The Broke Girl Society Podcast

Christina is joined by women from the BGS community as they share what they wish someone had told them in the early days of recovery from gambling harm. Together, the women talk about the fear of beginning, the weight of shame, the belief that they were alone, and the relief of finally hearing someone else say, “Me too.” They also share how gambling became an escape from stress, caregiving, loneli...

In this episode, Christina is joined by her friend Kitty for an honest conversation about what recovery from gambling harm can really look like beyond simply stopping the bet. Together, they explore the different seasons of recovery, from those raw early days to the deeper work that comes later. They talk about the importance of community, finding support that fits, building daily practices, and l...

In this episode, Bri shares her personal journey with gambling harm, including how it began, the struggles she faced, and the turning points that helped her seek recovery. She opens up about the impact gambling had on her finances, relationships, and mental health, while also reflecting on being raised around addiction and how those early experiences shaped her relationship with coping, escape, an...

In this episode, Kim G shares her journey with gambling addiction, detailing her early experiences, the impact of secrecy and shame, and the turning point that led her to seek help. She discusses the importance of understanding emotional triggers, the role of safe spaces in recovery, and the design of gambling that can lead to addiction. Kim emphasizes the significance of support and resources in...

In this episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast , Christina sits down with Liz Thielen , who joins on behalf of Nicasa , to talk about the powerful intersection of lived experience, professional work, and recovery support in the gambling space. Liz shares her personal story of how gambling became woven into family, identity, loss, trauma, and adrenaline, and how even working in the addiction fie...

In this episode, Paula shares her personal journey with gambling harm through social casinos and then, later on, online gambling. Paula details how it began during her pregnancy and the emotional struggles that accompanied it. She discusses the impact of societal stigma on motherhood and the challenges of finding community support. Paula emphasizes the importance of building a better relationship...

In this special episode of The Broke Girl Society , Christina celebrates five years of recovery from gambling and reflects on the journey that took her from secrecy, shame, and absolute chaos… to healing, community, and purpose. She shares what life looked like before recovery (spoiler alert: it was a mess), the emotional rollercoaster of early recovery, and what it actually looks like to learn ho...

In the last episode of 2025 for the BGS, Christina Cook and Adam Lyons reflect on their personal journeys in recovery, discussing the importance of collaboration, setting achievable goals, and navigating relationships. Looking ahead to 2026, they express a desire to broaden conversations around recovery and continue fostering a culture of understanding and support. Find Adam and The Modern Meeting...

**Building A Life We Don't Want To Escape From** In this episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, guest host Terra from the Ambitious Addicts Podcast talks with Annelise , a woman in recovery from gambling harm. Annelise shares how gambling escalated quickly during a period of intense financial stress and major life changes, and how an early win on a gambling app reinforced the belief that s...

In this conversation, Kate Seselja opens up about her own experience of gambling harm and the years she spent caught in a system designed to keep her trapped. She shares how the gambling industry manipulates vulnerability and then labels the individual as the problem, instead of acknowledging the systemic forces that fuel addiction. Kate breaks down the difference between a “problem gambler” and a...

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina Cook talks with Beth McDonough, a former newscaster who shares her very public journey through alcohol addiction and recovery. They discuss the complexities of co-occurring disorders, the impact of trauma on mental health, and the stigma surrounding addiction. Beth recounts her experiences with alcoholism, the consequences of her ac...

In this episode, Maggie shares her personal journey of recovery from gambling harm, detailing her early experiences with gambling, the spiral into compulsive behavior, and the impact on her life and relationships. She discusses the challenges of seeking help, the role of support groups, and the importance of coping strategies in her recovery. Maggie reflects on her current status, feeling stronger...

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina speaks with Jerome, the co-founder of the Bet Breaker app, which helps individuals block online gambling sites. They discuss Jerome's transition from the gambling industry to creating a recovery tool, the innovative features of the app, the importance of community and accountability in recovery, and the ongoing challenges posed...

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society, host Christina Cook speaks with Sonja, who shares her personal journey of recovery from gambling addiction. Sonja discusses her early experiences with gambling, the escalation of her addiction, and the impact it had on her relationships, particularly with her husband. She reflects on the challenges of recognizing her gambling problem and the path to recov...

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 pr...

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.&quot...

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 min...

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 prese...

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...

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. Chr...

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...

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 la...

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 offer...

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 fe...

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina speaks with Jennifer as she shares her journey from being raised in a gambling environment to struggling with gambling herself. She discusses the impact of childhood experiences, trauma, and the challenges of seeking help. The conversation delves into the escalation of her addiction, the breaking point, and ultimately her path to re...