All Grown Up Now
ALL GROWN UP: A tale of retail, relocation, revenge, re-invention, reckless behavior, really good clothes, indiscretion, infidelity, domestic violence, and one kidnapping. This is a memoir, told in a series of podcasts, by Kenneth D. King, podcasting from his studio near union Square in New York City. It's the story of a small-town boy who dreams of being a “grown-up”, and his journey to get there. Each week, you'll hear another installment of his story.
All Grown Up Now is the story of a life, seen through the framework of a friendship. Written like a novel, the story follows two main characters, Ken, and Mark, on a fast-paced romp through the 1980's and early 90's, blazing a path through retail, relocation, revenge, re-invention, reckless behavior, really good clothes, infidelity, domestic violence, kidnapping, and one kidnapping. (Really.)
While it runs from the 1980's to early 90's, this isn't a story that runs in a straight line--the story itself serves somewhat as a string for "beads", episodes which are flashbacks and detours that relate back to the story at hand—the story of how Ken becomes a “grown-up”.
All Grown Up Now: A Friendship in Three acts, available as a printed book, or an eBook, on Amazon.com.
- Update frequency
- every 14 days
- Average duration
- 20 minutes
- Episodes
- 98
- Years Active
- 2018 - 2023
Act 3: The Caper Begins!
In the beginning of Act 3, Ken gets a call from Mark in March of 1995--five years after they last spoke. In this episode, Ken goes down to Los Angeles to kidnap Mark and bring him back to San Franci…
Episode 22: Divorce of the decade, part 2- Whatever you do, don't mess with her hair!
In this episode the family makes the move to Oklahoma City, and descends into a vortex of domestic violence. There were bright spots, though-Ken has his first boy crush, and has a life-changing reve…
Episode 21: Divorce of the Decade, part 1-The Ballad of Miss Ann
When Mark admits to Ken over the phone that he is getting beaten regularly, Ken expounds on the evils of domestic violence.
As an example, in this episode and the next, Ken will tell Mark, and you, D…
Stand by your Man, 1977-style
In therapy, Ken looks at the similarities of Mark to Miss Ann. They look at her bad decisions, depression, and the used-car salesman who boondoggled her out of the college money. As amusement, we …
Who's Wilbur? The story of my father
He sat on the edge of my bed, and I asked him if he had died the day before. He said that yes, he did, but wanted to come back to tell me everything would be OK. This is his story.
Springtime for the Fancy Boy
After Miss Ann dies, Ken sees how her family behaves, which helps him to understand why she was who she was. We also hear from Susan, Ken's own "Auntie Mame", and hear some of her philosophy on life…
Episode 17: Neuroses and Nostalgia
In this episode, Ken gets over his prejudices about self-improvement and gets into therapy.
In the midst of his glamorous success, he needs to take some time out to deal with Real Life issues with Mi…
Episode 16: Elton John's Concert Tour!
Ken's career starts to rev up, as he picks up the remnants of his life after divorcing the Trophy Husband. The Very Posh Store orders hats for Ken's favorite rock Star! This success puts a strain o…
Episode 15: Dances with Land Mines
In this episode, Ken goes through a messy divorce from his Trophy Husband, and the Stock Market Crash of 1987 all in one season! We also get to see Ken bathing in the nude!
Episode 14: Escape from The Emporium!
In this episode, Ken makes his escape from his "real job" in window display to start his business. In the meantime, he visits Mark in Long Beach, and has an epiphany that pushes him to escape his ow…
Episode 13: Self-employment means: Loving the boss!
Mark gets Ken his first design client, which spurs Ken to start his own business. While Ken is starting a business, Mark disappears to Los Angeles.
Also, Susan shows what a good sport she is by atte…
Episode 12: Homicide is NOT a career path!
Ken makes the leap to working in window display at Macy's, where he has a Boss From Hell. He also meets Loren and Craig, the two display trimmers who teach him more than display-they tutor him in th…
Act 2: A new phase of a friendship
This begins a new phase in the friendship between Mark and Ken. Ken had his revenge, and started spending quite a lot more time away from Mark. In Act 1, the relationship looked somewhat like a paren…
Episode 10: Banging the bishop or: Bringing new meaning to the phrase "extra man”.
In this episode, we follow Ken as he explores the social whirl of his new adopted city, San Francisco, We'll also get to meet The Bishop, and follow Ken’s brief career as a Cute Young Thing. We als…
Episode 9: Give Me a Sign! Or: Goddess, just give me a hard shove, please?
In this episode, Ken makes the Big Move from Oklahoma City to San Francisco! Once there, h gets established in his job, finds an apartment, and gets into the swing of things in his adopted city. In…
Episode 8: Scarlet Wasn’t the Only One to Say "God as my Witness"
In this episode, in the spring of 1981, life is wonderful in Oklahoma City! Out of the blue, though, Ken gets a letter that will change the course of his life!
Episode 7: Call In When You Miss Work
The romance between Ken and Darrel blooms. Also, an attempted suicide by a friend brings them closer together. Plus, we meet Harry, who became one of Ken's mentors in the early days.
I accidentally date a felon, or: keep on your toes, even if you're not dancing.
While hanging around a classy joint, Ken meets, and inadvertently dates a future felon. Later, Mark up and moves away, surprising Ken.