The Modern Meeting
A podcast about addiction, recovery, and mental health — with a focus on gambling, alcohol, and substance use.
Hosted by Adam Lyons, a compulsive gambler in recovery, The Modern Meeting shares real stories, support, and strategies for anyone impacted by addiction.
🎧 New episodes every Monday and Thursday.
If you’re struggling, supporting someone who is, or just looking for connection, this is for you.
Episodes
79 episodes
Ep. 79 - Raised on the Action with Mike Sciandra
Mike Sciandra didn’t fall into gambling — he was brought up in it. He placed his first bet at 9 years old, growing up in a family marked by addiction, chaos, and incarceration. What felt normal as a kid turned into decades of hustling,...
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1:21:07
Ep. 78 - Achieving Financial Freedom with Janice Pierce
Adam has his work cut out for him at his new job. Adam sits down with Janice Pierce, a financial planner who specializes in helping people rebuild their relationship with money — especially after chaos, addiction, and life transitions. Janice b...
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1:25:57
Ep. 77 - The Original Voice with Brian Hatch (Part 2)
Adam settles in to another new place. In Part 2 of the conversation with Brian Hatch, he talks about how he continued to battle with his gambling addiction. Suffering from relapse, loss, and the chaos that followed him across state lines, Brian...
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1:02:34
Ep. 76 - I Won't Do It Tomorrow with Brian Hatch
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 op...
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1:12:02
Ep. 75 - Square Peg in a Round World
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 ...
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1:33:59
Ep. 74 - Finding His Voice with Saul Malek
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 li...
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1:14:26
Ep. 73 -NBA Gambling Scandal — What No One’s Talking About (Emergency Bonus Episode)
Adam and TMM Field Correspondent Alex, discuss the recent allegations surrounding NBA players and coaches involved in gambling scandals. They explore the implications of legalized sports betting, the historical context of gambling in sports, an...
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39:37
Ep. 72 - Addiction Time Capsule (Part 2)
In Part 2, I pick up where I left off on October 4, 2020. After a couple wins and being "up" early, the night turned into the kind of long and quiet downfall that defined so much of my gambling. Most of the footage is silent. Just me, a slot ma...
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1:25:38
Ep. 71 - Addiction Time Capsule (Part 1)
On October 4 2020, during my last few weeks living in Las Vegas, I decided to record myself on what I planned to be my last night gambling. I wanted to capture what one of my typical nights in the casino really looked like. I filmed everything ...
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34:06
Ep. 70 - It's Your Recovery
Adam is planning his exit strategy in Vegas. Jenn returns to discuss the differences between her first and second year in recovery as she's celebrating 2 years away from a bet. Adam and Jenn reflect on how their recovery has evolved, how to avo...
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1:10:26
Ep. 69 - Pulling Their Weight with Tana Russell of Evergreen CPG
Adam and Noah land in Las Vegas. Adam sits down with Tana Russell, Deputy Director of the Evergreen Council on Problem Gambling in Washington State — one of the most forward-thinking organizations in the country when it comes to awareness, trai...
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1:23:18
Ep. 68 - The Ellie Episode (Adam's Mom)
In this week’s episode, it's all things Ellie. Adam sits down with his Mom to do a deep dive into his own and their family's history with addiction and gambling. Ellie didn’t grow up surrounded by gambling — but when the casino doors opened in ...
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1:11:10
Ep. 67 - Caught Off Guard with Robert G
Robert G joined Gamblers Anonymous in 1993, buried under a million dollars in debt and determined to turn his life around. Over three decades later, he’s still showing up — not just for himself, but for others. But Robert’s story isn’t one of p...
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1:15:42
Ep. 66 - I Have It Covered: Jon's Story
Out of Breath heads back East. Representing a growing wave of young men being pulled into gambling at an alarming rate, Adam sits down with Jon. A recently graduated D-1 college athlete, Jon placed his first bets in high school. Betting sports ...
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1:30:35
Ep. 65 - Building Recovery Muscles with Brian Ward
The Casinos open back up and Adam has a rough weekend. Brian Ward is an International Gambling Recovery Specialist, IGCCB Board Approved Recovery Advisor, Certified Gambling Recovery Mentor, and SMART facilitator. He is also someone with lived ...
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1:26:39
Ep. 64 - A Vessel to Recovery with Abdullah Mahmood of Maryhaven
Adam and Eric are Out of Breath. Adam sits down with Abdullah Mahmood, the Administrative Coordinator of the gambling program at Maryhaven. Abdullah shares what inspired him to enter the field, how he moved from chemical dependency into gamblin...
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1:10:21
Ep. 63 - No More Bets, No More Lies
Adam starts playing online poker again. Gail F sits down with Adam to tell her story. A compulsive gambler in recovery who for nearly two decades, she truly lived a double life. Gail started gambling in her late 30s, chasing escape through onli...
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1:20:26
Ep. 62 - Seeking Stability with Cousin Matt
The world shuts down and Adam shaves his head. Adam sits down with his cousin Matt to talk about a bond that’s been tested by time, addiction, and recovery. As kids, they only saw each other a few times a year — but when they both dropped out o...
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1:30:37
Ep. 61 - The LEAP to Recovery with Jodie Nealley, Director of Recovery Services, MACGH
Adam previews the beginning of the end with some clips from his past. With addiction and recovery in her family, Jodie Nealley had her own struggles with alcohol until her late 30's. She stopped drinking and had years sober when she deve...
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1:15:30
Ep. 60 - The Hidden Addiction with Odessa Dwarika, Chief Programs Officer, MACGH
Adam and Hillary drive cross country. Adam sits down with Odessa Dwarika, Chief Programs Officer for the Massachusetts Council on Gaming and Health. Drawing from more than 30 years in public health and seven years at MCGH, Odessa shares insight...
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1:05:40
Ep. 59 - Not About the Game with Rob Bumbaco of The Better Institute
Adam says goodbye to MGM Springfield and consolidates his debt. Inspired by today's guest, Adam starts a research project. Rob Bumbaco is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Certified Mental Coach, former Division 1 athlete, and is the COO of Th...
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48:13
Ep. 58 - Crypto Roulette with Daniel Bullen of Addicted Recovery (Part 2)
Adam begins to prepare for another move. In Part 2 of Daniel's story, he arrives in Australia and it feels like a second chance. His credit was reset, his slate was clean, and for a while he stayed away from the casino. But in 2017, a new tempt...
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59:41
Ep. 57 - Intoxicated by the Bet with Daniel Bullen of Addicted Recovery
Adam starts looking for a way out. Daniel Bullen, host of the Addicted Recovery YouTube channel, sits down with Adam to share his powerful story of gambling addiction and recovery. Daniel began gambling at just 12 years old — horses, sports bet...
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57:08
Ep. 56 - Broke and Broken
Adam can't even enjoy a 33-0 Patriots Win. Adam sits down with Linda, a mother of five and grandmother of 12, who for nearly 30 years, gambled "once or twice a year for 50 bucks." But in her mid-50s, after major traumas shook her world, casual ...
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1:34:22
Ep. 55 - Living on the Edge with Dan Spencer of EPIC Global Solutions
Deep in debt, Adam tries "The System," at the craps table. Adam sits down with Dan Spencer, Principal Consultant for EPIC Global Solutions. Dan shares his powerful journey through gambling addiction. From childhood exposure to betting, to forty...
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1:34:32