Goodbye Guilt & Shame

No More Whispering: Abortion & Church Culture - His Story Too

In this deeply personal episode of Goodbye Guilt and Shame, hosts Jess Layne and Autumn Smith expand the conversation around abortion and church culture by exploring a perspective that is rarely discussed — the experience of men and fathers impacted by abortion. Joined by special guest Daniel Layne, Jess’s husband, this conversation dives into the realities of silence, trauma, guilt, healing, and faith from a male perspective. Dan vulnerably shares how abortion affected him as a teenage father, the cultural messages that shaped his understanding at the time, and how healing came years later through faith, community, and honest conversations. Together, Jess, Autumn, and Dan discuss: * How abortion impacts more than one person * The silence many men carry for decades * The role church culture plays in healing or hiding pain * Trauma, shame, and delayed healing * Why fathers often feel excluded from the conversation * The importance of education, identity, and discipleship for young men * How churches can create safer spaces for healing and restoration This episode is honest, emotional, and full of hope for anyone carrying hidden grief connected to abortion. Healing is possible — even years later. RESOURCES MENTIONED * Restored Nation [https://www.restorednation.org/?utm_source=chatgpt.com] * Unraveled Roots Support Groups * Healing a Father’s Heart (Now called Reclaiming Fatherhood, by Care-net) * Keys to Hope and Healing CONNECT WITH US Do you have a question for Jess or Autumn: Ask@restorednation.org If this episode impacted you, share it with someone who may need to hear that they are not alone. Follow and subscribe to Goodbye Guilt and Shame for more conversations breaking silence around abortion, healing, faith, and restoration.

No More Whispering: The Message From the Pulpit

In this powerful fourth episode of our No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture mini-series, Jess and Autumn sit down with Pastor Dr. Bryan “Dav” Davenport to talk about something that quietly shapes church culture more than we realize—the pulpit. What is said (and not said) from the pulpit deeply impacts how people experience belonging, forgiveness, and healing—especially around topics like abortion. Together, we explore: * Why abortion has historically gone unspoken in many churches * How silence can unintentionally reinforce shame * The tension between honoring privacy and addressing truth * What it looks like to speak about abortion pastorally, not just positionally * How Jesus modeled both truth and compassion in moments of deep shame Dr. Dav brings decades of pastoral insight and offers a perspective that is both grounded in Scripture and deeply compassionate. This conversation is honest, thoughtful, and necessary. “What is kept in secret is kept in shame.” Dr. Dav In this mini series, we explore where abortion shows up in the Church and where it doesn’t. Are pastors talking about it? Are leaders equipped? How is the sanctity of life communicated without shame or condemnation? We’re not here to argue. We’re here to ask how. How do we create churches where women, men, teenagers, single parents, grandparents, and families feel safe enough to say the word “abortion”? How do we become a culture that shows up before, during, and after crisis? Because she’s not “out there.” She’s sitting in the pew.

No More Whispering: Abortion & Church Culture - The Grey Space

EPISODE 2: THE GREY SPACE Goodbye Guilt and Shame Podcast Season 2, Mini Series 2: No More Whispering – Abortion & Church Culture Speakers: Jess Layne & Autumn Smith EPISODE SUMMARY In this episode, Jess and Autumn step into what they call “the grey space”—the complicated, often painful realities surrounding abortion decisions. While truth remains clear, the circumstances people face rarely are. This conversation explores the real-life pressures that shape these decisions—fear, financial instability, relationship dynamics, shame, and isolation—and asks an important question: How can the Church respond with both truth and compassion when people are navigating deeply complex situations? Rather than simplifying the issue, this episode invites listeners to better understand the human stories behind it—and to help create a church culture where people feel safe enough to bring those stories into the light. > “Decisions like this are rarely made in a vacuum… people are often just trying to survive in the middle of it.” KEY THEMES FROM THIS EPISODE 1. What is “The Grey Space”? 1. Not moral confusion—but human complexity 2. Real-life pressures that influence decisions 3. The gap between theology and lived experience 2. The Reality Behind the Decision 1. Fear, time pressure, and urgency 2. Financial and relational instability 3. Influence from others and cultural messaging 4. Feeling like there are no other options 3. Why This Matters for the Church 1. Many people don’t feel safe bringing these struggles forward 2. Conversations can feel disconnected from real life 3. Silence and simplification can lead to isolation 4. A Better Way Forward 1. Listening with humility and curiosity 2. Holding truth and compassion together 3. Creating spaces where people are seen, not judged RESEARCH INSIGHT Jess and Autumn reference research from Care Net and Lifeway showing: 1. 34% of women expected or experienced judgment from the church 2. 27% expected a concerned or negative reaction This highlights a critical reality: Many women don’t expect the Church to be a safe place in their moment of crisis. CHURCH CULTURE RECIPE Practical ways to begin shifting culture Ingredient #1: Healthy Language 1. Avoid assumptions or condemning statements 2. Lead with curiosity, compassion, and humility 3. Words shape whether people feel safe—or silent Ingredient #2: Normalize Honest Conversations 1. Talk about real-life struggles openly 2. Create spaces for questions, not just answers 3. Let people know they’re not alone FEATURED RESOURCE If this conversation resonates with you or someone you love, there is help available. 👉 Visit Restored Nation: 🌐 https://www.restorednation.org [https://www.restorednation.org/] Unraveled Roots A powerful, closed-group experience for deeper healing and honest conversation. 1. Safe, committed environment 2. Designed for both men and women 3. Interest form available on the website FINAL ENCOURAGEMENT Abortion decisions often happen in moments of pressure, fear, and pain. If the Church wants to truly walk with people, it must be willing to understand those moments—not avoid them. We’re not here to whisper anymore. We’re here to build a church culture where truth and compassion exist together—and where no one has to carry their story alone. CONNECT & SHARE If this episode encouraged you: 1. Follow Goodbye Guilt and Shame 2. Leave a review 3. Share this episode with someone who needs it A FINAL WORD If abortion is part of your story: You are not disqualified from belonging.

