Podcasts about Gamblers Anonymous

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. Round 11 throws up questions across the ladder. Can the Roosters outmuscle the top-ranked Bulldogs after a week off? Are the Sharks set to make a statement against a red-hot Storm outfit? And is it all over for the Dragons if they can’t fire at Suncorp? We'll go through our picks for this round and also our State of Origin team predictions! One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. Origin auditions heat up, surprise table-toppers collide, and Souths v Broncos is a must-win in a round full of storylines. The boys are asking the real questions... what's the deal with Teddy's bum? One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. It's Magic Round, baby, and the air around Brisbane city is, well, MAGIC. So the boys are feeling lucky. It's going to be a huge weekend with the Broncos seeking redemption against the Panthers. Can they get some dollar bills back in their pockets? One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Adrian is in his 30's and has been in Gamblers Anonymous for five years. He discusses how his gambling progressed from sports betting with the help of older kids at 13 years old, underage horse punting at TABs with school friends to becoming a serious problem in his life before he turned 18. It affected Adrian's school and personal life and mixing betting and drinking soon made his situation much worse.  He found recovery in Gamblers Anonymous after debt collectors contacted his parents and exposed his gambling addiction. He has now built a contented life without needing to gamble. GA helped Adrian to understand and overcome his addiction to gambling through the 12 Steps of recovery and he is keen to share his experience with other young problem gamblers.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.You can also listen to Adrian's earlier podcast: https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode/gamblers-anonymous-adrian-08jun2023Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. This week the boys discuss round 6!! Kicking off with the Panthers under pressure and the Dolphins on the rise. Can Penrith snap their losing streak without Mitch Kenny? One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In today's media, it is impossible not to see an ad for the latest gambling service. If you don't already know, gambling is risking money or something of value on an event with an unknown outcome and can be done both online and in-person, on anything from slot machines to a sports game. While it may seem fun to win some money on something, gambling comes with a bunch of risks, and it's not just losing money.    Links: If you or someone you know might struggle with gambling visit https://www.nhproblemgambling.org/ for information and resources Explore psychology resources and therapy services on Psychology Today's website Explore Gamblers Anonymous website for resources and services Check out TCU University for financial education tips and resources! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter! Learn more about Triangle Credit Union  Transcript: Welcome to Money Tip Tuesday from the Making Money Personal podcast.      If you decide to gamble, it is very important to gamble safely. Before you try your luck, consider setting some guidelines to stick to. Limit how much you want to gamble, and don't exceed that limit. If you have the unfortunate experience of losing all the money you set aside to gamble, walk away. Don't put any more money down to chase a win. If you decide to gamble, keep it in a social setting with supportive friends who can help you stick to your plan. Also, try to avoid excessive alcohol and drug use while gambling, as that might influence you to make rash decisions and gamble more.    While most people who have placed a bet have done so without problems, some have gone on to develop a gambling addiction.  The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, which is a diagnostic tool published by the American Psychiatric Association, classifies gambling problems as an addictive disorder. Similarly to drugs and alcohol, a gambling addiction involves an increased tolerance that results in the feeling of gambling even more to feel satisfied. People with a gambling addiction who try to quit will go through similar withdrawal symptoms, such as an urge to gamble and irritability.     With unchecked gambling issues, it can quickly turn from a fun way to win or lose money to costing you a fortune, going into debt, mental health issues, and even bringing harm to your friends and family. The first part is obvious: the more you gamble, the more likely you will lose more and more money. Watching your finances go down the drain will impact your mental health. Often when this happens, a gambling addict will keep going back in an attempt to win their money back. This spiraling behavior can strain your loved ones, especially your family or people who might rely on you.    An estimated 0.4% to 2% of the world's population has a gambling addiction. You are more likely to develop a gambling addiction if you have any other addictions or have a psychiatric condition. For example, an estimated 4% of people treated for substance abuse also have a gambling addiction. A lower income is also linked to having a gambling addiction, as people are looking for a big win to give them a step up.    If you believe you may have a gambling problem or addiction, there are options to help you. Going to therapy is a significant first step. Many therapists are knowledgeable about gambling addictions and trained to help you overcome them. You can visit psychologytoday.com to find the right therapist for you. There are also support groups like Gamblers Anonymous, where you can talk to other people with gambling problems and share experiences.    Gambling can be fun, but it's risky. Please play responsibly.    If there are any other tips or topics you'd like us to cover, let us know at tcupodcast@trianglecu.org. Also, remember to like and follow our Making Money Personal Facebook and Instagram to share your thoughts. Finally, remember to look for our sponsor, Triangle Credit Union, on Facebook and LinkedIn.           Thanks for listening to today's Money Tip Tuesday. Check out our other tips and episodes on the Making Money Personal podcast.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! Round 5 of the 2025 NRL season brings high-stakes clashes, including the Rabbitohs vs. Roosters rivalry, Nathan Cleary’s return for the Panthers, and the Broncos’ home advantage against the Tigers. Injuries could hinder the Sharks, while the Storm and Sea Eagles face off in a tightly contested battle. With shifting lineups and unpredictable outcomes, this round promises drama, upsets, and season-defining performances. *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. This week the boys dip back into their pockets after a few 'bugger ups' (gamble responsibly). Surprisingly, they're still leading in the office footy comp. It's also a big week in Brisvegas as the Broncos and the Dolphins battle it out for claim over the city! One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. This week the boys FINALLY have an intro... brace yourselves & they're talking about Corey having his farewell walkout at Suncorp it's Friday! One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tuesday night is ‘Gamblers Anonymous'; taking place within a community centre in an old forgotten pit village. Paul, an ex-miner runs the group along with Glenn, a tall man with a short temper. Clive has found himself amongst them on the advice of his solicitor, and Adam? Well, Adam isn't sure if he wants to be there at all… However, tonight their meeting is disrupted by a new member and before the week is over, the group will find themselves having to come to terms with what they believe about their addiction and themselves… UPDATE: The stageplay script for this production has won a award at the ‘New York Screenplay Competition'! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tuesday night is ‘Gamblers Anonymous'; taking place within a community centre in an old forgotten pit village. Paul, an ex-miner runs the group along with Glenn, a tall man with a short temper. Clive has found himself amongst them on the advice of his solicitor, and Adam? Well, Adam isn't sure if he wants to be there at all… However, tonight their meeting is disrupted by a new member and before the week is over, the group will find themselves having to come to terms with what they believe about their addiction and themselves… UPDATE: The stageplay script for this production has won a award at the ‘New York Screenplay Competition'! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. Kip Wightman & Corey Oates are recording from the eye of the storm this week, discussing the rest of NRL round 1. While SEQ is wet and windy, it's still set to be a huge weekend of footy around the rest of the country. One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to On The Punt With Corey Oates & Kip Wightman! Join them as they go through their weekly punts*. It's NRL round 1 baby and the boys are chatting the Las Vegas Round! This time last year, Corey Oates was in Vegas playing for the Brisbane Broncos and Kip was in Vegas enjoying the free poured spirits. This time around they're behind the mics giving their insight into the first round of the 2025 NRL season! One The Punt episodes will be released weekly, so make sure you follow us wherever you get your podcasts to stay up to date! *This is not financial advice ************** Gambling Helpline (1800 858 858) is a free, confidential help service which operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week offering information and assistance over the phone including crisis support and referral to the nearest Gambling Help service for face-to-face counselling. Other services (available 24 hours): Gamblers Anonymous 0467 655 799 Lifeline 13 11 14See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tim shares his story of developing a gambling habit through underage gambling on poker machines as part of social activity with family and friends.  He always had some anxiety and when he discovered alcohol relieved it his drinking began in earnest.  Tim's drinking and then drug use increased in his late teens when he went overseas and was working in hospitality. He had a nervous breakdown in his early twenties but was not yet ready to stop drinking until his life was a mess about 5 years later.Tim went to AA meetings in his late twenties, and it helped him to straighten out most of his problems, but he found that his social gambling was now becoming more of an obsession and difficult to control. His finances were getting out of control and after 10 years in AA, Tim found his way to Gamblers Anonymous and now he has nearly 10 years without gambling.Even then, with the help of AA and GA, Tim realized that his underlying mental health issues were a major contributor to his behaviour and sought professional help. With proper medication Tim's now able to live in the day fully.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Alcoholics Anonymous: phone 1300 222 222 or check out their website aa.org.auNarcotics Anonymous: call 1300 652 820 or go online at na.org.auShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Merian - Like This Sky Loves Moon [https://amrap.org.au/track/merian-like-this-sky-loves-moon]Nasman Donovan - Ultraviolet (Feel It Again) [https://amrap.org.au/release/nasman-donovan-ultraviolet-feel-it-again] Emma Trenorden - Resurrection Fern & Radical RE [https://amrap.org.au/track/emma-trenorden-resurrection-fern & https://amrap.org.au/track/emma-trenorden-radical-re-1]

