Them Before Us Podcast #100 | Making Fertility Fraud a Felony & Retaking the Arts

Date: March 13, 2026
Host: Jennifer (Jen) Friesen, Training Director at Them Before Us
Guests:

• Representative Terry Jorgensen, South Dakota State Legislature
• Caitlin Scott (@whitesquirrelmagic), satirist & creative

Episode Theme Overview

This milestone episode spotlights two pressing themes: (1) the historic passage of South Dakota’s new law making fertility fraud a felony—championed by Rep. Terry Jorgensen—and (2) the ongoing need to reclaim the arts for Christians and conservatives, featuring satirist Caitlin Scott. The conversation unpacks political advocacy for children's rights, legislative processes, and the role of storytelling and satire in modern culture.

Part I: South Dakota Makes Fertility Fraud a Felony

(00:00–22:16)

Background and Introduction

• Jen Friesen opens with news that South Dakota has become the latest state (joining only 14 others) to make fertility fraud a felony.
• The new legislation explicitly recognizes the child as a victim, not just the adults affected.
• Rep. Terry Jorgensen, prime sponsor of the bill, joins to share her journey and the legislative story.

Rep. Jorgensen’s Path to Office

• Jorgensen details her long-standing political involvement as a lobbyist, her unexpected return to candidacy at the request of prominent politicians, and her rapid-fire, “crazy” campaign during a snowstorm.
• “I thought, no way [my husband]’s going to say no, I don’t want you to run. And he was on board.” (02:27)

Serving in the Legislature

• Jorgensen reveals that advice from veteran legislators led her to serve on the Appropriations Committee to really understand government:
  • “The best decision I made was to serve on appropriations because I have learned so much about state government.” (04:51)
• Also serves on Veterans and Military Affairs due to her background as an Air Force veteran.

South Dakota’s Fiscal Approach

• South Dakota has maintained a balanced budget every year since statehood.
• The Appropriations Committee focuses on right-sizing government, cutting waste, and setting budgets for all state entities.
  • “It’s a great way to learn how government runs and what the priorities are.” (05:53)

The Genesis of the Fertility Fraud Bill

• The issue was inspired by her late friend, pro-life lobbyist Debbie Pease, and further spurred by Them Before Us’ IVF FYI YouTube series and the Netflix documentary Our Father.
  • “I just think, you know how God works right? Here I was going down one avenue...now, because I saw your YouTube video, I was like, are you kidding me?” (09:44)
• Jorgensen researched South Dakota law; to her surprise, there were no statutes addressing fertility fraud.

Legislative Strategy

• She directed the Legislative Research Council to draft a bill modeled after Indiana and Texas.
• Gained support from pro-life organizations; the bill moved through House Judiciary, House floor, Senate Judiciary, and Senate floor—passing unanimously at every stage.
• Support and remote testimony from Them Before Us’ Josh Wood and Patience (Engagement Director) played a pivotal role.
  • “Josh Wood gave testimony remotely, and it was fantastic. I think that just blew people away...” (11:42)

Bipartisanship in South Dakota

• While South Dakota is predominantly Republican, there is always some Democratic representation.
• Jorgensen notes bipartisanship was possible because the issue was clear and compelling.
  • “Nobody, Democrat and Republican in South Dakota, wants this kind of fraud to be able to go forward.” (15:13)
• Emphasis on putting children at the center of law.
  • “It’s a horrific crime, and children really suffer the most, I believe.” (15:50)

Bill Specifics and Legal Innovations

• South Dakota law only allows single-subject bills, aiding transparency.
• Summary of the bill:
  • Classifies as a felony for healthcare providers to knowingly use reproductive material from a donor, or their own, without written patient consent during assisted reproduction.
  • Expands the window for civil action, recognizing the fraud may take years or decades to surface.
  • “We also wrote into the statute that if an individual finds out about it at a later date, [they] can bring a civil action...we’ve extended the time frame.” (17:30)
• Addresses both criminal prosecution and private civil recourse.
• Discovery: One such fertility fraud case had direct ties to Jorgensen’s district.
  • “One of the children that came out of that fraud lives in my district, which...was surprising to me, which I had no idea about.” (20:47)

Quotes and Highlights

• “It’s just horrific that this kind of crime has been going on for decades.” — Rep. Jorgensen (00:58)
• “I can only do that as long as I have God. And as long as I keep praying and people are praying for me, I feel like I can do this job.” — Rep. Jorgensen (03:50)
• “The testimony was so strong and powerful...people recognized right away how important it was.” (11:42)
• “I’m just hopeful...more people hear about it, that more states will get on board and really close the gap.” — Rep. Jorgensen (15:50)

Part II: Retaking the Arts—Comedy, Satire, and the Conservative Creative Resurgence

(22:16–51:26)

Introduction to Caitlin Scott

• Jen transitions to arts and culture, introducing Caitlin Scott, Instagram satirist (@whitesquirrelmagic), known for using humor and creativity to comment on cultural and political issues.
• Focus: How Christians and conservatives can re-enter and influence the arts.
• “You’re passionate about the arts and just helping put out your worldview, Christian and conservative worldview, in a really fun and engaging way.” (24:03)

Caitlin’s Story: From Broadway Dreams to Satire Stardom

• Lifelong ambition to be a Radio City Rockette; pursued degree in musical theater.
• Experienced a spiritual transformation that shaped her worldview.
• “I slowly started to realize that I’m pursuing a career that hates me and hates everything I stand for.” (25:19)
• Describes the arts as often hostile to Christians, with only “about 2% of musicals” compatible with her beliefs.
• COVID and ideological filtering (vaccine mandates, etc.) closed even those few doors, so she shifted to online creative expression.

