Dave Pelzer’s memoir on surviving severe child abuse, “A Child Called It,” was one of the most talked about books in the 90s. His graphic and raw descriptions of being tortured and beaten by his mother touched the hearts of millions, but also created skeptics who thought his story was too unbelievable to actually be true. Dave joins Alex to discuss how his life turned out after those 8 hellish years.
Visit Dave Pelzer’s website: https://www.davepelzer.com/
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Chapters
00:00 Intro
01:57 Dave’s Story: A Survivor, A Student, An Author
12:36 GARNUU
14:03 Dave’s Family Dynamic
23:27 ALEAVIA
25:05 How David Survived And His Motivation to Live Today
33:56 GOOD RANCHERS
35:19 His Motivation to Live Today
47:37 BUMROLL
49:02 David Writes About His Rescue and His Parents
01:00:14 NIMI SKINCARE
01:05:52 Life After His Rescue
01:09:33 Imparting Wisdom
01:20:45 Outro
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I think I was 15 when I read it & have always remembered. I've never cried so much from a book & so glad to hear what a better life & recovery he was able to make as an adult. Glad to have come across this interview.
Thank gosh you were rescued! I have not heard your story. I’m going to have to read your book. My husband and I became foster parents years ago to help kids that needed a safe place to go.
I read this when I was in 4th grade i think! very memorable book and it is so sad to think someone could do this to anyone especially a child 🙁 i was so excited for this interview because i always remembered the story but forgot that i had read it!
I read half of the book by accident. "By accident" is weird to say for a book, but 2 of my close friends in middle school would read it in the library at lunch time, sitting side by side, reading silent in their heads from the 1 copy the library had. So I sat down on the other side and started reading along to see what they were so enthralled in.
It's a book you never. Ever. Forget. I still think back on it occasionally. As a child I was horrified. As a 30 year old expecting mother now, I don't think I could read it…. abuse towards children is one of the worst types of evil in the world.
God bless this man with love and fortune.
Also, I had no idea it was prescribed reading for some middle schoolers. I can't even imagine having to do group discussions or book reports for his story.
I hadn't read that book before, so this was all new to me. I'm right on the cuff of Millennial and Gen Z. Dave has really made the best of a bad situation. What an interesting listen! Keep it up Alex!
What a gripping interview! Normally I’ll put on the podcast while doing chores. I had to stop everything and just listen. Dave Pelzer has touched so many lives and still continues to inspire. So excited for the next interview with him!
I could listen to him talk for hours. His story is so amazing and I aspire to his strength and character.
What a sweet and special man. Jesus is just hugging him and loving on him ❤ I pray he feels Jesus’s love everyday.
I remember reading this as a kid. I couldn’t bring myself to read it as a mom..but anytime I’m reminded of his story I make a special effort to hug my kids, and kiss them, and tell them they’re special. I know it seems silly, but the idea that there are abused, neglected kids out there really gets to me, and if I can hold my babies a little extra, and squeeze them a little tighter, and remind them a little more how special they are, and how much I love them that energy will somehow make it through me and my kids to kids who really need it. If nothing else it ads a layer of positivity, and hopefully if my kids see other kids being abused they’ll recognize that’s not how moms and dads should treat their babies, and get them help. ♥️
I read this book in high school and cried 😭 I couldn't read the book in class because I didn't want to cry in front of everyone so I brought it home and finished it and cried in my room almost all night 😭
My stepmother gave me this book to read as a young teenager. I was the scapegoat of the family my punishments were always more extreme than any of my brothers and sister. But she told me to read it and be thankful that I was not this boy, to remember how good I have it. To this day, I'm so happy she was to cowardly to be his mother.
This book should have never been in the hands of CHILDREN in middle school. It traumatized me!!!
As far as I know, it’s not different in the foster care system now at 18 you are aged out
0:49: 📚 The video discusses the story of a survivor of extreme child abuse and his journey to becoming a best-selling author.
6:52: 🔥 The speaker describes a happy childhood with a firefighter father and a nurturing mother, but also hints at underlying control and safeguarding.
12:21: 🩸 A personal story of overcoming challenges and a recommendation for non-toxic period products.
18:23: 😳 A person shares a humiliating experience from their school days involving theft and hygiene issues.
