Explorez tous les épisodes du podcast The Modern Meeting
| Titre | Date | Durée | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ep. 113 - Bookmaking in The Berkshires with Brian Dolan | 19 May 2026 | 01:04:26 | |
Brian Dolan grew up in The Berkshires, won $500 in a March Madness pool in fourth grade, and spent the next 15 years chasing that feeling. By his freshman year of college he was dealing drugs to cover gambling debts. By his mid-20s he had $80,000 cash in a shoebox from a "hot streak," and lost it all, plus more, within months. Three treatment centers. Multiple relapses. A night he thought about jumping off a bridge. And then, five years to the day before Adam's own sobriety date, Brian surrendered. He's now a master's level counselor, recovery coach, and board member of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling — with nine years away from a bet and a practice built entirely around helping others find their way out. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider seeking support. Help is available. In the U.S., you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 — available 24/7. For more information on Brian: www.briandolancounseling.com Brian Dolan MHC, CRC | LinkedIn If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 112 - We Cannot Do This Alone | Gambling Recovery in Real Time | 16 May 2026 | 00:38:10 | |
I still have zero urge to gamble, but in the last few months I went from one meeting a week to four. And it's been awesome. This week I share not just what I've been learning in those rooms, but what I've been contributing — including a different way to look at ego in recovery, how to navigate the early days, and how one person's energy can completely change the course of a meeting. I also took a break mid-record to take a phone call from someone who slipped as they were closing in on a milestone. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 111 - A Ferrari With No Brakes | Edgar Jones’ Story | 12 May 2026 | 01:13:14 | |
On December 1st, 2012, his birthday, Edgar Jones' teammate took his own life and his girlfriend's life outside the Kansas City Chiefs facility. The team played the next day. Edgar played. And then he spent years trying to outrun everything he felt, with pills and alcohol, while performing at the highest level of professional football. In this conversation Edgar talks about survivor's guilt, substance abuse, what it took to finally get sober, and why he believes the most important thing any of us can do is find the right container to pour our fuel into. He also gets into the current state of mental health in professional sports, what's happening with young athletes and gambling, and why staying quiet is the worst thing we can do. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 110 - The Geographic Cure: Why Moving Never Fixed My Gambling | 05 May 2026 | 00:41:40 | |
I've moved 18 times in almost 25 years. Every single time, I convinced myself the new place would fix things. New city. Fresh start. Maybe this time I wouldn't gamble. It never worked. Because I took myself with me every time. In this episode, I'm unpacking what recovery calls the "geographic cure" — and how it played out in my own life across 18 addresses. I also just moved into what might be the best apartment I've ever had in my life. And within 48 hours, I was already being tested. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 109 - Therapy Did What Meetings Couldn't | Jacob's Story | 28 Apr 2026 | 01:05:02 | |
Jacob grew up in England, moved to Australia, and spent 15 years losing everything to sports betting. He tried GA meetings. They helped, but only so much. What actually saved him was therapy. Nearly 100 sessions later, all with the same therapist, and he's still going strong. Now 7+ years removed from his last bet, Jacob sits down with Adam and talks about losing his mother to cancer when he was 10 years old and never dealing with it and how gambling became the escape that filled that void for the next two decades. He breaks down what it looked like to burn through an entire month's salary in a week, rely on payday loans just to survive, and slowly lose the respect of everyone who loved him. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 108 - I Would Have Lost Every Bet I Made That Day | 22 Apr 2026 | 00:42:40 | |
On this episode I share a life update - Moving back to Rhode Island and very excited about it. I also recap the latest conference in Illinois where I made my first keynote and heard some amazing things from others in attendance. A last minute Red Sox game in the rain brought me closer to my higher power, and a Modern Meeting original celebrates a recovery milestone. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 107 - The Storm Is Coming | Abdullah Mahmood on Ohio's Gambling Crisis | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:53:16 | |
