The Paid Leave Podcast
Paid Leave is a hot topic in our country. The United States is the only industrialized nation in the world without a national paid leave policy, and Connecticut is one of 14 states and the District of Columbia to have enacted a state-mandated program. Other cities and states are working to join the paid leave movement. The Paid Leave Podcast examines the state of Connecticut's Paid Leave program and the impact it has on various groups and diverse communities. Radio veteran Nancy Barrow interviews the people who fought to make paid leave a reality in Connecticut, those who will ultimately benefit...
A Son’s Touching and Humorous Book About his Mom's Dementia and the People He Met While Visiting Her
This episode focuses on dementia and the caregivers who are supporting a loved one. November is Alzheimer’s and Dementia Awareness Month, a national observance to raise awareness, share information, and show support for the more than 6 million Americans living with Alzheimer’s and the millions of caregivers affected. November is also National Family Caregivers Month. My guest John Scully knows about this world and has written a book called, Visited Mom Today: Conversations Through the Lens of Alzheimer’s and Dementia. It is a funny, touching, and heartfelt look at the world of dementia care and the people John me...
A Yale Researcher Talks About the Study on Psychosis, Mental Health, and the PRIME Clinic
National Depression Screening Day is October 12th, and Mental Illness Awareness Week is October 11-17th. In this podcast episode, Nancy Barrow interviews Dr. Barbara Walsh from the Yale School of Medicine’s PRIME Clinic. Dr. Walsh, PhD, is the Ascertainment and Assessment Director for the PRIME Clinic at Yale School of Medicine. Dr. Walsh oversees the assessment and research at the clinic. She is also responsible for training professionals, both here in the United States and abroad, on the proper use of the assessment instruments used to diagnose the early warning signs of serious mental illness in young pe...
A Son's Ultramarathon Path to Healing after a Father's Tragic Suicide
Since 2013, more than 3,050 police officers have died by suicide nationally. In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we talk to a son, whose father died by suicide while serving as an East Hartford Police officer. September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. This month is focused on raising awareness, reducing stigma, and promoting resources that can help prevent suicide.
This is a story about grief, resilience, mental health, and what happens when pain gets carried for too long in silence. Jared Buchanan is a relentless motivational speaker and passionate advocate for suicide prevention, dedicating his efforts in h...
How a Doctor Used Farming to Heal Herself and Her Community
August is National Wellness Month. Farm Worker Appreciation Day also falls in August. In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we find out about a doctor in Connecticut and her story of resilience, farming as therapy, and kindness.
Dr. Ivette Ruiz, a traumatic brain injury survivor and founder of Healing by Growing Farms in East Haven, shared her journey of overcoming adversity through gardening. In 2020, she suffered a brain injury while deploying for Hurricane Isaias, leading to significant challenges including food insecurity and loss of insurance. Despite these obstacles, she found solace in gardening, which became t...
How to Have More Good Days While facing Chronic Health Conditions
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, the focus is on chronic health conditions and a national organization that can help people suffering across the country. Good Days founded National Chronic Disease Day, which is recognized every July 10th. The date reflects a key U.S. public health statistic: seven out of the top 10 leading causes of death in the United States are chronic diseases.
Host Nancy Barrow, spoke with Clorinda Walley, the CEO, of Good Days, a national nonprofit dedicated to helping patients overcome the financial and practical barriers to accessing lifesaving and life-changing care...
Researchers from Oregon on How Paid Leave Supports Family Health and Economic Security
June is National Employee Wellness Month. And American Family Health & Fitness Day is on June 14th. In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast we are focusing on family paid leave programs and how it affects the health and wellness and the economics of families and workers.
Joining host Nancy Barrow, are two esteemed guests from Oregon State University. Dr. David Rothwell has a master's in social work and a Ph.D. in Philosophy in Social Welfare. He also leads the Oregon Family Impact Center that connects state policy makers with national research experts. He is Associate P...
Father's Grieving the Loss of Their Sons and the Support Group That Saved Them
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, host Nancy Barrow talks to father's who have lost sons suddenly and are struggling mentally with their loss. June is Men's Health Month. Men's mental health is a critical issue, with significant statistics highlighting the challenges they face, including higher rates of suicide and mental illness compared to women. Black Men Grieve Different is a Hartford area support group that provides a safe, culturally affirming space for black men to process grief, build connection, and heal together. Amos Lys is a licensed therapist, community builder and ordained minister. He helps the...
