• #104: Are Women Being Denied Care? (w/ Secular Pro-Life's Monica Snyder)
    Jan 30 2026

    Josh Brahm and Monica Snyder wrap up their series of recent discussions by addressing denial-of-care stories. In this episode, Monica and Josh define what a denial-of-care story is, explain why abortion bans are often blamed for causing pregnancy-related deaths, identify the actual problems behind the most sensationalized stories, empathize with tragic outcomes and legitimate pro-choice concerns, and propose courses of action that pro-life people can take to help prevent similar tragic stories from happening in the future.

    Related Links:

    California's progress with decreasing maternal mortality

    Secular Pro-Life's entire blog category of debunking content:
    https://secularprolife.org/category/debunking/

    Adriana Smith and laws about pregnant patients on life support

    Does Texas require doctors to wait until there's no heartbeat to intervene in emergencies? (Josseli Barnica)

    Kaitlyn Kash

    Yeni Alvarez - New Yorker article

    ProPublica can't see malpractice, only abortion bans (Neveah Crain)

    ProPublica identifies their medical experts a little too subtly

    Are OBGYNs fleeing Idaho because of abortion laws?

    ERI Blog Post on Adriana Smith's case: Is It Okay to Find Edge Cases Challenging?

    Equipped for Life Podcast #96: Survey Review: How Pro-Life & Pro-Choice People Define Abortion (with Monica Snyder)

    Equal Rights Institute Website

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Equipped for Life Course

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Chapters:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:03:09 Defining "denial of care" stories

    00:05:49 Theory posited by many media outlets

    00:07:26 How to go about testing this theory

    00:12:32 Adriana Smith

    00:22:28 Josseli Barnica

    00:25:51 Categorizing the cases

    00:37:10 What is the most charitable interpretation of pro-choice reactions to these stories?

    00:39:01 Malpractice and the in-between cases

    00:41:43 Idaho case

    00:44:28 Nevaeh Crain

    00:49:54 What can pro-lifers do about this?

    Host: Josh Brahm

    Guest: Monica Snyder

    Audio/Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr
  • #103: Do You Need Religion to be Pro-Life? (w/ Monica Snyder)
    Dec 29 2025

    Josh Brahm and Monica Snyder return to discuss the question: "Do You Need Religion to be Pro-Life?" The conversation touches on practical and philosophical points, including discussion about objective and subjective morality and its relationship with deism, as well as Monica's experiences responding to both pro-life and pro-choice people who raise a scrutinizing eyebrow when they realize that they are talking with a pro-life atheist.

    Links:

    Secular Pro-Life

    Secular Pro-Life: "Is belief in God necessary for the pro-life cause to succeed?"

    Secular Pro-Life: "Where do atheists think human rights come from?"

    A couple of examples of pro-choice religious-ish-ness:

    • "'Where does life begin?' is a spiritual question"
    • "We invited the child's spirit to revisit Earth another time."

    Human Life Review: SYMPOSIUM: What's God Got to Do with It?

    Secular Pro Life's blog of sources about moral realism from non-theistic perspectives

    "Is God Necessary for Morality?" Debate between Shelly Kagan and William Lane Craig

    Pew Research Center study on religiously unaffiliated people (specifically the "Beliefs & practices" tab)

    EFL Podcast on Stanford persuasion study

    Retten Til Liv (Denmark Right to Life)

    Equal Rights Institute

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Equipped for Life Course

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Chapters:

    00:00:00 Introduction

    00:00:46 How both sides react to pro-life atheists

    00:03:29 How do you respond to the pro-choice people?

    00:13:15 Responding to pro-lifers

    00:20:10 Examining demographic trends, statistics, and labels

    00:27:27 Widening the tent to welcome atheists and other alt pro-lifers

    00:35:50 How do you respond to the nihilist as an atheist?

    00:42:52 Will the Pro-Life Movement survive increasing secularity?

    00:47:57 Do you need religion to be pro-choice?

    00:52:57 Can pro-life Christians evangelize without being off-putting?

    01:04:18 Wrap-up

    Host: Josh Brahm

    Guest: Monica Snyder

    Audio/Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • #102: Forensics and Abortion (w/ Secular Pro-Life's Monica Snyder)
    Dec 4 2025

    After much anticipation, Josh Brahm FINALLY gets to interview Monica Snyder from Secular Pro-Life about her background and expertise in Forensics. Monica explains how her work in forensics and DNA analysis affects her view on the abortion issue, particularly when it comes to questions about the justice system and why we shouldn't prosecute women who have had abortions.

    Content warning: Includes discussion of forensic rape kits as well as methods of testing whether a baby was aborted instead of miscarried.

