The Empowered Advocate

8. Walk For Life LIVE May 03, 2021

We are thrilled to share that over $148,540 was raised at the Walk for Life. Because so many in our community decided to Join the Movement through generous giving, the funds raised will provide 123 women with The Pregnancy Network’s free services!

Over 500 participants took part in the event, both in person at Lawndale Baptist Church and virtually. This included an incredible team of 65 volunteers who helped to make this event a success.

We recorded this podcast LIVE at the GSO Walk For Life so enjoy a handful of interviews with walkers, volunteers, and staff as we bring you along with us for the 2021 GSO Walk For Life.

LINKS:

GSO Walk For Life GIVE Page: thepregnancynetwork.org/gsowalk

VI Boutique Walk For Life Bracelets: https://vi-style.com/bracelets-for-life-100-donation/

Share The Change Bottle Campaign: https://thepregnancynetwork.org/partner/sharethechange/

Volunteer with TPN: https://thepregnancynetwork.org/partner/volunteer/

7. Stepping Off The Sideline: Volunteering with TPN Mar 29, 2021

Our organization is volunteer-led, staff-supported. While staff facilitate the organization, volunteers ultimately carry out the mission.

Allison Herrington, our Volunteer Coordinator, joins us on the podcast this week to talk about all of the different volunteer opportunities here at The Pregnancy Network and shares important next steps for those who are ready to step off the sidelines and start volunteering with TPN!

www.thepregnancynetwork.org/partner

Contact Allison at aherrington@thepregancynetwork.org

6. GSO Walk For Life Mar 15, 2021

On this week’s episode, we sat down with Hope Earwood, our Development Director, and talked about our GSO Walk For Life coming up in just a few weeks.

We invite you to #JoinTheMovement by participating in this year’s GSO Walk For Life! For more information, visit thepregnancynetwork.org/gsowalk.

You can contact our Development Director, Hope Earwood, at hearwood@thepregnancynetwork.org.

8 Creative Ways To Raise Money For The GSO Walk For Life

:40 - What is Hope Earwood's role at TPN?

2:00 - What is the GSO Walk For Life?

3:09 - What are ways people can get involved with the Walk For Life?

4:11 - What would you say to someone who wants to fundraise or be a team leader but is scared or feels inadequate?

6:17 - What is our goal for this year?

6:48 - Share the logistics of the event. Where is it? When is it? What should people wear? What can be expect at this event?

5. Building Community through Pregnancy & Parenting Classes Mar 01, 2021

On this week’s episode, we sat down with Meredith Weber, our Development Coordinator, and talked about our Pregnancy 101 and Parenting 101 classes. Our classes empower women to face an unplanned pregnancy feeling fully equipped to take on pregnancy and parenting. For more information on our classes, visit thepregnancynetwork.org/classes.

If you want to volunteer: visit website at thepregnancynetwork.org/volunteer

Also contact our Volunteeer Coordinator, Allison Herrington, at aherrington@thepregnancynetwork.org.

Time stamps:

30:00 - Mike and Erica's Interview

4. Pregnant During a Pandemic: Royal's Story Feb 15, 2021

Summary:

Meet Royal, a young woman who found herself pregnant during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020. Convinced abortion was her only option, she found herself walking through the front door at The Pregnancy Network. Her journey from fearful to fearless is a story you won’t want to miss.

Time Stamps:

0:54 - TPN’s Virtual Gala for Life, Success Sequence

4:45 - Royal’s Story

Links Mentioned:

Royal’s Story - YouTube Video - https://youtu.be/lKu42tADgCQ

The Pregnancy Network Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ThePregnancyNetwork

The Pregnancy Network - Make an Appointment - https://thepregnancynetwork.org/appointment

3. Finding Hope After Rape Conception: One Brave Mother's Story of Healing Jan 19, 2021

Meet Paula Peyton. Paula serves as the Executive Director for Hope after Rape Conception, a non-profit dedicated to assisting mothers who have suffered from rape. Paula’s story is extremely unique; her son was conceived as a result of gang rape, and she herself was also conceived as a result of rape. Her story has been featured by Live Action, Life Site News, and many more pro-life news sources.

Most women who receive abortions after rape report being forced or coerced into the decision against their will. Paula shares her firsthand account of the pressure she encountered to receive an abortion from the most unlikely places.

Paula’s story of healing and redemption is inspiring. If you or someone you know has suffered from a rape experience, know you are not alone. You can reach out to Paula by visiting hopeafterrapeconception.org, or by contacting The Pregnancy Network at thepregnancynetwork.org.

Links Mentioned

Paula Peyton:

Facebook

Website

Instagram

Hope After Rape Conception

facebook.com/hopeafterrapeconception

Hopeafterrapeconception.org

Instagram

The Pregnancy Network

Make an Appointment - thepregnancynetwork.org/appointment

2. Weary Friend, There is Hope Dec 23, 2020

2020 hasn't been what any of us thought it would be. Is there hope this Christmas? Today, Mary Holloman shares some reflections on the painful year her family had in 2019, and how it has impacted the way she views 2020.

Rest assured, weary friend - there is hope.

You can read the full article here.

1. Welcome Back! 2020, Our Expansion, and Why YOU Should Get Connected Dec 23, 2020

Welcome back! The Empowered Advocate took a break after season 2, and a lot has happened since March 2020. In this short episode, we talk about the impact of COVID-19 on The Pregnancy Network and women who are seeking help in unplanned pregnancies, our amazing Gala for Life results, the upcoming expansion to Winston-Salem, and more.

Links Mentioned:

Caring for Women Throughout COVID-19

Expansion to Winston-Salem - Grand Opening in January

TPN Facebook

TPN Instagram

S2E15: 'I Felt So Trapped' - One Woman's Story of an Unplanned Pregnancy May 25, 2020

"I felt so trapped. I just had no idea how I was going to carry on in my life."

