Life Beyond Abortion

Melissa Ohden hosts Life Beyond Abortion with guest Lauren Muzyka, Executive Director of Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Lauren shares her journey from college prayer vigils at Texas A&M to founding a national sidewalk counseling network. They discuss peaceful outreach saving 25,000+ lives, helping 105 abortion workers exit, closing 68 facilities; post-Roe challenges like interstate travel fundin...

Melissa Ohden welcomes Paula Illari to Life Beyond Abortion for a raw conversation on choosing life amid pain. Through faith and therapy, she found healing and now advocates with Save the One, supporting women affected by rape, incest, or prenatal diagnoses. They challenge cultural narratives that abortion is empowerment, emphasizing community, forgiveness, and the March for Life. 00:00:00 - Intro...

Join Melissa Ohden on Life Beyond Abortion as she welcomes Sean Corcoran, CEO of Men for Life, to discuss the impact of abortion on men. Sean shares his personal story of losing his child to abortion at 19, his journey to healing, and the launch of a fatherhood program for pregnancy centers. Explore how masculinity intersects with abortion healing and the pro-life movement. Visit https://www.menfo...

Join host Melissa Ohden on Life Beyond Abortion as she welcomes Melissa Manion, a woman who chose life for her child despite challenging circumstances. Melissa Manion shares her journey from a drug-addicted, abusive past to choosing life for her son in 1995, then facing an abortion in her second trimester that nearly killed her, and her path to healing through faith. They discuss Connecticut’s lax...

Melissa Ohden welcomes Denisha Workizer, founder of Reclaimed Story, to share her powerful journey as an abortion survivor. Prompted by New York’s 2019 Reproductive Health Act, Workizer discovered at 42 that her mother considered abortion during a turbulent time. This revelation led her to found Reclaim Story, a ministry empowering women and survivors to find healing and purpose through faith. Wor...

Melissa Ohden sits down with Libby Owens, Executive Director of St. Joseph Pregnancy Resource Center in Missouri, to share a heartfelt conversation on navigating life's deepest losses and finding purpose in supporting women facing unexpected pregnancies. Owens opens up about her own path—marked by sibling loss, infertility struggles, and the joy of late-in-life motherhood—that fueled her pass...

Melissa Ohden hosts Greg Mayo, author of Almost Daddy, to explore how abortion impacts men. The discussion reveals the emotional toll, often ignored, and the need for men to engage in healing and advocacy. It challenges listeners to address abortion’s effects on men and inspire action to transform lives and culture. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:00:52 - Greg's Story 00:10:15 - Men’s Emotional To...

Melissa Ohden hosts pro-life OB/GYN Dr. William Lile who shares his journey from taking over and shutting down an abortion clinic, to advocating for the pre-born. He discusses fetal surgeries, like heart and spina bifida procedures, to highlight the personhood of unborn patients. The conversation explores abortion’s impact, the role of faith, and the need for church-led advocacy. 00:00:00 - Introd...

Melissa Ohden hosts Serena Dyksen, founder of She Found His Grace, to share her journey through abortion’s aftermath. They explore the devastating effects of abortion, especially in cases of rape or incest, and the path to healing through faith. Serena’s story and ministry highlight hope and restoration for those impacted. The discussion challenges myths about abortion as a solution and emphasizes...

Melissa Ohden hosts Rachel Guy, a pro-life advocate whose family faced a prenatal diagnosis deemed incompatible with life. Rachel shares her journey of choosing hope, supporting others through 40 Days for Life, and challenging abortion narratives. Her story offers encouragement for those navigating crisis pregnancies. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:49 - Prenatal Diagnosis 00:09:32 - Choosing Hope 0...

Melissa Ohden hosts Suzanne Guy, a mother who rejected abortion despite a dire fetal diagnosis. Suzanne shares her journey of choosing life, navigating medical pressure, and finding hope through faith. Her story challenges myths about medical necessity. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:49 - Fetal Diagnosis 00:09:32 - Medical Pressure 00:14:06 - Choosing Life 00:19:18 - Faith’s Strength 00:24:47 - Fam...

Melissa Ohden hosts Priscilla Hurley, who shares her journey of surviving abortion’s impact, finding healing through faith, and embracing purpose. Priscilla discusses overcoming trauma, family dynamics, and the ongoing process of restoration. Her story offers hope for those facing similar struggles. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:49 - Abortion’s Impact 00:09:32 - Facing Trauma 00:14:06 - Faith’s Ro...

