Was Yoko Ono really the reason the Beatles broke up… or is there a lot more to the story? (Spoiler: there is.)

In this emotional and eye-opening episode of Ambivalent Offenders, we explore the real Yoko Ono — far beyond the tired headlines and fan theories. From her childhood in wartime Japan to her bold entry into the avant-garde New York art world, Yoko was already a creative force before she ever met John Lennon.

We trace:

• Her rise as a solo artist and performance visionary
• The evolution of her partnership with John Lennon, both romantic and artistic
• Their radical peace activism and experimental projects
• The media backlash she faced as an outspoken, Japanese woman in a white, male-dominated rock culture
• And yes — we walk through the heartbreak of John Lennon’s assassination, and how Yoko carried on

💬 “She was the first person who told me I was a real artist.” – John Lennon

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If you have a judgement on any of the figures that we have covered (it can be a voice memo or an email that we can read!) or have a recommendation for a historical figure, please contact us at [email protected]!