Hold or Fold

On this episode, Steve sits down for an open and honest chat with Martin. Martin tells us how his childhood led him to gambling and what started as fruit machines by the sea soon became spending a full day, on one machine, in a bookmaker

Martin also shares how his prison experience changed him, made him better understand himself and taught him to make the best of every situation through embracing the present

USEFUL LINKS:

• Gambler's Anonymous
• Gordon Moody
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambling Harm UK
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• Gamfam
• Gamlearn
• Breakeven
• Gamcare

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the links between gambling harm in Black communities and the Criminal Justice System. Ben is joined by Ryan Taylor-Hines & Kiki Marriott from BetKnowMore to unpack how culture, targeted industry practices and social inequality shape gambling risk - And what community-led responses like “Breaking the Cycle” actually do on the ground to help address the problem and raise awareness

USEFUL LINKS:

• Betknowmore
• Ryan Taylor-Hines
• Kiki Marriott
• Epic Restart Foundation
• Gamble Aware
• Gamcare
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambling Harm UK

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another episode of 'Hold or Fold: Worldwide' - Where Ben speaks to people in other countries to find out how their experience of gambling and prison was different, or similar, to his own

What starts as a seemingly innocuous £1 bet spirals into a life-shattering obsession. In this riveting episode, we speak with Tony O’Reilly - Once a trusted post office manager, later a headline-making gambler, then a prisoner, and now a leading voice in the fight against gambling harm.

In this conversation, he tells us:

•How addiction can start innocently and accelerate into something uncontrollable.

•What drove him down the road to crime - and what it did to those around him.

•What it’s like to hit rock bottom, to face imprisonment, and to rebuild from the wreckage.

•How he now works as an accredited addiction counsellor and speaks in schools to expose the hidden dangers of gambling. 

•How he doesn't have regrets and his time behind bars was largely positive

Useful Links:

• Tony 10 - Tony's Book
• Tony O'Reilly
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambling Harm UK
• Gamcare
• Gamble Aware
• Bet Know More
• Breakeven
• Gamfam
• Gamlearn
• Gambler's Anonymous

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re back with Series 5 of Hold or Fold - The podcast that explores gambling harm through the lens of the Criminal Justice System.

In this episode, we're joined by Clarke Carlisle, former Premier League footballer, ex-PFA Chair, and mental health advocate. This is a raw and moving discussion about Clarke's journey through football, gambling, depression and how he rebuilt his life after hitting rock bottom.

In This Episode

•Clarke opens up about his football career and the pressure to impress both on and off the pitch.

•How his gambling began, escalated, and eventually spiralled out of control.

•The moment everything came to a head and what helped him find a way back.

•Life after football: Clarke’s transition from the pitch to a new purpose at Gordon Moody, supporting others facing gambling harm.

•A heartfelt conversation about identity, recovery, and hope, proving that no matter how deep the hole, it’s never too late to climb out.

Content Warning & Support

This episode contains discussion of suicide, depression and gambling harm.

If you’re struggling or need someone to talk to, please reach out:

Samaritans (UK & ROI) – Free, 24/7

Call 116 123 or visit samaritans.org.

You are not alone. Help and hope are always available

USEFUL LINKS:

• Samaritans
• Gordon Moody
• Gambler's Anonymous
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambling Harm UK
• Breakeven
• Andy's Man Club
• Mind

TELL US WHAT YOU THINK BY FILLING OUT THIS QUICK SURVEY - THANKS SO MUCH

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the final episode of the series, Ben & Steve hear from Neil. Neil had a transformative experience in prison where he took time to work out what he wanted from life – He has since gone back in to prisons helping others as a liaison worker for Gambler’s Anonymous and now works for Breakeven who we featured on the previous episode 

Neil has a great way with words and quite a different perspective to the ones we usually hear, both on gambling and prison.

