This Is a Woman with Sophia Lorey

In this episode of This Is a Woman, host Sophia Lorey takes listeners inside one of the most intense and revealing moments yet in the fight to protect girls’ sports in California.Sophia breaks down exactly what happened at the recent California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) meeting, the powerful press conference held outside, and where the battle to save girls’ sports currently stands. You’ll hear firsthand from female high school athletes who are courageously speaking out after losing opportunities, safety, and fairness as males are allowed into female sports and locker rooms.This episode also covers:Why CIF claims their “hands are tied”—and why that isn’t trueThe role of Bylaw 300D and how it undermines Title IXTwo state legislators who showed up to defend girls—and one who didn’tEmotional testimonies from athletes, parents, and advocatesThe growing movement demanding accountability from CIF and California leadersThese girls should be focused on school, sports, and graduation—not fighting bureaucrats for basic protections. Instead, they’re standing boldly for truth, fairness, and the future of women’s athletics.This is more than politics. It’s about dignity, safety, and the right of girls to compete on a level playing field.WATCH THE FULL SPEECHES & COVERAGE:📺 Press Conference (Outside CIF): https://youtu.be/fXOCSZc7R7E?si=6BDiql3uy461GIMZ📺 CIF Meeting – Public Comment (Inside): https://www.youtube.com/live/SIt1LLTqoY0?si=BXPLXAvs2s658e5pTAKE ACTION: CALL & THANK📞 Assemblywoman Kate Sanchez’s Office: 916-319-2071📞 Assemblymember David Tangipa’s Office: 916-319-2008DEMAND ACCOUNTABILITY📞 California Interscholastic Federation (CIF): 916-239-4477

Sophia Lorey is joined in Episode 63 of This Is a Woman Podcast by Faith Ozenbaugh, National Director of Young Women for America, for a candid and thought-provoking conversation on feminism versus biblical femininity and why the distinction matters.Together, Sophia and Faith unpack how modern feminism has shifted across its waves, ultimately leaving many women confused, discouraged, and disconnected from their God-given design. Faith walks listeners through the origins of the feminist movement, explaining where early legal victories gave way to ideological extremes that now undermine women, family, and truth itself.The conversation then turns toward biblical femininity not as a rigid checklist or cultural trend, but as a heart posture rooted in surrender to Christ and grounded in Scripture. Drawing from women throughout the Bible, including Deborah, Sophia and Faith highlight how Scripture affirms women as strong, wise, courageous leaders who flourish when they live in alignment with God’s design rather than cultural pressure.Listeners will also hear a clear breakdown of common misconceptions surrounding submission, marriage, and womanhood, as well as a thoughtful critique of both radical feminism and the modern “tradwife” movement. Faith explains why neither extreme reflects the full biblical picture and why femininity is not limited to marriage or motherhood, but expressed faithfully in every season of a woman’s life.The episode closes with a powerful reminder: femininity is not a burden, weakness, or form of oppression. It is a gift. Sophia and Faith encourage young women to reject the lies of feminism that demean womanhood, embrace biblical truth with discernment, and find joy, freedom, and purpose in the way God uniquely created them.Links mentioned:Young Women for America: https://concernedwomen.org/ywa/Concerned Women for America: https://concernedwomen.org/YWA on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yw4a/

Sophia Lorey is fresh back from Washington, D.C.—where she stood outside the U.S. Supreme Court during hours of oral arguments in two major girls’ sports cases.In Episode 62, Sophia is joined by attorney Brittany Jones, President of Kansas Family Voice (https://kansasfamilyvoice.com/about/), who was inside the courtroom as the justices grilled attorneys on the meaning of sex, equal protection, and what Title IX was always meant to protect.Together, they break down the two cases—Little v. Hecox (Idaho) and West Virginia v. BPJ—and explain why the legal questions matter far beyond those states. Brittany walks listeners through what it’s like to attend Supreme Court arguments in person, what stood out from the bench, and why the court’s questions often hint at the next cases already coming down the pipeline.You’ll hear reactions to some of the most striking exchanges, including pointed questions about defining sex and whether separating sports by sex is “discrimination”—and why the stakes aren’t theoretical for female athletes. Sophia and Brittany also connect the moment to state-level fights (including California), and explain how a strong ruling could shift the pressure back onto legislators in states that still refuse to protect girls’ sports.Links mentioned:👉 Kansas Family Voice about page: https://kansasfamilyvoice.com/about/👉 Full Supreme Court oral arguments: https://www.youtube.com/live/cGUfL9UAapQ?si=uaRn_I-bvti8QdNV👉 Amicus brief (Jones & Carlson on behalf of 206 female legislators & 38 family policy councils): https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24-38/378217/20250929160445789_24-38%20Amicus%20Brief_.pdf

