The C-Word

Welcome to The We Do Not Care Club Podcast hosted by Melani Sanders, content creator, founding member of the WDNC, and New York Times bestselling author of The Official We Do Not Care Club Handbook. What started as Melani’s hilarious and all-too-true social media declaration that she simply did not care much anymore has become a global movement centered on sisterhood, laughter, honesty, and understanding that we are not alone, and we are enough. From menopause to marriage, motherhood, sex, relationships, changing bodies, mental health, work, money, food, and the everyday chaos of midlife, no topic is off-limits. Available now: link.pscrb.fm/f0281/wdnccfdcw-e2f5a

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.This episode was first published on 10/13/2022.

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. This episode was first published on 10/06/2022.

Maila Nurmi was known for her role as Vampira, the original glamour ghoul, late-night horror host, and proto-goth sex symbol who would inspire the on-screen look of modern-day Morticia Addams. Despite her lasting impact on 1950s America, and on culture at large, few people remember her today. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss her artistry, her sharp tongue and scathing disses, and her involvement with Hollywood greats like Orson Welles, Marlon Brando, Elvis Presley, and— most infamously—James Dean.This episode was first published on 09/29/2022.

In part two, the tabloids rejoice that Lindsay is legal, and gleefully surveil the rest of her early adulthood. As the public scrutinizes her body, her partying, and her family, Lindsay descends deeper into a seesawing addiction that will land her in numerous rehab stints. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss her highly publicized relationship with Samantha Ronson, her moment in prison, her OWN docuseries, and how talk show hosts have become the figureheads for our nation’s paternalistic society. Finally, Alissa chats with New Yorker staff writer and friend-of-the-show, Naomi Fry, about LiLo.This episode was first published on 09/15/2022.

Lindsay Lohan’s name has become synonymous with maladaptive child stardom, toxic tabloid culture, and the general trainwreckery of the mid-aughts—but it wasn’t always that way. In the first of two parts, Lena and Alissa unpack LiLo’s childhood, her precocious talent and early popularity, the media’s perverse fascination with her prepubescent body, and the beginnings of her Bad Behavior headlines which would drastically influence 2000s pop culture. Lena also shares moments throughout her youth and career during which her and Lilo’s paths have overlapped. This episode was first published on 09/08/2022.

Lena and Alissa discuss the latter half of Linda’s career—her first retirement and then comeback, the tabloid’s fixation on her weight and health, her much criticized divorce proceedings, and her eventual retreat from public life due to a botched cosmetic procedure. Also in Part 2: aging, plastic surgery, and what it means when your self is defined by how others see you.This episode was first published on 03/31/2022.

Linda Evangelista was one of the first Supermodels in the 90s to capture America’s admiration, love, and then criticism. She uttered the infamous words: “We don’t get up for less than $10 thousand a day.” Later, after more than a decade of public fixation on her age and weight, she would become a recluse due to a botched cosmetic procedure. In Part 1, Lena and Alissa discuss Linda’s childhood, her role as one-third of the 90s “Trinity” with Christy Turlington and Naomi Campbell, her famous haircut, and the rise of the model as celebrity. Alissa also shares anecdotes from her years as a model.This episode was first published on 03/17/2022.

Marion Jones was a track star and Olympic champion. Despite her record-breaking athletic prowess, her career was torpedoed by doping allegations that would ultimately end in a prison stay. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss the pressure our public places on athletes—especially women of color—to become symbols of American exceptionalism.This episode was first published on 03/03/2022.

In this episode Lena and Alissa tackle Winona Ryder’s infamous shoplifting incident and the very public trial that followed. They also discuss her friendships with Gwyneth Paltrow and former C-Word subject Brittany Murphy, the tabloid rumors about Winona's romantic relationships, her career hiatus, and her eventual comeback, with the show Stranger Things.This episode was first published on 02/17/2022.

Lena and Alissa discuss Winona Ryder—90s icon, chic misfit, and poster child of gen-x nostalgia. In this episode: Winona’s nontraditional childhood, 90s bullies, her meteoric rise, her relationship with Johnny Depp, and the events leading up to her infamous shoplifting incident.This episode was first published on 02/03/2022.

