Imagine you are a teen and grossly overweight ?by over 300 pounds. You go on TV to tell your story.

Radio Rookie Rocky Tayeh doesn?t have to imagine anything. In real life he gained and gained and finally lost. How is the the subject of this ten-minute segment from WNYC?s Radio Rookies. (It's apparently the second by Rocky on the subject.)

Rocky is a good narrator, present without being overbearing. He?s a good writer too, and he patiently builds his narrative.

The first part of the segment bumps diary, clips, and ambiance against Rocky?s voice. Though we don?t know WHY he?s eating, we do feel the fast-track anxiety and embarrassment that fuels it.

There?s tension in Rocky?s family too. Dad says diet and exercise will cure Rocky?s problem. Mom doesn?t think so. She and Rocky head to the hospital for a surgery that puts a ?lapband? on her son?s stomach. Afterwards, Rocky can't eat much or he gets sick. And he does, over and over. Finally, he changes his eating habits forever ? drinking Starbuck?s Pumpkin Lattes down 200 pounds. Rocky has recorded himself getting sick, and getting clear. It?s great stuff, well recorded, as is all the material here.

Rocky?s story ends with a predictable interlude ? one of his ?girlfriends? tells him he?s still the same guy with or without his poundage. But here's a twist: Rocky doesn?t agree. He hopes kids who hear his story will realize that being lighter improves self-esteem and energy.

Rocky admits he still wants to know WHY he ate so much. But even absentt this insight, the piece is a keen look at how one kid fought the fat and won.

Some may object to HOW Rocky did so. But that could make for a great discussion. (The New York Times recently reported young MEN now get breast reduction therapy.)

This might also be a good backgrounder link on a web buildout.