Life Beyond Abortion

Welcome to Life Beyond Abortion, the weekly podcast hosted by Melissa Ohden, abortion survivor, author, speaker, and founder of The Abortion Survivors Network. Join Melissa as she shares her powerful journey of survival and healing and amplifies the voices of those impacted by abortion, including survivors and their families. Through candid conversations, stories of resilience, and a commitment to truth, this podcast creates a space for inspiration, understanding, and transformation. Whether you're seeking encouragement, want to explore the realities of abortion's impact, or desire a deeper connection to the human stories that bring healing and hope, Life Beyond Abortion is for you. Subscribe today and discover a life-affirming message that goes beyond survival to thriving. New episodes drop weekly on your favorite podcast platform.

  1. 11/04/2025

    Sidewalk Miracles

    Melissa Ohden hosts Life Beyond Abortion with guest Lauren Muzyka, Executive Director of Sidewalk Advocates for Life. Lauren shares her journey from college prayer vigils at Texas A&M to founding a national sidewalk counseling network. They discuss peaceful outreach saving 25,000+ lives, helping 105 abortion workers exit, closing 68 facilities; post-Roe challenges like interstate travel funding; upcoming Maria's Fund to counter abortion funds; synergies with 40 Days for Life; and empowering everyday people through prayer and loving alternatives. Visit SidewalkAdvocates.org to join or support. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:21 - Lauren's Start 00:05:07 - Sidewalk Training 00:08:29 - Founding Advocates 00:11:05 - Worker Conversions 00:15:10 - Laryngitis Miracle 00:17:46 - Prayer vs Words 00:21:27 - Sidewalk Safety 00:26:50 - Current Reach 00:28:19 - Expansion Needs 00:33:33 - Maria's Fund 00:41:20 - Post-Roe Urgency 00:46:48 - Get Involved You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    49 min
  2. 10/28/2025

    Life Begins at Conception

    Melissa Ohden welcomes Paula Illari to Life Beyond Abortion for a raw conversation on choosing life amid pain. Through faith and therapy, she found healing and now advocates with Save the One, supporting women affected by rape, incest, or prenatal diagnoses. They challenge cultural narratives that abortion is empowerment, emphasizing community, forgiveness, and the March for Life. 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:37 - First Pregnancy Choice 00:04:32 - Second Pregnancy Crisis 00:07:48 - Abortion Decision 00:09:32 - Cultural Silence 00:11:27 - Friend's Influence 00:15:42 - Healing Through Faith 00:18:58 - Advocacy Beginnings 00:22:16 - Save the One Work 00:27:29 - Pro-Choice Critique 00:32:04 - Contact Resources 00:52:15 - Closing Remarks You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    54 min
  3. 10/21/2025

    Men and Abortion Healing

    Join Melissa Ohden on Life Beyond Abortion as she welcomes Sean Corcoran, CEO of Men for Life, to discuss the impact of abortion on men. Sean shares his personal story of losing his child to abortion at 19, his journey to healing, and the launch of a fatherhood program for pregnancy centers. Explore how masculinity intersects with abortion healing and the pro-life movement. Visit https://www.menforlife.org/ for more information. 00:00:02 - Introduction 00:02:59 - Sean’s Experience with Abortion 00:04:46 - Addiction and Recovery 00:07:32 - Healing Through Community 00:09:12 - Joining Men for Life 00:13:29 - Why Men Stay Silent 00:16:50 - Masculinity and Support 00:19:21 - Abortion’s Mental Health Impact 00:23:04 - Research on Men and Abortion 00:26:39 - Societal Pressure Dynamics 00:29:00 - Alternative Supportive Words 00:33:40 - Addressing Root Causes 00:36:21 - War on Masculinity 00:46:11 - Call to Action for Men You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    55 min
  4. 10/14/2025

    Defying The Odds

    Join host Melissa Ohden on Life Beyond Abortion as she welcomes Melissa Manion, a woman who chose life for her child despite challenging circumstances. Melissa Manion shares her journey from a drug-addicted, abusive past to choosing life for her son in 1995, then facing an abortion in her second trimester that nearly killed her, and her path to healing through faith. They discuss Connecticut’s lax abortion laws, the cultural silence around abortion, and the pro-life movement’s growth. Melissa Manion reflects on advocacy with Embrace Grace and Let Them Live, while Melissa Ohden highlights healing’s role in shifting the abortion narrative. Learn more about Melissa Manion's work at melissamanion.com 00:00:00 - Introduction 00:02:35 - Connecticut Pro-Life Scene 00:03:19 - Abortion Laws in Connecticut 00:03:52 - Melissa Manion’s Story 00:07:48 - Abortion Decision 00:09:58 - Cultural Silence on Abortion 00:11:27 - Impact of Unspoken Abortion 00:16:32 - Healing Through Faith 00:22:16 - Advocacy and Healing Work 00:27:29 - Response to Pro-Choice Arguments 00:32:04 - Contact and Resources You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    34 min
  5. 10/07/2025

