The Pink State

Andrea Hall and Lauren Furey

The Pink State is a limited-series podcast hosted by professors and former journalists Andrea Hall and Lauren Furey highlighting the role of women in politics. Season 3 shifts gears to focus entirely on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and what has happened since because it impacts millions of women. On Tuesdays, come here to listen to the hosts as they talk with a republican senator, a democratic nominee for governor, a lawyer who focuses on maternal health care, an OB/GYN, a journalist and a woman who got caught up in the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision to halt IVF.

  1. 3h ago

    Post-Dobbs with The Pink State & Dr. Laura Andreson: An OB/GYN who spurred to action after Roe v. Wade was overturned

    Trigger warning: This episode includes discussions of physical and emotional suffering by patients. We’ll also talk about the sexual assault case involving seven men from Cornell. Please take care moving forward. Season 3 of The Pink State focuses on maternal and reproductive health care in the South post the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022. This fourth episode features OB/GYN and political candidate Dr. Laura Andreson. She discusses how the overturning of Roe v. Wade and trigger bills like the Human Life Protection Act in Tennessee spurred her into political action. She talks about her experience as an OB/GYN serving pregnant women of Middle Tennessee since the Dobbs decision, trends in reproductive health care and her decisions to join the Phillips v. State of Tennessee lawsuit and run for office to make it safer for patients and practitioners. Credits: ABC News, “Allie Phillips on her candidacy for the Tennessee House of Representatives”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-cnmxygJD0&t=128s ABC News, “Cornell rape investigation now an active criminal investigation”: https://abcnews.com/video/136969519/ DemocracyNow, “19 GOP Attorneys General Seek Private Medical Records of Patients Who Obtain Out-of-State Abortions”: https://www.democracynow.org/2023/7/25/tamarra_wieder_abortion_rights_planned_parenthood  KENS 5. “FDA changes Plan B label, clarifies it won't cause abortion”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60NesGppZyw Laura Andreson for TN Facebook. Campaign Ad: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1354886366554000 MS Now, “Tennessee Abortion Ban Creates Chaos And Confusion”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4kzFzmb4o4 Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/⁠⁠ NBC 5 Chicago, “Period Tracking Apps Raise Privacy Concerns in Post-Roe Fallout”: https://www.nbcchicago.com/video/top-videos-home/period-tracking-apps-raise-privacy-concerns-in-post-roe-fallout/2868578/ NBC News. “Jackson Women's Health Doctor Responds To Decision Overturning Roe v. Wade”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6w9KT7U4Gfo NBC News, “Seven women sue Tennessee after being denied medical exemption under state's abortion ban”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUT7nibz1K8 NBC News, “Sterilization requests on the rise following Roe v. Wade ruling”: https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/sterilization-requests-on-the-rise-following-roe-v-wade-ruling-144434245733 WBIR 10, “Tennessee lawmakers pass strict abortion bill”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8JMm-i6FzeU&time_continue=146&source_ve_path=NzY3NTg&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Fsearch%3Fsa%3DX%26sca_esv%3Dd9a0b2731d9ca0d5%26rlz%3D1C5GCCM_en%26sxsrf%3DAPpeQnvbb0pUSDqQZhRUHJh_7GGu9qHKcw%3A179156617658 WKMS, “Tenn. House passes protections for IVF, birth control despite strong Republican opposition”: https://www.wkms.org/government-politics/2025-04-11/tenn-house-passes-protections-for-ivf-birth-control-despite-strong-republican-opposition WKRN News 2, “Healthcare providers can deny procedures under new TN law”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtDp7oHQACs

  2. Oct 6

    Post-Dobbs with The Pink State & Valarie Blake: The increase and impact of conscience laws in medical care