Abdullah Mahmood is back. The gambling coordinator at Maryhaven in Columbus, Ohio returns to The Modern Meeting for a conversation about what might be the most significant piece of gambling legislation in the country right now. The Save Ohio Sports Act — introduced by two Republican and two Democratic lawmakers — would effectively abolish mobile and online sports betting in the state, limit wagers to four brick and mortar casinos, ban credit card use, and eliminate parlays and prop bets. In a state where 98% of sports betting happens on a mobile device, that's a seismic shift. Adam and Abdullah break down what's in the bill, why it started with a match-fixing scandal involving two Cleveland Guardians players, who's going to fight it, and why it probably won't pass in its current form — but probably should. They also get into the five stages of change, what Abdullah is seeing on his caseload right now, and why a man's first appointment is almost always about saving his family rather than saving himself. Contact Abdullah: https://maryhaven.com/gambling/ https://www.gamfin.org/ If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 106 - I'm Becoming Who I Thought I'd Be | 14 Apr 2026 | 00:40:25 | |
I almost didn't record this one. Friday episodes are tough. I was ready to skip the episode entirely. And then the Monday meeting happened. The topic was: what did gambling give you — and who are you without it? What followed was one of the most powerful hours I've ever spent in a recovery room. Gail and Mandy's answers to "Without Gambling, Who Are You Becoming," sent me all the way back to Clinton, MA. Then I picked up my pen and wrote down a name I hadn't thought about in almost 20 years. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 105 - 53 Years, 4 Marriages, and 1 Friday the 13th | 07 Apr 2026 | 01:02:30 | |
Larry K went to his first Gamblers Anonymous meeting at 16 years old in 1973 — not because he was ready, but because his grandmother paid him $100 to go. What followed was 53 years of compulsive gambling, multiple relapses, four marriages, and a stint trading $30 million in stock market options while convincing himself it wasn't gambling. This is not a straight line recovery story. It's something far more honest than that. Larry breaks down the difference between abstinence and real recovery, why the obsession never truly goes away, and what finally brought him back to the GA meeting he started himself over 30 years ago — on a Friday the 13th at a Denny's in Mission Viejo. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 104 - I Negotiated With God at a Slot Machine | 04 Apr 2026 | 00:42:51 | |
This week we're getting specific. After pleading my case on the importance of lived experience stories, I tell five stories from my gambling that I've either never mentioned on this podcast or have only glossed over. From the debt collection calls that started waking me up every morning, to the manic thoughts during a slot session, to the elaborate lie I told my parents during my final bailout. This is what twenty years of compulsive gambling actually looked like up close. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 103 - Come All The Way In, Sit All The Way Down | 31 Mar 2026 | 00:56:01 | |
Mandy S hadn't placed a bet in 917 days when she sat down for this conversation with Adam. She wasn't a sports bettor or a casino gambler. What kept her gambling for many years was scratch tickets. She hid her addiction in plain sight. She didn't need the casinos or to sneak away on her phone. All she needed was a convenience store, gas station, or grocery store. What followed were years she couldn't have predicted. Gambling through IVF, a marriage that almost didn't survive, and three relapses, before she finally surrendered and dove into recovery. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 102 - The F**k It Phase | 30 Mar 2026 | 00:44:33 | |
I was supposed to release this episode on Friday. Instead, I didn't start recording until Sunday night. Four years into recovery, the "f**k it phase" is still very much a part of my life. The procrastination, the putting things off, the feeling that nothing bad is actually going to happen...it didn't disappear when I stopped gambling. It just found new places to live. This week, my higher power sent a message in the form of a pickleball injury that I hope gets me back on the right track. I also recap the Midwest trip, my complicated feelings about Episode 100's performance, why I'm done caring about likes and downloads, and why lived experience will always connect differently than a degree — no matter what anyone in the comment section thinks. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 101 - Two Moms, One Mission with Kim Freudenberg & Linda Uphoff | 24 Mar 2026 | 01:06:35 | |
If your child has a gambling problem, where do you even start? That's the question Kim Freudenberg and Linda Uphoff couldn't answer when they needed it most. Kim's son Kurt started gambling at age 11 — on video game skins and offshore casino sites — and the family didn't find out for eight years. Linda's son developed a sports betting addiction after college, and by the time she recognized the signs, his savings were gone and he was dipping into his 401k. Both women searched desperately for help and found almost nothing. So they built it themselves. In this episode of The Modern Meeting, Kim and Linda join Adam to talk about Parents Standing Together — the nonprofit peer support organization they founded for families navigating youth and young adult gambling harm. They share their own stories, the mistakes they made, what they wish they'd known, and what they're building so no other parent has to figure this out alone at 2am. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 100 - Alright Hey Everybody, Episode 100 of The Modern Meeting! | 21 Mar 2026 | 01:59:38 | |
