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.

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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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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.

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