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“Hospital Policy means the principles, rules, and guidelines adopted by the Hospital, which may be amended, changed, or superseded from time to time.”Julie and Meagan break down hospital policies today, especially common ones you'll hear when it comes to VBAC. They chat all about VBAC agreement forms and policies surrounding continuous fetal monitoring, induction, and epidurals. Women of Strength, hospital policies are not law. They vary drastically from hospital to hospital. Some are evidence-based. Some are convenience-based. Do your research now to make sure you are not surprised by policies you are not comfortable with during labor!Defining Hospital PolicyBirth Rights ArticleNeeded WebsiteHow to VBAC: The Ultimate Prep Course for ParentsFull Transcript under Episode Details Meagan: Welcome, everybody. We are going to be talking about policies today. What do they mean? Why are they created? And when do we have the right to say no or do we have the right to say no?And I have Julie discussing this with me today. Hey. Julie: You know I'm a policy fighter. Meagan: Yes, we do. We do. The longer I have gone– in the beginning, I was not a policy fighter. I really wasn't. I was a go-with-the-flow, sure, okay, let's do it, you know best. That's really how I was. Julie: A lot of people are. Meagan: That's true. I think a lot of the time, it's because we don't know what our options are. We just don't know, so I'm really excited to get into this with you today. I always love it because we kind of get into this spicy mood sometimes when we have topics like this that we are very passionate about. We are going to be talking about policies today. I do have a Review of the Week, and this is actually a very recent review which is so fun. We just posted on our social media for Google reviews. We were specifically looking for Google reviews and podcast reviews. These are so, so important for us but also for other people to find this platform. We want people to hear these stories. We want people to feel inspired and get educated and know their rights. Your reviews truly do matter, so if you have not yet, please, please, please do so. You can leave a review on your podcast platform, or you can go over to Google and just type in “The VBAC Link”, and then you can type in a review there. This reviewer is by Savannah, and she says, “I started listening to The VBAC Link Podcast around 16 weeks pregnant and continued throughout y pregnancy. It was so good and encouraging for me as a mama who was preparing for my VBAC. It helped me gain confidence, helped me know what to look for, and what to watch out for in my providers. Hearing others' stories was so encouraging and helped me gain so much knowledge. I had my hospital VBAC unmedicated with my 8-pound, 15-ounce baby.” You guys, 8-pound, 15-ounce baby is a perfect-sized baby let me just say. “And I know that the knowledge I gained from this podcast played a huge role in being able to advocate for myself to get my birth outcome.” Huge congrats, Savannah, on your beautiful VBAC for your perfect-sized baby. I say that because you guys, let's get rid of the “big baby” term. Let's just title these babies as perfect-sized because an 8-pound, 15-ounce baby for some providers may be categorized as larger or maybe even macrosomic. it's really important to know that your baby is the perfect size and your pelvis is amazing. You can do it just like our reviewer, Savannah. Julie: Your pelvis is amazing. Meagan: Seriously. All right, you cutie. Look at you. Did you just get a haircut, by the way?Julie: I did, yesterday. It's a little short. We did some color. It's a little smidgey shorter, but then I think I wanted it to still go in a low ponytail for births. That was my goal. Meagan: I'm totally digging it. Julie: Thank you.Meagan: I should be having fresh hair, but my cute hair lady bailed on me the morning of my hair appointment. Julie: Oh no! Meagan: Sometimes we have matching nails, but we would have had matching nails. We don't have them today. You guys, we just miss each other. I miss you. Julie: Yeah. We need to go to lunch again. Meagan: We do. Yes. We love shopping, you guys. Let's talk about hospital policies. Julie: Let's do it. Meagan: We know that so many people go into– not even just birth, but really a lot of things in the medical world. They just go to a doctor's office visit or go to a small procedure, or whatever it may be, and these places have policies. I want to talk about what it means. What does a hospital policy mean? What is the definition? The definition, according to lawinsider.com, says, “Hospital policy means the principals, rules, and guidelines adopted by a hospital which may be amended, changed, or superseded from time to time.” Julie: Oh, I love that addition. Amended, changed, or superseded. Meagan: Yep. Julie: Yeah. Meagan: Yeah. It can. Julie: And it does. Meagan: And it does. It does. Julie: It does. Meagan: You guys, let's just start off right now with the fact of a hospital policy– or a policy, okay? A policy in general is not law. It is not law. If you decide to decline a hospital policy– Julie: It is well within your rights. Meagan: Well within your rights. You could get some kickback. You could probably expect it. Julie: You probably will. Meagan: But, that's okay. That's okay. My biggest advice is if you are receiving or being told that this is a hospital policy, and you disagree with the policy, or maybe you agree with the policy for someone else, but for you, it's not working, and you say no, and they say, “Well, –”Julie: “It's hospital policy.” Meagan: “This policy is policy, and if you choose to break it, then you can sign an AMA.” Julie: You are so funny. “This policy is policy.” It's like that though. Meagan: That's literally what they say. Julie: They say, “It's hospital policy.” And you say, “Well, I don't agree with that policy.” “Well, it's hospital policy.”Meagan: “Well, it's policy.” Okay. Well, I'm telling you I don't like your stupid policy. Julie: I don't like your stupid policy. We are spicy, huh? Meagan: I mean it, though. I think I maybe shared this a little bit, but I had a client who had a home birth planned. She decided to go to the hospital because she had preeclampsia, and this nurse was not giving her her baby. She kept saying, “It's policy. It's policy. It's policy.” I was like, “This mom's word trumps your policy.” As a doula, I was getting into some rocky, choppy waters I was feeling. I could just feel the tension building. It did not feel comfortable at all. I looked at my client. Julie: You're just like, “Give her her doggone baby.” Meagan: They could kick me out. They could. I need you to know that they really could kick me out. She was like, “That's okay. I want my baby.” So I pushed. I pushed. I pushed and I pushed. We did get her her baby, but we had to fight. We really, really, really had to fight, and it sucks. It really, really sucks. So there is a website called pregnancyjusticeus.org. We're going to have this. I have not actually gone through all of it. It is– how many pages is this, Julie? It is a lot of pages. It is 65 pages, you guys. It's 65 pages of birthright information, going through a lot. Julie: It will be linked in the show notes. Meagan: Yes, it sure will. If you want to go through this, I highly encourage it. It is from Birth Rights and Birth Rights Bar Association, the National Advocates for Pregnant Women. Like I said, it's 65 pages, but what they said in here I just think is so powerful. It says, “There is no point in pregnancy in which people lose their civil and human rights, and yet all over the world, people often experience mistreatment and violations of their rights during pregnancy and birth and postpartum.” We see these things. Julie: You need to make that a social media post. People need to know this. Meagan: Yes. Down here even further, it says, “We also know that doulas and other people providing support to pregnant and birthing people often bear witness to rights violation of clients of loved ones. In a recent survey, 65% of doulas and nurses indicated that they had witnessed providers occasionally or “often” engage in procedures explicitly against their patients' wishes.” This is a serious issue. Julie: It is a serious issue. I feel like it's really frustrating, especially as a birth photographer where my lines as a doula are very separate, but I always doula a little bit at every birth I go to. It's not hands-on stuff always, but it's hard when you see people getting taken advantage of and they don't know they are being taken advantage of and they don't know that they have options or choices and they don't know that they can decline or request changes, and that's probably the hardest part is that people just don't know. I have a little tangent, but I'm in this Facebook support group for this medication that I'm on. It really amazes me continuously about how little people know about a medication that they are taking, a pretty serious medication that they are taking, and how little their doctors inform them of what the medication is and what some of the side effects and issues are, and what they can reasonably expect from it because some people have completely unreasonable expectations because they haven't dug into it at all. The other day, somebody said something like, “I've been really, really tired and fatigued since I started this medication, but I called my doctor and she said that fatigue is not a common side effect with this medication,” and I'm like, “What?” It's literally listed on the manufacturer's website that it's a side effect. It's listed on the insert for the medication. It's talked about all the time in this Facebook group, and it can be caused by a number of things that this medication affects. The fact that either her doctor didn't know or just told her– anyway, it leads me. I promise there's a point to this. It leads me to the fact that your doctor does not know everything about everything, especially a family doctor. This medication is prescribed by family doctors sometimes and endocrinologists. It is impossible for them to know everything about everything. Something like obstetrics and gynecology is more specialized so it is more focused. It is a more centralized area of study, but still, your doctor doesn't know everything about everything. It is not uncommon for them to not keep up in advancements in medications and technology and practices as they evolve. It's very, very common for the medical community to be 10-15 years behind the current research and evidence. It just is. Doctors and nurses and all of these things who have to have to have a certain number of contact numbers per year to keep up with training and education, but it is impossible for them to keep up with everything. It is okay for you to have different opinions than your provider. It's okay for you to want different things than is hospital policy, and it is perfectly reasonable for you to make those requests and for those requests to be honored. It is also okay for you to know more about a particular thing than your provider might. Meagan: Yep. Julie: Period, exclamation point, shazam. Meagan: Well, we've talked about this with other providers. We've heard other stories where people come in. They have stats that their providers haven't even seen. They just get stuck in their own way and their policies, and there are other things going on outside, so they just point-blank say, “No, this is how it is,” and you might have more information. That doesn't mean you are more educated or qualified or whatever to be a doctor. Julie: Yeah, exactly. Meagan: It doesn't mean, “Oh, I might as well be a doctor because I know this information and you don't,” but it means that you may have found information that your provider is not aware of. It is okay for you to bring that to their attention. In fact, do it. Congratulations for them to find out the information that they might not have known yet, so they can do better for the next patient. Julie: I want to say that there is an attitude with some medical care providers of, “Don't confuse your Google search with my medical degree.” Meagan: Yes. Julie: Come on. I really have a big problem when people get like that because first of all, and I've said this before, and I will continue to say it again, we have at our fingertips access to the largest amount of information ever available in humankind ever at our desktops. We can sit down, and you can go and find information and studies related to anything ever. Yes, don't go looking at Joe Blow down the street's opinion about childbirth or whatever. Yes, that might be a credible source. It might not be, but you can literally find these same studies, the same research, and the same information that these providers have access to in their path to their medical degree. Is it extensive? No. Are you going to have the hands-on experience that they have doing these procedures and C-sections and things like that? No, you're not, but you still have access to the same information that they have access to. I have a big problem when providers have this arrogant attitude that they know more. Yes, they do know more generally. They might not know more when it comes down to specific things that have been updated since they have gotten out of school. Meagan: Yeah. I feel like in a lot of ways, we hear these policies and these things come up, and you're like, “But where?” Then they can't show you the policy or stat. Julie: Yeah, then they'll be like, “You're 20x more likely to rupture.” You're like, “Can you send me the research?” They're like, “It's the way we've always done it.” Meagan: I did a one-on-one consult, and a provider told someone that they had this astronomical amount of percentage of rupturing, and I was like, “Wait, what?” Julie: Seriously. Meagan: I was like, “Please challenge your provider and ask them for that.” She did, and they were unable to give her that. We can just hear things, and if we just take them, it can be scary, and it can impact decisions when maybe that's not true. I also want to talk about policy for providers. Their policy should be that everyone should have informed consent. They have policies, too, that not only you have to follow or that they have to follow. It's a whole thing. There are many policies. Your provider really has to explain the risks, benefits, and alternatives for any medical procedure, intervention, or anything coming your way, but we see it not happening most of the time. We just see people doing stuff because it's within their normal routine but it's breaking policy which is so frustrating to me. So you can break policy? I want intermittent monitoring. I don't want consistent monitoring. I'm breaking a policy? Julie: So what?Meagan: So what? Julie: So what? Sorry. Meagan: Let's talk a little bit more about VBAC and policies surrounding VBAC. We know that policies are just there. They've been created. During COVID, holy Hannah. We saw these policies change weekly, you guys. Julie: Daily. Meagan: Yeah, seriously. They went in and they were like, “This is our new policy. This is our new policy. This is our new policy,” and I was like, “What?” Julie: It was freaking whiplash.Meagan: Yes, it was horrible. It was horrible. But they can change a policy just like that. You can say no to a policy just like that. So, okay. Sorry. I digress. Let's go back. Let's talk about what policies often surround VBAC. I know a lot of the time, in hospitals all over, it's a policy that midwives cannot treat VBAC. Or you can't be induced because it's a policy. You can't induce VBAC. We talked about this before we started recording, and I said it just now. It has to be consistent monitoring. Julie: Yeah. Well, can I just do a little bit of a timeout and a rewind for half a second? Hospitals are businesses, okay? I just want to explain this to everybody. Hospitals are businesses. I think we know that. You don't have to have that explained. Businesses, in order for them to run efficiently and smoothly, need to have policies, guidelines, best practices, standards of care, procedures, and things like that. It is a business. It is okay for them to set parameters for which they want their providers and nurses and everybody who is at the hospital to operate under, right? It's okay for them to have those things. It's okay for them to set those because if you didn't have those, the business would fall apart. Everybody would be doing whatever the heck they want. There would be a lot of disorder, right? Meagan: Yes. Julie: So policies and procedures and these best practices and things like that are created in order to keep things aligned and have a nice model of care so that they can be more cost-efficient so that the patients know what to expect so that the providers have a routine and things like that. Meagan: Yeah. Julie: There are reasons for these things. However, when we like to push back, when we are bothered, and the thing that really is frustrating about these policies is when they are put in place so rigidly that there's no flexibility and that it takes away a patient's autonomy, and that it removes individualized care from the birth experience. So this is why we want to talk about this. This is why we don't think all policies are dumb. No, we don't. We see the reason. We understand why they are in place. However, we want you to know that it is well within your rights as a human to decline and request changes for these policies, and to desire something different, and to have that desire respected. It's hard when some providers and nurses get so stuck in the fact that, “This is policy,” that they take away your autonomy and your right to choose. That's what we're pushing back against, and that's what we want you to know. These policies are not law. You have the right to want something different and to request something different, and to have that right respected. Okay.Meagan: Absolutely. Absolutely. I couldn't agree more. I do think it can be really hard because they have these things to keep order and to keep things tidy.Julie: And with the intention to keep you safe. Meagan: Yes.Julie: But sometimes intentions don't always translate well. But anyway. Meagan: Yeah. But really quickly before we get into what policies surrounding VBAC are, when we start questioning policy, there are things that can come into play where there are threats, there is coercion, there is gaslighting that starts happening because they are really panicked that you are questioning their policy. They feel very uncertain that you are questioning that. Julie: They may even feel unsafe, or they might never have had the policy challenged before so they don't know what to do about it. Right?Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. Just know that if people are coming at you with, “Well, if you don't do this, then this,” or whatever it may be, then it can get intense, but you can still say no. You can also ask for a copy of that policy. Again, even though that policy isn't law, you can still ask for it. Julie: Ideally, you can do this before labor begins because it's really hard to fight and bump up against these policies during labor. Meagan: Yeah. Julie: It's going to be a lot harder. Meagan: Yeah. Yeah. Okay, so let's go in. I talked a little bit about fetal monitoring. Julie: Induction. Meagan: Not being seen by certain people. No induction. Or the opposite. Julie: You have to be induced. Meagan: You have to be induced. Julie: By such and such a date. Meagan: Yes. It's just so funny because it varies all over. Julie: It does vary all over. Meagan: Let's talk about it. Okay, so fetal monitoring. Julie: Don't forget epidural placement too. Meagan: Yes. Epidurals. Julie: We can talk about that. That's my favorite one to argue against. Anyways. Okay.Meagan: There are so many. Okay, let's talk about fetal monitoring. What is the policy typically behind continuous fetal monitoring?Julie: Yeah, so most hospitals– in fact, I've never met a hospital where this hasn't been the hospital policy– is that continuous fetal monitoring is required for everybody, but especially for VBAC. They double down for VBAC because one of the first signs of uterine rupture, especially for someone who has an epidural, is irregular fetal heart tones. That can be one of the first signs of uterine rupture. Most hospitals are very, very adamant about having continuous fetal monitoring, especially for people who are undergoing a TOLAC which is a trial of labor after a Cesarean. It's not a bad word. It's just how it's defined in the medical community before you have your VBAC.The reason they do that, like I just said— but honestly, if you don't have an epidural and if you aren't under any type of pain medication, the first sign of uterine rupture for you is going to be really intense pain. That's going to be your first sign. Especially if you are going unmedicated, I think it's perfectly reasonable to request intermittent monitoring. Do you want me to go into why they introduced fetal monitoring in the first place?Okay, in the early 1970s, we saw lots of rapid advancements in the medical field and technology related to the medical field. Things like continuous fetal monitoring got introduced. Antibiotics became more readily accessible. The procedures themselves, especially the C-section procedure, became perfected and easier to do with fewer complications and fever rates of infections. All sorts of things started happening at a really rapid pace in the early 1970s. One of the things that got introduced was continuous fetal monitoring. The intention behind the continuous fetal monitoring when it got introduced was to decrease the rates of cerebral palsy in infants. Cerebral palsy usually happens when during either pregnancy or labor, oxygen is deprived to the brain of the baby. It can cause a stroke and damage part of the white matter in the brain. The idea behind it was if you could catch the reduced flow of oxygen to the baby by monitoring its heart rate, you could intervene and do a C-section in time to get the baby out before cerebral palsy happens, essentially. The interesting thing about that is that after continuous fetal monitoring was introduced, there was no change in the rate of cerebral palsy. It stayed the same. It still is very similar. But what it did do is that it was one component that increased the rates of C-sections and other interventions. They are more likely to take a baby out due to nonreassuring fetal heart tones, and we've seen no improvement in maternal mortality and morbidity rates and infant mortality rates either with the introduction of all of these interventions. Meagan: Yeah. One of the reasons why they say that it's mandatory for VBACs specifically is because fetal heart tones decelerating is one of the signs, one of many, that a uterine rupture may be taking place. Julie: Right, right. I said that. Meagan: Oh, you did. Julie: Yeah. Meagan: I was reading the link. I missed that. Julie: No, no. You're fine. Say it again. It's okay.Meagan: No, you're fine. Okay. So with uterine rupture, fetal heart decels are not always a symptom of uterine rupture. What do you feel like it means? I feel like so many people feel more comfortable having their baby on the monitor so they can hear them. Julie: Oh, they do. You know what? The staff is more likely to do that too. This is really sad, but we have a labor and delivery culture that is very, very comfortable sitting at a desk down a hall watching a monitor to see how a patient is doing rather than remaining in the room and watching them. They rely more on what is going on on the contraction monitor and the heart rate monitor than they do the visible signs of the patient. It's how they've been trained. It's how they monitor dozens of people at once in a labor and delivery unit, and I feel like continuous fetal monitoring and the contraction monitor are other ways that de-individualizes care. I don't know if that's a word. It takes out the individuality. It takes out the rights to the human and it takes out really watching the person, and relies too much on the data. Data is good. I love data. Don't get me wrong. I am a data junkie 110%, but data can only take you so far. I feel like that's why people freak out about the continuous fetal monitor thing. “How are we supposed to know if you're doing okay at the desk because we can't see the chart on the screen if we're not monitoring you continuously?” It puts more work on them, which is okay. I can't imagine being a labor and delivery nurse because sometimes you have more than one patient that you're monitoring and watching, and you've got lots of other things to do including charting and all of this stuff. Meagan: Yeah, this is one of those things that was created that even though the evidence didn't prove that the reason why it was created worked out, it stayed because it brought ease to monitoring labor, and monitoring it not in the same room, and being able to have five other patients while seeing a chart. Okay, so fetal monitoring is one. Let's talk about the induction or the non-induction that we've seen policies on both ways which also is so weird to me. I know it's hospital to hospital, but why aren't we going off of evidence?Julie: Dude, dude. Do you know what is so funny to me? I will also cry this out from the rooftops until I die, but if you really want to understand what maternal healthcare is like in the United States, you've got to talk to a doula or a birth photographer because we see not only hospital births and home births and birth center births, but we see all of the different hospitals and how they vary in hospital policy. It is so funny to me sometimes the conversations that I hear or have with labor and delivery nurses who insist one thing, then the next labor and delivery nurse in the next hospital insists on something completely different. “Oh, it's not safe to go past 20 for Pitocin on VBAC,” then the next hospital will be like, “Yeah, it's perfectly safe as long as you are monitored and the OB signs off on it.” It's so up, down, and sideways based on whatever this specific hospital policy is. It's not their fault which is why sometimes I like travel nurses in labor and delivery units because they go all around the country and have vastly different experiences with all the different hospitals. It's fun to see the culture shift that can come in when that happens. Meagan: Yeah. Okay, so in some hospitals, it is policy that you have to go into labor spontaneously. Julie: Yeah. They will not induce for VBAC. Oh, but if you haven't had your baby by 40 weeks, it's hospital policy to do a C-section. Meagan: Yeah, they will not induce you, but then if you don't go into labor by 40 weeks, they have to schedule a C-section. What's the evidence there, and why is that even being a policy?A lot of providers after 40 weeks fear or they say that VBAC uterine rupture chances skyrocket after 40 weeks because, “Oh, that baby is getting bigger. They're stretching that uterus out,” but that's really not necessarily the case. We're seeing it happen more and more and more where people are then doubting their body's ability to give birth or go into labor. They are so scared that their baby's going to get so big that they're going to cause uterine rupture if they go past 40 weeks. I mean, really. You guys, the amount of things that we see coming in The VBAC Link's DM's– I love that you guys write us. Please keep writing us, but it's frustrating, not that you're writing us, but that these providers are telling people these things. Then we have the opposite that we have to induce by 40 weeks. Julie: Can I read you this thing? There's a post in The VBAC Link Community today. It was a VBAC agreement form. If you're birthing at a hospital, you're more than likely going to have to sign a piece of paper showing all of the risks of VBAC, but they don't ever make you do that for a C-section. This hospital VBAC policy, hold on. I was reading it this morning. Listen to this. This is word for word from this VBAC agreement form from a hospital. “I am aware that the best chance for a successful VBAC is to go into spontaneous labor, and that the risk of Cesarean section is increased past my due date. In an effort to afford me the best chance of achieving VBAC, I agree to be induced the 39th week of pregnancy or sooner if medical issues are present if I am still pregnant.”In that same paragraph, they say that the best chance of a successful VBAC is going into spontaneous labor, but if you don't go into labor by 39 weeks, we're going to induce you. Meagan: It also says that after 40 weeks, Cesarean chances increase so we have to induce a whole week before. Julie: Yeah. Right? Meagan: I'm sorry. Julie: This is real life. How is this even a thing? Blah, blah, blah. That's what I say. Screw your policy. How can you contradict yourself like that? It says, “The risk of a Cesarean section is increased past my due date, but it's also increased if you induce me, so either way I have increased risk.” This is literally what they are telling you in this form that they make you sign. Meagan: You know, those forms are so important to pay attention to, you guys. As you are getting these forms, the VBAC consent forms, or VBAC agreement forms or whatever. They title them all differently. Julie: I'm just reading this hospital policy more. Sorry. “I am aware of the hospital policy requiring two IV access sites.” Meagan: Okay. Today, which you guys, was last– I'm trying to think. It was a month ago. Okay, a month ago– I recorded the episode today, but a month ago, when this is coming out. Go listen to Paige's midwifery episode. She just was talking about that. That is a policy within the hospital that she helps people at. They have two hep locks. This was news to me as of today, and now you are seeing this in this policy. Why? Why? What is the evidence behind that? Why?Julie: This VBAC agreement form is every single thing that we are talking about. “I agree to have continuous fetal monitoring. I am aware of this policy by this obstetric group–.” I won't say it because maybe we shouldn't call them out. Maybe we should. “--to require epidural placement by the time of active labor. I am aware of the implication that certain complications of labor can be life-threatening to myself and my baby. These can only be addressed promptly at the hospital. To lessen the risk of delay during a complication, I agree (in bold)--”Meagan: Yes. All of the agrees are in bold.Julie: “--to come to the hospital immediately if I am in labor or if my water breaks.”Meagan: Ugh. Julie: “I have been adequately about the risks, benefits, and alternatives of VBAC, and have the opportunity to ask questions. I am aware that no one is able to guarantee a successful VBAC and that repeat C-section may be indicated if my baby is breech, I do not adequately dilate, I am able to push my baby out, my baby does not tolerate labor, there is a concern for uterine rupture, or if any unforeseen medical issue arises during my pregnancy which makes labor unsafe–” according to who?Anyways, “certain methods of induction of labor are not permitted to be used in patients with prior Cesarean sections. I understand that if I am induced, the only safe options include medical dilation with a balloon, Pitocin, and breaking my water.” That, I feel like, is accurate. Meagan: That is valid. That is valid. Okay.Julie: That's the only one. Cool. Meagan: Cool. Out of ten. Julie: Are you reading this right now? Do you have it up?Meagan: Yes. I pulled it up. Let's talk about epidural. You guys, this has 86 comments already. One of the commenters said, “You absolutely do not need to get an epidural, have continuous monitoring, or go into the hospital when labor begins. These are often things to avoid when trying for a VBAC.” Julie: Yes. Yes. Meagan: You absolutely can have these things. “You can have these things, but having an epidural before 6 centimeters can put you at a higher risk of Cesarean including continuous monitoring. Your rights override policies.” This is what she said. She said, “Are you in the States? Did you sign this?” Julie: But I love what Flor Cruz with Badass Mother Birth said. “This is atrocious. Run. I would rather give birth in the woods by myself than to agree with this monstrosity.” Meagan: Really, though. We have so many things coming at us. We're so vulnerable when we are pregnant, and we want a VBAC so badly. We have forms like this being given, or we have policies being thrown at us, and we say, “Just say no,” but when you're in that moment, it's really difficult. I think something that I want to say is, as you are learning these policies, as you're learning more, figure out if you are someone who can stand up to these policies and say no, or figure out if there's someone on your team who you need to have be there to help you find the strength to say no. Also, make sure that your family knows and your team knows what's important to you when it comes to these policies. What triggers you? It is very difficult to say no or, “I am not going to do that,” or to not even say a word because they just strap the monitors on you, or call anesthesia because they just did a cervical exam, and the nurse logged that you're 6 centimeters, so anesthesia is just coming down, but you might be doing really well and not want an epidural. Okay, I want to talk about epidurals. Julie: Let's talk about epidurals. Jinx. Let's do it. This is my favorite policy to tear apart and rip apart. Here's the thing. The reason why they tell you they want an epidural placed, but you don't have to have it turned on, just to have it placed just in case, is if a uterine rupture happens, you can dose up the epidural and go back to surgery, and they don't have to put you under anesthesia. It sounds great, right? Cool, yeah. Let's do that. That sounds great. I don't want to go under general anesthesia if I have to have a C-section. Here's the problem with that. First of all, going under general anesthesia does carry more risks than having surgery with a spinal or an epidural. It does. That's just common knowledge. Nobody is going to argue that here. We get that. The problem is that in a true emergency, we're talking about seconds matter. Minutes matter. If you have a catastrophic uterine rupture and baby has to be out now, baby has to be out in minutes or less. They are going to do a splash and dash. They are going to throw the antiseptic, the orange stuff– Meagan: Iodine? Julie: Iodine. They're going to throw iodine on your belly, and they're going to slice you open. Sorry, that was a very not-sensitive way to say that. They're going to take the baby out as fast as possible once you're in the OR. They have to knock you out under general anesthesia. There is not enough time to dose an epidural, especially if it's not ever turned on. But even if it is turned on, it takes 20 minutes or more to get an epidural dose to surgical strength to where you will not feel the incision and the surgery that comes with a C-section. 15-20 minutes at minimum in order to get you dosed to surgical strength. If you have an epidural, and it is urgent where minutes matter, you will have to go under general anesthesia no matter what, period. If a C-section is needed, there is time to give you a spinal which takes effect in just a few minutes, 3-4 minutes. It takes some time to get the anesthesiologist in and the OR prepped and things like that, but usually and realistically, if it's something that's urgent but not emergent, you can get a baby out in 10-15 minutes without already having an epidural placed. Here's the thing. Placing an epidural is preparing you for surgery, period. If there's an emergency, you will have to be put under general anesthesia, period. If a C-section is needed, and minutes don't matter, but we need to get this baby out soon, you can get a spinal, period. So, screw that epidural hospital policy. It's literally for convenience so you already have an epidural placed so that they can take you back to do a C-section. Meagan: Yeah. But again, the epidural just doesn't get in fast enough even if it's placed or not. Julie: Exactly. Meagan: Ugh, I hate it. I hate when it's like, “I don't want an epidural, but I'm getting it just in case.” Okay, then going back to this policy that she was just reading, “will not labor at home. If my water breaks, I have to come right in.” You guys, if you want to labor at home, do your research. I understand. Always, always– I don't even care if you are a VBAC or you're planning an induction or what. Always learn the signs of uterine rupture, always. It's so important to know. Even though it happens very little, it happens, and we need to know the signs. But, it's okay to labor at home. Talk to your provider about that. If they are like, “The second you have a contraction, you have to come in,” that is a red flag. You guys, they also start monitoring and pushing induction even though your labor has been going. They induce your labor more. They get it going further. What if you're having prodromal labor, and it's just going, and then it stops for 5 hours? There are so many things. I'm no provider. I can't say, “You must labor at home,” or “You should really labor at home,” but really look at these things and understand what could happen if you choose to go in the second your water breaks. Let me tell you what happened to me. My water broke. I went straight in. Within an hour, I hadn't progressed too much, so they started Pitocin. They immediately started Pitocin. They kept cranking it up. My body was struggling. I was struggling. My baby had a couple of decels. They called it. It's just really, really frustrating. I mean, you guys. We have so many comments in this here that I could just read all of them because they say a lot. They say a lot. This is fear-based care. I'm sorry that you're having to go through this.” “This is the dumbest thing I've ever heard,” someone said. Julie: Seriously. Meagan: When it comes to hospital policy, it's not a law. It's really not a law. Stand up for yourself. Understand the policies surrounding VBAC. When you are looking for a provider, we cannot stress this enough. Ask them about their policies. If their policy is that you must get that just-in-case epidural, you have to have that baby by 40 weeks or we induce or we schedule a Cesarean, you have to come in the second a contraction starts, if your water breaks, you must come in. You have to come in. They're making people sign these policies like they are the law. Julie: Yeah, like it's a legal document like you can't change your mind. That's what it does. It makes people think they have to agree to things. “I signed the document, so here I go.” Meagan: Here I am. I have a written agreement, but they can change. What did it say? What did the very first definition say? It says, “It can be amended, changed, or superseded.” Supersede. Julie: Superseded. Yes. But here's the thing, too. I'm kind of glad when hospitals do this because it shows you all of the red flags. It lines out the red flags, no questions, black and white, red flags laid out for you. Then you know either how to address them before labor, or how to hightail it out of there and find another practice because nothing is worse than getting blindsided during labor by a policy that you don't agree with and having to advocate to change that during labor.I would encourage you if your provider doesn't make you sign a wonky form, then before you even start care with them, find out what their hospital policies are about VBAC. Find out so that you can address them ahead of time. Have your provider sign off on changes to policy that you want, and put it in your medical records so that if you get a different provider on the day that you go into labor, that provider can access your records and see that it has been signed off, or approved, or whatever your changes are that they are going to make to the policy for you and your specific needs. It is okay to ask for that. It is okay to fight for that. It is necessary to fight for that sometimes. Obviously, it would be ideal for you to find a birth location whose policies align with the things that you want. Sometimes, somebody might want continuous fetal monitoring. Maybe it makes them feel better mentally. Maybe that's just their preference, and that's okay. It's okay to want that, but it's not okay to let a system dictate how you want to birth when you want something different. Meagan: Yes. Absolutely. It's also not okay for you to feel cornered or like you're bad, coerced, or you're a bad mom because you're making a decision that goes against a policy. I don't like that. I do not like that. It's not okay. I highly suggest going and checking out the show notes and reading more about your birth rights, what they mean, and all of it. In part of that little birth rights document pdf, the 65-page document, it talks about down in the first 4 or 5 pages– let's see. It says, “I have the right to–”, and then it has a whole bunch of things. It says, “To say no and be heard. To have my basic needs be met. To labor in the way that works for me. To birth vaginally. To know all of my options. To change midwives, doctors, and nurses. To not be touched. To ask people to leave. To feed my baby human milk. To leave the hospital or the birth center.” You guys, you have rights. You have rights. You are amazing. Use your rights if you are in a corner that feels like they are being taken away or they're gaslighting you, or coercing you, or whatever it may be. You have rights. Check this document out. I highly suggest it. Talk to your providers. Check out their policies. Dissect the policies. Dissect them. Really break it down. What does that mean? Why is this being put on as a policy?In one policy that Julie just read, it said that they will not induce, and that VBAC is not applicable to being induced with certain things other than x, y, and z. Okay, if you do the research and you learn about that, that is pretty dang valid. That is understandable. That policy has been put in place for your safety. Okay? But there are others that I would say no to. They may be thinking that it's for your safety, but there is no evidence behind them. Dissect them. Learn them. Learn how to advocate for yourself. Get your team ready. Know it's not a law, and love yourself because you deserve more. Okay. Anything else you'd like to add, Julie?Julie: No. I love that. Love yourself. Take ownership. Take ownership of your own birth experience. Don't give it to somebody else. Stand up for yourself. Take ownership. I love what you just said. Love yourself. You deserve to have choices in how you are treated during your birth experience. Meagan: Yes, absolutely. Okay, thanks, everybody. ClosingWould you like to be a guest on the podcast? Tell us about your experience at thevbaclink.com/share. For more information on all things VBAC including online and in-person VBAC classes, The VBAC Link blog, and Meagan's bio, head over to thevbaclink.com. Congratulations on starting your journey of learning and discovery with The VBAC Link.Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vbac-link/donationsAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands

Send us a textIn this inspiring episode, we dive into the remarkable journey of Arman, founder of Arev Media, whose mission extends beyond business success to making a profound impact on his homeland, Armenia. Arman shares how his entrepreneurial spirit led him from a humble start in advertising to working with industry giants like Grant Cardone and Frank Kern. Despite facing global challenges like COVID-19 and a plateau in his business growth, he persevered, building a thriving agency that now empowers local talent and supports over 13 families in his community.We explore Arman's philosophy on success, not just in financial terms but as a holistic pursuit encompassing family, community, and country. He candidly discusses the challenges of being a young leader, the responsibility of supporting his team, and the drive to create opportunities for those around him.Arman also opens up about the devastating loss of 5,000 young men during the war in Armenia and how this tragedy has fueled his relentless pursuit of excellence in business, with the ultimate goal of rebuilding and empowering his country. His story is one of resilience, dedication, and the transformative power of purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Join us as Arman reveals his secrets to navigating tough times, the importance of mentorship, and how to stand out in a crowded advertising space, especially during volatile seasons like elections and holiday campaigns. This episode is a testament to what it means to push beyond personal success and strive for something greater.Connect with Georgia here:Website: https://arevmedia.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/armanngu/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/arevmediaConnect with Dionne Malush Instagram: @dionnerealtyonepgh LinkedIN: /in/dionnemalush Website: www.dionnemalush.com Facebook: /dmalush LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/dionnemalush