    Season 3 of The Pink State focused on maternal and reproductive health care in the South post the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022. This third episode features University of Tennessee law professor Valarie Blake, who discusses Tennessee’s Medical Ethics Defense Act that passed in 2025. The MED Act allows health care practitioners to refuse to perform or pay for procedures or prescriptions, like abortions, sterilizations and contraceptives, that go against their morals or personal beliefs. She brings her experience and knowledge of reproductive health care to share how conscience laws like Tennessee's impact medical professionals and patients. Credits: Alliance Defending Freedom Youtube channel, “Alliance Defending Freedom: Protecting Your Rights Since 1994": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rECm7TsmcbM Alliance Defending Freedom, “ADF attorney to testify on Dobbs decision at House Oversight Committee hearing Wednesday": https://adfmedia.org/press-release/adf-attorney-testify-dobbs-decision-house-oversight-committee-hearing-wednesday/ Brut, “A town hall in Jonesborough, Tennessee, a woman claimed her OB-GYN refused to provide prenatal care”: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2115067455656010 Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/⁠ NPR, Federal Judge Throws Out 'Conscience Rights' Rule For Health Care Workers: https://www.npr.org/2019/11/06/776968171/federal-judge-throws-out-conscience-rights-rule-for-health-care-workers WKRN News 2, “Healthcare providers can deny procedures under new TN law”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtDp7oHQACs WSMV4, “Tennessee among top 3 states for maternal care deserts, report finds”: https://www.wsmv.com/video/2026/08/17/tennessee-among-top-3-states-maternal-care-deserts-report-finds/ WVTM13, “The state of abortion access explained”: https://www.wvtm13.com/article/the-state-of-abortion-access-emtala-idaho-florida/60857174

  3. Sep 29

    Post-Dobbs with The Pink State & Dr. Richard Briggs: Protecting fertility and future families

    Trigger warning: This episode mentions loss of life, child pregnancies, rape, and incest. Please move forward with care. Season 3 of The Pink State focuses on maternal and reproductive health care in the South post the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022. This second episode features physician and Republican Senator Dr. Richard Briggs. He discusses his work in the Tennessee Senate pre- and post-Dobbs, including co-sponsoring the Tennessee Human Life Protection Act that banned all abortions in the state when Roe v. Wade was overturned. He also discusses the amendments he has worked on since to protect the lives of pregnant women, their fertility and doctors. He brings his knowledge and perspective as a physician to this conversation as someone who is pro-life and wants to help couples to bring children safely into this world.  Credits: ABC News, “Doctors suing Tennessee over the state’s abortion laws”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p02LJ7lAoCA&t=106s Fox13, “TN doctors can still face criminal prosecution for performing emergency abortions”: https://www.fox13memphis.com/health/tn-doctors-can-still-face-criminal-prosecution-for-performing-emergency-abortions/article_9a6e4c7a-8da7-11ef-a356-0758ed753997.html JN Learning, “Medical Indications for Abortion”: https://edhub.ama-assn.org/jn-learning/video-player/18733794 Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: ⁠⁠⁠https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/⁠ NBC News, “Seven women sue Tennessee after being denied medical exemption under state’s abortion ban": ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUT7nibz1K8&t=47s⁠⁠ NBC News, “Tennessee court hears case on medical exception rules for abortions”: ⁠https://www.nbcnews.com/now/video/tennessee-court-hears-case-on-medical-exception-rules-for-abortions-208342597678⁠ WBIR Channel 10, “Doctor says she left TN due to abortion treatment restrictions”: ⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fp3Oe2t6wmE⁠ WBIR, Channel 10, “Lawmakers vote on ‘Abortion Trigger’ bill”: ⁠https://www.wbir.com/video/news/politics/lawmakers-vote-on-abortion-trigger-bill/51-be0e034c-3797-4f9e-85e5-e93d54f8915f⁠ WBIR Channel 10, “No, Plan B morning-after pills did not get banned in Tennessee”: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FAfMN6E52nE⁠⁠ WBIR Channel 10, “TN bill allowing abortion care for pregnancies resulting from rape and incest fails in subcommittee”: ⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1PSV2IqKcZM⁠⁠ WSMV 4, “Trigger law would ban abortion in Tennessee if Supreme Court overturns rule”: ⁠https://www.wsmv.com/video/2022/05/04/trigger-law-would-ban-abortion-tennessee-if-supreme-court-overturns-rule/⁠

  4. Sep 22

    Post-Dobbs with The Pink State & Journalist Rachel Wells: Covering reproductive rights

