Society & Culture

Hold or Fold

by National Prison Radio

Personal JournalsSociety & Culture

About the show

A podcast for anyone who has suffered from gambling related harm. 'Hold or Fold' explores the 'hidden addiction' that is gambling with a keen eye on how this affects those with experience of the Criminal Justice System.Your hosts Ben & Steve both spent time in prison as a direct result of their gambling addiction - On Hold or Fold they share the stories of people who, like them, have been taken to the brink by gambling. You'll hear how gambling took a hold of people's lives, the dark places this led them to and how they were able to embark on the road to recovery.This is part of the 'Life After Prison' podcast network from the multi-award winning 'National Prison Radio' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Latest episodes

31. Clive Tyldesley - Why one of the most iconic voices in broadcasting took a stand against gambling

October 6, 2026 · 48 min

The 'British Podcast Awards' PODCAST OF THE YEAR 2026 Returns for a brand new series What happens when one of football’s most recognisable voices decides there’s a line he won’t cross? In the first episode of the new series, Hold or Fold…
30. Listener Questions, Series Highlights & Previously Unheard Bits | Series Finale

December 23, 2025 · 33 min

For the final episode of the series, Ben and Steve are laying it all out. Every question, every truth, every angle left unexplored. This is a full-length “Cards on the Table” special, created because there were simply too many listener…
29. Religion & Recovery | Naman

December 16, 2025 · 47 min

In this powerful must-listen episode of Hold or Fold, Steve sits down with Naman, whose extraordinary journey lays bare the complex intersections of gambling harm, culture, faith, and the Criminal Justice System. Naman opens up about how…
28. Being the change at HMP Berwyn | Rob & Rebecca from ARA & Ian

December 9, 2025 · 24 min

In this episode, Ben stepped back inside the prison walls to meet with a group of lads at HMP Berwyn. There he shared his own story of gambling and prison, took questions from the group and facilitated a powerful and meaningful…
27. "I spun through £147k in 2 days" | Ben Howard

December 2, 2025 · 49 min

Ben Howard first made an appearance on Hold or Fold when it was exclusive to National Prison Radio. At that point he was in limbo, waiting to see if his crimes would lead him to prison or not. He waited 4 years for his case to land, served…
26. The rapper who's tracks on addiction and mental health went viral | Jah Digga

November 25, 2025 · 53 min

In this raw and powerful episode of Hold or Fold, Nottingham rapper and poet Jah Digga opens up about his battle with gambling addiction, and the creative lifeline that saved him. Behind the viral hit “Addictions”, there’s a deeply…
25. 'Debts are getting bigger, bets are getting bigger, I'm completely losing control' | Mark from Whysup

November 18, 2025 · 42 min

In this powerful episode, we sit down with Mark Murray, co-founder of the mental health and addiction charity Whysup, to unpack a life that could’ve gone very differently. As a teenager, Mark was on the books at Manchester City, a…
24. 'When I was arrested, the Officer sat me down and said...You've got a problem' | Martin's Story

November 11, 2025 · 49 min

On this episode, Steve sits down for an open and honest chat with Martin. Martin tells us how his childhood led him to gambling and what started as fruit machines by the sea soon became spending a full day, on one machine, in a…