Episode 100 of The Modern Meeting. This is a chronological look back at the first 99 episodes — clips that show how the conversations and perspectives have evolved over time. Different voices, different experiences, but all centered around addiction, recovery, and growth. If you’ve been listening, you’ll recognize some of these moments. If you’re new, this is a good snapshot of what this podcast is about. Grateful for everyone who’s been part of it so far. We’ll see you on the other side. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 99 - Build it Up, Burn it Down with Louis Ruggiero (Part 2) | 12 Mar 2026 | 01:01:45 | |
In Part 2, Louis Ruggiero picks up where he left off - sober from drugs and alcohol but deeper in his gambling addiction than ever. From betting $40,000 on UFC fights to losing $600,000 on a sports betting app in months, Louis reveals how compulsive gambling brought him to the brink of suicide while his fiancée was postpartum and his newborn son was in the next room. He shares the phone call on the corner of 48th and Madison that changed everything, how Gamblers Anonymous saved his life, and why after everything - the drugs, the alcohol, the arrests - it was gambling that truly took his soul. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider seeking support. Help is available. In the U.S., you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 — available 24/7. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 98 - Louis Ruggiero: Everything to Lose — And He Did (Part 1) | 10 Mar 2026 | 01:12:18 | |
Louis Ruggiero grew up on the Upper East Side of Manhattan. Private school. Three sports. By most measures, he had every advantage. At 14 — he turned $200 into $9,000 at a blackjack table in the Bahamas and lost every penny before checkout. By 21 he had a bookie, three felonies, and was stealing checks from a friend to stay in action and fund his other addictions. This is Part 1 of a two-part conversation. Louis walks us through the early years — the entitlement, the structure that kept him together in high school and collapsed the moment he left for college, and the first real consequences that came when charm and a well-connected family couldn't bail him out anymore. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 97 - Back in the State Where it All Ended | 07 Mar 2026 | 00:40:05 | |
Oklahoma was the last place I ever gambled in a casino. WinStar. January 31st, 2022. This is my first time back. We cover a lot of ground this week — bad flights, great food, a statewide conference on problem gambling, and a number that stopped me in my tracks: 143 casinos in a state of 4 million people. What does that landscape mean for people trying to get out? And is it ever a valid excuse? We also celebrate Christina Cook — the person who changed the trajectory of my life — as she marks five years away from a bet. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 96 - Meeting People Where They Are in Louisiana with Meagan Dunham | 03 Mar 2026 | 00:43:42 | |
Adam sits down with Meagan Dunham, a licensed master social worker and Gambling Program Monitor for Louisiana's Metropolitan Human Services District (MHSD) serving the Greater New Orleans area. Meagan didn't come to this work through lived experience — she came through public health. What she found when she arrived at gambling was familiar: a population going unseen and underserved. In this conversation she breaks down what gambling harm actually looks like on the ground in New Orleans, how MHSD reaches people who would never walk into a clinic, and the one pattern she's seen consistently in people who make it: small, manageable goals. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 95 - Are You Actually Ready to Stop Gambling? | 28 Feb 2026 | 00:28:45 | |
I'm taking a break from talking about meetings and connection. We know that's important. But this week I want to talk about something different. The cold hard truth that most people struggling with gambling don't want to hear: wanting to stop and being ready to stop are two very different things. Close your eyes, clear your head, and answer three questions. Your answers might tell you more than you're ready to admit. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 94 - I Paid For My Seat with Sal Guarino | 24 Feb 2026 | 01:01:22 | |
Adam sits down with Sal Guarino, co-founder of The Recovery Partners, an online coaching program for gambling recovery. In a conversation that covers nearly 40 years of living with a gambling addiction, Sal and Adam dig into what keeps people gambling for decades even when they know better, why the same mind that justifies "one more bet" is the same mind that says the meeting wasn't welcoming enough, and what it really means to build a life in recovery instead of just defending against the next bet. Contact Sal: The Recovery Partners | Building Happy, Gambling Free - Lives If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 93 - What's the Excuse Now? | 21 Feb 2026 | 00:36:47 | |
