An Abortion Story (FBF)

Summary

Call Her Daddy – Episode: "An Abortion Story (FBF)"

Release Date: June 20, 2025
Host: Alex Cooper
Guests: Calla Hales, Robyn Marty, Christy Kelly, Kristen Smith, Shannon, and others

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Introduction and Context

The episode begins with Alex Cooper expressing her excitement about "Call Her Daddy" joining the SiriusXM family, promising more engaging content and personal stories for her audience, the Daddy Gang. Shortly after, promotional segments for sponsors like eBay, USAA auto insurance, and Uber Eats are interspersed. These segments are seamlessly integrated without disrupting the flow of the main discussion.

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Overturning of Roe v. Wade and Its Impact

[03:49]
Alex Cooper sets the stage by addressing the profound implications of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, positing it as a significant setback for women's constitutional rights.

[07:05] Calla Hales, Executive Director of a women's health center, shares her firsthand experience:

"This is easily the most desperate I've ever seen patients..." [07:30]

The guests elaborate on the immediate and severe repercussions of the ruling, detailing how numerous states are moving to restrict or ban abortion, thereby creating "abortion deserts" where access to reproductive health services becomes nearly impossible.

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Experiences at Women's Health Clinics

The conversation delves into the heightened desperation among patients and the increased hostility faced by clinic staff due to intensified protests outside health centers.

[03:56] Christy Kelly emphasizes the life-threatening rhetoric used by protesters:

"The worst and most uncomfortable feelings..." [04:16]

[12:12] Alex Cooper recounts her terrifying experience driving to a clinic amidst aggressive protests, describing the emotional toll and fear inflicted by anti-abortion demonstrators.

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Anti-Abortion Protests and Tactics

[07:35] Calla Hales discusses the tactics employed by protesters, including spreading misinformation and using shame to deter women from seeking abortions:

"You're a murderer. You're a slut, Mama, don't kill your baby." [07:45]

[13:55] Christy Kelly criticizes the manipulative strategies of anti-choice activists:

"Shame and fear is the easiest thing to learn about, like the anti-choice stuff." [13:55]

The guests highlight how these tactics are designed to instill fear and shame, making the abortion process even more traumatic for those seeking help.

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Legal and Social Ramifications

[09:14] Kristen Smith underscores the widespread impact, noting:

"You're talking about 36 million women of reproductive age." **[09:14]
She discusses the broader societal implications, including the potential banning of essential birth control methods, further restricting women's autonomy.

[11:01] Kristen Smith voices deep concern over the potential illegality of emergency contraception:

"I'm so terrified of it." **[11:01]
This fear is corroborated by observed legislative trends in states like Alabama.

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Personal Stories and Testimonials

A series of personal accounts from survivors of abortion and those affected by the restrictive laws provide a poignant human element to the discussion.

• [22:25] Calla Hales shares her harrowing experience of being physically assaulted due to her role in assisting abortions:

  "I was attacked and assaulted." [27:05]

• [22:04] Victoria Regel recounts her abortion journey:

  "I had an abortion when I was 20 years old." [22:10]

• [23:10] Kristen Smith explains how an unexpected pregnancy influenced her life decisions:

  "Having the right to an abortion... saved my life." [25:12]

These narratives highlight the personal and emotional struggles faced by women navigating these challenging circumstances.

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Resistance and Advocacy

The guests advocate for proactive measures and resistance against the restrictive laws. They emphasize the importance of community support, legal challenges, and public demonstrations to combat the oppressive regulations.

[32:25] Christy Kelly ties the struggle back to patriarchal control:

"So much of it is about control. And that does take you back to the patriarchy." [32:25]

[35:12] Kristen Smith calls for collective action, stating:

"The idea of hell has no fury like a woman scorned." [35:12]

The discussion underscores the necessity for women and allies to unite, fight for reproductive rights, and challenge unjust laws through various forms of activism.

---

Conclusion and Rallying Cry

In the concluding segments, Alex Cooper urges listeners to recognize the gravity of the situation and mobilize for change. The guests reiterate the importance of voting and advocating for bodily autonomy.

