{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/66d3f62ed4bfadabd6a901c4/6a0029ac385e8d5e304fcd73?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"Women’s Choices Shouldn’t Be Controversial","description":"<p><strong>In this episode, Mel sits down with Shelby Mahoney, Intake Coordinator at Children by Choice - Queensland’s leading pro‑choice, all‑options pregnancy support service. Shelby is often the very first voice people hear when they reach out for help, and she brings a rare blend of compassion, clarity, and deep sector knowledge to one of the most complex and misunderstood areas of healthcare: reproductive rights.</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Across this conversation, Shelby opens a window into the real work happening behind the scenes at Children by Choice, from non‑judgmental pregnancy options counselling, to navigating abortion access, reproductive coercion, contraception, and the systemic barriers that still shape people’s choices today. She shares what it means to support thousands of women and pregnant people each year through moments of uncertainty, crisis, and profound vulnerability, and how the organisation continues to advocate for autonomy, safety, and evidence‑based care across Queensland.</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>Shelby also reflects on the challenges past and present, from the legacy of abortion’s criminalisation to the ongoing need for safe access, community education, and trauma‑informed support. It’s a grounded, human conversation about the realities of reproductive health work, the emotional labour of intake, and the power of meeting people exactly where they are.</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>If you’ve ever wondered what reproductive rights look like on the front line, this episode brings you right into the heart of it.</strong></p><p><br></p><p><a href=\"https://www.childrenbychoice.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Pregnancy Support &amp; Reproductive Health Service | Children by Choice</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.instagram.com/childrenbychoice/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Children by Choice (@childrenbychoice) • Instagram photos and videos</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/childrenbychoice/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Children by Choice | Brisbane QLD | Facebook</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://au.linkedin.com/company/children-by-choice\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Children by Choice | LinkedIn</strong></a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>On behalf of the Hair Therapist we acknowledge the Turrbal and Jagera people, the traditional custodians of the land on which this podcast is produced.</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>The topics in this podcast are of general nature, we are not licensed professionals, so if any of the content brings up anything for you, please turn it off and reach out for support:</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.lifeline.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Lifeline Australia - 13 11 14 - Crisis Support. Suicide Prevention.</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://www.13yarn.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>13YARN - Call 13 92 76 | 24 /7 Crisis support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders</strong></a><strong> </strong></p><p><a href=\"https://www.1800respect.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Home | 1800RESPECT</strong></a><strong> National Domestic and Sexual Violence Counselling Service</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://kidshelpline.com.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Kids Helpline | Phone Counselling Service | 1800 55 1800</strong></a></p><p><a href=\"https://askizzy.org.au/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>Ask Izzy</strong></a><strong> Search over 450,000 support services</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>CREDITS:</strong></p><p><strong>Host: Melissa Alsemgeest</strong></p><p><strong>Guest: Shelby Mahoney</strong></p><p><strong>Editor: Robert Alsemgeest</strong></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><strong>GET IN TOUCH:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</strong></p><p><a href=\"https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>https://linktr.ee/InfectiousBehaviour</strong></a></p><p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"Melissa Alsemgeest"}