Amendment 3 and Me

The A Team
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Politics

The A Team: Voices for Missouri The A Team is a grassroots group of activist voters in Springfield, Missouri, ranging in age from 30 to 80 and united in opposition to Amendment 3 in 2026. The views expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the participants. These interviews feature a diverse group of advocates, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, parents, organizers, and people sharing their own personal experiences. In this series, you’ll hear from: Betsy, high-risk OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, about how politicians endanger women and physicians and interfere with women’s ability to make their own healthcare decisions. Lauren, with Catholics for Choice, about supporting the majority of Catholics who hold pro-choice views, and the ideas that support their choices. Kai, president of Springfield’s NAACP chapter, about experiences of Black and Brown people and the importance of building solidarity. Courtney, coordinator with PROMO, offering a perspective on LGBTQIA+ rights and advocacy. Cammie, about the barriers faced by a rural trans resident seeking care and support. Joan, board member of the League of Women Voters of Missouri, about the League’s positions on abortion. Angela, organizer-activist with Abortion Action Missouri, about organizing and advocacy. Marla, sharing her personal abortion story. Leah, parent of a trans child, discussing the existing challenges families face in obtaining gender-affirming care. Jenn, pastor in a Christian church, about the spiritual basis for individual choice. These are personal stories, professional perspectives, and community voices that deserve to be heard. Watch for new episodes. Please listen, like, follow, and share. Send episode links to people you know who are undecided as well as those working to defeat Amendment 3. The A Team grew out of grassroots organizing efforts in Springfield in early 2026. Through this podcast series, we explore why we believe Amendment 3 is a terrible idea for Missouri—and, most importantly, we bring you the voices and experiences of people who will be affected by the issues at stake. The more voices we hear, the better informed our communities can be.

Episodes

  1. Sep 11

    A Missouri Parent’s Fight for Transgender Rights and Bodily Autonomy: Leah Hansen’s Story

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment Three and Me, host Maggie Castry speaks with Leah Hansen, a Missouri attorney and parent of a transgender child. Leah shares her family’s experience navigating gender-affirming care, including counseling, medical evaluations, gender dysphoria, puberty blockers, and the challenges her child faced when access to care became increasingly restricted. Leah explains why she believes the proposed amendment’s language regarding gender-transition procedures for minors is misleading and could permanently add prohibitions to Missouri’s Constitution. She also discusses the connection between transgender rights and reproductive freedom, arguing that restricting the rights of one group creates a precedent that can threaten everyone’s individual liberties. The conversation also examines Missouri’s 2024 constitutional protections for reproductive healthcare, the effort to repeal or weaken those protections, and the potential consequences for people seeking abortion care, emergency treatment, and other medical services. Leah shares her own experience with ectopic pregnancies and explains why political interference in personal healthcare decisions can have devastating consequences. Throughout the episode, Leah encourages Missouri voters to compare the 2024 and 2026 amendment language carefully, look beyond political advertising, and have informed conversations with friends, family, neighbors, and community members.

    A Missouri Parent’s Fight for Transgender Rights and Bodily Autonomy: Leah Hansen’s Story

  2. Sep 8

    Rural Missouri, Trans Healthcare, and the Fight for Bodily Autonomy: A Conversation with Cammie Storm

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment 3 and Me, Taylor talks with Cammie Storm, a transgender advocate and community organizer from West Plains, Missouri. Cammie shares her personal transition story, including the loneliness of navigating healthcare in a rural community and the transformative experience of finally being able to live openly and authentically. The conversation explores the connection between reproductive rights and trans rights, emphasizing how privacy in the doctor’s office and the freedom to make personal medical decisions affect everyone. Cammie explains why she believes Amendment 3 could have consequences beyond abortion access, including potential effects on transgender healthcare, mental healthcare, and the ability of patients, parents, and medical professionals to make informed decisions. Cammie and Taylor also discuss the unique challenges facing LGBTQ+ people in rural Missouri, the importance of community support, limited access to sexual education and contraception, and the role of misinformation in conversations about trans healthcare. Cammie offers practical advice for discussing Amendment 3: focus on the facts, read the measure carefully, and be willing to learn alongside others. This episode is a conversation about healthcare privacy, gender-affirming care, rural LGBTQ+ communities, and why bodily autonomy is an issue that affects every person in Missouri.

