ACCESS: A Podcast About Abortion
Abortion is popular, and common. So why are people afraid to talk about it? How much more might you understand about abortion access in the U.S. if talking about it wasn’t taboo? On ACCESS, our goal is to answer all the questions you might have been afraid to ask, dedicating every single episode to abortion. There are no pundits here, only experts—including real people who’ve had abortions.
Bonus · Tue, September 05, 2023
From Ritually: An Abortion Journey
Today we're sharing an episode with you from our friends at Ritually, a Brazen Media podcast. Last year Nelufar had an abortion. The decision to terminate her pregnancy wasn’t difficult, but the process was. Though studies show abortion pills are safe and around 95-99% effective, in Nelufar’s case, they didn’t work. Shaken by her experiences seeking what should have been routine healthcare, Nelufar turns to full-spectrum doula Sara Bakr for rituals to help her heal from the trauma of medical gaslighting. At a farm and retreat center in the English countryside, Sara and the community who live and work there support Nelufar to process and move on from the experience. If you're pregnant and want to talk with someone about your options, you can call the All-Options Talkline 1-888-493-0092 in the US and Canada, or the British Pregnancy Advisory Service at 03457 30 40 30. For more resources and a confidential talkline in the UK, check out abortiontalk.com/talk.
Tue, June 20, 2023
Grief, Survivor's Guilt, and Hope in Practice: One Year After Dobbs
Ways to support the show: Buy merch on TeePublic or Bonfire Make a one-time or monthly gift Share the show with a friend! Resources: I Need an A Online Abortion Resource Squad If/When/How’s Repro Legal Helpline and Repro Legal Defense Fund Find your local abortion fund Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Have an abortion story you want to share? Send a voice memo or email to accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. This is a secure email; however, your message will only be fully encrypted from end to end if you also create a free Protonmail account . If you prefer to communicate via Signal, email or DM us on social media for our number. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, April 27, 2023
What's Next for Abortion Pills?
Ways to support the show: Buy merch on TeePublic or Bonfire Make a one-time or monthly gift Share the show with a friend! Past episodes referenced: Episode 15: How Anti-Abortion Doctors and Hospitals Put Pregnant People in Danger Episode 1: What Actually Happens During an Abortion? Episode 2: COVID-19 and the Divided States of Abortion Episode 3: The At-Home Abortion Revolution Resources: I Need an A Plan C Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Send a voice memo or email to accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. This is a secure email; however, your message will only be fully encrypted from end to end if you also create a free Protonmail account . If you prefer to communicate via Signal, email or DM us on social media for our number. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Tue, December 20, 2022
How Anti-Abortion Bias Shapes Media Coverage
Support the show! Check out our new merch on TeePublic , get a "say the word abortion" hat on Bonfire , or make a one-time or monthly gift . Guests: Jasmine Geonzon, researcher at Media Matters for America Steph Herold, MPH, researcher at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health Sources: Abortion Onscreen in 2022 — ANSIRH In the days after Roe's reversal, the top 5 US papers continue to miss key context about the dire revocation of abortion access — Media Matters How right-wing media reacted to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade — Media Matters Murdoch outlets disingenuously claim Kansas abortion vote shows “democracy alive and well” despite steep election obstacles — Media Matters Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Photo via Wikimedia Commons. Have an abortion story you want to share? Send a voice memo or email to accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. This is a secure email; however, your message will only be fully encrypted from end to end if you also create a free Protonmail account . If you prefer to communicate via Signal, email or DM us on social media for our number. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, October 20, 2022
Abortion: Add to Cart
Guest: Jessica Flaum, director of Abortion: Add to Cart. Support the show! Buy merch on TeePublic or Bonfire , or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Photo courtesy Abortion: Add to Cart. Have an abortion story you want to share? Send a voice memo or email to accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. This is a secure email; however, your message will only be fully encrypted from end to end if you also create a free Protonmail account . If you prefer to communicate via Signal, email or DM us on social media for our number. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Tue, August 23, 2022
Why Adoption Isn't an Alternative to Abortion
Guests: Nikki Lewis, birth mom and advocate Susan, adoptee and writer Gretchen Sisson, PhD, sociologist at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health Check out our new merch option—baseball caps! (This link is different from our regular merch store.) Support the show! Buy merch or donate . This episode is brought to you by OVID, an independent streaming service offering a huge collection of documentaries and contemporary world cinema. This month, OVID has released a special collection of hard-to-find documentaries chronicling the fight for abortion rights over the past fifty years, in the context of the rise of right-wing Christianity in politics, and in the law. OVID is offering ACCESS listeners a special discount offer. Get 50% off the regular monthly membership price of $6.99 if you use promo code ACCESS at checkout! Visit www.ovid.tv to subscribe. Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Photo courtesy Nikki Lewis. Have an abortion story you want to share? Send a voice memo or email to accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. This is a secure email; however, your message will only be fully encrypted from end to end if you also create a free Protonmail account . If you prefer to communicate via Signal, email or DM us on social media for our number. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Tue, July 12, 2022
Roe Fell. What Happened Next?
