Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky: An In-Depth Conversation with Glennon Doyle

Episode Title: Glennon Doyle
Release Date: May 27, 2025
Host: Wondery
Description: In this episode of Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, host Monica Lewinsky engages in a heartfelt and profound conversation with bestselling author, activist, and podcast host Glennon Doyle. Together, they explore themes of authenticity, self-trust, personal struggles, and the power of reclaiming one's true self amidst societal pressures.

1. Introduction: Welcoming Glennon Doyle

Monica Lewinsky opens the episode by expressing her excitement to host Glennon Doyle, highlighting Glennon's role as a voice for those feeling stuck or lost. She sets the stage for a conversation centered around reclaiming what has been lost and living authentically.

Notable Quote:
Monica Lewinsky [00:00]: "If you’re interested in unexpected conversations... let’s continue to find my public voice on Reclaiming."

2. The Concept of Self-Trust and Boundaries

The discussion begins with Monica sharing her recent experiences with somatic therapy, emphasizing the challenges of setting boundaries in complex interpersonal relationships. This segues into Glennon’s exploration of self-trust and the difficulty of maintaining personal boundaries.

Notable Quotes:
Monica Lewinsky [02:16]: "How do we know what the right boundary is?"
Glennon Doyle [03:31]: "The last at least five years of my life have all been about figuring out how to get back into my body..."

3. Glennon Doyle’s Journey with Eating Disorders

Glennon opens up about her long-term battle with an eating disorder, tracing its origins back to her childhood. She candidly discusses her experiences with recovery, the relapses she has faced, and the profound impact it has had on her life.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [04:17]: "I have been recovering from an eating disorder that has morphed into a million different things since I was 10."
Monica Lewinsky [05:14]: "Like, Monica, I swear, I fucking know that."

4. The Cheetah Story: Symbolism in Glennon’s Transformation

A pivotal moment in their conversation revolves around a childhood memory of watching a cheetah run at a zoo. Glennon uses this story to illustrate her feelings of being trapped and her innate desire for freedom, paralleling her personal struggles with boundaries and authenticity.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [14:33]: "The cheetah was trained to think it was a dog... it knows it's wild."
Monica Lewinsky [17:10]: "I think it's interesting with the cages because... boundaries."

5. Navigating Public Appearances and Authenticity

Monica and Glennon delve into the challenges of maintaining authenticity during public appearances and interviews. They discuss the societal pressures to conform and the internal conflicts that arise when trying to present one’s true self to the world.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [20:07]: "I keep doing it because I think I should be able to handle it because my friends, my colleagues can handle it."
Monica Lewinsky [26:34]: "We're trying to figure out, how do you come full circle back to yourself?"

6. Overcoming Shame through Shamelessness

The conversation shifts to the themes of shame and shamelessness. Glennon shares her perspective on shamelessness as a spiritual practice, embracing human imperfections, and rejecting the notion that one's struggles make them different or lesser than others.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [41:45]: "Shamelessness to me means I know I'm not special."
Monica Lewinsky [43:37]: "People would come up and tell me about their affairs... reflects how thirsty people are to connect."

7. Embracing Personal Reclamation

Towards the end of the episode, Monica invites Glennon to share what she's currently working on reclaiming. Glennon recounts an insightful experience with astrology that challenged her self-identity and led her to embrace aspects of herself she had previously denied.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [54:39]: "I think I am trying to reclaim whatever the hell this Aries part of me."
Monica Lewinsky [56:53]: "I can change my fate can change. So I think that's..."

8. Upcoming Projects and Closing Thoughts

Glennon touches upon her upcoming book, Untamed, discussing its organic development through personal and collective struggles. She expresses hope that the book will serve as a beacon for others navigating similar challenges.

Notable Quotes:
Glennon Doyle [47:27]: "This book is going to be the book that helps the most people."
Monica Lewinsky [50:15]: "That's a good too."

Conclusion: A Shared Journey of Reclamation

Monica and Glennon conclude their conversation by expressing mutual gratitude and support. They emphasize the importance of authenticity, self-care, and the continuous journey of reclaiming one's true self amidst life's challenges.

Notable Quote:
Monica Lewinsky [58:04]: "You share with all of us... helps a lot of people feel less alone, feel seen."
Glennon Doyle [57:36]: "I loved this conversation."

Key Takeaways:

• Authenticity is a Continuous Journey: Both hosts underscore that living authentically requires ongoing effort and self-awareness.

• Importance of Self-Trust: Learning to trust one's instincts and bodily signals is crucial in setting boundaries and making decisions that align with one's true self.

• Overcoming Shame: Embracing one's imperfections and struggles as part of the human experience can lead to freedom from shame.

• Support Systems Matter: Sharing personal stories and supporting each other can create a sense of community and alleviate feelings of isolation.

For those interested in exploring themes of personal growth, authenticity, and overcoming internal struggles, this episode offers invaluable insights and heartfelt dialogue between two powerful voices.