Hold or Fold

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A podcast for anyone who has suffered from gambling related harm. 'Hold or Fold' explores the 'hidden addiction' that is gambling with a keen eye on how this affects those with experience of the Criminal Justice System.Your hosts Ben & Steve both spent time in prison as a direct result of their gambling addiction - On Hold or Fold they share the stories of people who, like them, have been taken to the brink by gambling. You'll hear how gambling took a hold of people's lives, the dark places this led them to and how they were able to embark on the road to recovery.This is part of the 'Life After Prison' podcast network from the multi-award winning 'National Prison Radio' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. 23/12/2025

    30. Listener Questions, Series Highlights & Previously Unheard Bits | Series Finale

    For the final episode of the series, Ben and Steve are laying it all out. Every question, every truth, every angle left unexplored. This is a full-length “Cards on the Table” special, created because there were simply too many listener questions to squeeze into the series… and far too many worth answering. In this unfiltered, deeply personal finale, the hosts dig into the topics listeners most wanted to know about: • How did prison really shape their recovery? • What became of the money they stole and gambled? • What does life look like after addiction, crime, and time behind bars? But this episode isn’t just Q&A, it’s a celebration of the journey so far. Expect moments of emotion and surprise as Ben and Steve share unheard clips that never made previous episodes, spotlight powerful poetry, and reflect on the guests and stories that left the biggest mark on them this series. Honest, reflective, and packed with never-before-heard content, this finale brings the heart of Hold or Fold into sharp focus: real people, real consequences, and real recovery. USEFUL LINKS Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UK GamcareGamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamfamGamlearnGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupGordon MoodyARA TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    33 min

  2. 16/12/2025

    29. Religion & Recovery | Naman

    In this powerful must-listen episode of Hold or Fold, Steve sits down with Naman, whose extraordinary journey lays bare the complex intersections of gambling harm, culture, faith, and the Criminal Justice System. Naman opens up about how his religion shaped both his addiction and his recovery, a belief system that ultimately helped save his life. He reflects on how cultural expectations kept him silent for far too long, pushing him deeper into gambling as he tried to provide his partner with the love and security he felt his own mother never received His story takes unexpected turns: being mistaken for the prison doctor, completely misjudging what life in an open prison would be like, and an almost darkly comedic, but ultimately dangerous, incident born from his naivety around drugs behind bars. For Ben and Steve, who both served prison sentences for gambling-related crimes themselves, Naman’s story feels strikingly familiar, yet it also challenges them, revealing new layers of harm, identity, and resilience they haven’t explored before. Raw, reflective, and at times astonishing, this episode shines a fresh light on the hidden pathways that lead people from gambling addiction to prison, and the unexpected forces that help them find their way back USEFUL LINKS: GamlearnGordon MoodyReframe CoachingGambing Harm UKGamcareGamble Aware TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. 28. Being the change at HMP Berwyn | Rob & Rebecca from ARA & Ian

    09/12/2025

    28. Being the change at HMP Berwyn | Rob & Rebecca from ARA & Ian

    In this episode, Ben stepped back inside the prison walls to meet with a group of lads at HMP Berwyn. There he shared his own story of gambling and prison, took questions from the group and facilitated a powerful and meaningful conversation around addiction & recovery  After the session he spoke with Rob & Rebecca from the fantastic charity ARA: Recovery for all, to find out more about the work they do generally but also within HMP Berwyn. Ben also met with Ian, a former resident of Berwyn and a gambler of 47 years - Ian’s story is one of the most powerful and emotional we have ever shared on Hold or Fold and displays the power of recovery and how important it is that gambling harm support is offered within our prisons USEFUL LINKS: ARAGordon MoodyHMP BerwynReframe CoachingGambing Harm UKGamcareGamble Aware Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    24 min

  4. 02/12/2025

    27. "I spun through £147k in 2 days" | Ben Howard

    Ben Howard first made an appearance on Hold or Fold when it was exclusive to National Prison Radio. At that point he was in limbo, waiting to see if his crimes would lead him to prison or not. He waited 4 years for his case to land, served his sentence, and came out determined to turn hard lessons into real change. In this episode he talks about how gambling took over his life, the unlikely friendship he formed on the prison bus and the informal research he carried out on his wing to count how many people had been harmed by gambling. USEFUL LINKS: GamcareBetknowmoreReframe CoachingGamble AwareEpic Restart FoundationShannon TrustGambling Harm UK TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  5. 25/11/2025

