ProVoice, Aspen Baker
ProVoice, Aspen Baker
List: $15.99 | Sale: $11.20
Club: $7.99

Pro-Voice
How to Keep Listening When the World Wants a Fight

Author: Aspen Baker

Narrator: Erin Mallon

Unabridged: 5 hr 12 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Ascent Audio

Published: 06/01/2015


Synopsis

Once vilified by pro-life and pro-choice supporters alike, Aspen Baker has now shown that "pro-voice" might be the best method to move past conflict and hatred around abortion. With her nonprofit, Exhale, she has demonstrated that it's possible to get people talking respectfully even about the most polarizing topics.

When Aspen Baker had an abortion at the age of twenty-four, she felt caught between the warring pro-life and pro-choice factions, with no safe space to share her conflicted feelings, which didn't fit into either side's party line. In this hopeful and moving book, Baker shows how she and Exhale, the organization she cofounded, developed a philosophy and a set of tools that enables anyone to have respectful, compassionate exchanges about even the most divisive topics. Initially distrusted by both sides, Exhale now receives post-abortion referrals from pro-life and pro-choice organizations and has become a leader and innovator by pioneering a more respectful, supportive dialogue about this highly emotional issue.

Baker examines the history of the abortion debate, identifying the mistakes and misunderstandings on both sides that have led us to the current painful divide. She shares how Exhale discovered creative ways to build a caring, nonjudgmental space for women and men to share their feelings about abortion, such as starting a post-abortion telephone service and piloting a nationwide story-sharing tour led by women who'd had abortion experiences. They call their approach "pro-voice."

This book shows how pro-voice can be adopted by anyone interested in dialogue rather than dogma. Peace, in this perspective, isn't a world without fighting or conflict but one where conflict can be engaged in-fiercely and directly-without dehumanizing ourselves or our opponents. Our world is full of gray areas. It's vital we learn practices like pro-voice to help us move from paralysis to progress.

Reviews

Goodreads review by Lauren on June 16, 2015

I love Aspen Baker's view on how to help people. She specifically discusses those who have had an abortion, but her way of helping people could work in almost any situation. Instead of focusing on what side of an argument a person is on, she wants us to listen - to actually hear the stories of both......more

Goodreads review by Amy on August 02, 2019

This is one of the most important books I've read in a long time. Aspen Baker provides a thoughtful alternative to the polarized activism of the pro-choice and pro-life movements. She highlights how both movements can be hurtful to those who experience abortions, and she offers an approach that supp......more

Goodreads review by loafingcactus on January 02, 2018

The author has developed the concept of pro-voice in response to the problem of nonviolence for women. Nonviolence can appear so close to the strictures of feminine passivity that it can reinforce the subjugation of women rather than challenge it. Women are challenged to develop an active nonviolenc......more

Goodreads review by Jenna on January 27, 2019

As a volunteer for the Exhale talkline, I must say even with my understanding of the provoice movement this was an inspiring read. Aspen goes into great detail about how the provoice movement was founded and how it can address the issues facing our country and our world. This book goes far beyond th......more

Goodreads review by Wil on November 16, 2022

I think what made me give it a lower rating was the mention of Devonte Hart, although the murders were still years away there were abuse allegations and my heart just sank to hear about the Cop Hug which the poor child was forced into by parents who abused and used their adopted children to gain att......more