Choice Chat Podcast – Details, episodes &amp; analysis

In this premiere episode of Choice Chat, host Tara sits down with Dr. Renée Hall, a veteran abortion provider and contraception advocate. With over 25 years in the field, Dr. Hall shares her personal journey, the challenges of navigating stigma, and the urgent need for reproductive health education in Canada. From the impact of political climates to the closure of the Bagshaw Clinic, they explore how access, funding, and education intersect in the fight for reproductive justice.

This conversation is a powerful call to protect bodily autonomy and vote with reproductive rights in mind.

Thanks for listening to Choice Chat, a Humanist Canada podcast about choice, dignity, and reproductive justice. We’re glad you’re here. Do you have a story to share? Do you want to suggest a topic? Email us at choicechat@humanistcanada.ca or connect with us on social media. We look forward to hearing from you.

What to expect when you don't want to be expecting.

Season 1 · Episode 2

mardi 15 juillet 2025 • Duration 49:38

Northwest Community Health Centers in Thunder Bay

In this episode of Choice Chat, we’re talking all about the logistics of abortion in Canada — what happens before, during, and after. Host Tara sits down with registered midwife Jenni Huntley and nurse practitioner/midwife Christy Tashjian to break down each step of the journey, from taking that first pregnancy test to deciding on care options and navigating recovery.

Jenni and Christy share their extensive experience providing inclusive, respectful abortion care, and discuss the difference between medical and surgical abortions, the role of ultrasounds, what to expect physically and emotionally, and the importance of support networks. They also tackle the stigma and silence that often surround abortion and advocate for normalizing the conversation as a common pregnancy outcome.

Whether you’re seeking care, supporting someone who is, or simply looking to understand abortion care in Canada more deeply, this episode offers practical information, compassionate guidance, and valuable resources.

SHOW NOTES

RESOURCES

Thunder Bay Naturopathic Clinic

Action Canada For Sexual Health & Rights

The Access Line provides sexual and reproductive health information, and referrals to services including abortion anywhere in Canada. Available every day from 9 AM - 9 PM ET.

Call 1-888-642-2725
Text 613-800-6757
Email access@actioncanadashr.org

Abortion Care Canada – Need Support

UnHushed.org

TAKEAWAYS

Abortion care is a vital aspect of reproductive health.

Individuals seeking abortion come from diverse backgrounds and circumstances.

There is often time to make decisions after a positive pregnancy test.

Medication abortions can be done at home, providing more privacy and comfort.

Ultrasounds are not always necessary for medication abortions.

Support resources are crucial for individuals making decisions about abortion.

Destigmatizing the word 'abortion' is essential for open dialogue.

Healthcare providers should meet individuals where they are at, without judgment.

Access to abortion medication can be tailored to individual circumstances.

Canada's healthcare system provides regulations to ensure safe abortion procedures.

SOUND BITES

"We have to meet people where they're at."

"There's time to decide, take a breath."

“…what I feel is so valuable is when we can offer abortion care and abortion services within the context of people experiencing all kinds of pregnancy outcomes.”

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Choice Chat and Abortion Care

03:10 Meet the Experts: Jenny and Kristy

05:57 Understanding Who Seeks Abortion Care

08:56 Navigating the Early Stages of Pregnancy

11:57 The Role of Ultras

Beyond the Procedure

Season 1 · Episode 3

vendredi 22 août 2025 • Duration 01:01:08

Episode 3 – Beyond the Procedure: What Does an Abortion Doula Do?
Abortion is more than a medical procedure — it’s a deeply human experience. In this episode of Choice Chat’s Beyond the Procedure series, host Tara speaks with Rae Jardine, Julie Vautour, and Mel Fuller about the vital role of abortion doulas. Together, they explore how doulas provide logistical help, emotional care, and advocacy — reminding us that abortion is healthcare, and it’s about real people, not debate topics.

Access Matters - Exposing the Illusion of Abortion Access

Season 1 · Episode 5

jeudi 16 octobre 2025 • Duration 52:25

In this episode of Choice Chat, host Tara discusses the complexities of abortion access in Canada with TK Pritchard, Executive Director of Abortion Care Canada. They explore the systemic barriers individuals face when seeking abortion care, the funding challenges for abortion services, and the role of crisis pregnancy centers in spreading misinformation. The conversation emphasizes the importance of bodily autonomy, gender equity, and the need for open dialogue about reproductive health issues.

Choice Chat - Personal Stories - 13 Years of Change

Season 1 · Episode 4

mercredi 10 septembre 2025 • Duration 11:27

A Personal Story on the Choice Chat Podcast

In this poignant episode of Choice Chat, we share Stephanie’s deeply personal and powerful story of navigating motherhood, loss, and the decision to have an abortion. Her reflection is a testament to the complexities of reproductive choices and the long road to understanding and reclaiming one’s voice.

Stephanie never imagined she would make the decision to end a pregnancy. Yet after enduring multiple miscarriages, navigating the depths of secondary infertility, and raising three children, she found herself facing a choice that tested every layer of her being. Her story explores the toll on mental health, the strain on marriage, the role of family, and the quiet strength it takes to choose yourself—especially when the world might not understand.

Stephanie’s words remind us that abortion isn’t just a political issue—it’s a human one. Her vulnerability opens space for others to feel seen, heard, and less alone.

If her story resonates with you, we invite you to listen—and if you’re ready, share your own.

Contact us: choicechat@humanistcanada.ca

Choice Chat: Where truth is heard, stigma is challenged, and choice is honoured.