Ep 13: CNN’s John King Living with MS, The Magic Wall & Media’s Biggest Mistake
CNN’s John King, famous for election night coverage at the Magic Wall, opens up about living with multiple sclerosis, how MS shapes his daily life, and why hope and healing keep him going.
CNN’s John King is known worldwide for guiding viewers through presidential elections on CNN with the Magic Wall. But behind the political maps and election coverage is a personal battle with multiple sclerosis (MS).
In this powerful Call Me Friend episode, host Daryn Kagan reconnects with her longtime CNN colleague to explore John’s journey of resilience. He reveals how MS impacts his health and career, how he balances hope with hard days, and why empathy and healing matter more than ever.
This is more than politics. It’s about family, faith in conversation, and finding optimism in the face of challenge.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
✅How John King discovered his multiple sclerosis diagnosis and what it means day-to-day
✅What it takes to stay steady while covering CNN’s election nights with the Magic Wall
✅Why empathy, patience, and resilience became his greatest lessons from living with MS
✅How John still finds hope and purpose in journalism, family, and everyday conversations
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Key Timestamps
- 00:00 John King On Hope, Healing, And What Keeps Him Going Through MS
- 0:53 Intro to Call Me Friend and setup of John King’s story
- 2:36 John is living with multiple sclerosis, why this conversation matters
- 3:00 Sponsor message Ms Lou’s Cabin
- 4:08 John joins, quick catch up and location chat
- 10:02 Optimism that the next generation will fix our mistakes
- 17:51 The “All Over the Map” project, listening to voters across America
- 20:28 Polarization, why conversation works better than combat
- 29:03 MS diagnosis story, symptoms building to the 2008 Republican Convention
- 33:01 MS symptoms, fatigue, meds, costs, and how he adapts his day
- 43:46 Magic Wall origin story, who used it first, how John took it on
- 44:09 Behind the scenes on election coverage and the tech that powers it
Key Takeaways
🔹 John King’s candid story of resilience while living with multiple sclerosis
🔹 The behind-the-scenes reality of CNN election night coverage
🔹 Why optimism and healing fuel his work in journalism and life as a father
🔹 A reminder that empathy and patience can shift how we see each other
Guest Bio
John King is CNN’s chief national correspondent and anchor, known for his groundbreaking use of the Magic Wall during U.S. election coverage. With nearly 30 years at CNN, he has reported on politics, presidents, and pivotal national moments. Today, he is also openly sharing his experience living with multiple sclerosis, offering a deeply human perspective on resilience, hope, and healing.
Resources & Links
- John King https://www.instagram.com/johnkingcnn
- Firekeeper’s Daughter https://amzn.to/4niDGiG
- Just One More Foundation: JustOneMoreFoundation.org
- Daryn’s book: https://amzn.to/427Tw8e
- Ms. Lou’s Cabin: Check out this place in Shellman Bluff I found on Vrbo. https://t.vrbo.io/fNXBkq5GSWb