In this episode, I talk about finally sending the Venmo for a gambling debt that had been sitting in my head for seven years, why procrastination still shows up in my recovery, the anxiety that creeps in when life starts going well, and how I’m learning to sit with stability instead of chaos. Also...who wants to come to Chris Stapleton with me?! If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 92 - Addiction By Design with Kate Seselja | 17 Feb 2026 | 00:58:59 | |
Adam sits down with Australian recovery advocate and founder of The Hope Project Australia, Kate Seselja. Kate shares her lived experience with gambling addiction — from early wins that pulled her in, to years of secrecy, shame, and financial loss while raising a family. Kate challenges the traditional “disease model” of gambling addiction, arguing that many gambling products — especially electronic gaming machines in Australia — are deliberately designed to maximize engagement and loss. For more information on The Hope Project Australia - https://www.thehopeprojectaustralia.com.au/ If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 91 - The Final Days of My 20 Years of Gambling | 14 Feb 2026 | 00:43:00 | |
After 91 episodes, we made it to February 8, 2022. Adam has his first viral clip and recaps Noah's wedding weekend, what inspired him to start the Friday episodes, and how he's never going to stop telling his story. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 90 - Multiple Addictions, Multiple Attempts at Recovery with Malik Keene | 10 Feb 2026 | 01:06:30 | |
Malik Keene’s addiction story spans decades — from gambling on card games as a teenager to casino markers, alcohol abuse, drug addiction, and multiple DUIs. What began as bullying and insecurity turned into a lifelong search for validation through money, gambling, and substances. Connect with Malik: If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 89 - Nostalgia, Identity, and Recovery in Las Vegas with Ted Hartwell | 03 Feb 2026 | 01:21:11 | |
It's a matter of weeks before Adam surrenders in Texas. Adam sits down with Ted Hartwell, Director of Storytelling at the Nevada Council on Problem Gambling and someone approaching 19 years away from his last bet. Ted’s relationship with gambling began early—normalized through family trips, childhood poker games, and growing up around it—but didn’t become a problem until much later in life. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 88 - Inside the Rise of American Sports Gambling with Danny Funt | 27 Jan 2026 | 01:20:23 | |
Adam and the Botelho family discuss a variety of topics while snowed in. Danny Funt is an investigative journalist and the author of Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Betting. In this episode, we talk about how sports betting went from illegal and taboo to completely normalized — and what that shift has meant for fans, gamblers, and the people behind the scenes. We dig into VIP programs, league partnerships, media influence, and why this industry exploded so fast with so little pushback. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 87 - The Power of Language with Andrew Schreier | 20 Jan 2026 | 01:14:48 | |
Adam sits down with Andrew Schreier — a counselor, public speaker, and podcaster with over 20 years of experience in addiction and mental health. Andrew shares how his work in counseling, gambling recovery, and education has shaped the way he thinks about language — and why the words we use around addiction matter more than we realize. From stigmatizing labels to well-meaning advice that misses the mark, this conversation explores how language can either create distance or build connection. Andrew challenges us to move away from fixing, judging, or labeling — and instead ask a simple but powerful question: What’s it like to be you? If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 86 - The Manic Episode: Todd F on Bipolar Disorder and Gambling | 13 Jan 2026 | 01:28:19 | |
Adam makes it to Texas. Todd F is approaching two years in recovery from compulsive gambling, but his journey to get here wasn't linear. In this raw and honest conversation, Todd opens up about the intersection of bipolar disorder and gambling addiction—how manic episodes fueled his gambling, how two relapses tested his resolve, and how gambling ultimately cost him his marriage. Todd talks about what it's like to battle low self-worth even in recovery, why he leans on his GA family to get through the hard days, and how he's finally found peace—and love—on the other side. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 85 - Curiosity Over Compulsion with Pedro Romero of BetBlocker | 06 Jan 2026 | 01:07:50 | |
Adam sits down with Pedro Romero — a psychologist, safer gambling expert, and former Head of Gambling Therapy — to explore what’s actually driving gambling addiction beneath the surface. From the evolution of safer gambling inside the industry to the emerging research around psychedelic-assisted therapy, Pedro offers a rare perspective that blends clinical psychology, lived experience, and real-world impact. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 84 - Looking Back to Move Ahead with Christina Cook of The Broke Girl Society | 30 Dec 2025 | 01:36:54 | |
