Fri Sep 26 02:20:00 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the text, followed by a rewritten version as a news article:

**Summary:**

Monica Lewinsky, in a conversation at The Atlantic Festival, reflected on her experience with public shaming in the wake of the Clinton scandal and her journey towards reclaiming her narrative. She discussed how the media landscape and cultural attitudes have evolved since the 1990s, highlighting a growing awareness of the mistreatment of women in the public eye. She emphasized the importance of self-compassion, the power of laughter, and the necessity of owning one’s story. Lewinsky also touched on the influence of the #MeToo movement and her current work as an anti-bullying activist, TV producer, and host of the podcast “Reclaiming,” all of which contribute to her mission of helping others reclaim their own narratives after experiencing shame.

**News Article:**

**Monica Lewinsky on Surviving Shame: “If You Can’t Laugh at Yourself, You Are So F*cked”**

**Washington, D.C.** – In a candid conversation at The Atlantic Festival, Monica Lewinsky, the former White House intern whose name became synonymous with scandal in the 1990s, shared insights into her journey of surviving public shaming and reclaiming her narrative. Speaking with *The Atlantic*’s Sophie Gilbert, Lewinsky reflected on the profound personal and societal shifts that have occurred since the Clinton scandal, emphasizing the importance of empathy and self-acceptance.

“You can survive the unimaginable,” Lewinsky stated, “and you can move forward, you can thrive.” She highlighted the need to “be proud of the person that I am,” and emphasized the role of humor in healing, quipping, “If you can’t laugh at yourself, you are so f*cked.”

Lewinsky, who became a target of intense media scrutiny and public scorn in 1998, discussed her attempts to rebuild her life after the scandal. She noted that the tragic suicide of Tyler Clementi, a Rutgers University student who was publicly shamed, served as a turning point, inspiring her to become an anti-bullying activist and an advocate for those who have experienced public shaming.

The conversation also touched on the #MeToo movement and the broader cultural reckoning with the treatment of women in the media, particularly during the 1990s and 2000s. Lewinsky expressed gratitude for the younger generations who have re-examined her story with fresh perspectives, recognizing the imbalance of power dynamics.

Today, Lewinsky hosts the podcast “Reclaiming,” where she explores themes of loss, grief, healing, and resilience through conversations with others who have navigated challenging experiences. She is also a TV producer, including the upcoming series “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox,” underscoring her commitment to helping women take control of their own narratives.

Lewinsky’s message at The Atlantic Festival was one of resilience, self-compassion, and the importance of owning one’s story: “An important part of moving forward is excavating, often painfully, what has gone before.”

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