Heads-up: We're on vacation for the next two-weeks starting Monday (12/23); audio podcasts will be available on iTunes, Spotify, and a host of other audio platforms. Check our website, www.realinvestmentadvice.com for complete links.  Rich & Danny's final live show of the year starts with coverage of Tariffs, inflation vs deflation, and Jerome Powell's performance as Fed Head. Being cautiously optimistic: We've been living in a government-driven economy: Markets aren't red or blue; they're green. How estate planning may evolved during the Trump presidency; will the SALT deduction return? Debt focus will change perspective. Richard discovers the NOK Box for estate planning. Investing addicts attending Gamblers Anonymous: investings vs speculating. Creating a financial plan in 2025; retirement & taking Social Security early vs not. Why you cannot start and stop SS anymore. Strategies for drawing on retirement funds before taking Social Security; what is your legacy intent? Pensions vs Social Security; the Art of Financial Planning and income for retirement. SEG-1: Who's the Worst Fed Head Now? SEG-2: Estate Tax Planning in a Trump Presidency SEG-3: Investing Addicts & Market Speculation SEG-4: Starting & Stopping Social Security vs Pensions Hosted by RIA Advisors Director of Financial Planning, Richard Rosso, CFP, w Senior Financial Advisor Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch today's show video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAIudzT9gQ&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=7s ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "Global Conditions Portend A Catch-Down In America" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/global-conditions-portend-a-catch-down-in-america/ "Permabull? Hardly." https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/permabull-hardly/ "Trump Election Sends NFIB Optimism Surging" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/trump-election-sends-nfib-optimism-surging/ ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "The Fed is Never Right," is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h87m6yGM_M8&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- Our previous show is here: "Did the Fed Steal Christmas?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ21RSDn14&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=3s ------- Get more info & commentary:  https://realinvestmentadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #TrumpTaxPolicy #Election2024Taxes #TaxPlanningTips #TrumpWinImpact #FinancialFreedom #FederalReserve #HolidaySpending2024 #ChristmasEconomy #InterestRatesImpact #EconomicOutlook #RetirementPlanning #InvestmentStrategy #StocksForRetirement #FinancialIndependence #PortfolioManagement #StockMarket2024 #MarketVolatility #InvestorInsights #BullOrBear #Microstrategies #SP100 #OilPrices #SlowingEconomy #EconomicGrowth #SmallBusinessOptimism #NFIBReport #EconomicTrends #BusinessConfidence #FinancialTalk #InvestingAdvice #Money #Investing

P.M. Edition for Dec. 20. For a growing number of men, what started as an interest in meme stocks or crypto has turned into a gambling addiction. WSJ markets reporter Gunjan Banerji went to Gamblers Anonymous meetings to understand more. And U.S. lawmakers are racing to avoid a government shutdown at midnight. Katy Stech Ferek, who covers Congress for The Wall Street Journal, gives us her read from the Hill. Plus, at least two people were killed and more than 60 wounded in an attack at a Christmas market in eastern Germany. You can follow the developing story on wsj.com. Alex Ossola hosts. Sign up for the WSJ's free What's News newsletter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heads-up: We're on vacation for the next two-weeks starting Monday (12/23); audio podcasts will be available on iTunes, Spotify, and a host of other audio platforms. Check our website, www.realinvestmentadvice.com for complete links.  Rich & Danny's final live show of the year starts with coverage of Tariffs, inflation vs deflation, and Jerome Powell's performance as Fed Head. Being cautiously optimistic: We've been living in a government-driven economy: Markets aren't red or blue; they're green. How estate planning may evovled during the Trump presidency; will the SALT deduction return? Debt focus will change perspective. Richard discovers the NOK Box for estate planning. Investing addicts attending Gamblers Anonymous: investings vs speculating. Creating a financial plan in 2025; retirement & taking Social Security early vs not. Why you cannot start and stop SS anymore. Strategies for drawing on retirement funds before taking Social Security; what is your legacy intent? Pensions vs Social Security; the Art of Financial Planning and income for retirement. SEG-1: Who's the Worst Fed Head Now? SEG-2: Estate Tax Planning in a Trump Presidency SEG-3: Investing Addicts & Market Speculation SEG-4: Starting & Stopping Social Security vs Pensions Hosted by RIA Advisors Director of Financial Planning, Richard Rosso, CFP, w Senior Financial Advisor Danny Ratliff, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch today's show video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwAIudzT9gQ&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=7s ------- Articles mentioned in this report: "Global Conditions Portend A Catch-Down In America" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/global-conditions-portend-a-catch-down-in-america/ "Permabull? Hardly." https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/permabull-hardly/ "Trump Election Sends NFIB Optimism Surging" https://realinvestmentadvice.com/resources/blog/trump-election-sends-nfib-optimism-surging/ ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "The Fed is Never Right," is here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h87m6yGM_M8&list=PLwNgo56zE4RAbkqxgdj-8GOvjZTp9_Zlz&index=1 ------- Our previous show is here: "Did the Fed Steal Christmas?" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjZ21RSDn14&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=3s ------- Get more info & commentary:  https://realinvestmentadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #TrumpTaxPolicy #Election2024Taxes #TaxPlanningTips #TrumpWinImpact #FinancialFreedom #FederalReserve #HolidaySpending2024 #ChristmasEconomy #InterestRatesImpact #EconomicOutlook #RetirementPlanning #InvestmentStrategy #StocksForRetirement #FinancialIndependence #PortfolioManagement #StockMarket2024 #MarketVolatility #InvestorInsights #BullOrBear #Microstrategies #SP100 #OilPrices #SlowingEconomy #EconomicGrowth #SmallBusinessOptimism #NFIBReport #EconomicTrends #BusinessConfidence #FinancialTalk #InvestingAdvice #Money #Investing

Text and Be HeardMatt bravely joins us on the 1% in Recovery podcast to share his raw and emotional journey as a parent confronted with his son's gambling addiction. What happens when the secretive nature of gambling begins to unravel the fabric of a family? Matt's story paints a vivid picture of the initial shock, grief, and overwhelming fear when confronting a problem they never imagined facing. As he and his wife grapple with the layers of financial and emotional complexity, their experiences shed light on the hidden battles many families endure, offering hope and insight for those in similar situations.Understanding addiction is a daunting task, especially when compounded by societal stigma and the manipulative nature of gambling advertising. Matt discusses the transformative power of support groups, emphasizing the sanctuary they provide for families to share and learn. These gatherings are likened to a lifeline, where families can engage in open communication and break free from isolation. The parallels drawn between gambling and substance addiction reveal a shared struggle, highlighting the importance of recognizing the traps set by gambling's enticing facade.As we journey through the process of recovery, the significance of family unity and finding support emerges as a beacon of hope. Matt recounts the healing power of a family vacation to Yellowstone, where nature's embrace fostered reconnection and strength. Despite the challenges of navigating the Gamblers Anonymous community, the perseverance through setbacks and the commitment to progress over perfection provide a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. By embracing support networks, families can not only find solace but also the opportunity to inspire and uplift others on their recovery path.Support the showRecovery is Beautiful. Go Live Your Best Life!!Facebook Group - Recovery Freedom Circle | FacebookYour EQ is Your IQYouTube - Life Is Wonderful Hugo VRecovery Freedom CircleThe System That Understands Recovery, Builds Character and Helps People Have Better Relationships.A Life Changing Solution, Saves You Time, 18 weekswww.lifeiswonderful.love Instagram - Lifeiswonderful.LoveTikTok - Lifeiswonderful.LovePinterest - Lifeiswonderful.LoveTwitter - LifeWonderLoveLinkedIn - Hugo Vrsalovic Life Is Wonderful.Love

In this episode, Niall explores the challenges of living with a gambling addict, asking, Can a gambler be trusted again? The conversation is inspired by an emotional email from a listener whose husband relapsed into gambling and lost their Christmas savings. With three young children and a history of broken promises, she wonders whether to give him another chance or end the marriage for the sake of her family.Some callers argue that gambling destroys families and that this listener has already gone above and beyond by giving her husband multiple chances. They believe the trust is irreparably broken and that she should focus on protecting her children and her own well-being rather than trying to save someone who isn't willing to change.Other callers emphasize that addiction is a disease and that her husband needs professional help, not abandonment. They suggest that if he's genuinely willing to seek counseling or attend Gamblers Anonymous, she should consider working with him to rebuild trust for the sake of their family.Niall wraps up by reflecting on the complexities of addiction, trust, and forgiveness, acknowledging the difficult choices faced by families in such situations.

This is a replay of an early interview recorded remotely in the Covid-19 era in April 2020, as we struggled with new technology to keep the show on-air.Drew started gambling in his mid-teens, starting out with a small bet on a horse, graduated to other sporting events and eventually it snowballed into gambling on virtually anything. He started gambling to fill a void in his life and it seeped into every aspect of his life and he was unable to separate gambling from his work, family and social activities. Drew started looking for help when he got found out by his mum and she recommended that he seek treatment. He found help and understanding in Gamblers Anonymous but recovery didn't come easily. He has been in and out of GA a few times and now realizes that he can't do it alone without the help of his GA friends.If you're having trouble with gambling, or has a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.You can show your support to the Living Free show and keep us on air by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand/or donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/).

Are you looking to deepen your understanding of the AA 12-Step Program and peer support in addiction recovery? You've found the perfect video! In this engaging chat, I sit down with Jesse Ball to uncover the transformative power of peer support and the truths behind the AA 12-Step Program.We dive right in by explaining the fundamental structure of Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-Step groups like Narcotics Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous, and so on, breaking down the processes that make these meetings so effective. Our conversation tackles common objections, debunking the myth that the 12-Step Program is a cult and addressing concerns around spirituality and belief systems.As a bonus, Jesse shares his own journey from addiction to becoming a recovery support worker, highlighting the significance of having a sponsor to guide you through the 12 steps. Whether you're skeptical about needing a sponsor or simply curious about how to choose one, this video answers all your questions.So, if you're in recovery, considering joining a peer support group, or just eager to learn more about the AA 12-Step Program, hit play and join us on this enlightening journey!Bullet PointsPeer support groups like Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and their variants are essential for recovery, offering a structured twelve-step program based on spiritual principles.The twelve-step philosophy holds that human willpower alone cannot overcome addiction, emphasizing a spiritual approach to recovery.Common criticisms of the twelve-step program include perceptions of it being a cult; however, the program is decentralised and members can leave freely at any time.Sponsors within these programs guide newcomers through the twelve steps, and selecting a sponsor involves finding someone you understand and can connect with, often recommended to have at least one year of sobriety.The actual work and transformation in the twelve-step program happen largely outside meetings, through the guidance of sponsors who help members adopt new ways of thinking.