In this special collaboration episode, Adam Lyons of The Modern Meeting and Christina Cook of The Broke Girl Society, sit down for a reflective and forward-looking conversation on recovery, growth, and intention. Together, they look back on their biggest wins from 2025, unpack the difference between goals and resolutions, and share how they’re approaching 2026 with clarity instead of pressure. Adam names Consistency as his word for the year ahead, while Christina chooses Conversation, reflecting her mission to keep honest, sometimes uncomfortable discussions about addiction and recovery—especially for women—alive and visible.If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 83 - I'm Worth a Life with Kiki Marriott | 23 Dec 2025 | 01:29:46 | |
Adam makes a decision on his future at National Harbor. Adam sits down with Kiki Marriott, who shares her story of trauma, addiction, and recovery. Kiki grew up in London in a chaotic and abusive environment and was introduced to drugs at a young age. She spent over 20 years addicted to cocaine before compulsive gambling entered her life during the final years of her addiction. Having never set foot in a casino, she still "lost her soul" due to gambling on her phone. Now 18 months clean and sober, Kiki reflects on how trauma shaped her addictions, why gambling became such a powerful escape, and what recovery has required of her emotionally and spiritually. Today, she uses her voice to speak throughout the UK, sharing her story while advocating for women and ethnic minorities in recovery. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 82 - OTB by Day, AA by Night with Stephen Matos | 16 Dec 2025 | 01:22:30 | |
Adam is waiting for the other shoe to drop at National Harbor. Stephen Matos shares his story of growing up around gambling and addiction, and how his father’s lifestyle quietly shaped his own. Stephen first found recovery through Alcoholics Anonymous, but for years didn’t recognize that gambling had become part of his daily routine — spending his days at the OTB while staying sober through AA at night. It wasn’t until someone pointed out the pattern that Stephen walked into his first GA meeting — a moment that changed the course of his life. Now, with 38 years in recovery, Stephen reflects on the overlap between addiction and awareness and how his lived experience eventually led him to a second career as a recovery support specialist, leading the charge in Connecticut. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 81 - The First 10 Things I Did to Stop Gambling | 09 Dec 2025 | 00:46:56 | |
After 20 years of compulsive gambling, bankruptcy, lies, constant moves, and living a double life, everything changed on February 8th, 2022. That night — my first GA meeting — was the beginning of a life I didn’t think was possible. In this episode, I walk through the exact steps I took early on: an honest breakdown of the first 10 things I did in my first 60 days of recovery. None of this is a blueprint — every path is different — but this is what helped me stay away from a bet. If you’re struggling right now, you’re not alone. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 80 - 18 Months for 50+ Years | 02 Dec 2025 | 01:30:34 | |
Adam's "Winter Routine," in 2021 is not productive. Ken Feldstein joins to talk about his unique path of recovery from substance abuse. Growing up in 1960's Long Island as a teenager caught up in heroin use and the legal trouble that followed, Ken was sent to an 18-month therapeutic program that would end up changing the direction of his entire life. He’s been clean for more than fifty years — without ever returning to any "traditional" recovery work. And now, after retiring, and being inspired after watching someone close to him struggle with the same demons, he now works as a counselor helping others find their way. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 79 - Raised on the Action with Mike Sciandra | 25 Nov 2025 | 01:21:07 | |
Mike Sciandra didn’t fall into gambling — he was brought up in it. He placed his first bet at 9 years old, growing up in a family marked by addiction, chaos, and incarceration. What felt normal as a kid turned into decades of hustling, secrecy, and living a double life through his 20's and 30's. Keno bars. Casino nights. Pull Tabs. Whatever he could find. Today, Mike hasn’t placed a bet since December 2020, and he now serves as the Executive Director of the Nebraska Council on Problem Gambling, using his lived experience to help others break the cycle he grew up inside. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 78 - Achieving Financial Freedom with Janice Pierce | 18 Nov 2025 | 01:25:57 | |
Adam has his work cut out for him at his new job. Adam sits down with Janice Pierce, a financial planner who specializes in helping people rebuild their relationship with money — especially after chaos, addiction, and life transitions. Janice breaks down the behavioral side of finances: why we spend the way we do, how old habits follow us into recovery, and what it really takes to create a healthy plan that lasts. She also answers common questions about budgeting, debt, savings, and financial shame — then turns the conversation toward Adam’s own money habits, offering clarity, guidance, and a framework for long-term stability. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 77 - The Original Voice with Brian Hatch (Part 2) | 06 Nov 2025 | 01:02:34 | |
