Fantasy Or Reality? The Gambling Problem Podcast

Hello Again! In this episode I detail some ideas I have had, heard from others, and what my wife and I did early on handling our finances, access to money and retraining my relationship with money while rebuilding financial trust (slooooooowly!) I detail what other people have done, what worked for us and steps to go about taking while early on in recovery to stop then bleeding and how to slowly work your way back into responsibly handling money. Heres a link to the True Link debit card I reference. www.Truelinkfinancial.com Questions, comments, or to be a guest fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I detail my thoughts on the book I am reading titled "You Are Not Your Brain, The 4 Step Solution for Changing Bad Habits Ending Unhealthy Thinking, and Taking Control of Your Life", as well as talking about why I don't see addiction as a disease anymore, how I do see it, and ways I went about changing my thinking and thought processes in my mind. I am not a doctor, scientist, therapist, researcher, elephant, yada yada yada these are just my thoughts and opinions! Please share yours @ fantastyorreality@yahoo.com Book: https://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Not-Your-Brain/dp/1583334831

Hey all its been 2 months since Ive checked in with you all so I thought today would be the perfect time! 2 years bet free for me today and I could not be happier! Thank you for joining me on this journey and I look forward to the next 365; One day at a time! Edit: I mentioned that I would be on the All Bets Off podcast; I meant to say Fold Em hosted by Adrienne Cossom! Sorry!! Ill put the episode details in when its comes out!

In this episode I detail watching the Super Bowl which was the first sporting event I watched since I stopped betting almost 2 years ago, taking responsibility for my actions and not being the victim of my situation and other topics! Inspired by South Park!  Also come down and say hello at the NYCPG annual conference on problem gambling at the Marriot at 189 wolf rd, Albany, NY on March 8th and 9th! https://nyproblemgambling.org/conference/ Movie I reference: 4 Good Days : https://m.imdb.com/title/tt10344522/

In this short episode I try to compare gambling addiction to something many people can understand. Addiction to sugar and poor food choices and how I think they compare. Hopefully this can help someone who's never had a gambling addiction understand a little better why people who have had or have a gambling addiction will make a poor choice in continuing a behavior we know isn't good for us.

Hey All! In this one I discuss the importance of meetings, but also why I believe its not the only thing we need. I answer this question and my thoughts on why. Send me your thoughts and ideas on this topic. Fantasyorreality@yahoo.com. PS: Sorry for the background noise in this one! Won't be recording there again!

If you have asked yourself either one of these questions take a listen to this episode. In this episode I go over signs to look out for in yourself or others to identifying a potential gambling problem. I go over thoughts and feelings I would have and why. Many times the line is blurred between having fun and the starts of a problem with gambling and we may not realize how far our addiction has gone until we are far down the road. We can work back from this and better ourselves in our lives. Reach out for help! I also read and reference The 20 Questions in GA. Here is the link to take your time and answer each question. https://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/20-questions To be a guest or share thoughts email at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

Hey everyone! Welcome to another podcast from the road! I hope this one sounds all right! In this one I talk about what works for me and my recovery and why physical fitness is so important to me. It helps my mindset and my mental health greatly and I would suggest anyone and everyone try a fitness lifesty; especially those coming into recovery! If you're not sure of where to start or begin with nutrition or recovery program feel free to reach out to me and I will guide you the best I can! Fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I'm trying something a little different in an effort to try to get more podcasts out! My route has changed up recently and I have some time waiting to be unloaded so I figured why not try and record something on my phone? It may not compare to recording with a microphone on a computer but let's give this a shot! In this one I talk about my past weekend and how Saturday and Sunday were completely different types of days. Saturday being full of multiple difficulties I would have catastrophized back in my days of addiction, but Sunday was a fantastic day all around with my wife and my children! I reflect on how I handled the situations today as opposed to how I would have handled them back then. I hope you're all doing well in your recovery and if you're new welcome to the podcast! If you would like to share your story or have thoughts questions or concerns email me at fantasyorreality@yahooahoo.com

