Connections: Healthy Gambling and Gaming Evergreen CPG

Dr. Shandra Parks, President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, joins podcast host Tana Russell, Deputy Director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling, on this episode. Together they discuss gambling-related impacts in black communities through Dr. Parks' professional background first working in faith communities and financial social work, before also becoming a Certified Gambling Counselor, the President of the Maryland Council on Problem Gambling, and owner of Sparks Wellness Group. Together they explore how the worlds of faith, finances, and gambling collide to affect the lives of individuals, families, and communities.





Resources:



Maryland Council on Problem Gambling: https://www.marylandproblemgambling.org/  

ECPG Problem Gambling Awareness Month 2024: https://www.evergreencpg.org/pgam-2024/  

TikTok meets gambling recovery – Rob One Day At A Time (O.D.A.A.T.) joins us to discuss how he’s spreading awareness and offering support through social media using his own story of recovery.   

  

Resources:   

Rob ODAAT website: https://www.robodaat.com/about-me/  

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rob_odaat/  

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@rob_odaat  

TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@rob_odaat  

ECPG Helpline page: https://www.evergreencpg.org/help-and-hope/programs-and-services/helpline-info/  

In this episode we hear from guest William Castillo, a licensed therapist and gambling counselor, as he talks about what he overcame, worked through, and let go of, to be able to pursue his own dreams and life happiness. He also gives some very practical advice to others who may feel bound by the expectations of others, trapped in grief, unsure what to do to take care of their emotional health, or how to find happiness in their own life. Trigger warning, this episode does discuss grief, loss, and suicide.

Resources:




988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: https://988lifeline.org/
Westwood Counseling Services: https://www.westwoodcounseling.net/
24/7 Washington State Problem Gambling Helpline: https://www.evergreencpg.org/help-and-hope/programs-and-services/helpline-info/

Meet guests Jose Garcia, CGAC-I, CADC-II, and Antonio Sosa, SUDP, WSCGC-I, in this Connections podcast episode. They share their experiences about being a part of the rich Latino/a culture and hear about how they raise awareness for mental health and help care for and heal their communities.



Resources:




Didgwalic Wellness Center, Anacortes, WA
New Horizon Programs,Hermiston, OR
Swinomish Indian Traibal Community Wellness Program, La Conner, WA

What is “two-spirit?” What’s the difference between two-spirit vs. LGBTQIA+? What does it mean to be a “settler?” And what does all this have to do with gambling or gaming, recovery, and behavioral health?  Listen to find out. 

With special guests:

Harlan Pruden and Ryan Stillwagon



Resources:  

Two-Spirit Dry Lab ⁠https://twospiritdrylab.ca/⁠  

People may often think of treatment professionals, peers, and 12-steps when they think of recovery help services, but who else is behind the scenes?  Who helps the helpers!?  Who can they turn to for assistance in implementing evidence-based practices, creating a contingency-management program, training on specific topics, and more?  The NW ATTC and ECPG have been partnering on training for over three years now, if you don’t know what they do, here’s a good opportunity to find out.   



Denna Vandersloot, Co-Director of NW ATTC 

Mitch Doig, Technology Transfer Specialist (OR/ID) NW ATTC 



Resources: 

NW ATTC home page: https://attcnetwork.org/  

NW ATTC training page: https://attcnetwork.org/centers/global-attc/training-and-events-calendar