On with Kara Swisher Molly Jong-Fast on How to Survive Anything
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Jun 23, 2025 
Molly Jong-Fast, a writer and political analyst known for her sharp insights as the host of Fast Politics and a Vanity Fair correspondent, shares her complex journey. She discusses her candid memoir about her relationship with her iconic mother, Erica Jong, and the challenges of writing through family struggles and dementia. Touching on themes of resilience, parental guilt, and the intricate dynamics of loss, she reflects on the role of modern media in political commentary while offering hope for America’s future amidst adversity.
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Challenging 2023 Family Year
- In 2023, Molly Jong Fast faced multiple family health crises including her husband's pancreatic surgery, her mother's dementia progression, and deaths in the family.
- These events created a chaotic year marked by constant hospital visits and difficult caregiving decisions.
Dementia’s Dual Reality
- Dementia makes a loved one both present and absent simultaneously, creating complex emotional realities.
- Molly realized her mother was an echo of herself but the real relationship they wished for never fully existed.
Mother’s Limited Time Revealed
- Molly's dad revealed to her that her mother struggled to spend even one hour daily with her as a child.
- This admission gave her relief, understanding her mother's limits as a parent.