In the first episode of the new year, Sophia Lorey breaks down two major girls’ sports cases headed to the U.S. Supreme Court—West Virginia v. BPJ and Hecox v. Little. These landmark cases will determine whether states have the right to protect women’s and girls’ sports from male participation and preserve fairness, safety, and opportunity for female athletes.Sophia explains the background of each case, what the Supreme Court will be considering, and why the oral arguments on January 13th could have nationwide implications—including for California. She also shares heartbreaking firsthand accounts from female athletes impacted by these policies, updates listeners on the ongoing fight for girls’ sports in California, and previews upcoming advocacy efforts, rallies, and future podcast episodes breaking down the legal arguments in plain language.If you want to understand what’s really at stake for women’s sports, why this issue goes far beyond trophies and titles, and how you can stay informed and involved—this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

In this special live episode, Sophia interviews Bethany Hamilton —the “Soul Surfer” whose grit and grace have inspired millions. Bethany shares how her childhood faith became her own, what got her back in the water just weeks after losing her arm at 13, and how she’s now surfing, homeschooling, and raising four adventurous kids.They dive into:Faith that fuels resilience: from hospital bed to national titles and the Unstoppable documentaryJoyful motherhood: cultivating a home where kids thrive, mentorship for girls, and choosing family firstWomen’s sports & fairness: Bethany’s public stand after WSL policy changes and what she hopes fathers and communities will doWhen convictions cost: parting ways with a longtime sponsor, trusting God with provision, and stewarding influence wellPro-life conviction: why she spoke at March for Life and partners with life-affirming companiesPractical encouragement: scripture that anchors her, guarding your home as your first “arena,” and raising teens with truth and loveRecorded live at California Family Council’s Life • Family • Liberty Gala.HighlightsHow to support daughters facing unfair competition—and why men should speak upHonest talk on fame, privacy, and choosing a simple, connected family lifeA mother’s heart: inspiring young women to look forward to motherhood

Content note: This episode includes first-person accounts of uncomfortable locker-room situations, alleged sexual harassment, and injury.Host Sophia Lorey sits down with three teen athletes—sisters Alyssa McPherson and Madison McPherson, and their teammate Hadeel Hazameh—to unpack why they’ve filed a Title IX lawsuit against the California Department of Education, CIF, and their school district, alleging violations at Jurupa High School. Joined by Jessica Tapia of Advocates for Faith & Freedom, they describe how policy played out in real time: competing alongside and against a male athlete in girls’ volleyball and track, locker-room moments that left them stunned, alleged butt-tapping and mocking comments about female anatomy and periods, a warm-up hit to the face, and the devastating choice to forfeit a senior season rather than accept what they believe is unfair and unsafe.Jessica outlines the legal plan—including efforts to block AB 1266—and what “true Title IX compliance” means for current and future female athletes. Whether you’re a parent, coach, or student, this conversation shows the human cost behind headlines—and the courage it takes for teenagers to trade a season for a stand.Listen if you want to know what bravery looks like in high school sports.Resources & next steps:• Learn more or donate to Advocates for Faith & Freedom see here: https://faith-freedom.com/cases-all/high-school-athletes-sue-to-protect-female-sports• Share this episode with a parent, teammate, or coach.• If you’re facing similar issues, document everything and please reach out to us!

