This American Life

676: Here’s Looking at You, Kid

May 24, 2026·1h 2m·7-min readnarrativetrue crime
Podzilla Summary (7 min)
TLDR
This episode of This American Life explores how adults shape children’s identities through two powerful stories: one of a shy teenager transformed — and tormented — by football coaches who rebranded him as a star, and another of a woman whose childhood abuse allegations resurface decade

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Guest

G

Gary Gulman

narrative on This American Life

Mentions

Books, people, and resources mentioned in this episode.

People

Gary GulmanIra GlassEleanor Gordon-SmithNicole KlumperDavid CorwinElizabeth Loftus

Books

Misfit, Growing Up Awkward in the 80sby Gary GulmanStop Being Reasonable: How We Really Change Our Mindsby Eleanor Gordon-Smith

Topics

Long Form JournalismMental HealthParentingPersonal FinanceTrue CrimeUs Politics

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