Legends of the Cue

Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson & Mike Gonzalez
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"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

  1. Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 4 (Hall of Fame, Family, and Life Beyond the Table)

    4D AGO

    Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 4 (Hall of Fame, Family, and Life Beyond the Table)

    In the final installment of this four-part conversation on Legends of the Cue, Austrian Hall of Famer Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson reflects on the closing chapters of her competitive career and the deeply personal choices that shaped the life that followed. Joined by Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson, and Mike Gonzalez, Gerda looks back on more European and Austrian titles, her 2009 straight pool success, and her final professional victory at the 2010 San Diego Classic. This episode goes far beyond the scoreline. Gerda opens up about the mental side of championship pool, from learning to quiet the mind through meditation to understanding just how much confidence, discipline, and emotional control influence performance at the highest level. She also shares one of the most meaningful transitions of her life: stepping away from full-time competition to embrace motherhood and family life. In candid and heartfelt moments, Gerda explains why leaving the tour was not a sudden decision, but a natural evolution as her priorities changed and her world expanded beyond the pool room. Listeners will also hear Gerda’s thoughts on today’s extraordinary level of women’s professional pool, her brief comeback after Hall of Fame recognition, and the immense pride she feels in being inducted into both the WPBA and BCA Hall of Fame. Along the way, there is laughter, warmth, and touching appreciation for the people who helped shape her journey—from family and mentors to close friends and fellow champions. As this remarkable life story draws to a close, Gerda answers the show’s final questions with the same grace, humility, and perspective that defined her career. It is a fitting finish to the story of a world-class player, devoted mother, and beloved ambassador for the sport. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    29 min
  2. Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 3 (Hustle, Hurricanes, and a Hall of Fame Journey)

    4D AGO

    Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 3 (Hustle, Hurricanes, and a Hall of Fame Journey)

    In Part 3 of our four-part conversation with Austrian Pool Hall of Famer Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson, the stories are as rich as the accomplishments. Gerda joins Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson, and Mike Gonzalez for a candid and often hilarious look back at one of the most memorable stretches of her career—when world-class pool, relentless practice, international travel, and lifelong friendships all came together. Gerda reflects on the challenge of balancing instinct with technique, and how exposure to Allison Fisher’s exacting approach to cueing and mechanics changed the way players across the sport thought about the game. What began as admiration for “The Duchess of Doom” also became a deeper lesson in confidence, freedom, and the psychology of performance. The conversation also revisits Gerda’s standout years on tour, including major victories in the late 1990s and her unforgettable 2000 BCA Open triumph after battling all the way back through the one-loss side. Along the way, she shares how access to the right practice environment—from Charlotte to San Francisco—helped elevate her game and sharpen her competitive edge. And then there are the road stories. From wild nights in New Orleans and missed travel plans to unforgettable trips to Japan, pool schools in Hawaii and Vancouver, and the colorful characters who populated the game’s golden era, this episode captures the spirit of women’s professional pool at its most vibrant and personal. The episode also explores Gerda’s decision to move to New York, attend NYU, and build a life beyond competition—without ever losing the drive that made her one of the game’s most respected champions. Insightful, funny, and deeply human, this chapter of Gerda’s story is a wonderful reminder that greatness in pool is built not only on titles, but on friendship, curiosity, resilience, and joy. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    29 min
  3. Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 2 (From Carinthia to California: Gerda's Leap to the WPBA)

    MAR 10

    Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 2 (From Carinthia to California: Gerda's Leap to the WPBA)

    In Part 2 of our four-part conversation with Austrian Pool Hall of Famer Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson, Gerda’s story takes a bold turn—across an ocean, into the spotlight, and straight onto the American tour. Gerda recounts how a perfectly-timed connection through Jan and the legendary Ewa Mataya Laurance opened the door to her first U.S. events in early 1993. The original plan was simple: come over, play three tournaments, stay with Ewa in between, then go home. But pool had other plans. With “zero pressure” and a completely carefree mindset, Gerda shocks everyone by winning right away—proof that sometimes the most dangerous competitor is the one with nothing to lose. From there, the episode becomes a lively time capsule of the women’s game in the early-to-mid ’90s: the long travel, the stacked fields, and the mix of welcoming professionalism… plus a few behind-the-scenes laughs (including Ewa’s “makeover mission” to help Gerda look a little more American). Gerda also shares how living in Sweden sharpened her game—and even her language skills—thanks to late-night TV and a relentless competitive scene. We dig into the practice habits that separated Gerda from the pack: drill work, score tracking, and her beloved “L-shape” pattern for precision cue-ball control. Allison adds unforgettable color, describing Gerda’s jaw-dropping specialty: razor-thin cuts with outrageous outside spin—a shot Gerda learned from Mike Massey and then made her own. The journey crescendos in 1995: Gerda moves to the U.S. full-time, navigates tour life, and captures the 9-ball World Championship in Taipei—with Allison offering a calm-the-nerves masterclass (and yes, a pre-final beer). It’s a chapter packed with breakthrough moments, honest reflection, and the real cost of greatness when expectations finally catch up. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher, Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    33 min
  4. Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 1 (The G-Force: From Austrian Foils to Pool Glory)

