The Defenders
The Defenders
On Friday, June 24, 2022, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Since then, it's been a barrage of bad news and bleak headlines. But for every restriction, there are many more acts of resistance, and a growing network of activists, clinic workers, faith leaders, and everyday people working to expand access to care. This is the story of the fight for freedom in a post-Roe America, co-host…Follow the podcast:
Bonus: The Online Abortion Resource Squad
When it comes to abortion, finding answers in a world of misinformation and changing laws can be hard. Especially when the places to turn to for care are diminishing. On this bonus episode, Gloria talks to Ariella Messing, the founder of the Online Abortion Resource Squad, or OARS. They moderate th…
25:43Clean
Anyone Can Be A Defender
In the final episode of our series, we’re hitting the streets of Manhattan to join up with Nix Rao, a young activist dedicated to expanding reproductive health access in New York. Fueled by their motto, “legality does not equal access,” we’ll follow Nix as they lead the charge to bring abortion pil…
31:03Explicit
The 84 Year Old Defender
Today, we’re bringing you part one of our series finale. Dr. Warren Hern is one of the few remaining physicians performing abortions later in pregnancy. After decades in this fight - and serious threats to his safety - nothing is stopping him from this important work. Learn more about the Boulder…
20:44Explicit
Everyone Loves Someone Who's Had an Abortion
While the majority of the country supports abortion, much of the mainstream media has a long way to go to represent abortion accurately and ethically. This week, Sam talks to journalist Jessica Valenti and abortion activist Renee Bracey Sherman about how we can “arm the choir” with in-depth and mor…
42:50Explicit
Gossip Saves Lives
We travel to the Rio Grande Valley in Texas, where abortion bans intersect with immigration policy. And our team crosses the border into Mexico to buy something you can’t get in Texas: abortion pills. Learn more about Frontera Fund at https://fronterafundrgv.org/. To learn more about all the or…
49:34Explicit
Grief But Not Regret
How do you make a complicated reproductive choice when you’re racing against the clock? We follow two women in Georgia as they figure out how to end their pregnancies in a state with a 6-week ban. And then we talk to Sister Song’s Monica Simpson about how the Reproductive Justice movement is expans…
39:15Clean
My Jesus Flipped Tables
Reproductive rights and religion may not feel like they go hand in hand. But in Atlanta, Black faith leaders are challenging that by talking about abortion…in church. Learn more about Faith in Public Life at https://www.faithinpubliclife.org/ Learn more about Religious Coalition for Reproductive …
47:56Clean
Abortion is a Winning Issue
There’s a trend happening across America. In blue AND red states, people are voting to protect abortion rights, with Ohio just the latest example. It turns out abortion is winning elections. This week, Sam sits down with author and writer Rebecca Traister to dissect why a record number of voters ar…
38:14Explicit
Joy is Resistance
What does gender affirming care have to do with abortion? It’s all about bodily autonomy. And the forces that brought down Roe are going after Trans rights next. We stay in Tennessee this week as we break down the anti-trans, anti-abortion playbook and meet a group of young people who are navigatin…
52:14Explicit
They Haven’t Seen The Last of Us
What does it mean to be an abortion activist in a state where abortion is completely banned? We travel to Tennessee alongside two activists who are risking everything to expand access to care. Learn more about Abortion Care Tennessee at https://www.abortioncaretn.org/about-us. Follow Tia Freeman…
53:35Explicit