All Grown Up Now artwork

All Grown Up Now

105 episodes - English - Latest episode: 8 months ago - ★★★★★ - 33 ratings

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.

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Episodes

Episode 99: The Walk

August 22, 2023 01:02 - 15 minutes - 22 MB

It's amazing when a remark from years ago is suddenly remembered, and now makes more sense.

Episode 98: A dream as a git to the future, part 2

June 26, 2023 16:47 - 20 minutes - 28.5 MB

In the first podcast on a dream as a gift to the future, I began talking about this idea. In my life, it has played out again recently.

Episode 97: Stalked by Betsey Johnson

December 15, 2022 00:28 - 9 minutes - 13.5 MB

A short amusing holiday story involving celebrity sightings.

Episode 96: Making Things

August 27, 2022 18:54 - 27 minutes - 39.4 MB

And yes indeed, this is the point--craft as my salvation.

Episode 95: The End of the World

July 13, 2022 20:51 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MB

An incident from my childhood spurred a seemingly irrational fear, that has come back to haunt me these days.

Special Report: Who's Wilbur?

June 12, 2022 16:42 - 29 minutes - 41.2 MB

Wilbur Dean King didn't get much play in previous episodes, but he still looms as an important figure in my childhood.  Here is his story.

Episode 93: No Regrets, Just Gratitude

May 15, 2022 20:44 - 20 minutes - 28.8 MB

A recent visit to Oklahoma City cemented in my mind, that the big choices I’ve made in my life were good ones.

Special Report: At My Peril

March 06, 2022 22:00

A snarky comment on my Instagram feed compels me to clear the air. This may ruffle some feathers but needs to be said.

Special Report: At My Peril

March 06, 2022 22:00 - 11 minutes - 16.5 MB

A snarky comment on my Instagram feed compels me to clear the air. This may ruffle some feathers but needs to be said.

Episode 92: Lorie's Gift

January 22, 2022 17:07 - 32 minutes - 45.3 MB

Gifts come in many forms.  My cousin Lorie, who passed in late November, gave me a priceless gift. This is her story.

Episode 91: The Ripple Effect

December 13, 2021 20:56 - 41 minutes - 57.8 MB

This long-form episode allows me to pay hommage to a dear departed friend, Norma Tringali. It also allows me to share one of the most important lessons I learned from her.

Episode 90: Telephone Etiquette

August 14, 2021 20:31 - 11 minutes - 15.9 MB

Just because someone answers, doesn't mean they can talk!

Episode 89: Spheres of Influence

May 31, 2021 17:36 - 10 minutes - 15.4 MB

It's interesting to observe the effects of people when they are the center of a sphere of influence.

Episode 88: The Bishop's Pockets

May 02, 2021 23:22 - 6 minutes - 10.1 MB

In this episode our hero ponders if one could be charged as an accessory to a crime, for making accessories?

Episode 87: Daisy the Wonder Dog!

April 06, 2021 16:44 - 41 minutes - 57.9 MB

The daffodils in bloom this spring remind me of Daisy.  I've only had one dog, which raised the bar so high for fabulous dogs, I've never wanted another. Her name was Daisy, and she was  the love of my life. This is a rerun of an earlier episode, but spring always reminds me of her.

Episode 86: Becoming a Hip Hop Star

February 21, 2021 05:00 - 16 minutes - 23.1 MB

This is the story of my small burst of stardom as a hip hop video extra.

Episode 85: The Valentine's Day Jinx

February 07, 2021 18:53 - 15 minutes - 21.8 MB

This is a reprise of an earlier podcast, after many requests. So enjoy! One time can jinx a day for years. This is a reprise of an earlier podcast, after many requests. So enjoy!

Episode 84: The Go-See

January 12, 2021 22:57 - 6 minutes - 10.4 MB

  A short funny story to distract us all from what's going on in the news.

Episode 83: Thoughts on the holidays

December 13, 2020 19:40 - 7 minutes - 10.9 MB

But is it? A holiday wish for all of my listeners.

Episode 82: The White Cow

October 15, 2020 04:00 - 10 minutes - 14.9 MB

This is a short story of a college writing assignment as an epiphany.

Episode 81: A Dream as a Gift to the Future

September 26, 2020 17:52 - 12 minutes - 18.2 MB

Sometimes a gift is more than a gift, and a dream can travel into the future.

Summer Re-run: Jet Set, Starring Patty

August 30, 2020 04:00 - 15 minutes - 22 MB

There are many strong women who populate my life. One of them is a gal named Patty.  Here's her story!

Special Report: Don't Ask!

July 31, 2020 04:00 - 37 minutes - 52.9 MB

In this Special Report, I tell you all, and remind myself, that when turbulent times are upon us, to NOT ask--"what else can happen?" Because you'll find out. 

Episode 80: The Week That Was, 1982

July 18, 2020 04:00 - 34 minutes - 47.5 MB

This is a tale of one person's choice of how to deal with the question of sexual harassment in order to advance a career.

Special Report: Wear the Mask

July 03, 2020 00:51 - 7 minutes - 11.8 MB

The question of the mask--why is it a question? Discuss.

