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. 

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 organizations. They also highlight the need for cis men to educate themselves and actively listen to marginalized voices.

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 ongoing fight for reproductive justice for their deceptive practices.  She also shared her personal journey to becoming an abortion advocate, emphasizing the importance of normalizing abortion and addressing stigma.  Also, Maryam and Lexi kick it about their shared love for Meg Thee Stallion.  If you like this episode, you need to make sure you are donating to abortion funds like Abortion Fund of Ohio

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 adoptees with care. Together, they also reflect on the impact of technology, such as genetic testing, on uncovering family histories and the challenges posed by the overturning of Roe v. Wade on adoption rights.   Tune in to this impactful episode to learn more about what reproductive justice looks like in practice.

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 their experiences with healing circles, highlighting their transformative impact on personal and community healing. They advocate for these circles as an alternative to traditional parenting classes, particularly for families and young people affected by trauma. The conversation underscores the importance of empathy, understanding, and advocacy in fostering solidarity and healing.

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 the support of organizations like JustChoice. Reproductive justice is about ensuring everyone has the right to have children, not have children, and raise their families in safe and supportive environments. It's about more than just access to reproductive healthcare. It's about expanding the ways people can build their families. Reproductive justice means expanding access to various methods of building families, including technologies like IVF, adoption, surrogacy, foster care, and hosting. It's crucial that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, has the support and resources they need to become parents if they choose, and that we have the resources to take care of each other.

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 move forward.  As abortion freedom is connected to the freedom of bodily autonomy, this conversations explores how JustChoice is revolutionizing support for pregnant people on the margins. Listen in as Laura, Molly and Maryam, share their personal experiences, the challenges they face, and the radical, compassionate actions they take to ensure everyone belongs. This episode is a audacious conversation that myth-busting the lies of CPCs, while breaking down key-differences in real centers that support pregnant people and families like JustChoice.

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, compassionate actions they take to ensure everyone belongs. This episode is a heartfelt conversation about belonging, radical care, and the transformative power of mutual support. Tune in and be inspired to take part in creating a community where we truly belong to each other.