AI Summary
5 min readKerry Washington joins Alex Cooper to reflect on embodying Olivia Pope in Scandal, her path to producing, and personal experiences with perfectionism, secrets, eating disorders, abortion, and family revelations. She connects these to psychological patterns like disembodiment and the pressure to present power while hiding vulnerability, drawing from therapy, acting, and her new series Imperfect Women.
Embodying Power and Leadership
Washington describes role-playing leadership as Olivia Pope—wearing suits, leading "gladiators," and becoming a producer—as a training ground for real power. This duality of public strength and private mess appealed to her, mirroring life's presentation versus truth. She controlled what she could (work ethic, live-tweeting episodes) amid external pressures like network risks on casting a Black woman lead, emphasizing focus on controllable actions to handle uncertainty.
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What you'll learn
- 1 **[03:46] Intro & Scandal Fangirl Moment**
- 2 **[05:36] Taking on Olivia Pope: Pressure & Control**
- 3 **[07:08] Olivia's Duality & Leadership Lessons**
- 4 **[09:25] Acting Frustrations & Producing Pivot**
- 5 **[12:22] Shonda Dynamic & Pregnancy Support**
- 6 **[18:21] Scandal Rapid Fire & Tony Goldwyn Call**
- 7 **[34:58] Abortion Storyline & Personal Experience**
+ Full timestamped outline available in the app
Show Notes
Content Warning: This episode includes discussion of disordered eating and suicidal ideation. Please take care while listening.
Join Alex in the studio for an interview with Kerry Washington. Kerry reflects on Scandal, working with Shonda Rhimes, and how Olivia Pope changed her life. She also opens up about her abortion story, learning a massive family secret later in life, and her experiences being a woman in Hollywood. Enjoy!
Listen to CHD’s Roe v. Wade Episode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Z016dRCOJo
If you or someone you love needs support, please reach out to any of the below resources:
National Alliance for Eating Disorders
https://www.allianceforeatingdisorders.com/
Helpline: +1 (866) 662-1235
Connect with free virtual and in‑person support groups, get help finding treatment and providers, and talk with someone for information and guidance.
National Eating Disorders Association (NEDA)
https://www.nationaleatingdisorders.org/
Access online screening tools, explore treatment options, and find support groups and providers.
Equip Health
https://equip.health/eating-disorder-tx
Access virtual, evidence-based treatment for eating disorders with a full care team, including therapists, dietitians, medical providers, and peer mentors.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Call or text 988, or chat via https://988lifeline.org to get free, confidential, 24/7 support if you are having suicidal thoughts, feel in crisis, or are worried about someone else.
Crisis Text Line
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor for free, confidential, 24/7 support by text.
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