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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 sixth episode features Jerri Green. She is the Democratic candidate for governor in Tennessee who calls herself “one tough mother.” She talks about her work as a councilwoman in Memphis, how being a mom has prepared her for office, and what she hopes will happen in the midterms.
Credits:
Action 5 News. “Memphis establishes paid parental leave for city employees”: https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/07/20/memphis-establishes-paid-parental-leave-city-employees/
Action 5 News. “‘We can’t feed our kids!’: Memphians respond to November SNAP benefit freeze”: https://www.actionnews5.com/video/2025/10/24/we-cant-feed-our-kids-memphians-respond-november-snap-benefit-freeze/
CBS Miami. “Eileen Higgins makes history as Miami’s first woman and first Democrat mayor in decades”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V4SfQ60OHU&t=36s
Fox 13. “Food insecurity reaches five-year high”: https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/food-insecurity-reaches-five-year-high/article_5c5681c0-c2ce-4ca1-ac73-ec174059c433.html
Jerri Green for Governor Facebook Page. Jerri Green When I’m Your Governor Ad: https://www.facebook.com/JerriGreenForTN/posts/im-jerri-green-and-when-im-your-governor-im-going-to-get-to-work-for-youthat-mea/1511276610817481/
Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/
NBC News. “Tennessee governor signs new U.S. House map splitting majority-Black district”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7TavCTOxWk
PBS NewsHour. “Memphis midwives work to address racial disparities in care”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOAPwSiu8Wg
Spectrum News 1. “A century of suffrage: Encouraging moms to run for office”: https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/politics/2023/08/18/a-century-of-suffrage--encouraging-moms-to-run-for-office
WBIR Channel 10. “Gov. Lee signs bill guaranteeing access to birth control, IVF”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gIOVPpfMEQ
WREG News Channel 3. “City Council approves $40K salary minimum, tables raise for firefighters”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PiacW8nDd5w
WSMV4. “Candidates on future of school voucher program”: https://www.wsmv.com/video/2026/10/20/candidates-future-school-voucher-program/
WSMV4. “Pulaski hospital suspends maternity services indefinitely”: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/IzUmchruOGg
WSMV4. “Report shows Tennessee Black women 2.5 more likely to die in pregnancy-related death”: https://www.wsmv.com/video/2023/07/17/report-shows-tennessee-black-women-25-more-likely-die-pregnancy-related-death/
WSMV4. “Tennessee now has its highest-ever likelihood of having a female governor after Democrat Jerri Green and Republican Marsha Blackburn won their respective party’s nomination in the Tennessee primary. #election #women #gop #democrat #tennessee”: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1016328211398428
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 fifth episode features Alabama writer and artist Abbey Crain. Abbey discusses her experience as a woman in Alabama going through infertility and starting her IVF journey in 2024 when clinics paused services while the Alabama Supreme Court determined whether embryos were considered children based on the state’s personhood law. She talks about her life as a journalist covering the state legislature while lawmakers crafted Alabama’s Human Life Protection Act, her journey to motherhood, and her documentary "Show Me the line."
Credits:
@AbbeyCrain Instagram. The Vice President of the United States invited me to meet with her in the West Wing to share my IVF story: https://www.instagram.com/p/C3_i1Gtx-Qo/
@arlenparsa X. BREAKING: Alabama Republicans just tried to sneak through a measure that would make nearly all abortions a felony punishable by up to 99 years in prison without even so much as a normal a roll call vote. Watch all hell breaking loose on the Alabama Senate floor: https://x.com/arlenparsa/status/1126525787451154432?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1126525787451154432%7Ctwgr%5E9f38417c093037484ce2090dd315fa27592df88c%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.businessinsider.com%2Falabama-state-senate-floor-shouting-match-chaos-over-abortion-bill-2019-5
CBS, “Alabama governor signs country's most restrictive abortion ban into law”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fei16JvDAFk
Fox 10 News. “IVF services in Alabama can restart immediately”: https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/03/07/ivf-services-alabama-can-restart-immediately/
Music Pixabay License purchased. Licensor's user name: https://pixabay.com/users/lemonmusicstudio-14942887/
NBC News. “Alabama court decision prompts some to move frozen embryos to other states”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdOuFC1kEGE
NBC News. “Emotional Senate leader reacts to Alabama abortion ban, no exceptions”: https://www.nbcnews.com/video/alabama-passes-abortion-ban-no-exceptions-for-rape-incest-59632709593
NBC News. “More medical facilities suspend IVF treatment after Alabama embryo ruling”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsz0bWoK0Xc
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 Newshour, “The role of fetal personhood in the anti-abortion movement and legislation”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zz9LsfZHAPk
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
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
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/
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/
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
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
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
The fourth episode of the season features Jayme Davis. She is a House Representative for District 9 in North Dakota. She is making waves as the first Indigenous person to hold a leadership position in the North Dakota Legislature, where she is head of the Democratic Caucus Chair. In this episode she shares a moving professional triumph after a bill to make a Buffalo hunting gun the state gun and a personal story from her childhood where her mom inspired her acceptance of being who she is, then and now.
Sound Editor:
Jaxon Winters
Copyright Info:
Forbes Breaking News (2024, Aug. 1). Native American Caucus Meets During Day Three Of The Democratic National Convention In Chicago. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uCtJxtWvBQI
Indianz. (2024, Aug. 24). Deb Haaland at Democratic National Convention #NativeVote. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0V2VbK68r8
Valley News Live. (2023, April 26). ND Legislature codifies the Indian Child Welfare Act. [Video]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0V2VbK68r8
WCCO - CBS Minnesota. (2024, Sept. 1). Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan on Tim Walz, IVF and more [VIdeo]. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACwxdnSizwc
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