Them Before Us Podcast Episode #086 Summary

Title: The Org That's Saved 1,000 Babies & An Embryo Adoption Journey
Host: Jennifer Friesen, Training Director at Them Before Us
Guest: Emily Burning, President and Co-Founder of Let Them Live
Release Date: July 25, 2025

Introduction to Let Them Live

In this episode, host Jennifer Friesen welcomes Emily Burning, the President and Co-Founder of Let Them Live, a Fort Wayne, Indiana-based organization dedicated to saving lives by empowering women facing crisis pregnancies. Let Them Live offers financial support, counseling, and life coaching to help mothers choose life and keep their babies.

Jennifer (00:09):
"Our goal at Them Before Us is to educate and equip you to navigate tough conversations around marriage, family structure, reproductive technologies."

Emily's Background and the Founding of Let Them Live

Emily shares her personal journey and the inspiration behind founding Let Them Live alongside her husband, Nathan.

Emily (01:56):
"I grew up in a pro-life household, and college was where I really bloomed with the pro-life cause. When I met my husband, he encouraged me to start a pro-life organization."

The pivotal moment came in December 2018 when Nathan reached out to a pregnant woman in distress, leading to the first act of support that saved a life and highlighted the underlying issues driving women to consider abortion.

Emily (03:20):
"She was living in her car, evicted, had lost her job—all reasons contributing to her considering abortion. We gave her all the money in our bank account, and she chose life."

Understanding the Challenges Faced by Women in Crisis Pregnancies

The discussion delves into the multifaceted struggles women face when contemplating abortion, beyond the often-simplistic portrayal.

Jennifer (07:04):
"Why are they there? What are a bunch of those issues?"

Emily emphasizes that the majority of women considering abortion are not doing so out of convenience but are overwhelmed by circumstances such as financial instability, lack of support systems, past traumas, and mental health issues.

Emily (09:30):
"These women are just needing someone to come in, whether that's just to be a friend or also to provide practical support. It's life-changing. Literally, it's a life or death issue."

Let Them Live's Support Process

Emily outlines the organization's intake and support system, likening it to a triage system in an emergency room to prioritize urgent cases.

Emily (10:42):
"We employ a triage system similar to the emergency room. A woman is assigned a color—red if she's about to have an abortion, green if she's not considering it. Our financial support is primarily for the red cases."

The organization provides tailored financial assistance, such as rent, groceries, and utilities, to alleviate immediate burdens, empowering women to keep their pregnancies.

Emily (12:15):
"Our goal is to help them slowly get back on their feet, whether that's finding a new job or alleviating financial and emotional burdens during their pregnancy."

With a 98% success rate, Let Them Live has assisted over a thousand women in choosing life, showcasing the profound impact of practical support.

Emily (13:00):
"We have a 98% success rate. 98% of women who come to us with abortions scheduled are canceling them with our support."

Impact of Practical Support and Community Involvement

Jennifer highlights the tangible difference made by addressing practical needs, referencing a story shared by Emily about providing rides to a woman unable to attend doctor's appointments.

Jennifer (15:48):
"It's really neat that it's so practical that it can help. You've saved a thousand lives just because someone's saying, I'll donate money so you can get groceries and things like that."

Emily concurs, emphasizing the simplicity yet effectiveness of addressing basic needs to provide real choices to women.

Emily (16:16):
"Abortion has just been the loudest voice in the room, essentially for so long that it's become the default. But we're here to change that."

Emily's Journey with Embryo Adoption

Shifting focus, Emily shares her personal experience with embryo adoption, aligning her actions with the mission of Them Before Us.

Emily (22:54):
"Nathan and I adopted 15 embryos through Snowflakes' Open Hearts program. It was a rescue effort to give these embryos a chance to develop into human beings."

Despite initial setbacks, including unsuccessful transfers, Emily remains committed to embryo adoption, seeing it as a compassionate choice amidst the complexities of IVF.

Emily (26:32):
"These are human beings that need to be rescued. In IVF, it's a mentality of, 'I want to have a family by any means necessary.' We feel called to adopt and give these embryos a chance."

Challenges Faced by Let Them Live

Emily candidly discusses the hurdles the organization faces, primarily the challenge of convincing women to accept help despite having the resources to do so.

Emily (20:34):
"One of the biggest hurdles is that we can't make women accept our help. It's frustrating to know we can help but not be able to reach everyone in need."

Funding remains a critical issue, with Emily expressing a desire for more resources to expand their impact.

Emily (20:54):
"If I had all the money in the world, we could do so much more. But there's still so many moms that need our help."

She also touches upon the spiritual dimensions of their work, viewing the fight against abortion as a spiritual battle against forces that threaten the family unit.

Emily (21:45):
"It's a spiritual battle. Abortion is a really destructive thing, and the enemy likes to attack the family."

Encouraging Community Support and Involvement

Emily highlights how listeners can support Let Them Live, emphasizing the organization's remote nature and multiple avenues for involvement.

Emily (28:19):
"LetThemLive.org is a great way to start. You can donate, share on social media, or get involved remotely. We're spread out all over the U.S., so there's flexibility in how you can support."

She invites listeners to engage through various platforms, sharing testimonies and powerful stories that underscore the organization's mission.

Closing Remarks

Jennifer wraps up the episode by expressing gratitude for Emily's time and the impactful work she and her organization are doing.

Jennifer (29:05):
"Emily, thanks so much for your time and the work that you're doing."
Emily (29:19):
"Yeah, thank you so much."

Key Takeaways

• Let Them Live effectively prevents abortions by addressing the underlying socio-economic and emotional factors influencing women's decisions.
• Practical support, such as financial assistance and emotional counseling, can significantly alter the choices women make regarding their pregnancies.
• The organization's success underscores the importance of compassionate, immediate assistance in empowering women to choose life.
• Personal stories, including Emily's journey with embryo adoption, highlight the multifaceted approaches to advocating for children's rights.
• Community involvement and support are crucial in expanding the organization's reach and impact.

Notable Quotes

• Emily (03:20): "We gave her all the money in our bank account, and she chose life."
• Emily (07:04): "It's life or death issue."
• Emily (09:30): "It's life-changing. Literally, it's a life or death issue."
• Emily (13:00): "We have a 98% success rate."
• Emily (22:54): "These are human beings that need to be rescued."

How to Support Let Them Live

• Website: LetThemLive.org
• Email: info@letthemlive.org
• Social Media: Engage and share stories on YouTube, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.

By providing comprehensive support and fostering a compassionate community, Let Them Live stands as a beacon of hope for thousands of women facing crisis pregnancies, embodying the mission of prioritizing children's rights and lives.