[35:01] Calla Hales emphasizes the urgency of addressing the broken system:

"Voting is such a hard thing in this country and so complicated. ...to ignore it just means downfall faster." [35:01]

[33:05] Alex Cooper delivers a powerful call to action:

"What would you say to them?" [33:21]

The episode wraps up with a collective affirmation of resilience and the determination to fight for equal rights and bodily autonomy.

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Notable Quotes

• Alex Cooper:

  "This is not exclusively a health care issue. It has become political." [31:35]

• Robyn Marty:

  "Don't murder an innocent child. You're not going to be able to escape death." [30:29]

• Christy Kelly:

  "It is about control. And that does take you back to the patriarchy." [32:25]

• Kristen Smith:

  "At some point, you have to decide what you're willing to do in order to make change." [33:39]

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Final Thoughts

"An Abortion Story (FBF)" is a compelling episode that delves deep into the tumultuous landscape of post-Roe America. Through heartfelt personal stories and incisive discussions, Alex Cooper and her guests shed light on the ongoing battle for women's reproductive rights. The episode serves as both a sobering reflection on current challenges and a rallying cry for collective action and resilience within the community.

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Note: This summary intentionally omits promotional content and focuses solely on the substantive discussions and narratives presented in the episode.

Transcript

[Alex Cooper]

Hi Daddy Gang, it is your father. I am so excited that CallerDaddy has officially joined the SiriusXM family. I cannot wait to talk to new guests and continue to share my crazy personal stories and experiences with you every single week. If you want to hear new episodes ad free, subscribe to Sirius XM Podcasts on Apple Podcasts to start your free trial today.

[Calla Hales]

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[Robyn Marty]

How many discounts does USAA auto insurance offer? Too many to say here. Multi vehicle discount Safe driver discount New vehicle discount Storage discount Legacy discount how.

[Alex Cooper]

Many discounts will you stack up? Tap the banner or visit usaa.com autodiscounts restrictions apply. Call her Daddy is brought to you by Uber Eats okay Daddy gang, we all know Uber Eats has the best selection of local restaurants, but did you know they also eat when it comes to a whole range of delivery services? Now that might be a lot to take in, so let's break it down. Okay? Uber Eats isn't just for locked in salad bowl lunches or pre gaming with Tai. When you can't make it to the store, you can just get about anything you need delivered straight to your door. With Uber Eats right now, you could be checking off your whole shopping list. Okay, of course I'm locked in on UberEats when it comes to getting my lunchtime sandwiches or a good delicious meal after work. But say I need a little cocktail at the end of the day. UberEats is my go to spot to get all of the ingredients I need sent to my door. I also use Uber Eats for pretty much everything. Paper towels, groceries, snacks. I even order a pair of flip flops to the nail salon. Okay, They've got my back no matter where I am. When you can't make it to the store, Uber Eats brings you the store essentially. Okay, there is nothing better than putting on a good show, getting cozy on the couch and having the perfect meal delivered right to me, along with five other things that I forgot to pick up that day. Uber Eats makes it easy to have it all and get grocery alcohol and everyday essentials in addition to the restaurant food you love. So in other words, get almost almost anything with Uber Eats. Order now for alcohol. You must be legal drinking age. Please enjoy responsibly. Product availability varies by region. See app for details. I am currently on my way to a preferred women's health center where women in Charlotte, North Carolina get abortions. It's a Saturday, so the clinic is probably going to be pretty busy. Saturday also is probably when a lot of protesters will be here. If there's one episode of Call Her Daddy that people should watch and listen to, it's this one.

[Calla Hales]

50 years worth of women's rights in.

[Alex Cooper]

America over ended a woman's constitutional right.

[Christy Kelly]

To an abortioning roe puts every single.

[Robyn Marty]

One of us in danger.

[Alex Cooper]

To deserve.

[Robyn Marty]

The best sentence today to deserve an end in the trash can did you choose life? Did you choose live? There's an ultrasound down there. Just go park there. Okay? Go ahead, go down there to the ultrasound. Keep driving. You're good. Inside that building. You are not going to find hope. You are not going to find help. You're not going to find joy or peace or any of those things inside that building. Because none of those things can come from the murder of your innocent child. You don't have to go in there today. Don't follow the path of the wicked that are driving you, that are bringing you into this building, lying to you about the humanity of your child, leading you like sheep into the hi there.

