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New Gurus: 6. Daygamers and Daydreamers

How did nerdy student Tom Ralis reinvent himself as the online seduction guru Tom Torero? Helen Lewis unravels a story of power, control and despair.

At Oxford University, fellow students remember Tom Ralis as a quiet, nerdy biology student who played percussion in the college orchestra. But even then, he had one ambition - to become a guru.

He reinvented himself as Tom Torero, a pick-up artist who approached women in the street for dates - a practice known as β€œdaygame”. His transformation led to tragedy.

The New Gurus is a series about looking for enlightenment in the digital world.

Written and presented by Helen Lewis

Series Producers: Morgan Childs and Tom Pooley
Story consultant: Geoff Bird
Original music composed by Paper Tiger
Sound design and mix: Rob Speight
Editor: Craig Templeton Smith

A Tempo & Talker production for ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Radio 4 and ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Sounds

Available now

29 minutes

Broadcast

  • Tue 27 Dec 2022 12:04

Podcast