Greg Puckett a native southern West Virginian with a passion for prevention. He has worked tirelessly to bring special projects and initiatives to his community. He led the charge to support funding for Teen Courts throughout West Virginia, serves on several state committees and on the Board of the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), where he is a past recipient of CADCA's National Advocate of the Year award. For the past decade, he has traveled throughout the United States to train communities on sustainability, and locally has worked to revitalize his hometown of Princeton, West Virginia. Through the “Princeton Renaissance Project” the group has been actively using culturally effective change strategies to revitalize its local downtown theater. The project is also a community engine to reduce substance misuse, reinvigorate hope in its young people, and engage the future, while embracing its past. He is the father of two children, Lauren, and Joseph, who keep him dedicated to making positive changes and leaving a legacy for the next generation to follow. Email: greg.puckett@strongcommunities.org Website: http://strongcommunities.org/ LinkedIn: @gregpuckettwv Community Toolbox: https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/assessment/promotion-strategies/overview/main

In this episode, Torn Apart  reveals the child welfare system's deep entanglements with the criminal legal system.  It exposes how state child protection caseworkers collaborate with police and use a carceral logic to surveil families. It investigates how the system treats Black children like criminals, resulting in Black children being more vulnerable to arrest, incarceration, and early death. Foster care is traumatic for both children and parents, and often leaves lasting damage on children.  In this episode, Torn Apart  turns to examining what it will take to end family policing, Meet Dorothy RobertsDorothy Roberts is a distinguished professor of Africana Studies, Law, and Sociology atUniversity of Pennsylvania. An elected member of the American Academy of Arts & Sciences,  American Philosophical Society, and National Academy of Medicine, she is author of the best selling book on reproductive justice, Killing the Black Body. Her latest book, Torn Apart, won the 2023 American Sociological Association Distinguished Scholarly Book Award Honorable Mention, was a finalist for an LA Times Book Prize and C. Wright Mills Award, and was shortlisted for the Goddard Riverside Stephan Russo Book Prize for Social Justice.With Guests·         Sixto Cancel is a nationally recognized leader driving systems change in child welfare, working across tech, service delivery, research and data, and state and federal policy to improve outcomes for youth and families. He spent most of his childhood in foster, which informed his activism for child welfare. In 2017 Sixto founded Think Of Us, a nonprofit organization that uses technology and research centering people who have experienced foster care to transform the child welfare system's fundamental architecture. He currently serves as the CEO, where he advises state and government officials to improve child welfare policies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, he led a campaign that disbursed $400M in Federal pandemic relief funds to former foster youth.·         Joyce McMillan is the founder and Executive Director of Just Making A Change For Families, an organization in New York City that works to abolish the child welfare system and to strengthen the systems of supports that keep families and communities together. Joyce's mission is to remove systemic barriers in communities of color by bringing awareness to the racial disparities in systems where people of color are disproportionately affected. Her ultimate goal is to abolish systems of harm–especially the family policing system (or the so-called “child welfare system”)–while creating concrete community resources. Joyce leads a statewide coalition of impacted parents and young people, advocates, attorneys, social workers, and academics collaborating to effect systemic change in the family policing system. Joyce also currently serves on the board of the Women's Prison Association.·         Erin Miles Cloud is a cofounder and codirector of Movement for Family Power in New York City. Cloud worked at the Bronx defenders, representing families and working with advocates, for nearly a decade. ·         Lisa Sangoi is a cofounder and codirector of Movement for Family Power in New York City. Sangoi has previously worked at the NYU Law Family Defense Clinic, National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Women Prison Association Incarcerated Mothers Law Project, and Brooklyn Defender Services Family Defense Practice.

Continuing our discussion from yesterday, the biggest thing we lack is a national advocate who properly messages our policies and strategies. I offer an update on the debt ceiling, how Republicans are failing to properly message our position, and how they are accentuating the false talking point of default on the debt. We need to focus primarily on the quality of spending, such as the green new deal, illegal aliens, and Ukraine, not on random across-the-board cuts or welfare programs. Focus on the issues of the time. Next, I discuss how the green energy agenda is going to be used for the next lockdown and how GOP governors are facilitating it. Finally, we delve into Tim Scott's run for president and how he is the worst mix of the establishment and a Trump facilitator who has no soul. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

From enduring her husband's life-changing, horrific war injuries to becoming a National Advocate for wounded Veterans and their Caregivers, Sarah Verardo's relentless never quit attitude has driven her to the forefront of two separate organizations who see the needs of Veterans and Allies, which have given her the opportunity to steward resources and support where and when they are most crucially needed. Sarah's husband, Sgt. Michael Verardo was catastrophically wounded in Afghanistan in two separate IED attacks that took his left leg, much of his left arm, and left him with polytraumatic conditions that have required over one hundred surgeries and years of speech, visual, physical, and occupational therapies. Nevertheless, Sarah speaks with Marcus about the everyday challenges she and her daughters face in the care of her husband, her involvement as the CEO of The Independence Fund, and being at the forefront of Afghan Ally inclusion within the Veteran community. In August 2021, the collapse of Afghanistan led her and three others to co-found the direct-response rescue and aid organization - Save Our Allies, who evacuated more than 17,000 US citizens, SIV holders, and wartime Allies from the country and assisted in medical and humanitarian relief efforts in Ukraine.  In this episode you will hear: • [Michael Verardo] was injured the first time.  He was riding as a gunner and hit a roadside IED. He was ejected out. (12:54) • On his very first foot patrol back in - It was 14 days to the day of the first IED, there was an old Russian land mine that had been hooked up to 2 – 15gallon drums of homemade explosives, and it was game over. His left leg was immediately blown off. Most of his left arm was blown off. They actually ended up sewing it to his back on his medical flight. He burned over 30% of his body. He had damage to his airway, his eardrums were blown out. It was significant poly trauma. (13:29) • Marcus: “He got banged up and then you all got married?” (17:02) • Marcus: You know the odds of that happening? That's when you know you're not behind the wheel. (17:46) • That sense of patriotism calling – That's all he wanted to do. (18:02) • It's been horrific. More than my worst nightmare. (18:26) • He actually handed me a Bible before he handed me an engagement ring. (20:18) • He said holiness needs to be more important than happiness. (20:37) • His only prosthetic leg broke, and I duct taped it for 57 days while I waited for someone at the VA to sign a piece of paper. (33:18) • The Navy and the Navy hospital took care of him as if he was one of their own while we waited for VA to kick in. (24:23) • I think there needs to be permanent designations for certain conditions. (26:24) • It seems that some people – not all - at VA would rather fail by following the process, than succeed by deviating from it. (27:21) • Independence Fund started out in the halls of Water Reed, wanting to give independence back to those who sacrificed theirs for us. (34:39) • If someone did not care about Afghanistan at that time, it told me everything I needed to know about them. (41:47) • I think the White House wants us to move on from Afghanistan. They're not only not helping – I think they're actively in the way of groups that want to do good. (52:36) • Reach out to the wounded veterans in your community and help these families. (59:15)

“Functional neurological disorder is a really common neurological condition. It happens because of a problem with brain signalling. So, it's involving brain networks rather than specific anatomical damage and it can affect any part of the nervous system.”Dr Chris Symeon, is a consultant neuropsychiatrist at St George's University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and the clinical lead for the FND rehabilitation programme. Dawn Golder, is a National Advocate of FND Hope UK and has lived experience with FND.In this conversation we get answers to the questions raised by Sunflower wearers about FND. Advice about diagnosis and access to treatment pathways.If you are experiencing any issues discussed in this podcast please contact your GP or healthcare practitioner.For support and resourcesFND HopeWorkplace Adjustments WebinarmyFND AppFND Hope UK Events Calendar Online movement and wellbeing classesNewsletter Hosted by Chantal Boyle, Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.Want to share your story? email conversations@hiddendisabilitiesstore.com Hidden Disabilities Sunflower

Meet Virginia Jacko. She explains how she pivoted from going to the Miami Lighthouse for the Blind for rehabilitation to becoming its president and CEO after she became blind as an adult. She also discusses how her organization is on the vanguard of authentic inclusion and accessibility for people who happen to be blind.