Karl spent his childhood looking forward to growing up so that he could enjoy the social life his parents enjoyed with lots of drinking and gambling. Neither Karl nor his parents considered drinking and gambling to be dangerous, but for Karl, who won a substantial amount of money at his first poker game as a young teenager, gambling, drinking and drug use soon became problematic. He entered re-hab, mainly for his substance abuse, and found it helpful, but it was only after his gambling robbed him of hope and he entered a re-hab program where problem gambling was addressed, that he found the lasting help of GA. Now clean, sober and free of the compulsion to gamble, Karl is making amends for the past and helping people still struggling with their addictions. The Living Free show may involve discussion of topics such as suicide, mental illness, self-harm and family violence. Please practise self-care and care of others when listening. If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate

NOW WHY IS WANDA MAXIMOFF IN IT?! Season 3, episode 4 of Industry on HBO was everything I needed it to be. I was weary because I'm not always a fan of episodes that deviated from the main storyline to tell a side story. But this show did it perfectly, and I'm not mad at it AT ALL! RISHI HIVE STAND UP! WE OUTCHEA!   WANT TO WISH ME A HAPPY BIRTHDAY?! HERE ARE A FEW WAYS! SEND ME A CASHAPP! $KendrickTucker SEND ME A VENMO! @Kendrick-Tucker-1 LEAVE A 5-STAR RATING AND REVIEW! OR SEND ME A NICE MESSAGE ON INSTAGRAM! @withkendricktucker   *** HEY! Some of you have asked how you can show your appreciation for all the content provided by your mama's favorite Black geek. How about you buy me a beer/coffee? CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT! ***   SPONSORED BY: FACTOR! Head to factormeals.com/kendrick50 and use code KENDRICK50 to get 50% off your first box, PLUS 20% off your next month.   New episodes of “I Ken Not with Kendrick Tucker” are released weekly!   DON'T FORGET TO SUBSCRIBE, RATE, AND REVIEW! I LOVE 5 STARS! EMAIL ME AT IKENNOTPODCAST@GMAIL.COM! FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Welcome to Cori's Favorite Episodes Series! For a week or two every day, you'll be getting a rerelease of an episode that Cori feels can help someone out there if you share. So please enjoy and share!Is there a question you've been wanting to ask God?  Does He answer you?  And is it SO clear you know the answer came from Him??  Today you'll meet Sandy Hudson who shares her story about God answering her.Reach Out to Me:Website: www.dontignorethenudge.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/dontignorethenudgeIG: @dontignorethenudgepodcastPrivate FB group to WATCH interviews: www.dontignorethenudge.com/facebook__________________________________________________________________________________________Business/Personal Coaching with Cori:www.corifreeman.com(951) 923-2674

Robert shares his story of developing a gambling habit through underage gambling on poker machines with sports club teammates between training sessions. A country kid with a happy homelife growing up and a talent for sports, he had no family background in gambling or other addictions.  Gambling consolidated in his late teens and by his early twenties Robert realized that he had a gambling problem, expanding to horses as well and finding it harder to hide so he began isolating while gambling.Robert sought help from Gamblers Anonymous early on but was only there for others, not himself. He eventually got serious with GA but found it difficult initially to stay stopped. Robert had a long period of abstinence from gambling but drifted away from GA and spent some years gambling before it became untenable again.  Back to GA with enthusiasm and now he has had over 280 days without gambling.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Cassidy-Rae - Good Vibes [https://amrap.org.au/track/cassidy-rae-good-vibes-1]Karen Law - Free Again [https://amrap.org.au/release/karen-law-free-again] Mat Brooker - Montaña Roja [https://amrap.org.au/track/mat-brooker-montana-roja]

Q: How important is AA?A: Alcoholics Anonymous is the world's largest support group with 115,000 chapters worldwide and an estimated membership of over two million. Moreover, it is endorsed by the National Institute of Drug Abuse (NIDA) as an accepted evidence-based behavioural therapy. It carries much weight among many practitioners and treatment centres and is often recommended by therapists to help alcoholics take the next step in their recovery following front-line treatment.AA is the pioneer of 12-step programs all over the world. From it stem over 30 other 12-step programs, including Al-Anon, a support group for families, Narcotics Anonymous, Debtors Anonymous, Cocaine Anonymous, Gamblers Anonymous and 26 other programs dedicated to helping people overcome addictive disorders of one kind or another.

Well, it's been a big year since our last Radiothon, and this time Mitch could also join us to amp up the volume for this year's show. Thanks to your generous support, by the end of the show, we had managed to raise $2,095 out of our target of $2,500. If you would like to support Living Free and 3CR then go to https://www.3cr.org.au/donate to see how you can donate.Thanks also to our guests on the show over the last 12 months from:Al-Anon Family Groups https://al-anon.org.au/Gamblers Anonymous https://gaaustralia.org.au/get-in-touch/Alcoholics Anonymous https://aa.org.au/Overeaters Anonymous https://www.oa.org.au/Debtors Anonymous https://www.debtorsanonymous.org.au/Galiamble https://ngwala.org.au/recovery-centres/SMART Recovery https://smartrecoveryaustralia.com.au/Our weekly podcasts are also available online or for shows up to the end of 2023: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1X7BFvzvQJIO4k2_jB3FxU1YN3zekK4Fh/view?usp=sharingMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (amrap.org.au):Anirban Jee        How To Be You [https://amrap.org.au/track/anirban-jee-how-to-be-you]Ash Morse          Don't Go [https://amrap.org.au/track/ash-morse-family-ties-dont-go-1]

Tawny and Lisa talk to Steve Rose, an addiction counselor specializing in gambling addiction, with a Ph.D in sociology. Tune in for a fascinating conversation about how gambling addiction is on the rise. This trend is closely linked to broader addictive behaviors such as smartphone and social media usage, which draw on many of the same psychological mechanisms. They talk about what gambling addiction is, how to spot it in yourself or someone else, what recovery looks like, and more. Music Minute features The Growlers hip hop and lofi hip hop. Find Steve on his website and his podcast, Pros & Concepts  Check out The Age of Addiction by David Courtwright Find support at Gamblers Anonymous,  Internet Addictions Anonymous, and  Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous  Order Tawny's book, DRY HUMPING: A Guide to Dating, Relating, and Hooking Up Without the Booze Sign up for "Beyond Liquid Courage" Order Tawny's new NA drink, (parentheses) Purchase Lisa's memoir, Girl Walks Out of a Bar

Angelo shares his story of developing a gambling habit through his family's interest in betting on horse racing. Sitting with his dad on Saturday afternoons placing bets and listening to the races moved from a social pleasure into a full-blown obsession that led to compulsive gambling from his late teens. Gambling soaked up all of Angelo's spare cash and meant that although he had a good income, he and his family just got by on the basics. Gambling eventually led Angelo into significant debt, and he realized that there was no way that he could work his way out of it. He was fortunate to initially contact with Gamblers Anonymous, and taking recovery seriously from the start he was able to break his dependence on gambling.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Ray Ramon - Move Your Body [https://amrap.org.au/release/ray-ramon-move-your-body] @13:44Madison Daniel - NIRVANA [https://amrap.org.au/release/madison-daniel-nirvana] @34:44Mark Howard    - Scarlette [https://amrap.org.au/release/mark-howard-scarlette] @56:20

Zak and Jules answer all your burning questions about prison and beyond. They tackle questions about what they would change about the prison system, and also break down the subject of what they spent time in prison for themselves. Zak and Jules also get stuck into some jail based dilemmas that people have shared with them from behind the prison door.  Later we hear about the dilemmas Zak and Jules have faced since their release from prison.  This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube.  Useful organisations:  Aquarius https://aquarius.org.uk/our-services/adult-services/gambling/  Gamcare https://www.gamcare.org.uk/  National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133  Gamblers Anonymous https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/  Reframe Coaching https://www.reframecoaching.org.uk/  NHS Gambling Clinics https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/  Partners of Prisoners https://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk/  PACT https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/  Prisoners Families Helpline 0808 808 2003  National Prison Radio Family and Friends Request Show https://prison.radio/national-prison-radio/#songrequest  This season we want to hear what you think about Life After Prison, by completing this short survey https://forms.gle/de9a94MM3i3sujmC8   The feedback we collect from you guys, the Life After Prison community, will help us to make Life After Prison the best that it can be for everyone.    It should take around 5 minutes to complete and your responses will be stored anonymously, and only used for the purposes that we've outlined.    We really appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey. Thank you!!    Contact us:  If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us. 

Ben Jones and Steve Girling both spent time in prison as a result of gambling. In part 1 of this interview they talk to Zak and Jules about how their gambling addiction led them to stealing money from their employers and ending up in jail.  Almost a quarter of people in prison have reported having a gambling problem. Ben and Steve present the National Prison Radio show about gambling harm Hold or Fold offering advice and guidance to people whose lives have been impacted by gambling.  This podcast is also available as a video – just search Life After Prison on YouTube. Useful organisations: Aquarius https://aquarius.org.uk/our-services/adult-services/gambling/ Gamcare https://www.gamcare.org.uk/ National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133 Gamblers Anonymous https://www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk/ Reframe Coaching https://www.reframecoaching.org.uk/ NHS Gambling Clinics https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/gambling-addiction/ Partners of Prisoners https://www.partnersofprisoners.co.uk/ PACT https://www.prisonadvice.org.uk/ Prisoners Families Helpline 0808 808 2003 National Prison Radio Family and Friends Request Show https://prison.radio/national-prison-radio/#songrequest This season we want to hear what you think about Life After Prison, by completing this short survey https://forms.gle/de9a94MM3i3sujmC8 The feedback we collect from you guys, the Life After Prison community will help us to make Life After Prison the best that it can be for everyone.  It should take around 5 minutes to complete and your responses will be stored anonymously, and only used for the purposes that we've outlined.  We really appreciate you taking the time to complete this survey. Thank you!! Contact us: If anything you've heard in this podcast has inspired you to make a positive change in your life, or you'd just like to get in touch, please contact us.