    Links:

    Testing biological tissue for abortion drugs

    "Was the Infant Born Alive?" A Review of Postmortem Techniques Used to Determine Live Birth In Cases of Suspected Neonaticide

    National Right to Life: Joint Open Letter: Criminalizing Women Who Have Abortions is Not Pro-Life

    ERI Statement: Should Women Be Prosecuted for Illegal Abortions?

    Secular Pro-Life

    Equal Rights Institute

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Equipped for Life Course

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Chapters:

    00:00:00 Introducing Monica's forensics credentials and background

    00:03:25 Describing the Innocence Project

    00:06:25 Monica describes her forensics work

    00:09:30 Real forensics vs. TV forensics

    00:15:50 Why rape cases are difficult to prosecute

    00:21:40 Where forensics touches the abortion debate in a post-Dobbs world

    00:24:45 Distinguishing abortion pills and miscarriage?

    00:34:16 Concerns with attaching criminal penalties to women who have had abortions

    00:41:55 What rights do convicted people have?

    00:48:35 What would a dystopian prosecution of all women who had abortions look like?

    00:49:50 What is a more realistic interpretation of pro-lifers who want to attach criminal penalties to abortion look like?

    00:51:10 Plea deals and public defenders

    00:54:40 'Steel-manning' the pro-lifers who want to attach criminal penalties to abortion

    00:58:10 Trauma associated with miscarriage

    00:59:45 Relevant questions from real cases

    01:02:20 WARNING: Morbid description

    01:03:45 Conclusions from Monica

    01:06:30 Josh's eyewitness testimony story

    01:11:16 Monica's eyewitness testimony story

    01:13:55 Applying this to a recent case

    01:17:25 Wrapping up

    Host: Josh Brahm

    Guest: Monica Snyder

    Audio/Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • #101: It's About the Babies, Not Your Sex Life (w/ Monica Snyder)
    Nov 20 2025

    Content warning: This whole episode is about sex. It's probably not the episode to listen to around your kids.

    Secular Pro-Life's Monica Snyder returns to the Equipped for Life Podcast for another series of episodes, beginning with the topic, "It's About Babies, Not Your Sex Life." Stemming from real-life conversations, Monica and Josh identify many of the various factors that contribute to pro-choice perceptions or labeling of pro-life people as being "anti-sex" and then respond accordingly to each factor.

    The Dynamic Duo also provides some fun commentary on the symbiotic relationship between Secular Pro-Life and Equal Rights Institute, and how the pro-life movement as a whole can benefit from similar relationships.

    Finally, towards the end, Josh and Monica talk about how snark might be a good last-resort effort in a dialogue situation.

    Secular Pro-Life: It's about the babies, not your sex life: 5 examples

    Josh Brahm: Relational Apologetics Tips: How to Cultivate Friendship Amidst Challenging Conversations

    Josh Brahm's speech on relational apologetics

    Gallup's Moral Acceptability poll

    Episode 47: Should Pro-Lifers be Snarky? (with Dank Pro-Life Memes)

    Episode 49: Defining the Word "Abortion" Will Change Your Dialogues (with Dank Pro-Life Memes)

    Episode 100: Celebrating 100 Episodes! (with the Whole Staff!)

    Memes to End Abortion (formerly "Dank Pro-Life Memes"):

    https://www.facebook.com/MemestoEndAbortion

    Pro-choice groups we mentioned who are worth following:

    Center for Reproductive Rights

    ANSIRH: Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health

    Jessica Velenti

    Jen Hamilton

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introducing the argument we're responding to

    06:05 Steel-manning the pro-choice argument

    12:36 What do pro-life and pro-choice people mean when they use the term "anti-sex"?

    20:12 Why pro-life organizations should stop bringing LGBT politics into their events

    22:18 Subdivisions within conservatism

    25:11 More reasons why some pro-choice people think pro-lifers are "anti-sex"

    30:02 Responding to the steelman arguments

    41:58 Conversation starter idea

    44:40 Counter-examples

    47:25 Counter-examples to the counter-examples

    49:54 On the rape exception

    53:26 Both sides sometimes use the word "sex" in simplistic, unclear ways

    58:30 We need to ask more questions

    1:02:20 We need to have conversations in-person more often

    1:04:32 Helpful pro-choice people to follow

    Host: Josh Brahm

    Guest: Monica Snyder

    Audio/Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • #100: Celebrating 100 Episodes! (with the Whole Staff!)
    Nov 6 2025

    We brought the entire staff on for our 100th episode! The team planned the outline without Josh, and the result was a fun, retrospective celebration of the podcast.

    Related Links:

    Ellen's first blog post:
    "Is It Okay to Find Edge Cases Challenging?"