Ben & Steve also discuss their series highlights and air a previously unheard clip

USEFUL LINKS:

• Breakeven
• Gambler's Anonymous
• Gamcare
• Reframe Coaching
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• Gamfam

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another ‘Spotlight On’ episode where we celebrate the work of an organisation or charity within the gambling harm space that can offer you help, support and guidance. This time, we’re speaking to the fabulous Ian Semel, CEO and founder of the fantastic ‘Breakeven’ - A charity for whom “Lived experience plays a major part in everything they do…”

In 2024, ‘Breakeven’ supported more than 15000 individuals, conducted over 2400 interventions in prisons and are committed to getting people the support they need as quickly as possible; The average time from assessment to the first session is just 24 hours

USEFUL LINKS:

• Breakeven
• Gamcare
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambler's Anonymous
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• 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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The number of 11-17 year olds showing signs of problem gambling has doubled over the past year. As technology improves, young people are exposed to gambling a lot more frequently through social media, sporting events and online activity. 

On this episode, Ben & Steve are joined by Craig & Verity from Gamcare to discuss the scale of the issue, why the figures are increasing and what can be done about it.

 USEFUL LINKS:

• Gamcare
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambler's Anonymous
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• Breakeven
• Gamfam
• Gamlearn

*Jack Black clip from Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, courtesy of NBC

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s another follow along episode as we serve up another practical session to aid you in your recovery. In the previous series we looked at mindfulness to help ease anxiety and in this episode we are focussing on a different method, Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) or, Tapping 

Potential benefits of tapping include..

• Minimising cravings
• Helping withdrawal symptoms
• Reducing the risk of relapse
• Improving self control/restraint
• Altering unhelpful thoughts
• Healing past trauma

To help us with a guided session are Sharon & Aga from ‘The Arukah Project’ - Their approach is “rooted in understanding how trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) can lead to high-risk behaviours” - ‘The Arukah Project’ work in prisons and help people with their trauma, behaviour and recovery 

We will also be shining a light on Ben’s latest endeavour and the work he does with ‘Double Impact’

USEFUL LINKS:

• The Arukah Project
• Tapping Research 
• EFT International
• The Arukah Academy
• Tapping Instructions 
• Double Impact - Time Out
• Gambler's Anonymous
• Reframe Coaching
• Gamcare
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• Breakeven
• Gamfam
• Gamlearn
• 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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a desperate attempt to continue gambling, Bryan walked into a high street bank and gave the clerk seconds to hand over cash. He threatened to blow up the premises with the explosives in his rucksack, if his demands were not met…

Bryan had no such explosives and almost instantly walked out of the bank to call the police and tell them what he had done. Unsurprisingly, Bryan was arrested and sentenced to time in prison.

On this episode of Hold or Fold, Bryan chats to Steve about how his gambling started, how he was able to adapt to prison life and what led him to this self confessed ‘moment of madness’

Bryan has since turned his life around, committed to recovery and sobriety and will use any opportunity he can to warn others and try to prevent them going down the same road he did.

USEFUL LINKS:

• Gambler's Anonymous
• Mindfulness Space
• GAMSTOP
• Reframe Coaching
• Gamcare
• Gamble Aware
• BetKnowMore
• Breakeven
• Gamfam
• Gamlearn
• Breakeven
• GLEN - Gambling Lived Experience Network

Bryan also asked that we link the book 'Twisted Wired' by Sarina Wheatman. Sarina is an addiction therapist and Bryan was acknowledged in one of her books

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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“For every 1 person that gambles, there are 6 to 10 people within their network who are directly impacted by that gambling harm”

On this episode of Hold or Fold we are looking at ‘Affected Others’ - Those who are affected by the gambling of people in their lives. We are joined by Rebecca, Gamcare’s ‘Lived Experience Manager for Affected Others’ - Who talks about the ripple effect of a person’s gambling and how she was also affected by the gambling of a loved one. 

We also hear from Julie, someone who dedicates her time to raising awareness of gambling harms and providing support for others after a gambling related tragedy changed her life. This conversation mentions suicide and other sensitive subjects - There are some links below if you feel you need support 

USEFUL LINKS:

• The Samaritans
• Mind
• Gamcare
• Gambling Harm UK
• Gambling with Lives
• The Big Step
• Gamlearn
• Gamfam
• Bet Know More
• Reframe Coaching
• Gambler's Anonymous
• 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...

📧: [email protected]

💬 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/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.