    Rural Missouri, Trans Healthcare, and the Fight for Bodily Autonomy: A Conversation with Cammie Storm

  3. Sep 4

    Amendment 3 and Reproductive Freedom with Joan Gentry of the League of Women Voters of Missouri

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment 3 and Me, host Maggie Castry speaks with Joan Gentry, a retired teacher and member of the League of Women Voters of Missouri. Joan explains the League’s nonpartisan approach to public policy, how its positions on reproductive rights are developed, and why the organization continues to advocate for bodily autonomy, privacy, contraception, abortion access, and reproductive justice. Joan also discusses the League’s opposition to the proposed Amendment 3, including concerns about limits on abortion care, unclear protections for fetal anomalies and the life of the pregnant patient, potential criminal penalties for physicians, and the broader impact of reproductive-health restrictions on Missouri families. The conversation also addresses gender-affirming care, public education, family planning, health-insurance coverage, and the importance of giving voters clear, fact-based information before they cast their ballots. Joan emphasizes the need to make these issues personal, listen to people’s experiences, and understand how policy decisions affect families throughout Missouri. Learn more about the League of Women Voters of Missouri at lwvmo.org.

    Amendment 3 and Reproductive Freedom with Joan Gentry of the League of Women Voters of Missouri

  4. Sep 2

    Missouri Amendment 3, Abortion Rights & Faith: A Christian Case for Reproductive Choice with Rev. Jen Simmons

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment 3 and Me, Taylor talks with Reverend Jen Simmons, lead pastor of National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri, about reproductive rights, abortion care, LGBTQ+ rights, gender-affirming care, and the role of faith in public policy. Rev. Jen shares the deeply personal experience that shaped her pro-choice beliefs—including standing outside Planned Parenthood with signs of support for people seeking abortion care—and explains why she sees reproductive decision-making as a sacred act. Rev. Jen also discusses Christianity and reproductive rights, religious freedom, medical science, misinformation, and the harm that can occur when religion is used to shame or control people's healthcare decisions. She offers Missouri voters a different way to approach difficult conversations about Amendment 3: listen first, stay curious, share real stories, and remember the humanity behind the politics. For people wrestling with their faith and their views on abortion or LGBTQ+ rights, her message is simple and powerful: it is never too late to change your mind, learn, grow, and meet one another with love and gentleness.

    Missouri Amendment 3, Abortion Rights & Faith: A Christian Case for Reproductive Choice with Rev. Jen Simmons

  5. Aug 28

    Angela Frantz, Abortion Action Missouri: Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Politicians

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. What happens when politicians control our personal healthcare decisions? Angela Frantz, a grassroots leader of Abortion Action Missouri, talks with Amendent3andMe about reproductive healthcare, bodily autonomy, restrictive laws, gender-affirming care, and how policy decisions affect Missouri families. Angela explains why pregnancy and abortion decisions, which are deeply personal and never taken lightly, must be understood through the realities people face—not abstract political talking points. She also addresses the importance of supporting medical professionals who face confusing laws that raise barriers for patients and physicians. She reminds us to be brave, because many people don’t understand Amendment 3 and advocacy can begin with a conversation. Protecting bodily autonomy requires all of us to participate. Join the movement: https://abortionactionmissouri.org/

    Angela Frantz, Abortion Action Missouri: Reproductive Rights, Bodily Autonomy, and Politicians

  6. Aug 21

    NAACP Springfield, MO President - Kai Sutton

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment 3 and Me, host Taylor speaks with Kai Sutton, president of the Springfield, Missouri NAACP chapter, about how the new Amendment 3 could affect reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming care, and communities of color across Missouri. Kai shares her personal experience navigating pregnancy loss and reproductive healthcare, explains why Black and Brown Missourians must be included in conversations about healthcare access, and discusses the importance of building solidarity through empathy, listening, and trust. She also reflects on the power of collective action, shares successes from Missouri’s minimum-wage campaign, and offers practical advice for helping friends, family, and neighbors understand why their vote matters. This conversation is about lived experience, community power, hope, and the importance of showing up—for ourselves and for one another. Stand in solidarity https://naacpsgf.org/join/ Deadline to register to vote is October 7. What you need to know: https://www.vote411.org/missouri

    NAACP Springfield, MO President - Kai Sutton

  7. Aug 21

    PROMO - Courtney Cook

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode, Maggie speaks with Courtney Cook, field director for PROMO, Missouri’s LGBTQ+ public policy and advocacy organization, about Amendment 3, which is set to appear on the November 2026 ballot. Courtney explains how the proposed amendment could affect abortion access and gender-affirming care for transgender minors, discusses the personal and community impact of these policies, and shares how she became involved in LGBTQ+ advocacy in Southwest Missouri. The conversation also explores how Missourians can talk with friends, family, and neighbors about Amendment 3 through curiosity, empathy, storytelling, and better understanding gender-affirming care. Courtney also shares resources for learning more and getting involved with PROMO’s canvassing efforts. https://wpath.org/ (World Professional Association for Transgender Health) https://promomissouri.org/

