Negative portrayals left kids like Olivia traumatized whereas others, like Laurel and Anjay look back with fondness. How did being on the show affect the trajectory of the pioneers? And why does Kid Nation continue to strike a cultural chord?

Guest Interviews:
Olivia Cloer, Kid Nation contestant
Laurel McGoff, Kid Nation contestant
Anjay Ajodha, Kid Nation contestant
Sophia Wise, Kid Nation contestant
Ghen Maynard, Co-creator of Kid Nation, former head of alternative programming at CBS


About Kid Nation: The controversial reality TV show known as ‘Kid Nation’, which borrowed its premise from Lord of the Flies, was cancelled after just one season. Producers took 40 kids into a makeshift desert town to fend for themselves and create their own society. Was the series an opportunity to discover what kids are capable of? Or simply a ploy for ratings?

With access to former ‘Kid Nation’ contestants, their families, and the show’s creators, culture journalist Josh Gwynn uncovers how this cult TV show became a lightning rod for an ongoing debate about the ethics of reality TV.


🎧 More Kid Nation episodes: https://tinyurl.com/46jpx783
✨ Like this podcast? You might like Gay Girl Gone. Listen here https://tinyurl.com/2v4a5dyw
👉 Subscribe for more: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8rLel5fzQV-pN7pUOF31gQ?sub_confirmation=1

This podcast is part of the CBC Podcasts family. Find this podcast and others at https://cbc.ca/podcasts

Thank you for listening