No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture

We’re beginning a brand new mini-series: No More Whispering: Abortion and Church Culture. In this opening episode, Jess and Autumn set the foundation for a conversation the Church can no longer avoid. This isn’t political. It’s pastoral. If abortion has been reduced to silence, stigma, or a single Sunday message, we believe it’s time for something better. Because abortion isn’t just an issue—it’s part of real people’s stories. And many of those people are sitting in our churches every week. Together, we explore: 1. What “sanctity of life” really means (beyond a phrase) 2. Why silence in the Church is more harmful than we think 3. What it looks like to create a culture where people feel safe to be honest 4. And how we begin building churches marked by both truth and compassion If abortion is part of your story—you are not alone, and you are not beyond healing. restorednation.org has resources to help you or can find some in your area. PRACTICAL “CHURCH CULTURE” INGREDIENTS These are tangible ways churches can begin shifting culture: • Celebrate Pregnancy Publicly 1. Example: Baby shower tables for every pregnant woman 2. Removes shame and replaces it with support • Partner with Pregnancy Resource Centers 1. Know your local resources 2. Actively support and engage with them • Name Abortion + Offer Healing Pathways 1. Put resources on your website 2. Normalize that healing is available 3. You don’t have to run the program—just make access clear CALL TO ACTION 1. Share this episode with a friend or small group 2. Start a conversation in your church 3. Follow the podcast so you don’t miss the next episode 4. Leave a review to help more people find this conversation

What We Discovered About Pregnancy Resource Centers

In this special wrap-up episode of our Unmasking the Myths Inside Pregnancy Resource Centers mini-series, we sit down together for a heartfelt and honest conversation reflecting on what we’ve learned, what surprised us, and what truths have emerged through this series. We revisit some of the most common myths surrounding pregnancy resource centers (PRCs), compare statistics and real impact, and share personal insights into why this truth-telling matters so deeply. Together, we remind listeners that every life has value, every woman deserves support, and every family deserves hope. This final episode isn’t just a summary—it’s an invitation to curiosity, compassion, and truth. 0:00-2:17 | Intro – Why did we did this mini-series  2:18-4:48 | What stood out most in these interviews  4:49-7:32 | Similarities across the board  7:33-11:23 | Unique differences between the centers  11:24-13:15 | Surprising Discoveries  13:16-14:24 | Sponsorship Break  Addressing the Myth’s Head-On 14:25-17:42 | Myth #1 “PRC’s manipulate or coerce women.”  16:24-17:10 When a cost is attached, sales is present  17:43-22:31 | Myth #2 “PRC’s aren’t medical and give fake information.”  22:32-24:35 | Myth #3 “PRC’s only care about the baby, not the mother.”  24:36-27:15 | Myth #4 “PRC’s only help Christians.”  27:16-30:02 | Myth #5 “ Abortion’s are quick and easy, PRC’s just get in the way  27:28-28:21 A piece of Jess’ story  Statistics on PRC’s and Abortion Clinics  30:03-35:47 | PRC vs. Abortion clinic stats – Did you know?  35:48-37:25 | Personal Reflections: Why Co-host this mini-series? 37:26-39:09 | Connecting PRC Truth to our own stories  39:10-41:54 | Hope for our listeners  41:55-42:37 | Invitation for our Listeners We’d love to hear from you! 💌 Email us your thoughts or questions at ask@restorednation.org [ask@restorednation.org] 42:38-44:32 | Final Outro 💗 Connect & Support Restored Nation: 🌐 www.restorednation.org [https://www.restorednation.org] 💌 ask@restorednation.org Join a Post-Abortive or Miscarriage Grief Group → restorednation.org/groups [https://www.restorednation.org/groups] Want to Get Involved? Visit or volunteer at your local Pregnancy Resource Center. Pray. Donate. Share their stories. Help spread truth that restores.