Podcast Summary: Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky – Episode Featuring Victoria Jackson

Release Date: August 5, 2025

In this compelling episode of Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky, host Monica engages in an intimate and enlightening conversation with Victoria Jackson, a multifaceted entrepreneur, author, and advocate. The discussion navigates through Victoria's remarkable journey from a makeup mogul to a passionate advocate for rare diseases, highlighting her resilience, innovation, and commitment to giving back.

1. Victoria Jackson’s Multifaceted Career

Victoria Jackson's career is a testament to her versatility and entrepreneurial spirit. Monica opens the conversation by acknowledging Victoria's extensive list of accomplishments:

Monica Lewinsky [02:28]: "You are Victoria Jackson, a makeup mogul, co-owner of the bookstore, godmothers, author of five books, including We All Worry Now that we'll chat on later."

Victoria elaborates on her diverse roles, emphasizing her achievements in the beauty industry and her dedication to supporting families with neuromyelitis optica (NMO):

Victoria Jackson [03:19]: "Neuromyelitis optica. You certainly did. ... I've gotten three drugs through the FDA approval process, which is unbelievably difficult."

2. Building a Makeup Empire Through Innovation

Victoria recounts the inception of her makeup line, Victoria Jackson Beauty Basics, highlighting her innovative approach during the 1970s and 1980s:

Victoria Jackson [07:05]: "It was in the 70s that I went to beauty school ... I started literally taking a little bit of this, a little bit of that, making up pots and pans and making my own foundation."

She identifies a gap in the market for natural, neutral-toned foundations, leading her to create products that resonated with consumers seeking a more authentic look. Her first infomercial marked a significant milestone:

Victoria Jackson [09:31]: "I did my first infomercial. ... We did a million dollars a week on our first airing of that show. And basically it never stopped."

Victoria's success with over 600 products showcases her ability to adapt and thrive in a competitive industry:

Victoria Jackson [11:44]: "I did 13 years of infomercials and I did over 600 products that I created."

3. Overcoming Self-Esteem Challenges

Despite her professional success, Victoria has grappled with low self-esteem throughout her journey. This internal struggle fueled her desire to empower others:

Victoria Jackson [04:30]: "Building my company originally ... has been built on a lot of low self-esteem ... I've managed to accomplish all these things."

Monica probes into how Victoria balances her self-critical nature with her achievements, to which Victoria shares her path towards self-acceptance and empathy:

Victoria Jackson [05:06]: "I am going into my 70s ... I'm much more gentle with myself ... I navigate through it and I know that it will pass."

4. Empowering Women in Prisons

Victoria's commitment to giving back led her to initiate programs supporting women in prisons. She describes her pioneering work with makeup as a tool for self-respect and empowerment:

Victoria Jackson [15:03]: "I went into the jails and see if I can help the women ... help empower them."

She recounts transformative interactions, where makeup sessions shifted the energy and self-perception of incarcerated women:

Victoria Jackson [17:03]: "We would say things like, okay, you're going to be all dressed up ... It was really changing a philosophy."

5. Personal Trauma and Resilience

Victoria bravely shares her traumatic experience as a victim of the pillowcase rapist at 17, detailing its profound impact on her life and her subsequent resilience:

Victoria Jackson [17:47]: "I was a victim of the pillowcase rapist ... It was brutal. It was bad."

This personal history fuels her empathetic approach in her advocacy and support programs, showcasing her ability to transform pain into purpose.

6. Advocacy for Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO)

The diagnosis of her daughter, Allie, with Neuromyelitis Optica became a pivotal moment for Victoria. She pivoted her career to focus on finding a cure, demonstrating extraordinary determination:

Victoria Jackson [28:46]: "Now it's decades later. I've gotten three drugs made ... these are drugs that are now not just even used in NMO, but in other conditions."

Victoria's strategic approach involved building a biorepository and fostering collaboration among pharmaceutical companies to accelerate drug development:

Victoria Jackson [30:48]: "I had to build my own biorepository, my own biobank ..."

7. Writing and Sharing Her Journey

Victoria has authored several books, each addressing different facets of her journey and offering guidance to others:

• Saving Each Other: A personal memoir co-authored with her daughter, documenting their mutual support.
• The Power of Rare: A guide on creating a roadmap towards curing rare diseases.
• We All Worry Now: Focuses on managing anxiety and depression while pursuing monumental goals.

She emphasizes the importance of authenticity and continual self-work in overcoming mental health challenges:

Victoria Jackson [43:49]: "It's a daily job. I work it."

8. Returning to the Makeup Industry

After dedicating years to advocacy, Victoria finds joy in returning to her roots in the beauty industry. She has developed a new foundation line that embodies her evolved philosophy of no makeup makeup:

Victoria Jackson [45:20]: "I have missed, I've been in ... making a foundation again that rivals what I had before, but even better."

Her return is not just a business venture but a reclaiming of her passion and creativity:

Victoria Jackson [54:08]: "Trying to claim some joy for myself ... bringing that back full circle."

9. Evolution of Women in Business

Reflecting on her three-decade-long career, Victoria observes significant changes in the landscape for women in business. She celebrates the increased presence and confidence of women entrepreneurs today:

Victoria Jackson [47:54]: "I'm seeing a lot more women ... much more comfortable in themselves ... being a woman."

Monica adds that Victoria's journey underscores the shift towards women being loud and proud about their accomplishments:

Monica Lewinsky [48:58]: "It's so unheard of for a woman to be able to be loud and proud about her accomplishments too."

10. Reclaiming Joy and Personal Growth

As Victoria approaches her 70th birthday, she focuses on reclaiming joy after years of relentless problem-solving and advocacy:

Victoria Jackson [53:32]: "I'm working on reclaiming something that I haven't had ... Joy."

She balances her ongoing projects with personal well-being, striving to embrace happiness and new experiences:

Monica Lewinsky [54:03]: "It's something I've watched you ... getting on a plane."

11. Inspirational Insights and Closing Thoughts

The episode concludes with Victoria sharing profound insights on managing worry and anxiety:

Victoria Jackson [50:35]: "If fear is the seed that gives rise to worry, rumination is the water that makes it grow."

Monica echoes the importance of these strategies, emphasizing the value of daily affirmations and mindfulness.

Key Takeaways

• Resilience and Adaptability: Victoria's journey exemplifies how personal trauma and professional challenges can be transformed into avenues for growth and advocacy.
• Empowerment through Action: Whether through her makeup line or prison programs, Victoria consistently seeks to empower others, fostering self-respect and confidence.
• Collaboration for Change: Her work in the NMO field underscores the power of collaboration across industries to drive meaningful progress.
• Continuous Self-Work: Despite her achievements, Victoria remains committed to personal growth, self-acceptance, and managing her mental health.
• Reclaiming Joy: The episode highlights the importance of pursuing personal happiness alongside professional endeavors, especially in later stages of life.

Victoria Jackson's story is a powerful narrative of reclaiming one's life and purpose through adversity, innovation, and unwavering dedication to making a difference. Her multifaceted approach to overcoming challenges serves as an inspiring blueprint for listeners seeking to reclaim what they've lost or forge new paths forward.