The Broke Girl Society Podcast

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 presence. Whether it’s a 10-minute walk, ...

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 beyond traditional art—like rearrang...

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. Christina reminds us that you don’t ...

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 naturally begin to move with mor...

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 late-night phone calls, supportive g...

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 offers a judgment-free space where we can...

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 fears—but mindfulness grounds us. And i...

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 recovery. Jennifer emphasizes the imp...

In this conversation, Anna shares her journey with gambling addiction, detailing her early exposure to gambling, the impact it had on her life, and her eventual path to recovery. She discusses the importance of community support, the creation of the Untangled Project aimed at helping women affected by gambling, and the significance of sharing personal stories in the recovery process.

Christina and Anna also discuss the journey of c...

In this conversation, Stacy Ladyman shares her journey of writing her book 'Shep and the King of Hearts', which explores the complexities of gambling addiction and its impact on families. Through her fictionalized narrative based from her own experience, she emphasizes the importance of empathy, understanding, and community support for those affected by addiction. The discussion delves into the struggles of affected others,...

In this episode, Megan shares her personal journey with gambling addiction, detailing how her early experiences with gambling were normalized in her family. She discusses the profound impact of her mother's death on her gambling behavior, leading to a downward spiral of debt, lies, and isolation. Megan reflects on the moment she was caught and the subsequent challenges of rebuilding trust in her relationships, particularly with...

In this episode, Beth shares her personal journey of gambling addiction, detailing how a social activity spiraled into a life-altering addiction. She discusses the early signs of her problem, the impact on her relationships, and the moment she hit rock bottom. Beth emphasizes the importance of seeking help and the challenges of early recovery, as well as the rewarding experience of helping others who are struggling with similar iss...

Kicking off Problem Gambling Month! - In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina speaks with Abdullah Mahmood, the problem gambling coordinator for MaryHaven in Ohio. They discuss the complexities of gambling addiction, the differences between gambling and substance abuse, and the various resources available in Ohio for those struggling with gambling issues. Abdullah shares insights on the impact of online ga...

In this conversation, Sam shares his personal journey with gambling addiction, detailing how it began at a young age and escalated into a significant problem that affected his life, relationships, and career. He discusses the turning point that led him to seek help and ultimately inspired him to create Evive, an app designed to support individuals dealing with gambling-related harm. The app offers various features aimed at preventi...

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, hosts Christina and Terra delve into the final steps of their recovery journey, focusing on Steps 11 and 12. Explore with us the themes of connecting with a higher power, navigating personal beliefs in recovery, and the importance of finding safe spaces . We discuss the role of service in recovery, the impact of codependency on relationships, and the principles that guide our journ...

*Trigger warning: Suicidal ideations and abuse are mentioned in this episode. There are some audio issues in this episode as well.

Part Two: Beth - Alisha - Susan

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, the hosts and guests share their personal journeys of overcoming gambling addiction/affliction/disorder/problem. They reflect on the challenges they faced, the steps they took towards recovery, and the hope they found in ...

*Trigger warning: Suicidal ideations and abuse are mentioned in this episode. There are some audio issues in this episode as well.

Part One: Gail - Cathy - Kim - Sonia

In this episode of the Broke Girl Society podcast, the hosts and guests share their personal journeys of overcoming gambling addiction/affliction/disorder/problem. They reflect on the challenges they faced, the steps they took towards recovery, and the hope they foun...

In this season finale of the Broke Girl Society podcast, host Christina reflects on the journey of recovery from gambling addiction, expressing gratitude for the support received from listeners and sponsors. She emphasizes the importance of sharing personal stories to break the stigma surrounding gambling-related harms, particularly for women. Christina highlights the power of recovery, the resources available for those struggling,...

In this episode of The Broke Girl Society Podcast, Christina is joined by Jim and Janice from GamFin to explore the financial harms caused by gambling.

Jim shares his personal experience with gambling-related harm and how it led him to his work at GamFin.

Janice explains her role in guiding clients through the complexities of their financial situations while also acknowledging the emotional toll of gambling. The discussion emphas...