    MAR 10

    Gerda Hofstatter-Gregerson - Part 1 (The G-Force: From Austrian Foils to Pool Glory)

    In Part 1 of our four-part conversation, we welcome the unstoppable “G-Force”—Austrian legend Gerda Hofstätter-Gregerson—for a deep dive into the roots of a world-class competitor. Before she became a trailblazer in women’s professional pool and a WPBA & BCA Hall of Famer, Gerda was a fierce, fast-rising athlete from a small Austrian town, growing up in a bustling household with three sisters, two grandmothers, and a father who was dramatically outnumbered—but quietly influential. Gerda takes us back to an outdoorsy childhood shaped by sport, work, and family. From helping in her parents’ butcher shop to chasing soccer balls with her best friends (three boys), she built the athletic foundation that would later define her game—strong hands, sharp coordination, and an unshakable competitive edge. Then comes fencing: the lunges, the precision, the travel across Europe, and the championship mindset. Gerda explains the discipline of foil fencing, what it takes to win at the highest levels, and how close she came to an Olympic path—until pool entered the picture and changed everything. Her introduction to billiards is pure movie material: a smoky bar setting, respectful silence, finger-snapping applause, and a teenage Gerda sneaking away to practice because her father didn’t want her in a bar. That secret year turns into a rapid rise through leagues and championships, fueled by instinct, fearless confidence, and a growing support system—including the Ouschan family’s circle in Klagenfurt. Along the way, Gerda shares the early milestones: European championships, national titles (yes—17 Austrian championships), and the moment she realized: I’ll win next year. This is the origin story—where talent meets purpose, and a champion begins to take shape. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    34 min
  5. Mitch Laurance - Part 6 (A Life Well-Lived: Gratitude, Golf Getaways, and the Legacy of Mitch Laurance)

    MAR 3

    Mitch Laurance - Part 6 (A Life Well-Lived: Gratitude, Golf Getaways, and the Legacy of Mitch Laurance)

    In this moving final chapter of our six-part Legends of the Cue conversation, Mitch Laurance brings his remarkable journey full circle—through gratitude, reflection, and the relationships that have shaped a life squeezed for every ounce of meaning. Before we leave the world of pool, Mitch turns his attention to the people beside him—Allison Fisher and Mark Wilson—offering heartfelt thanks for what they’ve given the game and the players who love it. What follows is an unforgettable exchange of memories and admiration, including Allison’s vivid recollection of her early U.S. breakthrough and those “welcome to ESPN” moments that only champions can laugh about years later. Mitch also shares two of the most emotional highlights of his broadcasting career: calling championship matches featuring his wife, the legendary Ewa Mataya Laurance—an experience almost unheard of in sports commentary, and one that tested every ounce of his composure. From Boston in 1998 to a stunning Masters run years later, Mitch opens up about what it meant to sit behind the mic while the person he loved most battled for a title. Then, in true Mitch fashion, the conversation pivots—this time to golf. He takes us from frustration and burnout to discovering the joy of hickory clubs, launching Hooked on Hickories, and eventually producing hundreds of episodes across multiple golf shows. It’s a masterclass in reinvention—and finding the fun again. We wrap with our signature three questions, where Mitch’s answers are as thoughtful as they are revealing: what he’d change, what he wouldn’t, and how he hopes to be remembered. The bow on this story is simple—and powerful: kindness, love, and a life fully lived. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    31 min
  6. Mitch Laurance - Part 5 (From Hollywood to the Booth: Mitch Laurance, ESPN, and the Voices of Pool)

    MAR 3

    Mitch Laurance - Part 5 (From Hollywood to the Booth: Mitch Laurance, ESPN, and the Voices of Pool)

    In Episode 5 of our six-part life-story series with Mitch Laurance, we pick up where his improbable second act really takes flight—behind the microphone, on the biggest stage pool had at the time: ESPN. Mitch takes us back to that first broadcast, when pool commentary was still being figured out in real time… and he was, too. With the opening and closing done live and much of the commentary recorded in post, Mitch describes the surreal learning curve of watching a match like a fan—only to hear a director in his headset reminding him, “Mitch, you have to talk!” From those early WPBA broadcasts (including a memorable Robin Dodson vs. “Ewa” final) to years of working alongside top voices like Mark Wilson and Vicki Paski, Mitch shares what it’s like to grow into a role you never expected to have. The conversation opens up into the craft of commentary—how little formal guidance there was, how confidence is built on the fly, and why the best production teams are the ones you never notice. Then, in classic Legends of the Cue fashion, we detour into a wild and wonderful story: Mitch at Woodstock. He paints the scene from a 1969 Rolling Stone ad to waking up on a blanket and realizing tens of thousands had arrived while he slept—before the weekend became the muddy, mythic event we all know today. We close by looking forward: what happens to sports broadcasting when commentary moves off-site? Mitch, Allison Fisher, and Mark Wilson weigh the cost-saving trend against what you lose—atmosphere, insight, adrenaline… and authenticity. If you care about the soul of pool on television, this episode hits home. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    30 min
  7. Mitch Laurance - Part 4 (“There’s Ladies Here”: Mitch Laurance on Ava’s Orbit, Instant Family, and Accidentally Becoming ESPN’s Voice)

