Pregnancy Help Podcast

By Pregnancy Help PodcastSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity Education Self-Improvement

Pregnancy Help Podcast episodes

February 07, 2024Maternity Home FAQs
Director of the Maternity Housing Coaltion, Valerie Harkins, takes us through some of the frequently asked questions that she hears from the Maternity Housing community. Valerie covers homes for minors, goals for residents, funding your ministry, housing models, and more!
Resources:
Maternity Housing Locator Tool
Webinar: Raising Funds for Maternity Homes
Contact Valerie Harkins at [email protected]
Sponsored by Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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30 min
January 31, 20242024 March for Life – Jeanne Mancini
Join Jeanne Mancini, President of March for Life as she recaps the recent March in Washington D.C. along with Pregnancy Help News Managing Editor, Lisa Bourne and Heartbeat’s VP of Communications and Marketing, Andrea Trudden. Hear more about this year’s theme, “With Every Woman, For Every Child” and how the March is partnering with Pregnancy Help Organizations to bring supplies to moms across the country.
Resources:
March for Life Pregnancy Help Donation Drive
March for Life
National Pregnancy Center Reports
Subscribe to Pregnancy Help News
Notes:
This year highlighted the pregnancy help movement and the help that is offered to both a woman and her baby.
Heartbeat International and Care Net partnered with the March for Life to arrange for Pregnancy Help Organizations to add their “Wish List” to a page on the March’s web site. This will remain open all year so that people can fill the needs of the pregnancy centers.
We have overtured Roe, but have not yet created a culture of life. There is still work to do! The ultimate goal is to make abortion unthinkable.
March for Life is working with states to organization marches across the U.S.
Sponsored by: Pregnancy Help News

Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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33 min
January 15, 2024Biblical Truths About Adoption – Brad Imler
Beth Diemert and Brad Imler discuss what the Bible has to say about adoption, and how we can use that truth to change the conversation surrounding adoption in our culture. Listen in to find out where you might have your own adoption bias, and how you can empower women facing an unplanned pregnancy to understand all of her options more clearly.
Resources:
Click here for ChristianAdoptions.org
Click here for Heartbeat’s training and resources on adoption
Click here to register for the Adoption In Depth Day Training
Notes:
Adoption dates back to the Old Testament. God chose adoption as the means to rescue Moses.
For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love He predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will. Ephesians 1:4-5
We all approach adoption with some sort of bias, and it’s important to recognize what your bias is.
Adoption needs to be talked about often in the work of the pregnancy help organization, as well as in staff training settings.
The post-Roe world has changed the adoption conversation
Having a conversation about adoption with a client can empower her to look into all of her options instead of focusing only on parenting or abortion. It opens up new opportunities for her.

Sponsored by Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference

Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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32 min
January 08, 2024Insurance for Maternity Homes – Kirk Thomas
Valerie Harkins brings in Kirk Thomas from Johnson-Witkemper Insurance to talk about considerations when choosing insurance for your maternity home. He covers questions surrounding what insurance companies will ask and how to keep insurance costs low for ministries.
Resources:
–Click here to contact Kirk Thomas at Johnson-Witkemper Insurance
Email [email protected] to connect with Valerie Harkins
Notes:
Remember to cover your physical assets and people assets with insurance
Take into consideration your home structure – single family, multi-family, or mixed use property
Utilize things like security cameras, sprinklers, fire alarms, etc. to help minimize costs of insurance
Have a plan in place ready to implement in a crisis situation such as a natural disaster or home evacuation for other reasons.
Set clear expectations for residents
Sponsored by: Heart & Home E-newsletter

Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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21 min
January 04, 2024Engaging Pastors as Partners – Marc Newman
Tracie Shellhouse speaks with Marc Newman, President of Speaker for Life, about equipping the body of Christ to be a voice for life. Marc gives us insight into ways that we can encourage our churches to be outspoken advocates for the unborn in effective and compassionate ways, and to keep the pro-life conversation going year-round.
Resources:
–Order a copy of Contenders here
-Speaker for Life – Marc Newman
-Join us at Heartbeat’s Annual Conference in April to attend Marc’s In Depth Day training!
Notes:
Statistics show that there are likely people within most congregations (or even the pastors themselves) who have abortion in their background.
It’s essential to continually bring up life issues in churches; it’s not a one-time teaching.
Not speaking out on the pain of abortion leaves a void for those in churches that are still asking questions and may be vulnerable to make an abortion choice, or to encourage someone else to have an abortion.
Churches have the opportunity to speak the truth of God’s mercy and redemption to those who have abortion in their past and to direct them to PHOs or church groups that can offer healing programs.
If abortion is not rejected by society, we see other life issues such as euthanasia and assisted suicide accepted.
Syllogism – It is wrong to intentionally kill an innocent human being. Abortion intentionally kills an innocent human being. Therefore, abortion is wrong.
Approach your pastor with a “giving” mindset, not an “asking” mindset. Bring your subject matter expertise to them. Offer to speak and take the burden of doing the research and planning talks from them. Be willing to speak anywhere at anytime.
Thank the pastors and churches of your volunteers for their part in supporting a culture of life.
Share this podcast! Spread the word!
Sponsored by: Option Line
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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58 min
December 11, 2023 Peace on Earth, Good Will Toward Men
This is the time of year when we hear a message of peace and good will, and it’s even common to hear Christian Christmas tunes in secular settings. However, we still look at the world and see so much turmoil! Valerie Harkins takes us through a message of what God’s peace provides us during these times both as individuals and as ministry workers.
Sponsored by: Heartbeat International’s Annual Conference
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.