Hollywood madam Elizabeth Adams (aka Madam Alex) ran a high-end Beverly Hills prostitution ring in the 70s and 80s. Her women — many of whom went on to become famous actors — were set apart by their manicured glamor, poise, and intellect, making her business THE go-to escort service of the Hollywood elite. In this episode, Lena and Alissa unpack the OG Hollywood madam’s affinity for muumuus, fraught dealings with the Los Angeles Police Department, and relationship with the successor to her empire, Heidi Fleiss. This episode was first published on 01/06/2022.

Eva Rausing was an heiress and philanthropist whose struggle with addiction made her tabloid fodder. In 2012, the gruesome circumstances of her death left the public to rehash and question her relationship to drugs, crime, and her family. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss addiction, privilege, and squalor.This episode was first published on 12/21/2021.

In the conclusion of Chyna's story, Lena and Alissa discuss Chyna’s attempts to reclaim her career after being fired from the WWE, her reality television appearances, and her crossover into the adult entertainment industry. Also, in this episode: the themes of addiction and enablers, as well as the story of Chyna’s death in 2016. This episode was first published on 12/09/2019.

There’s a lot of dopey financial advice out there. Jill Schlesinger is here to call it out, answer your questions, break down the financial news that actually matters, and help you manage your money without losing your mind. No jargon. No judgment. Just clear, actionable financial guidance about saving, investing, buying a home, managing your career, and deciding how to spend your hard-earned dollars.  When it’s time to panic, Jill will tell you. When everyone else is panicking and you shouldn’t be, Jill will tell you that too. Your money. Your move. Let’s go.

Chyna was an iconic wrestler, body builder, and later adult entertainment actress. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss gender dynamics in the WWE, Chyna’s early years, and her rise to fame as one of the first women wrestlers who could physically rival men.This episode was first published on 11/29/2019.

Isabella Blow was a magazine editor, style icon, and muse, known for discovering fashion greats like Alexander McQueen and Stella Tenant. She was legendary for her outlandish outfits, her dirty sense of humor, and her habit of stripping at parties. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss musedom, eccentricity and aging, and fashion in the early 2000s. This episode was first published on 11/11/2021.

Lena, Alissa, and special guest, Quentin Tarantino, discuss fandom, fame, badly-behaved women characters, and the corrosive effects of Hollywood sexism. Quentin also shares film recommendations, and gives his take on past C-Word episode subjects. This episode was first published on 10/28/2021.

The episode turns the lens on the latter half of Marie Antoinette’s life, including the rumors, bad decisions, and mounting pressure that culminated in her eventual beheading. Lena and Alissa also examine her evolution as a contemporary cultural icon, and criticize the meme-ified sad girl version of Marie Antoinette that is often popularized today. This episode was first published on 10/14/2021.

Lena and Alissa discuss Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French revolution and cultural symbol of royal excess. In this episode: Marie Antoinette’s marriage as an adolescent, her iconic pouf hairstyle, and the series of events that would make her France’s public enemy No. 1. This episode was first published on 09/30/2021.

Vanessa Marquez was an actress best known for her role as Nurse Wendy on ER. Later, she would appear on the reality television show Intervention, which showcased her shopping addiction and agoraphobia. During #metoo, she spoke out about sexual harassment on set. Lena and Alissa discuss how past trauma impacts health, Vanessa’s prolific online posts, and police brutality. This episode was first published on 08/19/2021.

In Part 2, Lena and Alissa unpack the years leading up to Amy Winehouse’s death in 2011. They discuss rehab, bad boyfriends, and the 27 club. This episode was first published on 08/05/2021.

Recognized for her singular voice and iconic beehive, Amy Winehouse became a near-instant music legend as well as a tabloid mainstay in the 2000s. On the 10th anniversary of her death, Lena and Alissa discuss the singer-songwriter’s precocious talent, her rebellious teen years, and the start to a bad romance that would fuel her later work as well as her addictions.  This episode was first published on 07/22/2021.