[Shannon]

I'm a volunteer with the clinic you're walking in.

[Robyn Marty]

That baby is precious. God's word says the sixth Commandment. God says thou shalt not murder.

[Alex Cooper]

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[Robyn Marty]

How many discounts does USAA auto insurance offer? Too many to say here. Multi vehicle discount. Safe driver discount. New vehicle discount. Storage discount. Legacy.

[Alex Cooper]

How many discounts will you stack up? Tap the banner or visit usaa.com autodiscounts restrictions apply. I want to start off by having you introduce yourself.

[Calla Hales]

I'm Calla Hales. I'm the executive director of a preferred women's health center, and this is my ninth year being here.

[Alex Cooper]

So your parents started this clinic?

[Calla Hales]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

In what ways has your clinic been impacted by the overturn of Roe v. Wade?

[Calla Hales]

This is easily the most desperate I've ever seen patients, which is very frustrating. However, we do focus on the fact that we are still helping patients live their best lives because, like, as an.

[Alex Cooper]

Outsider, just coming in and seeing the protesters, immediately I'm like, holy shit, this is hell.

[Calla Hales]

And this is, like, an easy day. Once you get here and you're driving to the clinic, you're driving past these folks who are calling themselves pregnancy counselors, but they're not with the clinic, and they're specifically trying to stop patients to explain to them why they shouldn't have an abortion or what they can do. Instead, you're seeing these patients and their companions come in, and you start hearing people yelling at you and being like, you're a murderer. You're a slut, Mama, don't kill your baby. They're so loud that you can hear it through the doors and through the walls, and it is traumatizing. One of the worst and most uncomfortable feelings to have is when a patient comes in and, like, is so distraught and so upset, and, you know, you ask them, what's wrong? And they're like, am I gonna die? I'm like, honey, why did you come in if you thought you were gonna die? And she was like, well, I can't have this baby. But the guy outside tells me that, like, people die here all the time. And I'm like, the fact that you felt like you were submitting yourself to what you thought could be certain death is just so heartbreaking.

[Robyn Marty]

Well, now that abortion laws can be.

[Calla Hales]

Determined by each state, conservative America is tightening its grip.

[Alex Cooper]

So we knew that the United States Supreme Court was gonna overturn Roe v. Wade. Fuck. And I mean this with all disrespect.

[Robyn Marty]

In my heart, you 26 states will ban abortion. You're talking about 36 million women of reproductive age. I'm a 15 year old girl and.

[Kristen Smith]

My rights are being threatened.

[Robyn Marty]

And I came here because I'm hoping.

[Alex Cooper]

To not allow these government officials who.

[Robyn Marty]

Think they have control over my body to do what they're doing and take.

[Alex Cooper]

Us back 50 years of fighting.

[Kristen Smith]

The day that the ruling came down, I had to immediately call up my staff and tell them to stop seeing patients. Because in Alabama we had a law that said that all abortion was illegal and anyone who was involved could be put in jail. I'm Robyn Marty. I am operations director for West Alabama Women's Center. And until a few months ago, it provided about half of the abortions in the state of Alabama. Now it just does reproductive health care.

[Alex Cooper]

As we sit here today, how many states have made abortion illegal?

[Kristen Smith]

At this point, we have 14 states where there's no longer legal abortion. Now that Roe v. Wade has been overturned, all of the states get to decide individually whether or not there will be legal abortion. And they don't have to have it legal in their state at all. A lot of times people think, okay, that means I have to go to the next state over in order to get an abortion. Where I'm from in the south, in the Gulf coast, there's no legal abortion anywhere.

[Alex Cooper]

So is that when people are referring to like an abortion desert?

[Kristen Smith]

Yeah, an abortion desert means that you have hundreds of miles that you have to go through in order to be able to access a legal clinic.

[Robyn Marty]

We won't go back. We won't go back. There have been bills in a number of states to ban common forms of birth control.

[Kristen Smith]

Not abortion. Birth control.

[Robyn Marty]

I think every woman in America needs to know this.