ARE YOU REALLY SOBER?  ANONYMOUS GUEST --WARNING: Contains Adult Content You're either going to love him or hate him, BUT our ANONYMOUS guest poses a challenging question: ARE YOU REALLY SOBER if you just quit and still have the spirit of an alcoholic ( or addict, gambler, cheater, etc.,)  Wait! What if you carry resentment and non forgiveness for someone who did you wrong? What if you indulge in one or more of the 7 deadly sins?  This episode is FOR ALL OF US who want to find peace and finally be set free from the twisted, negative mindset OR addictive behavior we CHOOSE. Don't think this is you? This episode causes YOU to take a good look at yourself and take inventory and accountability for all the wrongs you carry in life -- YES, ALL. Secrets keep you sick and it's time we confess to ourselves about things we would rather take to the grave. Step 4 of the 12 Steps is the hardest of them all for a reason. And without truly walking this step out, you have a good chance of going back to old behavior according to AA statistics and "Max" who celebrates his 40th year sober with us in the studio. Max never thought he'd live past the age 21. He was an alcoholic, addict and womanizer who hated everyone and life. Having a death wish to look forward to everyday, there was no surprise he ends up in jail AGAIN and finally asks an officer for help because he was sick and tired or being sick and tired.  You'll have press PLAY now to hear the full story. THIS EPISODE IS FOR EVERYONE who can write out a list of people they resent. Is this you? ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 1 (877) 213 5915 INTERVIEWS. DEBATES. ADVICE LIFE COACH and lighthearted host ❤M'JAIE MANGUS❤  in her provocative talk show covers topics that range from sugar daddies, suicide to success and everything in between!  Inspired by Oscar Wilde's quote "If you give a man a mask he will tell you the truth." we have created a platform to provide just that! Home of the ANONYMOUS INTERVIEWS our guests opt in to be anonymous or not so anonymous in order to share the truth and empower listeners. You have never heard a podcast like this before!                                                 INTERESTING LIFESTYLES. INSPIRATIONAL STORIES. EDUCATIONAL TOPICS. As with ALL of our interviews we honor a NO JUDGMENT space in hopes to create a new community where we can understand each other and accept each other for a better SELF and WORLD. MJAIE MANGUS: Podcast host, Artist “The Expressionist ”, Serial Entrepreneur, Life and Sex Coach THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. PODCAST QUICK LINKS: Apple Spotify LinkedIN IHeart Facebook YouTube Instagram MJAIE MANGUS SOCIAL LINK: Instagram: Mjaie Mangus You may contact our studio by email: LoveAndLiesPodcast@gmail.com for more information.  

Sara-Jayne speaks to 'Peter', a member of the support group Gamblers Anonymous about the recent case of Harold Henry, the South African bookkeeper who stole R14 million from his employer to fund his gambling habit.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew shares his story of developing a gambling habit through pokies in his late teens.  It provides an insight into the progression of his gambling addiction, about the effect of alcohol and how it often accompanied his gambling. Andrew also shares about his initial contact with Gamblers Anonymous and of not taking recovery seriously until it affected his mental health, via an attempted suicide. He's now back in GA and taking his recovery more seriously.You can hear Andrew's GA recovery story from September 2021 on the following link:https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode-202109091300/gamblers-anonymous-andrew-09sep2021If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Abigail Fierce - I Just Wanna Feel Okay AgainWilliam Pitt - Wings of Wood and WireSimone Keane - Graced by Leaves

Brett from Austraila joins the show to talk about his gambling addiction and recovery. Brett is a good guy and wants others to hopefully not go down the same path. He is very open and honest and its a good conversation. Enjoy!   Brian's Website https://endgamblingharm.com Gambling Addiction Video Series The Bet Free Life Show Email leestreetpod@gmail.com Please Rate & Review- Helps those still struggling to find us! Thank you to our sponsor - EPIC Risk Management Music by T. Vance

Eric joins the show to discuss recovery, GA, affected others, and so much more... hope!! Enjoy!   Brian's Website https://endgamblingharm.com Gambling Addiction Video Series The Bet Free Life Show Email leestreetpod@gmail.com Please Rate & Review- Helps those still struggling to find us! Thank you to our sponsor - EPIC Risk Management Music by T. Vance

Another show, another person with lived experience sharing their story to help you! Terry joins Brian to discuss gambling in Tazmania, recovery, GA, family, and more... Enjoy! Brian's Website https://endgamblingharm.com Gambling Addiction Video Series The Bet Free Life Show Email leestreetpod@gmail.com Please Rate & Review- Helps those still struggling to find us! Thank you to our sponsor - EPIC Risk Management Music by T. Vance

Robbert has been off the punt for 18 years thanks to help from Gamblers Anonymous and talks about how he was introduced to gambling in his late teens and early twenties around Sydney's casinos and nightclubs.  He talks about his first big win and how he ploughed it all back into the pokies, plus more the next day. Robbert's life deteriorated as he spent his weekly pay-packet on the pokies on payday and existed on loans from colleagues, friends and family till his next payday. After realizing the impact of his secretive gambling on his family he initially went to Gamblers Anonymous but only to keep his family off his back.  Eventually Robbert couldn't keep up the lies and deception to hide his gambling and returned to GA wanting help to stop gambling.Robbert talks candidly about the need to be ready to stop gambling, about the fact that he will always be a compulsive gambler but how embracing the Gamblers Anonymous approach enabled him to better cope with life without gambling.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.If you are a partner, family member or friend of someone with a gambling problem you may find the help you need with a GAM-ANON group. The GA website has a link to their website and contact details: gaaustralia.org.au/gam-anonShow your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):Sarah by Champagne JacketGrit by Stephen McCullochTravelled by Imber

At the time of this interview Ryan had been off the punt for 85 days. He had friends at school who had gambling accounts, but it wasn't until he turned 18 that he had his own betting account and started gambling in earnest.  His first big win gave him a real buzz and he realized “how easy was that”. It also stroked his ego and set him up for social gambling with his friends.Ryan started off as an honest kid who really didn't break rules but that changed when gambling became an issue in his life, and he was searching for a high. Gambling left him with no money and plenty of personal loans and credit card debts.  Ryan's poor quality of life led him to seek help from his parents and friends when he was in his early 20's and he was referred to a counsellor, rehab and Gamblers Anonymous. GA has enabled Ryan to break his isolation, understand his addiction and address his real gambling problem.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate Music played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@14:52 - Shannon Smith - Dance the Night Away (Do Do Do Do)(https://amrap.org.au/release/shannon-smith-dance-the-night-away) @33:07 – Sunday Lemonade - West Coast(https://amrap.org.au/release/sunday-lemonade-west-coast)

Gerard started underage betting on horseracing as a 14-year-old and as his gambling passion increased his school performance suffered. Form-guide betting on the horses with friends as a 17-year-old was a weekly event and he used part-time jobs to cover his losses.  It wasn't until a traffic accident as a 19-year-old that Gerard started isolating and using gambling a s a means to forget.  Lying came easily to him as he hid his gambling addiction from work, family and friends and even did a geographical to try and stop gambling. Gerard was married for 10 years before his partner discovered the true extent of his gambling and even then, he couldn't stop.  His brother got him to a Gamblers Anonymous meeting about 6 months ago and Gerrard feels at home and was able to share his feelings of regret, shame, and despair at his inability to stop thinking about gambling.GA has enabled Gerard to break his isolation, understand his addiction and address his real gambling problem.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donate Music played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@14:10 - Rustyn – Darkness [Feat. Undy](https://amrap.org.au/track/rustyn-darkness-darkness-feat-undy) @33:35 – John Oakes – Sunset Over Rawnsley Park(https://amrap.org.au/release/john-oakes-sunset-over-rawnsley-park)@54:50 – Alex D Smith - Moorundie River(https://amrap.org.au/release/alex-d-smith-moorundie-river)

For Jack, it's progress, not perfection when it comes to his battle with gambling addiction.This one is a slightly different episode for The Imperfects. Jack isn't a celebrity, or an expert. But he is a person with imperfections, just like everyone else. And Jack has been kind enough to share his all-too-familiar story with Hugh, Ryan and Josh.Jack discusses his crippling battle with sports gambling, his experience at rehab, and how he was finally able to escape his life of keeping secrets.Jack's story of gambling addiction is not a story we hear often, but it's sadly a very common one - particularly in AustraliaTo contact Gambler Helpline, call 1800 858 858To learn more about BetStop, and the national self exclusion register, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3Zzub4l To learn more about Gamblers Anonymous, and find GA meetings near you, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3ZuXmpnFor app recommendation, My Spiritual Toolkit, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3RCa04a For mindfulness, meditation and sleep app recommendation, Calm, follow this link: https://bit.ly/3RxzIGVThis episodes contains a discussion around addiction and mentions suicidal thoughts, if this feels like too much for you to listen to right now, we recommend skipping this one and only listening when you feel ready.  The Imperfects is not a licensed mental health service and is not a substitute for professional mental health advice, treatment or assessment. The advice given in this episode is general in nature, but if you're struggling, please see a healthcare professional, or call lifeline on 13 11 14.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael shares his gambling journey and how his pokies addiction eventually meant that he would gamble even though he knew he would get found out. He had to get help to save his marriage and Michael found Gamblers Anonymous and that enabled him to break the isolation, understand his addiction and address his real gambling problems.Michael also shares on what works for him in recovery: 12 Steps, sponsorship and Service.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateCatch up with Michael's earlier podcasts:https://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode-201904111300/gamblers-anonymous-michaelhttps://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode-202007091300/gamblers-anonymous-michaelhttps://www.3cr.org.au/livingfree/episode-202104081300/gamblers-anonymous-michaelMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@15:16 Segana – Fever dreams (https://amrap.org.au/track/segana-fever-dreams-fever-dreams)  https://www.seganamusic.com/ @40:20 – MIK's Reaction – Magical navigation (https://amrap.org.au/track/miks-reaction-magical-navigation)   https://kingmik2.wixsite.com/website  

