Hold or Fold

Hold or Fold

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'

Episodes

  1. OCT 15

    10. Tracy Madlin + Series Highlights

    In the series finale we hear Tracy’s incredible story. Tracy suffered breakdowns and strokes as a result of her gambling but doesn’t have any regrets as she is now at peace and most importantly….Happy! Tracy now goes into prisons to run GA groups and provide prisoners with a safe space to talk about their addiction. She gets just as much out of it as those attending the sessions Ben & Steve also pick their series highlights which includes a previously unheard clip from Ben’s chat with David Navarro A huge thank you to all of our guests on this series and the fantastic organisations that have supported us too. We’d love to hear from you ahead of the next series, contact details are below… USEFUL LINKS: Reframe Coaching  Gamcare Gordon Moody  Gamfam Gamlearn Bet Know More Breakeven Epic Global Solutions Gambler’s Anonymous   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/ Thanks to GambleAware for the support

    51 min
  2. SEP 24

    7. Spotlight On: Reframe Coaching + Paula from Mindfulness Space

    Hold or Fold's very own Steve founded 'Reframe Coaching' alongside his wife in 2020. They had spotted a need for gambling support after treatment and now offer bespoke coaching services to those with direct experience of gambling harm as well as affected others, using the power of lived experience This episode focuses on the journey of Reframe, how it came to be, the services offered and how you can get involved. Reframe’s vision is for ‘Everyone to be present in their lives’ and one way of doing this is through practising mindfulness. Paula Vale began doing exactly this to help her in a battle against anxiety and depression, she now runs ‘Mindfulness Space’ and joins us on this episode to share her story, explain the many benefits of mindfulness and to lead a quick mindfulness session that you can follow along with. USEFUL LINKS Reframe Coaching  Mindfulness Space Gamcare Gordon Moody  Gamfam Gamlearn Bet Know More Breakeven Epic Global Solutions   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/ Thanks to GambleAware for the support

    59 min
  3. SEP 17

    6. Worldwide: Patrick Chester

    On this episode of Hold or Fold: Worldwide, Ben has a chat with Patrick Chester from the USA  Ben quickly realises that he and Patrick have many similarities in their stories. From knee injuries ending their sporting careers and leading to gambling to their partners suspecting infidelity due to their secretive behaviour.  What follows is a fascinating conversation between two people, who live thousands of miles apart in countries with entirely different gambling cultures, and find so much common ground. They share stories of growing up, trying to forge a bond with parents, how gambling impacted so drastically on their lives and how they’ve been able to come through that and turn their lives around. Patrick also shares his incredible Superbowl story which you absolutely have to hear  Patrick is another guest who represents the amazing ‘Epic Global Solutions’ - Epic have continually offered their support to ‘Hold or Fold’ and are doing amazing things to educate people and organisations on the potential dangers of gambling. USEFUL LINKS: EPIC Global Solutions The National Problem Gambling Helpline (US) Reframe Coaching  Gamcare Gordon Moody  Gamfam Gamlearn Bet Know More Breakeven 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/ Thanks to GambleAware for the support

    47 min
  4. SEP 10

    5. Loot Boxes with Dave & Pavlos

    The gaming industry has exploded in recent years and is now worth over $270 billion worldwide. However, the improvement in graphics, depth, playability and connectivity has also seen a shift in the way we consume games but also how we pay for them and the content within them. Some games are now ‘Freemium’ (Cost nothing to download) and offer ‘In-game purchases’ while others employ a mechanic known as ‘loot boxes’ - A chance based gameplay element which typically cost you money. Could these loot boxes become addictive? Could they result in you over-spending? and, are they classed as gambling? One person who believes this to be the case is Dave - Dave became hooked on mobile gaming loot boxes and soon saw things spiral out of control. His addiction impacted his home life, his work life and his own personal mental health. He is joined on the show by Pavlos who works to support people with their gaming based addictions. Pavlos sets out why games are addictive and the potential issues that can arise as a result of this. USEFUL LINKS: EPIC Global Solutions Breakeven Reframe Coaching  Gamcare Gordon Moody  Gamfam Gamlearn Bet Know More   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/ Thanks to GambleAware for the support

    47 min
  5. AUG 27

    3. Spotlight On: Gordon Moody

    Gordon Moody is an organisation that provides advice, counselling, online support and a structured residential treatment course to help you overcome problems caused by gambling. Having heard the name ‘Gordon Moody’ crop up in many of the conversations we’ve had around gambling addiction in the past, we decided to pay them a visit. Co-Host Ben travelled to both the Women’s and the Men’s residential treatment centres in the Midlands where he met with Jemma, Lisa and Andy. All of whom have had their own brushes with the criminal justice system as a result of their gambling and completed the residential programmes at Gordon Moody Ben got a full tour of the both centres and was incredibly impressed with the work that goes on there, he later reflects on how useful it could have been during his own recovery. A huge thank you to Gordon Moody for opening their doors to us and also to Jemma, Lisa, Andy, Harp & Hodan for sharing their stories and to Alyson and Sam for arranging the visit USEFUL LINKS: Gordon Moody Reframe Coaching Gamlearn Gamfam Gamcare Bet Know More Breakeven Gambler’s Anonymous   Call the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133 If you found anything in this episode triggering and need someone to talk to, you can call the Samaritans on 116 123 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/

    53 min
  6. AUG 20

    2. My Story: Steven Caulker

    Professional footballer Steven Caulker has had quite the career. Since signing his first professional contract at Tottenham Hotspur he has played for the likes of Liverpool, Southampton, Cardiff City, Swansea City, Wigan Athletic & Malaga City. A promising start to his career led to him being selected for the England national side as well as the Great Britain Olympic team. Steven’s competitive edge and addictive personality eventually led him down some dark paths and before long gambling, alcohol and depression were major factors in his life. On this episode of ‘Hold or Fold’ Steven talks candidly about how he first got into football, signing that first contract, scoring on his England debut and the issues his gambling addiction caused him. Steven has now turned a corner in his life and is able to reflect on how his addictions stifled his career progression and what he learned on his road to recovery.    Discussion points…   Steven talks about ‘that’ Ibrahimovich goal  His premier league debut for Swansea How Gambler’s Anonymous has supported him   USEFUL LINKS: Reframe Coaching Gamcare Gamble Aware Bet Know More Breakeven Gamfam Gamlearn   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/

    47 min
  7. AUG 13

    1. Introducing Ben & Steve

    After two successful series broadcast exclusively on National Prison Radio - ‘Hold or Fold’ is now available to everyone    'Hold or Fold' explores gambling harm with an emphasis on the criminal justice system, your hosts Ben & Steve have both served time in prison as a direct result of their gambling. In this first episode they are introducing themselves to you, a brand new audience.   They candidly share what got them into gambling, how it escalated and why this led to a prison sentence. What was that first night in prison like? How did they cope? and how were they able to turn their adversity into a positive?   Plus, Ben & Steve will be taking their first listener question in ‘Cards On the Table’ - We’d love to hear your questions too. To do this, use the links below   USEFUL LINKS:   Reframe Coaching Gamcare GambleAware Gambler’s Anonymous Breakeven Gamfam Gamlearn   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 ...And is funded by 'Gambleaware' You can find out more about the work of the 'Prison Radio Association' and 'National Prison Radio' here: https://prison.radio/

    39 min

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'

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