The Empowered Advocate

Latest Episodes:

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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

Show notes

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.

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