Alexa Hyman is a twenty-six-year-old full-time working mother living in Chicago with her two-year-old daughter, Renley Jane. She is a writer, contributor, and mentor. After experiencing her unplanned pregnancy, she became passionate about sharing her own personal experiences in order to make other women feel less alone. When she is not working in financial services or chasing down her toddler, she mentors women who are facing unplanned pregnancies and manages a growing community of Back in February.

Links Mentioned:

Backinfebruary.com Instagram: backinfebruary_

Connect Mentorship Program

S2E14: A Conversation with Lifeline Children's Services May 04, 2020

Herbie is the President & Executive Director of Lifeline Children’s Services and its ministry arms. Under Herbie’s leadership, Lifeline has increased international outreach to 25 countries through adoption and strategic orphan care, obtained licensure in 12 states, and established the foster care arm of ministry at Lifeline. Herbie has been invited to speak at many events concerning adoption and the church’s response to orphan care, including the National Council for Adoption, Christian Alliance for Orphans, Together for Adoption, Care Net and the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. Herbie is also the author of Image Bearers: Shifting from pro-Birth to Pro-Life.

Herbie joins us on the podcast to discuss Lifeline's work, how churches can get involved, and how being "pro-life" means loving both unborn children and the women who carry them.

Links Mentioned:

Lifeline Children's Services - https://lifelinechild.org/ Image Bearers: Shifting from Pro-Birth to Pro-Life#GivingTuesdayNow Give to Lifeline Children's Services Give to The Pregnancy Network

Follow Lifeline Children's Services:

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube

S2E13: A Conversation with Sidewalk Advocates for Life Apr 20, 2020

Lauren Muzyka is the founder and executive director of Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Lauren is a licensed attorney whose passion for defending the sanctity of human life led her into the pro-life movement. After several years serving as the Campaign Strategist for the National 40 Days for Life Team, Lauren founded Sidewalk Advocates for Life in 2014.

Sidewalk Advocates for Life trains, equips, and supports sidewalk advocacy groups around the globe to peacefully and effectively offer loving, life-affirming alternatives to women and men entering abortion facilities. In just six years, Sidewalk Advocates for Life has grown to more than 200 locations worldwide and has helped more than 8,000 women choose life for their children.

Links Mentioned:

sidewalkadvocates.org SAFL Instagram SAFL Facebook SAFL Twitter SAFL YouTube Email: info@sidewalkadvocates.org If you are interested in being trained as a sidewalk advocate in Greensboro, North Carolina, contact The Pregnancy Network at info@thepregnancynetwork.org.

S2E12: Interview with Dan Darling, Author of The Dignity Revolution Apr 04, 2020

Dan Darling is the author of The Dignity Revolution: Reclaiming God’s Rich Vision for Humanity. He discusses his book and what it means to treat members of humanity as who they are: image bearers of our Creator.

He is the Vice President of Communications for the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission. He has written several other books, and his work has also appeared in Home Life, In Touch Magazine, Christianity Today, and the Gospel Coalition. He has also made appearances on CNN, Fox, and MSNBC. You can read his full bio at dandarling.com.

Links Mentioned:

The Dignity Revolution - view the book

The Pregnancy Network - Online Open House

The Pregnancy Network Email List

Follow Dan:

Instagram: @_dandarling

Twitter: @dandarling

Danieldarling.com

The Way Home podcast

S2E11: Interview with Melissa Ohden, Abortion Survivor Mar 18, 2020

Melissa Ohden joins us on The Empowered Advocate podcast to share her story. Melissa is the survivor of an attempted saline abortion. Her story of rescue, redemption, and forgiveness is captivating, and she sheds light on the truth that there are hundreds of abortion survivors across the country whose stories have been hidden.

Melissa is a Master’s level prepared Social Worker and the Founder of The Abortion Survivors Network. As an abortion survivor, herself, with a background in crisis counseling, addiction treatment and child welfare, she’s passionate about helping others embrace their lives, find healing, and love and forgive in the midst of difficult circumstances. She’s the author of You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir, and will be releasing a new book, an anthology of survivor stories and abortion survivor history in 2021.

Melissa is a devoted wife to Ryan and mother to her two daughters, Olivia and Ava. They reside in Kansas City, Missouri.

Social Media

Melissaohden.com

Theabortionsurvivors.com

Facebook

Instagram

Melissa’s Book:

You Carried Me: A Daughter’s Memoir

Get Involved at The Pregnancy Network

thepregnancynetwork.org/openhouse

S2E10: The Pregnancy Network in the Media - Our Response Feb 28, 2020

In the last several weeks, The Pregnancy Network has been mentioned in several Yes!Weekly articles, specifically regarding our presence outside the abortion facility in Greensboro. There has been much misinformation, including the accusation that our volunteers have been physically aggressive and illegally blocking traffic.

We want to take these allegations seriously, and in this episode, we address each article and share the truth about what happens on the sidewalk at A Woman's Choice in Greensboro.

Unfortunately, there will always be those who are uncomfortable with our presence outside the abortion facility. But our mission has and will always be to empower women to face their unplanned pregnancies without fear. We are committed to presenting women with all their options so they can make a fully-informed decision.

S2E9: How Do You Stay Passionate About Your Work and Avoid Getting Discouraged? Feb 18, 2020

This is the next episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E8: Is it Difficult to Separate Your Work Life from Your Personal Life? Feb 18, 2020

This is the eighth episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E7: Is 'Forced Birth' a Thing in the Pro-Life World? Feb 18, 2020

This is the seventh episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E6: What's Your Response to the Claim that PRCs are Fake Clinics? Feb 18, 2020

This is the fourth episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E5: Do You Ever Get Frustrated with Clients Based on Their Decisions? Feb 03, 2020

This is the third episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E4: What Do You Wish People Knew About PRCs? Feb 03, 2020

This is the second episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E3: What is the Hardest Thing About Working at a PRC? Feb 03, 2020

This is the first episode in a mini-series where we answer your questions about life behind-the-scenes at a pregnancy resource center. Senior Director of Health & Client Services joins us to answer questions.

