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The C-Word

The C-Word

By: Lena Dunham & Alissa Bennett
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Summary

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: 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 C-Word was originally published behind a paywall from 2019 - 2022. This is the first time it’s being released to all major podcast platforms.© Lena Dunham & Alissa Bennett. All Rights Reserved. Social Sciences World
Episodes
  • Nancy Spungen
    May 14 2026
    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. 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
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    1 hr and 25 mins
  • Frances Farmer, Part 2
    May 7 2026
    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. 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
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    52 mins
  • Frances Farmer, Part 1
    Apr 30 2026
    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. 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
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    50 mins
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