Episode 79: Death of a Friendship

June 11, 2020 04:00 - 42 minutes - 58.7 MB

I don't give up on friendships easily, but sometimes it's necessary. This is the story of Gretchen (not her real name), and the history of a friendship.

Episode 78: Recognition in the Big City

May 28, 2020 16:00 - 6 minutes - 9.56 MB

This was a heartwarming moment from my early days in New York--it made me not feel so alone or anonymous.

Episode 77: Stalked by Betsey Johnson

May 14, 2020 16:00 - 9 minutes - 14.7 MB

This is a short tale of my one and only encounter with a fashion icon. To all my listeners, please stay in and stay safe!

Special Report: From the lockdown

May 05, 2020 21:40 - 9 minutes - 13.7 MB

My way of trying to make sense of crazy times.

Episode 76: The Sunday Afternoon Lecture

April 23, 2020 04:00 - 8 minutes - 12.1 MB

This is a short story about a humorous thing that happened at a Sunday lecture.

Episode 75: Alliteration

April 09, 2020 04:00 - 5 minutes - 8.27 MB

A short podcast because everyone needs a good laugh in these strange times.

Episode 74: A Story about Andrew

March 26, 2020 04:00 - 11 minutes - 16.9 MB

Hangry is a word used to describe someone who is hungry and irritable. Andrew does hangry in the most charming way!

Episode 73: An Answered Prayer

March 05, 2020 05:00 - 21 minutes - 29 MB

This episode tells of an epiphany I had in Paris in 1995, that influenced the direction of my work for years to come.

Episode 72: Gwenda

February 06, 2020 05:00 - 16 minutes - 23 MB

This is a sad story of a young woman from my Kansas years.

Episode 71: My Athletic Ability

January 23, 2020 05:00 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MB

This is a little reflection on my particular athletic ability, discovered at Gay Boy Summer Camp.

Episode 70: The Intern

January 06, 2020 05:00 - 18 minutes - 25.7 MB

When I talk to my students at FIT, I refer to Shelley as the Gold Standard, as far as interns go.  Here's her story.

Episode 69: A Holiday Greeting

December 20, 2019 05:00 - 7 minutes - 10.6 MB

This is a short little podcast with a holiday message!

Episode 68: Daisy the Wonder Dog!

November 24, 2019 05:00 - 41 minutes - 56.9 MB

I've only had one dog, which raised the bar so high for fabulous dogs, I've never wanted another. Her name was Daisy, and she was  the love of my life.

Episode 67: Hommage to a powerful woman

November 07, 2019 05:00 - 33 minutes - 47.1 MB

This is an hommage to another of the powerful women who have influenced my life and career.  Simmin (pronounced "Simone") Sethna taught me French Couture Patternmaking, as well as survival skills.  At 5'1" in high heels, she remains a towering influence in my life.

Episode 66: Boys' Shorts 6

October 24, 2019 04:00 - 17 minutes - 24.7 MB

Boys' Shorts 6 is about inspection stickers, motorcycle cops, and checkbooks.

Episode 65: The Journey of the Orchid Brooch

October 03, 2019 04:00 - 13 minutes - 19.4 MB

Sometimes we don't quite know in the moment, what a particular thing will mean over time.  This story, of a piece of jewelry I made early in my career, illustrates one instance in my life, where the long view made sense when looking at the history of that particular piece.

Episode 64: All the Retail Ladies!

September 26, 2019 04:00 - 33 minutes - 46.4 MB

In my time in retail, I encountered a number of formidable women--individuals who had style, class, humor, and power. This podcast is an hommage to some of them.

Episode 63: How do you define Success?

September 12, 2019 04:00 - 13 minutes - 18 MB

Success is different things to different people.  There are the markers of success--fame, money, exposure in the media--but who defines it?  And why not define it for oneself?

Episode 62: The Sunburn

August 29, 2019 04:00 - 21 minutes - 29.9 MB

We learn the hilarious circumstances whereby Ken gets his first sunburn in Oklahoma City in 1981!

Episode 61: Flowers From Elton

August 15, 2019 04:00 - 16 minutes - 24 MB

In this episode, we hear of the time when Sir Elton sent flowers to Ken's studio-warming party in 1989.  The effect of this gesture was to finally convince Miss Ann that her son had actually "made something of himself".

Episode 60: Boys' Shorts 5

August 01, 2019 04:00 - 12 minutes - 17.8 MB

In this short episode, learn about how Ken ruined a career in fast food.  Also, mud wrestling!

Episode 59: Reflections on choice

July 18, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 30.5 MB

This is a musing on choices--choices that broaden one's horizons as well as ones that narrow them, illustrated by observing Miss Ann's choices growing up.

Episode 58: Boys' Shorts 4

July 04, 2019 04:00 - 22 minutes - 30.3 MB

In Boys' Shorts 4, learn about caged birds and bad luck, and how 1,399 gay men can create a microclimate!

Episode 57: The Valentine's Day Stories

June 20, 2019 04:00 - 15 minutes - 20.8 MB

Hear about Ken's personal Valentine's Day Jinx, and how it eventually broke.

Episode 56: Misadventures in Window Display

June 06, 2019 04:00 - 15 minutes - 21.9 MB

Ken quite his job at Macy's, trading down to work for a store in San Francisco called The Emporium. This podcast recounts some of his misadventures there.