logo
episode-header-image
May 2023
33m 37s

The Abortion Talks: They Found Respect, ...

USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future
About this episode

We speak with two women from opposing sides of the bitter and often toxic debate over abortion. Frances Hogan and The Rev. Anne Fowler were involved in a series of years-long intensive, secret talks. Their candid conversations began after a gunman opened fire at two Massachusetts abortion clinics nearly thirty years ago. The attack left two women dead and five people injured.  

In this episode, we learn the extraordinary story of how Anne and Frances gained a much deeper understanding and respect for one another. They didn't change their views about the abortion issue, but they did become friends. 

We share moments of compassion, kindness, and humor.

Both Frances and Anne were among those profiled in the new documentary, "Abortion Talks", about what happened after the deadly attacks. On "Let's Find Common Ground", both of them explain how incredibly difficult it was to be part of many hours of exhausting conversations. We hear how they learned to overcome fear, stereotyping, misunderstandings, and anger. 

Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed, we'll plant 5 trees.  Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

Up next
May 8
Climate Forward 2026: "Is There A Republican Way Forward?"
CPF Director Bob Shrum talks with former U.S. Representative Claudine Schneider (R-RI) about climate policy under the Trump administration and how Democrats and Republicans can cooperate on climate change issues. This conversation is part of CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conferenc ... Show More
49m 36s
May 8
Climate Forward 2026: "Can States And Cities Lead On Climate?"
Former California Senator Martha Escutia talks with Mary Nichols, Alex Nieves, and Nancy Sutley on the role of states and cities as leaders in climate change. They discuss the challenges to climate policy under the Trump Administration and California's role as a leader in climate ... Show More
59m 3s
May 8
Climate Forward 2026: "Opening Plenary with Former EPA Administrator Regan"
CPF's "Climate Forward 2026" conference features a talk with USC Wrigley Institute Director Joe Árvai and Michael S. Regan, 16th Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. They discuss the role of the EPA, climate change and environmental justice in the Trump administr ... Show More
1h 3m
Recommended Episodes
Jun 2022
Front Burner Introduces: Someone Knows Something: The Abortion Wars
Host David Ridgen joins victims' family members as they investigate cold cases, tracking down leads, speaking to suspects and searching for answers. In Season 7 of Someone Knows Something, Ridgen and investigative journalist Amanda Robb dig into the 1998 murder of her uncle, a Ne ... Show More
33m 18s
Oct 2022
No-Touch Abortion
<p>When the Dobbs decision went down, ER doctor Avir Mitra started to prepare for the worst — botched, at-home abortions that would land pregnant people in the emergency room. To prepare himself and his colleagues for the patients they might see, and to think through how best to ... Show More
26m 5s
Jun 2022
Abortion: The Body Politic, Part 4
In Part 4 of Abortion: The Body Politic, Katie examines how abortion is explored and reflected in popular culture and Hollywood. Because whether we realize it or not, the movies we have loved and the TV shows we watch represent the collective imagination of our culture at particu ... Show More
59m 59s
May 2022
How Changes in Abortion Law Could Impact Community Health
Depending how the Supreme Court votes on a pending case, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, many pregnant people may lose the right to seek an abortion in their state. Host Emily Kwong talks to research scientist Liza Fuentes about the shifting reality of abortion as h ... Show More
12m 21s
Jun 2022
Abortion pills
It’s safe and easy to end a pregnancy during the first trimester using a pair of FDA-approved pills. Accessing them is the latest abortion battleground. Vox's Rachel Cohen explains. This episode was produced by Miles Bryan, edited by Matt Collette, fact-checked by Laura Bullard, ... Show More
26m 3s
Sep 2022
Nothing is Foreign Introduces: The Abortion Wars
Access to abortion has taken on urgency as the laws protecting it come under attack in the U.S. Working with American journalist Amanda Robb, host David Ridgen examines the murder of her uncle, an abortion provider in the U.S. and the resulting conviction of a fanatical sniper. B ... Show More
34m 32s