David is from Manchester UK and is a Compulsive Gamber, Cocaine Addict married for 21 years with 3 children. He is a business owner who fell into the darkness of gambling which brought to him to his knees for the first time age 35, in 2005. While a member of GA, he never embarked on the 12 steps in the GA fellowship. He only went to meetings and never worked with a sponsor. His las bet was in 14th January 2013, but soon after leaving the rooms of GA late 2014 he crossed over into Cocaine and Alcohol abuse.By October 2020 his life was burnt to the ground once more. His marriage was hanging by a very frayed thread and his relationships with the world and the people within itwere disintegrated. He lost his business due to his addiction in 2021 and finally started working the steps of recovery at that point. His life since has never been thesame, and after experiencing a spiritual awakening, he yearned for more and G-dgraced him with a new sponsor in late 2022 where he embarked on the steps with for the 2nd  time working the Big Book Work Book, further enrichening his 4th dimension experience. His relationship with his wife is blossoming, his relationship with family, friends, and others have been restored. David is now filled with hope faith and courage. And has regained his integrity and is so very grateful to a power he calls G-D.Reco12 is an organization with the mission of learning and sharing the similarities of addiction of all kinds and gaining and sharing tools and hope from others who are walking a similar path. We come together from all places, faiths and backgrounds to gain tools and hope from others who are walking a similar path. Reco12 appreciates your help in keeping us working our 12th Step with these great resources and services for the addict and loved ones. We gratefully accept contributions to help cover the costs of the Zoom platform, podcast platform, web hosting, and administrative costs. To become a Reco12 Spearhead you can quickly and easily become a monthly donor here: https://www.reco12.com/support or you can do one-time donations through PayPal (https://www.paypal.me/reco12) or Venmo:  @Reco-TwelveResources from this episode:Gamblers AnonymousCocaine Anonymous12Steps4HoursSALifeline ConferenceOutro music is “Standing Still” by Cory Ellsworth and Randy Kartchner, performed by Mike Eldred and Elizabeth Wolfe.  This song, and/or the entire soundtrack for the future Broadway musical, “Crosses:  A Musical of Hope”, can be purchased here:  https://amzn.to/3RIjKXs This song is used with the express permission of Cory EllswoSupport the showPrivate Facebook GroupInstagram PageBecome a Reco12 Spearhead (Monthly Supporter)PatreonPayPalVenmo: @Reco-TwelveYouTube ChannelReco12 WebsiteEmail: reco12pod@gmail.com to join WhatsApp GroupReco12 Shares PodcastReco12 Shares Record a Share LinkReco12 Noodle It Out with Nikki M PodcastReco12 Big Book Roundtable Podcast

Todd had his first (winning) bet at 9 years old and it felt so euphoric that he can still remember all the details of the greyhound race vividly. Once he started working around 17 years old, he was hooked, became a payday gambler and his life quickly went out of control. Todd tried all other forms of gambling, but the TAB was the most convenient and anonymous.  He came into Gamblers Anonymous when he was 19 but could only stop gambling for short periods returning reluctantly for help. Todd came back to GA in earnest 20 years ago, when he was sick and tired of being sick and tired. He no longer has the urge to gamble and can live a normal life.If you're having trouble with gambling, or have a friend or family member that does, then maybe Gamblers Anonymous could help – phone (03) 9696 6108 or visit their website gaaustralia.org.au for information and to see a list of local meetings.Show your support to the Living Free show by:subscribing to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/subscribeand donating to 3CR https://www.3cr.org.au/donateMusic played in this episode was provided by the artists, via Australian Music Radio Airplay Project (https://amrap.org.au/):@17:01 Kim O'Leary- I came Back (https://amrap.org.au/release/kim-oleary-i-came-back)  http://www.kimoleary.com/ @37:50 Cassidy-Rae- One more song (https://amrap.org.au/release/cassidy-rae-one-more-song)   https://www.cassidy-rae.com/ @57:10 The Acoustimen – Monday Morning Blues, (https://amrap.org.au/release/the-acoustimen-monday-morning-blues)   http://www.theacoustimen.com/

Is there a question you've been wanting to ask God?  Does He answer you?  And is it SO clear you know the answer came from Him??  Today you'll meet Sandy Hudson who shares her story about God answering her.Reach Out to Me:Website: www.dontignorethenudge.comPatreon: www.patreon.com/dontignorethenudgeIG: @dontignorethenudgepodcastPrivate FB group to WATCH interviews: www.dontignorethenudge.com/facebook__________________________________________________________________________________________Business/Personal Coaching with Cori:www.corifreeman.com(951) 923-2674

Share | Follow | SubscribeOn this episode the guys take a different route and discuss their experiences with gambling and the risks of addiction. Want to give your take on what the ATW team discussed? You can do that here ➡️ listentogcr.com/contact-usAfter The Whistle: Africa's #1 Sports PodcastA GCR Production - Africa's Premiere Podcast Network