Supporting Healthier Communities for Older Adults and Families
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, host Nancy Barrow talks with the Connecticut Bureau of Aging, which is part of the Connecticut Department of Aging and Disability Services (ADS). In the podcast, she introduces three experts — Jennifer Switalski, Jodi Brazal, and Meghan Brady — who work with Connecticut's aging population. They discuss the challenges faced by older adults, including loneliness and mental health issues, as well as the importance of respite care for caregivers. They highlight the growing need for support as the population ages, with one in four Connecticut residents over 60. The conversation also touches on the finan...
A National Researcher Talks About the Benefits and Business of Paid Leave
In this Episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow talks to a researcher about the benefits of paid leave. Jessica Mason is the Senior Policy Analyst for Economic Justice at the National Partnership for Women & Families. There she oversees in-house research and data analysis, tracks developments in academic and other research and develops advocacy resources related to the workplace and economic security agenda. Jessica talked about how paid leave has evolved and hopes that we will get a national paid leave policy. Mason talks about her research involving Connecticut Paid Leave, noting that now men take about 49...
Preventing Sexual Violence and Creating Support for Survivors and Families
Approximately 1 in 3 women and 1 in 6 boys or men experience attempted or sexual assault in the USA. In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking about sexual violence and assault because April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month. I have two women who work in this space joining me to talk about this. Beth Hamilton, the Executive Director of the Connecticut Alliance to End Sexual Violence, the statewide coalition of community-based sexual assault crisis services programs. And Sharon Walker Epps the Chief Executive Officer of The Rowan Center in Stamford and covers lower Fairfield County. The Rowan Center...
How a Maternal Health Blueprint Plans to Help Black Mothers Survive and Thrive
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we speak with the two women who helped to craft the Maternal Health Equity: A Blueprint for Connecticut. We speak with Tiffany Donelson, the President and CEO of the Connecticut Health Foundation, and with Dr. Marcella Nunez-Smith, the Associate Dean for Health Equity Research and the Director of Equity Research and Innovation Center at Yale. (ERIC)
April it is National Minority Health Month, it’s also Black Maternal Health Week is April 11th-17th, and it is National Public Health Week from April 6th-12th. Black women in Connecticut ar...
A Doctor is Helping Women Get Healthier and Using Social Media as a Tool
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking to a doctor who is a social media influencer about her expertise in telehealth. March is Women’s Health Month and International Women's Day is March 8th, and my guest is a leader in women’s health and longevity medicine. Dr Tania Elliott is dual board certified in Internal Medicine and Allergy and Clinical Immunology. Dr. Elliott embraced telemedicine first as a physician, and then as Medical Director of Doctors on Demand. She is currently Chief Medical Officer of Virtual Care at Ascension, one of the largest healthcare syst...
A Mother Raises Awareness and Advocates for Her Son and Others with Down Syndrome
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we speak with Kandi Pickard, the CEO of the National Down Syndrome Society (NDSS). Down Syndrome Awareness Week is celebrated across the world from March 15 to March 21 every year. The purpose of the week is to create awareness about individuals with Down syndrome and the difficulties they might face in their lives. About 5,000 babies are born every year in the USA with Down syndrome. Due to advances in medical technology, individuals with Down syndrome are living longer than ever before. With 80 percent living past 60 years old. In March it is also N...
How Paid Time Off Helps Protect Maternal Mental Health and Well-Being
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are focusing on women's mental health and well-being, and the challenges pregnancy can have before and after the baby is born. March 8th is International Women’s Day. This Day gives focus to issues like gender equality, reproductive rights and violence and abuse against women. International Women’s Day serves as a platform to address the mental health issues that disproportionately affect women. While mental health conditions can affect anyone, women face unique challenges due to societal pressures, biological factors, and caregiving responsibilities.
The guest on this episode is th...
A Paid Leave Expert Changes the Script in Hollywood With More Family Friendly Policies in TV and Movies
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we talk to a paid leave expert. It was back in 2022 that we were able to give employees in Connecticut benefits for CT Paid Leave. It’s been 4 years and we have given benefits totaling more than 1.4 billion dollars to about 170 thousand workers in Connecticut. An expert in all thing’s paid Leave is Vicki Shabo, Senior Fellow for Gender Equity. Paid leave & Care Policy and Strategy at New America. Vicki is a gender equity expert, policy strategist, and coalition builder, who has helped to win paid family and medical leave, paid...
Social Media Influencer Ellie Doyle Moved from Florida to Connecticut and Found More Than She Expected
February 14th is National Donor Day, February 10th is Safer Internet Day, and in March it is National Kidney Awareness Month.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Ellie Doyle who is a storyteller, content creator, social media influencer, and founder of Reheated Coffee Club, a Connecticut lifestyle brand rooted in motherhood, community, and small-business love. After moving her family from Florida to Connecticut, she began sharing her real-life journey of raising three kids, building community, and finding joy in everyday moments across the state. In Florida, Ellie w...
An Author Discusses Paid Leave State Programs and the Hope for a National Program
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we talk about the fact that It was 4 years ago, in January of 2022, when CT Paid Leave started giving benefits to eligible CT workers. Since then, we have given over 1.4 billion dollars in benefits to over 182 thousand workers in Connecticut!
Senior Lecturer in the Honors Program at Loyola University Chicago, Megan Sholar joins Host Nancy Barrow to discuss state programs and the hope for a national paid leave policy. Megan teaches courses on women and politics, Latin American politics, and European politics. Her first book, Getting Paid While Taking T...
What Inspired a Surgeon to Become a Storyteller and Powerful Medical Social Media Influencer
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks with a doctor with a huge social media following. Her inspirational storytelling has created her as a viral medical social media influencer, with over 150 million views and close to 900 thousand followers just on TikTok. Dr. Erin Nance is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon and viral TikTok creator known as @littlemissdiagnosed, where she uses humor and storytelling to make medicine feel human again. She’s the bestselling author of Little Miss Diagnosed, co-host of The Medical Detectives Podcast, and the founder and CEO of FeelBetr, a new platform bringing do...
Alzheimer's is a Robber in Progress
The United States is an aging nation, and Connecticut is an aging state. Living with a disease that usually affects the older population like Alzheimer's, is tough for the whole family. Caregivers of those with Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia are usually family members who have to learn to navigate from diagnosis through the progression of the disease. CT Paid Leave can help by providing up to 12 weeks of income replacement when a caregiver is away from work to care for their loved one.
Joining in the discussion are two CT Paid Leave advocates from the...
The Holidays and Your Mental Health
In this episode of the Paid leave Podcast, we discuss the holidays and the challenges that it can bring. The holidays are usually a joyful time of year, time spent with family and loved ones and time to reflect before the New Year. But for some people the holidays can bring on intense sadness if you have had a loss, or maybe you find yourself alone during the holidays. Perhaps you lost a loved one or went through a divorce or you are estranged from your family. It can be a tough time for your mental health. The holiday...
Solo Agers Are Changing the Conversation About Aging Independently After 50
There are over 17 million people over the age of 50 who are aging alone in our country, without a partner, children, or family involvement in their daily lives. There are at least 250 thousand solo agers in Connecticut. Connecticut Entrepreneur Jill Kovalich, is a solo ager herself, and she founded SoloAgersConnect.com to provide resources and a community for this demographic. Jill highlights the challenges solo agers face, such as financial planning, home safety, and mental health, emphasizing the importance of Connecticut's paid leave program, which allows caregivers to take time away from their jobs to help with serious health conditions...
An Entrepreneur Says Paid Leave Supports Growing Families and Compassionate Businesses
In this episode of The Paid leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow connects a business and paid family leave. November is National Family Caregivers Month and National Family Health History Day is November 28. Here to talk about the importance of CT Paid Leave for bonding leave, mental health, caregiver leave and how it helps small businesses is Samatha Alzate, a licensed clinical social worker and the Founder of Mindful Transformations LLC, a holistic group therapy practice based in Farmington and West Hartford, Connecticut. Her practice focuses on supporting individuals through life transitions, trauma recovery, and personal growth by blending traditional...
CT Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Building Family Fiscal Health and Policies
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Connecticut Comptroller Sean Scanlon, talks about his office, caregiving and the sandwich generation, and other family friendly policies in the state. November happens to be National Family Caregiver Month.
Comptroller Scanlon, talked to Host Nancy Barrow about his role in improving state finances. Sean explains his role as the Comptroller, comparing it to a Chief Financial Officer, and details his responsibilities, including managing state finances, healthcare plans, and various programs like the flood program for Hartford residents and the My CT Savings retirement plan for employees. He discusses the...
Osteoporosis Awareness and How to Strengthen Bone Health
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks to a professional about osteoporosis and bone health. It is International Osteoporosis Day on October 20th, National Health Education Week October 21-25t. In addition, it is International Day of Older Persons on October 1st. Two out of three women with postmenopausal osteoporosis will break a bone in their lifetime.
Joan Doback, is a certified Physician Assistant celebrating 36 years in the field. Doback who works as a Bone Health Coordinator at the Connecticut Orthopedic Institute, explains the importance of bone health, particularly for women post-menopause...