Nancy Spungen was a groupie and major figure of the 1970’s punk rock scene. Her tumultuous relationship with Sid Vicious of the Sex Pistols became so infamous that “Sid and Nancy” has become a moniker for bad romances. Their relationship was characterized by drug abuse, violence, and codependence, and ended with Nancy’s murder in their shared hotel room. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss the controversies surrounding Nancy’s death, her early years as a bad teenager, and being labeled “annoying.”  This episode was first published on 07/08/2021.

In part two of Frances Farmer’s story, Lena and Alissa examine Frances’ later years out of the spotlight, her battles with addiction, and the posthumous repackaging of her legacy.  This episode was first published on 06/24/2021.

Although Frances Farmer was a star of Hollywood’s “Golden Era” and an intellectual powerhouse in her own right, her achievements have been overshadowed by myths surrounding her public struggles with mental health. Her periods in psychiatric hospitals and involuntary confinement have entered pop culture lore, immortalized by everyone from Jessica Lange to Kurt Cobain. In the first of two parts, Lena and Alissa consider Frances’s early rebellious years, her ascent to fame, and the relationships that shaped her burgeoning career.  This episode was first published on 06/10/2021.

Before Bai Ling was labeled a “wacktress” by the tabloids, she was a prolific actress best known in the U.S. for her role in the cult classic, The Crow. Her wacky behavior and soundbites about living on the moon made her a frequent character of the early 2000s press. In this episode, Lena and Alissa unpack Bai’s childhood in Mao Zedong’s China, her ascent as an American star, her iconic stint on Celebrity Rehab, and the myths about Asian-American womanhood that continue to saturate the public’s perception about her.  This episode was first published on 05/27/2021.

Family Lore is a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates ancestral mystique. Each episode begins with a guest sharing a fascinating family legend, followed by a historical deep-dive to uncover the truth and meaning behind the tale. Available now: link.pscrb.fm/f0281/FLFD

In Part 2, Lena and Alissa resume their discussion about 90s porn star Savannah. Although she became a mainstream name, Savannah developed a bad reputation within the adult entertainment industry. In this episode, they chronicle her relationships with rockstars, her attempts at a comeback, and her struggles with addiction and debt. Lena and Alissa also discuss the dissolution of her personal identity as Shannon Wilsey and the events that led to her death at age 23.  This episode was first published on 03/25/2021.

Savannah was the most famous porn performer of the 90s — she ushered in a totally new era of celebrity for other adult film stars. At her peak she made six-figures and was a tabloid mainstay. But behind the scenes, she gained a reputation for bad on-set behavior as her drug addiction spiraled out of control. In the first episode of a two-part series, Lena and Alissa examine Savannah’s origins as Shannon Wilsey, a teenager struggling to move on from a violent childhood and developing what would become a lifelong passion for older male rock stars.  This episode was first published on 03/11/2021.

Sulli was a major K-pop star, singer, and actress, known as “the Kim Kardashian of South Korea.” Her pivot away from her initial “baby girl” persona in the K-pop girl group, f(x), resulted in tremendous backlash and online harassment. Controversies ranged from her dating life to her clothing choices to her feminist beliefs. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss K-pop training schools, fan entitlement, and the tragic epidemic of K-pop-related suicides in South Korea.  This episode was first published on 02/25/2021.

If you’ve been on this journey with us, you know that Alissa and Lena are obsessed with sharp, witty, decisive women. Today, we’re stepping out of the archives to introduce you to a woman who is helping us look at ourselves and answer big questions with a refreshing amount of grit and zero judgment. Meet Suzy Welch. Suzy is a three-time New York Times bestselling author and the NYU professor behind the cult-favorite class, Becoming You. She’s spent her career as a business journalist and academic dismantling the myths of "perfect" success. Suzy hosts a podcast—also called Becoming You—where she tells the freaking truth about life and work today, without the sugar-coating and definitely without the despair. In a world that loves to call women "crazy" for changing their minds or wanting something more, Suzy offers a roadmap for the pursuit of authentic purpose.