S2E2: Interview with Laura Lynn Hughes, Author of Choose Zoe Jan 20, 2020

Laura Lynn Hughes is the author of Choose Zoe: A Story of Unplanned Parenthood and the Case for Life. Pregnant at fifteen, and choosing to keep her child, Laura knew that her life would never be the same. Through her compelling story and the stories of others, she shares the beauty and redemption that can be experienced in the midst of what many might call hopeless situations.

2:15 - Laura Hughes shares the story behind the name of the book: Choose Zoe.

4:15 - What does it mean to have a Zoe life in the pro-life movement?

6:00 - Laura shares how she became pregnant at 15 and the unexpected response of her parents.

10:31 - The connection with pregnancy centers, one woman’s story of abandonment, abuse, and life.

16:20 - Laura shares about her daughters’ traumatic experiences with rape and abortion.

22:15 - What type of impact abortion has on a woman’s life - in the most unexpected ways.

After an abortion, a woman is six times more likely to commit suicide.

27:00 - Laura’s pregnancy loss story

36:35 - The Zoe life in practice.

Links Mentioned:

Website: choosezoe.com Instagram: @laura_lynn_hughes

S2E1: Interview with Pro-Life Kids! Author, Bethany Bomberger Jan 06, 2020

Bethany is the author of the new children’s book, Pro-Life Kids! She shares how the book began as a simple poem with her kids, and grew into a movement that is impacting children and families all over the country. Bethany talks about the difficult topic of abortion and how to share truth on this issue with children in age appropriate ways.

Links Mentioned:

The Radiance Foundation: theradiancefoundation.org

Pro-Life Kids!: prolifekids.com

Pro-Life Kids! on Amazon

Instagram: @radiancefoundation

Facebook: @radiancefoundation

Twitter: @lifehaspurpose

Bonus Episode: How to Defend the Pro-Life Position Nov 25, 2019

You asked, we listened! This has been one of our episodes with the most downloads; however, our original episode had some sound issues which made it a little difficult to listen to. At your request, we have re-released this episode with all sound issues corrected.

This episode will give you simple, practical tools to use when engaging with others on the abortion issue. Learn how to defend the pro-life position in 30 seconds without using religion. We'll also give you great questions to ask and logical responses to the most typical justifications for abortion.

1:00 - Why do we not engage others on the issue of abortion?

2:50 - Going into a conversation with the right attitude and motivation

13:11 - SLED: What is it?

14:42 - Size: Why does size matter when determining the value of a life?

16:28 - Level of Development: Why does level of development matter when determining the value of a life?

20:10 - Environment: How does where you are determine what you are?

22:11 - Degree of Dependency: Why does dependency on another human being matter when determining the value of a life?

29:27 - Common justifications for abortion

30:05 - Justification #1: Shouldn’t a woman have the right to do what she wants with her body?

35:35 - Article Reference: Abortion is Good, Because I am a Good Person

37:00 - Justification #2: If a woman is unable to take care of a child because of financial issues or an absent father, she should be able to abort.

41:20 - Justification #3: Abortion should be an option for women in cases of rape or incest.

44:45 - Defend the pro-life position in 60 seconds or less

E021: Caralynn's Abortion Story Nov 11, 2019

Caralynn experienced an unplanned pregnancy as a high school senior. When her parents found out, they told her she was no longer welcome to live at home. She sought out an aboriton, and moved in with her boyfriend. As Caralynn buried feelings about her abortion, she responded by becoming extremely pro-choice. What followed were many subsequent abortions and a long struggle toward healing. The turning point came for Caralynn in an unexpected way.

Years later, Caralynn’s own daughter came to her with an unplanned pregnancy. Listen to find out how she responded.

Caralynn Vaughn is the Executive Director of Your Choices Randolph, a pregnancy center in Asheboro, North Carolina.

Time Stamps

1:30 - In 1977, Caralynn found herself unexpectedly pregnant as a high school senior. When Caralynn shared the news with her parents, “the assumption was that I would have an abortion.”

3:05 - “Once you’re pregnant, your life is changed.” Caralynn shares how her parents kicked her out of the house.

5:50 - The impact of her abortion on her relationships.

7:45 - Caralynn’s abortion resulted in her being extremely pro-choice. Why?

9:10 - The turning point when Caralynn faced her abortion and the impact it had on her.

10:14 - The role of the church in Caralynn’s healing process.

14:00 - Caralynn shares about the abortion experiences that followed her first abortion.

16:15 - The long term effects of Caralynn’s abortions on her life and her relationships.

20:00 - How Caralynn ended up connected with a pregnancy center, and this led to her role as an executive director.

24:10 - Caralynn shares the impact has had on her life.

26:00 - How can a woman take steps toward healing after an abortion?

27:35 - Caralynn faced a similar situation with her daughter.

29:30 - How can parents respond if their child comes to them with an unplanned pregnancy?

For abortion recovery support, contact:

Your Choices Randolph - Randolph County

Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center - Guilford County

E020: 'Grief Changes You' - Interview with Josh and Kristi Tisdale on Pregnancy Loss, Faith, and Healing Oct 29, 2019

Josh and Kristi Tisdale have walked through seven pregnancy losses. They tackle the tough topics of faith, processing grief in healthy ways, and how men and women react to the pain of pregnancy loss in different ways.

Time Stamps:

1:30 - Josh and Kristi introduce themselves and describe how their journey has led them through multiple pregnancy losses.

4:25 - 1 in 4 pregnancies end in loss. I misspoke and said 1 in 4 women experience loss. What led them to share their story?

8:30 - Pregnancy loss affects so many -- why is it rarely talked about?

11:15 - How loss caused Josh to build walls.

13:45 - How Krisi processed and reacted to her losses.

15:25 - Josh blamed himself for the losses in an attempt to claim some sort of control over their grief.

19:00 - When the walls finally started coming down.

24:40 - How can men process their losses in a healthy way?

29:35 - Kristi shares how her faith has impacted her grief.

34:45 - Recommended resources for those who are walking through a season of pregnancy loss.

40:15 - What advice would you give to someone who knows someone else walking through pregnancy loss?