Millions of women use drugs when they're pregnant. Some are punished when their pregnancies end with a miscarriage or stillbirth, or even when they give birth to a healthy baby. No one knows more about this than Lynn Paltrow, founder and executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW). We discussed the scientific evidence regarding pregnancy and drug use, the media coverage, and the myths that abound – about “crack babies,” “meth babies” and “oxytots.” Not surprisingly, issues of class and race play a pivotal role not just in determining which women are drug tested and sanctioned but also in popular perceptions of who is to blame and what should be done. Lynn and her colleagues have been at the forefront in defending the rights of pregnant women, and hearing about this important work made for a fascinating and at times heartbreaking conversation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BIO: Andrew L. Howell is a Co-Founder of the Salt Lake City law firm York Howell, known as one of Utah's fastest-growing companies. STORY: Andrew was convinced by his second cousin to enter a business deal with him and another family member. They took out a loan of $1.7 million. The business was a flop, and the two partners abandoned him, leaving him to bear the burden of repaying the loan. LEARNING: Don't get involved in a business you're unwilling to invest your time and effort into. Don't bring partners into your life if you can avoid it. Avoid getting involved with family members.   “Don't bring partners into your life if you can avoid it. If you can do something on your own, do it.”Andrew L. Howell  Guest profilehttps://www.linkedin.com/company/york-howell/ (Andrew L. Howell) is a Co-Founder of the Salt Lake City law firm https://www.yorkhowell.com/ (York Howell), which is known as one of Utah's fastest-growing companies. Andrew has built a successful practice throughout the United States with respect to estate planning, asset protection planning, probate, and estate administration, charitable giving, sophisticated business structuring and transactions, and tax planning. Andrew is most passionate about the family legacy planning that he assists his clients with, and he has a specific focus on ultra-high net worth families and business owners. He is also the co-author of the book, https://amzn.to/3Eoo2zK (Entrusted: Building a Legacy That Lasts), which features seven core disciplines of successful wealth transfer of high-net-worth families going back hundreds of years. He is also the co-author of a follow-up book, https://amzn.to/3e8x9tE (Riveted: 44 Values That Change the World. ) Entrusted has been very well received by the estate planning community and has led to recent speaking engagements with attorneys on the future of estate planning. Andrew is routinely recognized as a Mountain States Top Lawyer. Utah Business Magazine named him among Utah Legal Elite from 2011 through 2016. The National Advocates recommended Mr. Howell as one of the Top 100 Lawyers in Utah. Andrew enjoys vacationing in Montana with his wife and their three children when not in the office. He is also an avid fly fisherman, hunter, and skier and loves to be outdoors with his family. Worst investment everAndrew had a second cousin who was older and all grown up. He admired and thought highly of him. The guy had gone to Stanford Law and seemed to be successful. Around 2006 when everybody was making money from real estate, Andrew decided to dip his feet into the field. The second cousin told him about a building that was being built in Salt Lake in which he had the right to the bottom floor. He asked Andrew and another family member to join him and turn the floor into an office-sharing arrangement. Andrew figured it was a good idea, and the three got an SBA loan of $1.7 million to purchase the property. Andrew was busy with his day job, so he wasn't actively involved in running the business. He, therefore, expected his partners to run it. The partners had zero marketing and zero push for the entire project. They had about 70 offices they needed to rent out, but they never got more than 15% occupied. The business was just hemorrhaging money without bringing in any revenue. Finally, Andrew's two partners got tired of pumping money into the business and threw in the towel. This was when Andrew came to find out the second cousin, who he thought was financially successful, didn't own anything. He was up in debt, didn't have any assets, and was going to declare bankruptcy. So Andrew was left holding the bag. The business collapsed, and the bank repossessed what it could. Andrew went through the loss of a relationship. He and his second cousin no longer talk and probably never will. The failed business caused Andrew a tremendous amount of sleepless nights. He was up for months and months thinking about how to come up with $1.7...

Our next episode was recorded live on location from the IAFCI's International Conference in National Harbor, MD. Host Mark Solomon sits down with Kate Kleinert, a survivor of a romance scam who became a national champion for awareness and justice. Together with experts Kathy Stokes and Paul Greenwood, the group discusses frauds, scams, and the incredible story of a survivor of a romance scam as told by the victim herself. Think it can't happen to you? So did Kate! Paul Greenwood, President and CEO of Greenwood Law Corporation Kathy Stokes, National Director of Fraud Prevention for AARP Kate Kleinert, Scam victim; AARP Fraud Watch Volunteer and National Advocate GUEST CONTACT INFO:AARP.org/fraudsupport AARP.org/fraudwatchnetwork www.greenwoodlawcorp.com https://www.gofundme.com/f/vgw3g-recovery-fund?qid=480d7f86badecc2d2f91428dec5ef5c5 (https://www.gofundme.com/f/vgw3g-recovery-fund?qid=480d7f86badecc2d2f91428dec5ef5c5)

A mother and her teenage daughter in Nebraska face felony charges for performing an illegal at-home abortion, with their private Facebook messages being used as evidence. Guest host Michelle Shephard discusses the case's implications for online privacy and abortion access with Tiffany Burns, spokesperson for No Forced Birth Nebraska; and Dana Sussman, acting executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women.

Dr. U. Grant Baldwin talks with a panel of CGI DBH students about the fallout from the overturn of Roe vs. Wade, and what DBHs must do to support persons making healthcare decisions. Panelists include: Jeny Rodrigue, LAC, DBH-c, SAP, SAE, a Licensed Addiction Counselor, Doctor of Behavioral Health Candidate, Department of Transportation Substance Abuse Professional, and Certified Substance Abuse Expert practicing in Louisiana. Shadiase Jack LCSW-C, DBH-c a staff therapist at an outpatient mental health agency in Maryland where she provides mental health therapy to children and adults. Jerrika Henderson, MA, DBH-c a Masters in Clinical Mental Health Counseling who currently works on a specialized team as a community therapist catering to underserved youth and their families where she provides in-home intensive intervention treatment as a way to decrease inpatient and residential admissions. Rhea Hill, LPC, DBH-c, who provides counseling for adult individuals with depression and anxiety in the State of Texas. Her areas of concentration include women's issues, codependency, self-esteem, domestic violence, stress- management, and relationship issues. She is licensed in Texas and has practiced counseling for eight years. CDR Sean Bennett, LCSW, DBH-c a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and a Board Certified Diplomate. He has worked extensively in the areas of Substance Abuse, Domestic Violence, Suicide Prevention, and the treatment of trauma. Pauline Pablo, BCBA, DBH-c a Board Certified Behavior Analyst and International Behavior Analyst who specializes in providing Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) services to individuals diagnosed with developmental disabilities and/or developmental delays. Links and Resources Recommended by our Panelists: Planned Parenthood Action Steps https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/roe-v-wade-is-overturned-heres-how-you-can-take-action National Women's Law Center- www.nwlc.org Grossman D, Perritt J, Grady D. The impending crisis of access to safe abortion care in the US [published online ahead of print, 2022 Jun 23]. JAMA Intern Med. 2022;10.1001/jamainternmed.2022.2893. [This article includes a list of organizations that help patients find abortion care in a wide variety of ways.] For anyone who is interested in learning more about assisting birthing mothers and their families from conception to early parenthood, visit https://thelohm.org/doula-initiative/ or https://commonsensechildbirth.org/ The Guttmacher Institute: provides up-to-date information about abortion laws and statistics in the United States and all over the world. National Advocates for Pregnant Women: provides support and information for the public and pregnant women, whether they intend to abort or not; information about criminal cases against pregnant women; and advocacy. Physicians for Reproductive Health: a group of clinicians who use evidence, training, and organized action to champion health care rights American Civil Liberties Union: provides information about legal challenges to abortion restrictions. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/disruptors-at-work/support

In light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling on abortion, period tracking apps have been a new target of concern. But legal experts like Nora Benavidez say digital safety and the potential for "digital dragnets" are a broader concern "decades in the making." This hour, we hear about the ways digital privacy is at risk, and how personal data can be weaponized to prosecute people seeking abortions. Prior to the overturning of Roe v. Wade, the Electronic Frontier Foundation provided tips for protecting digital privacy in those cases. How can you be more diligent about your digital footprint? And what role do tech platforms and the federal government play? GUESTS: Nora Benavidez: Senior Counsel and Director of Digital Justice and Civil Rights, FreePress Lydia X. Z. Brown: Policy Counsel, Privacy and Data Project at the Center for Democracy and Technology Cat Zakrzewski: Technology Policy Reporter, The Washington Post Cindy Cohn: Executive Director, Electronic Frontier Foundation Dana Sussman: Acting Executive Director, National Advocates for Pregnant Women Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode explores the unique experience of pregnant people navigating substance use disorders and the criminal justice system. Jenna's Project, a program of UNC Horizons, works to support people in recovery at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women. In this episode, a mom shares her journey navigating incarceration while pregnant and recovering from a substance use disorder, and Essence Hairston, the program's clinical instructor, offers her perspective on opportunities for the public health field to better support pregnant people who use substances. Resources:Foundation for Opioid Response Efforts: Integrating Obstetrical and Substance Use Disorder Treatment for Pregnant and Postpartum People in PrisonPrison Policy Initiative: What role does drug enforcement play in the rising incarceration of women?National Advocates for Pregnant Women: Punishing Pregnant Drug-Using Women: Defying Law, Medicine, and Common Sense Guttmacher Institute: State Laws and Policies on Substance Use During Pregnancy  

In states across the country, long before the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, pregnant people were already being criminally charged, convicted, and imprisoned for loss of pregnancy. Advocates for reproductive rights say this is because laws created to protect pregnant people from violence and abuse are being used to prosecute people whose pregnancies end prematurely. We speak with Dana Sussman of National Advocates for Pregnant Women about how the prosecution of pregnancy loss could look in the country's new, post-Roe era. The organization documents and provides legal defenses in cases involving pregnant people charged with pregnancy-related crimes. In participating regions, you'll also hear a local news segment to help you make sense of what's going on in your community.Email us at considerthis@npr.org.

Grace Hao is grateful to be inspiring leaders locally, nationally, and internationally through her speaking, writing, and educational programs. She is a co-author of several Best-Selling Books, Build it Big, More Build it Big and Mom Entrepreneur Extraordinaire. Grace is a Certified Coach with the Worldwide Association of Business Coaches (WABC) Certified Business Coach (CBC). She has more than 21 years of experience as a business owner, a facilitator and a professional speaker. She recently received honor of being named a the National Advocate of the Year for Working Mothers and Outstanding Mother of the Year by the American Lung Association. Grace loves being a devoted wife, mother of 8 amazing children and enjoys serving profitable corporations, educators, leading executives, non-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and the government. [2:22] Grace shares a bit about herself. [3:38] The question that propelled Grace's 21 year journey. [7:26] How communication and empathy has been useful for corporations and individuals. [9:49] The use of questions to connect with people in teaching or conversations. [12:53] Where did Grace's confidence to ask questions come from? [13:15] How a willingness to be vulnerable contributed to success. A reactive approach vs a proactive approach. [17:32] How to say a gracious no. [22:00] Thank you goes a long way.   #Business #Entrepreneur #Coaching #Consulting #Communication #Teaching #Mentorship #Speaking   Grace Hao Website   │   LinkedIn   │   Facebook

Trigger warning to listeners. This episode deals with stories around abortion and racism that could be distressing to some listeners. “Here's an unconscious bias and a cognitive phenomenon.The human brain likes simple causality.So if a case got in front of a jury, the experience from talking to lots of people, including on long flights from one part of the country to another is that, if it comes out of your vagina, it must be your fault. The ability to think in any complexity about pregnancy doesn't really seem to exist.” Lynn Paltrow is an attorney and the founder and executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, a non-profit advocacy organization. NAPW works to ensure that no one is denied civil or human rights because of pregnancy or any outcome of pregnancy including birth, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion.

Join us where we left off in the previous episode with part 2 of the interview with Cait Vaughan! Aspen and Cait continue the conversation and discuss how other elements of oppression interact with our attitudes around substance use, pregnancy, and parenting. Resources: Repro Legal Defense Fund -> reprolegaldefensefund.org/ National Advocates for Pregnant Women -> www.nationaladvocatesforpregnantwomen.org/ Movement for Family Power -> www.movementforfamilypower.org/ NWLC--forced sterilization -> nwlc.org/resource/forced-ster…n-the-united-states/ "Killing the Black Body" by Dorothy E. Roberts Image credit: Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash

In this month's episode of Reproductive Left, join our host as they interview reproductive health advocacy powerhouse Cait Vaughan about substance use, pregnancy, and parenting. This topic has a lot of myths and misunderstandings, from the actual impact of substance use on pregnancy to what even "counts" as a substance. Join us in March for part 2! Resources: Repro Legal Defense Fund -> https://reprolegaldefensefund.org/ National Advocates for Pregnant Women -> https://www.nationaladvocatesforpregnantwomen.org/ Movement for Family Power -> https://www.movementforfamilypower.org/ NWLC--forced sterilization -> https://nwlc.org/resource/forced-sterilization-of-disabled-people-in-the-united-states/ "Killing the Black Body" by Dorothy E. Roberts Image: Anna Civolani (via Unsplash)

Petra Schulz, one of the founding directors of Moms Stop the Harm

00:15 - We're going to hear “Fat Bodies, Healthy Lives” the special feature about healthy living in everybody size. West Australian community broadcaster Rebecca Bowman pushes back on the singular, outdated and flat out bogus notion that slim equals healthy - I can't wait for that one!00:30 - Next up, Beth Matthews from 3CR's Radical Philosophy programme speaks to Associate Professor Elizabeth Finneron-Burns about the possibilities for, and ethics of, human extinction.00:45 - We'll be hearing a full-length interview with Dana Sussman, Deputy Executive Director at the National Advocates for Pregnant Women in the United States. Dana served for six years as Deputy Commissioner of Policy and Intergovernmental Affairs at the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the agency charged with enforcing one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination laws in the country. I spoke to Dana about one case, in particular, the case of Brittney Poolaw, an indigenous woman from the US who in November was convicted of manslaughter after experiencing a miscarriage. Dana is working to support Brittney, as is the whole team at the NAPW. Please note this interview touches on pregnancy loss. MUSIC:Lady Serpentine - Soul SongFancy Normal - Laser BeamMizuki - How Far We've ComeLady Lash - Spiritual Misfit  

Emily is a Care Leaver Mentor for Empower Change. Since graduating high school in 2016, Emily has completed her certificate four in community services. In 2015 she had her son, who has just started kindergarten. In 2016 pursued photography as a formal trade and experienced some of the most special moments between married couples and families but it still wasn't fulfilling her.After her care experiences from the age of nine, a foster family friend mentioned for a job as a residential staff worker for Youth in Out Of Home Care.Since then she has made a profession from her experiences. Fresh out of high school and only recently 18 she started to see from a staff members point of view what her childhood might have looked like to them. Her experiences quickly turned into an aggressive passion. She enrolled into her Certificate, and made a conscious effort to start making changes in her local area.She started networking with CREATE Foundations as a Residential Staff Member, bringing Young People to their events in her region. Within months she was doing Speak Up training and attending FACS facilitations. It didn't stop exceeding her expectations. She started making some life long friends in Advocacy. Attended Advocate for Children and Young People conferences, and assisted CREATE on a number of occasions and events as a Young Consultant.She now recognises her work as A National Advocate and Consultant for Children in Out of Home Care.Approached by Adopt Change in 2019, meeting them in 2020 and appearing in their National Conference held online. From there I was asked by their CEO to become a Brand Ambassador and appeared in their TV Commercial late last year.Also a Kindred Warrior for The Warrior Woman Foundation and have been short listed for The Advocate for Children and Young People 3 years running.Emily is assured that this is her life work. She is content in working with the Community Services Sector for years to come as a voice and representation for Youth in similar situations.https://www.linkedin.com/in/emily-hikaiti-1494011ba/https://www.facebook.com/Emilyannelorrainepaulhttps://www.instagram.com/emily_hikaiti/?hl=enAdopt Change believe that every child has the right to grow up in a safe, nurturing and permanent family home, and that all families need the appropriate supports for children to thrive.Adopt Change work towards every child and young person having access to a safe, nurturing and stable family upbringing. They recognise the impact of childhood trauma, and provide a number of services and education so that children and families can be supported and thrive. They also work with government, sector and community to seek changes to legislation and policies to better provide for children and families.Find out more at:https://www.adoptchange.org.au/https://www.facebook.com/AdoptChangeAUhttps://www.instagram.com/adoptchangeau/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCHbUn6jHDfCS3sHWhvJfsmwhttps://twitter.com/AdoptChangeAU