    Ellen's most recent blog post:
    "What Should We Call Them?"

    Joshua's episode on the podcast:
    Listener Mail: Can You Be a Professional Musician AND Pro-Life?

    Rebecca's talking head video:
    How to Dialogue with Crazy Extremists: Three Lessons I Learned from Teaching Philosophy

    Our first podcast with Rebecca co-hosting:
    Genuine or Performed? Acting Skills in Honest Dialogue

    Josh's article the atheist responded to:
    Why I Hope Gosnell Doesn't Go to Hell

    Ellen's favorite episode:
    Response to Pro-Choice Propaganda

    Rebecca's favorite episode:
    The whole Equipped for Life Course

    Joshua's favorite episode :
    Responding to "Back-Alley" Abortion Arguments

    Emily's favorite episodes:
    An Analysis of HBO's "Unpregnant" Film

    Become an Effective Lobbyist Using These Practical Tips (with Ali Rak)

    Josh's favorite episodes:
    Humor in Dialogue

    A Comedian Shares Tips for Using Humor in Dialogue

    Defining the Word "Abortion" Will Change Your Dialogues (with Dank Pro-Life Memes)

    Why Do They Always Ask About Rape?

    Tim Hull's favorite episode:
    Survey Review: How Pro-Life & Pro-Choice People Define Abortion

    Equal Rights Institute Website

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introducing the whole staff!

    02:39 Would you rather fight 10 duck-sized bears or five bear-sized ducks?

    15:33 How Josh got started with podcasting

    17:57 Reacting to one Josh's first podcasting videos

    23:30 The evolution of Josh's facial hair

    28:56 Why did Josh start the Equipped for Life Podcast?

    31:37 The "Course Bonus Content" Era

    35:16 The "Josh/Rachel" Era

    42:14 The "Josh/Emily" Era

    48:17 The "Is Monica a Co-Host?" Era

    50:43 Josh likes technology

    56:09 The "Podcast Relaunch" Era (feat. Monica's Still Here)

    1:00:08 Podcasting with Josh for the first time

    1:06:57 Everyone's favorite episodes (and a few stories)

    Co-Hosts: Josh Brahm, Emily Geiger, Rebecca Carlson

    Guests: Joshua Head, Ellen Campbell

    Audio/Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 31 mins
  • #99: Practical Tips for 40 Days for Life Volunteers
    Oct 10 2025

    It's October, and 40 Days for Life campaigns are in full swing! Josh, Emily, and Rebecca share and react to short video tips sent in from pro-life activists from around the country on how to effectively participate in your local 40 Days for Life campaign. (SPOILER ALERT: it's not as hard as you think!)

    Watch the video version of this episode here

    40 Days for Life website

    A Sidewalk Counselor's Run-Ins with Police and an Overzealous Security Guard - Part 1

    A Sidewalk Counselor's Run-Ins with Police and an Overzealous Security Guard - Part 2

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Anonymous Sidewalk Counselor Blog Article

    Equal Rights Institute Website

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Equipped for Life Course

    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction
    07:40 Tip #1: Herb Geraghty
    13:43 Tip #2: Rebecca Carlson
    19:45 Tip #3: Kristi Burkhart
    24:52 Tip #4: Michael New
    28:07 Tip #5: Emily Geiger
    32:26 Tip #6: Jim Burke
    38:04 Tip #7: Rebekah Dyer
    41:24 Tip #8: Josh Brahm
    45:33 Tip #9: Jay Watts
    50:45 Tip #10: Salem 40 Days for Life
    57:46 Tip #11: Tyson Langhofer
    1:02:37 Tip #12: Anonymous
    1:09:47 Tip #13: Alan Shlemon
    1:13:09 Tip #14: Blake Moser

    Hosts: Josh Brahm, Emily Geiger, Rebecca Carlson

    Guests: Herb Geraghty, Kristi Burkhart, Michael New, Jim Burke, Rebekah Dyer, Jay Watts, Salem 40 Days for Life, Tyson Langhofer, Alan Shlemon, Blake Moser

    Video Editors: Joshua Head, Josh Brahm

    Publishers: Ellen Campbell, Josh Brahm, Emily Geiger

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    1 hr and 22 mins
  • #98: Listener Mail: Lightning Round! Part 2 (w/ Monica Snyder)
    Sep 25 2025

    LIGHTNING!!! (in slow motion). In this podcast, Josh Brahm and Monica Snyder from Secular Pro-Life sort through listener mail from SPL's mailbag and give quick responses to several questions and requests.

