The C-Word

Latest Episodes:

Yoko Ono Jan 08, 2026

Show notes

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 Jan 03, 2026

Show notes

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 Dec 26, 2025

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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 Dec 18, 2025

Show notes

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 Dec 11, 2025

Show notes

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 Dec 04, 2025

Show notes

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 Nov 27, 2025

Show notes

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.

Lourdes Gruart Nov 20, 2025

Show notes

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.

Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes Nov 13, 2025

Show notes

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.

Presenting unPAUSED with Dr. Mary Claire Haver Nov 11, 2025

Show notes

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.

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