The Takeaway host Melissa Harris-Perry and Dorian Warren are tackling the important topic of childbirth. The U.S. Supreme court is considering a second case on abortion this session as the White House host its first Maternal Health Day of Action Summit on Dec 7, 2021. We took a deep dive into the subject of childbirth and the politics around it. Topics that were introduced: the medical professionalization of childbirth, maternal and infant mortality, the work of doulas and midwifery, and the importance of paid family and medical leave.  They speak with Monica McLemore, associate professor of family health care nursing at University of California, San Francisco; Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative; Tracie Collins, CEO & Founder of the National Black Doulas Association; Lynn Paltrow, Executive Director and Founder of National Advocates for Pregnant Women. Josie Kalipeni, Executive Director of Family Values at Work joins us to discuss how paid family and medical leave offers families the time and resources to bond with their newborn children. Finally, Melissa shares a personal story as she speaks with her youngest daughter's gestational carrier.  A pregnant woman looking at newborn. (Canva Stock Images/ WNYC Studios The Takeaway)  

For this installment of The Takeaway, host Melissa Harris-Perry and friend/collaborator Dorian Warren are tackling the important topic of childbirth. Joining them to discuss the spectrum of childbirth and the possible complications that can arise is Monica McLemore, associate professor of family health care nursing at the University of California, San Francisco. They speak with Dr. Joia Crear-Perry, founder and president of the National Birth Equity Collaborative about maternal mortality. We also speak with Tracie Collins, CEO & Founder of the National Black Doulas Association about how doulas can improve birth outcomes. Lynn Paltrow, Executive Director and Founder of National Advocates for Pregnant Women helps us to understand the criminalization of pregnant women. Josie Kalipeni, Executive Director of Family Values at Work joins us to discuss how paid family and medical leave offers families the time and resources to bond with their newborn children. Finally, Melissa will share a personal story as she speaks with her youngest daughter's gestational carrier.  A woman looks at her newborn. (Canva/ WNYC Studios The Takeaway)  

QUESTION PRESENTED:Whether all pre-viability prohibitions on elective abortions are unconstitutional.Date                    Proceedings and Orders (key to color coding)Mar 16 2020 | Application (19A1027) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from April 16, 2020 to June 15, 2020, submitted to Justice Alito.Mar 19 2020 | Application (19A1027) granted by Justice Alito extending the time to file until June 15, 2020.Jun 15 2020 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due July 20, 2020)Jun 25 2020 | Motion to extend the time to file a response from July 20, 2020 to August 19, 2020, submitted to The Clerk.Jun 26 2020 | Motion to extend the time to file a response is granted and the time is extended to and including August 19, 2020, for all respondents.Jul 14 2020 | Brief amici curiae of Roman Catholic Diocese of Jackson and Roman Catholic Diocese of Biloxi filed.Jul 14 2020 | Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Thomas Dobbs, et al.Jul 17 2020 | Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law & Justice filed.Jul 20 2020 | Brief amici curiae of 375 Women Injured By Second and Third Trimester Late Term Abortions and Melinda Thybault, Individually and Acting on Behalf of 336,214 Signers of The Moral Outcry Petition filed.Jul 20 2020 | Brief amici curiae of The States of Texas, Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and West Virginia filed.Jul 20 2020 | Brief amicus curiae of Illinois Right to Life filed.Jul 20 2020 | Brief amici curiae of American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians & Gynecologists, et al. filed.Jul 20 2020 | Brief amici curiae of Inner Life Fund and Institute for Faith and Family filed.Jul 20 2020 | Amicus brief of Robin Pierucci, M.D., and Life Legal Defense Foundation submitted.Aug 19 2020 | Brief of respondents Jackson Women's Health Organization, et al. in opposition filed.Sep 02 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 9/29/2020.Sep 02 2020 | Reply of petitioners Thomas Dobbs, et al. filed. (Distributed)Sep 22 2020 | Rescheduled.Oct 05 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/9/2020.Oct 05 2020 | Rescheduled.Oct 13 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/16/2020.Oct 14 2020 | Rescheduled.Oct 22 2020 | Supplemental brief of petitioners Thomas Dobbs, et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 26 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 10/30/2020.Oct 26 2020 | Supplemental brief of respondents Jackson Women's Health Organization, et al. filed. (Distributed)Oct 26 2020 | Supplemental brief of respondents Jackson Women's Health Organization, et al. filed (33.1 format).Oct 29 2020 | Rescheduled.Nov 02 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/6/2020.Nov 04 2020 | Rescheduled.Nov 09 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/13/2020.Nov 10 2020 | Rescheduled.Nov 16 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 11/20/2020.Nov 18 2020 | Rescheduled.Nov 30 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/4/2020.Dec 01 2020 | Rescheduled.Dec 07 2020 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 12/11/2020.Dec 09 2020 | Rescheduled.Jan 04 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/8/2021.Jan 11 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/15/2021.Jan 19 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/22/2021.Feb 12 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/19/2021.Feb 22 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/26/2021.Mar 01 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/5/2021.Mar 15 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/19/2021.Mar 22 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 3/26/2021.Mar 29 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/1/2021.Apr 12 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/16/2021.Apr 19 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/23/2021.Apr 26 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 4/30/2021.May 10 2021 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 5/13/2021.May 17 2021 | Petition GRANTED limited to Question 1 presented by the petition.May 26 2021 | Motion for an extension of time to file the briefs on the merits filed.Jun 01 2021 | Blanket Consent filed by Respondent, Jackson Women's Health Organization, et al.Jun 04 2021 | Motion to extend the time to file the briefs on the merits granted. The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including July 22, 2021. The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 13, 2021.Jun 09 2021 | Blanket Consent filed by Petitioner, Thomas Dobbs, et al.Jul 19 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Cleveland Lawyers for Life filed.Jul 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of David Boyle filed.Jul 21 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Jewish Prolife Foundation, The Coalition for Jewish Values, Rabbi Yacov David Cohen, Rabbi Chananya Weissman, and Bonnie Chernin (President, Jewish Life League) filed.Jul 22 2021 | Brief of petitioners Thomas Dobbs, et al. filed.Jul 22 2021 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed)Jul 22 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Alabama Center for Law and Liberty filed.Jul 22 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 375 Women Injured By Second And Third Trimester Late Term Abortions and Abortion Recovery Leaders filed.Jul 23 2021 | Brief amici curiae of National Right to Life Committee and Louisiana Right to Life Federation filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Jewish Coalition For Religious Liberty filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Catholic Medical Association, National Association of Catholic Nurses-USA, Idaho Chooses Life and Texas Alliance for Life filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amici curiae of African American, Hispanic, Roman Catholic and Protestant Religious and Civil Rights Organizations and Leaders filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Senators Josh Hawley, Mike Lee, and Ted Cruz filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Trinity Legal Center filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Thomas More Society filed.Jul 26 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Melinda Thybault, Founder of The Moral Outcry Petition, et al. filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amici curiae of U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Other Religious Organizations filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of LONANG Institute filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Claremont Institute's Center for Constitutional Jurisprudence filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 22 State Policy Organizations filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Connie Weiskopf and Kristine L. Brown filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Professor Kurt T. Lash filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Robin Pierucci, M.D., and Life Legal Defense Foundation filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Priests for Life filed.Jul 27 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Amicus Curiae Hannah S., John S. and Marlene S filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of The Center for Medical Progress and David Daleiden filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of European Legal Scholars in support of neither party filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 396 State Legislators from 41 States filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 141 International Legal Scholars filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Prolife Center at the University of St. Thomas filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Mary Kay Bacallao Advocating for Unborn Children as Persons in support of neither party filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Professor Randy Beck filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Christian Legal Society and Robertson Center for Constitutional Law filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Center for Religious Expression filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Center for Family and Human Rights filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Concerned Women for America filed.Jul 28 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Foundation for Moral Law, Lutherans for Life filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Americans United for Life filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Ethics and Public Policy Center filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Pennsylvania Pro-Life Federation filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Family Research Council filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Human Coalition Action and Students for Life of America filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Lee J. Strang filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Biologists in support of neither party filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Professors Mary Ann Glendon and O. Carter Snead filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Monique Chireau Wubbenhorst, M.D., M.P.H., et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Commissioner Andy Gipson, Former Representative and Chair of Mississippi House Judiciary B Committee filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Care Net, a National Affiliation Organization of 1,200 Pregnancy Help Centers, and Alpha Center, a South Dakota Registered Pregnancy Help Center filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Reason for Life filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Illinois Right to Life, et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Jonathan English filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Intercessors for America including its Intercessor Prayer Partners filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 228 Members of Congress filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Governor Henry McMaster and Eleven Additional Governors filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of The European Centre for Law and Justice filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of National Catholic Bioethics Center, et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Professor Stephen G. Gilles filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Scholars of Jurisprudence John M. Finnis and Robert P. George filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of States of Texas, et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of The American Cornerstone Institute and its founder Dr. Benjamin S. Carson filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Advancing American Freedom, Inc., et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Democrats for Life of America Five Democratic Legislators from Five Individual State Legislatures filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Women Legislators, The Susan B. Anthony List filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Christian Medical & Dental Associations filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Conservative Legal Defense and Education Fund filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Judicial Watch, Inc. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Maureen L. Condic, Ph.D. and the Charlotte Lozier Institute filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of American College of Pediatricians and Association of American Physicians & Surgeons filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of CatholicVote.org Education Fund filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Heartbeat International, Inc. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Rep. Steve Carra and 320 State Legislators from 35 States filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Foundation to Abolish Abortion, et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of World Faith Foundation and Institute for Faith and Family filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of March for Life Education and Defense Fund filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Elliot Institute filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Texas Right to Life filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of American Center for Law and Justice and Bioethics Defense Fund filed.Jul 29 2021 | Amicus brief of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, et al. not accepted for filing. (August 03, 2021 - Correct service required; to be printed).Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, et al. filed.Jul 29 2021 | Amicus brief of Pacific Justice Institute not accepted for filing. (August 03, 2021 - Correct service required; to be printed)Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Pacific Justice Institute filed.Jul 29 2021 | Amicus brief of Joseph W. Dellapenna not accepted for filing. (August 03, 2021 - Correct service required; to be printed)Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Joseph W. Dellapenna filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 240 Women Scholars and Professionals, and Prolife Feminist Organizations filed.Jul 29 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Good Counsel, Inc. filed.Aug 03 2021 | Amicus brief of 240 Women Scholars and Professionals, and Prolife Feminist Organizations submitted.Sep 13 2021 | Brief of respondents Jackson Women's Health Organization, et al. filed.Sep 16 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Anthony Hawks filed.Sep 17 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Experts, Researchers, and Advocates Opposing the Criminalization of People Who Have Abortions filed.Sep 17 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Advocates for Youth, Inc. and Neo Philanthropy, Inc. d/b/a We Testify filed.Sep 17 2021 | Brief amici curiae of The Freedom From Religion Foundation, Center for Inquiry, and American Atheists filed.Sep 17 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Cecilia Fire Thunder; et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Wednesday, December 1, 2021.Sep 20 2021 | Amicus brief of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, et al. not accepted for filing. (September 21, 2021) (corrected efiling to be submitted)Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Amicus brief of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, et al. not accepted for filing. (September 21, 2021 - corrected brief to be printed and submitted)Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, American Humanist Association, Bend the Arc: A Jewish Partnership for Justice, and Interfaith Alliance Foundation filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, American Medical Association, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Scholars of Court Procedure filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Yale Law School Information Society Project filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC, and Organizations Representing the Interests of Asian American and Pacific Islander Women filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Reproductive Justice Scholars filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Local Governments filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Catholics for Choice, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Campaña Nacional por el Aborto Libre, Seguro y Accesible and other Puerto Rican Organizations filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of The Autistic Self Advocacy Network and The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Birth Equity Organizations and Scholars filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of The American Civil Liberties Union and The American Civil Liberties Union of Mississippi filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Organizations of Women Lawyers-Women Lawyers on Guard Inc., Women's Bar Association of the District of Columbia and National Association of Women Lawyers et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Social Science Experts filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Economists filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of United States filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Constitutional Law Scholars Lee C. Bollinger, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Abortion Care Network, Bixby Center for Global Reproductive Health, Medical Students for Choice, National Abortion Federation, Physicians for Reproductive Health and Planned Parenthood Federation of America Inc. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of American Historical Association and Organization of American Historians filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of LGBTQ Organizations filed. (9/24/21 - Corrected brief to be reprinted and submitted).Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of LGBTQ Organizations filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of International and Comparative Legal Scholars filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Equal Protection Constitutional Law Scholars Serena Mayeri, Melissa Murray, and Reva Siegel filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Organizations Dedicated to the Fight for Reproductive Justice Mississippi in Action, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of European Law Professors filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Howard University School of Law Human and Civil Rights Clinic filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of States of California, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of YWCA USA, Girls Inc., Supermajority Education Fund, and United State of Women filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Constitutional Accountability Center filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of United Nations Mandate Holders filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Human Rights Watch, Global Justice Center, and Amnesty International filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of California Women's Law Center filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of Scott Pyles filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amicus curiae of American Bar Association filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Current and Former Prosecutors and Law Enforcement Leaders, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Over 500 Women Athletes, The Women's National Basketball Players Association, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Legal Voice, Asian Pacific Institute On Gender-based Violence, et at. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of National Women's Law Center, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Feminist Majority Foundation, Abortion Access Front, C.A. Goldberg, PLLC, The National Organization For Women Foundation, The Southern Poverty Law Center, We Engage, Professor David S. Cohen, and Krysten Connon filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 236 Members of Congress filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 547 Deans, Chairs, Scholars, et al. filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of 896 State Legislators filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of American Society for Legal History and Other Scholars filed.Sep 20 2021 | Motion of the Acting Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument filed.Sep 20 2021 | Brief amici curiae of Abortion Funds and Practical Support Organizations filed.Sep 27 2021 | Record requested from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit.Oct 04 2021 | The record from the U.S.C.A. 5th Circuit is electronic and located on Pacer.Oct 12 2021 | Motion of the Acting Solicitor General for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae, for divided argument, and for enlargement of time for oral argument GRANTED.Oct 13 2021 | Reply of petitioners Thomas Dobbs, et al. filed.Oct 18 2021 | The time for oral argument is allotted as follows: 35 minutes for petitioners, 20 minutes for respondents, and 15 minutes for the Acting Solicitor General.Oct 19 2021 | Motion for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for enlargement of time for oral argument out of time filed by Hannah S.Oct 29 2021 | CIRCULATEDNov 01 2021 | Motion for leave to participate in oral argument as amicus curiae and for enlargement of time for oral argument out of time DENIED.★ Support this podcast on Patreon ★

