Jennie Wetter (she/her/hers) is the Director of the rePROs Fight Back initiative, where she fights every day for sexual and reproductive, health, rights, and justice. Jennie is also the creator and host of the rePROs Fight Back podcast, which is a deep-dive into sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice issues like abortion, birth control, sex education, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ rights, and more. New episodes debut every Tuesday, and give you an insider’s perspective on what is happening and what you can do to fight back. Originally from Wisconsin, she has lived in Washington D.C. for the last 20+ years. She received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and her MA from the American University’s School for International Service.

How many years have you worked in podcasting or audio?

6–10 years

What is your current role, in your own words?

I am the creator and host of the podcast rePROs Fight Back. Each week I interview experts about a wide range of issues related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice. I am also the Director of the rePROs Fight Back Initiative at the Population Institute where I advocate for a world with reproductive freedom and bodily autonomy.

What types of projects do you typically work on?

All of my work centers on fighting for a world where everyone has reproductive freedom and the right to bodily autonomy.

How many years have you been a Signal Awards judge?

1–3 years

What excited you about joining the Signal Awards Judging Academy?

I am excited to be part of the Signal Award Judging Academy because there are so many amazing podcasts out there and unfortunately we only ever hear about a fraction of them. I am looking forward to listening to podcasts I may not have otherwise found and hopefully help new people discover them as well.

What is one recent podcast you’ve loved and would recommend?

My work is fighting for abortion rights and bodily autonomy and it is under unrelenting attack, so the podcast I turn to when I need to recharge and laugh is How Did This Get Made?. Listening to Jason Mantzoukas, June Diane Rapheal, and Paul Scheer breakdown the best worst movies ever made is just a delight.

What separates good audio storytelling from great audio storytelling?

Great audio storytelling connects with the audience on an emotional level. Connecting with a show and the hosts on a personal level is what keeps the audience coming back for the next episode.

What project are you most proud of and why?

I am so proud of the podcast I created and host, rePROs Fight Back. When I created the podcast, our goal was to create a podcast that would help people learn about issues related to sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice and what they can do to fight back. I also wanted to ensure that the podcast was seen as a resource within the sexual and reproductive health, rights, and justice community. Nine years later I am so proud of what we have created and proud that we have continued to live in our values.

What’s one piece of advice you’d give to emerging creators?

Trust yourself and believe in the vision for your podcast. You will see so much advice on what you need to do or how you need to craft your show in the podcast space, but not all of that advice is for you. You need to understand you and your show enough to only take on what you think will help you and forget about the rest.

What are you currently listening to? (podcasts, music, anything)

I am an avid podcast listener and have quite a few in my weekly rotation. Right now my favorites are: B*tch Listen: An AngryBlackLady Podcast; Cancel me, Daddy; Maintenance Phase; If Books Could Kill; Vibe Check; and Undistracted with Brittany Packnett Cunningham.