A Study Shows How Paid Leave Policies Help Create Healthy Families and Communities
On this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking about paid family leave policies and how they affect families and communities. Drexel University in Philadelphia Pennsylvania, has done a study called Making the Case for Paid Family Leave. The study shows the benefits of taking time off for your own serious health condition or that of a loved one as well as taking pregnancy and bonding leave when adding to your family. Here to talk about this is Natalie Shaak, the Associate Director of Communication and Administration at the Center for Hunger Communities at the Dornsife School o...
Living with Sickle Cell Disease and Celebrating Motherhood
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are focusing on Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) September is National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Sickle cell disease affects about 100,000 people in the United States; more than 90% are non-Hispanic Black or African American. Many people with Sickle Cell Disease do not receive the recommended healthcare screenings and treatments mainly because of social barriers.
Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Dr. Genice Nelson. Dr. Nelson, the Nursing Director at UConn Health-at the New England Sickle Cell Institute, Hemophilia Treatment Center, and Outpatient Behavioral Health Programs.
Daisha Dillon is a mo...
One Family's Journey of Hispanic Heritage, Mental Health, and Healing.
It this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we take a look at Hispanic Heritage Month, which runs from September 15th through October 15th. During this month it is a celebration of the culture and diversity of the Hispanic population, but it also focuses on mental health and the challenges that Hispanics face.
Evelyn Alejandro joins Host Nancy Barrow to talk about Hispanic Heritage Month, and her parents struggles with mental health. Evelyn was the focus of an article in Mental Health Connecticut's Let's FACE IT Campaign. In the article she discusses her parents' mental health conditions, a...
A New Author's Dedication to Women's Health, Wellness and Life's Transitions
In this episode of The Paid leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow talks to a new author about her crusade for women's rights and health and her process of writing the new book. August is National Wellness Month, that connects to the conversation with Lauren Tetenbaum, who is a licensed clinical social worker, (in Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, and Florida) she is a women rights advocate, and writer dedicated to supporting and empowering women through life transitions. With experience as both a lawyer and a psychotherapist, Lauren specializes in counseling women navigating identity shifts related to motherhood, career, and...
Farmers in Connecticut are Growing Deep Roots in Their Communities
It is National Farmers Market Week August 3 through the 9th, and it is Farmworker Appreciation Day on August 6th.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow focuses on Connecticut farmers with Ella Kennen, the Coordinator of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance. We discussed supporting beginning farmers, particularly first-generation farmers. Caitlin Kimball, the Director of Agriculture at CitySeed, and oversees the New Haven's farmers markets and owns and operates Sunset Organic Farm. We discuss the challenges faced by farmers, including land access, extreme weather events, and the importance of local food systems. The podcast h...
Breaking Down Hepatitis with a Yale Medical Expert
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks with a liver specialist from the Yale School of Medicine. World Hepatitis Day is observed each year on July 28th to raise awareness of viral hepatitis. The theme for 2025 is: "Hepatitis, Let’s Break it Down." It calls for urgent action to dismantle the financial, social and systemic barriers including stigma that stand in the way of hepatitis elimination and liver cancer prevention. Nancy spoke to Yale's Dr. Bubu Banini, an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Yale School of Medicine, and works at the Yale Liver Ce...
Research Shows Paid Leave Policies Can Help Reduce Infant Abuse and Neglect
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Dr. Lindsay Rose Bullinger, Associate Professor and Researcher at the School of Public Policy at Georgia Tech and is Associate Director of the Health Economics and Policy Innovation Collaborative. We discussed paid leave policies and how it affects children and families. Dr. Bollinger's research in the paper titled, "More Than Snuggles, the Effect of Paid Family Leave on Infant Maltreatment" shows that state-sponsored paid family leave programs reduce infant maltreatment rates and home removals by 46 percent. The study, which focused on California, New Jersey, Rhode Island, a...
Healing Trauma and PTSD with Compassionate Therapy and Horses
June is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month also known as PTSD. Approximately 13 million adults in the United States are estimated to have PTSD. 80 percent of people are civilians with PTSD, surprisingly only 20 percent are military related. You can get traditional PTSD from a single traumatic event like a car accident or experiencing violence. But if you experienced multiple traumas, it may be diagnosed as complex PTSD. PTSD is frequently underdiagnosed or misdiagnosed.
In this edition of The Paid Leave Podcast, Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Dr. Jyothi V...