Resources/Links Mentioned:

In the Meantime Series by Andy Stanley - meantimeseries.org

I Will Carry You: The Sacred Dance of Grief and Joy by Angie Smith

Josh and Kristi's Blog: http://www.joshandkristi.com/

Hospice - offers grief counseling for children

E019: The Pain of Pregnancy Loss - Interview with Sarah Philpott, Author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You to Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss Oct 14, 2019

Sarah Philpott, author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss, joins us to discuss the difficult topic of miscarriage and stillbirth. She shares the heart behind why she wrote this book, her own journey through grieving her pregnancy losses, the struggles that many women experience in the weeks and months after, and how to support those women in practical ways.

October is Pregnancy & Infant Loss Awareness Month. Check out the links below for how you can get your copy of Loved Baby, and also how to connect with Sarah Philpott.

Timestamps:

2:00 - Meet Sarah Philpott, author of Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss

4:00 - Sarah shares the Why behind writing Loved Baby.

5:55 - Pregnancy loss is an “invisible grief.”

8:15 - There is one question we should stop asking couples.

9:15 - What are the causes of miscarriage? How much responsibility do women bear for their miscarriages?

13:12 - What led Sarah to start sharing her story.

14:55 - What are practical ways that women can care for themselves when they experience a pregnancy loss?

16:40 - What are some examples of how women can grieve?

18:50 - How to show support and love for women who have experienced loss.

23:11 - What not to say to a woman who has experienced a loss.

26:15 - Sometimes the reaction to pregnancy loss is anger towards God. How can Christians sort through those feelings? What is the right response?

29:18 - How should we talk to children about a pregnancy loss in the family?

32:28 - What has the response been to Loved Baby?

34:30 - Instructions for book giveaway. Subscribe, leave a review, and comment on our FB post.

35:24 - How to connect with Sarah Philpott.

Links Mentioned:

Loved Baby: 31 Devotions Helping You Grieve and Cherish Your Child After Pregnancy Loss

Sarah’s Philpott’s Website: allamericanmom.net

Follow Sarah on:

Instagram - @sarahlphilpott

Twitter - @sarahlphilpott

E018: Interview with Alison Centofante of Live Action Oct 07, 2019

Alison Centofante is the Director of External Affairs at Live Action. Live Action is a pro-life media movement that exists to bring an end to abortion. Alison shares her personal story of how she became pro-life, what led her to Live Action, and the impact Live Action’s work is having on our culture. She discusses the unity that exists between organizations like Live Action and the pregnancy centers that meet the practical needs of women who feel like abortion is their only option.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome to Alison Centofante, Director of Communications

1:05 - Alison shares a personal story about how she became pro-life

4:13 - How Alison got connected with Live Action

6:55 - How did Live Action get started, and what is this organization’s goal?

11:45 - What unethical things have been exposed within Planned Parenthoods as a result of these undercover videos?

13:30 - The impact of taxpayer dollars on the abortion industry

16:05 - What role do pregnancy centers play? Why does their presence matter?

20:30 - A challenge to get connected and engaged in the pro-life movement

Links mentioned:

Live action - liveaction.org

Alison’s Twitter - @alisonhowardc

Alliance Defending Freedom - adflegal.org

E017: Should the Church Have Anything to Say About Abortion? Sep 16, 2019

Many view abortion as a political issue - if that’s true, then should the church have anything to say about it? How can the church speak honestly about abortion without alienating those who have experienced it? Is abortion a topic that’s optional to speak about within the church? Carter Mundy joins us to discuss this and other tough questions.

Links Mentioned:

Kari’s Story

Walk for Life Promo - Carter wiping out on roller blades

Love Life

Op-Ed Piece: Women Deserve Better Than Abortion

Time Stamps:

1:00 - Carter Mundy shares about his history with GPCC.

2:45 - Highlight reel - favorite moments at GPCC.

8:00 - Carter shares his family’s new direction: planting a church in Roanoke, Virginia.

9:00 - “God’s Plan A for changing the world is the Church” - how does a pregnancy center fit into that concept?

12:20 - Is the abortion issue relevant to the mission of the church?

16:00 - What are some reasons that leaders in the church may shy away from talking about abortion?

22:15 - What are churches doing really well regarding the issue of abortion?

25:10 - How can I get my church more involved in the abortion issue?

E016: Fostering Hope - How One Organization is Putting "Pro-Life" in Practice Sep 02, 2019

Carrie Thompson is the founder and executive director of the Family Room, a non-profit organization whose mission is to express the love of Christ to the community by meeting the practical needs of children and teens in foster care. Carrie and her husband also have personal experience as foster parents, and in this episode she shares about their journey from fostering to adoption. She gives practical insight into the largely misunderstood world of foster care, and provides practical tips and encouragement for anyone interested in starting their own foster care journey.

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Introduction to Carrie Thompson, Executive Director of the family room

0:57 - Carrie shares how her family started their foster care journey

3:25 - Misconceptions about foster care. What is the purpose of the foster care system?

5:20 - 48% of children who go into foster care are able to go back to their biological families.

6:00 - Carrie shares some of the most surprising parts of their foster care experience

7:30 - What challenges did you face once you brought your son home for the first time?

8:45 - How did bringing home foster children affect the biological children already in the home?

12:00 - Carrie shares the story of how they adopted their two sons

16:25 - Carrie shares about the challenges of having children of two different ethnicities

22:25 - How did family and friends react to the decision to foster and adopt?

25:30 - What is the difference between being pro-life and pro-birth?

29:30 - The Family Room

33:00 - The importance of community for foster parents

37:30 - Practical ways to help support foster parents through The Family Room

40:00 - What are the first steps to becoming a foster parent?

Links Mentioned:

Guilford County (NC) Foster Care - Find out how to get started

The Family Room - Facebook page

Family Room Email - familyroomtriad@gmail.com

Children’s Home Society - Adoption and foster care service

Seven Homes - Provides recruitment, training, licensing, placement, case management, and adoption services for foster and adoptive families.

