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
59 episodes
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
Ep. 54 - Love My Child, Hate the Disease
In Part 2 of Kim and Kurt’s story, the road to recovery gets even harder before it gets better. Kurt tries rehab and therapy, but nothing seems to stick—his gambling escalates, his drug use intensifies, and his parents are forced to face the pa...
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57:22
Ep. 53 - Wake Up, Gamble, Go to Middle School
Adam has a disatrous 72 hours in Las Vegas. In the first part of a two-part conversation, Adam sits down with Kurt, a 22-year-old compulsive gambler in recovery, and his mother Kim. At just 11 years old, Kurt discovered a world hidden inside vi...
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1:07:32
Ep. 52 - When Science Meets Lived Experience with Dr. Nathan Smith, Director of Research at Kindbridge Research Institute (Part 2)
Adam saves money...to gamble. In part two of Adam’s conversation with Dr. Nathan Smith, Executive Director of Research at Kindbridge Research Institute, the focus shifts to his work with veterans and military members and the fight to better und...
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52:32
Ep. 51 - Addiction is a Relationship with Dr. Nathan Smith, Director of Research at Kindbridge Research Institute
Adam gets a promotion and hits another jackpot. Adam sits down with Dr. Nathan Smith, Executive Director of Research at Kindbridge Research Institute. Growing up as an affected loved one — his uncle’s struggle with substance use brought him int...
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1:02:21
Ep. 50 - It's Never Too Late
Adam is joined by his friend Eric. From meeting in 2017 at Twin River while Adam dealt to Eric on the poker table, to starting a pandemic podcast together, they had developed a strong bond over a short period of time. But over the years, Adam’s...
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1:27:17
Ep. 49 - How Did I Get Here with Eric F of The Gambling Recovery Lounge
Adam is NOT a Disney Adult...He's a Disney Enthusiast. Eric is a compulsive gambler in recovery. He recounts his early gambling experiences, the role his sexuality played in shaping his addiction, and the deep financial and emotional consequenc...
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1:35:58
Ep. 48 - A Powerful Voice with Kitty Martz
Adam rings in the New Year and this time he's not alone. Kitty Martz is the Executive Director of Voices of Problem Gambling Recovery. She's also someone with lived experience and is the Founder of The Lived Experience Collective. After startin...
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1:00:35
Ep. 47 - The Difference Between Winning and Being Up with Katrina Arroyo of Problem Gambling Network of Ohio
Adam meets Glenn and The Buffallllooooo Machine. Katrina Arroyo has been in gambling services since 2016. She is currently the Manager of Clinical Programs for the PGNO (Problem Gambling Network of Ohio). Adam sits down with Katrina as she open...
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1:16:39
Ep. 46 - It's Broke, Let's Fix It
Adam finds a new home away from home. Fresh off the National Conference on Problem Gambling (NCPG) 2025, Adam returns with some strong reflections—and serious concerns. From dwindling GA attendance to gambling operators skirting advertising gui...
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1:19:43
Ep. 45 - I Died Before I Recovered with Josh Hampton
Adam is back East (again) and starts his new job at MGM Springfield. Battling with anxiety early in his life, Josh Hampton eventually turned to pills and became a self-proclaimed "dope boy." The only problem, instead of selling the product, he ...
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59:22
Ep. 44 - Don't Forget Why You're Here
Adam is in Columbus, Ohio at the National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling. Alex and Adam recap his first few hours in Columbus and get an unexpected visit from a special guest via Facetime. Eight months after launchi...
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1:10:16
Ep. 43 - Trigger Plans, Toolboxes, and Twelve Miles
Adam and Noah are in the home stretch. Jenn and Adam explore what it actually looks like to prepare for the tough moments in recovery. They discuss the essential tools and support systems that have been pivotal in their healing process — from a...
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1:07:18
Ep. 42 - Now I Can Pay The Rent
Adam spends his final night in New Orleans. Adam and Jenn wrestle with the idea of bringing on a guest who gambles responsibly. Jenn had a great weekend talking recovery. Adam reconnects with his longtime friend Dave, who joined him on his road...
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1:23:13
Ep. 41 - Helping The Person We Used to Be with Rob Minnick of ODAAT Gambling Awareness (Part 2)
Adam heads back East. Alex and Adam discuss what it's like to work while gambling and now in recovery. Rob’s gambling took him everywhere — even to a bathroom in Paris, sneaking spins on an online slot while his girlfriend waited outside. It wa...
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1:08:48
Ep. 40 - The Numbers Don't Lie with Rob Minnick of ODAAT Gambling Awareness
Adam meets Kevin Hart. Alex returns to the pod! The guys address what happened in the past and look forward to living in the present with a new perspective. In Part 1 of Adam's conversation with Rob Minnick of ODAAT Gambling Awareness, Rob talk...
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1:22:30
Ep. 39 - The World's Worst Handicapper
Chuck started betting horses at just eight years old — growing up in 1960's and 70's Queens, surrounded by bookies, loan sharks, and number runners. After his first rock bottom, he stopped and gambled "occasionally," without any issues. However...
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1:16:44
Ep. 38 - Un-Burning Bridges
Adam's final days in Vegas with Eric and Zorro. Adam sits down with Jenny K, a recovering alcoholic who drank 7 days a week for over a decade. What started as fun and social, became a crippling addiction that cost her nearly everything — custod...
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1:28:21
Ep. 37 - A Meeting About The Meeting
Adam is enjoying his final months in Vegas, except when he has to deal Omaha Hi-Lo. Adam and Jenn open with a conversation about self-exclusion and what it means in recovery. Then, in a special roundtable discussion, Adam sits down with Stephen...
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1:03:34
Ep. 36 - Zero Interest Loans
Adam explains how his drug of choice was Venmo. Kristina, also known as "Deenz," joins the pod as someone negatively affected by an addict. Unfortunately, that addict was Adam. Having only known "Ad," as the fun and funny co-worker and friend w...
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1:18:40
Ep. 35 - Chasing Claimers: 51 Days Into Recovery
Adam goes back East to be a Best Man. Jenn and Adam discuss homesickness, family dependence, and the emotional roots of addiction. Then, Caleb joins to share his story — less than 60 days removed from his last bet. A blue-collar farm kid turned...
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1:34:25