Sarah Paulson: Transformation, Visibility, and Living with Compassion

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. Chapters: 00:00 Introducing Sarah Paulson 01:48 Catching Up with Sarah 02:44 Reflecting on Impeachment and Linda Tripp 03:34 The Complexity of Playing Real People 05:03 The Emotional Toll of Portraying Linda Tripp 06:07 The Challenges of Reenacting Historical Events 06:56 The Aftermath of Linda Tripp's Actions 07:36 The Artistic Process and Personal Reflections 12:09 The Power of Scripted Television 38:50 Friendship and Personal Growth 42:16 Reflecting on Relationships and Friendships 44:04 Navigating Personal Growth and Acceptance 45:27 Insights into Acting and Career Highlights 51:17 The Ryan Murphy Connection 57:42 Exploring Complex Characters 01:03:50 Balancing Personal and Professional Life 01:15:07 Reclaiming Joy and Self-Acceptance 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   Connect with Wondery: Connect with Wondery   / wonderymedia     / wonderymedia     / wonderymedia   https://x.com/wonderymedia 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 #sarahpaulson