[Alex Cooper]

Should women be nervous and worried that birth control and Plan B could potentially become illegal?

[Kristen Smith]

Oh, God, yes. I'm so terrified of it. Specifically in Alabama, we think the next legislative session that emergency contraception is going to be banned. And we think this because right after the. Right after the decision, there was a reporter who went through and asked all of the representatives whether they would consider banning emergency contraception next. And the worst part was most of them responded, I don't really know what that is, but yeah, that sounds like a good thing to ban. I don't know how it works, but yeah, we should ban it because that's what we're at. I don't know how it works, but yes, let's get rid of it.

[Robyn Marty]

Your baby's heart started beating in your womb just below your own heart. If you can't name five parts of a woman's name reproductive system, you don't deserve an opinion on women's reproductive health care. You're not pro life, you're pro force birth Women are not your incubators. Your religion does not have a place in my doctor's office.

[Alex Cooper]

I drove up to the clinic while this protest is going on, and I was shaking. It's fucking terrifying. There's so much shame. As I was driving, a man just started screaming, murderer, murderer. And a woman shoved her face at my car window. And it's like, did you choose life? Did you choose life? Did you choose life?

[Shannon]

There's an ultrasound down there.

[Robyn Marty]

Just go park there, okay?

[Alex Cooper]

The shame that they're trying to inflict on these women, the confusion also of, like, how they make you feel, it's so overwhelming and it's. I can't. I cannot even imagine waking up in the morning to get an abortion and to have to fucking deal with this bullshit.

[Kristen Smith]

It is.

[Alex Cooper]

It's insane.

[Christy Kelly]

I am Christy Kelly. My regular job is. I'm a corporate accountant and I have been volunteering in like some sphere of reproductive justice for off and on, 20 odd years.

[Alex Cooper]

Your job is an escort and defender. Okay, so can you describe what those jobs do?

[Robyn Marty]

Sure.

[Christy Kelly]

So escort's job is to, you know, once the patient's in the parking lot, you get them from their vehicle into the clinic door. And the whole point is just to shield them as much as possible, you know, to maintain their privacy and dignity and to try to shield them from, you know, a lot of the rhetoric and really nasty things.

[Alex Cooper]

Do the protesters ever provide misinformation to the patients?

[Christy Kelly]

A better question would be, do they ever not provide misinformation? They try to say things that are not true, like, if you go in there, you will die. An abortion is not safe. And abortion is incredibly safe. It is safer. Have you ever had a root canal or gotten your wisdom teeth out? You were in way more danger.

[Alex Cooper]

It's all scare tactics mostly.

[Christy Kelly]

Yeah.

[Calla Hales]

And shame.

[Christy Kelly]

Yeah, shame and fear is the easiest thing to learn about, like the anti choice stuff and all of that. It's not about babies. It's never, ever, ever about babies. It's about control.

[Robyn Marty]

We are having a conference here and I'm trying to enlighten these nice folks of their slavery to sin and their need to repent. Concerned about yours as well.

[Shannon]

Why do you think My soul is.

[Robyn Marty]

In jeopardy because you're supporting the murder of children. You're in rebellion to God because children are being murdered inside of there.

[Shannon]

What if I don't believe in God? How can I be in rebellion?

[Robyn Marty]

I mean, you can stand on a interstate and say, I don't believe in Mack trucks with one coming at you at 70 miles an hour.

[Shannon]

So you are equating God with a.

[Robyn Marty]

Mack truck, and you need to bow before me when you address me.

[Shannon]

Oh, I will never bow before me.

[Robyn Marty]

Because I identify as royalty. I've always felt royal ever since I was born.

[Shannon]

Of course you felt royal. You're a white man.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you believe in equality of women and men?

[Robyn Marty]

I believe in equality value, yes. I don't believe in equality of function. Like, literally, men and women have different functions with their. With their bodies, the way their bodies operate.

[Alex Cooper]

What is your goal when you show up to this place?

[Robyn Marty]

My goal is to try to persuade people not to take the innocent lives of their children and offer them alternatives.

[Alex Cooper]

A man's issue.