Adam settles in to another new place. In Part 2 of the conversation with Brian Hatch, he talks about how he continued to battle with his gambling addiction. Suffering from relapse, loss, and the chaos that followed him across state lines, Brian eventually found a path that allowed him to rebuild his life, his recovery, and his purpose. Brian shares how his story became a lifeline as he launched the first podcast of its kind, and why he feels a responsibility to speak up for people still suffering. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 76 - I Won't Do It Tomorrow with Brian Hatch | 03 Nov 2025 | 01:12:02 | |
Adam does a live Cold Open with his Cousin Casie. Adam sits down with Brian Hatch, host of All In: The Addicted Gambler’s Podcast — one of the original voices in the gambling recovery space. In Part 1 of a 2-Part conversation, Brian opens up about his first experiences gambling in college, the early warning signs he didn't take seriously, and how the cycle of relapse and recovery defined much of his twenties. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 75 - Square Peg in a Round World | 30 Oct 2025 | 01:33:59 | |
Deanna grew up in a strict religious home, under the weight of a tough mother and a childhood that she spent in isolation in her room. Decades later, while raising her daughter with her husband, she experienced loss and she found gambling. She never set foot in a casino, yet she lost millions. All in truck stops, bars, and restaurants. What started as a distraction became destruction. Deanna began borrowing and eventually embezzling from her husband’s business. When he passed away suddenly, the grief nearly consumed her. Her road through recovery hasn’t been a straight line — relapses, setbacks, and moments of reckoning — but today, she’s finally finding her footing with nearly 6 months since her last bet. She’s learning what true recovery feels like, what accountability means, and what it takes to rebuild when the world never seemed to fit. Content Warning: This episode contains discussions of suicide and mental health, which may be distressing for some listeners. If you or someone you know is struggling, please consider seeking support. Help is available. In the U.S., you can contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 — available 24/7. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 74 - Finding His Voice with Saul Malek | 27 Oct 2025 | 01:14:26 | |
Adam accepts the job at MGM National Harbor. Saul Malek’s gambling story is short in years — but deep in impact. What began as casual sports betting in college quickly turned into chaos. In less than two years, Saul was juggling debt, hiding lies, and chasing losses through every bailout and bookie he could find. But after hitting his breaking point after a year of GA meetings while still gambling, Saul found hope and with the help of his sponsor, he rebuilt his life from the ground up. Today, Saul travels the country sharing his story, speaking to young people about gambling addiction and recovery. His work is a reminder that you don’t need decades of damage to justify getting help — you just need a moment of honesty. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 73 -NBA Gambling Scandal — What No One’s Talking About (Emergency Bonus Episode) | 25 Oct 2025 | 00:39:37 | |
Adam and TMM Field Correspondent Alex, discuss the recent allegations surrounding NBA players and coaches involved in gambling scandals. They explore the implications of legalized sports betting, the historical context of gambling in sports, and the impact of gambling addiction on athletes. They also touch on media coverage, the NBA's struggle to maintain integrity while profiting from gambling, and the need for greater awareness and regulation in the industry. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 72 - Addiction Time Capsule (Part 2) | 23 Oct 2025 | 01:25:38 | |
In Part 2, I pick up where I left off on October 4, 2020. After a couple wins and being "up" early, the night turned into the kind of long and quiet downfall that defined so much of my gambling. Most of the footage is silent. Just me, a slot machine, and the delusion that this night was going to be different. As I watched it back five years later, I tried to put words to what was happening inside my head during those stretches of silence — the hope, the denial, the self-talk that kept me chasing. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 71 - Addiction Time Capsule (Part 1) | 20 Oct 2025 | 00:34:06 | |
On October 4 2020, during my last few weeks living in Las Vegas, I decided to record myself on what I planned to be my last night gambling. I wanted to capture what one of my typical nights in the casino really looked like. I filmed everything from start to finish — rambling to the camera about betting strategies, chasing losses, and dying a slow death at the Keno Slots. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 70 - It's Your Recovery | 16 Oct 2025 | 01:10:26 | |