There is Hope Managing Headaches and Migraines
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we are talking about headaches and migraines. June is Headache and Migraine Awareness Month. Gretchen Michaelson, the founder of the Headache Care Center in South Windsor, she is an Adult Nurse Practitioner specializing in headache medicine. She explains the difference between headaches and migraines, the various treatments available, including prescription medications, neuromodulation, and lifestyle changes. She highlights the importance of addressing migraines promptly to prevent chronic conditions and improve quality of life. Michaelson also discusses the impact of migraines on mental health and the advancements in treatment since 2018, emphasizing the need f...
Representative Kai Belton's Passion, Advocacy, and Commitment to Connecticut Families.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast, we focus on mental health and speak with a local politician who started a caucus dealing with black family health. May is Mental Health Awareness Month and Maternal Mental Health Month and National Adolescent Health Month. In addition, Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week is May 5-11th. CT Paid Leave gives up to 12 weeks of income Replacement for your own serious health conditions or that of a loved one. That includes maternity and bonding leave and mental health issues if your health care professional deems it a serious health condition.
<...A Nurse Turned Author and Her Struggle with Autoimmune Disease.
In this episode, we are talking about auto-immune disease. Autoimmune disease occurs when the immune system is overactive and attacks and damages the body's own tissues. May 9th is Autoimmune Arthritis Day, and it is also ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia International Awareness Day (May 12). ME stands for Myologic Encephalomyelitis, formerly known as chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). It is a chronic, complex, neuroimmune disease that affects the quality of life of its' patients. Fibromyalgia is a chronic disorder characterized by pain stiffness and tenderness in the muscles of the neck shoulders back hips arms and legs, and t...
A Courageous Story About Parkinson's Disease, and the Resources That Offer Support.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast we discuss Parkinson's disease, what it is, what it does, and how to treat it. Parkinson's Awareness Month is observed in April and is an opportunity to increase awareness about the ailment and its symptoms, as well as to support victims. National Parkinson's day is observed on April 11 every year to raise awareness about this medical condition and its severity. Muhammad Ali, and Michael J Fox are the most well-known people to suffer from Parkinson's disease. Joining this conversation is Holly Seymour, the Program Director for the Connecticut Chapter of the...
The Office of Victim Services Offers Hope and Assistance for Victims of Violent Crimes
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month and it’s also Sexual Assault Awareness Month Day of Action on April 2nd; it is also National Crime Victims' Rights Week April 6-12.
In this episode of The Paid Leave Podcast Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Rachel McKnight, Program Manager from the Office of Victim Services (OVS), and Marc Pelka, Deputy Director. They explain how OVS assists crime victims with financial expenses, receiving around 2,000 applications annually. They detail the types of crimes, including violent and property crimes, vehicular crimes, and the various expenses covered by OVS, such as medical bills, fu...
Working to Empower Connecticut's LGBTQ+ Families with Inclusive Healthcare
LGBTQ+ Health Awareness Week is in March and was started in 2003. It raises public awareness regarding the unique health needs and disparities in the LGBTQ+ community. It also highlights many aspects of the LGBTQ+ community.
Host Nancy Barrow speaks with Bill Ollayos, the administrator of the Connecticut LGBTQ+ Justice and Opportunity Network and a Law Fellow with Children, Women, Seniors, Equity and Opportunity (CWCSEO). He says the network's mission is to advance equity through policy advocacy, community outreach, and grant funding that can be used for some unique events for the LGBTQ+ community. He emphasizes the importance o...
How The Connecticut Burn Center in Bridgeport Helps Burn Patients and Families Recover
National Burn Awareness Week is in February, and it's recognized by the American Burn Association. It is a chance to promote burn prevention and awareness in communities. With more than 3,000 members, the ABA dedicates their efforts and resources to promoting and supporting burn-related care, prevention, education, and research.
The Connecticut Burn Center in Bridgeport Hospital is the only burn center in the state. Dr Roselle Crombie is a member of the ABA. She is a Surgeon specializing in Burn Surgery and Surgical Critical Care at several of the Yale New Haven Health Systems flagship hospitals, in Southern...
CT. Representative Corey Paris Gets Personal About His Mini Strokes and Serious Heart Health Journey
February is National Heart Month and It's also Congenital Heart Defect Week. Host Nancy Barrow spoke with CT. Representative Corey Paris, he represents the 145th District, about his serious heart issues. He suffered from TIA's, also known as transient ischemic attacks or mini strokes. Upon further testing Rep. Corey was diagnosed with a hole in his heart known as Patent Foramen Ovale (PFO). Rep. Paris emphasizes the importance of seeking medical specialists and advocating for oneself. He highlights the significance of paid leave for health recovery and family support, noting its impact on reducing poverty and increasing productivity. Corey...
