Liddle Did I Know: The Memoir Series

David Liddle’s first real romance unfolds in the quieter aftermath of a turbulent adolescence. Meeting Marie Benjamin brings a gentle, grounding presence into his life, and together they explore young love at Guptill’s Skating Arena and local hideouts. The episode captures the innocence, awkwardness, and emotional confusion of teenage relationships. Ultimately, David’s immaturity and need for appr...

Episode Notes: 2.29 From Turbulence to Testimony – The close of “Liddle Did I Know” Chapter two Summary: This episode serves as the emotional and thematic conclusion to the second act of David Liddle’s memoir, chronicling the journey from adolescent chaos to a place of faith, purpose, and self-acceptance. David reflects on the soundtrack of his youth—songs that echoed both his struggles and his tr...

Episode Notes: Summary: This episode captures a period of profound transformation for David Liddle as he approaches high school graduation. After years of struggle, David experiences an “eleven-inch growth spurt” that symbolizes not just physical change, but emotional, intellectual, and social growth. The transformation is not a sudden miracle, but a slow, hard-earned process built on moments of s...

This episode chronicles a pivotal moment in David Liddle’s journey from chaos to quiet self-discovery. After years of turbulence, David finds himself in a period of relative calm, working honest jobs like mowing lawns and experiencing the sting of transactional friendships that fade when he stops providing for others. On a cold December night, feeling isolated and rejected, David faces a quiet cri...

Episode Notes — 2.26 Vanished: The Disappearance of Doreen This episode explores one of the most haunting and defining moments of my adolescence: the day my twin sister, Doreen, disappeared without a trace. It wasn’t just a family crisis — it was a fracture point. A moment when childhood was replaced by fear, uncertainty, and the realization that the world was far more dangerous than any of us wan...

Episode Notes The consequences of David’s actions in Wynantskill follow him back to Cohoes High, where his reputation as “Coach” shifts from legend to liability. Teachers and students view him with suspicion or caution, and his nickname becomes associated with trouble, not just popularity. Academic performance suffers as detentions and suspensions accumulate, and community service becomes a public...

Episode Notes After surviving a near-fatal overdose, David quickly returns to risky behaviors, including drinking, stealing, and seeking validation through his reputation as “Coach”. A weekend bus ride with Connie Smith and Stevie Welcome leads to a vodka-fueled adventure in Wynantskill, culminating in the theft of beer from a convenience store and a dramatic police chase. David takes the blame fo...

Episode Notes After a period of escalating substance use and risky behavior, David’s sophomore year culminates in a near-fatal alcohol overdose on the last day of summer school. [David Lidd...Manuscript | Word] He collapses during a final exam, is dragged to the principal’s office, and flatlines—requiring resuscitation and emergency transport in a hearse-like “Ghostbuster” ambulance. [David Lidd.....

Episode Notes David’s sophomore year centers on his relationships with Kari DeCarlo and Connie Smith, who become the gravitational forces of his social world. The chapter explores the intensity and confusion of adolescent desire, the pursuit of connection, and the influence of generational culture—music, parties, and rebellion. David and his friends engage in risky behavior, including stealing alc...

David’s “Coach” persona becomes a defining brand at Cohoes High, bringing popularity, attention, and the pressure to deliver weed, parties, and social currency. David Liddle Biography Manuscript The illusion of invulnerability fades as the demands of reputation lead to increased alcohol use and feelings of emptiness and paranoia. David Liddle Biography Manuscript Relationships become transactional...

Episode Notes David’s sophomore year at Cohoes High marks a shift from survival to seeking power and reputation, as he adopts the nickname “Coach” and builds social clout through hustling, supplying weed, and throwing parties. The high school ecosystem is competitive and unforgiving, with rumors and turf wars shaping relationships and status. David faces challenges from peers like Robert Lajeuness...

Episode Notes David reflects on his double life during the summer of 1980, balancing the persona of a "good kid" in church with a rebellious identity at Cohoes High School. He describes the influence of Jon Coonrod and Big Al Tyson, who introduced him to the world of hustling, parties, and Motown music. David recounts his experiences with theft, including stealing beer from Price Chopper and being...

