Episode 8: The Necessity of Community
Stepping Into Solidarity
In this final episode of our first season, we get into the weeds of the power of community. Host Maryam has two juicy conversations, first with Laura, JustChoice's social worker and Chief Program Officer, and then with J. and Kim, hosted youth and their host family. In both conversations, the importance of community, alternatives to traditional foster care, and openness is highlighted. Hear for yourself how you can "Step Into Solidarity" by stepping into hosting in your home.
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Episode 7: Radical Partnerships
Stepping Into Solidarity
In this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," Maryam hosts Maya and Colleen from Ohio's Women's Alliance (OWA). Maya, the Director of Membership, discusses her journey from direct service to creating the Member Assistance Program (MAP), which provides practical support for abortion seekers, including transportation, lodging, and childcare. Colleen, who manages MAP, shares her background in abortion care and union organizing. They emphasize the importance of radical partnerships, mutual aid, and solidarity, advocating for decentering oneself in collaborations and supporting grassroots...
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Episode 6: Radical Convos - Abortion as Care
Stepping Into Solidarity
This episode steps into radical and real conversations about abortion. Stigma be damned, hosts Maryam kicks it with Lexi, a reproductive justice organizer and executive director of the Abortion Fund of Ohio. Together, they discuss the challenges and trends in abortion access post-Dobbs decision. Lexi breaks down how Ohio's only statewide abortion fund, saw a 272% increase in patients in 2023, supporting nearly 4,500 people. Despite this, funding has not kept pace, leading to reduced financial assistance. Lexi names crisis pregnancy centers (CPCs) as a key culprit in the...
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Episode 5: Radical Honesty: A Birth Mother, Adoptee and Adoptive Mother in Conversation
Stepping Into Solidarity
In this special episode of Stepping into Solidarity, we get personal. Host Maryam joins colleagues Emma, and Molly, the CEO and founder of JustChoice in a vulnerable conversation exploring radical honesty through the perspectives of three women: Maryam, Emma, and Molly. Maryam, a birth mother, discusses the importance of asking questions about birth mothers' experiences. Emma, an adoptee, shares her journey of discovering her birth siblings and the need for open conversations about adoption. Molly, an adoptive mother, emphasizes the significance of holding the truth of birth mothers and...
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Episode 4: Restorative Justice
Stepping Into Solidarity
Description: In this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," host Maryam explores the profound concept of Restorative Justice by discussing JustChoice's work with restorative circles. Joined by guests Laura and Victoria, licensed independent social workers, the trio dives deep into what it means to truly support one another. What is restorative justice? It focuses on the needs of all parties affected by wrongdoing, while healing circles provide a space for individuals to discuss the impact of harm, share stories, and work towards healing. Victoria and Laura, social workers at JustChoice, share...
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Episode 3: Many Paths to Parenthood
Stepping Into Solidarity
Description: In this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," host Maryam is joined by Molly, founder and CEO of JustChoice, and Alice a mom, wife, adoptive mom who helps guide families through their different family building options at JustChoice. Together, the JustChoice trio explain and explore different paths to family building, whether that is ART, (assisted reproductive technology), adoption, hosting, and more. In sharing their personal and lived experiences in the many paths to parenthood, this heartwarming episode is a reminder that we are never alone, and especially with...
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Episode 2: Abortion as Radical Care
Stepping Into Solidarity
Description: In this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," host Maryam explores the radical framework as abortion as a means of providing healthcare, safety and care. Joined by Molly, founder and CEO of Just Choice, and Laura, a licensed independent social worker,they dive deep into the false claims of Crisis Pregnancy Centers (CPCSs) and how pregnant people and those who love them can sift through their lies to find the care they need. Discover with the JustChoice team how Reproductive Justice, the framework uplifted and echoed by Sister Song, paves the path of how we can...
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Episode 1. Stepping into Solidarity: Unpacking Mutual Aid as Radical Care
Stepping Into Solidarity
Description: In this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," host Maryam explores the profound concept of mutual aid through the lens of reproductive justice. Joined by guests Laura, a licensed independent social worker, and Molly, founder and CEO of Just Choice, they dive deep into what it means to truly support one another. Discover the essence of mutual aid, the importance of community, and how JustChoice is revolutionizing support for pregnant people and parents on the margins. Listen in as Laura and Molly share their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and the radical,...
info_outlineIn this episode of "Stepping into Solidarity," Maryam hosts Maya and Colleen from Ohio's Women's Alliance (OWA). Maya, the Director of Membership, discusses her journey from direct service to creating the Member Assistance Program (MAP), which provides practical support for abortion seekers, including transportation, lodging, and childcare. Colleen, who manages MAP, shares her background in abortion care and union organizing. They emphasize the importance of radical partnerships, mutual aid, and solidarity, advocating for decentering oneself in collaborations and supporting grassroots organizations. They also highlight the need for cis men to educate themselves and actively listen to marginalized voices.