We're back in 2026! In the new year's kick-off episode, Eric welcomes his close friend and brother in Recovery, Markus, to the Lounge. Markus shares, with incredible honesty and humility, his 8-year journey of a progressive gambling addiction, throughout his 20's. What started as an innocent experience of gambling to fit in with his peers, spiraled into a full-blown addiction to sports gambling and devastated every aspect of his life. Markus shares what it feels like to experience the ultimate highs in life, like his engagement, to quickly shifting into the pit of demise and complete destruction in a matter of hours. It all led to a rock bottom discovery by his life partner, that finally brought everything to light. With his entire life all the line, Markus describes his entry into Recovery via Gamblers Anonymous and how nearly 2 years later, his life has been completely transformed in his Recovery journey.

Markus also shares important advice and insight into what his experience has been like to deal with sports in his Recovery process, which is a critical component of what so many young, sports fans and gamblers are facing in today's world, where sports and gambling go and hand and has been glorified into society as a normal and acceptable activity. This Podcast episode is life changing, and it's the rare person like Markus, whose bringing about the necessary truth to save and transform lives!

Extraordinary Thanks to Edgardo, pouring his heart and soul into producing and editing this Podcast. This would not be possible without his support!

We would love to hear from you. We welcome any questions and comments. Please e-mail Eric directly at: ericpaulf@sbcglobal.net

In Experience #21, Jason joins Eric in the Lounge. This is an intimate discussion between brothers and best friends, from Maine to California. Jason shares his deeply personal story of Gambling addiction, from early childhood with his dad and brother, into a dark isolation into adulthood. Jason was a sports gambler for over 20 years, and everything was crashing down around him, including his relationship with the most important person in his life, his wife. He describes his journey of addiction in pain staking detail, including how he and his younger brother were torn apart by suffering from their own gambling addictions until his brother's tragic death nearly a decade ago. Jason is the epitome example of the compulsive gambler, who has made horrific mistakes along his journey, and has come through it all with extraordinary bravery and most importantly, is helping thousands of people in his journey of Recovery, Jason and Eric reminisce on how they met in the rooms of Gamblers Anonymous on Eric's day 1 and Jason early in his journey, and they tell the ongoing tale of two guys who were nearly killed by their gambling addictions, now totally thriving in Recovery, committing their lives to bettering themselves and countless others whom they love. This is a story of redemption from near catastrophe to endless amounts of Hope and Happiness.

Extraordinary Thanks to Edgardo, pouring his heart and soul into producing and editing this Podcast. This would not be possible without his support!

We would love to hear from you. We welcome any questions and comments. Please e-mail Eric directly at: ericpaulf@sbcglobal.net

In this milestone episode, Eric welcomes his close friend and brother in Recovery, Joe, into the Lounge. Joe shares about his life journey, from what was a normal, happy life into his 20s, but ultimately spiraled into a chaotic gambling addiction in a span of just a few years. He describes how he had a successful job and great marriage, but how gambling would then take control of everything. Joe also shares how he went from being an imposter in the initial stages of abstinence into what has become his deep commitment to Recovery since his last bet on November 5, 2022. That was also the day Joe and Eric met, and they talk in detail about the miracle of what happened on that day and how it would change the course of history for both of them.

We welcome all comments and questions for the host and guest. Please e-mail Eric directly at:

ericpaulf@sbcglobal.net

THANKS to Edgardo for producing this episode!

And if you're able, any donation you can provide, utilizing the "gofundme" link below, is most appreciated. We will continue to produce the highest quality experience for everyone out there. Most of all, Thank you for listening and taking part in this critical topic. Together, we can help save and transform lives!!

https://gofund.me/de2c751a