Podcast Summary: Something Was Wrong
Episode: S24 Ep22: Hold Up a Mirror
Date: November 19, 2025
Host: Tiffany Reese (Broken Cycle Media)
Guest: Dylan, Survivor of the Troubled Teen Industry
Main Theme
This episode of Something Was Wrong centers on Dylan's harrowing journey through the troubled teen industry (TTI), chronicling how childhood trauma, parental pressures, and systemic abuse within various "therapeutic" and reform programs profoundly shaped their adulthood. Dylan shares candidly about experiences of family strain, physical and psychological abuse in multiple institutions, and the long-term effects of surviving environments meant to "fix" rather than heal.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Early Life and Family Dynamics
- Dylan’s Upbringing: Adopted at four days old by affluent parents in NYC. Childhood was full of adventure and independence but fraught with academic expectations ([02:00]).
- Mother’s Influence: Overbearing and neurotic, especially regarding body image and food:
“Everything was a timeline. It had to be on her time. My life was really scheduled to the minute, and I rebelled against that.” ([03:50])
- Body Image Pressure: Mother’s own anorexia and hyper-focus on weight led to early food and body image issues for Dylan ([06:33]).
“To this day, I look in the mirror and I am cruel to myself. These are things that...are a direct result...a culmination between my mom and the programs that I attended.” ([07:21])
2. Childhood Escalation and Placement in Programs
- Adolescent Struggles: At puberty, anger escalated, sometimes becoming violent towards mother. This created irreparable damage in their relationship ([08:11]).
- Private School Pressures: Dylan’s first foray into therapeutic boarding was at Hyde School, a less punitive environment. Sexual assault occurred here, and parents refused to believe Dylan ([11:20]).
- Subsequent Detachment: Recounted running away, substance use, and the parental decision to send Dylan away via "escort service"—a traumatic, forced extraction at night:
“I remember the light coming on, blinking my eyes open and seeing two strangers standing right in front of me. They had handcuffs. They were all dressed in all black...they told me to get up and get dressed because I was leaving with them.” ([12:52])
3. Life in Troubled Teen Programs
- Wilderness Therapy (Catherine Freer Expeditions):
- Grueling daily hikes; minimal rations; no privacy; basic survival skills required ([16:01]).
- Solo portion was particularly traumatic—left alone outdoors for three days, quit early due to terror and tick bites ([19:15]).
- Montana Program:
- Highly controlled, isolated cabins; privacy stripped away (open bathrooms); strict food, water, and bathroom rules ([20:12]).
- Forced labor and solitary isolation common forms of punishment.
- "Hold up a mirror" group therapy, essentially ritualized peer shaming, not genuine rehabilitation ([29:15]).
- Memorable quote:
“We were encouraged to...hold up a mirror to shame them by ‘holding them accountable’...what we were really doing was cutting them down and shaming them.” ([29:29])
4. Abuse, Escape Attempts & Institutional Betrayal
- Lack of Medical Attention: Even during clear medical emergencies (e.g., sun poisoning), students were told to ‘walk it off’ ([32:07]).
- Communication Monitored: Outgoing and incoming letters and calls with parents were censored or intercepted, preventing cries for help from reaching home ([32:31]).
- Never Given a Voice: Despite requesting, Dylan was systematically denied a group session to process personal trauma—ostracized for questioning staff ([33:34]).
- Escape Attempt: Detailed, strategic solo effort to run away, briefly succeeded, but ultimately turned themself back in after nightfall and fear ([35:22]).
- Expelled After Attempt:
“That’s when I was expelled and I was happy about it. I wanted to get the hell out of there.” ([38:36])
- Dangers of Speaking Out: Even years later, former school administrators use legal threats to silence survivors ([39:38]).
5. Final Program in Western Samoa
- Abuses Amplified:
- Described as a “lockdown” institutional setting on an island with no escape ([43:06]).
- Rampant physical and sexual abuse; basic needs unmet.
- On turning 18, Dylan and peers were threatened with fabricated loss of citizenship but demanded and secured their passports:
“If you do not give me my passport today, I will sue you. And he did. And then he asked me to please not tell anybody.” ([44:05])
- Escape and Survival: With the help of a sympathetic counselor, Dylan got off the island, contacted the U.S. embassy, and flew to the mainland ([44:41]).
6. Recovery, Family Reconciliation & Aftermath
- Life After TTI:
- Lived in various temporary arrangements; worked multiple jobs; struggled with addiction and self-worth ([47:30]).
- Finally stabilized, obtained a GED, and excelled in community college—demonstrating the potential that rigid programs stifled ([47:59]).
- Long-term toll:
“It took me until I was 32 years old to get my life together. And that right there is the real impact of these programs.” ([48:13])
- Family Conversations:
- Eventually told parents the full truth; father apologized and financially supported Dylan, possibly out of guilt ([49:22]).
- Importance of Survivor Community:
- Online groups provide invaluable validation and support:
“To be able to connect and have the trauma validated, it is unlikely that you would just run into somebody who has been in the TTI and understands any of what you’re talking about.” ([50:44])
- Online groups provide invaluable validation and support:
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On holding up a mirror:
“That’s what we were told we were doing. But what we were really doing was cutting them down and shaming them.”
– Dylan, [29:29] -
On privacy and humiliation:
“There was one girl who had to wear diapers. How humiliating is that? A teenager and you don’t have a medical condition. You are being forced to wear diapers…there was a group on shaming this poor girl.”
– Dylan, [22:30] -
On legal silencing:
“This person is still using fear tactics to silence us…It’s incredibly egotistical and textbook narcissistic…It’s truly sad that this person’s ego is still so fragile that he has…and will continue to hide behind his legal team…”
– Dylan, [39:38] -
On survival and hope:
“Not everybody did make it. So we really have to stick together.”
– Dylan, [51:52]
Key Timestamps
- Early life, family, and body issues: [02:00]–[07:21]
- Escalation to violence, school issues, and first removal: [08:11]–[12:52]
- Wilderness program details: [16:01]–[19:22]
- Montana program, forced labor, group abuse ("hold up a mirror"): [20:12]–[29:29]
- Physical/medical neglect, communication controls: [32:07]–[33:34]
- Escape attempt and aftermath: [35:22]–[38:36]
- Western Samoa program and final escape: [43:06]–[44:41]
- Return to the U.S., addiction, eventual recovery: [44:58]–[48:13]
- Family reconciliation and community support: [49:22]–[51:52]
Tone and Language
The episode is raw, deeply honest, and emotionally charged. Dylan presents their story with clarity and detail—painful but ultimately hopeful. Host Tiffany is empathetic and affirming, giving space for difficult truths and recognizing the resilience and hard-won recovery of survivors.
Final Thoughts
Dylan’s journey exposes the insidious abuses and lasting trauma inflicted by the troubled teen industry, highlighting how supposed “treatment” often compounds the original pain. This episode is a sobering call for deeper accountability and support for survivors, and an affirmation of the power of community to heal.