Billy shares his journey as he gambled his way to six figures in four years of college. Hear his stories of risky escapades at Mohegan Sun Casino and underground poker clubs, and learn how he hustled his way to success. Listen in on his thoughtful advice on managing gambling habits, and be inspired by his positive attitude despite his losses. It's a unique view of gambling, honesty and willingness to change.Compulsive gambling, also called gambling disorder, is the uncontrollable urge to keep gambling despite the toll it takes on your life. Gambling means that you're willing to risk something you value in the hope of getting something of even greater value.NATIONAL PROBLEM GAMBLING HELPLINE - 1-800-522-4700The National Council on Problem Gambling operates the National Problem Gambling Helpline Network. The network is a single national access point to local resources for those seeking help for a gambling problem. The network consists of 28 contact centers that provide resources and referrals for all 50 states, Canada, and the US Virgin Islands. Help is available 24/7 and is 100% confidential.The National Problem Gambling Helpline Network also includes text and chat services. These features enable those who are gambling online or on their mobile phone to access help the same way they play. One call, text, or chat will get you to problem gambling help anywhere in the U.S. 24/7/365.Help is also available via an online peer support forum at www.gamtalk.org._____If you or anyone you know is struggling with addiction, depression, trauma, sexual abuse or feeling overwhelmed, we've compiled a list of resources at secretlifepodcast.com.______To share your secret and be a guest on the show email secretlifepodcast@icloud.com____Guest Billy Procida is a nonmonogamous sex-positive comedian in New York City and host of The Manwhore Podcast. His show is consistently listed as a Top Sex & Dating Podcast by Esquire, Uproxx, and Men's Health. Billy's writing has also been featured in the New York Time's Magazine, Marie Claire, and Mashable. He also runs a monthly Naked Comedy Show in Bushwick. Yes, actually.Twitter: @TheBillyProcidaInstagram: @billyisprocidaOnlyFans: @callmebillyThe Manwhore Podcast - apple or spotify_____SECRET LIFE'S TOPICS INCLUDE:addiction recovery, mental health, alcoholism, drug addiction, sex addiction, love addiction, OCD, ADHD, dyslexia, eating disorders, debt & money issues, anorexia, depression, shoplifting,  molestation, sexual assault, trauma, relationships, self-love, friendships, community, secrets, self-care, courage, freedom, and happiness._____Create and Host Your Podcast with the same host we use - RedCircle_____Get your copy of SECRET LIFE OF A HOLLYWOOD SEX & LOVE ADDICT -- Secret Life Novel or on Amazon______HOW CAN I SUPPORT THE SHOW?Tell Your Friends & Share Online!Follow, Rate & Review: Apple Podcasts | SpotifyFollow & Listen iHeart | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | Amazon | PandoraSpread the word via social mediaInstagramTwitterFacebook#SecretLifePodcastDonate - You can also support the show with a one-time or monthly donation via PayPal (make payment to secretlifepodcast@icloud.com) or at our WEBSITE.Connect with Brianne Davis-Gantt (@thebriannedavis)Official WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterConnect with Mark Gantt (@markgantt)Main WebsiteDirecting WebsiteInstagramFacebookTwitterTranscript[0:00:00] Billy: I've been the Gamblers Anonymous a few times. I think like three times I've been the Gamblers Anonymous. I don't really like it because they say that to be a member, the first thing you have to do is have a desire to quit gambling. And I don't want to quit gambling. I just want to stop losing.[0:00:20] Brianne Davis: Welcome to the Secret Life Podcast. Tell me your secret, I'll tell you mine. Sometimes you have to go through the darkness to reach the light. That's what I did. After twelve years of recovery in sex and love addiction, I finally found my soulmate myself. Please join me in my novel, Secret Life of a Hollywood Sex and Love Addict, a four time bestseller on Amazon. It's a brutal, honest, raw, gnarly ride, but hilarious at the same time. Check it out now on Amazon. Welcome to Secret Live Podcast. I'm Brianne Davis-Gantt. Today I'm pulling back the curtains of all kinds of human secrets. We'll hear about what people are hiding from themselves or others. You know, those deep, dark secrets you probably want to take to your grave. Or those lighter, funnier secrets that are just plain embarrassing. Really?[0:01:18] Brianne Davis: The how, what, when, why, or why it all today. My guess is Billy. Now, Billy, I have a question for you. Don, what is your secret?[0:01:30] Billy: I have a gambling problem.[0:01:35] Brianne Davis: Okay, tell me about it.[0:01:38] Billy: Yeah. What was interesting when we were talking about doing this, it's like, well, what secrets do I have? Because I'm also a podcaster. I do a show called The Man Who Are Podcast. So it's like, I live my life very publicly on the Internet, especially like, my sex and dating life. So it's all out there. And I was like, what don't I really talk about? And when you ask people to support your artistic career with things like patreon and other ventures, you feel self conscious about being like, I'm going to try really hard not to gamble with this money, but I also might and I'm so sorry.[0:02:14] Brianne Davis: Oh my God. I never thought about it in that element. Wow. So first let's talk. When did you become a gambling addict? When did you start gambling? Was it really young?[0:02:24] Billy: Yeah, I think my introduction was probably somewhere around like, let's just say 1011, maybe like eleven with scratch off tickets. I used to go down the street to the pizza shop, like a half mile from my house after school every day. But I have a sports practice. I would go down there, have a few slices, read the paper like an old man, total old man, talk to the adults. Which now, by the way, when I go there, I'm seeing the adults would have talked to at 1120 years. I'm like, oh my God, you were like in your 20s or thirty s and I thought you were so old. But I would go down there and chat because I didn't have a lot of friends. I got bullied a lot. So this pizza shop was like, a refuge for me, and the dudes behind the counter would play scratch offs, and the only time I got to play scratch off is, like, christmas, when, like, everyone gets one in the stocking. But it was great. When you won, you lost, and if you win, you can just trade it in for more tickets to then eventually lose. Because a gambler doesn't want to win. A gambler just wants to gamble, and eventually we lose. That's when we notice stop gambling. That were like, when the place is closing down, I would give my money to, like, there was a quick stop thing next to the pizza shop.[0:03:40] Billy: I would give the pizza, the guy, my little list, and my little $10 allowance money because they also played a scratch off. Everyone's a junkie, so they go next door for me, and they get my tickets, and then I would caress them and hound them to go next door. I wasn't very cognizant of context of things, so it's in a rush, and I'm bugging them. I wasn't really manipulating it's like, hey, Robbie, you go next door to get tickets. Can you get me my tickets, or can you cash in my tickets? So that's where it started. And then, like, middle school age online poker, like, underground online poker was starting to happen, and there was this weird gimmick where somebody's parent would, let's say, let them put $200 in their all Star poker's account. I even remember what the site was at the time. And then they would just barter and trade the credit because you could transfer credits to accounts. So someone's like, oh, can I give you $20 to transfer me, like, ten into my account? Because my parents won't let me gamble with their money. And so there was that whole racket going on. And so then I was starting to play some online poker, and then it would progress until I got to boarding school, and they're like, you weren't allowed to gamble. So I was like, yeah, I was a rule follower told square. So I was like, Why?[0:04:57] Billy: I don't break the rules because I don't want to get into trouble. Because at my school, if you got in trouble, you had to do, like, a 05:30 a.m. Workout. And I hate waking up early. I don't mind the workout. The workout was, like, a 630 p. M. Workout.[0:05:09] Brianne Davis: You're all for the dice.[0:05:11] Billy: Yeah, but I'm not waking up at 530 and going to the gym. No, thank you. But there was a loophole. The loophole was you could gamble for food, so, like, you could gamble pizza. Oh, yeah. And board of school pizza is currency.[0:05:23] Brianne Davis: It sounds like a prison.[0:05:29] Billy: I went to an alternative kid boarding school. I don't know if you heard the term trouble. Teen industry.[0:05:35] Brianne Davis: Yes.[0:05:36] Billy: So my school was on the very, very light end of that spectrum. So we sometimes get kids from these wild schools you hear stories about in the news. Like, if they behaved well enough, sometimes they get to come to our school. So it wasn't prison, but it was strict. You'd have, like, N 64 or PlayStation. So I would play, like, NFL Blitz or something where we play poker. But for pizzas. A lot of us were putting the pizzas on, like, mom or Dad's credit card. I don't know if I've ever said this. I ran up a bill on my mom's credit card at some place special, which was, like, the local pizza shop. And I would run up a bill because a kid took me for ten pizzas. And then my mom's like, why did I get charged for $130 from someplace special? It's like, because you know what? I really need to practice harder at this video game. I really need to, like I need to do the work if I'm going to gamble it.[0:06:29] Brianne Davis: Wow. What age was that?[0:06:32] Billy: That's all the high school.[0:06:33] Brianne Davis: Wow. So here's what I just want to stop and ask you what would happen if you're talking about it now, is anything happening in your body? Because there was a little jolt I felt from you telling the story about it.[0:06:46] Billy: Well, as I told you before we started, I live my life very publicly. I don't have a lot of secrets. I got a couple of secrets because I think it's healthy to have a few. It's like, I got to have a couple. I need something for my first book, right? There needs to be something that a headline will be like, billy Procedure admits to Blank in his first debut novel, which is on the bestseller list. No big deal. I got to save a couple of things for the first Man Whore book. But I was like, what? Do I not get to talk? I just don't get to talk about this? Everyone's interviewing me about, like, sex stuff, which is fine and great.[0:07:20] Brianne Davis: I get that's what I wanted to interview you about, because I am a sex and love addict. So I'm like, let's talk about the gambling.[0:07:29] Billy: I imagine I would come on and share that, except all my sex life is public. There's no secret there. But this is something, like, I don't even really think about. I haven't thought about Adam Mizrah beating me for ten pizzas and NFL bullets since I don't know when. Like, I haven't even thought about this. He would use Peyton Hillis as running back a lot. Literally, I haven't thought about that. Sophomore year, wow. I was on probably, like, Three East the wing I was on. Yeah. That's crazy. So I just haven't thought about this, and I don't get to talk about it very often.[0:08:00] Brianne Davis: Well, this is the perfect place. So then when was the next thing you gambled and it just amplified?[0:08:07] Billy: Also when I would go home on breaks, you could gamble. So I place them online poker, the scratch off racket. And then when I got to college, I remember sophomore year college, I went to like, my five year high school reunion. I went to some sort of I went back to my born school, and all the kids who went up, all the other alum, we were hanging out, we were drinking some beer. They can't give us whatever. And then someone's like, oh, let's go to Mohegan Sun. Now we're all underage. Yeah, like, I'm 19, by the way. I like gambling at the native American casinos more than, like, Atlantic City because, like, when I lose that Mohegan Sun, I feel like I'm doing good. There's some kids who know, like, calculus now because I paid for those books. So it's like, this is better your.[0:08:57] Brianne Davis: Due, good service, going to lose at the Mohegan Sun casino.[0:09:03] Billy: Yeah, community service. This is good karma. When I lose here, if I lose in Atlantic City, it's just going to somebody's bank account. So. Anyways, let's go to Mohegan Sun. I had a fake ID, but I never been to a casino because I was underage. And we got in. I didn't realize, at least in Connecticut, there's not like, someone at the door. Even in Jersey, I'm pretty sure there's not like someone at the door. I go in another state sometimes, though, you walk and right there, it's like, what's your ID? But here is more like you walk around and somebody might card you, and most likely you are going to get carded if you ask for drinks. So we just didn't ask for booze, no problem. And I got to go ahead and lose my $100 at blackjack. Like, fine, but then that let me know, oh, I can get into a casino underage. And so then I would start to go.