    Reclaiming Your Story

    Melissa Ohden welcomes Denisha Workizer, founder of Reclaimed Story, to share her powerful journey as an abortion survivor. Prompted by New York’s 2019 Reproductive Health Act, Workizer discovered at 42 that her mother considered abortion during a turbulent time. This revelation led her to found Reclaim Story, a ministry empowering women and survivors to find healing and purpose through faith. Workizer discusses the messy beauty of life, the importance of community, and how survivors can connect with others through organizations like the Abortion Survivors Network. From grappling with identity to delivering 47 talks across 21 states, her story challenges listeners to embrace their worth and support pregnancy resource centers. Join this heartfelt conversation about resilience and hope beyond abortion. Learn more about Denisha's work at reaclaimedstory.com 00:00:00 - Podcast Intro 00:00:53 - Denisha Introduced 00:01:45 - Survivor Bonds 00:02:43 - Discovery Story 00:03:43 - Abortion Considered 00:05:26 - Reclaim Story Mission 00:07:34 - Healing Community 00:09:28 - Survivor Challenges 00:12:16 - Cultural Impact 00:15:42 - Pregnancy Centers 00:18:21 - Sharing Stories 00:30:08 - Finding Purpose 00:39:37 - Support Options 00:42:05 - Everyone Matters You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    44 min
  6. 09/30/2025

    Resourcing Pregnant Mothers

    Melissa Ohden sits down with Libby Owens, Executive Director of St. Joseph Pregnancy Resource Center in Missouri, to share a heartfelt conversation on navigating life's deepest losses and finding purpose in supporting women facing unexpected pregnancies. Owens opens up about her own path—marked by sibling loss, infertility struggles, and the joy of late-in-life motherhood—that fueled her passion for compassionate care. Together, they explore the transformative changes in pregnancy centers since Roe's overturn, from empowering women with facts and reversal options to tackling challenges like the abortion pill's accessibility. Owens offers raw insights on fostering open dialogues, providing healing for post-abortive women, and the simple power of listening in crisis. A must-listen for anyone seeking to understand real support beyond rhetoric. 00:00:00 - Podcast Intro 00:00:53 - Guest Welcome 00:01:54 - Libby's Journey 00:03:37 - Infertility Impact 00:04:36 - Compassion Drives 00:05:26 - Positive Shifts 00:06:45 - Post-Roe Battles 00:07:34 - Reversal Options 00:09:28 - Abortion Pill 00:12:16 - Post-Abortive Healing 00:15:42 - Client Stories 00:18:21 - Staff Training 00:30:08 - Advice to Women 00:34:33 - Everyday Action You can find out more about Melissa's story, and support her work at melissaohden.com. Follow Melissa Ohden on Instagram @melissaohden, and on X @melissaohden. Follow The Abortion Survivors Network on Instagram @the_abortion_survivors_network, and on X @theASNofficial. You can learn more about The Abortion Survivors Network at abortionsurvivors.org. To learn more about the Herzog Foundation, visit HerzogFoundation.com. Like and follow us on Facebook, X, and Instagram, or sign up to receive monthly email updates. #Christian #ChristianWorldview #Abortion #AbortionSurvivor #AbortionSurvivors #CurrentEvents #Politics #Faith #Family #AbortionHelp #AbortionResourcing #ChooseLife #ProLife #ProChoice #Life #LifeBeyondAbortion #ProLifeStories #HealingJourney #Forgiveness #AbortionTruth #SurvivorVoices

    39 min

Trailer

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

Welcome to Life Beyond Abortion, the weekly podcast hosted by Melissa Ohden, abortion survivor, author, speaker, and founder of The Abortion Survivors Network. Join Melissa as she shares her powerful journey of survival and healing and amplifies the voices of those impacted by abortion, including survivors and their families. Through candid conversations, stories of resilience, and a commitment to truth, this podcast creates a space for inspiration, understanding, and transformation. Whether you're seeking encouragement, want to explore the realities of abortion's impact, or desire a deeper connection to the human stories that bring healing and hope, Life Beyond Abortion is for you. Subscribe today and discover a life-affirming message that goes beyond survival to thriving. New episodes drop weekly on your favorite podcast platform.

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