Bob Schlehuber, co-host of Political Misfits on Radio Sputnik, talks to us from Addis Ababa in Ethiopia, as the conflict continues to escalate, with reports that nine groups have formed an anti-government alliance and the violence draws nearer to the capital. We talk about how people are dealing with the threat of war in the capital, how the situation has worsened in surrounding areas, where thousands of internally displaced persons have moved to refugee camps, and how Ethiopians are organizing to help them. Dana Sussman, deputy executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, talks to us about a report about how women are being prosecuted for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with the number of prosecutions growing into the thousands since 2005. We talk about how these draconian measures cause undue harm for situations that are beyond the control of pregnant women, and what is being done to defend them from these measures. Ron Clewer, Illinois Market President for Gorman & Company and affordable housing advocate, joins us to talk about the state of play in cities around the country with regard to housing for rent and for purchase, whether there is a supply crunch for both, how prices have been inflated and the possible causes for this bubble. We also talk about whether we should separate rentals and purchases when we talk about the housing crisis, how the concept of affordability at times does not reflect the actual capacity of buyers and renters in the market, and what could be done to ensure people have access to affordable housing.Sara Dady, immigration attorney and former Democratic congressional candidate for IL-16, talks to us about the trial of Ahmaud Arbery and how it's proving to be exceptionally difficult to find jury members to hear the case, the controversy over the rumors that the Biden Administration would award $450,000 to undocumented immigrants who were separated from their families under Trump immigration policies, and Adam Kinzinger contemplating a run in the Senate, Illinois governorship, or even a possible bid at the presidency in 2024.

Bradley Schwartz takes us on a journey into the world of a devastating medical error that created in him “a firehose of passion” to make patient advocacy the standard of care in the US. Bradley is the founder of Greater National Advocates. In this episode of RNegade, we learn why he suffered a major medical error and what could have been done to prevent the “cascade of horrific events.” We also learn what propelled him to start Greater National Advocates and why it is so critical that patients have access to independent patient advocates. RNs get a CE for this course on RNegade.pro.  

Who is advocating for cancer awareness in your state? What is their story? In this episode, Kandis Draw and I have a conversation about her caregiving and cancer advocacy. Kandis Draw lives in Chicago, is a classically trained pianist and a lover of philanthropy. She is a member of the Aids Foundation of Chicago Associate Board, Gilda's Club Chicago Associate Board, and is an active National Advocate for the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance. She has written articles for NOCC National, and Splash Magazine. She writes a column at Curvicality Magazine which is an online magazine focusing on body positivity for plus-sized women. She lost her mom to ovarian cancer in 2014 and since then, has been advocating for ovarian cancer awareness.  This episode is part of a Breathing Wind miniseries titled Caregiving Journey, hosted by Breathing Wind founder and host, Sarah Davis. The Caregiving Journey miniseries explores: How stories of other caregivers can help us feel less alone Ambiguous grief and caregiving at end of life The shifting roles of the caregiver How and why to seek self-care Joy in the caregiving journey In this ~28-minute episode, Kandis describes: [1:26] How Kandis became a caregiver to her mom with late-stage ovarian cancer [2:24] Ovarian cancer is harder to detect than other gynecological cancers [3:54] Caregiving is a full-time job [5:28] How Kandis discovered her community of supporters [7:24] Kandis' mom did not choose the traditional route of cancer treatment [8:37] The value of venting to understanding friends [9:45] Sandwich caregiving: how she assumed both roles as a mother-figure to her brother and sister while caring for her mom [11:54] Kandis' caregiving tips [15:26] Kandis' advocacy work and how it helped her find meaning in her loss [20:00] Caregiving and then finding work afterward is not easy [24:17] Kandis' encouragement to utilize resources as cancer caregivers To find out more about this episode and subscribe to the newsletter, visit the show notes. Connect with us on social media: Facebook Instagram

A Texas law that effectively bans abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy went into effect on September 1. The law signed by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, known as SB8, bans abortion before many people know they are pregnant. It took effect after the U.S. Supreme Court, flush with three Trump appointees, refused to grant an emergency request to block it. SB8 has a novel provision that essentially deputizes ordinary citizens to enforce the law and claim a $10,000 bounty on anyone that they think has violated it. The Texas abortion ban is now expected to be replicated in many other Republican-led states.“It is an all-out attack on the people who need abortions by intimidating and terrifying every person around them who might help them,” asserts Lynn Paltrow, the founder and executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, a human rights and civil rights organization focused on pregnant and parenting women.Paltrow, who is an attorney, tells The Vermont Conversation that the Texas law is “about much bigger issues: white supremacy and male supremacy. It isn't just criminalizing abortion. It is labeling and surveilling everybody who has the capacity for pregnancy.”The anti-abortion law took effect the same week that Gov. Abbott signed laws restricting voter access and loosened gun restrictions. Paltrow says all these laws are part of a “strategy of undermining democracy and undermining constitutional review by the Supreme Court.”Stopping the Texas law is a critical test, she says. “It's not only a fight for abortion rights. It's a fight for a true democracy.”

Wyatt Reed, Sputnik Radio producer and correspondent, tells us about the the Bicentennial People's Congress taking place in Venezuela, in which international representatives from political and social movements gather to discuss strategies for advancing progressive policies, and the importance of promoting movement to movement and person-to-person ties to build solidarity and fomenting dialogue. Netfa Freeman, organizer for Pan-African Community Action, member of the Coordinating Committee of the Black Alliance for Peace, and co-producer & host for the radio show and podcast Voices With Vision on WPFW 89.3 FM, and Yohana Beyene, member of Horn of Africa Pan-Africans for Liberation and Solidarity, join us to talk about the ongoing violence in the Tigray region, where Ethiopia's military on Thursday confirmed it was responsible for a deadly airstrike on a busy marketplace that locals say killed dozens of civilians, how the government's designation of Tigray's former ruling party as a terrorist group will escalate the conflict, the role of the international community in the conflict, and possible paths forward to achieve peace and justice in the region. Afeni, member of Freedom Fighters DC and abolitionist in training, and Sean Michael Love, founder and editor-in-chief of Black House News, join us to talk about the the debate in Congress on whether or not Washington, D.C. should become America's 51st state, tent encampments and homelessness in DC, the collapse of a pedestrian bridge in the Northeast neighborhood of the city, the Biden administrations five-point plan to curb rising violence in the country, and whether its recommendations would address the structural roots of the problem.Dana Sussman, Deputy Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, an organization that works to secure the human & civil rights, health and welfare of all people, focusing particularly on pregnant and parenting women, joins us to talk about a case from Alabama where a pregnant woman was charged with felony prescription fraud despite her following the law, and how this is representative of authorities targeting low income women.

Books and ProjectsEverything Below the Waist: Why Healthcare Needs a Feminist Revolution (2019)Pushed: The Painful Truth About Childbirth and Modern Maternity Care (2008)Our Bodies Ourselves: A New Edition for a New Era (2005), Contributing EditorMs. Magazine (founded 1972), former EditorOther Texts & People Mentioned in the EpisodeHeather Corinna, What Fresh Hell Is This?: Perimenopause, Menopause, Other Indignities, and You (2021)Susun S. Weed, New Menopausal Years, Volume 3: Alternative Approaches for Women 30-90 (2002)Our Bodies Ourselves (series, 1970-present)Federation of Feminist Women's Health Center, A New View of a Woman's Body: A Fully Illustrated Guide (1981)Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English, For Her Own Good: Two Centuries of the Experts Advice to Women (1978)Barbara Ehrenreich & Deirdre English, Witches, Midwives, & Nurses: A History of Women Healers (1973) Shulamith FirestoneAdrienne RichJerilynn PriorLaura Eldridge, In Our Control: The Complete Guide to Contraceptive Choices For Women (2010)*Holly Grigg-Spall, Sweetening the Pill: Or How We Got Hooked on Hormonal Birth Control (2013)Cynthia GrahamPlanned ParenthoodAmerican College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)Lyn Paltrow, founder of National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW)Rinat Dray case and decisionFirst-Wave FeminismSecond-Wave Feminism*misnamed as Ashley Eldridge in the episode[transcript to come]

Anna talks with Sue Russell, Survivor/Advocate Amy Farr, Advocate for Office of Attorney General of Vermont Anne Seymour, National Advocate in this the 2nd of a two part episode.

America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Service: Women Who Serve Panelist: Diana Danis - US Army Veteran and A National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues and lead Administrator of Social Media Service Women Who Serve

Anna talks with Sue Russell, Survivor/Advocate Amy Farr, Advocate for Office of Attorney General of Vermont Anne Seymour, National Advocate in this the 1st of a two part episode

America's Heroes Group Roundtable With Partner Service: Women Who Serve Panelists: Diana Danis - US Army Veteran and A National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues and lead Administrator for Social Media Service Women Who Serve. Kathleen Hoffman - US Army Veteran and National Advocate as well as an Oregon State Veteran Service Officer

MURDER CHARGES AFTER A STILL BIRTH: A FIGHT ON BEHALF OF WOMEN How terrible to deliver a still born, full term baby. Imagine the grief. Now imagine that immediately after, police arrest you and you spend the next 15 months jailed and charged with murder of that child. That is what happened to a California woman, and she isn’t the first who has been persecuted for losing a child. Women all across the country are facing such a threat, and one organization, the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, is working to provide legal advocacy for them. Samantha Lee is a staff attorney for the NAPW. She earned a degree in International Human rights and then graduated from NYU law school, served as a public defender representing parents accused of neglect or abuse and his working on cases like that of the California women. Join us as we discuss particular cases, what motivates a prosecutor to pursue such charges, and what the implications are for not only pregnant women, but for all of us. Airing for the first time, Saturday, February 27, at 11 AM Pacific Time, and available thereafter through the archive at www.blogtalkradio.com/3women3ways.

America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Veteran Legislative VOICE Panelists: Steph Kalota - US Army Reservist Technician and Founder of Veterans Legislative VOICEDiana Danis - US Army Veteran and a National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues.  Lead Administrator for Service: Women Who Serve 

America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Service: Women Who Serve Panelists: Diana Danis- US Army Veteran and a National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues and Lead Administrator for Social Media Service: Women Who Serve Demika Jackson- US Army Veteran and CEO of Re In Vent U 

America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Service: Women Who Serve Panelists: Diana Danis- US Army Veteran and a National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues and Lead Administrator for Social Media Service: Women Who Serve Jane Doe- Anonymous 

Tejana Feminist Talks returns for Season 2! In this first episode of the new season, Leslie does a deeper dive into Reproductive Justice. She focuses on 3 important movements/issues (abolition, Disability Justice, and Self-Managed Abortions) that intersect with the fight for Reproductive Justice and liberation. In other news, the podcast now has a website — www.tejanafeministtalks.con and you can find episode transcripts there, too! Below are all the resources she talked about in this episode: “Care Work: Dreaming Disability Justice” by Leah Lakshmi-Piepzna Samarasinha ReproAction: https://reproaction.org/campaign/self-managed-abortion/ National Advocates for Pregnant Women: https://www.nationaladvocatesforpregnantwomen.org/ If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline: https://www.reprolegalhelpline.org/ and 844.868.2812 Tejana Feminist Talks website: tejanafeministtalks.com Buymeacoffee: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/tftalkspodcast

For the last 40 years Tim Ferguson has been a staple feature in numerous TV shows, comedy acts, movies and well pretty much everywhere! For the last 30 Tim has been living with Multiple Sclerosis. Tim's view on the whole situation - “I don't suffer Multiple Sclerosis; it suffers me!” Despite his condition, Tim has vowed to never stop making audiences laugh. Tim continues to pursue his love of comedy. He continues to work in international stand-up, making movies & TV. He loves giving Keynote Speeches about overcoming challenges (like his MS) as well as promotes employment for people with disabilities. His mission is to teach writers & producers how to create screen comedies based on his teaching of lifelong learning from his mentors and colleagues & ancient comic writings, synthesised in Tim's comedy writing manual, 'The Cheeky Monkey'. Behind the screen Tim is also a very accomplished artist, just like his comedy his art work is unique, remarkable, outstanding and nothing like you have ever seen before. To make this episode even better Tim was gracious enough to make time on his birthday! There is even a special guest camo by Maynard the JJJ Legend! Get in touch to commission your very own Tim special, or to become a screen writer or discover your comic genius at: https://www.cheekymonkeycomedy.com/ https://www.instagram.com/therealtimferguson/ https://www.facebook.com/TimFergusonComedian/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/timferguson2/

America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Service: Women who Serve Panelists: Diana Danis- US Army Veteran and a National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues.Demika Jackson-  US Army Veteran and CEO of Re In Vent U

“We have a far right extreme majority on the Supreme Court,” asserts James Lyall, executive director of the Vermont ACLU. “At no point in our lifetime has the Supreme Court been so far out of step with from where most of the country is.” This week, just days before a national election, the Republican-led Senate confirmed Amy Coney Barrett to be a justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. The confirmation was rammed through in record time just four years after Republicans refused to give a hearing to President Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Merrick Garland, because they insisted that eight months before an election was too soon. Barrett is now part of a 6-3 conservative majority, the most conservative court since the 1930s. We examine the implications of the new Supreme Court in key areas. Lynn Paltrow, executive director of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women, discusses the future of reproductive rights. Ghita Schwarz, a senior attorney with the Center for Constitutional Rights, talks about the implications for civil liberties and immigrant rights. And Vermont ACLU executive director James Lyall discusses how the new Supreme Court majority could affect Vermont.