[0:09:53] Billy: Now in college, I don't got a lot of money, so I'm like driving up 3 hours Mohegan Sun from New York to gamble with $100 to $200, which when you're back at blackjack does not last very long.[0:10:09] Brianne Davis: I thought you were like, maybe doing the nickel slots. I would take it to the nickel slot and it would take a long time.[0:10:15] Billy: No, the slots nonsense.[0:10:20] Brianne Davis: Like the old lady slot. That's what I would do.[0:10:23] Billy: The slots are for bachelorette parties and guys who don't know what they're doing. Okay, I'm taking this seriously. I would start going up there, and I'm going up a little bit. At that time, junior year, I discovered underground poker scene in New York City, right. And after a couple of times playing, I very quickly was introduced to dealing. My boss was named Scotty Cards because of course it was I didn't know his last name, scotty Cards. He was in my phone with Scotty Cards. So he introduced himself to people on the street. And so Scotty cards taught me how to deal. And he was like, do you think you could get other college kids to come play at our game. I was like, yeah. So I would get kids to come in. I got to learn how to deal, and I got to make money. When you're dealing, can't really lose. So I would start dealing, but then what happens happens is I take the money I make from dealing, and then I would play on other nights, I'd go up to the casino, and then I just lose there.[0:11:22] Billy: We just keep moving the money around. Yeah, but now I'm in the underground poker scene. I'm going to poker clubs around. It's like that movie Rounders. Like that. I'm running around the city playing with old men when I'm not dealing cards. And all this money is really just funneling back into the gambling. I started webcamming junior year college. I webcammed for a couple of years, did all right. I was, like, making $100 to $500 a week very casually, just sitting in there doing webcamming.[0:11:52] Brianne Davis: What do you mean?[0:11:53] Billy: You know what webcamming is?[0:11:55] Brianne Davis: I know, but I want you to answer.[0:11:57] Billy: Oh, webcamming people don't know. Or pretending they don't know is that yeah, I'd sit in a chat room and when dudes or dudes pretending to be women wanted to watch me take my clothes off or touch myself or do something kind of like one time a guy was just like, I just want you to sit around fart, pick your nose, be a gross dude. Which is weird because I know all the lyrics to Rent, and I'm like, I don't think I'm like the dude I am. Make money per minute, like $3 a minute talking to people, and if they want me to take my clothes off or jerk off, I could do that. Can I swear on this? I didn't.[0:12:37] Brianne Davis: Yes.[0:12:38] Billy: This show is okay. Awesome. Fuck. Now this is money that goes back into the gambling. I did a lot. I hustled hard in college. I estimate that I probably made about six figures in my four years in college. On the side, between the poker dealing and the webcamming, I did, like, textbook buybacks, and I also like, I fucking sold fake IDs. Which, by the way, I have the research statute of limitations this morning just to make sure I could talk about this comfortably on a recorded show. But I used to deal fake IDs all four years of college.[0:13:14] Brianne Davis: Yeah, so you would make them, or you found somebody to make them?[0:13:18] Billy: No, I knew a guy. I'm very North Jersey Italian like that. I don't do anything. I know a guy.[0:13:24] Brianne Davis: You know a guy who knows a guy, and then they help.[0:13:27] Billy: Yeah, well, like, I grew up on my dad operates on the guy's system. My dad's got a guy for everything. He's like, oh, Billy, you need new tires. Oh, you got to go use my tire guy. Gary, here's what you're going to do. You're going to go to hackensack. You're going to go to corner second and south fourth. You're going to go to Gary's Used Tire Shop and Grill. Okay? Naturally, of course, because that's where the guy is going to operate something sketchy. Weird business. What time we fucking. We're going to the jets game. When I was a kid, and we stopped at this shut down gas station, and there's legit a white van in there. And in the back of the white van, there's a bunch of knock off, like jets and Giants.[0:14:09] Billy: Merch my dad makes very good money. My dad's one of those top percent people. He's fine, but I think he grew up a bit on the poorer side, so I think that's still in him. So he's like, oh, I know I could take you to Sport Authority and buy you a proper jets hoodie.[0:14:27] Brianne Davis: But he wants a discount. He wants it under, like in the dirty cellar basement.[0:14:35] Billy: Makes him feel like a kid again. He's like, oh, no, we're going to do this. No, I've been doing this for decades. We go to the gas station to the guy in the van. So I had a guy who made IDs. And at first it was like, oh, can I get mine? Great. But then what would happen is like, oh, some of my friends wanted one. So I was like, hey, I got a few friends who need okay, cool. And they say, hey, if you could get this many people, I'll give you this discount on them. I'm like, can? Okay. So I was like, okay, let me get him five at a time. I get to keep the difference. That's fun.[0:15:05] Billy: And then I kept coming back to him. So he's like, look, I'll give you this deal so you can make more money if you want, if you want to keep bringing me big orders. So then I start bringing in bigger orders, like ten at a time, 15 at a time. And over the years, he would upgrade his equipment. So it started with these horrendously, bad New York fake IDs. I feel almost guilty selling them New York fake IDs. But by the time I graduated, he'd upgrade to California and Texas, which at the time was like, crumb. That was like the Rolls Royce of a fake ID was like the California fake. So we could charge more. But then he was giving me these stupid low rates. So he would charge me like $40 per ID. When if you went directly to him, he charged you over $100. So he charged me like, $40. I would charge like 200 or $160.[0:15:55] Brianne Davis: You're making good money.[0:16:00] Billy: That was my biggest money maker, was the brokering fake IDs. And I would tell friends, I would be like, hey, get me ten friends. I'll give you yours free. So now they're bringing me a cluster, and I'm getting all this on the top. By senior year, what was happening was kids would go home, they'd use a fake ID. Their friends from the other schools, wherever they lived would be like, oh, yours is great. And they put me in touch. So then by senior year, I'm mailing like, ten to 20 IDs at a time to the University of Oregon or like, I don't know, something Texas. I'm mailing shit across.[0:16:33] Brianne Davis: Very illegal entrepreneurial. I'm kind of proud of you in a very disturbing way. I don't know why. I'm like, Good for you. Good money making scheme. Maybe that's the addict in me. I'm like, yeah, that's a good tactic.[0:16:48] Billy: Yeah. I was always a hustler. Even if I did textbook buybacks during final season, I was fucking carrying around in a big suitcase, going door to door at every door, and I'm knocking on every door saying, I want to buy your textbooks. I liked making money. I liked being good at that. But it always really to feed gambling. The gambling book would be titled something like How I Made Six Figures in College and How I Lost It all. Because when I graduated, I didn't, like, have this money. Like, it just it was at a variety of poker clubs and casinos, you know, and so that's college is where it really started to soar when I graduated, then I just had more freedom. Now I'm like, I can freely drive and go up or take the bus to Mohegan or Atlantic City or whatever. So now I have more time to do things because I was just pursuing comedy full time. I had some money. I had a little nest egg thing that could live off for about a year. But I'm pretty much just like, I'm dealing poker and I'm gambling.[0:17:51] Brianne Davis: It's almost like you were enjoying being in the CD underworld with it.[0:17:55] Billy: There is a sense of community to that. So I play back gaming. If people don't know what back m is, ask your grandparents or dead all seance ask them then, because it's either you're a junkie like me or you're over 60. Like, no one plays Backham. Nobody during COVID Yeah, nobody. It's like you'd say Backham and they're like, what? But if you have someone's like Jewish grandfather, you say chess pesh and be like, oh, yes, I know this game. So I started playing. I learned. I always knew I played back am, and I would play with the pizza boss from back in the day. He taught me, like, the basics, but I wasn't very good. Now I'm fucking slam him. I'm much better at him now. But then I saw someone in Washington Square Park with a back ammon board. I was like, oh, I'd love to play back ammon.[0:18:41] Billy: They hang out with the chess people. It's kind of all that little crew.[0:18:44] Brianne Davis: Yeah.[0:18:44] Billy: Then I start playing back ammon, but they play for money because they're like, well, I can't waste my time doing this. So I am learning how to gamble with backgammon now. By the way, I've already stopped the figure game. Yeah.[0:19:03] Brianne Davis: You can't just play for fun.[0:19:06] Billy: I would have, but these grown men wouldn't because those guys in the park, they're working, those are hustlers, the chess guys in the back of and people in Washington Square Park, union Square, they're hustling. That's kind of their work job. Sometimes they do lessons as like, a guarantee, but otherwise they gamble chess, they gamble Back Avenue. So now I've got a new game I can play with and lose my money on. And in 2013, in the summer of 2013, I had a really bad session. I pretty much lost the last of my money. I was trying to find a job. I was having trouble finding a regular day job or whatever. I was still dealing with poker, but I kind of wanted to stop doing that. And I had a big bad loss to the point that was like, I got to owe this guy money, and then I had to move out of my apartment and move back home.[0:19:54] Brianne Davis: How much did you owe?[0:19:56] Billy: Okay, it wasn't a lot of money, but I was just, like, kind of running on fumes in the first place. So it was like rent. Yeah, I was bottoming out. I was like, hey, I can give you 300 now, but I'm going to owe you like, another seven or whatever the number was because I don't have it, and one day I'll have it. I'll give it to you. But I didn't have to tell my roommates, like, hey, I got to move out next month. And I moved back home for like, nine or ten months, something like that. I was like, okay, I got to chill the fuck out. The gambling kind of went on pause. I started looking for an actual job. And then when I did get an office job, I worked my way back to the city, paid that guy back, but the itch is still there. And then around that time, online poker got legalized in New Jersey. So now I've got another place. You see the patterns. Like, I am presented with new these are fun games.[0:20:52] Billy: It's like, oh, my God, it's fun. Here's a new way to have risk.[0:20:55] Brianne Davis: And to alive and get the jolt in the high. And it's all colors. They made it all colorful now online.[0:21:03] Billy: Yeah, but quickly back with the back, because you mentioned that I did the CD underground sitting. Even with the poker, there is community. So right now, if you go to the Union Square right now in New York City and you go to the chess guys, most of them know me, and I know that because I've been playing with them and hanging out with them for like a decade at this point. Like, some of them I'm sincerely friendly with, right? We bust each other's balls. I say, hey, what's up? Sometimes I go by and hang out for ten minutes. I'm not even playing. I'm just like watching a game or catching up or something because I talk about sex for a living. Like I have an only fan. So they're like, Billy, man, what's doing on your only fans, man? What's she doing there? Who'd you bang, man?[0:21:52] Brianne Davis: If people want to join, you can join. We'll link it in the description.[0:21:56] Billy: Yeah, but they all know each other. I mean, one guy came over to play a couple of weeks ago. He left his dice. So after this, I go to Union Square on my way to a comedy show. I got to go drop off a guy's dice.[0:22:09] Brianne Davis: What's going on? You're still doing it?[0:22:12] Billy: I don't pretend to be in recovery at the end of the story. This is not a story where it ends with me doing the work, giving.[0:22:19] Brianne Davis: Inspirational quotes at the end. You're not going to be giving no inspiration.[0:22:23] Billy: No. This is like somewhere in between Rounders and Mississippi grind. You seek Mississippi Grind?[0:22:30] Brianne Davis: Yes, I did.[0:22:31] Billy: Brian Reynolds and Ben Mendelsson. That's a terrible gambling movie. You can't have a gambling movie like that. Spoiler alert, cover your ears. Fast forward 30 seconds. If you're still listening now, it's your fault. That movie ends with him winning and he wins a lot.