[Robyn Marty]

I do think abortion is a man's issue, yes. Why is that? Men didn't take advantage of women and have sex with them outside of marriage, then this wouldn't be a thing.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you think that it would be helpful if men, all at a young age, got vasectomies, and then when they were ready to financially be able to support a child, then they get it reversed?

[Robyn Marty]

Are you suggesting that the government institute that as a. As a government program?

[Alex Cooper]

At this point, we're regulating the uteruses. We could also regulate the penises, right? I mean, if we're forced to have the kids.

[Robyn Marty]

You believe that?

[Alex Cooper]

I'm just asking. You would. Do you think that would help?

[Robyn Marty]

I don't know. I don't think it would be helpful for society. USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day. Like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a'@usaa.com Bundle restrictions apply. Race the rudders. Race the sails. Race the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching. Over. Roger, wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution? Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title, and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Shannon]

I'm Shannon. I am the executive director of Charlotte for Choice, which is a nonprofit that helps defend and escort patients coming into the clinic.

[Alex Cooper]

What do you make of the term pro life?

[Shannon]

I don't use it because these folks are pro life. Would be taking care of the children that are born, working with houseless population, helping others. They don't. They also believe that you need to help yourself. We'll give you everything you need up to two years of life. That's what the antis tell the patients. We will give you a lavish baby shower for everything you need up to two years of life. There's a little bit more involved.

[Alex Cooper]

So let's talk about this rv because this is crazy, this is evil.

[Robyn Marty]

And you know, you know in your heart that this is the murder of your child.

[Alex Cooper]

What is happening in this rv? What is the purpose of the rv?

[Robyn Marty]

You can have a free ultrasound and see your precious baby.

[Shannon]

They allegedly have an ultrasound. They say they have a nurse that gives you ultrasound and they try to get patients to come on the rv.

[Robyn Marty]

Young women. We have grief.

[Shannon]

Yeah, perhaps they give ultrasounds, but while they're doing that, they're trying to convince them as to why they need to continue the pregnancy. Please do not do this today. They also use this opportunity to hopefully get the patients to not make their appointment, miss their appointment time.

[Calla Hales]

I can't actually remember a time where an ultrasound from that bus was accurate. I've had folks come in, say, well, they said they couldn't see anything. Like I was too early to be seen. Or you tell them they're too far along to be seen to begin with. Like, there's real manipulation here that really works to keep a patient from getting surfaces.

[Robyn Marty]

Keep driving, keep driving, keep driving, keep driving. We don't take money for what we do. They don't want you to have any other choices but death. But we have many choices. Help for housing, food, a big baby shower for your child that covers close to two years of the baby's.

[Christy Kelly]

If you're going to tell someone we have resources for you, be honest about what those resources are. If you take resources from them, they make them sign this, like really elaborate contract. You have to give them access to going to medical appointments, to posting your image and your potentially future child's image on social media. They get to use you as a bargaining chick. Success story. That's pretty gross. That's really, really exploitative. And there's a huge element of, you know, white saviorism to it too. That is extra gross.

[Alex Cooper]

It does feel very manipulative.

[Christy Kelly]

Right, because they're going to say, we have resources, we can do this, this, this, this, and this for you. They don't. We've looked at those pamphlets. They're the number to the local social services. It's how to apply for Medicaid, how to apply for food stamps. How is that helping someone inside that building?

[Robyn Marty]

You are not going to find hope.

[Kristen Smith]

We hear the religious right say that it's okay to do those kind of lies because it's for a good cause. It's for God.

[Robyn Marty]

God's word says the sixth commandment. God says, thou shalt not murder.

[Kristen Smith]

And it just terrifies me because when you feel that every person who is for bodily autonomy is evil, they don't.

[Robyn Marty]

Believe their lies and deception of this.

[Kristen Smith]

World, the wicked people, everything's justified. They believe that they are fighting the spiritual battle and we are the devil.

[Robyn Marty]

Full of grace, the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou amongst women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners. I don't care how many of y' all come out here. I don't care how many times you come out here, people are gonna get abortions. Abortion is still legal in North Carolina. We are still free. You uphold white supremacy. You uphold the legacy of slavery, forced childbirth.

[Alex Cooper]

How does religion play a part in the fight for women to have access to this type of health care?

