How to Talk About Abortion
Abortion is such a controversial issue, most of us avoid discussing it for fear of ending up in an angry debate. Plus, few of us are open to changing our minds about abortion access, so what\u2019s the point of talking about it with people who disagree? In this episode of the podcast, we\u2019ll learn how to talk about abortion and why it\u2019s crucial that we do, even if there\u2019s no chance of finding common ground. We\u2019ll explore the amazing story of The Abortion Talks \u2013 when, during a particularly violent period in Boston in the 1990s, three pro-choice leaders and three pro-life leaders began meeting in secret. Their dialogue on abortion rights continued for nearly six years. None of the women changed their views on abortion. But the conversations changed their lives and the tone of the abortion debate nationwide.\n\nImage: Poster for The Abortion Talks documentary\n\nPodcast Guests:\nBarbara Thorp, social worker, participant in The Abortion Talks, former director of the Pro-Life Office for the Catholic Archdiocese of Boston\n\nMelissa Kogut, participant in The Abortion Talks, former executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice of Massachusetts\n\nJosh Sabey and Sarah Perkins, co-directors of The Abortion Talks documentary (UPDATE 6/26/24 the film is now called The Basement Talks and the extended six-part series is available on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV)\n\nJohn Sarrouf, dialogue facilitator and co-executive director of Essential Partners