This American Life episode explores the creation and distortion of origin stories. It begins by debunking the "garage startup" myth, revealing that many successful entrepreneurs gained experience and connections before launching their businesses. The episode then delves into the fabricated or exaggerated origin stories of companies like eBay and YouTube, highlighting our tendency to romanticize beginnings. Finally, it features a poignant story about a father's fight to reclaim credit for his advertising work, illustrating how personal narratives can be contested and rewritten. The episode ultimately reveals how our desire for compelling narratives often overshadows the truth.