[Kristen Smith]

Well, their religion doesn't like women. When you look at all of the language in the decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, it's all hearkening back to the 15 and 1600s, when women were possessions that were traded for cows and used to make alliances. But they weren't people. They didn't have any control over their lives. And that's what they like. They like the idea of women as possessions. They like the idea of women as something that they can move around and bend around and will do whatever it is that they want. And what better way to do that than to have her exhausted and constantly pregnant? Being able to control your own body gives you independence. And that's not something that they enjoy. That's not something they like. And apparently it's not something that is part of their Christianity.

[Alex Cooper]

My name's Kristen Smith.

[Robyn Marty]

My name is Rana. My name's Nick. I'm a non binary person.

[Alex Cooper]

My name is Jack. My pronouns are they them. My name is Victoria Regel and I had an abortion. I had an abortion. I had an abortion when I was 20 years old.

[Kristen Smith]

I found out I was pregnant when I was in my early 20s.

[Robyn Marty]

And I had an abortion in Texas in 2017.

[Alex Cooper]

The condom broke. I went and got a Plan B. That did not help.

[Robyn Marty]

And when I found myself in that.

[Alex Cooper]

Position, you know, the partner I had.

[Calla Hales]

At the time, we had a really tumultuous and complicated relationship that was not healthy.

[Robyn Marty]

I was unemployed. I was just in a period of a lot of instability. I was living with a bunch of roommates. It was like the worst time to find out I was pregnant. I got pregnant just after my 40th birthday.

[Alex Cooper]

Like many people who have abortions, I was already a mom at the time. I have three kids.

[Kristen Smith]

And last year in May, I found.

[Alex Cooper]

Out that we were pregnant with our fourth. It was unexpected, but we quickly got excited. We found out it was a boy.

[Kristen Smith]

And we named him Case.

[Robyn Marty]

Everything was perfect up until my 20 week ultrasound.

[Alex Cooper]

I knew from the moment that I saw the positive pregnancy test that I did not want to continue the pregnancy. I felt my heart sink to, like, the bottom of my stomach. And I. I remember I was just crying. Crying because I was afraid. I knew in my soul that I couldn't watch Case be born. To struggle to breathe, to go through.

[Kristen Smith]

Any type of pain, to just lay.

[Alex Cooper]

There and watch him die.

[Kristen Smith]

I just.

[Alex Cooper]

I couldn't imagine it.

[Kristen Smith]

So I scheduled. I called the clinic in D.C. and I scheduled an appointment.

[Alex Cooper]

For me, it was not a hard decision to have an abortion. I was already struggling to balance work.

[Robyn Marty]

And being a parent.

[Alex Cooper]

I felt like my kids deserved 100% of my attention.

[Robyn Marty]

I did have to face protesters on that day, and it made it really hard. You know, it honestly was just really humiliating to have to listen to people scream about me and, you know, tell me I'm a bad person for making a medical decision that has nothing to do with them.

[Alex Cooper]

Having an abortion is probably one of.

[Calla Hales]

The best things that's ever happened to me.

[Alex Cooper]

Having that access is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. It gave me freedom. It gave me, me a life.

[Calla Hales]

I absolutely would not have been able.

[Alex Cooper]

To carry that to term. There is no way I would have survived that. I would have made sure I didn't survive that. I do think about that pregnancy and think about what my life would have been like if I had added another child to our family at that point.

[Robyn Marty]

And I'm very glad I made that decision.

[Alex Cooper]

I felt so relieved that I could finally move on with my life. I could finally heal. I wanted to graduate. I wanted to study abroad. I wanted to do so many things. And because of my abortion, I'm now figuring those things out.

[Robyn Marty]

And it changed my life for the better.

[Kristen Smith]

Having the right to an abortion, having My abortion. It saved my life. It allowed me to become a parent when I was good and ready. Over a full decade later, it meant that I could grow my family on my own terms, according to my own timeline. With a PhD degree in hand and pursuing a career I care about deeply, it meant that I could live my life in the way that I knew.

[Alex Cooper]

Was best for me.

