Episode Details

In this episode of pplpod, we dive into the complex life and legacy of Nancy Reagan, a woman who transitioned from a Hollywood contract player to one of the most influential First Ladies in American history,. We trace her journey from her childhood as Anne Frances Robbins and her acting career at MGM—where she met Ronald Reagan after discovering her name on a Hollywood blacklist—to their enduring partnership, often described as the "greatest love affair in the history of the American Presidency",,,.

We explore the rocky start to her time in Washington, where her expensive White House renovations and purchase of new china during a recession earned her the derogatory nickname "Queen Nancy",,. We also discuss her signature "Just Say No" drug awareness campaign, which became a fixture of 1980s culture,.

Finally, we examine the fierce protective role she assumed following the 1981 assassination attempt on her husband. From consulting an astrologer to manage the President’s schedule to orchestrating the firing of White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan, we reveal how Nancy Reagan wielded significant, often hidden, power within the administration,,. Join us as we look back at her devotion as a caregiver during President Reagan's battle with Alzheimer's and her post-White House advocacy for stem cell research,.