Christina and Terra discuss how societal views often misrepresent women's gambling behaviors and the challenges they face in seeking help. The conversation emphasizes the importance of breaking down stigmas and creating safe spaces for women to discuss their experiences and find support.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

~ Birches Health - Find a Gambling Certified Therapist through telehealth that allows you to have a session in the comfort of your own home. 

https://bircheshealth.com/ 

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

-************************************************************************************************************

For more information on the GRIT Act:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022.09.01-GRIT-Act-OneSheet.pdf

If you’d like to support the work I do please rate this episode (Please be Kind!)

#gamblingaddiction

#recovery

#gamblersanonymous

#gambling

Helpful links:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/ You can find State and International Resources Here

https://800gambler.org/

https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

https://gamblersinrecovery.com/ - 24/7 meetings all over the world

https://recoveryroadonline.com/ - meetings throughout the day

Christina Cook: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/ / [email protected]

UK Help:

https://gordonmoody.org.uk/

https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/services/new-beginnings

Australia Help:

https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Canada Help:

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling

Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussions of gambling addiction, abuse, cancer, and suicidal thoughts, which may be distressing for some listeners. Please take care while listening and step away if you need to.

In this deeply personal episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, host Christina Cook opens the first chapter of a new series titled "A Letter to My Gambling Addiction."

Through raw and honest storytelling, Christina reads a letter she has written to the addiction that once held her in its grip. She traces the journey from its initial allure to the devastating ways it became entwined with her life. She reflects on how gambling became both an escape and a prison, how it masked pain from past abuse, and how it numbed her through the fear and grief of facing cancer.

This is more than a story about struggle. It is about reclaiming a life once thought lost. Christina shares the truth of survival, the courage it took to step into recovery, and the role of community in helping her discover a life she no longer wants to escape from.

If you have ever felt alone in the throes of gambling harm, this episode is for you. You are not alone. You are not beyond help. There is a way forward, and you are worth it.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

~ Birches Health - Find a Gambling Certified Therapist through telehealth that allows you to have a session in the comfort of your own home. 

https://bircheshealth.com/ 

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

-************************************************************************************************************

For more information on the GRIT Act:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022.09.01-GRIT-Act-OneSheet.pdf

If you’d like to support the work I do please rate this episode (Please be Kind!)

#gamblingaddiction

#recovery

#gamblersanonymous

#gambling

Helpful links:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/ You can find State and International Resources Here

https://800gambler.org/

https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

https://gamblersinrecovery.com/ - 24/7 meetings all over the world

https://recoveryroadonline.com/ - meetings throughout the day

Christina Cook: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/ / [email protected]

UK Help:

https://gordonmoody.org.uk/

https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/services/new-beginnings

Australia Help:

https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Canada Help:

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina Cook engages in a heartfelt conversation with Marissa, a TikTok creator who shares her journey with gambling addiction. They discuss the impact of gambling on personal lives, the relationship between financial insecurity and addiction, and the importance of community support in recovery.

Marissa opens up about her struggles, the mindset shifts required for recovery, and the significance of sharing her story on social media. The conversation highlights the need for financial education, self-worth, and the challenges of navigating relationships while dealing with addiction.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

-************************************************************************************************************

For more information on the GRIT Act:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/2022.09.01-GRIT-Act-OneSheet.pdf

If you’d like to support the work I do please rate this episode (Please be Kind!)

#gamblingaddiction

#recovery

#gamblersanonymous

#gambling

Helpful links:

https://www.ncpgambling.org/ You can find State and International Resources Here

https://800gambler.org/

https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/

https://gamblersinrecovery.com/ - 24/7 meetings all over the world

https://recoveryroadonline.com/ - meetings throughout the day

Christina Cook: https://thebrokegirlsociety.com/ / [email protected]

UK Help:

https://gordonmoody.org.uk/

https://www.betknowmoreuk.org/services/new-beginnings

Australia Help:

https://www.gamblinghelponline.org.au/

Canada Help:

https://www.camh.ca/en/health-info/mental-illness-and-addiction-index/problem-gambling

In this short episode, Christina shares a gentle reminder about the power of unplugging. Inspired by the quote, “You don’t have to delete your digital life—just take time to log into your real one,” she explores how being constantly connected can quietly disconnect us from ourselves and the people around us.

This isn’t about ditching your phone—it’s about building self-awareness and choosing presence. Whether it’s a 10-minute walk, a deep breath, or a conversation that doesn’t involve emojis, this episode invites you to reconnect with the version of life that doesn’t need Wi-Fi to feel real.

Perfect for anyone navigating recovery, burnout, or just craving a moment of stillness in a scroll-heavy world.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this short and heartfelt reflection, Christina Cook—host of The Broke Girl Society—invites you to explore the healing power of creative expression. Inspired by the quote, “When words are too heavy, creativity becomes our voice,” this episode is a gentle reminder that you don’t need to find the perfect words to move through difficult emotions.

