This episode is particularly important. We are in a time where women’s rights over their bodily autonomy are being threatened and denied. Scott Ruskay-Kidd is an expert on fetal personhood law and debates and joins us to discuss the history and relevance of the term “fetal personhood” in today’s society.

We hope you gain as much from this episode as we did. We understand this may be a sensitive issue for many people; we ask that you listen with an open mind.

About Scott Ruskay-Kidd:
Scott Ruskay-Kidd is a Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School, where he teaches about gender and sexuality law, among other things. Scott previously was a Senior Attorney for Judicial Strategy at the Center for Reproductive Rights, where he led the amicus brief strategy in the last successful defense of the constitutional right to abortion in the U.S. Supreme Court.

Beforehand, Scott practiced commercial litigation at Kramer Levin LLP and Debevoise & Plimpton LLP. Scott began his career as a judicial clerk in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit. Scott is a graduate of Harvard College and Columbia Law School.

About the Show:

There’s a Word For That! is a weekly podcast that centers around a different word or expression each episode. Host Suzanne Dressler believes in pushing the envelope to explore why and how we use words and the ways this impacts our lives. With a diverse assortment of intelligent, creative, and exciting guests, TAWFT! will force you to analyze and consider words in an entirely original and eye-opening way. Even better? NOTHING is off-limits.

Where to Find Me:

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In this fascinating conversation, Suzanne and Mara go all out to discuss the Yiddish word “Chutzpah” and all its connotations and the ways it is used in everyday life, for both Jews and non-Jews. They also discuss, in provocative detail, other Yiddish words that we know and love.

Feel free to tell us what YOUR favorite Yiddish words are. Are there any you would like to see on the podcast? Let us know!

About Mara Jill Herman:
Mara Jill Herman is a multidisciplinary Jewish artist who endeavors to abolish anti-Semitism, advocates for gender equity, and protects human rights. She performed leading roles all over the country and recently made her Carnegie Hall debut in We Are Here: Songs From The Holocaust. International Tours include Disney On Classic (Mother Gothel) and Jesus Christ Superstar. Mara also produces benefit concerts for various causes.

Mara received NYFA’s City Artist Corps Grant and YoungArts’ Creative Grant for generating original work. She was featured on CBS Mornings with the Queens Theatre Senior Ensemble for Storytelling and Devised Theatre work. For the past decade, she engaged thousands of students, parents, and teachers for YoungArts as a Program Presenter, Adjudicator, and Head Resident Advisor. Currently, Mara teaches for City Center and New York Theatre Workshop.

Mara is a 2023 nominee for the Barbara Whitman Award (Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation).

Connect with Mara Jill Herman

• Mara Jill Herman

About the Show:

There’s a Word For That! is a weekly podcast that centers around a different word or expression each episode. Host Suzanne Dressler believes in pushing the envelope to explore why and how we use words and the ways this impacts our lives. With a diverse assortment of intelligent, creative, and exciting guests, TAWFT! will force you to analyze and consider words in an entirely original and eye-opening way. Even better? NOTHING is off-limits.

Where to Find Me:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook

Suzanne sits down with Broadway actor, Michael Andreaus, who explores his connection to the word, “Legacy”. We are thrilled that Michael agreed to chat with us during Black History Month and share his experiences as a black man in this current political climate. “Legacy” is a powerful and explorative episode that everyone should listen to. We hope you are moved and inspired by Michael’s journey.

About Michael Andreaus:

Michael Andreaus is an actor, born in Atlanta, GA. He grew up in Atlanta and Oklahoma City, and he graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma. Upon moving to New York, he was cast in the Netflix limited series "When They See Us" and Off-Broadway, before being cast in "A Soldier's Play" on Broadway. He is currently playing Otis Williams in the First National Tour of "Ain't Too Proud: The Life and Times of The Temptations".

Connect with Michael Andreaus

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About the Show:

There’s a Word For That! is a weekly podcast that centers around a different word or expression each episode. Host Suzanne Dressler believes in pushing the envelope to explore why and how we use words and the ways this impacts our lives. With a diverse assortment of intelligent, creative, and exciting guests, TAWFT! will force you to analyze and consider words in an entirely original and eye-opening way. Even better? NOTHING is off-limits.

Where to Find Me:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook