Is your vote not counting? In Ohio, and across the country, the political game is rigged through gerrymandering. In this urgent episode, we sit down with Catherine Turcer from Common Cause Ohio to expose how politicians manipulate district lines to choose their voters, silencing your voice and impacting everything from abortion access to school funding.

We break down the corrupt redistricting process in plain English, revealing how "packing" and "cracking" voters with high-tech precision leads to unaccountable politicians and extreme policies that the majority of Ohioans don't support. Learn how gerrymandering directly led to the loss of abortion rights in Ohio and why lawmakers feel empowered to ignore their constituents.

Discover:

-The shocking reality of Ohio's "unconstitutional" congressional maps and how they violate the state's own constitution.

-The direct link between gerrymandering and the loss of reproductive freedom, Medicaid funding, and public education cuts.

-How politicians use deceitful tactics, including lying on the ballot, to maintain their power.

-The 2025 redistricting fight happening NOW and why this mid-cycle redraw is a critical moment for democracy.

-Practical steps you can take to demand fair maps and hold mapmakers accountable.

If you care about voting rights, abortion access, fair elections, and holding politicians accountable, this conversation is a must-watch.

Keywords: gerrymandering, redistricting, Ohio politics, fair districts, Common Cause, voting rights, democracy, election reform, congressional maps, Ohio redistricting commission, political corruption, abortion access, reproductive rights, voter suppression, civic engagement, political accountability, fair elections, Princeton Gerrymandering Project.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Volunteer with us: www.PlannedParenthoodAdvocatesOhio.org

Follow us for updates: @PPAOOhio on social media

Donate to support the fight: PlannedParenthoodAction.org

Losing a pregnancy is a profound and often silent grief. In this powerful and essential conversation, recorded for Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month, we break that silence. Host Lauren is joined by three courageous women—Erica, Da'na, and Emily—who share their deeply personal stories of loss, the crushing weight of "what could have been," and the systemic failures within healthcare that compound the trauma.

This episode is a raw, honest look at the emotional and physical reality of pregnancy loss, from the pain of seeing other pregnancies progress to the insensitive treatment in hospital settings. We also tackle the critical issue of racial disparities in maternal and infant health, and how policy decisions are creating "maternity care deserts" that put lives at risk.

In this episode, you will hear:

-Deeply personal stories of multiple pregnancy losses and the unique grief of "losing dreams."

-Why it's crucial to destigmatize these conversations and allow space for joy and grief.

-The shocking statistics on Black infant and maternal mortality and the systemic racism embedded in healthcare.

-How restrictive policies and low Medicaid reimbursements are causing maternity wards to close, limiting access to critical care.

-Practical steps we can take to advocate for change and support those experiencing loss.

If you have experienced pregnancy loss, know someone who has, or are a healthcare provider looking to offer more compassionate care, this conversation offers validation, community, and a path toward healing and action.

Keywords: pregnancy loss, miscarriage, infant loss, grief, healing, maternal health, Black maternal mortality, infant mortality, Planned Parenthood, pregnancy after loss, D&C, reproductive justice, healthcare disparities, mental health, patient advocacy, breaking the silence, personal stories, women's health, postpartum, neonatal loss.

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Volunteer with us: www.PlannedParenthoodAdvocatesOhio.org

Follow us for updates: @PPAOOhio on social media

Donate to support the fight: PlannedParenthoodAction.org

This conversation is essential for anyone in Ohio and across the nation concerned about reproductive rights, healthcare access, bodily autonomy, and democratic integrity. Understanding the strategy of the opposition is key to building a lasting defense.

Reproductive Rights #AbortionAccess #Issue1 #OhioPolitics #RoeVWade #PlannedParenthood #BodilyAutonomy #WomensRights #Healthcare #ProChoice #FetalPersonhood #IVF #Litigation #OhioSupremeCourt #Advocacy #Grassroots

Join the executive leadership of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Lauren Blauvelt (Executive Director), Danielle Firsich (Director of Public Policy), and Diamond Crumby (Director of Communications), for a critical and in-depth discussion on the ongoing battle for abortion access and bodily autonomy in Ohio.

In this urgent episode, we break down what the passage of the Ohio Reproductive Freedom Amendment (Issue 1) really meant and the relentless legal and legislative attacks it still faces. We discuss the crucial court victories that have expanded access, like blocking the six-week abortion ban and the 24-hour waiting period, and why the fight is far from over against a hostile state government and Ohio Supreme Court.