    FEB 24

    Mitch Laurance - Part 4 (“There’s Ladies Here”: Mitch Laurance on Ava’s Orbit, Instant Family, and Accidentally Becoming ESPN’s Voice)

    In Episode 4 of our six-part conversation with actor, producer, and longtime billiards broadcaster Mitch Laurance, the story turns on a single moment in Winston-Salem that changed everything. Mitch takes us back to 1990—sent to “go play pool” at a charity night during a golf event—only to find two tables… and two legends. On one side: Nick Varner. On the other: a Swedish star with “green laser eyes,” Ewa Mataya, already at the top of her game. Mitch hadn’t come looking for love, but one glance across the felt and the universe had other plans. What begins as trash talk and $5 racks quickly becomes hours of real conversation, the kind that feels like you’ve known someone forever. From there, the coincidences get even wilder—Seattle, the same date, two separate bookings that collide into something cosmic. Mitch shares how a lifelong bachelor at 40 suddenly finds himself reshaping every instinct, every habit, and every definition of responsibility. And then comes the biggest shift of all: Nikki, Ewa’s five-year-old daughter, meeting Mitch for the first time and delivering a line that still defines their relationship decades later. This episode also offers a fascinating window into Ewa’s rise beyond the arena—from her dominance in 1990 to the media explosion that followed, including the iconic New York Times Magazine cover—and what it felt like for Mitch to step into a world he barely understood… until he was living inside it. And just when you think the story can’t take another turn, Mitch explains how he went from “I don’t play pool” to becoming the voice guiding ESPN’s first WPBA telecasts—thanks to one unforgettable, profane push at exactly the right moment. Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    30 min
  8. Mitch Laurance - Part 3 (From Balboa to “Bula Vinaka Beachside”: Mitch Laurance on Golf, Great Actors, and the Freedom to Perform)

    FEB 24

    Mitch Laurance - Part 3 (From Balboa to “Bula Vinaka Beachside”: Mitch Laurance on Golf, Great Actors, and the Freedom to Perform)

    In Part 3 of our multi-part life-story conversation with American film and television actor—and longtime sports broadcaster—Mitch Laurance, we detour through the worlds that shaped him long before pool took center stage. Mitch takes us back to Los Angeles in the 1980s, when a persistent friend talked him into an early-morning tee time at Balboa. What happened next surprised him: not instant love for golf, but total fascination. Here was a ball sitting still on the ground… and he couldn’t hit it. That maddening mystery became an obsession—fueling lessons, practice, and a deep dive into the competitive side of the game as he chased improvement, rounds, and a lower handicap. From there, Mitch opens the door to the L.A. golf scene: the public gems like Griffith Park, Balboa, Encino, and Rancho Park, and the private clubs he came to know through celebrity events and friendships—Riviera, Bel-Air, Wilshire, Lakeside, and more. Along the way, he shares the actors and friends who became regular playing partners, including Craig T. Nelson, Andy Garcia, Chris Lemmon, and others. Then we shift from fairways to film sets as Mitch reflects on the craft of acting—what it feels like to be “in the moment,” truly free, and creating something that didn’t exist before. He also speaks candidly about impostor syndrome, awe-filled encounters with icons like Lauren Bacall and Gregory Peck, and the performance he’s most proud of—an L.A. Law episode that taught him what it meant to be “free to be good enough.” And yes… Mitch answers the question: did he ever feel famous? The answer involves an AT&T commercial, a phone booth, and one unforgettable line—“Bula Vinaka Beachside.” Give Allison, Mark & Mike some feedback via Text. Support the show Follow our show and/or leave a review/rating on: Our website: https://www.legendsofthecue.com Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/legends-of-the-cue/id1820520463 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4Za0IMh2SeNaWEGUHaVcy1 Music by Lyrium. About "Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

    32 min
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5
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

"Legends of the Cue" is a pool history podcast featuring interviews with Pool Hall of Fame members, winners of major championships and other people of influence in and around pocket billiards. We also plan to highlight memorable pool brands, events and venues. Focusing on the positive aspects of the sport, we aim to create and provide an engaging and timeless repository of content that listeners can enjoy now and forever. Co-hosted by WPA and BCA Hall of Fame member Allison Fisher,  Mosconi Cup player and captain Mark Wilson, our podcast focuses on telling the life stories of pool's greatest, in their voices. Join Allison, Mark and Mike Gonzalez for “Legends of the Cue.”

Information

  • Creator
    Allison Fisher, Mark Wilson & Mike Gonzalez
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    73
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Legends of the Cue
  • Show Website
    Legends of the Cue

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