Adam is planning his exit strategy in Vegas. Jenn returns to discuss the differences between her first and second year in recovery as she's celebrating 2 years away from a bet. Adam and Jenn reflect on how their recovery has evolved, how to avoid "binge-recovery", and continuing to find balance in their lives. Adam recaps his time at the CCPG Conference in Hartford. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 69 - Pulling Their Weight with Tana Russell of Evergreen CPG | 13 Oct 2025 | 01:23:18 | |
Adam and Noah land in Las Vegas. Adam sits down with Tana Russell, Deputy Director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling in Washington State — one of the most forward-thinking organizations in the country when it comes to awareness, training, and prevention. Tana shares how she entered the world of problem gambling support and she breaks down Evergreen’s approach to training clinicians, collaborating with casinos, and creating community programs that actually make an impact. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 68 - The Ellie Episode (Adam's Mom) | 09 Oct 2025 | 01:11:10 | |
In this week’s episode, it's all things Ellie. Adam sits down with his Mom to do a deep dive into his own and their family's history with addiction and gambling. Ellie didn’t grow up surrounded by gambling — but when the casino doors opened in Connecticut in the early ’90s, things changed. Gambling ran in her family, even if she didn’t gamble much herself. It was in her blood. She saw the patterns, the pull, the danger — and she’s the first to admit that if it weren’t for Adam’s dad keeping her grounded, things might’ve gone differently. Through reflection and vulnerability, Ellie comes to a powerful realization: while she may not consider herself a compulsive gambler, she recognizes the importance of staying aware — of keeping an eye on the behaviors that can quietly lead down that path. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 67 - Caught Off Guard with Robert G | 06 Oct 2025 | 01:15:42 | |
Robert G joined Gamblers Anonymous in 1993, buried under a million dollars in debt and determined to turn his life around. Over three decades later, he’s still showing up — not just for himself, but for others. But Robert’s story isn’t one of perfection. It’s a story about what happens when life catches you off guard, when honesty slips, and when you’re forced to start over even after years of recovery. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 66 - I Have It Covered: Jon's Story | 02 Oct 2025 | 01:30:35 | |
Out of Breath heads back East. Representing a growing wave of young men being pulled into gambling at an alarming rate, Adam sits down with Jon. A recently graduated D-1 college athlete, Jon placed his first bets in high school. Betting sports through bookies, playing online blackjack during school, and checking the lines before and after soccer practice -- John was developing a problem. When COVID hit, stimulus checks and unemployment money gave him more ammo, and he lost it all within months. Jon 's ability to maintain his academics and athletics in college only fueled his delusion that what he was doing was sustainable. After several rock bottoms and a relapse, through the help of his loved ones and the fellowship, Jon is now on a road of recovery. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 65 - Building Recovery Muscles with Brian Ward | 29 Sep 2025 | 01:26:39 | |
The Casinos open back up and Adam has a rough weekend. Brian Ward is an International Gambling Recovery Specialist, IGCCB Board Approved Recovery Advisor, Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor, and SMART facilitator. He is also someone with lived experience. Growing up around gambling, it wasn’t until age 21 that a big win on Oregon’s VLTs set him on a dangerous path. What began as “easy money” became an escape from unresolved trauma and inner chaos. His rock bottom came when he stole to fund his habit—but instead of waiting to be caught, he turned himself in. That moment became the start of his recovery. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||
| Ep. 64 - A Vessel to Recovery with Abdullah Mahmood of Maryhaven | 25 Sep 2025 | 01:10:21 | |
Adam and Eric are Out of Breath. Adam sits down with Abdullah Mahmood, the Administrative Coordinator of the gambling program at Maryhaven. Abdullah shares what inspired him to enter the field, how he moved from chemical dependency into gambling disorders, and why he takes pride in educating himself to connect with those he serves—even without lived experience of gambling. The conversation explores the changing landscape of gambling treatment, where funding comes from, and why more research and prevalence studies are desperately needed. Abdullah’s optimism for the future shines through, and the episode closes with Adam stepping back into 2018, imagining his first appointment, to give listeners a rare glimpse of what that first meeting with a clinician might actually feel like. The Modern Meeting is supported by Evive! Evive meets you exactly where you are. Download Evive today or visit www.getevive.com | |||