KEY TOPICS WE COVER:

The real-world impact of overturning Roe v. Wade in Ohio

How a powerful coalition won Issue 1 in a historic 2023 election

The current litigation landscape: wins, appeals, and the threat of a conservative supreme court

Legislative attacks in 2024-2025, including HB 347 (24-hour wait reinstatement) and HB 370 (fetal personhood bill)

The dangerous rise of disinformation and criminalization of patients and providers

The vital importance of the September 16th hearing and ongoing voter mobilization

How redistricting and fair maps are essential to protecting reproductive rights

TAKE ACTION NOW:

Volunteer with us: www.PlannedParenthoodAdvocatesOhio.org

Follow us for updates: @PPAOOhio on social media

Donate to support the fight: PlannedParenthoodAction.org

This conversation is essential for anyone in Ohio and across the nation concerned about reproductive rights, healthcare access, bodily autonomy, and democratic integrity. Understanding the strategy of the opposition is key to building a lasting defense.

Reproductive Rights #AbortionAccess #Issue1 #OhioPolitics #RoeVWade #PlannedParenthood #BodilyAutonomy #WomensRights #Healthcare #ProChoice #FetalPersonhood #IVF #Litigation #OhioSupremeCourt #Advocacy #Grassroots

Lauren (Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio), Kelly (Abortion Forward), and Sheena (Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio) expose the deceptive tactics of crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs)—fake clinics that masquerade as health care providers to manipulate pregnant people. From taxpayer-funded scams to dangerous misinformation, they reveal how these centers operate without oversight, harm communities, and divert resources from real reproductive health care providers.

Key Topics & Timestamps

0:00–2:23 | Introduction: The $20M Ohio budget giveaway to CPCs—and zero accountability.

2:23–7:12 | What Are CPCs? Fake clinics with names like “Women’s Pregnancy Decision Center” staffed by volunteers (not medical professionals). No HIPAA compliance, no medical records, and a clear anti-abortion agenda.

10:45–20:50 | Sheena uncovers what happens to patients when CPCs make them miss real appointments.Fake ultrasounds (including showing a "pregnancy" when Sheena had an IUD!). Fear-mongering pamphlets claiming birth control causes cancer and death.

20:50–23:36 | Medical Dangers if CPCs misdiagnose ectopic pregnancies, risking lives. “They’re not trying to provide better care—they’re trying to avoid lawsuits.”

27:20–30:59 | Follow the Money - Ohio GOP funnels millions to CPCs (*$10M/year*) while slashing funds to Medicaid and public schools. CPC donors get $750 tax breaks

30:59–end | How to Fight Back

Volunteer with Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio or Abortion Forward.

Share this episode to expose CPC lies.

Donate to PPAO to support abortion rights advocacy.

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Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio supports reproductive health and reproductive rights advocacy, including grassroots organizing, community education, and lobbying.

www.ppao.org

Please consider donating: https://www.weareplannedparenthoodaction.org/onlineactions/HkvLD57-mUKSZRf1QjjgqQ2?sourceid=1018737

In this episode, Lauren Blauvelt (Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio) is joined by Dr. Bhavik Kumar (Chief Medical Officer at Planned Parenthood Great Ohio) and Erica Wilson-Domer (President & CEO of Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio) to discuss the looming threat to Medicaid expansion in Ohio. A recently passed budget bill could strip healthcare coverage from 800,000 Ohioans, disproportionately impacting low-wage workers, students, and people with disabilities—groups often misrepresented in political debates. The speakers dismantle myths about Medicaid recipients, noting that many are employed or rely on the program for long-term care, not "handouts."

The conversation highlights the cascading effects of Medicaid cuts: reduced access to preventive care (like cancer screenings and STI testing) would force more people into emergency rooms, straining hospitals and driving up costs for everyone. The panel also pushes back against misinformation about Planned Parenthood, clarifying that federal funds do not pay for abortions but instead support critical services like contraception and chronic disease management.

A urgent call to action closes the discussion: listeners are encouraged to contact their representatives—particularly Ohio’s Republican senators—to oppose the cuts. The panel stresses that healthcare is a human right, and protecting Medicaid is both an economic and moral imperative. The episode ends with a rallying cry for collective advocacy to ensure equitable access for future generations.

Your Body. Your Rights. Your Future. This is Autonomy Rising - The new podcast from Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, breaking down the fight for abortion access and bodily autonomy.

Laws are changing. Your rights are under attack. But the movement is rising. We're bringing you real talk on policy, power, and how YOU can take action - because the future of reproductive freedom depends on all of us.