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Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

Written by: Dr. Abigail Henson
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About this listen

Dr. Abbie Henson dives into critical conversations with those who have been directly impacted by the criminal justice system- whether through lived experience, research, or both. These conversations get into the weeds on complex justice-related issues and encourage listeners to think critically, challenge existing narratives, and cultivate change through dialogue.


Guided by the belief that systemic change stems from individual change and individual change stems from exposure to new ideas and a heightened awareness of self and others, the purpose of this podcast is to ultimately inspire transformation in both the listeners and, ultimately, the criminal legal system.


© 2025 Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations
Episodes
  • Pregnancy on Trial: The Criminalization of Reproduction with Lourdes A. Rivera
    Nov 9 2025

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    In this episode, I’m joined by Lourdes A. Rivera, President of Pregnancy Justice and a leading voice in the fight to ensure that no one loses their rights because of pregnancy. Lourdes has spent over three decades advancing reproductive freedom, gender justice, and human rights through her work in law, philanthropy, and advocacy.

    Together, we unpack what it means to live in a country where pregnancy itself can lead to punishment, and what that reveals about our broader criminal and political systems.

    We dive into:

    • Why and how pregnancy is being criminalized across the U.S.
    • What it really means to be “pro-choice” in today’s legal and cultural landscape
    • The impact of criminalizing substance use during pregnancy
    • The realities of being pregnant behind bars
    • What we can all do to protect reproductive freedom and dignity

    This conversation will challenge the way you think about rights, justice, and the politics of care, reminding you of what’s at stake when we criminalize bodies instead of supporting them.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Lourdes A. Rivera and Pregnancy Justice
    02:54 Personal Journey into Reproductive Justice
    04:13 Defining Fetal Personhood
    07:01 The Conflict of Rights in Pregnancy
    10:53 Debunking the Crack Baby Myth
    14:35 Public Health vs. Criminalization
    18:31 Pregnancy in Jails and Prisons
    21:55 The Criminalization of Pregnancy Loss
    23:05 The Broader Implications of Reproductive Rights
    23:48 Reproductive Justice vs. Pro-Choice
    26:31 Impact of Ideology on Healthcare Access
    28:33 Consequences of Criminalization on Families
    30:18 Social Determinants of Health and Reproductive Justice
    31:43 Criminalization of Pregnancy and Healthcare Needs
    36:12 Legal Consequences of Pregnancy Criminalization
    38:49 Community Action and Advocacy for Change
    42:58 Challenging Pro-Life Narratives
    44:56 Prioritizing Care Over Criminalization
    48:59 Lourdes Outro.mp3

    Credits:

    Created and hosted by Abbie Henson
    Edited by Isabelle Kerby-Mcgowan
    Website by Sarah Lords

    Support Critical Conversations

    I would love to hear your feedback, takeaways, and questions. Please text at the link above or email whatsjustpod@gmail.com
    .

    Follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn
    Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to stay updated on upcoming live Critical Conversations.

    And as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

    Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

    Visit our website at abigailrhenson.com/podcast

    Support the show

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    52 mins
  • Are We All Falling for 'Copaganda'? with Alec Karakatsanis
    Aug 24 2025

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    In this episode, I’m joined by Alec Karakatsanis, a trailblazing civil rights lawyer, Founder and Executive Director of Civil Rights Corps, and author of Copaganda: How Police and the Media Manipulate Our News. Together, we pull back the curtain on how everyday headlines shape what we believe about crime, safety, and justice, and how those beliefs serve the powerful and not necessarily the public.

    We dive into:

    • How to spot propaganda hiding in plain sight
    • Real, non-punitive approaches to addressing harm that actually work
    • The ways police practices distort crime data to fit certain narratives
    • Why mainstream media leans on fear to keep the criminal legal system intact

    This conversation will change the way you read the news — and maybe even the way you see the world.

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Copaganda and Its Impact


    03:05 Defining Copaganda: Features and Implications


    07:01 Challenging Perspectives on Propaganda


    10:39 The Construction of Crime and Its Reporting


    17:27 Understanding Harm: The Overlooked Crimes


    22:17 Manufacturing Fear Through Media


    28:22 The Punishment Bureaucracy: A Flawed Solution


    35:02 Rethinking Safety and Community Solutions


    40:10 Navigating Media Consumption Critically

    Links:

    What you need to start a court watch program

    Democracy Now

    Credits:

    Created and hosted by Abbie Henson

    Edited by Isabelle Kerby-Mcgowan

    Website by Sarah Lords

    Support Critical Conversations

    I would love to hear your feedback, takeaways, comments, tips, and questions. Please feel free to text at the link above or email whatsjustpod@gmail.com.

    Follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn

    Subscribe to the weekly newsletter to receive details on where and when the next live Critical Conversation will take place.

    And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

    Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

    Visit our website at https://www.abigailrhenson.com/podcast

    Support the show

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
  • How to Make Heterosexuality Less "Tragic" with Jane Ward
    May 6 2025

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    This episode features Dr. Jane Ward, professor and chair of Feminist Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of the recent book, The Tragedy of Heterosexuality. In this conversation, we explore the complexities of heterosexuality, its historical context, and the implications of gender dynamics in relationships. We discuss

    • The evolution of marriage
    • Exploring sexuality
    • The commodification of relationship advice
    • How to be a feminist

    I would love to hear your feedback, take-aways, or comments. So pease feel free to text at the link above or email whatsjustpod@gmail.com And please follow Whatsjust on Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn and subscribe to the weekly newsletter to get details on where and when the next live Critical Conversation is happening!

    And, as always, please review, subscribe, and share with everyone you know :)

    Become a supporter of the show with a monthly subscription (amount of your choice) and get a shoutout in upcoming episodes!

    Chapters

    00:00 Introduction to Critical Conversations

    01:42 Understanding the Tragedy of Heterosexuality

    06:06 Historical Context of Heterosexuality

    10:00 Sexuality as a Choice

    14:54 Queering Relationships and Gender Dynamics

    19:53 The Misogyny Contradiction

    21:50 The Heterosexual Repair Industry

    26:41 Exploring Feminist Frameworks in Relationships

    29:02 The Role of Men in Feminism

    32:31 Navigating Sexuality and Gender Identity

    36:40 The Importance of Values in Relationships

    41:50 Feminism and the Dating Scene

    46:36 Redefining Relationships Beyond Heteronormativity

    51:51 Hope and Transformation in Heterosexual Relationships

    Support the show

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
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