    Part 2 of 2 addresses eight main topics, to include the biological case for the unborn, how to combat viral misinformation, the concept of abortion as healthcare, why women advocate for abortion, the medical necessity of third trimester abortions, what to do if the pro-choice person jumps topics, if brain activity should define personhood, and counseling resources for nonreligious, post-abortive women.

    Part 1, in case you missed it

    ERI Blog: Is Abortion 14 Times Safer Than Childbirth?

    ERI Podcast: The Pregnant 10-Year-Old: Thinking Well About This Tragic Story (with Robin Atkins)

    ERI Quick Response: The Embryo isn't Human

    Josh referenced the Biology module of the Equipped for Life Course. You can learn more about the course at:
    https://EquippedCourse.com

    Little Souls at Rest

    SPL: Fixed That Meme For You

    SPL: Guardian article "What a pregnancy actually looks like" erases embryos

    The Guardian: What a pregnancy actually looks like before 10 weeks, in pictures

    Support After Abortion

    Equal Rights Institute Website

    Equal Rights Institute Blog

    Equipped for Life Academy

    Equipped for Life Course

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass

    Chapters:

    00:00 Introduction

    00:22 "HOW do people still argue that the fetus isn't alive?"

    18:55 "Care, Abortion Care, Health Care"

    20:20 How can women not only accept the brutality of abortion, but fight for it?

    21:56 What makes third-trimester abortion medically necessary?

    27:48 What if the pro-choice person keeps jumping topics?

    40:35 Josh on analogies

    45:26 Why not use brain activity to classify personhood?

    52:02 Is there counseling for post-abortive women who are atheist or agnostic?

    1:04:44 What about the 10-Year-Old Rape Victim?

    Host: Josh Brahm

    Audio/Video Editors: Rachael Urquidez & Joshua Head

    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 7 mins
  • #97: Listener Mail: Lightning Round! Part 1 (w/ Monica Snyder)
    Sep 18 2025

    LIGHTNING!!! (in slow motion). In this podcast, Josh Brahm and Monica Snyder from Secular Pro-Life sort through listener mail from SPL's mailbag and give quick responses to several questions and requests.

    Part 1 of 2 (this episode) covers seven main topics, namely, whether the "pro-life movement" should actually be called the "anti-abortion movement", the availability of abortion pills, discrimination against children with disabilities, how to welcome secular members into a pro-life space, if we should boycott pro-choice media, trying to understand how a pro-choice person thinks, and whether pro-choice activists reject pro-choice moderates.

    Cut Article (advises women on abortion pills to say they are having a miscarriage):
    https://bit.ly/3IqOM6P

    Dallas Morning News: Choosing Thomas -- Inside a family's decision to let their son live, if only for a brief time:
    https://youtu.be/ToNWquoXqJI?si=hN4PkhrV8_GSE2h6

    ERI Podcast: When They Bite the Bullet
    https://youtu.be/4gnjKN3BOH0

    Pro-Choice people complaining about abortion and ableism:
    https://www.protectchoice.org/article.php?id=140
    https://rewirenewsgroup.com/2014/10/17/pro-choice-movement-excludes-people-disabilities/
    https://www.salon.com/2013/04/28/all_the_ways_you_judge_my_son/
    https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lucky-to-be-alive-zika-co_b_9166762

    SPL Blog: Pro-Choice vs. Pro-Life Vocabulary
    https://secularprolife.org/2022/09/pro-choice-vs-pro-life-vocabulary/

    SPL Blog: No, Abortion Pills Aren't Safer Than Tylenol
    https://secularprolife.org/2023/08/no-abortion-pills-arent-safer-than-tylenol/

    Equal Rights Institute Website:
    https://EqualRightsInstitute.com

    Equal Rights Institute Blog:
    https://Blog.EqualRightsInstitute.com

    Equipped for Life Academy:
    https://EquippedForLifeAcademy.com

    Equipped for Life Course:
    https://EquippedCourse.com

    Sidewalk Counseling Masterclass:
    http://SidewalkCounselingMasterclass.com

    Chapters:
    00:00 Introduction
    01:22 Should we change our name to the "anti-abortion movement"?
    05:46 The availability of abortion pills for use in self-managed abortions
    17:53 Children with disabilities: discrimination in the womb and after birth
    34:02 How do we make non-religious people feel welcome?
    47:47 Should pro-lifers boycott pro-choice cultural content/celebrities?
    58:20 Do pro-choice people actually believe their talking points that have repeatedly been refuted?
    1:03:15 Do abortion rights activists reject moderate pro-choice people?

    Host: Josh Brahm
    Guest: Monica Snyder
    Audio/Video Editor: Rachael Urquidez
    Publisher: Ellen Campbell

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    1 hr and 12 mins