Flipping Tables – Episode 62: "The Least of These" With Jen Hamilton
Date: March 30, 2026
Host: Monte Mader | Guest: Jen Hamilton (Labor & Delivery Nurse, Social Media Advocate)

Episode Overview

In a profound and hopeful episode, host Monte Mader sits down with viral nurse and advocate Jen Hamilton to discuss the experience of deconstructing evangelical beliefs, the complexities of current reproductive rights issues, and what a compassionate, empathetic application of Christian teachings looks like in modern America. Both share their journeys from conservative upbringings and attendance at Liberty University to more progressive, inclusive worldviews, reflecting on how proximity to others’ pain and humanity can radically reshape our perspectives. The conversation dives deep into social media activism, the realities of healthcare, systemic misogyny, birth control propaganda, and the transformative power of embracing and uplifting the “least of these.”

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Introduction & Viral Moment

[00:59–03:13]

• Monte recounts how Jen went viral after reading Matthew 25 on TikTok, emphasizing care for “the least of these,” which she notes, “sounds pretty liberal to me.”
• Jen faced serious backlash: targeted attempts to get her fired and threats that required private security at professional events.

“And in response to that, MAGA called her work at the hospital...tried to get her nursing license revoked...” (Monty, 00:59)

2. Social Media Journey & Influence

[03:13–05:44]

• Jen began on TikTok during the pandemic at a friend's suggestion; her content shifted from light “mom videos” to healthcare advocacy and social commentary.
• Discusses the realities and labor behind “influencer” work.

“I just got to the point where I hired my sister because it’s just too much…I can’t be a human being, you know?” (Jen, 05:35)

3. From Conservative Upbringing to Empathy in Healthcare

[06:05–12:56]

• Jen describes a loving, church-centered upbringing and “travel and church” as foundational.
• Her father—a national champion wakeboarder—now serves foster kids through a nonprofit.
• Liberty University’s nursing program exposed her to people with different stories, encouraged hands-on learning in diverse environments (AA meetings, disability schools), and forced her to confront her own biases.
• A key moment: an instructor dismisses a male student’s attempt to avoid OB clinicals for religious reasons.

“You don’t get to use your religious reasons for not being able to take care of somebody.” (Jen, 09:10)

4. How Proximity Changes Perspective

[12:56–18:33]

• Both Jen and Monte experienced major worldview shifts by meeting students from diverse backgrounds at Liberty.
• The notion “it’s hard to hate from an embrace” recurs—exposure breeds empathy.

“When you’re close enough to see the humanness of someone else, it has a way of changing and shaping you.” (Monty, 13:06)

5. The Reality of “Pro-Life” — A Healthcare Worker’s View

[14:46–20:57]

• Jen’s tenure as a labor and delivery nurse reshaped her views on abortion. She gives examples of medically necessary termination (e.g., pre-viable ruptures with infection, IVF pregnancies with fetal loss).
• Critiques the dissonance of “pro-life” policies that cut support for children post-birth while demanding birth at all costs.

“If people could just come with me to work, if they could see what it means to say ‘no, you can’t have this care,’ I think that it would change a lot of people’s minds.” (Jen, 17:20)

• Advocates for making abortion “unnecessary, not illegal,” emphasizing the role of comprehensive sex ed, healthcare access, and financial support.

6. Debunking Abortion and Birth Control Myths

[21:55–29:29]

• Monte and Jen both describe moving from absolutist “no exceptions” positions to understanding the intricacies and tragedies that surround reproductive choices.
• Address common myths: abortions as birth control (“no one’s doing that!”), birth control conspiracies, and coercive anti-women policies.

“I’m pro abortion in the way that I’m pro appendectomy…When you need it, you need it.” (Jen, 25:55)

7. Birth Control Access & Propaganda

[29:29–32:09]

• Analyze the anti–birth control rhetoric surfacing on social media ("step into your divine feminine," "it’s a trap").
• Tie the push against birth control to larger movements (e.g., Project 2025, Save Act), seeing them as means to control women’s autonomy.

“It all lines up so perfectly with Project 2025 and making sure that we...get as close as we can get right now to repealing the 19th Amendment. That’s what I’m saying.” (Jen, 29:57)

• Critiques infantilization of women—suggesting proponents of these laws do not trust women to make their own choices.

8. Personal Stories: Birth Control & Motherhood

[32:09–38:15]

• Both swap stories about finding effective birth control (Jen taped her pill pack to her phone; both praise IUDs for managing health issues).
• Discussed mixed experiences, side effects, and the disservice of fear-based propaganda for young women.