Anaheim junior Lesley Ledesma joins Sophia to share how the new school year took a shocking turn when a male student entered the girls’ restroom—and how she responded with courage. After filing Title IX and OCR complaints and bringing her concerns to administrators, Lesley organized a student-led walkout at Esperanza High School declaring, “Girls deserve safe bathrooms.” Dozens of students—including many boys—showed up to stand for privacy and safety. You’ll also hear about support from community leaders like Sonja Shaw and Trustee Leandra Blades, and why Lesley’s family and faith moved her from fear to boldness.Lesley explains the school’s “solution” (sending girls to the nurse’s bathroom), why that’s unjust, and what’s next: board meetings, formal complaints, and continued advocacy. If you’re a parent, student, or educator wrestling with these issues, this conversation offers practical steps, moral clarity, and hope.Subscribe, share with a friend, and join us in praying for—and protecting—girls’ privacy and safety in every California school.

At Santa Rosa Junior College, sisters Madison and Gracie Shaw faced a choice no female athlete should ever have to make: keep quiet and compete alongside a male on the women’s volleyball team—or speak up for fairness, safety, and privacy. Their decision changed everything.In this candid conversation, the Shaws describe how they learned a male player would join the women’s roster, what actually happened in the locker room, and the on-court injury risks they witnessed—including a point-blank spike to the face that showed the reality of male athletic advantage.They also share how team dynamics shifted once they voiced concerns, why coaching staff and administrators failed to protect their athletes, and what led them to file a federal Title IX complaint. The result? Two young women stepping away from the sport they love rather than surrender their convictions.Host Sophia Lorey connects their story to a wider pattern across California and the nation—from middle school P.E. to Division I—calling leaders to safeguard women’s sports and spaces. Madison and Gracie offer practical encouragement to girls facing similar situations: tell the truth, stand firm, and know you’re not alone.If you care about fairness, safety, and privacy for female athletes, this episode will give you conviction, clarity, and hope—for such a time as this.👉 Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe to This is a Woman Podcast on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. And be sure to leave a review to help us amplify these stories and keep the fight for women’s sports alive!

High school athletes Taylor Starling and Kaitlyn Slavin return to This Is A Woman for their second time to share how their fight to protect girls’ sports has intensified since filing the first-ever lawsuit against California’s AB 1266.From being told their “Save Girls Sports” shirts were equivalent to swastikas, to testifying at the State Capitol and in front of CIF, these young women open up about the challenges, courage, and faith behind their stand.If you missed their first episode, go back to Episode 50 where Taylor and Caitlin joined with their attorney from Advocates for Faith & Freedom to announce the lawsuit and break down the legal fight in detail.👉 Learn more about their lawsuit here: faith-freedom.com👕 Get your own Save Girls Sports shirt here: fusiongraphicsinc.com

On September 2, 2025, before the first bell even finished ringing, dozens of students at James L. Day Middle School walked out of class to make a simple point: girls should not be forced to undress next to boys in their locker room. Wearing white bows and pink “Save Girls’ Sports” bracelets, seventh and eighth graders stood shoulder-to-shoulder, joined by parents and community members demanding privacy and safety for girls.For the first time, the two 8th grade girls who led the protest—and their moms—sit down with This is a Woman Podcast host Sophia Lorey, for an exclusive conversation. They share what it felt like to speak at the school board meeting, why they organized the walkout, and how they’re responding to a controversial district policy that labels girls’ basic privacy needs as “mental health” or “religious” accommodations.This episode captures the courage of ordinary students and parents who are unwilling to stay silent. It’s about protecting girls’ innocence, dignity, and safety in California schools—and why sex-based privacy still matters.