24:11: 🚿 The video is about Olivia body wash, which is GMO free and can be used as a body wash, shampoo, and face cleanser. It also has benefits for the skin such as reducing burns, scars, eczema, and acne.
30:13: 💔 A survivor of childhood abuse reflects on the impact of his experiences and the facade his mother presented to others.
35:55: 📖 The speaker reflects on overcoming adversity and not letting past experiences define them.
41:53: 💔 A child recounts experiencing abuse and manipulation by their mother and a social worker.
47:43: 🚽 The video discusses the importance of reducing toxic load by switching to non-toxic toilet paper.
53:54: 👮♂️ A young boy reflects on his rescue by a police officer and the significance of feeling valued and protected.
59:27: 🔥 The video discusses the speaker's experience as a fire captain and firefighter, as well as their skincare routine.
1:05:21: 👨👦 The speaker reflects on the positive impact of fatherhood and the special bond he shares with his son and grandson.
1:11:12: 📸 The speaker reflects on being photographed and appreciates the adventures he's had, while emphasizing the importance of staying busy and active at his age.
Summarised by TammyAIsite
I read this book around 10 years old. My older sister told me to read it. I think I was too young for the content but at the same time he was much younger and it’s life. I was a bratty kid it didn’t dramatically change my life but was one of the book that slow molded me to a compassionate adult.
I have so much resentment towards my parents especially my mom, for emotional abuse and being overly controlling. However, remembering his book always makes me have a flash of appreciation for my parents.
As a conservative, I am starting to realize that filling my head with an endless amount of grievances and outrage about every single thing that happens in the world. Might not be the best way for me to be happy! It really doesn't seem like republicans will ever be happy for more than a few minutes. Even if conservatives get their way on something. That happiness won't last very long because they will just move on to the next grievance on their massive and never-ending checklist.
I wonder if the demons in her saw how annointed you were from a young age.
We were not assigned this book in my honors English class. I remember my friends reading it and decided to read it for myself i think my freshman year. I read the series.
I was in my early 20s when I read it. I read them all, but I had to be careful because a lot of it was triggering for me, so I would spiral into despair & self-loathing.
I hope this story reaches the Frankie children
His mother was mentally ill and abused herself. It is really sad.
Alex is such a great interviewer! I also feel she deserves some recognition for her ads. I have NEVER seen a podcaster do ads to the level she does. She actually does them so well that I usually buy every product she advertises 😂
That aside, this was a great episode. It’s fascinating to me how some can come from a situation like that broken and some can come out determined to be stronger.
Dave's story touched my heart so much as a teenager.. I remember having a call on the phone with my older sister about the book.. I cried so hard not understanding how this could happen. My mom is my bestie.. I love her.
Now being a mom I went through PPD and I see how someone might get to that point but I would never hurt my son. I love him so much.
I started crying after hearing the intro.
It's incredible how positive of a person he is today given what he went through. What an inspiration.
What an absolute gem ❤️
Wow what a beautiful man he turned out to be despite the evil things his mother did. GOD bless!
Wow. Blown away by his kindness and happiness. Awesome episode ❤
I read this book when I was a pre teen back in the 2000s… it shook me to the core. I cried with this child in the book and my life changed. I started to become a voice for children! The unborn, abused and unloved. I will NEVER forget his story and how his life changed forever when he found freedom!
This episode was SO good!
God bless this man 🤍
I'm 35. I read this book when I was 12. I went to borrow it from the library this year to have my teen daughters read. They said they would not have a book like that at our library and my girls shouldn't read it. I went home and found it online and purchased it. It did have a huge impact on me.
Great interview Alex!
My parents sucked too. I feel you.
There's something very genuine about this man. I did some research on him and found out that people who said he was lying were easily made to be uncredible. One thing he was accused of was not total recall. When you have gone through so much, you won't have total recall. Trauma seriously messes with the brain. Whats interesting is that he's still a people pleaser and looking for validation from others to fill that gap. I think this is a trauma response. My mother was abusive (not anywhere near the extent of what this man went through), and i am a people pleaser… but something else inside me makes me push back and call people out when they are unprofessional or irresponsible… but only when it's a relationship i have to have… like with school admin or coaches for my kids. If i can walk away from someone who doesn't fit my standards of what integrity is… I'll just walk away.
Such a great episode! 💙
mr. evertt, mrs.winslow, mrs.dunfeild. you guys are on my heart. teacher mean more then they know.