Monica Lewinsky

Summary

The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert – Episode Featuring Monica Lewinsky

Release Date: February 22, 2025

Introduction

In this compelling episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, host Stephen Colbert welcomes Monica Lewinsky, a writer, producer, and anti-bullying activist. The conversation delves deep into Lewinsky's journey from the infamous late 1990s scandal to her current advocacy work, offering profound insights into personal growth, societal changes, and the evolution of media.

Life After the Scandal

Stephen Colbert opens the discussion by acknowledging Monica Lewinsky's rise to prominence due to the late '90s scandal. Lewinsky reflects on her transformation over the past decade, emphasizing the shift from public scrutiny to personal empowerment.

Monica Lewinsky [03:28]: "I'm so grateful, not only just for me, but my family as well. So, in fact, my aunt and cousin are here tonight. So yeah. So my whole family stood by me then. And it's just, I think I feel like I have more purpose now."

Lewinsky shares how reclaiming her narrative through writing and public speaking has been instrumental in her healing process. She highlights the importance of family support and finding purpose beyond past experiences.

The Impact of the MeToo Movement

The conversation transitions to the MeToo movement, with Lewinsky offering a personal perspective on its significance.

Monica Lewinsky [04:25]: "I think to see women come together for other women... to see these shifts in the culture have really helped."

Lewinsky discusses how the MeToo movement has heightened awareness of power dynamics and provided a platform for individuals to share their stories. She contrasts the environment of the late '90s with the more supportive and understanding climate of 2025.

Changes in Media and Public Discourse

Stephen probes into how the rapid news cycle and the proliferation of media outlets have transformed public discourse.

Monica Lewinsky [06:09]: "I think the news cycle is much shorter today... it's harder to avoid the news because we get bombarded by eight bajillion different outlets."

Lewinsky explains that while the media landscape has become more intense and fast-paced, it also offers more avenues for storytelling and awareness. She notes that the shorter news cycle can sometimes dilute the depth of coverage but also prevents stories from lingering excessively on the front pages as they did in the past.

Bullying in the Age of Social Media

The discussion shifts to the evolution of bullying, especially with the advent of social media.

Monica Lewinsky [07:25]: "With social media, we've been able to get out the message more to people who are being bullied or cyberbullied... it can help people feel less alone and that they're more likely to seek help."

Lewinsky highlights both the negative aspects of social media, such as cyberbullying and shaming, and the positive developments, including the establishment of supportive organizations and the creation of a shared vocabulary around different forms of bullying. She emphasizes the importance of resources that empower individuals to seek help and foster resilience.

Her Podcast: Reclaiming

Monica Lewinsky introduces her podcast, Reclaiming, explaining its significance and mission.

Monica Lewinsky [08:30]: "The act of reclaiming is really about getting something back that was lost or taken from you... when you start to look at the world through the lens of reclaiming, you start to see there's so many different ways this theme is in our world."

Reclaiming focuses on conversations that explore various forms of personal and collective reclamation, encouraging listeners to regain control over aspects of their lives that may have been undermined or misrepresented. Lewinsky discusses how the podcast not only serves as a personal outlet but also as a platform for broader societal conversations.

Future Plans and Aspirations

When asked about future guests, Lewinsky reveals her ambition to feature influential figures who embody the spirit of reclamation.

Monica Lewinsky [09:29]: "I have a very long list... if I aim really high, I would say Taylor Swift."

Lewinsky expresses her desire to host guests like Taylor Swift, who exemplify artistic and personal reclamation, such as Swift's efforts to regain control over her music catalog. This aspiration aligns with the podcast's theme of empowerment and self-reclamation.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with Lewinsky expressing gratitude for the opportunity to share her journey and advocate for anti-bullying initiatives. Stephen Colbert underscores the importance of Lewinsky's work and the meaningful conversations sparked by her podcast.

Monica Lewinsky [09:58]: "Thank you, Stephen. Thank you."

This episode of The Late Show Pod Show offers an intimate and thought-provoking exploration of Monica Lewinsky's path from public scandal to empowered activism, highlighting significant cultural shifts and the enduring quest for personal and societal reclamation.

Notable Quotes:

• Monica Lewinsky [03:28]: "I feel like I have more purpose now."
• Monica Lewinsky [04:25]: "I think to see women come together for other women... to see these shifts in the culture have really helped."
• Monica Lewinsky [07:25]: "It can help people feel less alone and that they're more likely to seek help."
• Monica Lewinsky [08:30]: "When you start to look at the world through the lens of reclaiming, you start to see there's so many different ways this theme is in our world."
• Monica Lewinsky [09:29]: "I would say Taylor Swift."

Final Thoughts

Monica Lewinsky's candid conversation on The Late Show Pod Show underscores the transformative power of reclaiming one's narrative and the pivotal role of cultural movements like MeToo in fostering a more supportive and aware society. Her insights offer valuable lessons on resilience, advocacy, and the continuous journey towards personal and collective healing.

Transcript

[Stephen Colbert]

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Welcome back everybody. Ladies and gentlemen, my next guest tonight is a writer, producer, and anti bullying activist. Please welcome to the Late Show, Monica Lewinsky. Hi, nice to meet you.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Nice to meet you, too. Thank you for having me.

[Stephen Colbert]

My pleasure. Now, most people got to know you originally because of the scandal of the late 90s.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Correct.