Although Sondra Locke’s work as an actress & director garnered critical praise and an Academy Award nomination, she was perhaps best known for her 13-year romantic relationship with Clint Eastwood. The highly publicized court battle that followed their relationship forever linked her name with his and fueled endless gossip. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss the etymology of “Daddy,” the gaze of male Hollywood power players, and the obstacles facing women who carve their own path in the entertainment industry.  This episode was first published on 02/11/2021.

Gia Carangi, considered by many to be the world’s first supermodel, was once so renowned she was known simply as GIA. Her stunning rise from a troubled Philadelphia childhood to the top of the New York fashion scene preceded an equally dramatic downfall, marked by heroin addiction and wild on-set behavior. She died in 1986 of AIDS-related complications. In this episode, Lena and Alissa follow the ups and downs of Gia’s life, with a particular focus on how her sexuality and gender presentation shaped her career and enduring legacy.  This episode was first published on 01/28/2021.

Lena and Alissa welcome the new year with an iconic early 20th-century party girl: La Marchesa Luisa Casati. They delve into Luisa’s obsession with the occult, her high-profile artistic and romantic relationships, and her singular desire to become a “living work of art,” all the while investigating the double-edged sword of our society’s fascination with eccentric women. This episode was first published on 01/14/2021.

​In Part 2, Lena and Alissa resume their discussion on Brittany Murphy. By the late 2000s, Brittany’s career was stagnant and rumors about her erratic behavior and her sketchy new marriage were widespread. Tragically, her life was cut short in December 2009. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss the harmful effect of gossip blind items, celebrity paranoia, and the public’s fixation on conspiracies surrounding Brittany’s death.  This episode was first published on 12/17/2020.

The Brittany Murphy of the 90s won our affection with her talent, iconic laugh, and breakout role as goofy but lovable Tai in ​Clueless​. But the Brittany Murphy of the 2000s weathered tabloid speculation about her appearance and high-profile relationships, a dwindling supply of roles, and an addiction to prescription pills. In part 1, we grapple with the first half of Brittany’s life. Lena and Alissa discuss Brittany’s childhood, the promising start to her career, and the obstacles that would lead to her death in 2009.  This episode was first published on 12/12/2020.

Lena and Alissa discuss a different kind of c-word subject: Yolanda Saldívar. She became known for robbing the world of beloved Tejano music star Selena. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss Saldívar's criminal history, how obsessive fandom is related to public interest, and whether the term “c-word” is applicable in Yolanda’s case.  This episode was first published on 11/19/2020.

In part 2, Lena and Alissa discuss the latter half of Anna Nicole’s life. By 2002, she had become one of the first E! reality television celebrities with ​The Anna Nicole Show​. Early gossip websites like TMZ and Perez Hilton covered her weight gain, messy public appearances, and a debacle over the paternity of her second child. In this episode, we discuss Anna Nicole’s addiction, her eccentric entourage, the public’s thirst for her downfall, and the tragic events that led to her death at age 39.  This episode was first published on 11/05/2020.

Model and reality TV superstar Anna Nicole Smith assumed several roles in America’s public consciousness. In the 90s she was branded as as a sex symbol and “the next Marilyn Monroe” and in the 2000s we turned her into a punch line. We loved and then ridiculed her platinum blonde hair, massive boobs, Texas accent, and “loopy” manner. In this episode, Lena and Alissa discuss Anna Nicole Smith’s origin story, her rise as 1993’s Playboy Playmate of the Year, and her relationship with an octogenarian billionaire which would later take her to the Supreme Court and launch her reputation as an iconic gold digger.  This episode was first published on 10/22/2020.

Wendi Deng was the third wife of media magnate and billionaire, Rupert Murdoch. The public was quick to call her a gold digger, latching onto the 38-year age difference in their marriage, Wendi’s humble upbringing in China, and her controversial involvement in the Murdoch family business. But despite criticism and rumors about her personal life, Wendi leveraged Rupert’s connections to build a name for herself as a businesswoman, film producer, and advisor in the tech world. Lena and Alissa discuss ambition, Wendy’s celebrity dinner parties & annual pre-Met Gala gathering, and the hypocrisy of the term “gold digger.”  This episode was first published on 10/08/2020.