E015: Adoption, Abortion, and the Impact of Both Aug 19, 2019

Why would it seem better to choose abortion over adoption? The answer is more complicated than you might think, and today we discuss this and other tough questions with volunteer Andrea Johnson. Andrea serves as a peer advocate, and was herself adopted. She shares her story and talks about how adoption impacted her. She also has experience with a past abortion, and shares how both these experiences have affected how she relates to clients walking through an unplanned pregnancy.

Timestamps

0:38 - Andrea shares her motivation behind getting connected at GPCC

2:45 - Finding out that she was adopted

5:00 - How did her adoption affect her relationships with her adoptive parents

6:35 - The moment when Andrea became interested in finding out who her biological parents were

8:30 - How the news impacted Andrea

12:15 - How does your experience with adoption affect the way you relate to women at GPCC?

14:00 - How has your experience with both adoption and abortion allowed you to speak truth to women who are undecided?

17:05 - Is there a more negative connotation associated with adoption from the African-American community? If so, why?

20:00 - What is the difference between placing for adoption and a child being placed in foster care?

23:55 - Why would it seem more ideal to have an abortion than to place for adoption?

25:15 - How did your abortion experiences affect you?

26:40 - What would you say to a person who has experienced an abortion in their past?

28:25 - What would you say to a person who is struggling with the reality that she has been adopted?

E014: “When You’re a Baby, You Don’t Have a Say” - Taking the Abortion Debate to UNCG Aug 05, 2019

Summary: In this episode, we once again take the abortion debate to the local college campus. Some of the key topics discussed: Should abortion be permissible in cases of rape? What is the difference between ending the life of an unborn child who is a result of rape, and ending the life of a toddler who is a result of rape?

Links Mentioned:

SLED Test for defending the pro-life position: str.org

A doctor explaining abortion procedures: https://youtu.be/CFZDhM5Gwhk

Time Stamps:

0:00 - Intro to a conversation on college campus, using SLED.

2:50 - Erin shares her views on abortion by answering a few questions.

5:55 - “I’m really not sure what I stand for.” Preparing to ask good questions.

7:00 - If a toddler’s father were a rapist, would it be right to execute that toddler because of his father’s crimes?

8:56 - Setting up the transition: What is the difference between a toddler and an unborn child?

9:35 - “Now that I think about it...there is no difference. It’s still a child…I don’t know.”

11:05 - If there is no difference between a born and unborn child, should abortion really be permissible for any reason, even for rape? Does the location of the child matter?

12:35 - Shift in justification: it’s up to the mom.

13:05 - “At what point does a woman no longer have the right to end the child’s life?” Drifting into the Level of Development argument.

15:45 - Why does development matter? What’s important about the heartbeat?

17:40 - Clarify. Repeating back to others what we’re hearing.

18:15 - Drawing another example. Why is it wrong to kill an adult, but not that same person as an embryo? “When you’re a baby, you don’t have a say.”

21:22 - Progressing to Degree of Dependency

22:15 - What if a toddler were dependent on the care of doctors or machinery to be kept alive for a period of time - would it be right to end the life of that child?

25:00 - The core issue: She believes it would be wrong, but the choice is up to the woman.

26:45 - Shedding light on abortion procedures.

30:20 - Have your views changed on abortion throughout this conversation?

E013: No Uterus, No Opinion? - The Role of Men in the Abortion Issue Jul 15, 2019

Josh Kappes from Love Life joins host Carter Mundy for a discussion about the role of men in the issue of abortion. Is abortion strictly a women’s issue? By removing men from the conversation, are we actually absolving them from taking any responsibility for their children and families? What is the appropriate biblical perspective, and how can men take practical steps to speak up on abortion while also empowering other men to do the same?

Links mentioned:

Love Life: LoveLife.org

Sidewalk advocacy: YouTube video

Time Stamps

0:50 - Josh Kappes shares about how he got involved with Love Life. What is Love Life and what is its purpose?

12:15 - Men have no uterus - so how can men have anything to say about abortion?

19:20 - Sure, men can and should have an opinion. But how can men take it further? What should their response be?

22:45 - Josh shares a story from outside the abortion facility.

27:55 - How can we sum up what God’s design for manhood is?

29:00 - What deeper issue is at the heart of abortion?

31:20 - Carter and Josh discuss some of the recent laws passed in states like Georgia and Alabama, and how our culture is responding to it.

35:30 - To be consistently pro-life, what should we say to the argument that laws should provide an exception for situations involving rape and/or incest?

38:35 - How abortion is more than just a procedure. Abortion devalues not only the unborn life, but also the life of the mother.

39:15 - How is abortion like a modern day holocaust?

42:20 - “We’ve got to get over our addiction to being liked by everybody.”

E012: Fake Nurses or Fake News? An Interview with a Pregnancy Center RN Jul 01, 2019

"It's a pretty awesome thing when a baby goes from being a problem to fix to a gift and a blessing to its own mother."

In this episode we interview Lauren McClure, a Registered Nurse at the pregnancy center. She gives an insider's look at her role within GPCC and addresses many of the misconceptions about nurses within a PRC.

0:00 - Welcome to Lauren McClure, RN

1:45 - Lauren’s work history and how she got started at GPCC

4:35 - Many people assume that PRCs have “fake nurses.” Where does this idea come from, and is there any truth to this claim?

10:50 - Have you personally experienced any negative feedback about your involvement with a pregnancy center?

12:10 - What are the differences between working as a nurse in a pregnancy center and working in a hospital?

15:00 - Lauren shares about the relationships she’s able to build with clients.

16:45 - Lauren discusses her role as a nurse and what that looks like at GPCC.

20:20 - What are the primary purposes of ultrasounds at a PRC?

23:00 - Lauren shares about the relationship of the PRC with local OB/GYN doctors, and how they oversee and sign off on every scan from the pregnancy center.

25:30 - What are the most common emotions clients experience within the ultrasound room?

26:45 - Do ultrasounds still matter? What role does an ultrasound play in helping women make fully informed decisions?

30:45 - Lauren shares how being on the sidewalk outside the abortion center brings with it a whole different set of challenges than being within the walls of the pregnancy center.