⚠️ Content Warning: This episode contains discussions on sexual assault and pornography that may be triggering for some listeners. Please listen with discretion, especially around children.In this eye-opening episode of This is a Woman, host Sophia Lorey sits down with Heidi Olson, a Certified Pediatric Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner, founder of Paradigm Shift Training and Consulting, and leading voice in the fight against child exploitation. Together, they unpack the devastating and often-overlooked effects of pornography on sexual assault, especially involving children.Heidi brings over a decade of frontline experience, having performed and reviewed more than 1,500 pediatric forensic exams, many related to trafficking. Her groundbreaking work has exposed how the porn industry contributes to rising rates of child-on-child sexual assault, shaping harmful behaviors and warping perceptions of intimacy and consent.Topics include:The neurological impact of pornography and its addictive natureHow porn consumption can affect romantic relationships and intimacyThe increasing normalization of violence and exploitation in online contentReal cases from emergency departments where pornography played a role in abuseWhat parents and communities can do to protect childrenHeidi has testified before Congress, the United Nations, and the U.S. Supreme Court, and continues to sound the alarm internationally on the cultural epidemic of exploitation. As a survivor herself, Heidi also shares how healing is possible—and how she now walks alongside others on that same journey.Hear more from Heidi Olson here: https://paradigmshifttc.com/

In this episode of This Is A Woman, host Sophia Lorey breaks down California Governor Gavin Newsom’s recent claim that “sports are about fairness” in his response to Charlie Kirk. While Newsom tries to paint himself as a moderate, his track record proves otherwise. Sophia exposes how his policies undermine fairness in women’s sports and why his political moves seem more about positioning himself for a presidential run than standing for real truth. Don’t be fooled—Newsom isn’t shifting to the center, he’s just shifting his strategy. Tune in for a deep dive into the hypocrisy, the politics, and what it all means for the future of women’s sports.

On this episode of This Is A Woman, host Sophia Lorey sits down with Julianne Fleischer, Legal Counsel for Advocates for Faith & Freedom (https://faith-freedom.com), to break down President Trump's Executive Order on “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports.” 🚨We discuss what this really means for blue states, the legal challenges ahead, and the impact of Attorney General Pam Bondi sending notice letters to states not enforcing the EO. What does this mean for female athletes? How will states respond? And what legal battles are on the horizon?Tune in for an important conversation about protecting women’s sports, legal strategy, and the fight for fairness.🎙️ Listen now on Apple, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts! #ThisIsAWoman #SaveWomensSports

On this episode of This Is a Woman, host Sophia Lorey sits down with attorney and lifelong California Democrat Erin Friday for a powerful discussion on the latest executive orders from the Trump administration—orders that protect children from chemical and surgical mutilation, stop radical indoctrination in K-12 schools, and restore biological truth in federal policy.As a fierce advocate against gender ideology and an outspoken critic of the left’s war on reality, Erin Friday brings a unique perspective: Why are lifelong Democrats like her breaking ranks with the progressive agenda? What do these executive orders actually accomplish? And perhaps most critically—what do they mean for blue states like California, where radical policies still reign supreme?Expect a deep dive and an honest look at what’s next in the fight to protect children, women, and families.🔹 Why these executive orders are a major victory for parental rights and child protection🔹 How gender ideology extremists are reacting—and why their pushback was expected🔹 What this means for California and other blue states still pushing radical policies🔹 How Democrats and conservatives are finding common ground in this fight for truthIf you’re tired of the lies, the gaslighting, and the attack on biological reality, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.🎧 Tune in now to This Is a Woman—because truth matters, biology isn’t bigotry, and children deserve protection.Email Erin Friday Erin@ourduty.group to receive her Call to Actions!

On the 50th episode of This is a Woman podcast, host Sophia Lorey sits down with high school athletes Taylor and Kaitlyn, along with their attorney Julianne Fleischer, to discuss their groundbreaking lawsuit to protect women’s sports.What should have been a simple stand for fairness turned into a shocking controversy when these young athletes were outrageously compared to wearing a SWASTIKA—all for wearing “Save Girls’ Sports” t-shirts. Now, they’re standing up for their 1st Amendment Right and Title IX back in the courts against the woke policies silencing female athletes and erasing girl’s sports.In this episode, Taylor, Kaitlyn, and Julianne expose the truth about what happened, why they’re standing firm, and how this case could set a precedent for the future of girls' athletics in California.🔥 Tune in to hear their powerful story, the legal battle ahead, and why this fight matters now more than ever!You can donate and learn more about their case here: https://faith-freedom.com/cases-all/brave-female-student-athletes-challenge-woke-policies Buy their Save Girls Sports shirt here: https://www.fusiongraphicsinc.com/:quicksearch.htm?quicksearchbox=Save+girls+sports&LoP=&HiP=🎙️ Make sure to Subscribe and listen to This is a Woman podcast on your favorite platform!