Lena and Alissa pick up where they last left Whitney Houston in Part 1. In the second half of Whitney’s career, her reputation as America’s pop sweetheart was hindered by tabloid speculation about drug use and criticism of her live performances. In this episode Lena and Alissa discuss the phenomenon of the Diane Sawyer interview, Whitney’s stint on reality television, her daughter Bobbi Kristina Brown, and why the public still overlooks Whitney’s talent and legacy after her death.  This episode was first published on 09/24/2020.

Whitney Houston: “The Voice,” the myth, the legend. She sang her way into the hearts of America, moving a nation and bearing the weight of its attention on her psyche. As her star grew, Whitney faced backlash, questions about her identity, and intense intrusion into her personal life. In the first of two parts, Lena and Alissa chart the young Whitney’s rise to fame, her essential early relationships with Robyn Crawford and Bobby Brown, and the start of struggles that would eventually lead to her untimely end.  This episode was first published on 09/10/2020.

Yoko Ono: The woman whose name for decades was a codeword for "Somebody who ruins things." Beatles fans called her a villain, obscuring who she really was: a multidisciplinary artist, pioneering social activist, and visionary. In this episode, Lena and Alissa trace Yoko’s unlikely journey, from her childhood as a musical prodigy to her years as a fixture of the New York art scene to her legendary love affair with one of the most famous rock stars of all time. As Lena and Alissa untangle Yoko’s story, they assess the cultural anxieties about gender and race that made Yoko a target and ask how we can truly honor the contributions of trailblazing women artists.  This episode was first published on 08/06/2020.

Mary Shelley is known as the mother of the science fiction genre for her groundbreaking novel, ​Frankenstein​. But beyond the page, she faced a life of personal tragedy and a society unprepared to grapple with her public persona. As the daughter of legendary proto-feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, Mary Shelley was born into controversy. In her adult life, her entanglements with celebrity Romantic poets kept her at the center of high society gossip. In this episode, Lena and Alissa weave together the various elements of this complex life (featuring a graveyard tryst!), and discuss what it meant to be a woman ahead of her time.  This episode was first published on 07/23/2020.

Daul Kim, it-girl and Chanel muse, was one of the most iconic models of the 2000’s. As she came to prominence in her late teens, she gained a cult following and fell under intense scrutiny for her candid blogging about her experience in the industry. In this episode, Lena and Alissa reflect on the life and death of Daul, from her public displays of depression to the torrential pace of her young life, ultimately asking what it means to be highly visible but not seen on one's own terms.  This episode was first published on 07/09/2020.

Jessica Savitch: the original anchorwoman. An NBC mainstay, Jessica was an audience favorite, but despite trailblazing and receiving public praise, the star struggled. In this episode, Lena and Alissa dive into the woman behind the desk: from her incredible ambition and subsequent drug use, to the workplace culture that led to the downfall of her career.  This episode was first published on 06/25/2020.

​Dare Wright, the author, photographer, and model best known for writing ​The Lonely Doll​, had a lot in common with her titular character. In this episode, Lena and Alissa unpack Dare’s life, spanning from her all-consuming relationship with her mother to her tragic demise. Then, Alissa sits down with Jean Nathan, author of the definitive work on Dare’s life, to get a more intimate look at the star’s biography.  This episode was first published on 06/11/2020.

Paula Yates was a TV presenter and icon of British pop culture in the 80s and 90s. Her life with England’s beloved Bob Geldof seemed perfect until musician Michael Hutchence came into the picture — their love triangle turned bad romance was tabloid fodder for years until their tragic end. Lena and Alissa discuss undeniable sexual chemistry, perfectionism at the root of addiction, and motherhood in the public eye.  This episode was first published on 05/21/2020.

​Paula Goodspeed was best known for being a Paula Abdul-obsessed singer whose act left her ridiculed on the national stage. In this episode, Lena and Alissa go deeper into Goodspeed’s story, unpacking her attempts at fame on American Idol, her lifelong search for self, and her tragic end.  This episode was first published on 03/19/2020.

