How To Fail With Elizabeth Day Monica Lewinsky - ‘I would have liked a more normal life’
Jun 25, 2025
Monica Lewinsky, an activist and podcaster known for her role in a major political scandal, dives deep into her journey of reclaiming her narrative. She discusses the impact of public shaming and how it shaped her identity and purpose. Lewinsky shares insights on overcoming trauma and embracing transformation in her 50s, highlighting the importance of acceptance and resilience. The conversation also touches on the creative process and the lessons learned from failure, ultimately celebrating personal growth and wellness.
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First Experience of Concrete Failure
- Monica's first memory of failure was in first grade when she couldn't solve math problems and missed show and tell with a bunny.
- The experience was traumatic enough that she cried and can't recall if she finished the math or just was allowed to join later.
Childhood Failure Signals Deeper Issues
- Monica connected early academic struggles with deeper, unnoticed personal issues affecting her at the time.
- Childhood experiences of failure can signal underlying problems even when unnoticed by others.
Reframing Early Trauma in Therapy
- At 14, Monica experienced an unwanted sexual encounter that she struggled to label and accept as abuse.
- Therapy later helped her to reframe and understand this experience as an unwanted sexual experience rather than consensual.