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.

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