“I would marry my Mirena. I love her.” (Jen, 32:09)
“This is how men live all the time? I never want to hear another complaint ever again.” (Monty, 36:36)

9. Coercion and Abuse in Religious Institutions

[38:15–43:54]

• Both discuss the Liberty Godparent Home, a maternity home incentivizing adoption, often in coercive, traumatizing ways for teen girls.
• Jen shares discomfort from even her youth mission work there; listening to survivor stories clarified her unease.
• Monte provides more context: forced adoptions, isolation tactics, and the concerning spread of similar homes post-Roe.

10. Dangerous Shifts in Federal Policy for Pregnant Teens

[43:35–46:31]

• Jen details how a local shelter (My Sister Susan's House) lost federal funding for refusing to “push marriage” to pregnant teens—even if it means marrying abusers, reflecting a disturbing national trend.

“...there was new language...they had to answer…‘How do you push marriage as one man, one woman?’ And they lost their federal funding.” (Jen, 44:30)

• Monte compares these family policy proposals to historical fascism.

11. Christian Nationalism, Hypocrisy & Hope

[47:00–54:45]

• Discuss hypocrisy in American evangelicalism; how “love your neighbor” now gets redefined to exclude certain groups.
• Jen shares the viral first-class airplane story—giving up her seat to sit with a blind man (and his dog), resulting in a meaningful friendship and a successful fundraiser for the Seeing Eye organization.

“I always want to turn lemons into lemonade…so we’re selling merch [for] the Seeing Eye...just to help train more puppies.” (Jen, 52:50)

• Emphasize the overwhelming support when people rally for good causes.

12. Internet Chaos & Joy in Dark Times

[55:50–59:01]

• Light segment on the “Yellowstone” TikTok phenomenon—wild, funny, pseudo-official park accounts bringing laughter and distraction online.

13. The Backlash to Compassion

[59:01–61:51]

• Jen details the dangerous fallout she faced after her viral Matthew 25 video—threats, reports to her job and nursing board, necessitating private security at a nursing conference.

“I was not just reported to my job…they tried to get my nursing license taken away…because they said it was hateful and discriminatory.” (Jen, 59:33)

14. Jen’s Book: “Birth Vibes”

[62:01–63:47]

• Jen’s upcoming book, Birth Vibes (out May 5), draws from real-life nursing stories to teach expectant parents to plan for what won’t change in childbirth—communication, support, informed decision-making—rather than rigidly clinging to ideal “birth plans.”

15. Personal Resilience & Encouragement

[64:05–end]

• Jen: Focus on finding helpers, taking small actions of compassion, and holding onto the silent majority that supports love and care.
• Monte: Closes by reminding listeners that “love is stronger than hate, even if hate is louder at the moment.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (with Timestamps)

• On empathy-changing worldviews:
  “It’s very hard to hate from an embrace.” (Monty, 01:17, recurring theme)

• On the shift in pro-life perspective:
  “If people could just come with me to work...I think that it would change a lot of people’s minds.” (Jen, 17:20)

• On abortion as healthcare:
  “I’m pro abortion in the way that I’m pro appendectomy…When you need it, you need it.” (Jen, 25:55)

• On anti–birth control discourse:
  “If they weren’t worried about women choosing...there would be no need for force and coercion and to manipulate the laws.” (Monty, 30:10)

• On vulnerable status at Liberty:
  “...I had friends get kicked out of Liberty for getting [pregnant]. Their boyfriends didn’t, but they did.” (Jen, 33:52)

• On finding hope:
  “There’s more love in this world than hate; the hate is just really loud.” (Jen, 54:46)

• On supporting young listeners:
  “If you look for those around you who are helpers...just small choices of kindness...can make such a difference in this world that feels so scary right now.” (Jen, 64:05)

Segment Timestamps (Quick Reference)

• [00:59] Introduction: Jen’s viral story and backlash
• [03:13] Social media beginnings
• [06:05] Nursing, family, and education at Liberty
• [09:27] Nursing school & compassionate care
• [14:46] Shifting political views & pro-life debate
• [21:55] Discussing abortion exceptions and public rhetoric
• [29:29] Birth control controversies & Project 2025
• [32:09] Personal birth control stories
• [38:15] Liberty Godparent Home and adoption coercion
• [43:35] Loss of funding for non-coercive pregnancy centers
• [47:35] Airplane story: standing up for the marginalized
• [54:46] Hope in dark times
• [62:01] Jen’s book: “Birth Vibes”
• [64:05] Advice for young people

Final Thoughts

This episode stands out for its warmth, authenticity, and actionable compassion. Whether discussing the trauma-wrought systems at religious institutions, the nuances lost in culture wars, or the hope to be found in kindness, both Monte and Jen emphasize that real change comes from humanizing connection, brave honesty, and showing up for the marginalized in large and small ways.