The Breakeven Podcast

Breakeven
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The Breakeven Podcast hosts a variety of guests with lived experience with gambling related harms

  1. Episode 21: Val - “It said in the email that he was going to take his own life”

    FEB 1

    Episode 21: Val - “It said in the email that he was going to take his own life”

    Gambling harm affects more than just the person gambling. For the first time on the podcast, we explore the parent’s perspective. Val bravely shares how it felt to watch her son struggle, and speaks about the devastating day she received an email saying he planned to take his own life because of his gambling. Thankfully, Val reached him in time — and today, he’s turned his life around. A moving episode that sheds light on the impact gambling harm has on families and loved ones, offering a viewpoint we rarely hear. #GamblingHarm #AffectedOther #ParentOfAGambler

    19 min
  2. Episode 20: Ben Howard - “Think back to that winning streak, it's going to happen again”

    JAN 1

    Episode 20: Ben Howard - “Think back to that winning streak, it's going to happen again”

    Ben Howard’s first visit to a casino was a winning one — and that’s where it all began. For 14 years, Ben chased that first win, believing he could beat the odds. But his addiction spiralled, leading him to steal money to fund his gambling. Eventually, Ben made the brave decision to hand himself in to the police. Now, he’s turned his life around — working as a Recovery Coach for Reframe Coaching, helping others rebuild their lives too. A powerful story of accountability, change, and hope. 💬 #Breakeven #GamblingRecovery #AddictionAwareness #Podcast #RecoveryJourney #ReframeCoaching #CriminalJustice

    27 min
  3. Episode 19: Richie: "You might feel like dying today, but you don't want to die for the rest of your life.”

    12/01/2025

    Episode 19: Richie: "You might feel like dying today, but you don't want to die for the rest of your life.”

    Our latest episode features Richie, who bravely discusses his experiences of gambling addiction, drug and alcohol misuse, and the profound impact of baby loss on his mental health. After the traumatic loss of his baby, Richie reached a breaking point and attempted to take his own life. He was saved by a passing stranger — a moment that changed everything Richie has since rebuilt his life. He now works with the EPIC Restart Foundation, supporting others on their recovery journeys and raising awareness of gambling-related harm. This episode highlights the importance of compassion, support, and early intervention.

    26 min
  4. Julie Martin -“You don’t wake up one day and decide to throw your life and finances away”

    11/01/2025

    Julie Martin -“You don’t wake up one day and decide to throw your life and finances away”

    Julie Martin, Peer-Aid Training Co-Ordinator at Betknowmore, shares her heartbreaking story about her ex-husband who had a gambling addiction for 25+ years. She shares how it affected him, and those around him, including his wife and two young children. Sadly, with his gambling addiction came abusive behaviour, which led to the demise of their relationship, and tragically, his life. Julie now works in the gambling related harms industry, providing training to peer aid co-ordinators, to help those who were in a similar situation to Julie.

    24 min
  5. Episode 17: Andy Gallie - “Gambling is is so misunderstood”

    10/01/2025

    Episode 17: Andy Gallie - “Gambling is is so misunderstood”

    This episode is with veteran and ex gambler, Andy Gallie. Andy speaks about his time in the Navy, and how his childhood experiences shaped his gambling addiction. Andy explains why people in the Navy are more likely to suffer gambling related harm, and how the Armed Forces Gambling Support Network (AFGSN) can provide training and treatment to anyone in the armed forces community.

    19 min
  6. Abi - “I thought I was the only woman in the world doing this”

    09/10/2025

    Abi - “I thought I was the only woman in the world doing this”

    In this episode, we welcome Abi, our first woman gambler, to share her story with gambling harms. During maternity leave, Abi decided to try her luck at Bingo to help fund her leave, and for something to do during the night feeds. Some harmless fun at online bingo soon transpired to not being able to think about anything else. After throwing away all her funds for Christmas presents, Abi decided it's time to get help. Abi speaks about her addiction, how it affected relationships and her mental health, and goes on to speak about her positive recovery, including some therapy with Breakeven and joining two of our nationwide support groups (available to all, not just Breakeven clients).

    27 min
  7. Paul - “I felt valued by the bookmaker"

    09/10/2025

    Paul - “I felt valued by the bookmaker"

    Fresh into university at 19, Paul started to feel the pressure and turned to gambling. He started to chase his losses, taking out credit to fund his gambling habits, and ended up in £10,000 debt. Paul turned to his work for support, who were far from supportive, which led him to Breakeven. Paul has undertaken therapy from Breakeven, and enrolled on our After Care Programme, Green Shoots, where he continues to be a member of the lived experience group for continuous support. Paul also speaks about how being neurodiverse can encourage gambling behaviours.

    17 min
  8. Harj - “There is no honour in suffering in silence”

    09/10/2025

    Harj - “There is no honour in suffering in silence”

    Harj tells his heartbreaking story about his gambling addiction, that lead to an attempt on his life. Harj talks about the Sharam (Shame) in South Asian Communities, and how difficult it was to seek help for his addiction. Harj lives to tell the tale, and uses his lived experience to help others in the South Asian Community. People from minoritized communities often experience disproportionate levels of gambling harm, often up to 5 times in comparison to someone from a white ethnic background. We understand it can be incredibly difficult for people to seek help and support due to the stigma and shame attached to gambling. As a result, people may feel alone and isolated. Our pioneering Breaking The Sharam Programme works in the heart of communities to break the shame, and stigma by providing training, awareness and culturally relevant support to VCSFE group in a variety of community languages.

    18 min
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The Breakeven Podcast hosts a variety of guests with lived experience with gambling related harms

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