Addiction: An Hour With Auer

In this blockbusting episode of everyone’s favourite* addiction-related podcast, we explore the complexities of gambling behaviour, risk thresholds, and the psychological mechanisms behind decision-making and risk management. Top guest Jussi Palomäki is a cognitive scientist and gambling harm researcher, and shares insights on how understanding the brain's response to risk can inform better polici...

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford meet Dr Jim Whelan to explore the intersection of gambling research, treatment, regulation, and marketing. Jim – of the University of Memphis – delves into how data-driven approaches are transforming gambling treatment and responsible gambling initiatives, and much more. Oh, and Jon has a sore throat. All his own fault. This episode comes to y...

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford welcome Dr. Ayan Orujov from the University of Liverpool to discuss the impact of sports betting legalisation on suicide rates in the US, the challenges of prediction markets, and the intersection of gambling and behavioural psychology. He’s pretty awesome. This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International ....

This episode – brought to you by GLI! – we meet Rachel Volberg, retired research professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst and president of Gemini Research, as she reflects on more than four decades studying gambling behaviour and gambling harms. The conversation moves from the long-running Massachusetts casino impact study to the shift toward public health framing, sports betting regul...

In this episode, Dr. Shane Kraus discusses behavioural addictions, including gambling, sex, and disordered eating, especially in military populations. We explore the psychological mechanisms, risk factors, and potential interventions for these complex issues with hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford. This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International. GLI is a w...

Join us as we explore the complex world of gambling addiction through personal stories, industry perspectives, and practical insights. This episode highlights the importance of awareness, harm prevention, and the societal factors influencing addictive behaviours. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by recovering addict Saul Malek , who speaks candidly about his personal journey and th...

In this episode, hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by Lorraine Perrons and Claire Jones, co-founders of Gambling Recovery Therapy. In conversation we explore innovative approaches to treating gambling addiction and phobias through hypnotherapy, the importance of commitment, and the journey of building effective therapy frameworks. Lorraine and Claire share their insights on remote t...

In this episode, Dr Michael Auer and his social superior Jon Bruford explore the neurobiological underpinnings of addiction, focusing on dopamine's role in gambling, binge eating, and other behaviours. Dr. Jakob Linnet shares insights from brain imaging research, the impact of societal factors, and strategies for managing addictive impulses. This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gami...

Join us as we (Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford) delve into neuroscience, misinformation, and fascinating insights from Dr. Dean Burnett . Discover how the brain works, how to spot misinformation, and the impact of social media on our thinking. There’s loads more, obviously, but that’s the headlines. This episode comes to you courtesy of the excellent Gaming Laboratories International . GLI is a wo...

Did you know that this episode of Addiction: An Hour With Auer is brought to you by GLI? Well now you do. This is our last recording from the UNLV conference and we sign off with a fitting guest, the excellent Dr Ghaharian, Director of Research at the UNLV International Gaming Institute. We talk about all sorts: Top Trumps, putting conferences together, you name it… And apologies for the slightly...

Brought to you by those mighty folks at GLI! Another double-header from the UNLV Risk and Gambling conference, this time we talk with Shane Kraus about gambling addiction among the armed forces, and among veterans. It's an enlightening field of study, and we hope to welcome Shane back on the podcast soon to talk more on this. [2:22 – 40:59] Then we meet the mighty Howard Stutz, reporter extraordin...

This episode is brought to you thanks to those benevolent wonders at GLI. Back at the conference, we unexpectedly bumped into a proper couple of legends in the shape of Simon Thomas, top man at London's Hippodrome Casino, and Dan Waugh, a luminary at Regulus Partners. We get in to all sorts in these conversations – the challenge of a safer gambling program at a land-based operation, a Handmaid's T...

This episode is brought to you by GLI, and bless them for doing so! Hurrah! This is the second episode from the UNLV conference on Risk and Gambling, and we find Dr Auer and Jon with Tracy Schrans, of Focal Research Consultants. Tracy was there when a new form of gambling arrived out of the blue in Nova Scotia, in the shape of electronic gambling machines. This means she has been part of evolving...

