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.

Powered by Ms Lou’s Cabin- https://www.airbnb.com/h/mslouscabin

Sign up for our newsletter: https://darynkagan.substack.com/

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.

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.

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

Tags

David Begnaud, CBS News, Tourette Syndrome, Resilience, Friendship Podcast, Storytelling, Overcoming Trauma, LGBTQ+, Puerto Rico Coverage, Call Me Friend Podcast, Daryn Kagan, Uplifting Stories, Mentorship, Journalism Journey, celebrity friendships