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

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Ep 3: How My Gay Boyfriends Found Me a Husband

What do gay boyfriends, heartbreak, and funnel cake have in common? They led to a real life love story about friendship, second chances, and finally finding a husband. Host Daryn Kagan reveals how her longtime friends Craig and Michael, a married couple who’d supported her through years of dating highs and lows, decided it was time to light a spark and took things into their own hands by introducing her to her future husband, Trent. What started as a tough

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Ep 2: Young Widower Saves the Life of New Wife’s College Roommate

They were both widowed young, left to raise children alone, carry the weight of grief, and somehow start again. But through love and one selfless act set off a butterfly effect that would forever reshape three families. Kim and Steve, both widowed in their 30s and raising young kids, found love again after unthinkable loss. Just as they began building a new life together, a letter arrived from Kim’s college friend Melinda. She was in urgent need of a kidney

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Ep 1: From TV Fame to Rock Bottom: Leon Harris on Addiction, Recovery & Redemption

In the powerful premiere of Call Me Friend, Emmy-winning anchor Leon Harris sits down with host and former CNN co-anchor Daryn Kagan for his first interview since the very public incident last November that ended his TV news career. This raw, redemptive conversation dives deep into what it means to fall hard, heal deeply, and be truly seen by a friend who doesn’t flinch. From their days breaking national news together—including 9/11 coverage—to Leon’s spiral into alcoholism and his very

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