S2E8 - Why is motherhood unappealing to so many young women today? A conversation with Anna Iliescu

S2E8 - Why is motherhood unappealing to so many young women today? A conversation with Anna Iliescu

This week, Dawn and Lisa are joined by former Evangelical Alliance associate, Anna Iliescu to discuss her article, ‘Why is motherhood unappealing to so many young women today?’ Together they explore why so many women feel fearful or unqualified for motherhood and reflect on how the church can tell a better story for both lives in pregnancy and motherhood, pre and post birth. Dawn and Lisa also discuss the newly launched Baby Loss Certificate Scheme in Northern Ireland, Lisa’s current experience of antenatal care for her and Baby Barr and how a recent news story from the world cup sparked global conversations around the role of fathers. They also consider why a photograph of female rugby players breastfeeding their babies generated widespread discussion online. Read Anna’s article: www.eauk.org/news-and-views/why-is-motherhood-unappealing-to-so-many-young-women-today [http://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/why-is-motherhood-unappealing-to-so-many-young-women-today] Baby Loss Certificate Scheme for Northern Ireland: https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/baby-loss-certificate-scheme-northern-ireland [https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/services/baby-loss-certificate-scheme-northern-ireland] Let’s continue the conversation, send your questions and comments to stand@bothlives.co.uk Find out more about the work of Both Lives and sign up to our free monthly newsletter: www.bothlives.co.uk Facebook & X: @BothLives Instagram: @BothLivesUK

S2E7 - Adoption and fatherhood: A conversation with Brian Harvey

This week, Dawn is joined by Brian Harvey, a businessman from Northern Ireland. Brian shares his adoption story and together they explore the crucial role that fathers can play in supporting both lives in pregnancy, pre and post birth. Also in this episode, Dawn and Lisa discuss the just released Scotland abortion statistics for 2025. They then reflect on a listener comment and a recent conversation with someone who encountered the phrase ‘both lives matter’ for the first time. Lost boys report: https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/CSJ-The_Lost_Boys.pdf Scotland abortion statistics 2025:  https://publichealthscotland.scot/publications/termination-of-pregnancy-statistics/termination-of-pregnancy-statistics-year-ending-december-2025/ God Unborn – Joseph said yes: https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives/god-unborn/god-unborn-joseph-said-yes Faith and fatherhood in my blended family: https://www.eauk.org/news-and-views/faith-and-fatherhood-in-my-blended-family Let’s continue the conversation, send your questions and comments to stand@bothlives.co.uk Find out more about the work of Both Lives and sign up to our free monthly newsletter: www.bothlives.co.uk Facebook & X: @BothLives Instagram: @BothLivesUK

S2E6 - South Africa’s baby abandonment crisis: A conversation with Aoife Kelly de Klerk

This week, Dawn is joined by Aoife Kelly de Klerk. Originally from  Tipperary, Ireland, Aoife began her career as an Occupational Therapist. In 2019, she founded Tevah Moshe in response to the baby abandonment crisis in South Africa. Aoife’s husband Leon shared that during his time studying to become a civil engineer, he visited a water treatment facility and was confronted by the reality that one of the largest contributors to drain blockages are discarded foetuses.  It is estimated that 3500 babies are found abandoned across South Africa each year, and for every one baby found alive two are found dead. After 14 years in South Africa, Aoife returned to Ireland for 3 years. She is now a working artist exploring faith, empathy, and belonging and currently resides in Toronto, Canada.  Aoife’s website: https://kellydeklerk.com/content [https://kellydeklerk.com/content] Tevah Moshe: https://tevahmoshe.com/ [https://tevahmoshe.com/] Article: Is abandoning a baby in a safe box a crime or an act of love? Court to decide: https://groundup.org.za/article/is-abandoning-a-baby-in-a-safe-box-a-crime-or-an-act-of-love-pretoria-high-court-to-decide/ [https://groundup.org.za/article/is-abandoning-a-baby-in-a-safe-box-a-crime-or-an-act-of-love-pretoria-high-court-to-decide/] Dawn and Lisa also discuss comments from listeners, highlight a new website initiative from the US Government and celebrate a good news story of a baby girl who was born after her mother engaged with abortion pill reversal treatment. https://www.moms.gov/ [https://www.moms.gov/] Let’s continue the conversation, send your questions and comments to stand@bothlives.co.uk Find out more about the work of Both Lives and sign up to our free monthly newsletter: www.bothlives.co.uk [https://www.eauk.org/what-we-do/initiatives/both-lives] Facebook & X: @BothLives Instagram: @BothLivesUK

S2E5 – Pregnancy crises: Is adoption an option? A conversation with Sue Lucas

This week, Dawn is joined by Sue Lucas, a retired Early Years teacher and advisor from Somerset. Sue and her husband adopted both of their daughters as babies and are now proud grandparents. In the 1990s, Sue co-founded the charity ASIST with a group of adopters, driven by a vision that any woman, wherever she lived, could easily access information about baby adoption as a positive and informed choice in the face of an unplanned or crisis pregnancy. The charity went on to work with pregnancy counselling centres, run a helpline and website, and engage with local and national government across political parties. Also in this episode, Dawn and Lisa reflect on an encouraging listener comment, dive into a lively social media discussion, and share highlights from a busy week of events, revealing a growing desire across the UK for people to be equipped to speak up for both lives in pregnancy. Find out more about the work of Both Lives and sign up to our free monthly newsletter: bothlives.co.uk Facebook & X: @BothLives Instagram: @BothLivesUK Let’s continue the conversation, send your questions and comments to stand@bothlives.co.uk [stand@bothlives.co.uk]

S2E4 - Healthcare for both lives – A conversation with two of the doctors involved

This week, Dawn is joined by Dr Melody Redman and Dr Grace Petkovic to discuss Healthcare for Both Lives, a new initiative founded by healthcare professionals responding to a lack of support and representation for those committed to caring for both pregnant women and their pre-born children. They explore why the group was established and how it promotes compassionate, evidence-based care, supports like-minded professionals, and contributes to both public and professional conversations on these important issues. Find out more: https://www.healthcareforbothlives.org/ [https://www.healthcareforbothlives.org/] Dawn and Lisa also discuss conflicting media narratives and reflect on how a recent university speaking engagement revealed a generation ready and willing to say that both lives matter. Let’s continue the conversation, send your questions and comments to stand@bothlives.co.uk