A slightly different episode here, not least in sound quality, as we bring you the first of our recordings from the 2026 UNLV conference on Risk and Gambling. And it's brought to you thanks to GLI! As mentioned, the sound quality isn't the best – sadly, especially in Sarah's chat – but bear with us... We get into the impact of gambling on young people in America with Jon Cohen [0:00 – 37:35], then...

Another smash-hit episode – brought to you by GLI! – as we delve into the fascinating world of dopamine, often called the "molecule of more", and explore its profound influence on our motivation, addiction, creativity, and even social trends. With insights from Dr. Dan Lieberman, a respected psychiatrist, author and researcher, we connect neurochemistry to real-world behaviours and societal shifts...

Another banging episode – brought to you by GLI! – as we delve into the complex world of addiction, featuring Dr. Guyonne Rogier, an Associate Professor of Clinical Psychology from UniCamillus University in Rome. We explore the psychological underpinnings of various addictive behaviours, the role of personality traits, cultural factors, and the latest research models that help explain these pervas...

We’re back – thanks to those absolute legends at GLI! – with another engaging discussion around the subject of addiction. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford are joined by Dr. Dean Burnett, neuroscientist and author, to delve into the fascinating ways our brains interact with social media, entertainment, routines, and cultural references. Discover how neuroscience explains our habits, susceptibi...

In this spectacularly brilliant episode – brought to you by GLI! – we explore the complexities of problem gambling, risk prediction models, and regulatory challenges. Join us as Dr. Rob Heirine shares insights from his research on using behavioural data to identify at-risk gamblers and evaluate harm reduction policies. What we talk about, but in a list: Challenges in predicting problem gambling us...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr Michael Auer delve into the nuances of language, terminology, and cultural influences in the field of addiction and gambling. They discuss how words evolve, the importance of precise terminology for research and practice, and share updates on recent research and conferences. Key Topics Covered, but in a list: The significance of terminology in gambling and...

A really terrific episode, and I write that with absolutely no bias whatsoever. And this episode comes to you thank to GLI and their kind sponsorship – what a bunch of absolute legends. Hosts Dr Michael Auer and Jon Bruford (not a doctor) are joined by the legendary Professor Mark Griffiths to explore the complex world of behavioural addictions. Mark is an esteemed researcher with over 39 years in...

This episode – brought to you by GLI! – of Addiction: An Hour With Auer features a lively discussion with Pieter Remmers, a veteran in responsible gambling and addiction treatment, alongside hosts Jon Bruford and Michael Auer. They explore the history of problem gambling initiatives, industry responsibilities, and the interconnectedness of various addictions — providing valuable insights into prev...

In this conversation, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with distinguished professor Jon Elhai, exploring the psychological aspects of internet and smartphone use. They discuss the implications of excessive internet engagement, the challenges of self-reporting in psychological research, and the phenomenon of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out). The conversation also touches on generational diff...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Dr. Sarah Nelson, a leading researcher in gambling addiction who works at Harvard University. They discuss the complexities of gambling addiction, particularly in the context of the evolving landscape of sports gambling in the US. The conversation covers the challenges of accessing data for research, the regulatory environment, an...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer engage with Danny Funt, author of 'Everybody Loses: The Tumultuous Rise of American Sports Gambling.' They explore the rapid evolution of sports betting in the U.S., the shifting attitudes of sports leagues, the challenges of regulation, and the implications for public health. The conversation delves into the VIP experience in sports betting,...

In this episode, hosts Jon Bruford and Dr. Michael Auer discuss the intersection of gaming and gambling, focusing on the evolution of loot boxes and their legal implications. Joined by Brett Abarbanel, they explore the psychological aspects of gaming addiction, market dynamics, and the future of gaming regulations. The conversation highlights the complexities of the gaming industry, the role of ga...