Melissa Ohden hosts Monica Cline, who shares her journey from Planned Parenthood educator to pro-life advocate. Monica reveals the organization’s targeting of youth and families, her transformative exit, and her work with It Takes a Family to protect children. Her story exposes systemic agendas and offers hope. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:14 - Planned Parenthood Role 00:08:32 - Targeting Youth 0...

Melissa Ohden hosts Elizabeth "Liz" Edmonds, an abortion survivor and birth mother who chose adoption at 15. Liz shares her journey of overcoming homelessness, embracing faith, and advocating for Betsy’s Law to support pregnant women with housing. Her story reveals the transformative power of love and purpose. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:04:14 - Facing Abortion 00:07:05 - Ultrasound Momen...

Melissa Ohden hosts Brittany Paladino, who shares her journey as a young widow facing an unplanned pregnancy. Brittany discusses considering abortion, choosing adoption, and navigating family and church dynamics. Her story highlights the power of faith, community support, and ethical adoption resources. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:32 - Widow’s Crisis 00:04:06 - Adoption Decision 00:05:54 - Churc...

Melissa Ohden hosts Solé Wright, author and women’s wellness coach, who shares her journey as an abortion survivor. From learning of her mother’s attempts to abort her to finding healing through the Abortion Survivors Network, Wright discusses overcoming trauma, reconciling with her mother, and advocating for women. Her book, After Some Time, connects shared struggles. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:0...

Melissa Ohden hosts Leah Outten, who shares her journey as a teen mother choosing open adoption. Facing pressure to abort, Leah found hope in open adoption, fostering a lasting bond with her daughter. Now, she advocates for adoption education through her nonprofit, the Ampersand Initiative. You can find out more about Leah's story at leahoutten.com 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:34 - Teen Preg...

Melissa Ohden hosts Heather Weininger, executive director of Wisconsin Right to Life, who shares her path to pro-life leadership. From a college encounter with an unplanned pregnancy to innovative programs like the Veritas Society, Heather’s work empowers women and teens with life-affirming choices. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:13 - Pro-Life Journey 00:06:31 - Leadership Path 00:09:42 - Mission O...

Melissa Ohden hosts Sarah Zagorski-Jones, an abortion survivor who shares her journey from trauma to forgiveness. Born after a botched induction abortion, Sarah faced rejection but found peace through faith and understanding her birth mother’s struggles. As a pro-life advocate, she exposes the abortion industry’s deceit. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:03:30 - Path to Healing 00:06:05 - Abortion Surviv...

Melissa Ohden hosts Jennifer Callender, a twin abortion survivor who shares her journey from shame to empowerment. Facing medical survival, family struggles, and personal loss, Callender found strength in faith and community. Her story in the My Body, My Voice campaign inspires hope and healing. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:06:00 - Twin Survival 00:11:24 - Facing Isolation 00:17:00 - Finding Communi...

Melissa Ohden hosts Ruth Tisdale, executive director of Two Lines Pregnancy Clinic in Kansas City. Tisdale shares her unexpected journey into pro-life work, finding purpose after 20 years of serving women in crisis. Two Lines offers pregnancy tests, ultrasounds, STI testing, and case management, empowering women with hope and resources, even post-abortion. Visit TwoLinesKC.com for services or Unex...

Melissa Ohden hosts Steventhen Holland, who shares his journey as an adopted child conceived in rape, grappling with identity and loss. After miscarriages deepened his pain, Holland sought his birth mother, discovering her heroic choice to carry him despite pressure to abort. His ministry, Broken Not Dead, inspires hope through storytelling. Visit Steventhen.com or BrokenNotDead.com for his book,...

Melissa Ohden hosts Becky Hagan on Life Beyond Abortion. At 18, Hagan chose abortion out of despair, fearing for her future and son’s life. After taking the first abortion pill, regret drove her to seek reversal through progesterone treatment. Miraculously, her son survived. Hagan shares her journey from shame to hope, highlighting abortion pill reversal’s impact. Visit AbortionSurvivors.org to le...

Melissa Ohden welcomes Kylee Heap from Support After Abortion on Life Beyond Abortion. Heap shares her transition from pharmaceutical research to pro-life advocacy, driven by a call to serve those grieving abortion experiences. She discusses Support After Abortion’s research revealing 22 million Americans needing healing, with only 18% knowing where to seek help. The episode explores the complexit...

Melissa Ohden welcomes Rachel Shipers, Vice President of Operations for Students for Life Action, on Life Beyond Abortion. A former counselor working with foster care youth and rape survivors, Shipers shares how God called her to pro-life advocacy. She discusses Students for Life Action’s push for state-level legislation, including chemical abortion pill bans and the Clean Water for All Life Act,...