AG 058: Celebrating Nine Years & What the Future Holds

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Full Episode Transcript

In this episode, I’m marking a milestone: nine years since I ran off the riverboat. I’ll also be sharing updates on where the podcast is headed and other projects in my life. So, hey there, and welcome to the After Gambling Podcast. I’m Jamie, a former problem gambler and your host. It’s been a while since I last recorded, so I hope this mic is working because it really feels great to be back.

So, what’s been going on? Why haven’t I put out an episode in a while? Am I still not gambling? Are there more episodes to come? These are questions I’ve received, and I just want to start by saying thank you for all the messages and for staying connected. This wasn’t a planned hiatus; it just kind of happened. The last episode went out in February, and now it’s July 15, 2019—nine years to the day since I left that riverboat behind and decided to get help.

Earlier today, I visited a local park where I had that first big talk with myself right after coming home from the riverboat. It’s the place where I decided to go to Gamblers Anonymous (GA). Visiting there was a chance to reflect on how much my life has changed since July 15, 2010. And reflecting has brought a lot of gratitude but also insights into why I needed to pause the podcast for a bit.

So, what happened? Why did I need to take a break? Well, a lot has been going on. For one, I’ve had a busy workload. Plus, family commitments have been increasing, with my kids getting older and more involved in activities. Life was getting full, and something had to give. I realized that to keep my commitments to my family and work, I had to step back from the podcast.

Also, some personal things came up as well. If you recall, one of my last episodes was about a personality test I took, and the results were eye-opening. I discovered I was leaning towards becoming a bit of a workaholic. As a former gambler, I know how we can become obsessive or dive too deep into things, and I saw that happening with my work. Long hours, lack of sleep, getting up early and working late—it was all adding up. Even now, I catch myself working on weekends or at times when I’d rather just be relaxing with my family. So, this was a wake-up call to prioritize balance and not let work consume me.

With everything going on, I just couldn’t ignore the signs anymore. My family needed me, and I needed to be there for them fully. Work, too, is something I’m committed to, and the flexibility I have with it allows me to be there for my family and do things like the podcast. I didn’t want to jeopardize that by overloading myself. So, I started to push the podcast out a couple of weeks at a time, and that quickly snowballed. Each time, I thought, “I’ll get back to it soon,” but eventually, I realized I had to be honest with myself. I needed to prioritize other parts of my life to keep things in balance.

The truth is, I didn’t have a clear way of saying this before, but I’m finding my footing now. So where does that leave the podcast? Well, I don’t have specific upcoming episodes planned yet, and I’m also thinking more critically about topics. I started this podcast to share my experiences and insights, but lately, I feel like I’ve covered a lot of what I wanted to say. It’s almost like a book that’s nearing its last chapter. The episodes that are already up cover most of my journey and what I’ve learned. They’ll stay up, of course, and maybe re-listening to past episodes could be helpful if you’re looking for guidance or reminders.

Now, the thing I know listeners really love—what I’ve heard the most feedback about—is hearing others’ stories. I absolutely get that. Listening to other people’s journeys, their struggles, and triumphs is powerful. I feel incredibly grateful to everyone who’s come on and shared with us. And for me personally, those interviews were so rewarding to do. But they’re also the most time-consuming episodes to produce, from planning the interviews to editing and polishing them. So, while I love doing them, they’re a big commitment.

Maybe I’ll continue doing interviews but just less frequently. I’m not sure yet. I want to make sure the podcast remains something meaningful, not something I’m rushing through. I will say this: I’ll always stay involved in the work of reducing gambling harm and helping people who are struggling. That’s a lifelong mission for me. And I’m really excited about an opportunity that’s come up. I was invited to speak at the National Conference on Problem Gambling, which is happening this Saturday. I’ll be doing a short presentation, which is a bit nerve-wracking, but I’m looking forward to it. I’ll also be on a few panels, sharing insights and learning from others.

This work—raising awareness, sharing knowledge, helping reduce gambling harm—is something I’ll keep doing, even if it means I do fewer podcast episodes. But as I’m moving forward, I’m focusing on keeping a balanced life, being there for my family, and maintaining my own well-being. And who knows? Maybe one day I can do this more full-time. If there’s an opportunity to work in the field or partner up in some way, it could make sense to focus more on this. For now, though, I’m committed to the work I already have. I have a flexible, supportive setup with my current job, and I want to honor that commitment.

If you enjoy interviews, by the way, you should definitely check out All In: The Addicted Gamblers Podcast. My friend Jeff has joined as a co-host, and they’re doing some great work with interviews. It’s fantastic content, and there are plenty of stories there that you might find valuable. Also, I see more people sharing their own content, like videos, blog posts, and personal stories online, which is amazing. There’s so much more being created by people in recovery, and I think it’s encouraging for all of us.

I’ll also say this: if you’ve been thinking about sharing your story, go for it. Everyone has a unique experience, and every story can help someone else feel less alone. You don’t need to reveal your identity if you’re not comfortable with that. You can start off anonymously, and who knows where it might lead. Sharing my story has been a massive part of my growth, and I can’t recommend it enough if you feel ready.

When more people share, it builds awareness about problem gambling. That awareness can be a game-changer because it brings the issue into the public eye and can ultimately lead to more resources and support for people in need. It’s a domino effect. Every story helps build understanding and support around problem gambling, which is so crucial since it’s often hidden and misunderstood.

So, yeah, that’s really the goal here—awareness and support. If my step back creates a bit of a void, maybe someone else can step in and fill it. If you decide to share something, definitely let me know! I’m still active on social media and will be happy to spread the word about your work. You never know who might need to hear your perspective, and every voice helps.

n closing, I’m about to head off to Denver for the National Conference on Problem Gambling, and I’m hoping to share updates from there. While I may not be able to do as many episodes for the podcast, I’m thinking I could use my phone more for quick updates on social media. Just something simple and less time-intensive. It’s an adjustment, but I’ll be working on it.

Ultimately, the aim of recovery is to help you get your life back, to regain freedom, and to be able to live fully. Each step brings you closer to that freedom, even if it doesn’t always feel that way. So I encourage you to keep pushing forward. Don’t feel pressured to follow anyone else’s path to recovery—experiment and find what works best for you. The goal is to get back to living life and enjoying it fully.

I can honestly say, nine years into this journey, life has only gotten better. Recovery has given me a sense of peace, and I want that for each of you. So, keep at it, stay strong, and stick to whatever is helping you move forward. And if you’re still finding value in things like Gamblers Anonymous, keep going. I’ll be at my Monday night GA meeting, as always, because that’s what I do. Could I skip it? Maybe, but it’s not a risk I’m willing to take.

In the future, I may try batching episodes or brainstorming new topics to make recording more manageable. I want to put out valuable content, not just churn out episodes. If I have something worthwhile to share, I’ll find a way to make it happen. And I know together we can keep this conversation about problem gambling going—exploring not just gambling, but the beauty of life in recovery.

Thank you all for listening and for your support over these years. It means the world to me. And remember, as always, I’m not a doctor, therapist, or lawyer—just a former problem gambler. For professional help, please reach out to experts in your area. They’re there to guide you with the knowledge and tools you need.

Finally, the music for the show is “Something Elated” by Broke for Free, licensed under Creative Commons. Thanks again for tuning in. I’m Jamie, a former problem gambler, and I’ll see you somewhere down the line. Take care, and keep moving forward.