Podcasts from Betknowmore 11-29 Media

This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harm which some people may find triggering, for 24/7 support please call the national Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020133

Welcome to the final episode for season one of the New Beginnings podcast. Over the last couple of months Abi has spoken with an array of incredible women, all of whom have bravely shared their journey of struggle, vulnerability, and sheer resilience to overcome their relationship with gambling harms.

To round up the series, this week Abi invites her guests to tell their story in a monologue- style interview. Listen as Tracy and Rebecca share a detailed personal account of their experience living in the cycle of gambling harms, to bravely seeking support through the New Beginnings service, living gamble free and calving out a life that once seemed unattainable.

Abi’s first guest Tracy began recreationally playing amusement arcades and fruit machines, this quickly escalated out of control and after years of being in the gambling haze and suffering 7 strokes because of it all, Tracy made the decision to take back control. Today Tracy is a qualified addiction counsellor, the first female trustee for Gamblers Anonymous and, a facilitator for the New Beginnings service.

Abi’s second guest Rebecca; actively gambled between the ages of 18 – 32 and would often splurge her wages, struggled with alcohol and at her worst had bin bags filled with scratched cards. Through the support of her family and her will to change, Rebecca discusses how today she is over a year gamble free and is finally enjoying her life.

On this final episode we wanted to encompass all topics discussed throughout the series, listen as both women honestly discuss their experience and ability to overcome it all to lead healthy gamble free lives.

Disclaimer: This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harms which some may find triggering. For 24/7 support please call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133.

This episode also has mentions of suicide, alcoholism and domestic violence, if you find any of these issues triggering and/or require help please contact the following helplines;
Samaritans: 116 123
Alcoholics Anonymous: 0800 9177 650
Refuge: 0808 2000 247
If you are in immediate danger, call 999 and ask for the police. If you can’t speak and are calling on a mobile press 55 to have your call transferred to the police.

In this week’s episode, Abi is joined by Julie Martin who shares her 25-year lived experience story as an Affected Other. For many years of their marriage, unbeknownst to her, Julie’s husband was experiencing gambling harms. However, 15 years ago the severity of harm revealed itself, leading to years of alcohol abuse, poor mental health, excessive gambling, domestic violence and the breakdown of a marriage and family home. After years of struggling to make it work and numerous interventions, in 2021 Julie’s husband took his own life in front of her and her son. Today, as a mother of two, Julie supports both her daughter and son as they deal with trauma and legacy harms which she describes as ‘run[nig] deep’. Today, Julie is an advocate for Affected Others and individuals experiencing gambling harms. Amongst her many roles, she works as a Peer Co-ordinator for the Aftercare Programme in partnership with Beacon Counselling Trust, is a Volunteer Ambassador for Healthwatch Essex, and works closely with the charity Gambling Harm UK. Julie’s story is one of vulnerability, resilience, and support. Learn ways to manage your own negative thoughts and self-doubt through Julie’s courageous journey.


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Disclaimer: This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harms which some may find triggering. For 24/7 support please call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133.

Recovery is a journey you need to start and continue….

On this week’s episode Abi is joined by Christina Cook. Today, Christina is the host and founder of the Broke Girl Society podcast. This wasn’t always her story, but after her own 15-year battle with gambling harms, Christina made the decision to change her life…

This week’s episode is a story of courage, honesty and determination, as Christina bravely gives insight and hope for all women to recognise that the recovery journey can be undertaken with grace and patience. After listening, we hope you will be inspired and know that recovery can start at any time, and that it is possible to live a life free from gambling harms.

Disclaimer: This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harms which some people may find triggering, for 24/7 support please call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133

Making the decision to put your wellbeing first is a brave step, but where do you go from there?

Breaking the cycle of gambling harms, remembering, and sticking to your 'why' takes time and dedication, but what does that look like exactly? Is it support, in the form of therapy, support groups, journaling or taking up a new hobby? The list is endless, and it isn’t one size fits all.

Join Abi and her guests Lisa Patton, a Service Manager for GamCare Scotland and Jo Mustafa, a Peer Aid supporter and expert by lived experience, as they discuss how to maintain a healthy recovery from both sides of the spectrum.

If you, or a woman you know, would like support with both clinical insight and lived experience, this is the one episode is you cannot miss.

Disclaimer: This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harms which some people may find triggering, for 24/7 support please call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133

‘We as women are too strong. We’re too brave and too proud…’

This week join Abi and her two guests Harp Edwards and Bianca Colclough.

Harp is the Women’s Residential Service Manager at Gordon Moody, the UK’s leading charity dedicated to providing residential treatment and support for gambling addiction, and she has a background in forensics, counselling and psychotherapy.

Bianca is the founder of ‘This Girl’, an online and in-person networking community to support women with their personal wellness and professional development.

Listen, as Bianca speaks openly about her lived experience and past traumas which ultimately led to a 12-year battle with gambling harms. After years of staring at slot machines Bianca admits that it not only affected her eyesight (she now wears glasses), but it resulted in other physical and mental impacts which she talks freely about to support all women.

Harp discusses some of the signs of harm, including low self-esteem and poor eating habits resulting in sudden weight fluctuations, whilst also detailing the notable difference between women entering recovery, compared to when they leave.

This is an interesting and honest listen for all, delving into the stigma and shame women often feel and providing a great insight into the affects gambling harms can have on females.

Website: https://www.betknowmoreuk.org
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Betknowmore
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betknowmoreuk/reels/

Disclaimer: This podcast will be discussing sensitive topics around gambling harms which some people may find triggering, for 24/7 support please call the National Gambling Helpline free on 0808 8020 133

Episode 5, Relationships, join Abi and her guests, mother and daughter Nicola and Megan.

In this episode, Megan bravely discusses her experiences with both substance misuse and gambling harms, whilst Nicola opens up about her role as a concerned mum and an affected other.

This is a heartfelt episode that navigates its way through grief, substance misuse and the power of resilience, to a life free of gambling harms. Website: https://www.betknowmoreuk.org Twitter: https://twitter.com/Betknowmore Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/betknowmoreuk/reels/