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Reproductive Rights Podcast
She Sued the State and Won Back Abortion Access in WI. Dr. Kristin Lyerly on My Body. My Pod. Episode 24
OB-GYN and abortion provider Dr. Kristin Lyerly joins Mini Timmaraju to talk about abortion bans, maternal health, Wisconsin politics, and organizing to win.
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Dr. Kristin Lyerly has experienced the fight for reproductive freedom from nearly every angle imaginable: as an OB-GYN, abortion provider, advocate, candidate for Congress, and as a named physician plaintiff in the landmark lawsuit challenging Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion law. That case cleared the way for abortion care to resume in Wisconsin.
In this episode of My Body. My Pod., Mini Timmaraju and Dr. Lyerly dig into Wisconsin’s fight for reproductive freedom and what’s possible when we organize: we win back political power to protect and expand reproductive freedom.
Key Takeaways in this Episode
- Reproductive freedom includes the full spectrum of care, from abortion and pregnancy care to delivery and postpartum health.
- Dr. Kristin Lyerly helped challenge Wisconsin's 1849 abortion law, clearing the way for abortion care to resume in the state.
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- Wisconsin shows how persistent organizing and electoral victories can build political power to protect and expand reproductive freedom.
A Closer Look: Abortion and Maternal Health
“This is about so much more than whether you can get an abortion in your state or not. It’s about health care. It’s about freedom. It’s about our ability to live our lives.” — Dr. Kristin Lyerly
Abortion bans don’t just affect whether someone can get an abortion. They interfere with the full spectrum of reproductive health care.
As an OB-GYN, Dr. Lyerly has seen those stakes firsthand. In this episode, she and Mini discuss the risks people face during pregnancy, delivery, and the postpartum period, and what happens when politicians without medical expertise dictate the care doctors can provide.
The Wisconsin Story: Organizing Works
When Roe v. Wade was overturned, Wisconsin’s 1849 abortion law threw access to care into chaos. Dr. Lyerly became the physician plaintiff in the lawsuit challenging that law, helping clear the way for abortion care to resume in Wisconsin.
But Wisconsin’s story didn’t end in the courtroom.
Years of organizing and electoral victories have helped reproductive freedom advocates build political power across the state. Dr. Lyerly and Mini discuss those wins and the people behind them, including Gov. Tony Evers, whom Dr. Lyerly praises for doing “the hard work, the quiet work in really tumultuous times.”
🛩️ The Big Picture: We Can Win Back Political Power
The fight for reproductive freedom can feel overwhelming. Wisconsin offers a reason for hope.
When people organize, share their stories, knock on doors, vote, and elect reproductive freedom champions, we can change who’s making decisions about our lives and our health care.
That’s how we win back political power and use it to protect and expand reproductive freedom.
📣 Take Action: Get Involved Ahead of the Midterms
The 2026 midterm elections are an opportunity to elect reproductive freedom champions at every level of government.
There are plenty of ways to get involved, whether you want to knock doors, make calls, send texts, share information online, or simply talk to the people in your life.
3 Ways to Take Action Now
Contact Your State Lawmakers
Your state lawmakers have the power to pass legislation that will shape our daily lives. Let them know you support reproductive freedom, and you're paying attention.
Social Share: Resources for Abortion Care
Need an abortion? There are resources available. Use our toolkit to spread the word about how to access abortion care, abortion funds, legal advocacy, and more.
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We're pulling out all the stops to ensure voters get out and vote for reproductive freedom candidates up and down the ballot, and we need your help to make it happen!
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ABOUT THE PODCAST
MY BODY. MY POD. WITH MINI TIMMARAJU.
The fight for reproductive freedom is more urgent than ever.
That’s why we’re bringing you My Body. My Pod. with Mini Timmaraju, a reproductive freedom podcast.
If you’re into building a nationwide movement to protect and expand health justice, reproductive equity, and the power of people to control their own lives, this show is for you.
Hear from leaders and changemakers who share wisdom from the front lines, stories of the real struggles people are facing every day, and a vision for the future we’re determined to win.
Hosted by Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All. Available on YouTube and wherever you get your podcasts.
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Reproductive Freedom for All is made up of members across the country who believe that everybody should be free to control their own bodies and lives—and we want you to be a part of it.
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Watch More Episodes
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Shield Laws, Telemedicine, and the Fight for Abortion Freedom – My Body. My Pod. Episode 24
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Texas Parents Ashley & Marcus: Forced Across State Lines for Abortion Care (with AIA) – My Body. My Pod. Episode 23
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