Saturday October 10, 2020America's Heroes Group Roundtable with Partner Service: Women Who Serve Panelists: Diana Danis- U.S Army Veteran and a National Advocate and Activist on Women Veterans issues and Lead Administrator of Social Media Service: Women Who Serve Steph Kalota- Founder and Administrator of Social Media Group designed to address current Legislation proposed or presented in the House or Senate called Veteran Legislative Quick Response Force.

In the wake of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death and Trump's nomination of judge Amy Coney Barrett to fill the resulting vacancy...we have a lot to discuss. Lawyer Kimya Forouzan revisits Femtastic to talk to host Katie Breen about the significance of Amy Coney Barrett's nomination. What are her potential paths to appointment? Is there anything we can do about it? Why is her role on the court so concerning? Is Roe v. Wade doomed? Find out all this and more.    Resources from the show: My Beloved World, memoir by Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor Alliance for Justice profile on Amy Coney Barrett How to call your Senator: (202) 224-3121 Planned Parenthood Action Fund  NARAL Pro-Choice America National Network of Abortion Funds If/When/How's Repro Legal Helpline:  a free, confidential helpline where you can get information about your legal rights regarding self-managed abortion National Advocates for Pregnant Women: legal advocacy and organizing around criminalization of pregnancy outcomes and self-managed abortion  

Spojmie Nasiri is an immigration lawyer practicing in Pleasanton, CA, speaking fluent English, Dari and Pashto. She has won many awards and accolades, including as one of the Top 100 Immigration Lawyers in 2015 by National Advocates, and the American Society of Legal Advocates listed her on their “Top 40 Lawyers Under 40” list in 2015. Mrs. Nasiri was also selected as a Northern California “Rising Star” by Super Lawyers Magazine for 2015 and 2016.   As a first generation immigrant, she understands the hurdles one must go through in the American immigration process, which only seems to get harder with the current administration.  She studied Political Science during her undergrad tenure at UC-Davis, she received her Juris Doctorate from Golden Gate University School of Law. Learn more about Mrs. Nasiri here: Weblink: https://www.nasirilaw.com/ Be sure to subscribe, rate, and review The Girls of Wisdom podcast on Apple iTunes! https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/girls-of-wisdom/id1501231780 Send your questions to the girls at thegirlsofwisdom@gmail.com. You just might get your question or comment featured in an upcoming episode! If you loved today's show, be sure to screenshot the episode, share it in your Instagram stories, and tag the girls @thegirlsofwisdom. The girls just might share your share! Instagram: @thegirlsofwisdom Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thegirlsofwisdom/ Twitter: @WisdomGirls Email: thegirlsofwisdom@gmail.com Website: www.thegirlsofwisdom.com

Photo: A 2020 Census form. On this show: 0:08 – The Census Bureau has announced it will end its census count — both door-knocking operations and online responses — a month early. Advocates say it's the latest step that could lead to a massive undercount, especially of vulnerable and hard-to-reach communities. Ajay Saini, counsel at the Lawyers' Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, joins us to discuss. The new deadline for submitting your census information is September 30. You can fill out the census at 2020census.gov. 0:34 – Nurses across the U.S. today are protesting for the passage of the HEROES Act, as well as for safety and support for medical workers in the midst of the Covid crisis. One of those pickets is taking place in Oakland; we talk with Katy Roemer, a registered nurse of 25 years who works at Kaiser Oakland and a vice president at National Nurses United. 0:47 – The East Bay has lost one of its most fearless advocates for the rights of unhoused people. Mike Lee died this week after illness. He is remembered by fellow advocates and friends. Story by Danielle Kaye (@danielledkaye). 1:08 – The Apple Fire in Southern California has forced the evacuation of thousands of people, but journalist Jacob Margolis (@JacobMargolis) says it still hasn't reached the size of a “mega-fire” above 100,000 acres, and that worse fires could be expected later in the season as Santa Ana winds pick up. Margolis reports on science for KPCC and LAist. 1:18: Kayla Moore, a Black transgender woman, was killed in her apartment by Berkeley police in 2013. Kayla had a history of schizophrenia and was in the middle of a mental health crisis when the police were called to perform a wellness check. Instead, they tried to arrest her. Kayla stopped breathing after half a dozen police officers forcibly held her down. We spoke to Maria Moore, Kayla's sister, as part of our series TAKEN FROM US: Remembering lives lost to police violence. Read Maria's open letter to Berkeley Police Chief Andrew Greenwood here. 1:34 – Kings County DA Keith Fagundes has charged a woman named Chelsea Becker with murder after she experienced a stillbirth. Becker had experienced substance use disorder. Advocates are calling for murder charges to be dropped and say the DA is setting dangerous precedent. Another woman, Adora Perez, is already 2 years into an 11-year sentence in Chowchilla for a conviction after similar charges. We talk with Lynn Paltrow, founder and executive director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women.   The post Why the 2020 Census may be headed toward a serious undercount; Remembering homelessness advocate Mike Lee; a Central CA woman is charged with murder for a stillbirth appeared first on KPFA.

In this "Reflections" episode,Teri and Michael reflect back on episodes on the gendered impact of COVID-19: Episode 96: Laura Ramirez of Af3irm on decolonizing “sex work,” Episode 97: #SurvivorStories Series with “Carol” on parenting with an abuser during COVID-19, Episode 99: Martin Hultman on misogyny and masculinities on climate change denial, Episode 100: #SurvivorStories Series with Nicole Lee on domestic abuse with a disability, Episode 101: Nazir Afzal on COVID-19 or the coronavirus' impact on domestic violence, Episode 102: Jen Kamel on COVID-19's impact on pregnancy and reproductive rights, and Episode 108: Feminism in the Age of COVID-19 Conference on Domestic Violence. During our conversation, Michael and I touched upon the following resources in our conversation: The difference between the Equality or Nordic Model and the full decriminalization model of prostitution The connection between masculinity and refusal to wear masks or masks as condoms of the face The "incel" community and recognition of their increasing threat to women and the planet Sexism and misogyny manifesting in "victim-blaming" culture The growing danger posed by right-wing terrorism as our greatest threat Southern Poverty Law Center's assessment of right-wing extremism and Trump's minimization of this threat New research that shows it's better to remove domestic violence perpetrators than victims The sexual abuse allegations plaguing the "Super Smash Brothers" gaming community Laws that contributed to mass incarceration Rates of mass incarceration by race in the US versus the UK Coercive control as a recognized crime in the UK Our interview with Indra Lusero of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women and how pregnancy and pregnancy outcomes can be used against women Our interview with Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan on the history and construction of motherhood --- Thanks for tuning in to the en(gender)ed podcast! Be sure to check out our en(gender)ed site and follow our blog on Medium. Join our feminist community of survivors, advocates and allies! Consider donating because your support is what makes this work sustainable. Please also connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

In this episode, meet Bestselling Author, National Recording Artist, and National Advocate for Male Sexual Assault Survivors, Marcel Anderson. He shares his survival story and a very honest look at what it takes to recover from a traumatic experience in your life. (Warning: Explicit Violence and Possibly Triggering Details Inside the second segment/3:36). --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/rachelreneelive/message Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/rachelreneelive/support

On this episode of CIFF Speaks, we speak with Jo Ardinger (Director, Writer, Editor & Producer) and Lynn Paltrow (Founder, National Advocates for Pregnant Women) of the documentary PERSONHOOD. Challenge Match (Get your CIFF44 buttons!) Music Credits (from CIFF44 Trailer) "Miles to Go" - Astronymer & Jul Big Green Lyrics by Julien Huntley & Adam Reifsnyder Music by Adam Reifsnyder

Please do all you can to help share this a hugely important piece, both for practitioners and patients. Adverse outcomes can be avoided, stories like the one on this podcast are fuel in the engine of those who advocate true perioperative care. If you want to help go to the Greater National Advocates website here: https://www.gnanow.org/ The Patient Safety Movement is here: https://patientsafetymovement.org/ Presented by Desiree Chappell and Monty Mythen with their guests L. Bradley Schwartz, president of Founder and President of Greater National Advocates he has served on the Board of Directors of both the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) and the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB). Also in the conversation is Joseph Frankel, President, Frankel Design, Inc. - The Art of Brand Development & Promotional Marketing.

In this "Reflections" episode,Teri and Michael reflect back on episodes on the weaponization of motherhood - Episode 67: Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan on “You're Doing It Wrong! Mothering, Media and Medical Expertise,” Episode 68: Indra Lusero of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women on Reproductive Justice as a Human Right, Episode 69: #SurvivorStories Series with Jessica Ingels on courts giving custody to abusers, and Episode 70: Follow up to #SurvivorStories Series with Jessica Ingels–on courts giving custody to abusers. Teri and Michael co-host the en(gender)ed reflections episodes which serve to help curate a series of past episodes, usually around a specific theme.  We hope these episodes help listeners coming in at that point of the podcast identify particular episodes and themes that they may want to explore. During our reflection, we talked about these additional resources: The film, the Joker, and its portrayal of victim-blaming victims of domestic violence Our interview with Rachel Louise Snyder on her book, No Visible Bruises The Business of Being Born documentary Black mother mortality rate So you want to talk about race by Ijeoma Oluo The Equal Rights Amendment and the documentary Equal Means Equal The discredited Bell Curve book and its idea that there was a correlation with race and lower IQ --- Thanks for tuning in to the en(gender)ed podcast! Be sure to check out our en(gender)ed site and follow our blog on Medium. Consider donating because your support is what makes this work sustainable. Please also connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

On this episode of en(gender)ed, our guest is Indra Lusero, a staff attorney at the National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW), a non-profit organization that combines pro-bono criminal defense and civil rights legal work, advocacy, and public education and organizing to ensure that no one is locked-up, shamed, or denied constitutional or human rights because they have the capacity for pregnancy, are pregnant, or because of any outcome of pregnancy, including abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth and birth. We speak with Indra today about the work their organization does to educate the public about the weaponization of motherhood and pregnancy and how it supports those accused or criminalized for their pregnancy choices or outcomes.  During our conversation, Indra and I referenced the following resources: The difference between reproductive justice and reproductive rights How the "Chemical Endangerment Law" is being used against pregnant people The case of Marshae Jones in Alabama The Rinat Dray case in which a New York hospital's secret policy led to woman being given C-section against her will Obstetric violence as a human rights violation and Make Mothers Matter's report on obstetric violence Our interview with Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan, authors of You're Doing It Wrong!  Mothering, Media, and Medical Expertise Roberta Baker's premature birth at home leading to her being charged with felony child abuse and neglect Christine Taylor's arrest for attempted fetal homicide for falling down the stairs Faren Tang's work on the idea that birth people choose who they parent with Bei Bei Shuai's arrest for attempting suicide while pregnant Indra's reference to Tracy is actually Laura Pemberton of Florida NAPW's representation of Sara McKenna during her fight for custody of her child with Bode Miller Teri's reference of how abusers use a disinformation campaign to discredit their victims' claims of abuse in custody cases --- Thanks for tuning in to the en(gender)ed podcast! Be sure to check out our en(gender)ed site and follow our blog on Medium. Consider donating because your support is what makes this work sustainable. Please also connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

On this episode of en(gender)ed, our guests are Bethany Johnson and Maggie Quinlan, co-authors of the book, You're Doing it Wrong! Mothering, Media and Medical Expertise, which investigates the storied history of expertise around mothering in society and in the media.  As an Associate Professor of Communications at UNC Charlotte, Maggie work explores how communication creates, resists and transforms knowledge about bodies. Bethany is an instructor in the Department of History and her research focuses on American medical and gender history.  Our discussion today will deep dive into their most recent joint work, You're Doing it Wrong! and its analysis of the history of mothering, mothering experts, and the implications social media has had on the experience of mothering in this country and the issues of equality it raises for mothers to receive equitable care. During our conversation, Bethany and Maggie and I referenced the following resources: Episode 9 with Joan Meier and her recent final publication of her research on how courts view claims of abuse Robin Jensen's Infertility: Tracing the History of a Transformative Term The work of Mary Putnam Jacobi on women's health The work of Dr. Matrika Johnson on research and work in reproductive endocrinology and infertility in the African-American community Teri's reference to the National Advocates for Pregnant Women The feminist group Heterdoxy who brought birthing into hospitals Maya Dusenbery's book, Doing Harm Serena Williams' near death experience after giving birth If you'd like to purchase Bethany and Maggie's book, click on this link for a flyer offering a 30% discount. --- Thanks for tuning in to the en(gender)ed podcast! Be sure to check out our en(gender)ed site and follow our blog on Medium. Consider donating because your support is what makes this work sustainable. Please also connect with us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Don't forget to subscribe to the show!

Did you know that neonicotinoid pesticides are used extensively in conventional agriculture despite their harm to bees and endangered species? Join Food Sleuth Radio host and Registered Dietitian, Melinda Hemmelgarn, for her interview with Steve Ellis, Minnesota-based commercial beekeeper and national advocate for curbing the use of neonicotinoid pesticides. Ellis discusses the attack on USDA scientists who studied the effects of neonicotinoids on bees, and why he filed a lawsuit against the US EPA for sanctioning the widespread use of these chemicals in agriculture without adequate consideration of harm to bees and endangered species. In addition to choosing organic food, which prohibits the use of neonicotinoid pesticides, Ellis offers tips for consumers to protect our environment and health. Related website: https://www.mprnews.org/story/2017/05/09/judge-epa-violated-law-in-approving-products-dangerous-to-bees-butterflies

The human rights of women The health needs of half of our population – women – include maternal and reproductive health. Equal rights mean that women can access the health care they need. Until we take into account the capacity for pregnancy, women will never achieve equality. The very survival of our species depends on meeting these needs. Fetal Personhood Since Roe v. Wade was decided in 1973, anti-abortion activists have sought to establish fetuses, fertilized eggs, and embryos as separate entities with full constitutional rights. If they succeed, pregnant women lose their full rights under the Constitution. Arguments for the rights of the fetus have been used to force pregnant women to undergo caesarian surgery and apply existing criminal laws against pregnant women for child endangerment. The legacy of slavery The United States is a country that was founded in part on the principle that some people can own and control the bodies of others. This ideology is still affecting us today, and in this case extends to the state exerting control over the body of pregnant women: arresting them, taking their children away, subjecting them to surgery, or surveilling them for the period of their pregnancy. Find out more: Lynn Paltrow is the Founder and Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women. She has worked on numerous cases challenging restrictions on the right to choose abortion as well cases opposing the prosecution and punishment of pregnant women seeking to continue their pregnancies to term. Ms. Paltrow has served as a senior staff attorney at the ACLU's Reproductive Freedom Project, as Director of Special Litigation at the Center for Reproductive Law and Policy, and as Vice President for Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of New York City. Ms. Paltrow is the recipient of the Justice Gerald Le Dain Award for Achievement in the Field of Law and the National Women’s Health Network’s Barbara Seaman Award for Activism in Women's Health. She is a frequent guest lecturer and writer for popular press, law reviews, and peer-reviewed journals. The New York Times editorial piece that Mila mentions in the interview is accessible here: A Woman’s Rights. Follow National Advocates for Pregnant Women on Twitter @NAPW and Lynn Paltrow @LynnPaltrow.

