Roxane Gay Talks 'Hunger,' Romance Novel Writing, And Her Infamous Nemeses

Bestselling author and cultural critic Roxane Gay joins Monica this week on Reclaiming for a deep, candid conversation about the body, feminism, trauma, and the ways power protects itself — in publishing, politics, media, and the stories we tell about survivors. Roxane takes us inside the writing of Hunger, her landmark memoir about sexual violence, survival, and the body she built as a fortress, reflecting on what it means to live with trauma without pretending to be “cured” of it. She offers her sharp analysis of abuses of power — from the media’s handling of the Epstein files to the failures of political institutions to meet moments of moral urgency with courage. Together, Roxane and Monica explore the problem with pedestals, the liberation of learning to say no, and the grace required to embrace our own complicated humanity on our own terms. Plus, Roxane dishes on co-writing her first romance novel with actor Channing Tatum! YT CHAPTERS: 00:00 Hatred of Women 00:12 Meeting at The Moth 02:50 Why Hunger Matters 11:04 Bodies and Identity 19:08 Victim vs Survivor 34:27 Justice Systems Compared 35:01 Epstein Files Complicity 43:30 Politics Misogyny Power 51:25 Hard Pivot Romance Writing 56:00 Nemeses And Reclaiming Watch more episodes of Reclaiming:    • Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky   Follow Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky on social:   / reclaimingwithmonica     / reclaimingwithmonica   Connect with Monica:   / monica_lewinsky   https://x.com/monicalewinsky   / monicalewinsky   About the show: If you’re interested in unexpected conversations that go uncharted places, are remotely self-aware and like to laugh, then please join me as I continue to find my public voice on Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky. (That’s me.) I will have honest, wide-ranging interviews with all kinds of people – recognizable names, regular folks, experts and friends – about what it means to reclaim what’s been lost or taken in the broadest sense. Every week, I’ll draw from my own unique experiences (like say, surviving a global scandal at 24 years old), and delve into the personal and often messy ways people find their way back to themselves. And because I love a good tangent, we’ll probably also touch on other stuff, too. Listen to Reclaiming with Monica Lewinsky premieres early and ad-free at https://wondery.com/shows/reclaiming-.... #monicalewinsky #podcast #roxanegay