Best The Connecticut Paid Leave Authority Podcasts (2024)

1
Two Dads Share Their Stories of Fatherhood 31:44

10d ago31:44

31:44

Studies have shown that taking paternity leave helps fathers to feel less stressed, anxious, and depressed. The reason this happens is because of a hormone called oxytocin. When released, it promotes bonding and reduces stress levels. 43 percent of fathers are taking bonding leave through CT Paid Leave. This gives fathers time away from work with i…

1
The complexity of diagnosing and treating Lyme disease and facts you may not know. 35:09

24d ago35:09

35:09

Lyme disease is the fastest growing vector borne infectious disease in the United States. The CDC says more people are infected with Lyme Disease than breast cancer. Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases come with a lot of unknowns. Before starting to treat symptoms, you must first get a proper diagnosis. Unfortunately, diagnosing Lyme disease…

1
Doulas deliver emotional and postpartum support to mothers. 29:36

1M ago29:36

29:36

May is Maternal Mental Health Month. During the month, the focus is on increasing awareness about mental health and the well-being of mothers during pregnancy and the time after birth. About 10-15% of women experience postpartum depression. Mental health issues are the most common complication of childbirth. Doulas can help alleviate some of the em…

1
A couple opens up about infertility, their IVF journey, and the joys of parenthood. 27:34

2M ago27:34

27:34

National Infertility Awareness Week is April 21-27. The week is an observance that aims to raise awareness about infertility, provide support, and foster conversations around this critical health issue. Roughly one out of six people experience infertility. The chance to expand a family can take time away from work to focus on testing, diagnostics, …

1
A Mother Sees the Beauty in Her Child's Autism 32:25

2M ago32:25

32:25

April is Autism Acceptance Month. According to the CDC, in 2023 one in 36 children were diagnosed as falling somewhere on the autism spectrum. The cost of caring for people with autism is predicted to reach $461 billion by 2025 in the U.S. Alanna, who has three children, knew very early on that something was different about her youngest son Lawson.…

1
Gratitude from a Nurse Who Had Two Kidney Transplants 32:42

3M ago32:42

32:42

March is National Kidney Month. The average cost of a kidney transplant in the United States ranges from $300,000 to $500,000. This figure includes pre-transplant evaluations, the surgery itself, post-operative care, immunosuppressant medications, and follow-up appointments. Programs like CT Paid Leave can help with up to 12 weeks of income replace…

1
The Difficulty of Diagnosing and Treating a Brain Injury 34:04

3M ago34:04

34:04

Every 21 seconds, someone suffers from a traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States. Most people don't know about brain injuries until it happens to them or a loved one. The Brain Injury Alliance of Connecticut (BIAC) is a non-profit organization that provides resources and support for individuals suffering from brain injuries, whether mild …

1
The complexities of Diagnosing and Treating a Rare Disease. 32:59

4M ago32:59

32:59

The last day of February is Rare Disease Awareness Day. You may not know much about rare diseases, but they do affect 1 out of 10 people across the world, and half of those are children. There are more Americans (30 million) who have a rare disease, more than all the people who have either HIV, heart disease or stroke. Having a rare disease can be …

1
Eating Disorders and Navigating Recovery. 30:28

4M ago30:28

30:28

Eating Disorders Awareness week is from February 26th to March 3rd. Something you may not know, is that eating disorders affect people of every age, race, size, gender identity, sexual orientation and background and about 28.8 million Americans will experience an eating disorder in their lifetime. Eating Disorders have the highest mortality rate of…

1
Our CEO's Personal Struggle with Cervical Cancer 29:43

5M ago29:43

29:43

January is National Cervical Health Awareness Month. The American Cancer Society says about 13,820 new cases of invasive cervical cancer will be diagnosed this year and about 4,360 women will die from cervical cancer. CT paid Leave can help women going through any stage of this disease with income replacement benefits, and flexibility with differen…

1
How Paid Leave Can Help Support Moms and Babies With Complications. 28:42

5M ago28:42

28:42

January is National Birth Defects Awareness Month. Every 4 ½ minutes, a baby is born with a birth defect in the United States according to the CDC That means nearly 120,000 babies are affected by birth defects each year. Birth defects can occur during any stage of pregnancy. Most birth defects occur in the first 3 months of pregnancy, when the orga…