37:45 - What are clients saying about the pregnancy center?

39:50 - Lauren shares her favorite part of working at GPCC.

E011: Taking the Abortion Debate to a College Campus Jun 17, 2019

Summary: What does it look like to put S.L.E.D. in practice? In this episode, we head out to the campus of UNC Greensboro to talk with students about their views on abortion. Mary Holloman talks with one student, ‘John,’ and takes time to break down how to talk about this issue by asking purposeful questions and engaging in a respectful and logical dialogue.

S.L.E.D. is a method used to defend the pro-life position. You can read more about this method at str.org, or listen to episode 4 on our podcast, How to Defend the Pro-Life Position. You can also read this article on the topic, Preparing Your Heart & Mind to Defend the Pro-Life Position.

E010: The Advocate and the Appointment Jun 03, 2019

The idea of "peer advocacy" is intimidating to some, and confusing to others. What do we really mean when we talk about peer advocates, and what actually happens inside an appointment with clients at the pregnancy center? We cover all that and more in this episode, an interview with volunteer Stacy Helt.

Links Mentioned:

Open House - Register to attend the next Open House and take your first step toward becoming a volunteer. Volunteer Opportunities - Scroll through the current volunteer opportunities to get an idea of GPCC’s needs.

Time stamps

0:00 - Introducing Stacy Helt, peer advocate at GPCC.

2:10 - What is a Peer Advocate?

3:30 - Stacy describes what an appointment looks like for an advocate

4:55 - What made you want to become a Peer Advocate?

6:53 - What were you most nervous or apprehensive about when you got started?

9:00 - How does someone become a Peer Advocate?

12:50 - What tips or strategies can you give for how to connect with clients in the first moments of an appointment?

15:38 - Why it’s important to us as an organization to share the gospel message

16:30 - How do you naturally transition into talking about the gospel with clients?

21:10 - What has been the most challenging part of being a Peer Advocate?

23:00 - What has been the most rewarding part of being a Peer Advocate? Stacy shares a story of when a client chose life.

24:55 - Stacy shares about the moments when a client chooses abortion, and how we can respond to it as Peer Advocates.

29:20 - The do’s and don’ts of communicating with clients.

33:55 - How can a Peer Advocate provide tactful and gentle constructive feedback when a client expresses a viewpoint that is incorrect?

39:25 - How do advocates go about following up with clients post-appointment?

43:20 - Stacy shares how advocacy has impacted her personally.

45:34 - What advice would you give to someone who is interested in becoming a Peer Advocate?

E009: The Impact of Adoption, Part 2 - Q&A with Chad & Holly Cooke May 20, 2019

Chad & Holly Cooke talk about their professional and personal experience with adoption. Holly has a masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, and Chad has his doctorate in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina. The Cookes adopted their first son from Ethiopia, had two biological sons, and are currently in the process of a domestic adoption. The Cookes share about the impact of adoption on the family.

0:30 - What are some of the differences between pursuing an international adoption vs. a domestic adoption?

1:35 - Chad and Holly share about how their second adoption has been an eight year process

2:48 - How involved have the boys been in this adoption process, and what are some ways that you have been preparing your family for a new brother or sister?

5:00 - What strategies do you have for adopting another child into the home when there are already children in the family?

7:41 - How has your extended family reacted to the adoption(s)? What advice would you give to people on how to prepare their families for the transition?

9:25 - What should people NOT say to someone who is in the process of adoption?

12:32 - Any last insights you’d give to those who are contemplating adoption?

13:45 - When adopting transracially, should you still celebrate/recognize that child’s culture/ethnicity, treat them as if they’ve always been a part of your family culture from birth, or is it a balance between the two?

Recommended Resources from Chad & Holly:

The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

The Connected Child by Karen Purvis

Adopted for Life by Russell Moore

The Empowered Parent Podcast The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing Trauma by Bessel van derk Kolk M.D.

E008: The Impact of Adoption, Part 1 - Q&A with Chad & Holly Cooke May 20, 2019

Chad & Holly Cooke talk about their professional and personal experience with adoption. Holly has a masters in Marriage and Family Counseling, and Chad has his doctorate in counseling and is a licensed professional counselor in North Carolina. The Cookes adopted their first son from Ethiopia, had two biological sons, and are currently in the process of a domestic adoption. The Cookes share about the impact of adoption on the family.

Time stamps:

1:00 - Meet Chad & Holly Cooke

2:30 - The Cookes share their motivation behind pursuing adoption

4:18 - How do I get started with the adoption process?

7:58 - What were some of the challenges you faced in the adoption process (prior to bringing you son home)?

10:15 - How were you challenged in your faith during this process?

11:30 - What challenges did you experience as a mom and dad after you brought your son home?

13:28 - What suggestions do you have for someone who wants to adopt transracially but is apprehensive?

15:10 - The impact of adoption on the child who comes home

21:45 - How to combat the mentality of “We are rescuing this child.”

24:36 - How do you handle the dynamics of having two biological sons and one adopted son of a different ethnicity? How have your sons handled this dynamic?

27:27 - At what point did you share with you son that he was adopted?

28:59 - How have each of you grown spiritually after bringing your son home?

32:17 - What advice would you give to someone who is considering adoption?

Recommended Resources from Chad & Holly:

The Whole-Brain Child by Dr. Dan Siegel & Dr. Tina Payne Bryson

The Connected Child by Karen Purvis

Adopted for Life by Russell Moore

The Empowered Parent Podcast

The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing Trauma by Bessel van derk Kolk M.D.

E007: Sidewalk Advocacy - An Insider's Look May 01, 2019

Carla Stowers, team leader for the GPCC sidewalk advocacy team, gives an insider’s perspective on what actually takes place on the sidewalk outside of Greensboro’s abortion facility. Carla shares her story about how she got involved as an advocate despite initially saying there was “no way” she’d ever serve in such a role. Carla talks about the dynamics between pregnancy center volunteers and abortion facility volunteers, the strong community she’s built with her fellow advocates, and shares a story of a woman who chose life.