Im very excited to share this episode with everyone! In this one I am joined by 2 great friends in recovery Jamie S. (The After Gambling Podcast) and Todd S. who came on and shared his incredible story back in April (Ep 22). The three of us along with a small group meet through zoom every Monday night at 7:30 to have our weekly GA/Problem Gambling meeting where we discuss topics ranging from the Daily reading from the blue book to daily life problems and successes. This group has been instrumental in helping me along in my recovery and these two guys have been a huge part of it! This is a conversation like most we have after the meeting concludes and I wanted to share this with everyone just to illustrate how recovery is possible and share a few bits of advice, encouragement and a laugh or two! Enjoy!  To be a guest or comment on anything you have heard here please email at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com The After Gambling Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-after-gambling-podcast/id1346227100 The After Gambling Podcast website: https://www.aftergambling.com/

Another original song of mine titled "My Shining Star"

In this episode I discuss having a great weekend with my best friend Johnny Boy and his family as well as the feelings it brought up being back in my hometown on Long Island. I discuss reframing my thoughts on certain feelings I had while there, how I dealt with restarting a relationship with a family member I had not spoken with in a year as well as learning to enjoy the journey and not be so focused on an end goal because honestly life goes too fast and I think we all need to be in the moment a little more! Enjoy! If you would like to come on and share any story of difficultly, addiction related or not and how you have worked through or are working towards a better life and future please email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com ENJOY!

How are you? I'm curious how you all are doing today and in your life of recovery. In this episode I ask how are you? I detail some passages from my journal from my early days and where my mind was at compared to where it is today and how I got to the point I am today. I also speak on a recent article in USA TODAY my wife and I were in and how it made me feel and why. Questions, comments or if you would like to be a guest email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

Hey Everyone! This is my first solo episode in the last 4 and I'm excited to ramble on about the happenings over the last month, whats coming up and of course how I feel! This is a special month for us recovering problem gamblers and affected others. This is PGAM (Problem Gambling Awareness Month). New York is having its annual conference this year virtually on march 9th and 10th, please come join us here: https://nycpg.dialogedu.com/virtual-conference/  Heres the activities each week I spoke on: https://nyproblemgambling.org/pgam/ Here is the recent article with my wife and I in the Daily Gazette about problem gambling: https://dailygazette.com/2022/02/27/house-money-advocates-worry-gambling-addictions-will-rise-after-legalization-of-mobile-sports-betting/ Come hear my wife Kelly and I speak at the NYCPG conference this March 10th from 1:15-2:15PM EST BE GOOD TO YOURSELVES

In this episode my best friend John and I talk addiction, our long friendship, the differences between being a problem gambler and a non-problem gambler. We also dive into an event from today and why I felt the way I did and how it relates back to my childhood and early adulthood with feelings of being discarded or abandoned. Thanks for listening!  Here is the link to my wife Kellys Podcast "I, Butterfly; A Podcast For Affected Others" https://open.spotify.com/episode/7GpTILF7OkeT0xEMCSUevw?si=oDKnePKJR-ekVdyMzM2lYQ&utm_source=native-share-menu&nd=1 Join our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2465384010262238

Another song I wrote for my wife. Enjoy!

In this episode I speak on my thoughts and feelings on the story in The NY Times by Kurt Streeter titled "The Rising Human Cost of Sports Betting" as well as my thoughts and feelings on the large increase in listeners due to being featured in this story. I also speak on why therapy is so important to myself, my wife and our recoveries as well as learning to live each day with the ups and downs. NY Times Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/01/31/sports/football/super-bowl-sports-betting.html My Facebook group for problem gamblers: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2465384010262238/?ref=share Please join the group! #gamblingaddiction #sportsbettingaddiction #DFS #GA

Hey all! In this episode I talk about how my week has been, Gambling in the news and my thoughts and feelings on what is going on with the legalization of sports betting. I get a little worked up in this one!! I hope you enjoy! Go watch the HBO real sports episode that just came out that has a 20 minute segment on the recent legalization and its impact. Also keep an eye out for an article in the NY Times coming out on 1/31/22. It may have a certain someone telling his story you may know! Email for comments, questions or if you would like to be a guest @ fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I speak on some difficult topics that come along with gambling addiction and recovery. First off if you are having thoughts of suicide please call 1-800-273-8255 or reach out to someone. I talk legalized sports betting in NY, a recent suicide due to gambling addiction, read a poem on addiction and try to sing a song about being in active addiction (not as well as I would have liked, but its ok) Be good to yourselves. We all can love one another until we can love ourselves. PS sorry if you can hear my kids laughing in the background; last episode I'm recording out of the office!

