Anna Yocca Pleads Not Guilty to Attempted First Degree Murder

Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Legal Analyst at RH Reality Check, joined me to talk about the rising trend of women being arrested for exercising bodily autonomy. Anna Yocca, Tennessee woman charged with attempted first degree murder for self-inducing an abortion at 24 weeks, plead not guilty and her trial will begin soon.

CytoDyn HIV Drug Drops Viral Load to Non-Detectable Levels in Testing

Dr. Nader Pourhassan, CEO of CytoDyn Inc, talked with me about their HIV drug, PRO 140, which has had demonstrated remarkable effect on patients in FDA IRB approved tests.

About PRO 140
PRO 140 belongs to a new class of HIV/AIDS therapeutics -- viral-entry inhibitors -- that are intended to protect healthy cells from viral infection. PRO 140 is a fully humanized IgG4 monoclonal antibody directed against CCR5, a molecular portal that HIV uses to enter T-cells. PRO 140 blocks the predominant HIV (R5) subtype entry into T-cells by masking this required co-receptor, CCR5. Importantly PRO 140 does not appear to interfere with the normal function of CCR5 in mediating immune responses. PRO 140 does not have agonist activity towards CCR5 but does have antagonist activity to CCL5 which is a central mediator in inflammatory diseases. PRO 140 has been the subject of seven clinical trials, each demonstrating efficacy by significantly reducing or controlling HIV viral load in human test subjects. PRO 140 has been designated a "fast track" product candidate by the FDA. The PRO 140 antibody appears to be a powerful antiviral agent leading to potentially fewer side effects and less frequent dosing requirements as compared to daily drug therapies currently in use. 

Woman Jailed for Self Induction of Abortion--Again

Another American woman is jailed for inducing her own abortion. Anna Yocca has been jailed on charges of attempted first degree murder for inducing her abortion with a wire coat hanger. This is a policy failure, not a criminal offense. Now she is responsible for parenting a severely premature child if she beats the charges. 

Shame on you, Tennessee.

Relevant as Ever, Throwbacks from the 70s: Hyde and Jimenez

Alexa Garcia-Ditta, Health Reporter at the Texas Observer, joins me to talk about the Hyde Amendment, Rosie Jimenez, HB2, and its impending appearance before SCOTUS. Rosie Jimenez was one of the first women to die from a clandestine abortion after the 1976 Hyde Amendment prevented use of federal funds for abortion procedures.

Yes, the Hyde Amendment has been hurting already marginalized women for almost 40 years.

Pornography: What You Need to Know

Dr. David Ley, Ph.D. joined me to talk about Saturday's Sexceptional Lecture entitled Pornography: What You Need to Know and his books, Insatiable Wives and The Myth of Sex Addiction.

More Violence Against Women's Health Providers, Patients & World AIDS Day

This was a tough editorial on the Planned Parenthood terrorism, shooting right after Thanksgiving.

If you have ever been or currently are sexually active, get yourself tested for all STIs. Planned Parenthood can do that for you.

Thanksgiving and Giving Thanks

Heather Busby, Executive Director of NARAL Pro-Choice Texas joined me. We shared thanks for abortion providers, good lawmakers, and great activists.

Meeting the Need for Comprehensive Sex Ed: Peer Health Educators

Alda Santana, Health Educator with the City of Austin, came on talk about the Peer Health Sexuality Education going on throughout Travis County. She brought Educators Cassandra, Alex, Carla, and Yasmin with her to talk about their experiences.

Election Day Special

W. Joe Deshotel, Communications Director for the Travis County Democratic Party joined me for the #electionday overview.

Make Every Day Breast Cancer Awareness Day

Rae Ann Evans, Executive Director of the Breast Cancer Resources Center joined me to talk about changes to recommended breast cancer screenings from the American Cancer Society and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force as well as other goings on in women's health.

Violence & Vandalism Against Women's Clinics On The Rise

Julie Burkhart, Founder of South Wind Women's Center, a women's clinic offering the full spectrum of reproductive health services to women, and a colleague of the late Dr. Tiller joined me to talk about the rise of violence and vandalism against abortion clinics since this summer. This illegal intimidation isn't new to Julie, but it needs to be a thing of the past.

Sexceptional Guests Talk Sexual Health Learning

Heather McPherson M.A., LPC, LMFT and Dylan Davies join me to talk about their new organization, Southwest Sexual Health Alliance. They founded it to promote an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to sexuality with the goal of fostering cooperation and dialogue among diverse professionals.

Nurse Emily Talks GOP Candidates' Lies with Me

Emily Osborn, RN and I discuss the GOP debate and the lies therein. Also the lies of the Center for Medical Progress' lies.

Shift. Brings Texans Real Talk

Amanda Williams joined me from Shift. to share information about this new organization and their programs, including Real Talk, Choice Works, and Illuminate RJ.

Propaganda Incites Conservative Action

In this episode I rant about the congressional Planned Parenthood hearing. Because these asshats are ignoring their actual jobs to investigate an upstanding organization based on some fraudulent propaganda put out by the actual law-breakers, Center for Medical Progress.

To hell with outcome based social policy when there is a pile of fuckery and misogyny to attend to for these legislators. Visit Issues for Your Tissues on Facebook for my favorite reads on the debacle of this hearing. #PinkOut 

Sister Reach Fights Insulting, Racist Billboards

My guest, Cherisse Scott, Founder and CEO of Sister Reach, first caught my attention in an local news interview from Memphis. 

