Greater Govanhill’s new co-produced podcast explores women’s experiences of gambling harms

In a world where gambling addiction is often discussed through statistics and policy debates, a new initiative from Greater Govanhill is shifting the narrative toward something far more human—real lived experiences. Their newly launched podcast series, "Her Upper Hand," is a co-produced, community-driven project that explores the often-overlooked realities of women affected by gambling harms.
This innovative podcast is more than just audio storytelling.

It represents a grassroots movement, amplifying voices that have historically been marginalized in discussions about addiction, recovery, and social impact.
With six women, six weeks of training, and six deeply personal episodes, the project highlights a critical issue: women experience gambling harms differently—and their stories deserve to be heard.
What Is "Her Upper Hand"? A Community Podcast With Purpose At its core, Her Upper Hand is a six-part podcast series created entirely by women who have been affected by gambling—either directly or through loved ones.

The project was developed through a community newsroom initiative, where participants received hands-on training in storytelling, journalism, and podcast production.
Unlike traditional media productions, this podcast is co-produced, meaning the participants were not just subjects—they were creators, editors, and storytellers.
Key Highlights of the Podcast: Fully community-led and co-produced Six women sharing unique lived experiences Developed through a structured training program Focused on female perspectives in gambling harm Aimed at influencing policy and public awareness The result is a deeply authentic series that challenges stereotypes and broadens the conversation around addiction.
Why This Podcast Matters: The Gender Gap in Gambling Harm Gambling addiction has long been perceived as a predominantly male issue.

However, emerging research and community insights reveal a different story—one where women face distinct challenges, uk news24x7 barriers, and consequences.
According to research cited by the project, women:
Experience gambling harms differently than men Face greater stigma when seeking help Encounter barriers such as childcare responsibilities May be affected by domestic abuse linked to gambling Despite these realities, women’s voices have remained underrepresented in both research and media coverage.
Breaking the Silence The Her Upper Hand podcast directly addresses this gap by:
Providing a safe platform for women’s stories Challenging societal stigma Encouraging open conversations Highlighting systemic inequalities This is not just storytelling—it’s advocacy through lived experience.
From "What Is a Podcast?" to Publishing a Series One of the most compelling aspects of this initiative is the journey of the participants themselves.
When the group first met in January, some had never even heard of podcasting.

Yet within a few months, they successfully:
Learned audio storytelling techniques Developed scripts and narratives Recorded and edited episodes Published a complete podcast series This transformation demonstrates the power of community journalism and skill-building.
As one participant’s initial question—"What is a podcast?