    Season 3 of The Pink State is back! This season we will focus on maternal and reproductive  health care in the South after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision in 2022. The ruling made by the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and gave power back to the states to legislate abortion. In each episode, you will hear a different perspective from those navigating the political landscape, including politicians, a lawyer specializing in women’s health care, an activist, and women directly impacted by abortion laws. This first episode features Rachel Wells, an independent journalist and founder of the TN Repro News Substack. She shares her experience covering maternal health care over the past four years, what she has learned and her role as a journalist on educating the public about often complex legislation and the personal narratives of those involved.  Credits: Local 4, Click on Detroit, History in Detroit: Voters elect first woman mayor with decisive victory: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPWzoc0j59s WGN, Radio Sherrill wins New Jersey Governor’s Race: https://wgnradio.com/video/sherrill-wins-new-jersey-governor%E2%80%99s-race/11232949/ CNN, Abigail Spanberger elected first female VA governor: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3McBP7lI7ow WSMV, Tennessee Republicans and Democrats both select female gubernatorial in historic first: https://www.wsmv.com/2026/08/07/tennessee-republicans-democrats-both-select-female-gubernatorial-historic-first/ PBS News Hour, How Americans are responding to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-americans-are-responding-to-the-supreme-court-ruling-overturning-roe-v-wade PBS News Hour, What the Supreme Court ruling means for abortion access: https://www.pbs.org/video/abortion-access-1777927476/ Fox 10 Phoenix, Battle Ground Midterms, How reproductive rights messaging is shaping voters: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubYUJ55UJsw WSMV Youtube Short, Amendment to TN bill would allow death penalty for abortion: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/3YH-4yKfWtI Bless this Mess HQ/Aftyn Behn shared by Tennessee Holler: https://www.facebook.com/reel/1185570733653356 Bloomberg Law, Beyond Abortion: The fight over fetal personhood: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-9Evt6j8SQ Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: ⁠⁠https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/⁠

  5. 11/12/2024

    Making #HerStory with Jennie Armstrong: Leading with love for the LGBTQ+ community

    This is our final episode of the season, and we have the perfect end note because this politician spent her time fighting discrimination with love. This week, we sat down with Jennie Armstrong of Alaska. She is a House Representative, a mom, and identifies as pansexual. She made history when she was one of the first three out LGBTQ+ politicians elected in Alaska in 2022. While in office, she has fought against discriminatory policies, including passing an equality bill and fighting for the rights of trans girls to play sports. We would like to thank each of you for listening to this season and our guests for taking time out of their busy schedule to have these conversations. From the Pink State to your state, we'll talk to you Fall 2025. Sound Editor: Jaxon Winters Copyright Info: 1011 Now. (2023, Jan. 13). Alaska Supreme Court rules Armstrong eligible to serve in legislature. [Video]. https://www.1011now.com/video/2023/01/14/alaska-supreme-court-rules-armstrong-eligible-serve-legislature/ABC7 News Bay Area (2024, Oct. 17). SJSU becomes a target as Trump pledges to ban trans athletes. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGpGhN9frYg Alaska's News Source (2023, March 20). Protest held against Gov. Dunleavy's 'Parental Rights' bill. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmNXj4q6b-c Alaska's News Source (2024, May 11). Dozens of amendments debated, voted on as lawmakers discuss the future of transgender youth in sports. [Video].https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/video/2024/05/12/dozens-amendments-debated-voted-lawmakers-discuss-future-transgender-youth-sports/KTOO (2023, May 12). House Floor Session [Part 2 of 2]. [Video]. https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/house-floor-session-part-2-of-2-2024051179/?eventID=2024051179KTOO (2023, May 11). House Floor Session. [Video]. https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/house-floor-session-2024051151/?eventID=2024051151KTOO (2023, April 25). House Community & Regional Affairs Committee. [Video]. https://www.ktoo.org/video/gavel/house-community-regional-affairs-committee-2023041240/ San Francisco Chronicle. (2024, Oct. 27). Who is Brooke Slusser, the SJSU volleyball player trying to ban transgender women from sports? [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W599H1wnQBITheFrozenPlantGuy. (2023, March 21). Thanks to everyone for the advocacyand support elevating HB 99! Over 1000 letters/emails have been receivedand 38 out of 40 people testifying spoke in support! [Video]. https://www.tiktok.com/@thefrozenplantguy/video/7212875775853251886The Guardian. (2024, Nov. 6). How US news networks reacted to Donald Trump's election victory. [Video]. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/video/2024/nov/06/us-networks-react-donald-trump-election-victory-video

