‘Reclaiming’ Monica Lewinsky: Inside her bold new podcast
Monica Lewinsky opens up about her new podcast, 'Reclaiming', where she shares her journey, insights, and the power of owning her narrative.
One moment, Monica Lewinsky was a private citizen; the next, her most intimate conversations became global headlines. The media frenzy that followed was relentless—late-night jokes, sensationalized coverage, and a public narrative she had little control over. She attempted to share her side of the story, first in a 1999 interview with Barbara Walters and later through 'Monica’s Story', a biography written by Andrew Morton. She embraced her newfound notoriety with ventures like a handbag line and appearances on MTV and HBO. Yet, the spotlight felt suffocating, and by 2005, she chose to retreat from public life.
Years later, Lewinsky cautiously reentered the conversation. In 2014, she published a viral Vanity Fair essay, “Shame and Survival,” followed by a powerful TED Talk on public shaming. By 2021, she took an active role in shaping her own narrative, serving as a producer on 'American Crime Story: Impeachment', revisiting her past on her own terms. Her advocacy expanded—she continued writing, appeared in anti-bullying campaigns, and co-produced the documentary '15 Minutes of Shame'. Now, with her new podcast, 'Reclaiming' With Monica Lewinsky, she’s creating space for others to explore defining moments in their lives. Featuring guests like Molly Ringwald, Kara Swisher, and Alan Cumming, the show is an intimate conversation about identity, growth, and the power of reclaiming one’s own story.
'Reclaiming' with Monica Lewinsky
Monica Lewinsky is stepping into the podcasting world with 'Reclaiming', a deeply personal and thought-provoking series that explores resilience, public scrutiny, and the power of rewriting one’s own narrative.
On February 14, Monica Lewinsky announced the launch of her new podcast, a project aimed at exploring personal transformation and resilience. On Instagram, she wrote:
"i’m so thrilled + grateful to bring you my podcast Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. premieres TUESDAY 18th with two episodes that are very near and dear to my heart".
Monica Lewinsky is sharing not only her story, but also of others who may have gone through something similar. Photo: Vanity Fair
After a lot of anticipation, the first episode premiered yesterday, featuring an intimate conversation that set the tone for the series. With guests like Molly Ringwald, Kara Swisher, and Alan Cumming lined up, 'Reclaiming' promises to be a compelling exploration of how life-defining moments shape our identities.
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Who is Monica Lewinsky?
Monica Lewinsky is an activist, writer, and public speaker who first entered the global spotlight in the late 1990s due to her involvement in a political scandal that dominated headlines. As a young White House intern, her private life became public in an unprecedented way, making her the subject of intense media scrutiny, ridicule, and public shaming after her affair with then President Bill Clinton. In the years that followed, she struggled to reclaim her identity beyond the scandal, retreating from the public eye after brief stints in business and entertainment. However, as the cultural conversation around cyberbullying and public humiliation evolved, so did Lewinsky’s role in it.
Over the years, Lewinsky has spoken openly about the profound impact of the scandal on her life, using her experience to shed light on issues of consent, power dynamics, and public shaming.