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26 min
December 04, 2023What is a Pre-Abortion Screening?
Heartbeat International Director of Affiliate Services, Beth Diemert and Senior Director of Medical Impact, Christa Brown, discuss what is involved in a pre-abortion screening and why a center might choose to offer this service.
Resources:
Training Manual: Talking About Abortion
Training Manual: The LOVE Approach
Click Here to Contact Heartbeat International
Notes:
Abortion pills are sold online with little to no medical intervention or assessment, leaving women in the dark about their options and their pregnancies
An ultrasound is essential in dating the pregnancy and in checking for ectopic pregnancy, which would be a life-threatening situation for the mother.
Pregnancy help clinics empower women with information and details about their pregnancy and what choices are available to them
Pre-abortion screening is about providing her with information that she may not receive online or at an abortion clinic, which then empowers her to make an informed decision about her pregnancy.
Heartbeat’s Medical Impact team is available at [email protected]
Sponsored by: Next Level
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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30 min
November 20, 2023Deceptive Advertising Laws and PHOs
Pregnancy center marketing has been under attack for decades, but recent legislation in some states has made more aggressive advances towards silencing the voices of those who want to provide women with alternatives to abortion. Jor-El Godsey, Tracie Shellhouse, Andrea Trudden, and Danielle White discuss how these laws are deceptive and attempt to tell a false narrative of the work of pro-life pregnancy help.
Links:
PregnancyCenterTruth.com
Life Links: Marketing Companies and Other Resources
Commitment of Care
Heartbeat Academy
Raising the Standard
Abortion Minded Caller
Talking About Abortion

Sponsored by Pregnancy Help News
Notes:
The First Amendment protects the speech of pregnancy help organizations. Historically, the courts have struck down legislation based on First Amendment prudence (laws were too vague, viewpoint discrimination, content discrimination, etc.)
This legislation is intended to cause confusion and fear so that pregnancy centers are scared into silence.
Training your staff on answering questions regarding your services is essential to providing quality care for your clients.
Be aware of the standards that social media advertising have that might limit how you advertise; these standards continue to change over time.
Disclaimers on your website can be helpful, but are not a legal requirement.
Be consistent in your messaging. Women need to know that pregnancy help exists. There’s nothing wrong with truthfully promoting your services!
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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44 min
November 14, 2023Reacting to Election Results
David Mahan from Center for Christian Virtue joins Heartbeat team members Andrea Trudden, Jessica Warner, and Lora Current to discuss the national ramifications of the recent election in Ohio that resulted in the enshrinement of abortion into the state constitution.
Visit www.heartbeatservices.org/gotv for “Get Out the Vote” resources
Sponsor: Option Line
OptionLine.org [email protected]
Notes:
Amendments that states like MI and OH went up against are confusing and broadly worded; this caused much division among voters
Voters responded strongly to the concern over parental rights (even over abortion rights)
Abortion is just one piece of the “reproductive decisions” wording that is used
The abortion lobby falsely claimed that without this amendment, women could not get care for a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy
Pro-life efforts were outspent by roughly 20 million dollars in media advertising by the abortion lobby in Ohio this election season
Church engagement is vital. Ohio saw an increase in churches speaking out against Issue 1, but we still needed more.
Some people assumed that Ohio is a “life state” and an abortion amendment could never pass. There weren’t enough people willing to get out and vote, or who didn’t realize the severity of Issue 1.
Nine additional states could have a similar amendment on the ballot next year
In Ohio, existing pro-life regulations will be challenged in the courts. It will be difficult to uphold anything on parental rights, abortion limits, etc. when put up against the new amendment
Pregnancy Help Organizations are vital now more than ever in states like Ohio to be there for women as abortion is pushed on them even more than before
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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47 min
November 06, 2023 Why Unity Matters for Pregnancy Help
Join Andrea Trudden, VP of Communications & Marketing, Tracie Shellhouse, VP of Ministry Services, and Jor-El Godsey, President of Heartbeat International as they discuss how the pregnancy help movement celebrates diversity while staying united in our mission to save lives and make abortion unthinkable. They also announce this year’s Annual Conference theme, and why it is important for the movement in light of today’s culture.
Click here to find out more about our Annual Conference and register today!
Heartbeat International provides a forum to express a marketplace of ideas for an audience of life-affirming pregnancy help organizations and those who support such organizations. The ideas, views and opinions expressed in this presentation are those of the presenter and may or may not reflect advice, opinions, policies or views of Heartbeat International, Inc. Presenters come from a wide range of experiences and backgrounds, inside and outside of the Pregnancy Help Movement. We encourage listeners or viewers to do their own additional research and discern for themselves how to apply the materials presented.
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24 min

About Pregnancy Help Podcast

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Welcome to Pregnancy Help Podcast where we tackle large issues affecting the Pregnancy Help Community through conversations with experts around the country. Powered by Heartbeat International, we…