Fresh Air Molly Jong-Fast Grew Up With A Mother Addicted To Fame
10 snips
Jun 10, 2025 Molly Jong-Fast, an MSNBC political analyst and author of 'How to Lose Your Mother,' shares insights from her life as the daughter of famed writer Erica Jong. She delves into her mother's addiction to fame and the complex dynamics of their relationship. The conversation touches on the challenges of navigating personal identity in a world overshadowed by celebrity and familial legacy. Molly also reflects on profound themes of loss, caregiving, and the lingering impact of feminism on her self-perception, all wrapped in witty anecdotes and poignant observations.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Fear of Flying and Feminism
- Erica Jong’s 1973 novel Fear of Flying hit during a pivotal moment for women's sexual liberation.
- The book gave American women permission and impetus to explore their sexual freedom.
The Traumatic Power of Fame
- Fame acts like a powerful form of magic that alters people's reality.
- Losing fame can be deeply traumatic and hard to recover from.
Teen Rebellion as Payback
- Molly enjoyed being a difficult teenager to rebel against her mother's neglect.
- She once proudly told her mom she was in Atlantic City amid turbulent teen behavior.
