Ep 10: Overcoming Tourette Syndrome, Trauma, & Triumph: CBS News’ David Begnaud on Friendship, Resilience, & Storytelling
What does it take to rise from childhood bullying, Tourette syndrome, and the fear of never making it to national television, to becoming one of the most beloved Contributor in America? In this episode of Call Me Friend, host Daryn Kagan sits down with CBS News contributor David Begnaud to explore his extraordinary journey of resilience, authenticity, and second chances.
David opens up about growing up in Louisiana with Tourette syndrome, navigating the challenges of being gay in a conservative environment, and the teachers, mentors, and friends who changed his life. From his career-defining coverage in Puerto Rico to creating “Beg Knows America”– segments that spotlight everyday heroes, David shares how he turned past pain into purpose and why storytelling remains his ultimate calling.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
- ✅ How David Begnaud overcame bullying, Tourette syndrome, and self-doubt to build a national journalism career
- ✅ The pivotal role of friendship, mentorship, and second chances in shaping his life
- ✅ Why redefining success helped him shift from hard news to uplifting storytelling
- ✅ The surprising lessons he learned about resilience, authenticity, and living without attachment to past pain
If you’re looking for inspiration, insight, and a behind-the-scenes glimpse into one of the most trusted voices in journalism, this conversation delivers.
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Key Timestamps
- 00:00 Childhood trauma, Tourette syndrome, bullying, and survival
- 05:02 How Daryn and David first connected: a DM that sparked friendship
- 08:04 The “news bug” story: how a 7-year-old became obsessed with TV news
- 11:11 Living with Tourette syndrome and learning to turn trauma into resilience
- 19:02 Facing doubt at CBS: from rejection to respect
- 23:31 Puerto Rico coverage: breaking point, burnout, and finding a new purpose
- 28:28 The dog trainer revealed as a convicted murderer, a lesson in second chances
- 34:11 The teacher who changed David’s life and launched his career
- 37:50 Book and documentary recommendations that inspire his work
- 39:11 A call for stories: how you can share everyday heroes with David
4 Key Takeaways
💎Resilience often comes from the deepest pain—we can turn trauma into testimony.
💎Authentic storytelling creates connection far beyond headlines.
💎Mentors and friends can change the course of a life forever.
💎Redefining success sometimes means stepping away from what once defined you.
Resource Links
- David’s story on Richard Rogers : https://www.justonemorefoundation.org/just-one-more-foundation-featured-on-cbs-mornings/
- David’s story on the dog trainer who turned out to be a convicted murderer: https://www.cbsnews.com/video/how-a-california-man-serving-life-in-prison-received-a-second-chance/
- Dear David contact info: DearDavid@cbsnews.com
Stuff recommending to friends:
- Barry Diller’s memoir, “Who Knew” https://amzn.to/4gizAp5
- Beyond Entrepreneurship 2.0 https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
- Luther: Never Too Much https://amzn.to/46cOhVY
Ms. Lou’s Cabin Airbnb https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin
Guest Bio: David Begnaud
David Begnaud is an Emmy-winning journalist and contributor for CBS News, known for his authentic storytelling and uplifting series “Beg Knows America”. From his acclaimed coverage of Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico to his deeply human stories of resilience, Begnaud has become one of the most trusted voices in broadcast journalism. Living with Tourette syndrome and embracing his identity as a gay man, David’s journey is one of triumph over adversity, a celebration of authenticity, and proof that second chances can change everything.
