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We Interrupt This Program: The Regan Assassination Attempt
Manage episode 508781681 series 3616803
Want to weigh in? Send us a text!
Welcome back! On "Who Died This Week?" Megan and Lesley talk about the ever so talented and foxy, Robert Redford (1936-2025) (though we have a terrible time remembering his filmography).
In this latest episode Megan asks, "Where were you when Reagan was shot?" For many Gen X kids, the 1981 assassination attempt marks our first collective news trauma—that shocking moment when regular programming was interrupted and the world seemed to pause.
What began as a routine presidential appearance spiraled into a national crisis when John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots in less than two seconds outside the Washington Hilton. As Reagan lost nearly half his blood volume, Washington descended into constitutional chaos. Secretary of State Alexander Haig's infamous declaration "I'm in control here" revealed dangerous gaps in crisis management, while networks scrambled to report accurate information in an era before instant updates.
Beyond the political dimensions, this episode uncovers the strange, forgotten details that made this event uniquely bizarre. Hinckley's obsession with 18-year-old Jodie Foster dragged the young actress unwillingly into a national nightmare. Nancy Reagan's subsequent turn to astrology for White House scheduling decisions became both fascination and mockery. Meanwhile, Reagan's humor during the crisis—reportedly telling his wife "Honey, I forgot to duck"—transformed his public image into that of an invincible "Teflon Ron."
Most significantly, we explore how this single event catalyzed lasting change across American institutions. The Secret Service rewrote protection protocols, medical teams developed presidential emergency response systems, Congress tightened insanity defense standards, and the Brady Bill eventually introduced meaningful gun control legislation.
Join us for this nostalgic yet substantive dive into a pivotal moment when Gen X kids first witnessed history unfolding in real-time, complete with our personal memories of where we were when the world briefly stood still. If you remember this moment or want to understand how it shaped a generation's consciousness, this episode offers both personal reflection and historical insight that resonates even t
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Jan-Feb 2025 - Center for Reproductive Rights
March-April - Planned Parenthood
May-June 2025 - Indy Pride
July-August 2025 - WFYI
September-October - ACLU
November-December 2025 - Second Helpings
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JOIN US in L.Y.L.A.S a GenX Women's Social Club
L.Y.L.A.S (Love You Like a Sis) is our paid membership platform where you can have real-life conversations while supporting this podcast and the work we do in the Facebook group.
Follow us on ...
Chapters
1. Catching Up and Disney Plans (00:00:00)
2. Life-Changing Moments and Podcast Pivot (00:08:12)
3. Reagan's Attempted Assassination (00:20:51)
4. White House Chaos and Who's in Charge (00:28:03)
5. Hinckley's Obsession with Jodie Foster (00:31:51)
6. Nancy Reagan and Her White House Astrologer (00:35:19)
7. How the Shooting Changed America (00:43:42)
8. Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Preview (00:51:30)
34 episodes
Manage episode 508781681 series 3616803
Want to weigh in? Send us a text!
Welcome back! On "Who Died This Week?" Megan and Lesley talk about the ever so talented and foxy, Robert Redford (1936-2025) (though we have a terrible time remembering his filmography).
In this latest episode Megan asks, "Where were you when Reagan was shot?" For many Gen X kids, the 1981 assassination attempt marks our first collective news trauma—that shocking moment when regular programming was interrupted and the world seemed to pause.
What began as a routine presidential appearance spiraled into a national crisis when John Hinckley Jr. fired six shots in less than two seconds outside the Washington Hilton. As Reagan lost nearly half his blood volume, Washington descended into constitutional chaos. Secretary of State Alexander Haig's infamous declaration "I'm in control here" revealed dangerous gaps in crisis management, while networks scrambled to report accurate information in an era before instant updates.
Beyond the political dimensions, this episode uncovers the strange, forgotten details that made this event uniquely bizarre. Hinckley's obsession with 18-year-old Jodie Foster dragged the young actress unwillingly into a national nightmare. Nancy Reagan's subsequent turn to astrology for White House scheduling decisions became both fascination and mockery. Meanwhile, Reagan's humor during the crisis—reportedly telling his wife "Honey, I forgot to duck"—transformed his public image into that of an invincible "Teflon Ron."
Most significantly, we explore how this single event catalyzed lasting change across American institutions. The Secret Service rewrote protection protocols, medical teams developed presidential emergency response systems, Congress tightened insanity defense standards, and the Brady Bill eventually introduced meaningful gun control legislation.
Join us for this nostalgic yet substantive dive into a pivotal moment when Gen X kids first witnessed history unfolding in real-time, complete with our personal memories of where we were when the world briefly stood still. If you remember this moment or want to understand how it shaped a generation's consciousness, this episode offers both personal reflection and historical insight that resonates even t
Get your hands on our MERCH!!!
DONATION SCHEDULE! We donate $1 per item sold with a minimum of $200 to each organization!
Jan-Feb 2025 - Center for Reproductive Rights
March-April - Planned Parenthood
May-June 2025 - Indy Pride
July-August 2025 - WFYI
September-October - ACLU
November-December 2025 - Second Helpings
Love the pod? Love us? Love GenX? Let us know!
SUPPORT THE POD HERE!
Want to continue the conversation?
Sign up for our newsletter! HERE
Tell us your own 5 Minutes of Fame story or call it in at 1-888-GEN-XPOD
Send us your Dear GenX Women letters!
Join us for Meet-Ups and Expert led Discussions
JOIN US in L.Y.L.A.S a GenX Women's Social Club
L.Y.L.A.S (Love You Like a Sis) is our paid membership platform where you can have real-life conversations while supporting this podcast and the work we do in the Facebook group.
Follow us on ...
Chapters
1. Catching Up and Disney Plans (00:00:00)
2. Life-Changing Moments and Podcast Pivot (00:08:12)
3. Reagan's Attempted Assassination (00:20:51)
4. White House Chaos and Who's in Charge (00:28:03)
5. Hinckley's Obsession with Jodie Foster (00:31:51)
6. Nancy Reagan and Her White House Astrologer (00:35:19)
7. How the Shooting Changed America (00:43:42)
8. Closing Thoughts and Next Episode Preview (00:51:30)
34 episodes
All episodes
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