On Episode 49 of This is a Woman podcast, host Sophia Lorey exposes the outrageous deception plastered across Women's March signs. From "If my vagina shot bullets, it would have less regulation" to "Gender-affirming healthcare saves lives," these slogans sound catchy—but are they true? 🤔🔎 Spoiler: They're not. Sophia breaks down the dangerous misinformation behind these messages and reveals what the media won’t tell you.🎧 Listen now to "Signs of Deception: Exposing the Lies at the Women’s March" and get the truth behind the propaganda!

On this episode of This is a Woman with host Sophia Lorey, we dive into the controversial National Prayer Service attended by the President and Vice President. Sophia unpacks the deeply flawed sermon delivered by “female bishop” Mariann Edgar Budde, addressing its unbiblical take on gender, marriage, and immigration.From affirming "transgender children" to misrepresenting God’s design for life and marriage, Budde’s sermon raises critical questions about the responsibility of church leaders to uphold biblical truth. Sophia contrasts Budde’s statements with Scripture, including Genesis 1:27 and Romans 1:18-32, emphasizing God’s perfect design and the need for Christians to lovingly speak truth.Listen as Sophia explores the broader implications of conflating biblical issues with political ideologies, and challenges believers to stand firm on God's Word—even in a culture that seeks to distort it. This episode is a must-listen for those committed to advancing God’s design for life, family, and liberty.

On this Episode of This is a Woman Podcast, Host Sophia Lorey sits down with Sophia Martin from Love Life!Love Life is uniting and mobilizing the evangelical church to end abortion and the orphan crisis. Love Life equips churches in evangelize, discipleship and caring for the needs of those who are affected by abortion. You can learn more about Love Life at LoveLife.org This episode dives into how to pro-life movement is NOT just the pro-birth movement where you will get to hear just a few of many testimonies from Sophia Martin on this. Sophia Martin is the Northwest Regional Director of Love Life, Christ Follower, Wife, Mother of two, Grandmother of two. She is Bay Area Native, born and raisedServing in pro-life ministry since 2017 through awareness, advocacy and sidewalk outreach. As well as a Missionary serving in leadership roles for Love Life since 2021Currently overseeing Love Life mission fields in Northern California, Oregon, Idaho and Washington, witnessing 145 babies, that we know of, saved from abortion and over 4,000 Christians united and mobilized

Tune into this episode of This is a Woman to hear from host, Sophia Lorey on her thoughts of Bruce Jenner potentially making a run for CA Governor. Can we support him just because he has an "R" by his name - even though he identifies as a woman? What does this mean for women? Tune in to learn more!

This episode Host, Sophia Lorey sits down with Noelle Fitchett to discuss the heartbreaking death of Laken Riley. Riley was a nursing student at Augusta University who was murdered while on a morning run by illegal immigrant Jose Ibarra. Ibarra, a Venezuelan, unlawfully entered the U.S. near El Paso, Texas and is known to be a part of the same Venezuelan gang which is taking over apartments in Colorado.Riley fought for her life for 17 minutes after Ibarra took to kill her since she would not allow him to rape her. Noelle & Sophia dive into this case and what it means in regards to illegal immigration and Christianity. Noelle is a Christian YouTuber, writer, and host of Out of Context, a YouTube show and podcast where she unpacks cultural and political issues through a faith-based lens. After experiencing doxxing for her political views, she shifted her focus to equipping Gen Z to navigate culture through a biblical perspective. Noelle has shared her insights on platforms like Fox News, NewsNation, and DailyWire and regularly speaks on college campuses about faith, and the role of Christians in today’s society. Follow her on instagram @ noelle.fitchett