Iowa's Crossroad

Sam Jones: Iowa’s Pro-Life Politics & Why The GOP Isn’t Abolishing Abortion

In this interview, Sam Jones joins us to walk through the major fault lines shaping Iowa’s abortion debate and the broader pro-life movement. We discuss the tension between incremental legislation and abolitionist “all-or-nothing” convictions, including how passages like Isaiah 10:1–4 are interpreted in political and legislative contexts.Sam also breaks down the differences between key Iowa bills—HF2332 and HF2316—and why the question of equal protection and legal accountability has become such a dividing line among pro-life advocates. We explore how each approach defines justice, and what it means in practice when drafting abortion legislation.The conversation also covers the controversial “black market pill” bill: what authority it actually carried, why it moved through the legislative process the way it did, and what its late-session positioning reveals about the priorities and constraints inside Iowa’s political system.This episode digs into the real disagreements inside the pro-life movement—strategy, theology, law, and legislative tradeoffs—and why those disagreements are shaping the future of abortion policy in Iowa.Subscribe for more interviews and analysis on culture, law, and the pro-life movement.Chapters00:00 The difference between abortion abolitionism and the pro-life movement7:17 Why do mothers get an explicit exemption to murder their unborn?15:06 The difference between the abolitionist bill and the pro-life bill20:25 Sam explains that pro-life laws without equal justice are unrighteous decrees29:40 Is it Sin to vote to restrict abortions if the bill doesn't include equal justice34:35 Can a pro-life person please God.38:00 Should abolitionists be more gracious?43:52 Can abolitionist support a ban of abortions without including prosecution of the mother?50:54 Steve Holt's comments about abolitionists59:04 Why the abortion pill bill is weak1:08:34 Are abolitionists anti-gospel?

Keith Foskey: Abortion, Grace & Civil Accountability

In this interview, Keith Foskey responds to several theological claims made by Jon Dunwell regarding abortion, justice, repentance, and the role of civil government.We discuss:The woman caught in adultery and whether Jesus opposed civil punishmentRomans 13 and the God-ordained role of governmentWhether mercy and accountability are being falsely separatedIf prosecution for crimes committed is somehow “anti-gospel”The difference between the role of the church and the role of the stateHow pastors should counsel truly repentant people who have committed serious sinsCan forgiveness before God coexist with earthly consequences?This conversation dives into the tension between justice, grace, repentance, and biblical consistency surrounding abortion legislation and the Christian worldview.If you enjoy theological and cultural conversations like this, subscribe and share the episode.Chapters00:00 Introducing the King of the Amils00:54 Overview of Iowa's Pro-life legislation introduced in 202603:20 Why Jesus did not call for the execution of the woman caught in adultery11:58 Grace and mercy does not eradicate accountability15:20 Is Satan using and discarding women who seek abortions?19:15 Did Jesus have legal authority while on the earth?26:00 Do human laws keep abortive women from repentance?33:15 How do Christians respond to repentant criminals?38:45 Do abolitionist keep woman from the throne of grace?39:30 Are abolitionists anti-gospel?

Jon Dunwell: Why he killed the Life at Conception Bill in Iowa

Why was Iowa’s Life at Conception bill canceled just days after being introduced?In this interview, I sit down with John Dunwell — pastor, Iowa State Representative, and employee of The Family Leader — to discuss the controversial decision to cancel the Life at Conception subcommittee in Iowa.Just days earlier, the bill was publicly celebrated at the Iowa Prayer for Life Rally. Then, unexpectedly, the subcommittee was canceled.I asked Rep. Dunwell directly:Why was the bill stopped?Who influenced the decision?Was it really about timing and votes?What happens next for the pro-life movement in Iowa?Whether you agree or disagree, this conversation gives insight into the political, theological, and strategic debates surrounding abortion legislation in Iowa.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations on theology, politics, and culture, subscribe and join the discussion below.Chapters:00:48 Why did Jon kill the Life at Conception bill?15:31 Should IVF or Natural fertility be prioritized?17:35 How can we vote non-life at conception republicans out without knowing where they stand?27:20 How can we trust the candidates on Life?35:00 If we loos the Governors seat, we could not see Life at Conception for a decade47:30 Is the abolitionist position anti-gospel?

Maggie DeWitte: Iowa Republicans Failed the Life at Conception Fight?

Republicans promised to defend life. So why was the Life at Conception bill canceled? Maggie DeWitte, Executive Director of Pulse Life Advocates, joins the Iowa Crossroad Podcast to discuss the current state of the pro-life movement in Iowa following this year’s legislative session.In this conversation, we discuss the Life at Conception bill, HF 2332 and the canceled subcommittee that sparked concern among pro-life leaders, efforts to strengthen protections surrounding abortion pills, and the broader strategy moving forward after the overturning of Roe v. Wade.Maggie also shares where the movement goes from here, what the next unifying vision for the pro-life cause could be, and how Iowans can continue engaging in the fight for life.We also discuss the work being done through Pulse Life Advocates, upcoming events including the Christmas Gala featuring Jim Caviezel, and ways listeners can get involved.Chapters: 0:00 Who is Maggie DeWitte?1:12 Pulse Life Advocates priorities4:28 Rep Dunwell dealt huge blow to the pro-life cause6:04 If we don’t abolish abortion now, when will we do it?15:50 Where are we on the roadmap of the fight for life in Iowa? 27:35 We overturned Roe what is the current goal of the pro-life movement?31:56 How to get involved in the fight for life34:31 Upcoming pro-life events in Iowa

Mandee Shivers: Could Iowa Really Turn Blue?

A candidate for Iowa Senate District 11. Her name is Mandee Shivers. Watch this. Mandee Shivers is running for Iowa Senate District 11—and her story is anything but typical politics.A wife, mom, and homesteader, Mandee has spent years working directly with survivors of sex trafficking, fighting to bring attention to some of the darkest issues facing women and children. That experience shaped her conviction that government should serve the people—not the other way around.Now, she’s stepping into the political arena to take that fight to the next level—focused on protecting families, defending freedoms, and pushing back against what she sees as a shift in Iowa’s values.In this conversation, we dive into her background, what pushed her to run, and the issues she believes aren’t getting enough attention. Follow and support her campaign at www.shiversforsenate.com, on Facebook at ShiversForSenate and on X Shivers4Senate.#IowaCrossroad #Iowa #farming #pesticides #RFKJr #chronicdisease #cancer #globalization #food #agriculture #UnitedStates #economicpolicy #news #politics #podcast Chapters: 0:00 Why Shivers Is Running for Iowa Senate District 11 3:06 Could Iowa turn blue? 5:55 Iowa Republicans are frustrated with the state GOP 8:04 Life at conception and the path forward 21:29 How to fix foster care 30:55 Foster care funding and agencies keeping cases open 34:52 Iowa's cancer crisis 45:08 How to support Shivers' campaign