#5 Gambling consumed everything Jason S cared about. His story is one of addiction, identity, and the courage to break through silence and shame.

Today, we have a powerful and deeply personal story to share. My guest, Jason S, knows firsthand how gambling can take hold of a person’s life. How what starts as a thrill, a side hustle, or even just a way to pass the time can spiral into something that consumes everything: work, relationships, and even your own well-being. Jason’s journey began with poker games in high school, escalated through pharmacy school, and continued into his professional life, where his addiction led to sleepless nights, hidden lies, and a desperate search for control. But Jason’s story also comes with an added layer of complexity. As an Asian American, cultural expectations around success, family honor, and emotional vulnerability made it even harder for him to come forward and ask for help. His path wasn’t just about battling addiction, it was about breaking through cultural barriers of silence and shame. Today, he’s here to share that journey , the highs, the lows, and the lessons he’s learned along the way. If you or someone you love is struggling with gambling, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.