Rewriting the Narrative: Maitland Ward on "Boy Meets World," Pre-MeToo Misogyny & "How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood"

For the 180th episode of Private Parts Unknown, host Courtney Kocak welcomes author, actress, and adult film star Maitland Ward, who is best known for her role as Rachel on the 1990s TV show Boy Meets World. Maitland Ward shares her journey from Long Beach native to Hollywood up-and-comer and, eventually, adult entertainment actress, including the challenges of navigating the entertainment industry's pre-MeToo misogyny, the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Boy Meets World, and the pressures of conforming to Disney's strict (double) standards. Maitland opens up about how she reclaimed her identity and sexuality through writing and adult content, ultimately finding empowerment in her career transition, which allowed her to embrace her bisexuality and take full control of her image and livelihood.  For more from today's guest, Maitland Ward: Buy Maitland's book (paperback) My Escape from Hollywood: Unapologetic, Unfiltered, and Unashamed Buy Maitland's book (hardcover) Rated X: How Porn Liberated Me from Hollywood Follow Maitland on Instagram @maitlandward Follow Maitland on Twitter/X @MaitlandWardx Psst, Courtney has an 0nIyFan$, which is a horny way to support the show: https://linktr.ee/cocopeepshow Courtney is also teaching the writing and publishing intensive of your dreams this November. It's called November Newsletter & Pitch Party Extravaganza and will definitely take your writing practice and career to the next level. To join the fun, head to courtneykocak.com/teaching and use code PRIVATE for $100 off. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of the Pleasure Podcast network. This episode is brought to you by: Feeld: The dating app for open-minded individuals. Download Feeld on the App Store or Google Play. Get 20% off your Seggs Water order at seggswater.com with code PRIVATE. Our Sponsor, FLESHLIGHT, can help you reach new heights with your self-pleasure. Fleshlight is the #1 selling male sex toy in the world. Looking for your next pocket pal? Save 10% on your next Fleshlight with Promo Code: PRIVATE at fleshlight.com. STDCheck.com is the leader in reliable and affordable lab-based STD testing. Just go to ppupod.com, click STDCheck, and use code Private to get $10 off your next STI test. Explore yourself and say yes to self-pleasure with Lovehoney. Save 15% off your next favorite toy from Lovehoney when you go to lovehoney.com and enter code AFF-PRIVATE at checkout. https://linktr.ee/PrivatePartsUnknownAds If you love this episode, please leave us a 5-star rating and sexy review! —> ratethispodcast.com/private  Psst... sign up for our Private Parts Unknown newsletter for bonus content related to our episodes! privatepartsunknown.substack.com Let’s be friends on social media! Follow the show on Instagram @privatepartsunknown and Twitter @privatepartsun. Connect with host Courtney Kocak @courtneykocak on Instagram and Twitter. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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Private Parts Unknown (FKA Reality Bytes) is a Bourdain-style podcast exploring sex, love, relationships, gender, and seductive subcultures around the world. Join host Courtney Kocak and expert guests for hilarious, sex-positive conversations — destigmatizing everything from abortion to Ashley Madison, polyamory to PMDD, sex work to Shibari, and more. Travel series include Helsinki, Finland; Mexico City, Mexico; and Tokyo, Japan. Private Parts Unknown is a proud member of Pleasure Podcasts. For network details, contact cameron@pleasurepodcasts.com.