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Episode Summary: "Liberty Lost"

Release Date: June 23, 2025
Host: Chenjerai Kumanyika (Peabody Award-winning host)

Introduction

In the episode titled "Liberty Lost," Chenjerai Kumanyika delves into the controversial resurgence of maternity homes in post-Roe America. This episode explores the harrowing experiences of young women like Abby and Nathan, who find themselves entangled in a system that enforces religious and societal norms regarding pregnancy outside of marriage. Kumanyika investigates the intersection of faith, coercion, and systemic control within evangelical communities, raising critical questions about the true purpose of such institutions.

The Ceremony: A Coercive Adoption Process

The narrative centers around Abby, a 16-year-old girl from a devout evangelical home, who becomes pregnant. Her parents place her in the Liberty Godparent Home at Liberty University—a facility purportedly designed to help pregnant teens decide their next steps, whether that involves parenting or adoption.

A Day of Transformation

At the heart of the episode is a deeply unsettling ceremony designed to strip Abby and Nathan of their parental rights. The ceremony is presented as a wedding but serves a sinister purpose:

• [01:21] Nathan: "Abby and Nathan are waiting for the signal. Any moment now, the ceremony will begin."
• [02:22] Abby: "We walked out the doors and I was just like the grand reveal."
• [04:16] Nathan: "Everyone prays. Abby and Nathan and the couple pose for photos, the newborn baby between them."

During this event, Abby and Nathan are coerced into relinquishing their child to a pre-selected Christian couple, under the guise of aligning with religious values. The ceremony is laden with religious symbolism and societal pressure, masking the underlying intent of forced adoption.

Emotional Turmoil and Resistance

Abby's internal struggle is palpable throughout the ceremony:

• [03:28] Abby: "I was being punished and being told I wasn't worthy of getting to be the one who had him be his mother."
• [03:46] Abby: "And so I'm disgusted in my body. Every step I take forward. I'm just horrified by what's occurring."

Her mother’s vehement opposition highlights the generational and ideological tensions at play:

• [04:06] Abby's Mother: "I remember being like, I want to burn this place down."
• [04:28] Abby's Mother: "This is so wrong. This is, like, so dark. It's so evil. Like, this ceremony is like a fucking joke."

These quotes underscore the emotional and psychological manipulation inflicted upon young mothers, forcing them into a narrative that dismisses their autonomy and desires.

Historical and Societal Context

Kumanyika provides a critical examination of how these modern-day practices echo the oppressive tactics of the 1950s and 1960s, where young women were similarly forced into secret adoptions to conform to societal norms:

• [04:35] Nathan: "This ceremony, this fucking joke. It's a celebration of something that was part of American life for decades back. In the 50s and 60s, young women who got pregnant out of wedlock were forced to leave their homes and then secretly place their babies for adoption."

The episode connects these practices to a broader agenda aimed at "reshaping the country in God's image," as articulated by authority figures within the evangelical community:

• [05:10] Christian Authority Figure: "Because the true Christian home that produces successful children must be headed by a godly husband. One man for one woman for one lifetime. And no sex pen period outside of marriage."

This rhetoric reinforces rigid gender roles and family structures, justifying the invasive control over young women's reproductive choices.

Current Implications and Personal Stories

"Liberty Lost" not only sheds light on the systemic issues but also humanizes the impact through personal stories:

• Abby's Resistance: Despite the immense pressure, Abby's love for her son and resistance against the system exemplify the strength and defiance of individuals facing oppressive structures.
  • [05:27] Abby: "They all saw how much I loved him. They didn't have to take him from me. They knew I didn't want them to."

Her story highlights the emotional devastation and the fight for personal agency against institutionalized control.

Conclusion: A Call for Awareness and Change

Chenjerai Kumanyika closes the episode by urging listeners to recognize the disturbing persistence of these coercive practices. By exposing the hidden history and current resurgence of maternity homes like the Liberty Godparent Home, "Liberty Lost" serves as a compelling call to action to protect the rights and autonomy of young mothers.

Listeners are encouraged to delve deeper into the issue, fostering a broader conversation about the role of religion, governance, and individual freedoms in shaping contemporary societal norms.

Notable Quotes:

• Abby: "I was being punished and being told I wasn't worthy of getting to be the one who had him be his mother." [03:28]
• Abby's Mother: "This is so wrong. This is, like, so dark. It's so evil. Like, this ceremony is like a fucking joke." [04:28]
• Christian Authority Figure: "Because the true Christian home that produces successful children must be headed by a godly husband. One man for one woman for one lifetime. And no sex pen period outside of marriage." [05:10]
• Abby: "They all saw how much I loved him. They didn't have to take him from me. They knew I didn't want them to." [05:27]

Further Listening

To explore the full narrative and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding maternity homes and their historical roots, listeners are encouraged to follow "Liberty Lost" on the Wondery App or their preferred podcast platform. Early access and ad-free episodes are available through Wondery+, with a free trial accessible at wondery.com/links/empire-city/.