Christina shares how creativity can take many forms beyond traditional art—like rearranging a vase of flowers, creating a cozy corner, baking with intention, or curating a playlist that speaks when you can’t. These simple acts of self-expression aren’t about performance—they’re about presence. They’re how we remind ourselves: “I’m still here. I’m still healing.”

If you’re feeling weighed down today, this episode is your permission to create something honest, something soft, something that brings a little beauty into your day.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this calming and reflective episode, Christina Cook—host of The Broke Girl Society podcast—explores the quiet healing power of nature through the quote:
“Sometimes a walk in the woods is all it takes to shift your perspective.”

When recovery feels heavy, and your mind is filled with racing thoughts, doubts, or regret, the stillness of the natural world can offer the pause your spirit needs. Christina reminds us that you don’t need grand solutions or perfect answers—sometimes, simply stepping outside and breathing in the world around you is enough.

This short reflection invites you to reconnect with the rhythm and presence of the outdoors, where healing doesn’t need to be loud, fast, or complicated. Just real.

You don’t have to fix everything today. Sometimes, all you need is a quiet walk and the reminder that you're not alone in your journey.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this gentle and grounding short episode, Christina Cook—host of The Broke Girl Society podcast—reflects on the quote:
“Kindness begins with the understanding that we all struggle.”

Recovery has a way of revealing just how much we all carry—grief, shame, unspoken pain. Behind every smile or setback is a story we may never fully know. Christina reminds us that when we truly embrace this truth, we naturally begin to move with more grace—toward others and toward ourselves.

Kindness isn’t just a feel-good concept. It’s a practice. One that starts the moment we choose compassion over criticism and grace over guilt—even in life’s hard, messy moments.

We all struggle. But through kindness—real, intentional kindness—we begin to heal.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this heartfelt reflection, Christina Cook—host of The Broke Girl Society podcast—dives into one of her favorite quotes:
“The opposite of addiction isn’t sobriety—it’s connection.”

Recovery isn’t just about what we’re walking away from—it’s about what we’re walking toward. And connection is at the heart of that journey. In this short episode, Christina talks about the quiet strength found in late-night phone calls, supportive group chats, and the simple but powerful act of saying, “I’m struggling.”

Whether you’re new to recovery or years into it, this is your reminder that support is always out there. From online groups like The Broke Girl Society to in-person meetings and peer-led communities, there are people ready to welcome you with open arms.

You don’t have to do this alone.
None of us do.

Connection is where healing begins—and it often starts with one message, one meeting, or one honest conversation.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this short reflection, Christina Cook, host of The Broke Girl Society podcast, explores the power of journaling in the recovery journey. Inspired by the quote, “In the journal, I do not express myself more openly than I could to any person. I create myself,” this episode reminds us that healing isn’t just about stopping a behavior—it’s about rediscovering who we are without it.

Journaling offers a judgment-free space where we can be messy, curious, honest, and real. It’s not about writing the perfect thing—it’s about showing up. One sentence at a time, we begin to shape a version of ourselves we’re learning to trust again.

If you’re in recovery, this is your gentle nudge: open your journal. Write something real. Because this isn’t just expression—it’s transformation.

You don’t have to have all the answers—just the courage to be honest on the page. That’s where the healing begins.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/

In this Broke Girl Society Short, host Christina Cook offers a calming reminder about the power of mindfulness in gambling recovery. Inspired by the quote from Sharon Salzberg, “Mindfulness isn’t difficult. We just need to remember to do it,” this brief reflection helps bring you back to the present when your thoughts feel overwhelming.

Recovery can stir up racing thoughts, urges, regrets, and fears—but mindfulness grounds us. And it doesn’t require perfection. You don’t need silence or a mountaintop—just a moment to pause, breathe, and check in with yourself.

Whether you’re navigating a tough day or just need a reset, this short episode invites you to return to your breath, feel your feet on the ground, and remember: you’re here, you’re healing—and for today, that’s enough.

Mindfulness doesn’t have to be big or perfect—it just has to be intentional.

**If you are struggling with your mental health or having thoughts of self harm, please seek the help of professionals. We only speak from our own perspective and experience. This recording should not be used as a replacement for professional help but as encouragement in your recovery journey.  

~ This episode is sponsored by The Better Institute - Where people go to get better!

 https://betterinstitute.com/problem-gambling-help/'

~ Gamfin -  Financial Counseling with counselors who understand the impacts of gambling on financial health and individual goals. (For those in the US only). 

https://www.gamfin.org/ 

~ Evive - An app that can help you better understand your relationship with gambling and help you navigate recovery in a new way! Use code BGS for ONE year free!! 

https://www.getevive.com/

Resource Book: https://bgs-media.com/resources/