SPEAKING AND WORKSHOPS
Jolene speaks from lived experience about how gambling can progress from entertainment to compulsion, what chasing losses and distorted thinking actually feel like from the inside, the financial and emotional consequences that can accumulate in silence, and what it takes to find a way forward. Her perspective brings the human experience behind the statistics into the room—helping audiences understand not only what gambling addiction looks like, but why someone can continue gambling even when they desperately want to stop.
SIGNATURE PRESENTATION
A 45–60 minute presentation that takes audiences inside the experience of compulsive gambling—how it can progress from entertainment to compulsion, what chasing losses and distorted thinking feel like from the inside, and how secrecy, financial consequences, and emotional exhaustion can accumulate along the way. Each presentation can be shaped around what the audience most needs to understand, with optional Q&A and formats appropriate for both professional and community settings.
ENGAGEMENT FORMATS
Prepared presentations and panel contributions for conferences, community events, awareness campaigns, and public forums. Jolene brings a first-person perspective to conversations about gambling harm, the psychology and lived experience of slot-machine addiction, recovery, family impact, and the need for stronger prevention and safeguards
Interactive sessions for community organizations, employee wellness programs, colleges, and other groups. These sessions are designed to deepen understanding, reduce stigma, and create space for honest conversation about what gambling addiction can look and feel like in real life
Interviews, podcast appearances, and public-education contributions that bring lived experience to journalism, documentary work, and awareness campaigns. Jolene is available for thoughtful, well-prepared conversations about gambling harm, recovery, prevention, and the realities often hidden behind the statistics.
WHAT GETS COVERED
Every engagement is shaped around the audience and purpose. Common themes include:
WHO THIS IS FOR
Jolene's presentations are well suited to organizations and settings where an honest, lived-experience perspective can deepen understanding of gambling addiction and help inform prevention, support, and meaningful change.
A GROUNDED EXPERIENCE
Lived experience provides something clinical training and research cannot fully replicate: an understanding of what it actually feels like to be inside compulsive gambling—the distorted thinking, the secrecy and shame, the repeated attempts to stop, and the slow work of rebuilding. That perspective does not replace professional or academic expertise. It complements it, bringing the human experience behind the research into the room.
IMPORTANT TO KNOW
These engagements are educational and awareness-focused. Jolene is not providing therapy, clinical treatment, or licensed professional services of any kind. If you or someone you know needs immediate support, please visit the Help & Resources page.
SPEAKING INQUIRY
Planning a conference, training community event, panel, podcast or educational program? Share a few details below. Jolene personally reviews each inquiry and will respond with information about availability, format and next steps.
Stop The Spin is an educational and lived-experience resource. Speaking engagements and workshops are not clinical training, therapy, or a substitute for licensed professional support. If you or someone you know needs immediate help, please visit the help and resources page.
Get help & resources