Speaking on: ‘Land and Water Degradation – Turning a Threat into an Opportunity' Major General Jeffery was born in Wiluna, Western Australia in 1937 and educated at Kent Street High School and the Royal Military College, Duntroon. He graduated into Infantry and served operationally in Malaya, Borneo, Papua New Guinea and Vietnam, where he was awarded the Military Cross and the South Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry. After command of all combat elements of the Army from platoon to division – including the Special Air Service Regiment – he retired in 1993 to assume the appointment of Governor of Western Australia, which he held for almost seven years. His major interests during his tenure were in youth affairs, education, environment and the family. For his services to the State he was appointed a Companion in the Order of Australia, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order and a Citizen of Western Australia. On his retirement as Governor in 2000 he established in Perth, a not for profit strategic research institute – Future Directions International (FDI) – whose objective is to examine longer term issues facing Australia. On 20 December 2000 he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Technology by Curtin University. On 11 August 2003 he was sworn in as the twenty-fourth Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia, serving in that capacity until 5 September 2008. Upon his retirement as Governor-General, he accepted Chairmanship of FDI and Soils for Life, along with patronages of a number of other not-for-profit organisations. He was appointed the National Advocate for Soil Health in 2003 by Prime Minister Gillard, where his objective is to ensure a food secure nation, by encouraging farmers to adopt regenerative agricultural landscape management practices. Major General Jeffery is a Companion of the Order of Logohu (PNG), a Knight of St John, a Citizen of Western Australia, a Paul Harris Fellow and an honorary life member of the Returned and Services League. He and his wife Marlena have four children and ten grandchildren. General Jeffery enjoys golf, cricket, fishing, reading and music.

Organizing for Change Podcast - Episode 27 Show Notes   Goal: “to equip coalitions, organizations, and individuals to bring change to their community”   Thank you all so much for your support! You all have helped this show grow into reaching people in every state and now over 40 countries! ____________________________________________________________ Today's episode is brought to you by the Montana Institute: http://www.montanainstitute.com/montana-summer-institute   There are so many reasons for HOPE! This year the theme for the annual MONTANA SUMMER INSTITUTE is Reasons for HOPE: Building Positive, Healthy, Resilient Communities.   This fantastic event will be held June 25th-28th in Big Sky, Montana. Participants will hear Dr. Jeff Linkenbach and the dynamic Montana Summer Institute faculty  share cutting-edge science, tools and resources for building healthy, resilient communities. The 2019 Institute will focus on how Science of the Positive, Positive Community Norms, and Health Outcomes from Positive Experience (H.O.P.E) are creating new opportunities in prevention and driving community transformation on a wide range of health and safety issues.   Join them in Big Sky to learn how positive, norms-based approaches can power up your public health and prevention practices, improve your leadership skills, and increase the effectiveness and sustainability of your projects. ____________________________________________________________   Host, Amanda Decker joins Mercer County WV, Commissioner, Greg Puckett. A native southern West Virginian with a passion for prevention, Greg Puckett has worked tirelessly to bring special projects and initiatives to the area in the hopes of preventing the use of alcohol, tobacco and other drugs amongst youth.   As Executive Director of Community Connections, a community based 501(c)(3) non-profit, he advocates for strong public policy, and leads others to combat the addiction epidemic and community revitalization/stabilization efforts. He currently serves on several state committees including the Governor’s Committee on Crime, Delinquency and Corrections: Juvenile Justice Subcommittee, and serves on the Board of Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America (CADCA), where he is a past recipient of CADCA’s National Advocate of the Year award.  In 2010, Puckett also assisted CADCA in securing funds to host the first-ever, statewide National Youth Leadership Initiative.   On this episode we discuss changing the look of a community to change how people act in the community, the importance of the media and the value of having coalition "events".   As always If you find this episode helpful, would you please help us get the word out by sharing it with a friend or colleague? And please leave a review. That is the best way to make sure other folks can find out about the podcast.   Welcome to Episode 027 of the Podcast:   Guest: Greg Puckett, County Commissioner, Mercer County, WV   CADCA Website: https://www.cadca.org/team/gregory-puckett   Greg Puckett Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gregpuckettwv   Greg’s Contact Information: Greg.puckett@mercercountywv.org   Organizing for Change Website: https://organizing4change.podbean.com/   Organizing for Change Twitter: @organizing4chng   4 Insights from This Episode:     Community Coalitions have a lifespan. Don’t keep a coalition going “just because”. Greg explains how his coalition became stale and stagnant. The group had done some significant work in the community and now did not have new momentum for the future. The coalition was shut down, and a new coalition emerged within 6 months and was energized to take on new initiatives to reduce substance use.      Understand the culture of your community, not just the statistics. If you can change the way a community looks, you can change the way a community feels, and if you change the way it feels, you will change the way it acts.       Speak “Hope” into your community. Change starts with you. Take some time as a coalition to think about what each of you are saying about your community. Are you reinforcing the positive or the negative?   “If you want disease in your community, promote disease, but if you want hope, promote hope” -Dr. Jeff Linkenbach     Events are not evil.Policy work can take a long time and although it is the most effective in reducing substance use, it can be tough for people to stay involved in your coalition during the process. Holding events that rally the community together and keep them engaged, can bring momentum to your coalition and keep the work moving forward.   Next Episode: Subscribe now for free and you won’t miss episode 028

Please do all you can to help share this a hugely important piece, both for practitioners and patients. Adverse outcomes can be avoided, stories like the one on this podcast are fuel in the engine of those who advocate true perioperative care.   If you want to help go to the Greater National Advocates website here: https://www.gnanow.org/   The Patient Safety Movement is here: https://patientsafetymovement.org/ Presented by Desiree Chappell and Monty Mythen with their guests L. Bradley Schwartz, president of Founder and President of Greater National Advocates he has served on the Board of Directors of both the National Association of Healthcare Advocacy Consultants (NAHAC) and the Patient Advocate Certification Board (PACB). Also in the conversation is Joseph Frankel, President, Frankel Design, Inc. - The Art of Brand Development & Promotional Marketing.

Lynn Paltrow joins The Great Battlefield to discuss her work as the Founder and Executive Director of the National Advocates for Pregnant Women - an organization which protects the rights of pregnant women through legal action, organizing, and public education. | Episode 182

Guys, if you listen to just one of my podcast, please make it be this one. Today, I am joined by my friend and fellow soldier, Braxton McCoy. He and I served in Iraq together in 2005-2006. One day we were playing softball together and the next day, I hear he's been hit by a suicide bomber with multiple fractures and life-threatening injuries to himself and others. I didn't fully realize the extent of his injuries until this interview. This one is raw, it's truthful, and it's extremely insightful when it comes to one soldier's perspective of war, responsibility, obligation, and liberty. We talk about the truths and fallacies of PTSD, overcoming the demons of war, how a near-death experience changes your perspective, and the true cost of liberty. SHOW HIGHLIGHTS The true and great cost of liberty One soldier's story of surviving a suicide bomber The truths and fallacies of PTSD Overcoming the demons of war Finding new purpose in life Why heroic soldiers don't consider themselves heroes The power of writing down your thoughts and stories Living for yourself and others The after-effects of surviving a near-fatal suicide bomber The power of responsibility and obligation How near-death changes your perspective BRAXTON MCCOY As I mentioned before, I have my friend and fellow soldier, Braxton McCoy on the show today. We've lost touch over the past 10 years or so since we served together in Iraq but when I found out he had written a book about our experience and, more specifically, his experience in Iraq, I knew that this would make for a powerful conversation. After more than a decade of physical therapy and more surgeries than I care to think about, Braxton has regained most of his strength and rebounded emotionally from an extremely traumatic situation. He has twice served as National Advocate for the Army Wounded Warrior Program, and twice as Veterans’ Advocate for the Coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans in the District of Columbia. His four years as an advocate were focused on getting veterans back to work, as a meaningful way to outflank Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In 2013, Braxton McCoy started Warrior Employment Project, a non-profit designed to connect veteran families-in-need with CEO’s and CIO’s leading to the veterans’ employment. Please leave us a review at http://orderofman.com/itunes Shownotes: http://orderofman.com/163 Website: http://orderofman.com

Today on the podcast, we interview Stephen Hodge, a professional and elite cyclist who has entered the Olympics and has completed 6 Tour de France, 4 Tours of Italy and 4 Tours of Spain. Stephen is currently the Government Relations Manager of the Australian Cycling Promotion Foundation and the National Advocate of Active Travel. His role includes building relationships with Parliamentarians and NGOs to increase the investment in cycling infrastructure, improving implementation of bicycling framework policy, and generally improving the environment for cycling whether for recreation, commuting and other aspects. He also runs his own consultancy firm Day and Hodge Associates and is a member of the Urban Policy Dialogue, which is a group that brings together national bodies in transport, property, local government, health research and promotion and the social community sector to advise the urban minister in policies relating to urban issues.   In this episode, we cover: The background of Stephen’s cycling journey How he sees cycling as a solution to create better communities The benefits of better public transport systems so people can be more active in their trips by walking and cycling and becoming healthier in the process Bicycling in Copenhagen where it is a way of life and an accepted and mainstream way to get around Difference in priority between government parties with their emphasis to support and allocate budgets for cycling infrastructure How large corporate developers are ahead of government in making provisions for cycling How close relationships with other industry groups helped to integrate cycling in national discussions in different sectors Reasons for the rebranding of the Cycling Promotion Foundation’s statement to “We Ride” Cycling Without Age (CWA) Initiative   Links Cycling Promotion Fund We Ride website

The United States is the only country in the world that sentences children to life without the possibility of parole. Today's guest is Xavier McElrath-Bey who, at just 13 years old, was sentenced to a 25-year prison sentence. McElrath-Bey is now Senior Advisor and National Advocate for The Campaign for the Fair Sentencing of Youth, working to dismantle extreme sentences for children. He shares with us his upbringing, the circumstances that contributed to his arrest, his story of redemption, and the healing power of facing those he harmed.Follow us on Twitter! Andrus Family Fund @AndrusFamFund Leticia Peguero @LetiPeguero The Center for the Fair Sentencing of Youth @theCFSYSubscribe to Out Of The Margins on iTunes and Stitcher.Produced by: SolDesign Co. Music by: Legacy Women

Sarah chats about the intersection of drug policy and pregnancy with Lynn Paltrow, Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, and Dr. Sheila Vakharia, TWiD regular and an assistant professor of social work at Long Island University; Tyler goes over the history of The Harrison Act; and Sam and Sarah discuss the week’s biggest stories! News Updates: […] The post National Advocates for Pregnant Women [#96] appeared first on This Week in Drugs.

We talk to Megan Mckenzie about her website Outing Rapist. The importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Megan McKenzie is an advocate for National Advocates for Pregnant Women where she advocates for pregnant women with substance use disorder and mental illness. Prior to this, she worked as a sexual assault advocate, a court appointed visitation supervisor, and an advocate for those escaping domestic violence. Currently, Megan is the is the mother of two children and continues her sexual assault advocacy in her free time. She is a survivor of child rape and uses her knowledge of sexual violence to operate a website where she can give a voice to other survivors by publishing their stories, poetry, and artwork. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology. Megan enjoys being outdoors, hiking, writing, reading, and using her privilege to help others from marginalized groups. Those interested in contacting Megan can view her website at Ut Ceteri Vivent (outingrapist.simplesite.com) or email her at outingrapist@yahoo.com

We talk to Megan Mckenzie about her website Outing Rapist. The importance of Sexual Assault Awareness Megan McKenzie is an advocate for National Advocates for Pregnant Women where she advocates for pregnant women with substance use disorder and mental illness. Prior to this, she worked as a sexual assault advocate, a court appointed visitation supervisor, and an advocate for those escaping domestic violence. Currently, Megan is the is the mother of two children and continues her sexual assault advocacy in her free time. She is a survivor of child rape and uses her knowledge of sexual violence to operate a website where she can give a voice to other survivors by publishing their stories, poetry, and artwork. Megan holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing Degree as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Community Psychology. Megan enjoys being outdoors, hiking, writing, reading, and using her privilege to help others from marginalized groups. Those interested in contacting Megan can view her website at Ut Ceteri Vivent (outingrapist.simplesite.com) or email her at outingrapist@yahoo.com

General Jeffrey is currently the National Advocate for Soil Health and says to save the soil is to save the planet.

General Jeffrey is currently the National Advocate for Soil Health and says to save the soil is to save the planet.

General Jeffrey is currently the National Advocate for Soil Health and says to save the soil is to save the planet.

The effort to overturn Roe v. Wade and criminalize abortion has spiraled into challenging not only women’s right to abortion, but a women’s right to carry her baby to term. Across the country, women who seek medical help for pregnancy complications are being met with incarceration and outrageous sentences, all without proper representation. According to this week’s guest, if a woman would like to give birth in America, she needs to be prepared to surrender her basic liberties.   Here to discuss the fight for women’s pregnancy rights is, Lynn M. Paltrow, founder of National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW), a nonprofit civil rights group that advocates for pregnant and parenting women. Paltrow has also served as a senior staff attorney at the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project, as Director of Special Litigation at the Center of Reproductive Law and Policy and as Vice President for Public Affairs for Planned Parenthood of New York City. Paltrow has not only done extensive work in challenging the restrictions placed on the right to choose abortion, but also fights the prosecution and punishment of pregnant women seeking to continue their pregnancies to term.

Our guest this evening is Lynn Paltrow, JD, Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women. We will be discussing drug use and addiction during pregnancy and the Alicia Beltran case--a Wisconsin women jailed for refusing to take the opiate buprenorphine.

A South Carolina woman was charged with homicide after she had a stillbirth; a Utah woman gave birth to twins, when one died she was arrested and charged with homicide because she decided to delay a C-section.  An Oregon woman who didn’t have the test for gestational diabetes her doctor wanted was arrested; a woman from Louisiana spent about a year in jail for murdering her fetus when she had a stillbirth.  Outrageous?  Absolutely.  Unusual?  Not so much.  More and more the “authorities” are intervening in cases that used to be a woman’s personal business.  Is it a coincidence that there are so many states putting restrictions on abortions?  Lynn Paltro, a Cornell University and New York University School of Law graduate, is founder and Executive Director of National Advocates for Pregnant Women.  She’ll join us as we talk about women and civil rights, health , and state control. 

Guest Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Terry Nelson, Black Perspective, Poppygate, Drug War Facts, and Official Government Truth

Guest Lynn Paltrow of National Advocates for Pregnant Women, Terry Nelson, Black Perspective, Poppygate, Drug War Facts, and Official Government Truth