

2. Stu’s Unmatched Energy & People-Pleasing Philosophy

3. Meteoric Rise & Brutal Fall in Gambling

4. Surviving Depression & Suicidal Thoughts

5. Early Days: Handicapping, The “Underdog System,” and Mafia Entanglements

6. Realities of Gambling—Danger, Addictiveness, Consequence

7. Generational Change & 9/11’s Deep Cultural Impact

8. Dysfunctional Family, Trauma & Growth

9. Addiction & Recovery—Drugs, Food, Therapy, 12-Step Programs

10. The Barstool Rebirth: Embracing Modern Audiences

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Notable Segments with Timestamps

The Episode’s Underlying Message

Summary

Julian Dorey Podcast #357

Episode Overview

Key Topics & Takeaways

1. The Infamous "15-15-30" Perfect Sex Method

2. Stu’s Unmatched Energy & People-Pleasing Philosophy

3. Meteoric Rise & Brutal Fall in Gambling

4. Surviving Depression & Suicidal Thoughts

5. Early Days: Handicapping, The “Underdog System,” and Mafia Entanglements

6. Realities of Gambling—Danger, Addictiveness, Consequence

7. Generational Change & 9/11’s Deep Cultural Impact

8. Dysfunctional Family, Trauma & Growth

9. Addiction & Recovery—Drugs, Food, Therapy, 12-Step Programs

10. The Barstool Rebirth: Embracing Modern Audiences

Memorable Quotes & Moments

Notable Segments with Timestamps

The Episode’s Underlying Message