  6. 11/05/2024

    Making #HerStory with LaKeshia Myers: Running Black and Blue

    In honor of this week's episode falling on Election Day 2024 in the United States, we sat down with Rep. LaKeshia Myers of Wisconsin to talk about her experience as a Black woman in politics and get her take on what Kamala Harris has faced as a Black woman running for president. LaKeshia also discusses her experience as a school teacher and how that has helped her as a representative in Milwaukee with her constituents and fellow lawmakers and how she thinks it could help Tim Walz, if he becomes Vice President.  Sound Editor: Jaxon Winters Copyright Info: ABC News (2024, Aug. 21). Walz says 'never underestimate' a teacher during DNC speech. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0iEcfMUHD4 Mother Jones (2024, July 26). DEI: The Right's Main (and Very) Racist Attack on Kamala Harris. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LZ2xnXj5no Benjamin O'Hare (2013, Oct. 15). Maynard H. Jackson becomes the first black Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ajkv5AWMltY Betches_news Instagram. (2024, Oct. 19). We spoke with Governor Tim Walz recently about why it’s so important that men speak out about reproductive rights, and ... [Video]. https://www.instagram.com/betches_news/reel/DBUHQC2RyGk/C-SPAN (1972, Jan. 15). 1972 Shirley Chrisholm Presidential Campaign Announcement. [Video]. https://www.c-span.org/video/?325324-2/1972-shirley-chisholm-presidential-campaign-announcementJohn F. Kennedy Library (John F. Kennedy's 1963 Televised Address to the Nation on Civil Rights). [Video] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58O2De-iPOk SkyNews Australia (2024, July 2). ‘She’s weak’: Megyn Kelly blasts Kamala Harris. [Video]. https://youtube.com/shorts/lfj9o3BUZAc?si=V37fdPyn_ujxFuhjWBAY TV-2 (2023, Sept. 22). Fight over DEI funding in UW system continues. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yKJxmCWYWoMWKYC Channel 3 (2024, Nov. 1). Kamala Harris says Trump's comment on women 'is offensive to everybody'. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjalpN5XZOs

  7. 10/29/2024

    Making #Herstory with Barbie Harden Hall: Raised a Republican, Running as a Democrat

    This week’s episode takes us to the Sunshine State post-hurricanes Helene and Milton, where we talked to Barbie Harden Hall. She is a Florida native who was raised in a Republican family and is running for the U.S. House of Representatives as a Democrat after the loss of her child to a rare, genetic disorder. She shares her story of transitioning into motherhood and politics. Sound Editor: Jaxon Winters Copyright Info: CNN. (2014, Sept. 28). Hillary: Grandmother in chief?. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5myQ4wCplo Forbes Breaking News. (2023, Feb. 9). Joe Biden Goes After Ron DeSantis For Blocking Expansion Of Medicaid Program In Florida. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7x2o6QzNIY Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey. (2022, Oct. 3). Florida Republicans Vote AGAINST Aid For Hurricane-Battered State. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBqxHBFtrAM NBC News. (2023, Feb. 21). Nightly News Broadcast. [Video]. https://www.nbcnews.com/nightly-news-netcast/video/nightly-news-full-broadcast-february-21st-204673093546NowThis Impact. (2024, Oct. 17). Throwback to Pete Buttigieg Shutting Down Abortion Question. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2IlTO-6uNus PBS Newshour. (2024, Feb. 21). How an Alabama Supreme Court ruling that frozen embryos are children impacts IVF. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H5YmhAfzMEo The Young Turks. (2024, Oct. 20). Ron DeSantis Threatens To Prosecute TV Stations. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBCM_wfKQBI WTVR CBS 6. (2024, Oct. 8). Tampa Mayor offers dire warning ahead of Milton: 'You're going to die'. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cmMq3TYkdcM Yes4Florida. (2024, Oct. 1). 📢 Our new ad, "Caroline," is airing across Florida starting today. Her story reminds us of what’s at stake under ... [Video]. https://www.instagram.com/yes4florida/reel/DAlLZ27IXYP

About

The Pink State is a limited-series podcast hosted by professors and former journalists Andrea Hall and Lauren Furey highlighting the role of women in politics. Season 3 shifts gears to focus entirely on the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision and what has happened since because it impacts millions of women. On Tuesdays, come here to listen to the hosts as they talk with a republican senator, a democratic nominee for governor, a lawyer who focuses on maternal health care, an OB/GYN, a journalist and a woman who got caught up in the Alabama Supreme Court’s decision to halt IVF.