[0:22:49] Brianne Davis: Yeah, that's not a true scenario.[0:22:53] Billy: Well, here's the thing. It is a possible true scenario. It's not like nobody ever wins like that. It's just like that's not healthy for me to see all the great gambling movies they end either neutral either it was like they were down and they were working away to even, or they lose it all and they like, have a come to Jesus moment. But like, this is the first gambling movie I saw. It's like they're depicting an addiction. Ben Mendelsson's character is terrible. He is off the rocks. He's rock bottom. Even when he hits rock bottom, you didn't think it could go Lord. Then Ryan Reynolds comes into his life. That goddamn beautiful, man. Ruins it even further. But then at the end, he wins.[0:23:30] Brianne Davis: I know, but you have to understand but that's what society does. It glamorizes those scenarios. Just like for me and I talked about it recently, is like, The Notebook is like the worst movie for sex and love addicts because the cheating she's doing, I'll kill myself if you don't go out with me. I'll drop off the spares wheel and it's like it's all a bunch of bullshit. That's not actually how it ends. Like, those relationships end. So I get you where you're like, oh, I want that. I want someone to kill themselves for me.[0:24:00] Billy: Well, when I saw Mississippi Grind, like, I'm very cognizant of my addiction. So I'm watching that, knowing that this is not a good movie. I'm watching it being like, yes, he's losing. This is correct. This is how it should go. If you want a really good depiction of the gambling addiction, there's this movie that does it just I've never seen anything so realistic. It's on Netflix. It's called win. It all starts I think his name is Jake Johnson, that dude from the new guy. He's in Tag. It's really good. And he tapped into a thing where I'm like, I have felt all these emotions that you were feeling in all these moments, and that was really true to form. I'm getting goosebumps now remembering it. I'm scared to watch it again because it just so he nails it. It's weird having a struggle like this where I'm also not trying to fix it because I don't think I can.[0:24:49] Billy: I went eight months one time without gambling in college because I had a really bad night. I had a big loss. I probably lost, like $1,000, which, when you're a college kid, is a lot. Yes, but also I became ugly. I snapped at a lady at the table who was, like, being upsetting. And I was playing with adults. So to them, we were playing low stakes. To them, one hundred dollars to five hundred dollars buy in. To me, that $200 was a fucking lot. And so I probably did five rebuys or something like that. At one point, she was like, how much are you in for? And I fucking snapped. I mean, it's a little rude to ask the question, but I got ugly, and I didn't like what came out of me. And so I was like, pause. Went to a college professor.[0:25:34] Billy: I missed class the next day. I was so down. And then when I went to him after that, I was like, hey, man, this is why I missed class. He's like, Look, I don't want to overstep. I've taken this guy, like, multiple classes, so he knows me. And he gave me the number of a friend of his who's a psychoanalyst, started seeing her. I went eight months without part of that was because I didn't have enough money to gamble the way I enjoyed a gamble. But also, part of it was like, I wasn't buying dollar scratches. I was like, I was really trying to stop. I made it eight months. That was the longest I've ever gone.[0:26:04] Brianne Davis: And so what made you start again after that eight months?[0:26:08] Billy: I got some money. It's easy to not gamble if you don't have money with which to gamble.[0:26:16] Brianne Davis: So you got money, and then all that work that you did or that just being just went out the window again.[0:26:23] Billy: It just will slowly be like, look, you go up, you can go down, but you end down. I also have a hard time leaving. Like, for poker table, it's hard to leave because there's also, like again, it can be social, right? So you can go and you're making friends. You're cracking jokes. I'm getting attention. I grew up with basically no friends. I got bullied real bad. So when I found myself in a space. That was accepting me and enjoying my company and laughing at my jokes. Whether that's in the comedy scene or in this scene or later in the dating scene, it's like, it feels warm, it feels nice. I'm like, oh, these people like me. Even if they don't, I'm thinking they do. There's also a little bit of addiction to the it was more fun to go to a poker club in the city than to a casino and play by myself for 15 hours straight. I think my longest run on casino floor was like 27 hours.[0:27:12] Billy: I went 27 hours straight, no stop. I would stop for food or to take a piss, but I wasn't going to sleep 27 hours straight on the floor. I was doing well. It might have fenced, but I was doing well. I'm like, I can't stop.[0:27:26] Brianne Davis: But see, I'm not a gambler. So when I'm sitting here listening to you saying 27 hours and you're up, I'm like, Walk away. Take the money, walk away.[0:27:37] Billy: I think I did end up for that session, if I recall. I don't think I left being like, what did I just do? But I've also had a lot of times where I spent 7 hours somewhere and then I left down three grand. And I'm like, what did I just do? And it's really tough and it's really dark. And again, because of my work and because of being a comedian, I have a lot of material on gambling. But in the real world, like, right now, what we're doing, even though it's a podcast, podcasting is more real to me. I don't get to talk about it and it's a little tough. It's weird. It's also weird to say, I know this is bad and I'm choosing not to stop.[0:28:13] Brianne Davis: But I just think that's honest. I love even when people are in their place of where they're numbing out or going to define community, that might not be the healthiest or this activity that gets them higher, that excitement that you're willing to say, I know it's bad, but I'm not stopping.[0:28:34] Billy: Yes, I can control it sometimes. But as you know, in any addiction, if you're not supposed to try to control it in a certain way. But I'd always be like, well, okay, I'll be cognizant of like, well, why do I want to gamble? And if it's not a good reason, I won't gamble now. But if it feels like natural, then I'll do it. But no matter what, it will always end up with, even if it's not that session, it will lead to a session that is really bad. Not just for my personal health, not even just for my bank account, but for my life. There's time that I don't get back. Something I'm realizing is like, I'm losing time and I don't get that time back. And that's time that's not going towards my creative pursuits. That's time not going towards friendships. Time not going towards fucking yoga, right?[0:29:16] Brianne Davis: Because you're using 27 hours. Just like the guy I talked to last week that lost 14 hours playing a video game and not participating in life or even what I used to do is being obsessed with this romantic person that was unavailable. I lost time. You are losing time.[0:29:34] Billy: The amount of time you've spent scrolling someone's Instagram feed to be like, okay, but is he back with her?[0:29:41] Brianne Davis: Well, luckily, in my bottoming out days, there was no social media. I can't imagine if I was still an Attic with social media, I would just probably lose my mind and not be on this planet, to be honest. I can't imagine. But you're still in it. So I guess my last question for you is where are you now with it, now that we have this conversation?[0:30:05] Billy: Yeah, I've tried going to gamblers. I've been to Gamblers Anonymous a few times. I think like, three times. I've been the Gamblers Anonymous over the last ten years. I don't really like it because they say to be a member, the first thing you have to do is have a desire to quit gambling. And I don't want to quit gambling. I just want to stop losing. I joke that I think Gamblers Anonymous should be a weekly meeting where we come together and learn how to be better gamblers. This isn't heroin. We can be better. This is like heroin where if we do the math rights, it can work out better. Let's all learn how to count cards. It hasn't been my vibe, partially. I don't know how it differs from AA. The way you can participate is a lot more limited if you're newer.[0:30:57] Billy: Unless you have X amount of months or a year, you're just limited in participation, which I don't like. I like talking. So, like, let me talk, and if I can't talk, then I want to be here.[0:31:11] Brianne Davis: You just can't talk more than three minutes.[0:31:13] Billy: You can share, but you can't do cross talk.[0:31:15] Brianne Davis: Whatever the cruise talk, you can't talk about other people when you're in those meetings, especially with money, sex, and food, you can't cross talk.[0:31:25] Billy: Yeah, I've been to other types of meetings, like for a friend where I went to an Allen On thing once and was like, okay, you could participate a little more. And so I just didn't like the vibe. Where am I at with it now? I'm just like, you know what? When I do have the extra cash, I'm not first thinking about how I can gamble it. I'm in a more adult mode, so there's a little bit of help where there's limited resource. And the resources I do have, I have things I do want to do with them. So it's helpful to go into a casino. I won't go to a casino with less than $1,000. Frankly, if I'm going to do Gamble Casino the way I like to do it, I prefer to have at least two grand. It's almost like it feels like not worth it. Because if I got to drive 3 hours and 3 hours back, I want to spend X amount of time and I'd like to at least make X amount of money if I win. If I win and I'm able to leave. So really the most gambling I end up doing is the back gaming. And the winter is helpful because it's fucking cold.[0:32:26] Billy: So I can't go to Union Square and play there for hours. It's gotten better where I'm not going to freeze while I lose. If I'm going to lose, I'll be a little comfortable.[0:32:35] Brianne Davis: I want to get a suntan. If you're going to lose, I want a suntan while I do it.[0:32:39] Billy: Yeah. I am in maintenance and like a low volume mode and just doing my best to get out of routine. So sometimes gambling can be part of a routine. If I can create other routines or different subway routes to the same place that bypasses Union Square, that's helpful. If I have other joys in my life, whether that's a partner or practices or I'm like doing a lot of creatively. I've been freelance writing more, so that's helpful. Not only am I being creatively generative, but I'm also making money from that. I've been writing for Mashable recently, so stuff like that. Just being generative at least helps with the maintenance where I don't have enough time and I may have some money and even when I gamble, it's some money. But usually I'm winning $50. I'm losing $50. Okay, sometimes I win $200, but sometimes I lose $500. But I'm able to manage it a little easier. But the best thing so far has been just filling my schedule with generative stuff and that's the best I can do for now.[0:33:48] Brianne Davis: That makes you feel good and productive?[0:33:50] Billy: Yeah. And the more the better I feel, the more productive I am, the less desire I have to go spend 8 hours in a park with some potentially homeless people playing back. If I can just folks check me on socials. You search Billy proscida. I pop right up PR o CIDA. And I host a great show called the Man Whore Podcast. Wherever you're listening to Secret Life, you can find me there.[0:34:17] Brianne Davis: Thank you so much for coming on and sharing your secret. I'm so grateful to know you. This has been such a great episode.[0:34:24] Billy: Yes, thank you. Thank you. I was happy to be here and.[0:34:27] Brianne Davis: If you want to be on the show, please email me at SecretLifepodcast@icloud.com. Until next time.[0:34:34] Billy: Bye.[0:34:39] Brianne Davis: Thanks again for listening to the show. Please subscribe rate, share or send me a note at secretlifepodcast.com. And if you'd like to check out my book, head over to secretlifenovel.com or Amazon to pick up a copy for yourself or someone you love. Thanks again. See you soon.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

A candid conversation with Don from Gamblers Anonymous on teenage gambling issues. 

Mike and Kyle explore the parallels between gay and gambling by talking about religious views, the DSM-5 on gambling disorders, the conflicting studies, and Gamblers Anonymous. We also get into Jason Somerville, the only openly gay competitor in the World Series of Poker, and Brian Christopher, the most popular slot machine YouTuber. In this episode: News- 2:03 || Main Topic (Gambling)- 16:45 || Gayest & Straightest- 1:22:01 Join our National Coming Out virtual happy hour on Tuesday, Oct. 11 @ 6pm Pacific / 9pm Eastern. RSVP at https://www.facebook.com/events/1516749878739194. In the Patreon bonus segment, can Kyle get the Monty Hall problem right? Can you? Support us by joining Patreon at www.patreon.com/gayishpodcast.