Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky

Oscar-winning screenwriter and playwright Aaron Sorkin joins Monica this week on Reclaiming for a conversation about the places that shape us and the years we wish we could get back. Aaron reflects on falling in love with theater as a child, why it still matters to watch a movie in a room full of strangers, and what he missed when Broadway went dark during the pandemic. Even with To Kill a Mockingbird on hold, he kept running the play in his head, right down to intermission. He and Monica revisit the unexpected connection between the 1998 scandal and the early days of The West Wing. Aaron also opens up about what it means to look back on a decade lost to addiction and how he thinks about that time today.
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“America’s Government Teacher” Sharon McMahon joins Monica on Reclaiming this week for a timely conversation about what’s at stake when we turn away from understanding and participating in government. Together, they explore the cost of neglecting civics education, how “democracy” became a loaded word, and the outrage machine that keeps us reacting instead of engaging. From the courage to stay curious to choosing hope without ignoring reality, this is a conversation about finding common ground without abandoning your convictions—and turning those convictions into action.
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As part of Breast Cancer Awareness Month, surgeon and author Dr. Elisa Port joins Monica on Reclaiming this week to separate fact from fear. What do we get wrong about breast cancer—and how can better information help us feel more empowered, not more afraid? Drawing on her book, The Breast Advice, Dr. Port pairs medical expertise with patient stories to unpack individualized screening, dense breasts, genetic testing, and common misconceptions about mammograms and biopsies. Together, they explore the questions behind the headlines—from hormone replacement therapy and GLP-1 medications to AI’s potential in breast cancer detection. It’s a candid, practical conversation about understanding your risk, weighing your options, and reclaiming a sense of agency over your health.

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Actor, director, and activist Tony Goldwyn joins Monica this week on Reclaiming for a candid conversation about power, empathy, and life beyond the spotlight. They revisit his years as President Fitz on Scandal, the surreal experience of watching real-life political scandals unfold while making the show, and what playing flawed characters has taught him about the stories we attach to people. Tony reflects on his Hollywood inheritance—his grandfather Samuel Goldwyn was the “G” in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer—and the complicated conversation around nepotism, privilege, and forging your own path with a famous last name. Away from Hollywood, Tony shares lessons from his enduring marriage to production designer Jane Musky, the boundaries that keep family at the center of his life, and the joy of collaborating with his daughter Anna on their podcast, Far From the Tree.
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