Links Mentioned in Episode:

Register for the next Open House event
Short video about sidewalk advocacy
Love Life Triad - prayer walks weekly outside abortion facility
‘Fighting for Women Through Sidewalk Advocacy’ - a story from the sidewalk

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0:00 - Intro

0:40 - What is sidewalk advocacy?

1:50 - Meet Carla, Team Leader of Sidewalk Advocacy

3:08 - How Carla became a sidewalk advocate

6:30 - The first day: expectations vs. reality

9:43 - What is the atmosphere like out on the sidewalk?

11:57 - What does an advocate actually do when a woman comes to the abortion facility?

16:15 - Carla shares a story about a client who chose life

22:54 - The community of sidewalk advocates

25:45 - Interacting with abortion facility volunteers

27:50 - What should someone do if he/she is interested in sidewalk advocacy?

E005: God & Sex Forum, Part 1 - Transgenderism, with Keynote Dr. Neil Stewart Apr 18, 2019

We live amidst an age of tremendous confusion— confusion about the most basic questions of life. Who am I? What am I? What defines my existence? Am I more than a soup of chemicals wrapped up in a sack of skin, and the dancing of my genes? In this lecture, Dr. Stewart explores these and other questions from the perspective of man made in the image of God. Here is the only foundation on which to build a cohesive understanding of the identity, dignity, responsibility, and glory of human beings. Although this image has been shattered by sin, Christ alone can put the pieces back together again.

About the Keynote:

Neil C. Stewart, is the pastor of Christ Covenant Church (ARP) in Greensboro, North Carolina. He has also pastored congregations of the Presbyterian Church in America both in Savannah, Georgia, and rural Mississippi. Neil holds a Master of Divinity from Reformed Theological Seminary. He and his wife, Catherine, grew up in Northern Ireland, and have six children.

Before moving to America in 1999, Neil worked as a pediatrician at the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. He studied medicine at the Queens University of Belfast (1990-1995), and was elected a member of the pediatric branch of the Royal College of Physicians in 1998.

Neil has addressed numerous conferences throughout the United States and Canada, most recently The Reformation Worship Conference in Powder Springs, Atlanta. One of his papers from that conference appears in Dr. David Hall’s recent book, On Reforming Worship. He also writes for Tabletalk magazine and their website

About the God & Sex Forum:

The annual God & Sex Forum helps clarify the historic view of Christianity on sex and sexually related topics. Our over-sexualized culture has made it difficult to understand God’s original design for sex according to the Bible. Join us at this event to hear a speaker lecture on topics related to sexual ethics. Also have your questions answered by a panel of people from our local community who all share a common Christian perspective.

You can find out more at https://gsocarecenter.org/community/godandsex.

E006: God & Sex Forum, Part 2 - Transgenderism Panel Discussion Apr 18, 2019

The God & Sex Forum is an annual event hosted by Students for Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center and Ratio Christi at UNC Greensboro. This year’s topic is transgenderism. To hear keynote speaker Dr. Neil Stewart’s address, check out God & Sex Forum: Transgenderism Part 1.

This episode is a panel discussion answering questions that were texted in during the event. Panelists are: Dr. Neil Stewart; Cameron Hodge (author, small business owner); and Logan Thomas (UNCG student).

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2:43 - Question 1: Regarding your experience with gender dysphoria, why do you choose not to act on those desires?

4:05 - Question 2: Can you be a Christian and live an LGBQ lifestyle at the same time?

5:56 - Question 3: Is it harmful for parents to allow their child to choose his/her gender. If so, in what ways is it harmful?

8:24 - Question 4: For intersex individuals (those whose gender is ambiguous at birth), how do they determine their sex, and who determines this?

11:40 - Question 5: How does the Church address the sexuality of someone who is transgender once they receive salvation?

13:34 - Question 6: What is the difference between gender and sex?

17:52 - Question 7: Why do you trust the Bible so much when it was written by man and has been translated many times and in different versions?

24:41 - Question 8: Should Christians use pronouns if people identify as a pronoun other than their biological sex?

28:20 - Question 9: How can you [Dr. Stewart] use science to back up your argument, and simultaneously use theology and religion? Using religion seems to reduce your credibility. How can you claim to use religion to prescribe how others should live?

34:18 - Question 10: Reality is a social construct. My reality is different than yours. How can you prescribe what’s right for someone else’s reality?

38:15 - Question 11: Why are you only addressing transgenderism as sin, and why has the love of God not been mentioned throughout this conversation?

44:01 - Question 12: Are transgender people also made in the image of God? If God controls all things, why would God put people in bodies they are not comfortable in? What are humans supposed to do about that?

47:50 - Question 13: Are trans people not their true selves? Is there any scripture that says that transgenderism is a sin?

50:48 - Question 14: [Cameron] how did your friend who was transgender come to know Jesus?

51:58 - Question 15: For those of us who are not Christians, why does the Christian perspective apply to us?

53:30 - Question 16: What is the Christian perspective on someone who feels out of place, or like they’re the wrong gender? Does an individual’s feelings matter?

57:37 - Question 17: Shouldn’t Christians not judge others?

60:40 - Question 18: Can you be a Christian and also be attracted to the same sex?

E004: How to Defend the Pro-Life Position Apr 14, 2019

How do we defend the pro-life position? Today we discuss how to use a tool called SLED in order to make a convincing argument against abortion in a clear and concise way. You can read more about SLED on Stand to Reason’s website at str.org.

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1:00 - Why do we not engage others on the issue of abortion?

2:50 - Going into a conversation with the right attitude and motivation

13:11 - SLED: The unborn differs from the born in only four ways. None of those ways are good reasons to justify killing a person then (in the womb) but not now (outside of the womb).

14:42 - Size: Why does size matter when determining the value of a life?

16:28 - Level of Development: Why does level of development matter when determining the value of a life?

20:10 - Environment: How does where you are determine what you are?

22:11 - Degree of Dependency: Why does dependency on another human being matter when determining the value of a life?