The Power and Purpose of Satire

• Scott’s satire often involves creating characters that expose cultural absurdity by echoing prevailing talking points to their logical (often ridiculous) conclusion.
• Heavily inspired by the Babylon Bee:
  • “If the Babylon Bee would let me, I would put my bio as, ‘if the Babylon Bee had a daughter’.” (29:11)
• “All I do is repeat what they actually say. The jokes write themselves these days.” (30:09)
• Defines satire: “Taking an absurd idea and exposing the absurdity…when people see it in that expository way, it really opens their eyes.” (30:10)

Examples of Cultural Satire

• Parodies Ms. Rachel (children's YouTube teacher), critiquing her advocacy for progressive causes, and the broader industry pattern of inconsistently championing fashionable causes:
  • “It’s a sneaky way because it’s under the guise of protecting children...who cares about the Jewish children? It’s only the Palestinian children.” (31:32)
• Calls out celebrity hypocrisy, e.g., parodying Billie Eilish’s “No one is illegal on stolen land” comment while living in a mansion on indigenous land.
  • “Under the logic of no one’s illegal on stolen land, it should be an open house 24/7.” (37:08)

The State of the Arts and Comedy

• Points out the leftward lurch of mainstream comedy (SNL, etc.), which used to lampoon both sides but now functions as “liberal propaganda.”
• The need for clean, values-driven satire:
  • “It’s my dream to create a clean SNL.” (35:03)
• Discusses the pitfalls of cancel culture and its chilling effect on comedy.

Strategy, Creation, and Community

• Describes her creative process: research, emulating voices, ad-libbing, and editing.
• Emphasizes the importance of conviction and authenticity; credits her husband with encouragement and tech support.
• “Live by the mob, die by the mob.” (39:45)
• Networks with like-minded artists; has connected with figures such as Skillet, Danny Gokey, and Ali Beth Stuckey in her content and in person.

Advice for Aspiring Conservative/Christian Artists

• “Don’t compromise...if [a professor] wants to flunk you out for not cussing, Praise God.” (43:32)
• Encourages creating more art, supporting family-friendly theaters, and building alternative spaces:
  • “We need people leading those things, so people who are starting out have somewhere to go.” (44:44)
• Documents hostile pressure to conform but insists that Christian artists have a right to their place.
  • Shares encounter with a progressive performer: “Girl, give us Broadway,” to which Caitlin replied, “Art is meant to be for everyone, not just the liberal propaganda.” (46:35)
• “Don’t be bullied out of this space...it will be hard—the Bible promises persecution.” (48:46)
• Distinguishes between attacking ideas versus people:
  • “I never make fun of how someone looks…But to point out, hey, maybe a toddler teacher in favor of Mamdani for mayor is whack.” (51:03)

Notable Quotes

• “Satan has totally taken over the arts in a very devious and kind of unassuming way.” — Caitlin Scott (25:22)
• “We need to be a light. Because we've been bullied out of this space.” — Caitlin Scott (45:14)
• “The reason that person isn’t a Christian isn’t because of a Miss Rachel satire. It’s because they are not dead to their sin.” — Caitlin Scott (49:33)
• “The goal is not to offend. The goal is to speak the truth in love. And I’m a weird, funny person. That’s my medium—to choose satire.” (50:36)

Where to Find Caitlin Scott

• Instagram: @whitesquirrelmagic (“I have been banned from TikTok.”)
• Open to DMs and advising fellow creatives

Key Episode Timestamps

• 00:00–04:37: Rep. Jorgensen’s background and path to office
• 05:23–06:50: Appropriations and balanced budgets in SD
• 07:24–14:17: The journey to the fertility fraud bill—origin and process
• 14:43–16:55: Bipartisan dynamics in South Dakota; the child-centric focus
• 16:55–21:20: Bill specifics; victim recourse; real-life implications
• 22:16–24:46: Introduction to Caitlin Scott and reclaiming the arts
• 25:19–27:00: Caitlin’s arts journey and the problem of anti-Christian bias
• 29:09–34:49: Satire, hypocrisy, and cultural critique in action
• 37:03–41:42: Creative process, celebrity interactions, crafting content
• 42:15–46:56: Building up conservative/Christian arts; persecution and community
• 48:46–51:26: Advice for aspiring artists; closing remarks and connection info

Episode Takeaways

• South Dakota's new fertility fraud law represents a major step in centering children's rights in assisted reproduction legislation, with strong bipartisan and community support.
• Them Before Us’ educational efforts directly influenced state policy change, showing the ripple effects of advocacy and information sharing.
• Christians and conservatives face resistance in the arts but have unique opportunities to reclaim space via authenticity, community, and unapologetic creativity.
• Satire is both a subversive and clarifying tool, making the absurd visible and empowering dissenting voices to challenge mainstream cultural narratives.
• Practical advice includes: seek community, don’t compromise values, and use your artistic gifts as a form of both witness and reform.

For more information on policy, children's rights, or Christian engagement in culture, visit (thenbeforeus.substack.com) and follow the guests on their respective platforms.