​Lena and Alissa discuss Lourdes Gruart, the Cuban-American former model who vanished under mysterious circumstances. They take you through her days in Milan and Paris, the decline of her career, and her attempts to preserve the life she once lived. Alissa also speaks to Vanessa Grigoriadis, who penned the definitive work on Gruart’s life.  This episode was first published on 03/05/2020.

Lena and Alissa unpack the persona of Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, multihyphenate artist and one third of the R&B group TLC. In Lopes’ life her immense talent and style stood alongside personal struggle, culminating in a tragic end. To many, she was the so-called “crazy” in CrazySexyCool, but the truth is much more complicated.  This episode was first published on 02/20/2020.

Welcome to unPAUSED, the podcast where bold, unfiltered conversations take place about what it really takes for women to thrive in the second half of life. Every week, Dr. Mary Claire Haver, a board-certified Obstetrician-Gynecologist, Certified Menopause Practitioner, and #1 New York Times best-selling author, tackles the conversations women actually need to hear. Dr. Haver sits down with a variety of medical experts, CEOs, and risk-takers to discuss everything that matters, from hormones and identity to financial power, relationships, and the tools needed to build the life you want. unPAUSED is about reclaiming your healthspan—not just the number of years you live, but the number of years you live well.

​“If I am a legend, then why am I so lonely?” When we last left Judy Garland in part one of this deep dive into her rise and fall, she’d just had a big hit with the film Meet Me In St. Louis​, she was married to Vincent Minnelli, and she had baby Liza in her arms. But things go downhill from there, as her addiction, health, debt, and “unpredictable” behavior worsens through the 1950s and 60s. Lena and Alissa continue to follow Garland’s career through her next three marriages, ​A Star Is Born​, and those final, heartbreaking concerts that the world will never forget.  This episode was first published on 02/06/2020.

​Legend Judy Garland has been called a Hollywood icon and the greatest entertainer of all time. She’s also been called “crazy” for behind-the-scenes bad behavior, nervous breakdowns, suicide attempts, and several marriages to gay men. In this episode, Lena and Alissa talk about Judy’s early years — her vaudevillian roots, her stage mom who introduced her to the pills she’d rely on for the rest of her life, her studio-sanctioned starvation, and of course, ​The Wizard of Oz​. Then, Lena talks to Andrew Rannells about his love for Judy.  This episode was first published on 01/23/2020.

You may know Jocelyn Wildenstein from those clickbait “PLASTIC SURGERY GONE WRONG” articles, but her story is deeper—and weirder—than you can even imagine. The wife of art-dealing royalty with a flair for acquiring wild animals as pets, Jocelyn made headlines as “Catwoman” for her plastic surgery obsession and her dishy, expensive divorce. But in the end, Jocelyn prevailed and walked away with a payout of 2.5 ​billion​. Lena and Alyssa celebrate the money moves of a woman who truly follows her own script.  This episode was first published on 01/09/2020.

The world learned about Kiersten Rickenbach Cerveny in October 2015 when she was found dead in an East Village apartment. A wealthy Long Island dermatologist and mother of three kids, Kiersten’s life looked flawless from the outside. Lena and Alissa discuss Kiersten’s life and death, the disconnect between private vs. public life, and what it means to party when you’re in your 40s.  This episode was first published on 12/26/2019.

​Rosemary Aberdour seemed to most like a shy, awkward wallflower, but underneath her drab exterior lurked an appetite for jewels, parties, and larceny. Born into an unassuming middle-class English home, Rosemary secretly stole thousands of pounds to fund her new glamorous identity as titled aristocracy—that’s “Lady Aberdour” to you! Lena and Alissa cover Rosemary’s wild parties, outrageous schemes, her ultimate downfall and discuss what it’s like to feel unseen and unappreciated.  This episode was first published on 12/12/2019.

Barbara Hutton, the "quintessential poor little rich girl,” was an American socialite and heiress to the Woolworth dime-store fortune. Tabloids ridiculed her for her seven divorces (including to Cary Grant) as she suffered from anorexia and alcoholism. She threw money at everyone around her, but never got the one thing she wanted: love.  This episode was first published on 11/29/2019.