[Robyn Marty]

USAA knows dynamic duos can save the day. Like superheroes and sidekicks or auto and home insurance. With usaa, you can bundle your auto and home and save up to 10%. Tap the banner to learn more and get a'@usaa.com Bundle restrictions apply. Race the rudders. Race the sails. Race the sails. Captain, an unidentified ship is approaching. Over. Roger, wait. Is that an enterprise sales solution? Reach sales professionals, not professional sailors. With LinkedIn ads, you can target the right people by industry, job title, and more. We'll even give you a $100 credit on your next campaign. Get started today at LinkedIn.com results, terms and conditions apply.

[Alex Cooper]

They know who you are.

[Calla Hales]

Yeah.

[Alex Cooper]

You're pregnant.

[Calla Hales]

Yes.

[Alex Cooper]

Like, is that almost to them, like, confusing? Like, oh, the woman that's helping give abortions is pregnant now. Like, how do they treat you?

[Calla Hales]

Some of them, it really does radically fuck with their heads. Last time I was pregnant, I gave birth during COVID and after I gave birth, I had complications. My daughter had complications. And that information got out somehow. And that led to a lot of protesters being like, this is punishment. Your daughter's gonna die. Like, this is gonna be punishment for all those babies you killed. This is your karma. This is your retribution. I used to take it really personally. I don't as much anymore just because of the fact that.

[Kristen Smith]

If you did.

[Calla Hales]

If you took it personally, like, it would eat you alive. I feel like that's what they want, though. They wanna eat you alive. They want you to quit. They want you to just make their lives easier.

[Alex Cooper]

You have been personally attacked because of.

[Calla Hales]

The work you do.

[Alex Cooper]

Do you mind sharing what happened to you in Raleigh?

[Calla Hales]

So when I was still in Raleigh, I had just gotten out of grad school and moved back down. And like most people who are new to an area, you, you know, you make friends, you. You go on dates and. And things like that. And I unfortunately went on a date with someone who I thought was normal and wasn't. Turned out to be a protester who knew me and knew my family and knew what I did and had a lot of feelings about it and in turn took that out on me. And I was attacked and assaulted.

[Robyn Marty]

I.

[Kristen Smith]

Know her tells she needs a second. Oh, no.

[Calla Hales]

She's seen me do this way too many times.

[Kristen Smith]

I. I'm sad because I don't think people understand. It's very hard. It's hard to be an open book. It's difficult to live life really publicly, and it's. It's difficult when you know that there are people that want to cause you harm. And Calla is so unbelievably brave, and she just keeps coming back, and she does it over and over and over again.

[Calla Hales]

You good?

[Kristen Smith]

Mm.

[Alex Cooper]

Obviously, you're still working in this field. It's very close to you and your family. But to have something happen to you like that, like, how did you move on?

[Calla Hales]

There's a certain level that you don't move on. I will say that it still comes up. It catches me off guard when it still comes up, but obviously, I was caught off guard in this conversation because you lock it. You just lock it down and you keep moving. It's like, that is a thing. It happened. And I have to now see patients who are in that exact situation, too. So if I can use that to help them and understand them. One of the things that I do try to be kind of open about is. And, like, I keep. Like Robin said, like, I keep coming back and I keep being this open book is because, quite honestly, people need that, and they need to know that they can talk about it.

[Robyn Marty]

Don't murder an innocent child. You're not going to be able to escape death. I grew up in the church. I know the Bible. I know the true love of Jesus Christ. These people, they don't know love. They spread hate. They take his name in vain and spread a message of hate and disgust and vile, scared little man, terrified little men here to tell us when women are not free. Women are not free. No one is free. I have here because men have decided that they have sovereign power over our bodies, our voices.

[Alex Cooper]

They're not pro life, they're pro hypocrisy, pro birth, and pro control. All they really care about is controlling and suppressing women.

[Robyn Marty]

We need to let them know that this is our bodies, and we do what the fuck we want to do with our bodies.

[Alex Cooper]

This is not exclusively a health care issue. It has become. It is political. And in order to have autonomy over my own body, I need to get out there and vote. It's like, why do I have to vote to have control over my own body? How are we not progressed enough as a society where women have equal rights to men?

