The C-Word

The C-Word

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.

Episodes

Barbara Hutton

October 2, 2025 • 63 mins
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. To learn more about listener data and our ...
Mark as Played

Sean Young

September 25, 2025 • 60 mins
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. To learn more about listener data and our privacy pra...
Mark as Played

Maryam Haley

September 18, 2025 • 55 mins
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. To learn more about listener data and our ...
Mark as Played

Miranda Grosnevor (with Sia)

September 11, 2025 • 56 mins
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...
Mark as Played

Jean Seberg

September 4, 2025 • 42 mins
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 bee...
Mark as Played

The Han Twins (with Margaret Cho)

August 28, 2025 • 40 mins
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...
Mark as Played

Lizzie Siddal

August 21, 2025 • 53 mins
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 yo...
Mark as Played

Tania Head

August 14, 2025 • 45 mins
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/adchoice...
Mark as Played

Mariah Carey

August 7, 2025 • 47 mins
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-polic...
Mark as Played

Lisa Nowak

July 31, 2025 • 47 mins
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 ...
Mark as Played

Robin Givens

July 31, 2025 • 41 mins
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 c...
Mark as Played

Casey Johnson

July 31, 2025 • 45 mins
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...
Mark as Played

Re-Introducing The C-Word

July 28, 2025 • 2 mins
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 heartbreak...
Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    Stuff You Should Know

    Stuff You Should Know

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

Explore

iHeart

Live Radio

Podcasts

Artist Radio

Exclusives

News

Features

Events

Contests

Photos

Information

About

Advertise

Blog

Brand Guidelines

Contest Guidelines

Subscription Offers

Jobs

Get the App

Automotive

Home

Mobile

Wearables

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.