Note: This episode states that abortion is banned in Louisiana. However, as of about 6pm on July 12, a court has blocked the state’s trigger ban , allowing abortion services to resume for now. Where are clinics open? Guttmacher: State abortion policies post-Roe I Need an A Abortion Finder Information about abortion pills Plan C Support independent clinics Keep Our Clinics West Alabama Women’s Center (staying open in AL) Desert Star Family Planning (staying open in AZ) Partners in Abortion Care (new clinic in MD) Whole Woman’s Health (moving from TX to NM) Red River Women’s Clinic (moving from ND to MN) Jackson Women’s Health Organization (moving from MS to NM) Abortion Funds National Network of Abortion Funds List of abortion funds by state Practical support networks Haven Coalition Apiary for Practical Support Criminalization If/When/How Repro Legal Defense Fund Digital security Digital Defense Fund Guide t
Tue, May 31, 2022
How Anti-Abortion Doctors and Hospitals Put Pregnant People in Danger
This reporting was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Reproductive Rights Reporting Fund. A written version of the story appears online and in print in The Nation : “ What This Later-Abortion Story Tells Us About a Post-Roe Future .” Guests: Kristyn Smith, We Testify abortion storyteller Caroline Kitchener, political reporter for The Washington Post ( Byron Calhoun says abortion is never necessary to save a mother’s life. He’s the only high-risk OB/GYN in central West Virginia .) Dr. Matthew Reeves, founder and executive director of Dupont Clinic Dr. Debra Stulberg , associate professor of family medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine and director of the Reproductive Health Outcomes and Disparities Research Group Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan. Photo courtesy Smith. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Fri, May 27, 2022
Oklahoma Becomes the First State to Ban Abortion Outright Since Roe
Guest: Dr. Iman Alsaden, medical director of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Resources: Roe Fund (Oklahoma Abortion Fund) Abortion Finder I Need an A Aid Access Plan C If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline Digital Defense Fund guides for online safety and privacy National Abortion Federation hotline (abortion referrals and financial assistance) How to Show Up For Abortion Access by Alison Turkos Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, May 05, 2022
Crisis Pregnancy Centers: Barriers to Repro Health, Rights, and Justice
Co-moderated by ACCESS and Reproductive Transparency Now . Panelists: Dázon Dixon Diallo, MPH: Founder and President of SisterLove , the first women-centered HIV and sexual and reproductive health organization in the Southeast Aimee Registe, Esq.: Policy and Advocacy Program Manager at SisterLove Andrea Swartzendruber, PhD, MPH: Associate Professor in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia and Co-Founder of CPC Map Danielle Lambert, PhD, MPH: Assistant Professor in the Epidemiology and Biostatistics Department in the College of Public Health at the University of Georgia and Co-Founder of CPC Map Maleeha Aziz: Community Organizer at Texas Equal Access (TEA) Fund and Abortion Storyteller with We Testify Resources: How to Show Up For Abortion Access by Alison Turkos Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, music by Lily Sloane. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Fri, January 28, 2022
Abortion and Religion: Reclaiming the Narrative
Guests: Anise Simon, Maleeha Aziz, and Nick, We Testify storytellers Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, president, Union Theological Seminary Rafa Kidvai, director, Repro Legal Defense Fund Rabbi Salem Pearce, executive director, Carolina Jews for Justice ; counselor, Faith Aloud Lauren Morrissey, co-executive director and co-founder, Student Coalition for Reproductive Justice ; administrative associate, Catholics for Choice Rev. Aaron Payson, minister, Unitarian Universalist Church of Worcester ; former board member, Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice Kristin Hady, clinic escort; community engagement coordinator, Abortion Access Front Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Photos courtesy We Testify. Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Tue, December 21, 2021
A Last Stand for Abortion Rights at the Supreme Court?
