Meet the Lawyer Beating Trump in Court: Skye Perryman on Democracy, Abortion Rights, and People Power | Episode 19

In this episode of My Body. My Pod., Mini Timmaraju sits down with Skye Perryman—President and CEO of Democracy Forward and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People of 2025—to discuss the legal fights shaping reproductive freedom, voting rights, and democracy itself. From defending access to mifepristone against legally baseless fringe theories peddled by anti-abortion extremists, to challenging attacks on voting rights and government accountability, Skye has become one of the leading voices pushing back against efforts to roll back fundamental freedoms. Mini and Skye discuss: Why mifepristone remains under attack—and what the latest court battles could mean for abortion access How anti-abortion extremists are attempting to revive a 150-year-old law as a pathway to a national abortion ban Why court reform is essential for protecting reproductive freedom and democracy How attacks on voting rights, reproductive rights, and declining trust in democratic institutions are all deeply connected What history teaches us about social change—and why people, not institutions alone, drive progress Why organizing, storytelling, and civic engagement remain some of our most powerful tools Skye reminds us: lasting change has always come from people demanding it. “No institution ever handed down a decision that protected our rights. People pushed those institutions, and the people are responsible for those wins. And we're going to have to find that again and win again.” Episode recorded on May 18, 2026. Explore more episode resources: reproforall.org/podEP19 Sign up to get involved with Reproductive Freedom for All at reproforall.org/podlistener/ or Text VOTE to 59791. By providing your phone number, you are consenting to receive automated text messages from Reproductive Freedom for All at 59791 and other phone numbers. Donations will be solicited over texts. Message and data rates apply. Frequency varies. Text STOP to end. Text HELP for help.  Visit https://reproductivefreedomforall.org/privacy-policy/ for more information. Dig the new show? Help us spread the word! Like and subscribe to My Body. My Pod. on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.