In this episode I speak on my rough days over the holidays and how life is not always easy in this journey. It was a tough Christmas and week afterwards. I had a lot of anger as did my wife and I speak on how these days were. Thankfully New years was much better. I got to spend some great time with family, playing music, games and more. I also reconnect and make amends with an old friend. #gamblingaddiction #gambling #addictionrecovery #Fantasyorreality #the gpp #dailyfantasysports #recovery

Another original song by yours truly. Enjoy!

In this episode Kelly and I talk on the topic of positives we have gained through our recovery process, what we have learned and what we hope for the future. We also talk on how we have brought our recover process into our family and how we discuss it with our children. For anyone wanting to try therapy at a discounted rate try betterhelp.com. This is not a promotion or ad I just have been hearing about it helping a lot of people that may not have access or feel comfortable going to in person therapy. We hope you enjoy the episode and feel free to reach out to ask either one of us any questions or leave comments at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

This is a song I wrote for my wife to tell her I loved her the first time about a month into dating back in 2010. It also was the first song we danced to at our wedding. This song has grown to have more meaning as the years have gone on and especially now. "There's nothin' we can't get through, cause I love you" Little different, but I hope you enjoy! Special thanks to my best friend John for converting these from CD to audio files, love ya buddy.

In this episode I discuss the differences in winning and losing playing Draftkings and Fanduel as opposed to what I call real life wins. Real life wins everytime in my book. I speak on a great weekend with my family and how through my life of reflection, change and recovery I can truly enjoy each moment.

Hey everyone! Welcome back! In this episode I speak about 3 songs that really mean a lot to me in my recovery, read some of the lyrics and go over why they are important to me. I also speak briefly on my recent interview with Brian Hatch from All In the Addicted Gamblers Podcast, Fanduel advertising and the book the 4 agreements. Let me know what songs or music is important to you in your recovery, email fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I talk about the origins of my addictive behavior, what I began with and where it led to. I only discuss these things to give you a complete picture of what I've gone through and show you recovery is possible. From my early days of weed and alcohol to my days of cocaine and heroin I discuss how I got there, but also show you that it is possible to get clean/bet free and live a life free from addiction. Comments or questions email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I talk about what I believe are important steps to take in rebuilding your life after addiction. I speak on what has worked for myself, what my passions are and why I will never drink or play any type of fantasy sports again. Questions, comments reach out to me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode my wife Kelly comes on as my first guest and talks about her recovery as well as what it is like to be the affected other of a compulsive gambler. If you have any questions for Kelly or I email us at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I discuss what I've done for my recovery over the last 6+ months and what has worked for me. Everyones journey and what works for them is going to be different and thats ok. I explain the types of recovery tools I use and why they work for me. If anyone has any comments, questions or wants to be a guest email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com PS: Ill get better with the Mic work! still figuring it out! Enjoy! Also wont be drinking from water bottles during the show!

In this episode I talk about my relapse playing DFS Daily Fantasy Sports in 2019 until my last date of bet in 2021. I talk about the stress and overwhelming feelings I was having and go over some details of my story and the day I was caught. Coming to terms with my addiction(s) has helped me in my recovery and I explain why. If you'd like to be a guest or have comments or questions email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

In this episode I talk about how I started playing Daily Fantasy Sports and how I became addicted to it. I talk about the reasons I played up until the first time I was caught and how it happened. If you have any comments or questions or would like to be a guest on the show email me at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com

This is just a simple introduction about the podcast and why I'm here doing this. I talk about Daily Fantasy Sports, a brief intro of my recovery journey and letting go of shame and forgiving yourself. I hope you enjoy this and future episodes! For any questions, comments or if you'd like to be a future guest email the show at fantasyorreality@yahoo.com