Just a Thought: Episode 50 with Patti Davis

To celebrate our 50th podcast, I’m launching this blog as a place to share an insider’s perspective. Here I’ll offer behind-the-scenes stories, reflections on our guests, and who they are to me personally. It feels especially fitting to begin with Patti Davis, someone I’ve known for many years and whom most of you probably recognize.

When someone has lived so much of their life in the public eye, as Patti has, it’s easy for people to cling to preconceived notions. What I love about our podcast conversations is that they move beyond those surface impressions. We get to explore the more nuanced aspects of someone’s journey, discover what truly makes them who they are, and glean wisdom from their lived experiences. And with this blog, I get to go even further. So let’s dive in.

When I invited Patti Davis to join us on Crazy Amazing Humans, I knew there were certain facets of her life people might expect us to discuss. For many, the first thing that comes to mind is that she is President Ronald Reagan’s daughter. People may also know Patti as an accomplished author of 14 books, encompassing both fiction and non-fiction. And, yes, she once posed nude for Playboy. I’ll address that first since people have asked me how I handled it.

For reference, it was the July 1994 issue and she was on the cover as well as centerfold. It was five years after her father had left office. (just for reference Ronald Reagan served as President from January 20, 1981, to January 20, 1989). I’ll admit that before I got to know her personally, I, too, only knew of her from the press: she was the First Daughter  and something vague about her posing for Playboy. So there’s that!

Now that I’ve known Patti for decades—as a kind neighbor, a gifted writer, an advocate for healing, and a woman who has bravely carved her own path—I knew there was so much more to explore. I chose not to bring up Playboy in our podcast conversation, partly because of time, but also because the heart of Crazy Amazing Humans is about celebrating depth, resilience, and humanity. My goal is to create a space where people feel truly seen for who they are now, and for the wisdom they have to share.

Patti herself has spoken openly about her choice to pose for Playboy, and she has made it clear that she has no regrets. She described the experience as empowering and liberating. For her, it was an authentic expression of self—one that reflected pride in her body and the personal strength she had gained in overcoming past struggles. It was also purposeful, connected to her activism through PETA’s “I’d rather go naked than wear fur” campaign.

In fact, in 2011, at age 58, Patti posed nude again for the June issue of More magazine, which is geared toward women over 40. She paired the image with an article reflecting on her life, her choices, and aging gracefully. I think that’s pretty liberating—good on her! But for me, that chapter isn’t what defines Patti, nor is it the most meaningful lens through which to understand her. Our conversation was about exploring the complexities, growth, and insights that make her story both unique and universally relatable and not revisiting a moment that has already been overly scrutinized.

I first got to know Patti when she would walk her darling pug, Gracie, through our neighborhood. We’d have sidewalk chats ranging from local events to world affairs. I remember her telling me that Gracie was “writing” a book called The Wit and Wisdom of Gracie: An Opinionated Pug’s Guide to Life. At first I was skeptical since it seemed a little overboard for a dog, but then it reminded me of the whimsy in Everything I Ever Needed to Know I Learned in Kindergarten. The finished book turned out to be full of humor, heart, and even surprising wisdom. To date, Patti has written 14 books, both fiction and non-fiction.

Growing up in the political spotlight like Patti did couldn’t have been easy. Her father, Ronald Reagan, was first elected to public office in 1966, when he won the race for Governor of California. Patti was just 14. At that time, Ronald and Nancy Reagan were established actors and well-connected in Hollywood, attending industry events, parties, and political gatherings. Reagan’s road to the governorship was paved through his years as president of the Screen Actors Guild (1947–1959) and his famous 1964 televised speech for Barry Goldwater (“A Time for Choosing”), which energized the Republican base and is often credited with launching his political career.

One moment that struck me during our conversation was when Patti shared a memory of her father telling her that everyone is put on this earth for a reason. At the time, it seemed like a passing remark, maybe even forgettable. But years later, in a moment of deep personal reckoning as she confronted her addiction to drugs, those words returned to her. They became a catalyst for change, a turning point that led her toward self-acceptance and sobriety.

It reminded me how powerful our words (and actions) can be, especially when modeled to those we love. They can echo across time and become anchors in life’s most difficult moments. For me, it also has become a broader lesson. Essentially, whether you’re a parent, a friend, or simply another human being, you never really know how your words or actions might affect someone’s trajectory at their most challenging time. It serves to me as a reminder of the quiet power we all hold to make a difference in each other’s lives.  

Some of Patti’s reflections about her parents made me wonder what my own children will say they are most proud of me for. What have I said or done that helped them? What hurt them and stayed with them? What legacy will I leave? These are the questions that surface when pausing to consider our impact on the people closest to us.

When we asked Patti what she was most proud of from her father’s presidency, she referenced his farewell speech, where he honored the American spirit. She paraphrased his words, saying, “You can go to France but you can’t become French. You can go to England but you can’t become English. But you can come to America and become American.” It was a thoughtful reflection that stayed with me. Here’s the link to President Ronald Reagan’s farewell address.

Patti also opened up about the painful experience of losing her father to Alzheimer’s. Her books The Long Goodbye and Floating in the Deep End are more than memoirs. They are guideposts for caregivers, heartfelt roadmaps through one of life’s most difficult journeys. Her founding of the Beyond Alzheimer’s support group at UCLA created a compassionate space for others facing the same heartbreak. It’s inspiring to see someone effect positive change despite adversity. That spirit is a common thread among our Crazy Amazing Humans guests.

For me, this episode is about how Patti Davis has grown in spite of and, in many ways, because of her life in the spotlight. She has transformed her pain into power, which is something we all need to do. No one escapes hardship; everyone must face their own pain in life. The question is: how will we meet it, and how will we grow from it? Our hope with the podcast is that listeners will find in our conversations both wisdom and inspiration for navigating their own challenges.

As a musician, I wanted to close with a lesser-known but beautiful contribution of Patti’s to music. In the mid-1970s, Patti and Eagles guitarist Bernie Leadon, her then-boyfriend, co-wrote “I Wish You Peace.” The song was featured on the Eagles’ 1975 album One of These Nights and stands out for its spiritual, soothing tone. The lyrics are more than poetry; they are a blessing. Patti does not shy away from the hard stuff. She walks through it with openness and authenticity. She believes, as we do here at Crazy Amazing Humans, that our greatest challenges can become our greatest superpowers. If we are willing to do the work and stay open to growth, the pain of the past can become fuel for purpose.

I feel so fortunate to have welcomed Patti onto our show. Her insight, honesty, and optimism will stay with me. Whether you are navigating loss, addiction, or simply searching for your place in a noisy world, Patti’s story shines a light on what it means to endure and rise stronger. I hope it touches you as deeply as it touched me.

Listen to the podcast here.

With love,

Katrina