Podcast Recommendations on Reproductive Rights

By: Jennie Wetter, Director and Host of rePROs Fight Back

I host rePROs Fight Back—a podcast covering issues related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. From day one, it has been especially important to us to educate our audience and equip them with the tools they need to get involved and fight back against the relentless attacks on bodily autonomy.

But this fight is massive. Whether we’re talking about the right to access abortion or gender-affirming care, the right to receive evidence-based sex education or choose the birth control method that works best for you, the ability to afford necessary healthcare, or access a clinic nearby—this battle is enormous. It will take a united community to ensure we can all freely exercise our right to bodily autonomy.

I’ve compiled a list of podcast episodes to help you stay informed and take action in this fight.

6 Podcast Recommendations on Reproductive Rights:

Boom! Lawyered podcast cover art

Boom! Lawyered

Boom! Lawyered is a podcast I never miss. I’m not a lawyer, so whenever legal issues arise regarding bodily autonomy or reproductive justice, Boom! Lawyered is my go-to source. Not only do I rely on their podcast for legal updates, but I also turn to them when I need legal explanations for my own show. Imani Gandy and Jessica Mason Pieklo break down complex legal concepts in a way that’s both easy to understand and full of humor and wit.

There are countless episodes I could recommend, but a great place to start is “Project 2025 is Worse Than You Think.” Jess and Imani explain why we need to be seriously concerned about Project 2025 and its implications.

Bonus episode for those worried about birth control access: The Trump Administration is Coming for Your Access to Contraception, Abortion… and Dildos?

Cancel Me, Daddy

If you’re looking for a podcast that unpacks the panic surrounding cancel culture, Cancel Me, Daddy is the one for you. Hosted by Katelyn Burns and Christine Grimaldi, this show covers a broad range of issues related to so-called "cancel culture." While it may not seem directly related to the fight for bodily autonomy, both Katelyn and Christine have extensive experience reporting on these issues. Katelyn is one of my go-to journalists for trans rights coverage, and I’ve had her on my podcast multiple times. Christine has built a long career reporting on reproductive rights.

Bodily autonomy is under attack not only through policy but also through online censorship. Abortion-related posts are shadow-banned or removed, and accounts sharing reproductive health information are suspended. In the “What’s the Meta with You” episode, Katelyn and Christine discuss how social media companies are making their platforms more hostile to trans rights discussions and what people can do to protect themselves online.

Bonus episode on social media and hate speech: Canceling Hate Speech on Social Media

The A Files

With just eight episodes, The A Files is the perfect limited series to challenge everything you think you know about abortion. Instead of focusing on day-to-day battles, it takes a big-picture approach. Hosted by the incredible duo Renee Bracey Sherman and Regina Mahone, this series is a must-listen.

I devoured the entire show and highly recommend doing the same. But if I had to pick just one episode, “Everyone Loves Someone Who Had an Abortion” is a great place to start. This episode tackles abortion stigma and explains why openly supporting abortion rights is crucial.

(Note: The data cited in the episode does not include transgender and non-binary people, which is why "women" is used in this context.)

Bonus episode on adoption: The Other A Word: Adoption

Vibe Check

Vibe Check, hosted by Sam Sanders, Saeed Jones, and Zach Stafford, holds a special place in my heart. They always wrap up episodes by sharing what’s been bringing them joy, often recommending fantastic media. During that segment, Saeed frequently reads poetry, which helped me realize how much I love listening to poetry—something I never expected.

While Vibe Check primarily covers pop culture, they also tackle important issues. For a conversation centered on bodily autonomy, I recommend “The Masks Are Off.” In this episode, Zach interviews Chase Strangio, an ACLU lawyer, about U.S. vs. Skrmetti, a Supreme Court case concerning gender-affirming care for trans minors. This case is monumental—not only because Chase was the first openly transgender person to argue before the Supreme Court, but because the ruling will determine whether trans minors can continue accessing life-saving, gender-affirming healthcare.

Bonus episode on grief: Life Has Been Lifing Lately—an episode that resonated deeply with me after my dad passed away. Listening to Sam, Zach, and Saeed discuss grief was exactly what I needed at that moment. There were tears, but also healing.

UNDISTRACTED with Brittany Packnett Cunningham

Undistracted is my go-to podcast for all things social justice. Host Brittany Packnett Cunningham delivers insightful conversations with incredible guests on a wide range of issues. With over 113 episodes, you’re bound to find one that speaks to you. Brittany’s passion and commitment shine through in every episode, igniting that same energy in her listeners.

Among Undistracted’s many episodes on bodily autonomy, I highly recommend "Heartbreaking, Maddening, and Ready to Fight": Cecile Richards and Paola Ramos. Cecile Richards—former Planned Parenthood President and fierce abortion rights advocate—passed away in January, and this episode features her powerful insights on the upcoming election and its implications for reproductive rights. The second half of the episode includes a conversation with journalist Paola Ramos about the future of multicultural coalitions.

Bonus episode on activism: “Women Are the Secret Sauce”: Talking Activism with Shannon Watts

rePROs Fight Back

I’d be a terrible podcaster if I didn’t recommend one of my own episodes! With over 250 to choose from, it’s tough to pick just one. While I’ve already highlighted episodes on abortion and trans rights, I want to shine a light on another critical issue: pregnancy criminalization.

In Pregnancy Criminalization, Surveillance, and the Child Welfare System, I speak with Lourdes Rivera, President of Pregnancy Justice, and Dr. Dorothy Roberts, a professor of Africana Studies, Law, and Sociology at the University of Pennsylvania. Dr. Roberts is also the author of Torn Apart: How the Child Welfare System Destroys Black Families—and How Abolition Can Build a Safer World. This episode explores how pregnancy criminalization disproportionately impacts Black women and low-income patients, especially in the wake of Roe's overturning. It also examines how mandatory reporters within the child welfare system are more likely to report Black women to child protection authorities.

Bonus episode on trans rights under the current administration: The Drove of Executive Orders Attacking Trans Health and Rights

6 Podcasts on Reproductive Rights