Hold or Fold

What role can neurodivergence play in someone’s relationship with gambling? Paul joins Hold or Fold to share the story of more than a decade of gambling, during which he lost around £100,000. Diagnosed with both ADHD and autism, Paul reflects on risk, reward, impulsivity, fitting in and the pressures that shaped his gambling, while making clear that neurodivergence itself does not cause gambling harm. He also talks openly about seeking recovery, recognising relapse and the importance of friends and family speaking up. A candid conversation about gambling, identity and understanding the bigger picture behind harmful behaviour.USEFUL LINKS:Gamcare Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UK Gamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamfamGamlearnGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupGordon MoodyARACall the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133If 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...📧: [email protected]💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X)✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XFThis episode is hosted by...Ben Jones & Steve GirlingYou 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.

Gambling harm doesn’t just affect the person gambling. It can turn the lives of partners, families and loved ones upside down too. Tracy O’Shaughnessy knows that better than most. As the Criminal Justice System and Affected Other Lead at GamLEARN, she now supports people affected by gambling-related harm, drawing on her own deeply personal experience. Tracy shares what happened when gambling, addiction and the criminal justice system came crashing into her family, and how those experiences ultimately led her towards helping others. An honest and moving conversation about resilience, impact, and turning lived experience into a force for good.USEFUL LINKS:GamLEARNReframe CoachingGambling Harm UK GamcareGamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamfamGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupGordon MoodyARACall the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133If 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...📧: [email protected]💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X) ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XFThis episode is hosted by...Ben Jones & Steve GirlingYou 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.

Recovery isn’t just about reaching one year, five years or a big anniversary. Sometimes the most important milestones are the ones nobody else sees. Tracey joins Hold or Fold to talk honestly about her recovery journey, from the devastating consequences of her gambling addiction to the moment she had to face the reality of stealing £70,000 from her workplace. She also reflects on guilt, shame, self-forgiveness, taking ownership and the importance of connection. It’s a powerful conversation about how recovery evolves over time, and why every step forward deserves to be recognised.USEFUL LINKS:Gamcare Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UK Gamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamfamGamlearnGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupGordon MoodyARACall the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133If 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...📧: [email protected]💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X) ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XFThis episode is hosted by...Ben Jones & Steve GirlingYou 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.

Can lived experience change the way gambling harm is understood inside prison? In this episode, Hold or Fold meets Andy, a prisoner with lived experience of gambling harm, and David, the Deputy Governor who supported him in establishing gambling support at HMP Channings Wood. Their story is about much more than a new support service, it’s about trust, collaboration and what can happen when people in very different positions find common ground. Together, they reveal how their work helped people inside, why lived experience matters, and what it would take to see meaningful gambling support become available across the prison estate.USEFUL LINKS:Beacon Counselling Trust GamfamGordon MoodyShannon Trust Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UK GamcareGamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamlearnGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupARACall the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133If 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...📧: [email protected]💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X) ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XFThis episode is hosted by...Ben Jones & Steve GirlingYou 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.

What can be done to tackle gambling harm across the criminal justice system and what happens when people from across the sector come together to find answers? Hold or Fold heads to the National Gambling Support Network conference in London, hearing from campaigners, professionals and people with lived experience. Clarke Carlisle discusses data, family and criminal justice, while Jeff shares an extraordinary story of gambling, crime and recovery, including a relapse after around 15 years gamble-free. With honest conversations about shame, desperation and the gaps in support, this episode asks what needs to change and how we can make it happen.USEFUL LINKS:Reframe CoachingGambling Harm UK GamcareGamble AwareBet Know MoreBreakevenGamfamGamlearnGambler's AnonymousGAMSTOPGambanWhysupGordon MoodyARACall the National Gambling helpline, for free, on 0808 8020 133If 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...📧: [email protected]💬 DM us: @holdorfoldpod on Instagram & Twitter (X) ✉️ Write to us: Life After Prison, National Prison Radio, HMP Brixton, London SW2 5XFThis episode is hosted by...Ben Jones & Steve GirlingYou 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.