Guests: Hillary Schneller, senior staff attorney at the Center for Reproductive Rights Dr. DeShawn Taylor, founder and owner of Desert Star Family Planning And: Kelsey Ryland, Elizabeth Nash, Amber Gavin, Jessy Rosales, Kimberly McGuire, Jeryl Hayes, Josie Pinto, Julie Jenkins, Amy Hagstrom Miller, Jacqueline Ayers, Kathaleen Pittman, Tammi Kromenaker, Karli Vanzile, Erin Grant, Amanda Hambrick Ashcraft Resources: Abortion Care Network: Communities Need Clinics Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Fri, November 19, 2021
The Successes and Failures of the Women's March
Guest: Josie Pinto, executive director of Reproductive Freedom Fund of New Hampshire . Listener-submitted audio from Alexx Noumena of Tampa Bay Abortion Fund , Angela Vega, and Asha Dahya . Read about Black women-led Hoochies of Houston and their experience with Women's March organizers on Twitter . Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, October 28, 2021
What's at Stake in this Supreme Court Term?
Guest: Elizabeth Nash, principal policy associate for state issues, Guttmacher Institute Resources: If Roe v. Wade Falls: Travel Distances for People Seeking Abortion 26 States Are Certain or Likely to Ban Abortion Without Roe: Here’s Which Ones and Why Supreme Court oral arguments livestream Supreme Court Cases: Abortion and Contraception Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Fri, September 03, 2021
Fact Check: Texas SB 8
Resources: I Need an A needabortion.org Aid Access Plan C If/When/How Repro Legal Helpline Miscarriage + Abortion Hotline Digital Defense Fund guides for online safety and privacy National Abortion Federation hotline (abortion referrals and financial assistance) Texas Abortion Funds: Buckle Bunnies Fund Lilith Fund TEA Fund Frontera Fund Fund Texas Choice Jane's Due Process Clinic Access Support Network West Fund The Afiya Center The Bridge Collective Whole Woman's Health Alliance Stigma Relief Fund More funds: Indigenous Women Rising (open to all indigenous people in the U.S. and Canada) Mariposa Fund (helps undocumented people seeking abortions) Brigid Alliance (helps people travel for later abortion care) Support independent abortion providers: Keep Our Clinics 50% of proceeds from ACCESS merch sales this week go to Texas abortion funds. You can also donate to support the show. Have a question or an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Find us on Twitter and
Thu, August 26, 2021
Shame, Stigma, and Lies: How Crisis Pregnancy Centers Manipulate Pregnant People
Guests: Sam Romero, We Testify storyteller Andrea Swartzendruber, PhD, MPH, associate professor at the University of Georgia College of Public Health and co-creator of the CPC Map Amy Hagstrom Miller, president and CEO of Whole Woman’s Health and Whole Woman’s Health Alliance Marc Hearron, senior counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights Support the show! Buy merch or donate . Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, July 22, 2021
Abortion Bounties? Inside the Fight Against Radical Texas Law SB 8
Guest: Julia Kaye, staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project Support the show! Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, July 15, 2021
2021 is a Record-Breaking Year for State Attacks on Abortion. How Are Advocates Fighting Back?
Support the show! Guests: Elizabeth Nash, principal policy associate for state issues, Guttmacher Institute Kamyon Conner, executive director, TEA Fund Virginia State Senator Jennifer McClellan More resources: Guttmacher state policy midyear trends report TxPEP research brief on SB8 Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, April 29, 2021
Will Insurance Pay for My Abortion?
Support the show! Guests: Abby Johnson (no, not that one) Yamani Hernandez, executive director of the National Network of Abortion Funds Kelsey Ryland, co-director of the All* Above All abortion coverage campaign Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Photos courtesy All* Above All. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, April 08, 2021
Robin Marty on Preparing for a Post-Roe America
Support the show! New Handbook for a Post-Roe America West Alabama Women’s Center Yellowhammer Fund Logo by Kate Ryan, music by Lily Sloane. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, March 04, 2021
Reframing Abortion Regret
Support the show! Guests: Layidua and Sarah, We Testify abortion storytellers Corinne Rocca, PhD, epidemiologist at the University of California San Francisco and researcher on the Turnaway Study Northwestern Professor Katie Watson, lawyer, bioethicist, and author of Scarlet A Special thanks to Renee Bracey Sherman of We Testify. Logo by Kate Ryan, music by Lily Sloane. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, January 28, 2021
What Are the Consequences of Being Denied an Abortion?
