The C-Word

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New episodes are released every Thursday. Each week, 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 heartbreakin

Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett


    • Aug 28, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 44m AVG DURATION
    • 11 EPISODES

    Ivy Insights

    The C-Word podcast is an incredible show that combines humor, intelligence, and a deep dive into the lives of fascinating women. Hosted by Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett, this podcast is a refreshing and nourishing listen that keeps you engaged from start to finish. With its witty banter and earnest exploration of its subjects, it's no wonder this podcast has become a favorite among listeners.

    One of the best aspects of The C-Word is the incredible research that goes into each episode. Lena and Alissa leave no stone unturned as they uncover intriguing details about the women they discuss. Whether it's Winona Ryder or Courtney Love, they provide a balanced assessment that both entertains and educates. The combination of amusement and earnestness in their presentation keeps listeners hooked and eager for more.

    Another standout aspect of this podcast is the chemistry between Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett. Their friendship shines through in every episode, creating a dynamic that is both hilarious and insightful. They have a knack for balancing humor with compassion when discussing their subjects, making each episode feel like an engaging conversation with friends. This genuine connection between hosts adds an extra layer of enjoyment to the show.

    While there are few downsides to this podcast, one could argue that the bi-weekly release schedule leaves fans wanting more. With such engrossing content, it can be difficult to wait for new episodes every other week. However, this can also be seen as a positive since it builds anticipation for each release. Additionally, some may find certain topics or episodes more interesting than others based on personal taste.

    In conclusion, The C-Word podcast is an exceptional show that seamlessly combines entertainment with education. Lena Dunham and Alissa Bennett bring their unique perspectives to each episode while maintaining respect for the women they discuss. Whether you're a long-time fan of Lena or simply enjoy discovering inspiring stories about influential women, this podcast is sure to captivate and leave you eagerly awaiting the next episode.



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    Latest episodes from The C-Word

    The Han Twins (with Margaret Cho)

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 28, 2025 40:09


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Lizzie Siddal

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 21, 2025 53:23


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Tania Head

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 14, 2025 45:20


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Mariah Carey

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 7, 2025 47:01


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Lisa Nowak

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 50:12


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Robin Givens

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 44:34


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Casey Johnson

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 31, 2025 48:02


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Re-Introducing The C-Word

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 28, 2025 2:00


    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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

    Lindsay Lohan Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 89:12


    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

    Best of The C-Word: Winona Ryder + News about Season 5

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 8, 2022 67:50


    Lena and Alissa are busying making new episodes about additional interesting women (as you'll hear in the introduction to this episode). Meanwhile, they invite you to listen back to part 1 of Winona Ryder. Before she played Joyce Byers on Stranger Things, Winona was a 90s icon, chic misfit, and poster child of Gen-X nostalgia. Part 1 covers Winona's nontraditional childhood, 90s bullies, her meteoric rise, her relationship with Johnny Depp, and the events leading up to her infamous shoplifting incident.

    Trailer: The C-Word

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 6, 2022 1:51


    A podcast about women society loves to call "crazy." 

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