Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

This week on Reclaiming, we sit down with Michael Urie—actor, producer, and director whose career has been shaped by sharp comedy, emotional range, and a deep love of the stage and screen. In this conversation, Michael reflects on the lasting impact of Ugly Betty, what it meant to play a character who resonated so deeply with audiences, and how those early television years helped define his voice as a performer. He opens up about his unconventional path into acting—the power of the ACT after bombing the SATs—and how that second chance ultimately led him to Juilliard, along with the expectations and stereotypes that often come with elite training.We also explore his annual festival Pride Plays and why creating intentional space for LGBTQ+ artists feels increasingly vital in a media landscape dominated by algorithms and influencers. And just in case things get too serious, Michael also gives Monica permission to call him “Mikey,” finishes the rest of her banana, and proves once and for all that Mikey will eat anything.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with author Elise Loehnen and coach Courtney Smith for a conversation about goodness, desire, and the new "workbook" they co-authored "Choosing Wholeness Over Goodness" . Elise reflects on the ideas behind her other book “On Our Best Behavior” and the cultural pressure for women to be selfless, disciplined, and “good,” while Courtney explains how those inherited beliefs settle into the body and quietly steer our choices. Together they explore Enneagram types and how understanding our dominant type and wing can illuminate the fears driving our behavior, the drama triangle and the roles we slip into without noticing, and the surprising insight within envy and wanting. They talk about the fear of losing approval when we step out of line, the shame that gathers around desire, and the courage it takes to name what we truly need.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with bestselling author Harlan Coben for a conversation about risk, and the emotional heart that anchors every twist he writes. Harlan reflects on the fear and curiosity that led him to co-author a book with Reese Witherspoon, the childhood losses that shaped his most beloved characters, and the belief that pressure is a privilege for any creative life. He opens up about the hotel key he still keeps from his father, why thrillers only work when readers care deeply, and how boredom, insecurity, and paying attention to human behavior quietly fuel his work. Together, they explore grief, humor, the lives we imagine, and the stories that keep us tethered to one another. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with the authors of ALL THE COOL GIRLS GET FIRED, Laura Brown and Kristina O’Neill, for a conversation about identity, resilience, and rebuilding after everything shifts. Laura and Kristina share the story of being fired from their dream jobs, how they moved through shock and uncertainty, and why that moment became the spark for their next chapter. Together, they explore how women are taught to carry shame around career loss, the power of community and humor in hard moments, and what it really means to reclaim your worth outside of a title. Sharing the firing stories of famous women like Oprah, Katie Couric, Carol Burnett and many others, It it is an honest, grounded look at letting go, starting again, and trusting that sometimes the fall is what sets you free.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with artist and author Charlie Mackesy for a warm conversation about softness, grief, and what it means to stay human in a world that urges you to harden. Charlie opens up about the unexpected impact of The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse, the emotional weight of meeting readers in their most tender moments, and how creating gentle work requires its own quiet courage. Together, in this connecting, deep dive they explore childhood defenses, the ache of losing the people and animals we love, and why storms change us even when we don’t choose them. Charlie also tells us about when his 19 year old dog, Barney, met the late Queen Elizabeth. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani activist for girls' education and Nobel laureate, shares her journey of self-discovery beyond the headlines. She discusses her evolving relationship with her feminist father and the newfound understanding of her mother’s perspective. Delving into her college experiences, Malala reflects on friendship and finding her identity through personal style. With a mix of bravery and humor, she talks about her activism, the importance of supporting Afghan women, and her evolving views on marriage and autonomy—highlighting moments of joy and resilience.

This week on Reclaiming, we sit down with Adam Scott—actor, producer, and storyteller whose career has spanned cult classics, beloved comedies, and boundary-pushing drama. In this conversation, Adam reflects on the years of struggle before his “big break,” the self-doubt that came with them, and how Parks and Recreation didn’t just change his career—it reshaped his sense of belonging. He shares how the unexpected, global resonance of Severance has opened up a new creative chapter, one defined by leaning into the unknown. We also explore the loss of his mother to ALS and the complicated experience of parenting while building a career.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, we sit down with Lili Reinhart—actor, producer, and author who’s redefining what it means to live honestly in the spotlight. In this conversation, Lili opens up about her ongoing battle with anxiety, PMDD, and cystic acne, and how learning to be present has become the foundation of her healing.We chat about her relationship to the characters she’s played, from Riverdale’s girl-next-door, Betty Cooper, to the anxious, dread laden Harper of Hal & Harper. Lili also opens up about the inspiration behind her new skincare line, Personal Day, born from years of vulnerability, experimentation, and self-care. A conversation about authenticity, duality, and the courage to show up—exactly as you are.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with actor Grace Van Patten, whose fearless performances have made her one of Hollywood’s most intriguing young talents. Grace opens up about the challenge and responsibility of portraying Amanda Knox (The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox on Hulu), and how she approached the role not as a tabloid figure, but as a complex human being caught in an impossible situation. She reflects on growing up in a famously creative but deeply supportive family, where encouragement and curiosity were constants—and how that foundation helped her stay grounded while pursuing a life in front of the camera. Grace also shares how her college courses in criminal psychology unexpectedly became tools in her actor’s toolkit, helping her build deeper, more layered characters. Together, she and Monica explore how the Me-Too movement reshaped her generation’s relationship to power and vulnerability—and how, through it all, Grace is learning to reclaim her inner child, to hold space for joy, curiosity, and self-trust amid the demands of a difficult world. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This week on Reclaiming, Monica sits down with Sarah Paulson for a conversation about ambition, empathy, and what it means to be seen. Sarah reflects on the roles that changed her life, from American Horror Story to Impeachment, and the complicated art of portraying someone like Linda Tripp with both honesty and compassion. Together, they unpack how childhood survival skills can turn into creative instincts, the tension between visibility and vulnerability, and the quiet strength that comes from forgiveness. It is an intimate look at transformation, grace, and the power of meeting your past with understanding.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.