Support the show! Guests: Kayla Winston, We Testify abortion storyteller (read more about Kayla’s experience here ) Diana Greene Foster, PhD, professor and demographer at the University of California, San Francisco (Turnaway Study website and book ) Logo by Kate Ryan, music by Lily Sloane. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast(at)protonmail(dot)com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, January 07, 2021
Destigmatizing Abortion Through Photography with the Abortion Project
Support the show! The Abortion Project Abortion Intentions Care Plan What’s in our abortion doula bags? Logo by Kate Ryan, music by Lily Sloane, photos courtesy The Abortion Project. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, December 31, 2020
Why Anti-Abortion Protesters Get Special Treatment from Police
Support the show! Guest: Molly Shah, Anti-Abortion Protesters Get Special Treatment from Police , The Real News Logo by Kate Ryan, Music by Lily Sloane, photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, December 17, 2020
What’s It Like to Get an Abortion During a Pandemic?
Support the show! Guests: Miranda, Texas Larada, Ohio Sarah, Oregon Special thanks to We Testify and Fund Texas Choice for connecting us with two of our guests. Logo by Kate Ryan, theme music by Lily Sloane. Additional music in this episode from Blue Dot Sessions. Photo by Robin Marty. Have an abortion story you want to share? Contact accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, November 19, 2020
Abortion Clinic Harassment Intensifies During the Pandemic
Support the show! Guests: Calla Hales, executive director of A Preferred Women’s Health Center Heather Mobley and Jessica Thomas of Charlotte for Choice Kim Gibson and Derenda Hancock of Pinkhouse Defenders and We Engage Lara Chelian of Northland Family Planning Elena Salisbury, abortion clinic escort in Nebraska Steph Black , abortion clinic escort in Washington, D.C. L and S, abortion clinic escorts in New Jersey Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan, photo by Robin Marty. Special thanks to Charlotte for Choice and We Engage for audio from the field. Transcript available on our website . You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Bonus · Thu, October 29, 2020
Dr. Meera Shah on Storytelling to Combat Stigma
Support the show! Guest: Dr. Meera Shah, chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and author of You're The Only One I've Told . This conversation was originally streamed as part of the EstroGenius Festival on October 24, 2020. Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, October 15, 2020
Why Do People Have Abortions Later in Pregnancy?
Note: this episode includes discussion of pregnancy loss. Support the show! Guests: Christina Taylor Dr. Warren Hern of Boulder Abortion Clinic HK Gray Briana McLennan Dr. Valerie Peterson Jenn Chalifoux Other links from the episode: Summary of research on later abortion from Ibis Reproductive Health TEA Fund’s Post Abortion Truth and Healing group and other resources The Brigid Alliance The Turnaway Study Special thanks to We Testify and Patient Forward . Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan. Transcript available on our website. Do you have a story about abortion during the pandemic? I want to hear it! Email or send a voice memo to accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can remain anonymous. You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, September 17, 2020
The At-Home Abortion Revolution
Guests: Kelsea McLain, We Testify abortion storyteller Dr. Daniel Grossman, Director of Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health Dr. Jane*, a founder of the Miscarriage and Abortion Hotline Jill Adams, Executive Director of If/When/How Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan. Photo: We Testify storytellers, courtesy We Testify. Transcript available on our website . Do you have a story about abortion during the pandemic? I want to hear it! Email or send a voice memo to accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can remain anonymous. ACCESS is a fully independent production, reported, produced, and hosted by Garnet Henderson. Support the show here . You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe ! *pseudonym
Thu, September 10, 2020
COVID-19 and the Divided States of Abortion
Guests: Dr. Meera Shah, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic and author of You’re the Only One I’ve Told Leah Coplon, certified nurse midwife and Program Director for Maine Family Planning Dr. Bhavik Kumar, Medical Director for Primary and Trans Care at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan, photo by Robin Marty. Transcript available on our website . Do you have a story about abortion during the pandemic? I want to hear it! Email or send a voice memo to accesspodcast@protonmail.com. You can remain anonymous. ACCESS is a fully independent production, reported, produced, and hosted by Garnet Henderson. Support the show here . You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Thu, September 03, 2020
What Actually Happens During an Abortion?
Guest: Dr. Meera Shah, family medicine physician, Chief Medical Officer of Planned Parenthood Hudson Peconic, and author of You’re the Only One I’ve Told: The Stories Behind Abortion . Music by Lily Sloane, logo by Kate Ryan, photo by Robin Marty. For an illustration of some of the medical instruments Dr. Shah mentions in this episode, visit our website to see photos by Robin Marty. You'll find the full episode transcript there, too. ACCESS is a fully independent production, reported, produced, and hosted by Garnet Henderson. Support the show here . You can also find us on Twitter and Instagram , and don't forget to subscribe !
Trailer · Fri, August 21, 2020
Introducing ACCESS
Music by Lily Sloane Logo by Kate Ryan
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