    PROMO - Courtney Cook

  8. Aug 14

    Catholics for Choice - Lauren Bailey

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. In this episode of Amendment 3 and Me, Taylor and Patty speak with Lauren Bailey of Catholics for Choice about faith, reproductive healthcare, gender-affirming care, and Missouri’s upcoming Amendment 3 vote. Lauren discusses how Catholics for Choice understands reproductive rights through the principles of conscience, social justice, and religious freedom. She shares how her Jesuit education shaped her perspective on reproductive justice and explains the organization’s work supporting Catholics who advocate for access to reproductive and gender-affirming healthcare. The conversation also explores Catholics for Choice’s experience working on ballot initiatives in states including Ohio, Colorado, and Florida, as well as practical advice for Missourians navigating difficult conversations about Amendment 3 with family, friends, neighbors, and fellow members of their faith communities. Lauren emphasizes the importance of compassion, shared values, accurate information, and community—and reminds Catholics who support abortion access that they are not alone. Amendment 3 and Me is produced by the A-Team, a group of independent activist voters in Springfield, Missouri. Links: How to talk to your Catholic family about abortion : https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/talking-to-your-catholic-family-about-abortion/ Catholics for Choice: https://www.catholicsforchoice.org/ Register to vote: https://www.vote.org/register-to-vote/missouri/

    Catholics for Choice - Lauren Bailey

  9. Aug 14

    High-Risk OB/GYN Dr. Betsy Wickstrom

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. As Missouri voters prepare to decide Amendment 3 this November, what would a YES or NO vote mean for abortion care, pregnancy complications, gender-affirming care and medical decision-making? In this episode, high-risk OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist Dr. Elizabeth Ann (Betsy) Wickstrom draws on more than 30 years caring for pregnant patients in Kansas and Missouri. A self-described lifelong Eisenhower Republican, she explains why she became an abortion rights advocate and discusses pregnancy emergencies that may require abortion care. She addresses misconceptions about Plan B, fetal viability, and how legal uncertainty may influence medical decision-making. She also addresses exceptions for the life of a pregnant patient, provisions involving transgender and gender-diverse minors, and offers advice for talking about Amendment 3 with friends, family, and neighbors. Whether you've already decided how to vote or are still weighing the issue, this episode offers a physician's perspective on one of Missouri's most consequential ballot measures. Dr. Wickstrom’s views are her own and do not represent any past, present, or future employer.

    High-Risk OB/GYN Dr. Betsy Wickstrom

  10. Season 1 Trailer

    Amendment 3 & Me Trailer

    Hey! I'd love to hear your thoughts, send me a voice note. Welcome to Amendment 3 & Me!

    Amendment 3 & Me Trailer

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

The A Team: Voices for Missouri The A Team is a grassroots group of activist voters in Springfield, Missouri, ranging in age from 30 to 80 and united in opposition to Amendment 3 in 2026. The views expressed in this podcast are the personal views of the participants. These interviews feature a diverse group of advocates, healthcare professionals, faith leaders, parents, organizers, and people sharing their own personal experiences. In this series, you’ll hear from: Betsy, high-risk OB/GYN and maternal-fetal medicine specialist, about how politicians endanger women and physicians and interfere with women’s ability to make their own healthcare decisions. Lauren, with Catholics for Choice, about supporting the majority of Catholics who hold pro-choice views, and the ideas that support their choices. Kai, president of Springfield’s NAACP chapter, about experiences of Black and Brown people and the importance of building solidarity. Courtney, coordinator with PROMO, offering a perspective on LGBTQIA+ rights and advocacy. Cammie, about the barriers faced by a rural trans resident seeking care and support. Joan, board member of the League of Women Voters of Missouri, about the League’s positions on abortion. Angela, organizer-activist with Abortion Action Missouri, about organizing and advocacy. Marla, sharing her personal abortion story. Leah, parent of a trans child, discussing the existing challenges families face in obtaining gender-affirming care. Jenn, pastor in a Christian church, about the spiritual basis for individual choice. These are personal stories, professional perspectives, and community voices that deserve to be heard. Watch for new episodes. Please listen, like, follow, and share. Send episode links to people you know who are undecided as well as those working to defeat Amendment 3. The A Team grew out of grassroots organizing efforts in Springfield in early 2026. Through this podcast series, we explore why we believe Amendment 3 is a terrible idea for Missouri—and, most importantly, we bring you the voices and experiences of people who will be affected by the issues at stake. The more voices we hear, the better informed our communities can be.

Information

  • Creator
    The A Team
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © The A Team
  • Show Website
    Amendment 3 and Me