The Wild, Untold Story of How They Made Abortion Political: Witches, Healers & Liars  | Amanda with Jessica Valenti

The Wild, Untold Story of How They Made Abortion Political: Witches, Healers & Liars | Amanda with Jessica Valenti

Author: Treat Media and Glennon Doyle July 21, 2026 Duration: 1:31:56
Abortion isn't just about abortion—it’s about everything.  It's about who gets to decide the course of a woman's life. It's about healthcare, democracy, power, freedom, and the stories we've been taught to believe. In this can’t-miss conversation, Amanda traces the shocking history of abortion in America—from witch hunts to medical monopolies to the political strategy that transformed abortion into a partisan weapon. Then journalist and activist Jessica Valenti joins to expose what extremists are doing now, why these attacks were never really about abortion, and why she refuses to believe they're winning. If you've ever felt overwhelmed, confused, or hopeless about this moment, this episode will give you something even more powerful than outrage: clarity. - How abortion became a political weapon—and what it's really about. - Why abortion bans haven't reduced abortions. - How attacks on abortion threaten all reproductive healthcare. - The hidden strategies extremists are using now—and how to recognize them. - How the vast majority of Americans are on the same side—and why hope is a strategy. - Practical ways to take action, support local abortion funds, and protect your community. For more with Jessica Valenti, please listen to:  353. How We’ll Save Abortion: A Must-Listen with Jessica Valenti  About Jessica:  Jessica Valenti is a writer, activist, and one of the country’s most influential voices on gender and politics. The award-winning author of eight books—including the New York Times bestseller Abortion—she  has shaped the national conversation on feminism for over two decades. Jessica’s groundbreaking anthology Yes Means Yes: Visions of Female Sexual Power and a World Without Rape set what’s now considered the gold standard for sexual consent and paved the way for legislation of the same name. She is also widely credited with sparking feminism’s online wave as the founder of the trailblazing blog Feministing. A former columnist for The Guardian and The Nation, Jessica’s sharp, uncompromising analysis has appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, and on media outlets from CNN to The Daily Show. She speaks at colleges and organizations nationwide about feminism, abortion, and sexual violence. After the fall of Roe, Jessica founded Abortion, Every Day, an urgent synthesis of anything and everything happening with abortion rights in the United States. Follow We Can Do Hard Things on:  Instagram — ⁠https://www.instagram.com/wecandohardthings⁠

Life is rarely simple, and the conversations on We Can Do Hard Things reflect that beautiful, messy reality. Hosted by Glennon Doyle, her wife Abby Wambach, and her sister Amanda Doyle, this podcast creates a space where the difficult, tender, and triumphant parts of being human are examined without flinching. The dynamic between the three hosts-their laughter, debates, and shared vulnerability-turns each episode into a genuine conversation you’re invited to overhear. They tackle topics spanning relationships, societal expectations, personal growth, and the quiet struggles often faced alone, all with a blend of raw honesty and unexpected humor. This isn’t about abstract advice; it’s about real people navigating real life, which is why the community around this podcast, known as the Pod Squad, has become such a powerful force for connection and tangible change. The title is a mantra put into practice, a reminder that strength isn’t about avoiding hardship but about moving through it together. Tuning in feels like joining a candid kitchen-table talk where pretense is left at the door. You’ll find a unique mix of comfort and challenge in every episode, a combination that has resonated deeply, leading to an incredible collective impact far beyond the audio itself. For anyone looking for a thoughtful, unvarnished, and compassionate take on modern life, this podcast offers a refreshing perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

We Can Do Hard Things
Podcast Episodes
(BEST OF) The Over-Functioner's Guide to Feeling Alive Again [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:33
Sometimes the hardest thing isn't working harder—it's remembering how to be alive. After Abby and Glennon stage a Relaxation Intervention for Amanda (which immediately goes off the rails), the conversation becomes someth…
(BEST OF) Kerry Washington’s Family Secret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:12
Sometimes the truth doesn't break a family apart—it finally sets everyone free. Kerry Washington shares the deeply personal story of discovering a long-held family secret, reclaiming her self-trust, and realizing she had…
(BEST OF) Why You Keep Having the Same Fight | Dr. Alexandra Solomon [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:24
How much of loving someone is accepting them exactly as they are—and how much is asking them to grow? Relationship expert Dr. Alexandra Solomon unpacks the "Changer" and "Accepter" dynamic that shows up in nearly every r…
(BEST OF) Everyone Has a Beige Flag – What's Yours? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:42
Remember Beige Flags? Today we’re celebrating the quirky little habits that aren't red flags or green flags—just delightfully... huh? In this laugh-out-loud Best Of, Glennon, Abby, and Amanda confess their own wonderfull…
(BEST OF) Samantha Irby's Survival Guide for Ridiculous Times [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:41
Some days, survival looks less like hope and more like finding something to laugh about. The brilliant Samantha Irby joins us for a hilarious, wise, and unexpectedly comforting conversation about making it through absurd…
(BEST OF) Ina Garten's Best Life Advice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:08
Ina Garten has spent a lifetime proving that joy is anything but frivolous. In this heartwarming conversation, the Barefoot Contessa shares how following curiosity instead of convention helped her build a life—and career…
Free Birds, Empty Nests & Sexy Sue [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:07
What happens when life suddenly gets quieter? Glennon, Abby, and Amanda check in on the big transitions happening in their own lives—from the emotions of becoming empty nesters to the unexpected opportunities that come w…
(BEST OF) What Your Sign Says About How You Love | Chani Nicholas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:58
What if the things that happened to you weren't about you? In this beloved conversation, astrologer Chani Nicholas helps us understand why we react the way we do, how childhood survival strategies shape our adult lives,…
Pre-Red Card Debacle: Abby & Julie Foudy Soccersplain the World Cup [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:21
Pod Squad: Please note, this episode was recorded before the trump red card scandal. We were younger, then - and filled with hope. Today, it’s a Welcome to the Party and We Can Do Hard Things World Cup crossover! If anyo…