Whatsjust presents Critical Conversations

Send us a text 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 landscapeThe impact of criminalizing substance use during pregnancyThe realities of being pregnant behind barsWhat we can all do to protect reproductive freedom and dignityThis 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