Shannen Doherty Says Working, Filming Podcast Saved Her from Feeling Depressed Before Death
Shannen Doherty, the beloved actress known for her roles in "Beverly Hills, 90210" and "Charmed," has spoken candidly about how working and filming her memoir-style podcast, "Let’s Be Clear with Shannen Doherty," saved her from feeling depressed amid her stage 4 cancer journey.
In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Doherty, who passed away on July 13 at the age of 53, shared how working on her podcast helped her cope with the challenges of living with cancer.
"Listen, you’re seeing me on a good day. Right? But I think also the difference that I’ve really noticed is that when I’m working and when I’m creative, there’s no room for depression at all. It fuels me," she said.
Doherty debuted the podcast in November 2023, in which she spoke about everything from her career highs to her diagnosis and health journey. She also shared how working on the podcast helped her stay positive and focused on the present moment.
"I just go… Once they start working, I dive in, and I have such discipline and such work ethic, but it’s also invigorating. I love it. So that helps me for sure," she said.
Doherty’s podcast was a way for her to process her emotions and share her experiences with others. She also used the platform to raise awareness about breast cancer and the importance of early detection.
The actress had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and had undergone a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and radiation. In 2019, she revealed that her cancer had returned and she was diagnosed with metastatic stage 4 cancer.
Despite her health challenges, Doherty remained optimistic and continued to work on her podcast, which became a source of comfort and inspiration for her fans.
"Working makes me so happy. Even my podcast producers were like, ‘Really? You’re going to do three episodes in one day? It’s a lot.’ And I was like, ‘I could do five in a day,’ " she said.
Doherty’s podcast was a testament to her strength and resilience in the face of adversity. Her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift others through her work and her story.
Rest in peace, Shannen Doherty.