Earlier this year, Pro-life [Pro-birth] Across America put billboards up around Memphis which urged black men to intercede in black women's reproductive health decisions, namely to prevent abortion. These advertisements sought to drive a wedge between black men and women, and negate women's bodily autonomy and moral agency. Scott worked with her community to address actual issues of social justice while undoing some of the damage the billboards did. Sister Reach launched a positive campaign to #TrustBlackWomen instead of judging women for whatever reproductive health decisions they make.

Monthly Friends, Condoms, Tampons, and Prostates FTW

Tracey Schulz and Rod Moag joined me to talk men's health on our second fall membership drive show. Issues for Your Tissues is for everyone.

September is for Prostates

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month! Dr. Sanford Jeames and Shelley Imholte, LCSW joined me to talk about prostates, surviving, and the prostate cancer support group they lead. It's free every first Tuesday of the month 7pm at St. David's South Austin. 

It's also membership drive at KOOP Radio, so programmer Rod Moag and I share info on the perks of becoming a member. Rod shared some of his own experience with prostate cancer. The things we learn when we talk to each other.

Back to School & Sex Ed: Breaking the Hush Factor with Dr. Karen Rayne

Dr. Karen Rayne joined me to talk about her new book, Breaking the Hush Factor: Ten Rules for Talking with Teenagers about Sex. You need to listen and then read this. Her website Unhushed has a pile of resources for you. Talk to your kids!

There is a pay-what-you-can e-copy available--just go to the book's website.

Taco or Beer Challenge 2015 with its Maker, Andrea Grimes

On the day of the 2nd annual Taco or Beer Challenge its originator, Andrea Grimes, Senior Political Reporter for RH Reality Check joined me to dish. #ToBC15

Periods Are Not An Insult

Amber Gordon, CEO and founder of Femsplain, came on Issues for Your Tissues to talk to me about the site she created, periodsarenotaninsult.com, after hearing Donald Trump's sexist remarks about Megyn Kelly insinuating that she was on her period claiming he could see, "...Blood coming out of her wherever." 

Center for Medical Progress Acts Against Medical Progress & Against the Law

Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Legal Analyst at RHRealityCheck.org, joined me on Issues for Your Tissues to discuss the law-breaking of Center for Medical Progress (CMP) in the production and distribution of their attack videos against Planned Parenthood and the legal repercussions of these videos.

Unable to find IRS form 990s, I'm left finding the irony in antichoice zealots making every illegal move they can---from fraud to identity theft to financial malfeasance, to more heinous murder, stalking, threats, and assault--the whole time alleging that women's health providers act illegally.

National Network of Abortion Funds Brings New Voice to Choice

On this episode Yamani Hernandez, the new Executive Director of the National Network of Abortion Funds, joined me to talk about incresing access, growing the reproductive justice movement within social justice framework, telling abortion stories, Bowl-a-thon, and more.

Living in the Crosshairs

In late May, David S. Cohen and Krysten Connon, attorneys and authors of Living in the Crosshairs: The Untold Stories of Anti-Abortion Terrorism joined me to talk about their book, their research, and domestic terrorism.

Legislative Look - Contraception

This week was more editorial. I dive into some of the bills filed in the current legislative session regarding contraception, and as you hear, this involves so much more.

One Billion Rising with V-Day Austin 2015

Larissa Davila joins me to talk about the V-Day Austin 2015 celebration. The event is held every Valentine's Day and is part of a worldwide celebration of women.

Have You Seen S.E.X.?

This week my guests were Karen Rayne, PhD. & Sam Killerman, M.A. producers and presenters of the S.E.X. Show for adults going on this weekend. Half comedy, half sex-education for 18+ crowds, they allow audience to submit questions anonymously beforehand.

Roe v Wade Turns 42, Do You Know Where Your Rights Are?

This week Stacy Guidry and Heather Ross from Texas Project Counter came on the show to talk about the rally this Saturday commemorating the 42nd anniversary of the Roe v Wade landmark decision recognizing women's right to access abortioncare.

You can join other choice champions on the North steps of the State Capitol from 1:30-3:30pm. To RSVP, visit the facebook event.

Discriminatory Sentencing of Pregnant Women Defies Understanding

Kylee Sunderlin of National Advocates for Pregnant Women (NAPW) joined me this week to talk about "enhanced sentencing" for a woman convicted of committing a crime while pregnant. This is in direct violation of the defendant's civil rights. NAPW is on the case, and filed an amicus brief in this woman's defense.

False Witnesses Bring True Propaganda

Sharona Coutts, VP of Investigations and Research at RHRealityCheck, joined me to discuss false and misleading legislative and judicial testimony used by social conservative states' attorneys general and legislators to defend antichoice bills and laws. Much of this false and misleading information comes from a small group of propagandists Sharona aptly refers to as the false witnesses. The most notable of these false witnesses being Vincent Rue whose testimony has been dismissed from court as "personally biased and lacking expertise." 

These false witnesses have been repeating the same untrue information for decades and hold beliefs opposite of the APA, ACOG, AMA, and most other people with brains.

False Witnesses Abound

Wrapping Up 2014 with Choice

Rebecca Fitz, former clinic worker and medical student, joins me to talk about her experience assisting women through all aspects of reproductive choice from adoption to abortion to parenting.

The Reason for the Season is not Thwarting Civil Liberties

Sara Hutchinson Ratcliffe of Catholics for Choice joined me to talk about a recent poll they conducted among Catholic voters. The poll results showed overwhelming support for #ACA contraception coverage mandates. This is in line with American Catholics' self-reported [religious] practices.