    26. The rapper who's tracks on addiction and mental health went viral | Jah Digga

    In this raw and powerful episode of Hold or Fold, Nottingham rapper and poet Jah Digga opens up about his battle with gambling addiction, and the creative lifeline that saved him. Behind the viral hit “Addictions”, there’s a deeply personal story; nights spent haunted by visions of cards and chips, insomnia, and the relentless “chase” that drove him to near rock bottom. Raised in a rough neighbourhood, Jah watched his siblings jailed or worse, and vowed to carve out a different path. Through writing, rapping, and poetry, he channeled his pain into purpose, and found an alternative route to the one laid out for him He talks to fellow Nottingham lad Ben about how gambling impacted his life, how his mental health suffered, and the coping strategies that helped him reclaim his life - From playing 'games' against the casino to building structure with gym routines and art. He also reflects on the power of community, the importance of celebrating real achievements in disadvantaged areas, and why he believes that creativity can be a force for healing and hope. USEFUL LINKS: Jah Digga LinktreeThe Track 'Addictions'The Track 'Dissertation'Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UKGamcareGamble Aware TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    53 min

  6. 18/11/2025

    25. 'Debts are getting bigger, bets are getting bigger, I'm completely losing control' | Mark from Whysup

    In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mark Murray, co-founder of the mental health and addiction charity Whysup, to unpack a life that could’ve gone very differently.  As a teenager, Mark was on the books at Manchester City, a promising football career ahead but everything shifted when he became a father at just 16. To cope with the pressure, Mark turned to gambling. What began as a way out soon spiralled into a 13-year addiction that would leave him drowning in debt, facing threats, and entangled with dangerous people.  Mark found help at Gordon Moody, where he rebuilt his life. It’s here that the spark for Whysup was born: using lived experience as the foundation to drive change USEFUL LINKS: WhysupGordon MoodyGambler’s AnonymousReframe CoachingGambing Harm UKGamcareGamble Aware TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    42 min

  7. 11/11/2025

    24. 'When I was arrested, the Officer sat me down and said...You've got a problem' | Martin's Story

    On this episode, Steve sits down for an open and honest chat with Martin. Martin tells us how his childhood led him to gambling and what started as fruit machines by the sea soon became spending a full day, on one machine, in a bookmaker Martin also shares how his prison experience changed him, made him better understand himself and taught him to make the best of every situation through embracing the present USEFUL LINKS: Gambler's AnonymousGordon MoodyReframe CoachingGambling Harm UKGamble AwareBetKnowMoreGamfamGamlearnBreakevenGamcare TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    49 min

  8. 04/11/2025

    23. Gambling in Black Communities | Kiki & Ryan from Betknowmore

    This episode explores the links between gambling harm in Black communities and the Criminal Justice System. Ben is joined by Ryan Taylor-Hines & Kiki Marriott from BetKnowMore to unpack how culture, targeted industry practices and social inequality shape gambling risk - And what community-led responses like “Breaking the Cycle” actually do on the ground to help address the problem and raise awareness USEFUL LINKS: BetknowmoreRyan Taylor-Hines Kiki MarriottEpic Restart FoundationGamble AwareGamcareReframe Coaching Gambling Harm UK TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you would like to get in touch with Hold or Fold and ask us a question, suggest a topic or start a conversation, you can E-mail us at... 📧: Podcasts@prison.radio 💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)  ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XF This episode is hosted by... Ben Jones & Steve Girling You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    48 min
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About

A podcast for anyone who has suffered from gambling related harm. 'Hold or Fold' explores the 'hidden addiction' that is gambling with a keen eye on how this affects those with experience of the Criminal Justice System.Your hosts Ben & Steve both spent time in prison as a direct result of their gambling addiction - On Hold or Fold they share the stories of people who, like them, have been taken to the brink by gambling. You'll hear how gambling took a hold of people's lives, the dark places this led them to and how they were able to embark on the road to recovery.This is part of the 'Life After Prison' podcast network from the multi-award winning 'National Prison Radio' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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