Sean Young got her big break when she was cast in Blade Runner at 22-years old. But after rumblings that she was “difficult to work with,” and troubling romantic rumors, her reputation plummeted. Lena and Alissa trace Sean’s career through her plea to play Catwoman to some ill-fated talk show appearances to Hollywood outcast.  This episode was first published on 11/14/2019.

Maryam Irene Haley was known as adult actress Haley Paige. She engaged with intense online scrutiny before her death at age 25. Lena and Alissa discuss 2000s internet forum culture, why people consume the downfall of women and then forget about them, and what Maryam means to Alissa.  This episode was first published on 7/20/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

Lena and Alissa dive into the story of legendary love-scammer Miranda Grosvenor, a woman who anonymously enchanted Hollywood’s most famous men over the phone. Some of her confirmed callers include Warren Beatty, Robert DeNiro, and Billy Joel. Lena and Alissa discuss the isolation of fame, the long-lost magic of landlines, and then talk to Sia about the intentions behind hiding one’s face. This episode was first published on 7/13/2019.

Jean Seberg was a French New Wave actress and pixie cut icon. She was also an active supporter of the Black Panthers Party. As her career floundered and rumors hurt her reputation with the public, Jean became convinced the FBI was surveilling and sabotaging her because of her political activity. At the time everyone thought she was paranoid, but the truth is much darker. This episode was first published on 06/29/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

Margaret Cho joins Lena and Alissa to discuss The Han Twins. Sunny and Gina Han were twin sisters and best friends. They were even joint valedictorians at their high school graduation. But only a few years later, Gina plotted to murder her sister and steal her identity. The tabloids dubbed it the case of “good twin versus bad twin” but the real story is much more complicated. This episode was first published on 06/22/2019.

Lizzie Siddal was an iconic Victorian-era model, muse, and poet. Lena and Alissa discuss her tumultuous relationship with painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti, her addiction to laudanum, her reputation as a ill-tempered redhead, and the appeal of sickness. This episode was first published on 06/15/2019.

Tania Head’s 9/11 survival story was one of the most tragic accounts of the attack. She became the face of 9/11 and the President of the Survivors’ Network support group, but it was all a lie.  This episode was first published on 06/08/2019.

In 2000, Mariah Carey was the world’s biggest pop star. By the end of 2001, she was a national joke. Why? A little movie called Glitter. Lena and Alissa dig into the famous flop, Mariah’s divorce from Tommy Mottola, her comeback, and why we’re so eager to destroy our idols. This episode was first published on 06/01/2019.

In 2007, astronaut Lisa Nowak became a national punchline after (maybe) donning adult diapers to facilitate her violent pursuit of a romantic rival. Lena and Alissa discuss ambition, break-ups, and the cruelty of late-night TV jokes as they unpack the “diaper astronaut.” This episode was first published on 05/25/2019.

Actress and model Robin Givens was called “the most hated woman in America” during her 1989 divorce proceedings from Mike Tyson. America called her a home-wrecker and a gold digger—but Robin claimed she was fleeing Mike’s violence and temper. This episode was first published on 05/18/2019.

Heiress to the Johnson & Johnson fortune, Casey was a 2000s tabloid staple known for her wild partying, badly-behaved pets, and tumultuous relationships, before her untimely death at age 30. Lena & Alissa discuss wealth, fame, and growing up in the public eye. This episode was first published on 05/11/2019. It has been slightly edited from the original version.

After years behind a paywall, Lena Dunham and historian of bad behavior Alissa Bennett are breaking The C-Word out of the vault and into your hearts. With every episode, Lena and Alissa take you on a historical deep dive into the life of a woman society dismissed by calling her mad, sad, or just plain bad: Lindsay Lohan, Judy Garland, Winona Ryder, Mariah Carey, Lil Kim and many more. Join them for a rich, hilarious, and heartbreaking look into exactly what it means when we call a woman “crazy.” The first three episodes drop on July 31st and then weekly after that.