The C-Word

In part two of Frances Farmer’s story, Lena and Alissa examine Frances’ later years out of the spotlight, her battles with addiction, and the posthumous repackaging of her legacy. 

This episode was first published on 06/24/2021.

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Although Frances Farmer was a star of Hollywood’s “Golden Era” and an intellectual powerhouse in her own right, her achievements have been overshadowed by myths surrounding her public struggles with mental health. Her periods in psychiatric hospitals and involuntary confinement have entered pop culture lore, immortalized by everyone from Jessica Lange to Kurt Cobain. In the first of two parts, Lena and Alissa consider Frances’s early rebellious years, her ascent to fame, and the relationships that shaped her burgeoning career. 

This episode was first published on 06/10/2021.

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Before Bai Ling was labeled a “wacktress” by the tabloids, she was a prolific actress best known in the U.S. for her role in the cult classic, The Crow. Her wacky behavior and soundbites about living on the moon made her a frequent character of the early 2000s press. In this episode, Lena and Alissa unpack Bai’s childhood in Mao Zedong’s China, her ascent as an American star, her iconic stint on Celebrity Rehab, and the myths about Asian-American womanhood that continue to saturate the public’s perception about her. 

This episode was first published on 05/27/2021.

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Family Lore is a weekly narrative podcast that celebrates and investigates ancestral mystique. Each episode begins with a guest sharing a fascinating family legend, followed by a historical deep-dive to uncover the truth and meaning behind the tale. Available now: link.pscrb.fm/f0281/FLFD

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In Part 2, Lena and Alissa resume their discussion about 90s porn star Savannah. Although she became a mainstream name, Savannah developed a bad reputation within the adult entertainment industry. In this episode, they chronicle her relationships with rockstars, her attempts at a comeback, and her struggles with addiction and debt. Lena and Alissa also discuss the dissolution of her personal identity as Shannon Wilsey and the events that led to her death at age 23. 

This episode was first published on 03/25/2021.

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