[Stephen Colbert]

And for about a decade after that, you weren't really able to tell your own story. But then in 2014, you wrote a powerful personal essay in Vanity Fair and you had a TED Talk. What was the name of the TED Talk again?

[Monica Lewinsky]

The Price of Shame.

[Stephen Colbert]

The Price of Shame. And that got millions of views. And I'm just curious, how have things changed in your life since you started telling your own story about a decade ago?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Well, for starters, I would say that thankfully people stopped coming up to me saying, no offense, do you know who you look like? So that was a good starter.

[Stephen Colbert]

Yes.

[Monica Lewinsky]

But it's been really extraordinary. I'm so grateful, not only just for me, but my family as well. So, in fact, my aunt and cousin are here tonight. So. Yeah. So my whole family stood by me then. And it's just, I think I feel like I have more purpose now. And I tried so hard to move forward from 98 in so many different ways, and it just didn't seem to stick.

[Stephen Colbert]

What has it been like to see the world change, especially with the rise of MeToo movement or the prominence of the MeToo movement, which already existed, but really came into the public mind in 2018?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yeah, for me, it was such a personal experience because what I went through, I went through alone in many ways. And I think to see women come together for other women, Even though the MeToo movement includes men as well, but to see these shifts in the culture that have really helped, I think, so.

[Stephen Colbert]

Many people, as opposed to 1998, what you went through in 1998, how do you think that would be different in 2025 if someone went to have that same experience, how do you think it would be different for them?

[Monica Lewinsky]

I think it would be.

[Stephen Colbert]

Or if at all.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yeah, I think it would be different in a number of ways. So, first of all, just the news cycle is shorter, but I think because of the MeToo movement, I think that we're more aware of power dynamics now. Now. But What I'm not 100% sure of is given the. I don't know, the right way to say it, I think given certain political lanes that we live in now, I don't know if it were a young, charismatic, very popular Democratic president, if it would be. If it would be as different as we think it would be. So I think.

[Stephen Colbert]

Because it would be an opportunity for attack.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yeah, I think so. So I don't know that we've seen as much of a shift in the political landscape, but I think. But 100% different. And I think that women are supported more now for sure.

[Stephen Colbert]

Go back to what you said about. I'm curious about what you had to say about the news cycle, the speed of the news cycle, that it would just be wiped off the front page.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yeah, well, I think, you know, I mean, it's crazy to think about in 1998, there this was on the front page of the news for months. You know, in fact, in the first. I think it was the first 10 days of the scandal, the Washington Post had, I think it was like 120 articles on what was happening. So 120 articles in 10 days on one subject.

[Stephen Colbert]

And also this one story metastasized into so many different stories.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Exactly, exactly. So I think the news cycle is much shorter today. But what we also have is there's been such a proliferation of outlets now. So I think people. It's harder to avoid the news because we get bombarded by eight bajillion different outlets, but the cycle's also shorter. Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Well, since then you've become an anti bullying advocate. And I'm just curious what.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

We have. Like you're saying there's been a change in the media. There's so many different outlets and one of those outlets is social media.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

And that is something that did not exist when we first got to know you. How do you think bullying has changed now in light of social media?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Well, if we start with the positive, the positive is that we now have a vernacular, even for things like bullying, slut, shaming, fat shaming, those kinds of things. We didn't have names for that before. And I think with social media, we've been able to get out the message more to people who are being bullied or cyberbullied, that there are incredible organizations around the world. In the us there's the Tyler Clementi foundation uk, the Diana Award, Project Rocket in Australia. So there's this, you know, I think that people know their resources now and I think it can help people feel less alone and that they're more likely to seek help, which is what's really important.

[Stephen Colbert]

Would you like social media to have existed when you were going through this?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Am I allowed to swear? No.

[Stephen Colbert]

You have a podcast now called Reclaiming. What does that word mean to you? And why did you want to name it that?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Well, the act of reclaiming is really about getting something back that was lost or taken from you. And so I had been thinking about the concept personally for a few years, and I had this, you know, the notes app on your phone and taking. Keeping notes with ideas that came to me to use it personally. And then a little over a year ago, it just started to make more sense and feel more interesting to sort of widen the aperture and turn that lens onto other people, to have conversations with other people. And when you start to look at the world through the lens of reclaiming, you start to see there's so many different ways this theme is in our world, like big reclaimings or big reclamations, small reclamations.

[Stephen Colbert]

You know so well, you've had some great guests. Olivia Munn, Alan Cumming. Do you have a white whale? Do you have, like, a guest you really want to have you haven't gotten yet?

[Monica Lewinsky]

Oh, there's so many. I have a very long list, I think, you know, if I aim really high, I would say Taylor Swift. Yes.

[Stephen Colbert]

Get in line.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Yeah, exactly. I know, but, you know, but particularly for the podcast, because if you think about Taylor's versions, it's really.

[Stephen Colbert]

It's.

[Monica Lewinsky]

It's a reclamation. You. You know, to sort of lose your music catalog and to figure out a way to get that back as your voice, so. Right.

[Stephen Colbert]

Or people empowered.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Exactly.

[Stephen Colbert]

Thank you so much for being here.

[Monica Lewinsky]

Thank you, Stephen. Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

Her podcast. Hold on. Her podcast is Reclaiming. It's Monica Lewinsky, everybody. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives. Oh, oh, oh. All righty.

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