In this raw and pivotal episode, David recounts the emotional and physical breaking point of his adolescence. The mounting pressures of family conflict, sibling rivalry, and parental rage culminate in a violent confrontation that leaves lasting scars. David’s mother’s relentless control, his brother Jim’s bullying, and his father’s explosive anger converge in a traumatic incident involving a belt...

David’s quest for popularity and protection in high school leads him down a slippery slope, culminating in the betrayal of his beloved Nana by stealing money from her. What began as acts of revenge against bullies and abusers turns into an addiction to the thrill and security money brings, until he is caught and forced to confront his shame. The episode explores the painful consequences of crossin...

During his freshman year, David faces ongoing emotional and physical abuse from his older brother Jim, leading him to steal money and goods as a means of reclaiming dignity and survival. The episode explores the complex dynamics of sibling rivalry, pain, and the moral ambiguity of survival tactics in a turbulent household. Decades later, David reflects on these choices with empathy and understandi...

As David enters high school, his perspective on race, community, and belonging begins to shift. He reflects on his neighbor Peter DeYoung and the quiet lessons learned about prejudice, class, and truth—realizing how family stories and social boundaries shape understanding. Through small acts of connection and later revelations, David discovers the importance of empathy, respect, and the ways real...

David’s entrance into ninth grade is marked by newfound confidence and notoriety after performing in Once Upon a Stage and earning the nickname “Coach.” Despite a second broken arm, he finds acceptance among older students and begins to navigate the complex social landscape of high school, balancing his reputation with the scrutiny of teachers and administrators. The “Coach” persona becomes both a...

David’s return to the Cohoes Music Hall after camp is marked by a complex relationship with his older brother Jim, who alternates between public praise and private cruelty. On stage, Jim acts like a proud sibling, but behind the scenes, he subjects David to bullying and humiliation, creating a confusing emotional landscape. The tension between public approval and private pain deepens David’s under...

David’s broken arm becomes a backstage passport during the Off-Season Players’ production of Once Upon a Stage , drawing attention and empathy from castmates and mentors. The backstage environment is a whirlwind of camaraderie, mentorship, and adolescent crushes, with figures like Sheila Quin and Christopher Doremus shaping David’s sense of belonging and self-worth. Through the chaos and connectio...

The summer of 1979 is marked by both physical injury and emotional growth as David breaks his arm just before the Off-Season Players’ production of Once Upon a Stage at the Cohoes Music Hall. Despite the setback, he performs with a cast, finding strength and connection through theater, family, and the supportive backstage community. Singing “Tomorrow” from Annie for his Nana becomes a thread of ho...

In the winter of 1978, David joins his sisters as an usher for a month-long production of A Christmas Carol at Albany’s Empire State Performing Arts Center, known as The Egg. The experience is transformative, blending ritual, tradition, and the warmth of theater, as David finds belonging not on stage but in the constellation of cast, crew, and audience. Through nightly performances, he discovers t...

David’s world expands as he discovers the transformative power of musicals, both as an audience member and as a participant. Inspired by high school productions like “Oklahoma!”—where his brother Jim’s dual roles mirror their real-life relationship—and by the emotional resonance of shows like “The Grand Tour” and “Hello, Dolly!,” David finds that theater offers a language for feelings he can’t exp...

David describes the Cohoes Music Hall as more than a stage—it becomes a place of magic, memory, and transformation during his early teens. He shares the haunting experience of hearing phantom music in the empty hall, connecting his journey to the legendary vaudeville performer Eva Tanguay and the theater’s tradition of ghost stories. This episode explores how the Music Hall’s history and atmospher...

David recounts a defining moment of adolescent rebellion and desire: his first French kiss with Maureen Shaunessy, the girlfriend of a notorious local bully. Set against the backdrop of Berkly Park, this episode captures the thrill, risk, and electric intensity of crossing boundaries in pursuit of connection. The forbidden kiss not only marks David’s initiation into teenage romance but also foresh...

David explores the creative and practical side of adolescence through his experiences in art and home economics classes. He recalls the pride of crafting a psychedelic water pitcher in art class and sewing a denim vest in home economics, both symbols of his growing independence and self-expression. The episode also touches on his admiration for his free-spirited teacher, Miss Panz, and the bitters...