29:27 - Common justifications for abortion

30:05 - Justification #1: Shouldn’t a woman have the right to do what she wants with her body?

35:35 - Article Reference: Abortion is Good, Because I am a Good Person

37:00 - Justification #2: If a woman is unable to take care of a child because of financial issues or an absent father, she should be able to abort.

41:20 - Justification #3: Abortion should be an option for women in cases of rape or incest.

44:45 - Defend the pro-life position in 60 seconds or less

E003: Facing an Unplanned Pregnancy as a Christian Mar 13, 2019

When someone close to us learns they are pregnant unexpectedly, what is the appropriate biblical response? Should that response be any different if the mother is a believer? Mary Kate White joins us and shares her personal experience of finding out she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins. What followed was a high risk pregnancy, an earlier-than-expected wedding date, and months in the NICU with her two daughters. Mary Kate shares how her faith and a solid support network of family and friends carried her through a time of uncertainty, showing how grace often meets us in the most unplanned times of our lives.

Mary Kate is a writer and you can follow her on her blog at marykatewrites.com.

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1:50 - Introducing Mary Kate White

4:00 - Mary Kate shares about the circumstances leading up to the news that she was unexpectedly pregnant with twins.

7:45 - Mary Kate and Andrew’s reactions to the news. The 3 S’s: Shocked, Scared, and Shame.

11:38 - Mary Kate finds out she is pregnant with twins.

14:05 - Mary Kate’s fears and concerns about how her family and church community would respond.

18:24 - Was abortion ever recommended?

21:45 - Mary Kate found out her pregnancy was high risk. Her daughters’ conditions occur once out of every 60,000 pregnancies.

29:15 - The impact of experiencing an unplanned pregnancy and how it has strengthened Mary Kate’s relationship with God. Words of encouragement to women in the same situation.

35:12 - How can Christians respond to an unplanned pregnancy in a biblical way?

E002: Common Myths About Pregnancy Resource Centers (PRCs) Mar 13, 2019

Today Mary Holloman and Client Services Director, Deanna Jewell, tackle an article from Cosmopolitan that came out in February 2019. The article is titled, “Fake Health Clinics are Tricking College Students.” The article makes several claims about pregnancy resource centers that are quite startling. So we sit down to respond to each claim and to present an accurate picture of what our PRC actually does.

1:45 - Claim #1: PRCs show graphic images of abortions and STDs to clients and tell them that “abortion is bad, sex is bad.”

3:50 - GPCC’s stance on sex and a biblical perspective on the best sex.

5:39 - What is GPCC telling clients about abortions?

7:30 - Claim #2: PRCs are unlicensed, unregulated, share wrong medical info, and prevent women from getting the care she actually needs.

8:25 - GPCC has licensed nurses who perform all medical services. Nurses are overseen by licensed medical directors. GPCC is volunteer-led and staff supported; volunteers who are not licensed do not perform any medical service. A nurse is present in every appointment.

10:45 - Does GPCC ever prevent women from getting the care they need?

13:15 - Claim #3: ‘Creeping on Campus’ - PRCs camp out near campuses to target college students.

14:00 - GPCC wants to remove barriers for women to receive the care they want/need.

15:45 - Claim #4: ‘Peddling Medical Myths’ - PRCs exaggerate side effects or complications associated with the abortion pill.

16:40 - GPCC provides complete, honest, holistic information so that clients are fully informed.

20:52: - Claim #5: ‘Deception on Wheels’ - PRCs offer ultrasounds without being licensed using mobile ultrasound units.

23:19 - Claim #6: PRCs use strategies to reach clients on social media.

27:10 - Claim #7: PRCs are the same as the people who stand outside abortion clinics with graphic pictures, yelling, screaming, and “in your face.”

Links:

Cosmopolitan article - Fake Clinics are Tricking College Students -

https://www.cosmopolitan.com/health-fitness/a26062253/crisis-pregnancy-centers-college-campus/?fbclid=IwAR2E3Af0DzxIriM6YDRakjwDBbq5xa7ouJrb60BIzXSfP_Mam8qb0lBEKns

Greensboro Pregnancy Care Center - gsocarecenter.org

E001: Meet GPCC - The 'Why' Behind Advocacy for Women Mar 13, 2019

Interviewed on the pilot episode of The Empowered Advocate are Carter Mundy (Associate Executive Director) and Deanna Jewell (Client Services Director). Carter, Deanna, and Mary discuss the inner workings of the Care Center and the motivation by behind why we serve the community.

0:00 Intros and welcome to The Empowered Advocate!

3:35 - Deanna shares about all our services, including pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STD testing, classes, and material resources--all free of charge.

6:00 - Carter explains the Success Sequence and why it matters: medical services, educational services, and mentorship.

7:15 - Deanna discusses the Care Center’s changes over the past 3-4 years. GPCC moved to a new location; bought and began operating a mobile ultrasound unit; began sidewalk advocacy outside Greensboro’s abortion center; added STD treatment to services; nearly doubled the annual budget; hired more staff and nurses. We’ve increased clients on average at about 20% every year for the last several years.

12:15 - Carter talks about the motivation behind why the Care Center exists. GPCC is a Christian organization and seeks to share the gospel with clients and also give the church the opportunity to minister to the needs of the community.

13:15 - GPCC is not Planned Parenthood. We don’t offer of refer for abortions. Deanna shares about why we do not offer this service: because we want what’s best for women.

15:45 - How does abortion relate with the gospel? Carter shares how our faith as an organization informs what we do. “We believe that every human being has value, and that’s because every human being is made in God’s image.”

17:35 - We are volunteer led, staff supported. Deanna shares about the impact volunteers have on GPCC. The Open House is the first step for a volunteer to get involved. To sign up, visit gsocarecenter.org/openhouse and follow the prompts to register.

21:00 - What’s the goal of the Care Center for 2019? Carter and Deanna share about the direction the organization is moving in. We want to see 1,200 clients in 2019; more partners and volunteers; adding more days out on the sidewalk at the abortion center; continued excellent care.

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Visit our blog at gsocarecenter.org/blog.

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