Lena Dunham: Famesick, with Dolly Alderton (Part One)

Intelligence Squared

News, Society & Culture, News Commentary, Arts

4.2 • 1.2K Ratings

🗓️ 26 April 2026

⏱️ 48 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

According to award-winning actor, writer, director and producer Lena Dunham, we’re now too invested in having a good relationship with our ex. Best known for creating the hit HBO show Girls, which earned her eight Emmy nominations and two Golden Globes, Lena Dunham has recently published her Sunday Times and New York Times Number One Bestseller, Famesick, which explores the decade after the show’s end and how she navigated fame, illness and relationships. In April 2026 Lena joined Intelligence Squared live at the Hackney Empire with journalist, author and screenwriter Dolly Alderton for an intimate slumber-party-style event, where they discussed everything from their favourite meal-deal to Lena’s legacy as a voice of a generation. --- If you'd like to become a Member and get access to all our full ad free conversations, plus all of our Members-only content, just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more. For £4.99 per month you'll also receive: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared episodes, wherever you get your podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series - 15% discount on livestreams and in-person tickets for all Intelligence Squared events ... Or Subscribe on Apple for £4.99: - Full-length and ad-free Intelligence Squared podcasts - Bonus Intelligence Squared podcasts, curated feeds and members exclusive series … Already a subscriber? Thank you for supporting our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations! Visit intelligencesquared.com to explore all your benefits including ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content and early access. … Subscribe to our newsletter here to hear about our latest events, discounts and much more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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1:01.8	Welcome to Intelligence Squared, where great minds meet. I'm producer Mia Serente. Today's episode is part one of our recent live event with actor, writer, director and producer, Lena
1:07.2	Dunham. The remarkable mind behind the hit series Girls, and Too Much, and the best-selling
1:12.2	author of Not That Kind of Girl, Dunham joined us at the Hackney Empire in London to discuss fame,
1:18.0	creativity and the personal cost of success. In conversation with author, screenwriter and columnist
1:23.7	Dolly Alderton, Dunham drew on her new memoir, Famicicic to reflect on a life shaped by
1:28.1	ambition, illness and public scrutiny, asking what it means to pursue success and how to live
1:33.8	with its consequences. A brief content warning, this episode contains some strong language
1:38.4	and adult themes. Let's join the discussion now, live at the Hackney Empire.
1:46.6	Thank you guys so much.
1:48.8	This is very lovely and moving.
1:51.1	And I hear the cheers of an audience.
	...

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