Being a Teenager in a Small Town with Who? Weekly’s Bobby Finger
Dec 19, 2022
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Bobby Finger, co-host of Who? Weekly podcast and author, discusses his experience growing up in a small town in Texas. He draws from his own life in his debut novel, The Old Place. Lily Fowler, a high school senior from Pittsboro, North Carolina, shares her perspective on living in a town rich with family history. Topics include limited social circles, stereotypes, small-town gossip, generational connections, and the nervousness and appreciation surrounding college.
Growing up in a small town can be challenging for LGBTQ+ individuals due to the tight-knit nature of the community and the potential lack of acceptance.
Small towns have unique qualities and challenges, and it is important to understand that each town has its own peculiarities and dynamics.
Deep dives
Growing up in a small town shapes one's identity
Bobby Fingar, the host of the podcast Who Weekly, talks about his experiences growing up in a small Texas town. He reflects on the challenges of being gay or closeted in a town where everyone knows everyone's business and discusses how his relationship with his hometown has evolved over time.
The dynamics of living in a small town
Bobby Fingar explores the different dynamics that exist in small town life. He discusses the various ways that individuals fit into small towns and how their relationships with family and the community influence their experiences.
The struggle of fitting in and finding a sense of belonging
Bobby Fingar reflects on his own experiences of not feeling like he fit in with his classmates and the struggle of finding meaningful friendships in a small town. He also examines the limited options for social activities and the challenges of feeling isolated.
The complexities of small town life
Bobby Fingar highlights the unique qualities and quirks of small towns, such as annual picnics and community events. He emphasizes that small town life is not always as idyllic or neighborly as it is often portrayed and that each small town has its own set of peculiarities and challenges.
In this week’s episode, host Anne Helen Petersen speaks with Who? Weekly podcast co-host and author Bobby Finger about what it was like for him growing up in a small town in Texas. Bobby’s debut novel, The Old Place, is fiction – but draws heavily on his own experiences growing up in a town of less than 1,000 people. Plus, we hear from a teen living in a small town now. High school senior Lily Fowler, from Pittsboro, North Carolina, tells us what it’s like to live in a place steeped in family history and how her relationship to her town has evolved.
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