[Kristen Smith]

That's A fabulous question. How long is your podcast? I mean, everything's about inequality, but also it's not just about women not being equal to men. It's about white, patriarchal men who are terrified of the idea of losing power, because when they grew up, they've always been the ones in charge. They've always been the ones likely to be running the board meetings. They're the ones that get called on the most in class. They've always, always been in charge.

[Christy Kelly]

So much of it is about control. And that does take you back to the patriarchy. If you are not assigned male at birth, you have less power in this country. You just do.

[Kristen Smith]

At some point, we're going to get to a place where people are going to have to challenge laws, and you challenge laws by breaking them. It's something that, quite frankly, I'm doing at this moment by saying it on a camera, because I could get charged with conspiracy in my home state of Alabama. But everybody should have access to an abortion. Everybody can get access to an abortion, and they can do that by accessing pills online. Every person can do that, regardless of their state, by going to aidaccess.org, ordering pills and having them.

[Alex Cooper]

Interesting, the concept of breaking laws. And let's see. Because if every single woman in America, if we all join together and we decide, no, we're actually. We do deserve abortions. It's my fucking body. I'm gonna do whatever the hell I want.

[Kristen Smith]

There was this amazing protest where 100 women got together and took medication abortion out in the middle of the public square. Two of them were actually doing actual pills. The rest of them were taking Tylenol or something. Nobody knew who was who and what was what. No one was arrested. That's the kind of shit we need to be doing.

[Alex Cooper]

What will happen when the government in Alabama sees this?

[Kristen Smith]

That's an excellent question, and it's one that I'm ready for. At some point, you have to decide what you're willing to do in order to make change.

[Alex Cooper]

I don't think a lot of people understand what's going on, which is essentially a war against women and our bodies. Coming here has opened my eyes, and I feel so grateful because there's never been a greater moment that Daddy Gang can actually affect what's going on in the world. Like, we genuinely can make a difference and change. And I hope this episode shows like, this is us. We are the women that could potentially also be going through this one day. And so if we don't fight for ourselves, who the Fuck is going to. What would be your rally cry to people in America that are listening to this in their dorm rooms, at home, in their apartments, wherever they are listening? What would you say to them?

[Shannon]

First off is fight. When you fight, you start building strength. When you start getting up, when you start getting momentum, when you start moving, you're getting ready to battle. And that's something. I hate to use that terminology, but that's what's going on. This is very much a battle.

[Calla Hales]

I know it's a broken system and that voting is such a hard thing in this country and so complicated. But it's the broken system we have and to ignore it just means downfall faster.

[Kristen Smith]

The idea of hell has no fury like a woman scorned. You just scorned a whole fucking nation of women and they are coming for you. Like that is the thing that gets me through every day is the thought of the reckoning. I call it the reckoning in my head because of course I do. And it's going to be amazing and I can't wait to watch it. And your audience is who is going to change everything because they're the ones who are going to be the most impacted by this. They are the first generation who is going to know what it's like to grow up without reproductive rights. That is going to have to face the idea that there are a bunch of men in power that that think that they deserve less, that they don't deserve to have control over their bodies, that they don't deserve to have sex just for pleasure. Like what good is a world without sex for pleasure? And they're gonna fight for it.

[Robyn Marty]

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[Alex Cooper]

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[Robyn Marty]

Ice cream is your go to summer treat.

[Alex Cooper]

My Mochi's bite sized beauties are only.

[Robyn Marty]

Around 70 calories each.

[Alex Cooper]

They're packed with cool creamy ice cream and wrapped with soft chewy dough. Totally satisfying, perfectly portioned and ready to cool you down with every delicious bite. My Mochi ice cream fits your summer vibe. Treat yourself smart with a joyfully chill.

[Robyn Marty]

Sensation of My Mochi. Look for the purple box of Mymochi.

[Alex Cooper]

At walmart or visit mymochi.com to find.

[Robyn Marty]

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[Alex Cooper]

Go from thinking Can I?

[Robyn Marty]

To Yes, I can and keep striving. Visit Strayer. Edu to learn more. Strayer University is certified to operate in Virginia by Chev and its many campuses.

[Alex Cooper]

Including at 2121 15th Street north in Arlington, Virginia.