Guest Lena Dunham, celebrated creator known for controversy, discusses her rise to fame, controversies, scandals involving Odell Beckham Jr. and accused writer, importance of thoughtfulness and self-censorship, interpreting photos, struggle with addiction, and love life.

Lena Dunham, celebrated writer and filmmaker with a controversial public image, discusses her rise to fame and the controversies surrounding her work. Topics include her upbringing, early filmmaking experiences, response to criticism, relationship with Jack Antonoff, controversies surrounding her book, and the confusion surrounding her decision to share her assault story.

We are continuing our summer tradition at “Here’s The Thing” where members of the staff select their favorite interviews from the archives. This week, we revisit Alec Baldwin’s conversations with two amazing women in entertainment, Lena Dunham and Carol Burnett. Lena Dunham, creator and star of the ground-breaking “Girls” and writer/director of the recent film “Catherine Called Birdy,” spoke with Alec in 2013 about making her first film, “Tiny Furniture,” how her work evolved following its success and what it's like to play a version of herself. In 2015, Alec spoke with comedian and actress Carol Burnett about making 11-seasons of the Emmy-winning “The Carol Burnett Show,” navigating being a woman in show business in the 60s and creating her incredible performance as Miss Hannigan in “Annie.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.