76 episodes

With every episode, Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett take you on a historical deep dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad. Join them for a rich, hilarious, and heartbreaking look into exactly what it means when we call a woman “crazy.”

The C-Word Luminary

    • Society & Culture
    • 4.2 • 491 Ratings

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

With every episode, Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett take you on a historical deep dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad. Join them for a rich, hilarious, and heartbreaking look into exactly what it means when we call a woman “crazy.”

Listen on Apple Podcasts
Requires subscription and macOS 11.4 or higher

    Jenna Jameson

    Jenna Jameson

    Jenna Jameson is one of the most famous porn stars of all time. Her popularity in the 90s and early 2000s led to a successful crossover into mainstream pop culture. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss Jenna’s often overlooked business savvy, her lifelong desire for family, and the public’s inability to see her as anything other than an object of sexual satisfaction. They also unpack Jenna’s more recent descent into conspiracies.

    More info:

    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!

    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word

    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

    Anna Anderson, AKA Anastasia Romanov

    Anna Anderson, AKA Anastasia Romanov

    The woman best known as Anna Anderson gained notoriety for impersonating the Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna, the Lost Princess of the Romanov Dynasty. In this episode, Lena and Alissa unravel a classic tale of international intrigue and subterfuge. They discuss the personal trauma guiding Anna’s deception and the national trauma that made a grieving public susceptible to her big lie.


    More info:

    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!



    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word

    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

    Lil' Kim, Part 2

    Lil' Kim, Part 2

    In part two, Lena and Alissa discuss Lil Kim’s perjury trial and subsequent time in prison, her hiatus from releasing music, and the bad headlines about plastic surgery that have consumed the latter part of her career. Plus, a discussion about why pioneering women are often punished for their discoveries.

    More info:

    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!

    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word

    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

    Lil' Kim, Pt 1 ft. Misa Hylton and Mel Ottenberg

    Lil' Kim, Pt 1 ft. Misa Hylton and Mel Ottenberg

    Lil’ Kim is a rapper, performer, and fashion icon who changed the landscape of music in the 90s and early 2000s. In the first of two parts, Lena and Alissa discuss Kim’s childhood in Bed Stuy, her tempestuous working and romantic relationship with Biggie Smalls, and the genesis of her public identity as an icon of sexual power. Later in the episode, Alissa sits down for a chat with the co-architect of Kim’s image, stylist Misa Hylton, alongside Interview magazine editor in chief, Mel Ottenberg.



    More info:



    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!



    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word



    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

    Dana Plato

    Dana Plato

    Dana Plato was a beloved child star in the 80s sitcom Diff’rent Strokes. But her good girl on-screen persona was spoiled by rumors that she was partaking in the bad behavior trifecta: sex, drugs, and alcohol. The public was quick to forget about her after she was written off the show...until years later, when she made headlines for robbing a video store. Lena and Alissa discuss child stars, motherhood and addiction, and talk about how their approach to the podcast has changed throughout its run.

    More info:


    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!


    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word


    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

    Belle Gibson

    Belle Gibson

    Belle Gibson was one of the original wellness influencers. She documented her unconventional cancer recovery process—consisting largely of restrictive eating and herbal remedies—for a growing cadre of loyal followers. She furthered her empire by developing a popular wellness app and a book. But it was all a lie. She was never afflicted with the cancer that defined her public identity. This week, Lena and Alissa unpack Belle’s big lie, the toxic undercurrents of internet wellness culture, and the many pitfalls of building a life online.

    More info:

    We're dedicating this season of The C-Word to reproductive rights. Join us!



    The goal is to raise funds for the National Network of Abortion Funds (AbortionFunds.org), a collective of almost 100 organizations who remove barriers to abortion care through direct service and political organizing. Donate here: https://donate.abortionfunds.org/give/323375/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=thec-word



    In partnership, Luminary will match donations (up to $10,000) toAbortionFunds.org

Customer Reviews

4.2 out of 5
491 Ratings

491 Ratings

KiwiKimchiKetchup ,

Good!!

Great deep dives. Just have to get used to Alissa’s valley girl accent.

kelseyraerob ,

Seen!

I’m so glad this podcast exists and you both exist as well. Necessary stories of misunderstood women (whom among us are not) told in authentic and curious voices.

Musur's iTunes ,

No interest.

I see this podcast suggested to me everyday. I have never listened and am not interested in listening. When are you going to suggest something else? There seems to be no way to hide the suggestion. I’m tired of ignoring it or scrolling past it so I am just going to give it a 1 star review to see if it goes away.

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