1
Endometriosis is a painful chronic disease that is difficult to diagnose, but a new law can help. 31:46

6M ago31:46

31:46

Endometriosis is a painful chronic disease that affects over 160 million women worldwide, 10 million across the United States and in Connecticut 1 in 10 women have it. The only way to get an accurate diagnosis is with surgery and that can cost somewhere between 20 and 30 thousand dollars or more. The cost of the surgery can be a huge barrier to get…

1
How to Live a Healthy Life with HIV 29:13

7M ago29:13

29:13

December is HIV/Aids Awareness Month. While the treatments for HIV have prolonged life expectancy, there is no cure yet. HIV it is considered a chronic illness or a chronic health condition. Since the first cases of HIV were reported more than 40 years ago, 78 million people have become infected with HIV and 35 million have died from AIDS-related i…

1
Living and Working With Epilepsy. 29:56

7M ago29:56

29:56

About 3.4 million people have epilepsy nationwide, and about 36,000 people have epilepsy in Connecticut. Monica Anzelone is the Program and Services Manager for the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut. Monica talked about the many programs and services offered to patients and family members at the foundation, including behavioral health. Monica brou…

1
A Caregiver Used Paid Leave and Helps Take Care of Her Sister Out of State. 27:32

7M ago27:32

27:32

November is National Family Caregivers Month. 58% of caregivers are women. Almost one-third of caregivers provide care at least 20 hours a week. About 80 percent of caregivers care for adults aged 50 or older, and one in 6 non-caregivers expects to become a caregiver within two years. Caregiver leave under CT Paid Leave allows you to take time away…

1
Domestic Violence and How Survivors Navigate the Court System 35:40

8M ago35:40

35:40

In Connecticut, 1/3 of all criminal court cases involve domestic violence. Everyday dozens of victims seeking help can’t get it and are turned away from critical services, including shelters. Earlier this month a report claimed that Connecticut shelters were at 150 percent capacity. Some agencies were trying to get hotel rooms because of a lack of …

1
A 30-year old's survivor guide to living and thriving with Breast Cancer. 27:24

8M ago27:24

27:24

One in 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. Most are over the age of 50 when they are diagnosed, but not all of them are. Bianca was 2 days shy of her 30th birthday. She had a 2-year-old son, when she got her diagnosis. She was diagnosed with invasive ductal breast cancer and found it herself during her monthly self-breas…

1
An addict's story from near death to a sober life and gratitude for it all 36:34

9M ago36:34

36:34

Alcohol and drug addiction are significant public health issues. The financial challenges hit not only the person but their family, community and caregivers. The annual cost for substance abuse treatment is over 600 billion dollars. Each year, 16 million or 6 percent of Americans over the age of 12 abuse prescription drugs. Kevin Shuler is a Recove…

1
The rocky road to addiction recovery 25:54

10M ago25:54

25:54

National Recovery Month, which started in 1989, is a national observance held every September to promote and support new evidence-based treatment and recovery practices, and to recognize the dedication of service providers and communities who make recovery possible. This is just a portion of President Biden's proclamation about National Recovery Mo…

1
A Doctor's note about Breastfeeding 29:38

10M ago29:38

29:38

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month and today we're looking at things from a doctor's point of view. Breastfeeding isn't always easy and for the best health outcomes the American Academy of Pediatrics( AAP) recommends exclusive breastfeeding for about six months, followed by continued breastfeeding with foods for at least two years and beyond a…

1
The struggles with new mothers and breastfeeding. 29:20

10M ago29:20

29:20

August is Breastfeeding Awareness Month. Breastfeeding has proven to have health benefits for both mothers and babies in high-income and low-income settings, yet less than 50% of babies worldwide are breastfed according to World Health Organization. Meanwhile, the commercial milk formula industry generates revenues of about $55 billion each year. T…

1
A national researcher focuses on paid leave. 36:36

11M ago36:36

36:36

Out of 186 countries, 96 percent provide some pay to women who are on maternity leave. 81 countries provide paid leave to fathers. The United States lags far behind. Our focus today is how paid leave affects many things including families and business, and women's earning potential. Maya Rossin-Slater is an Associate Professor of Health Policy at S…

1
New Parents and the Economics of Paid Leave. 31:47

12M ago31:47

31:47

Many parents return to work soon after a child’s birth. In fact, in the United States, 1 in 4 mothers, primarily those with lower income, return just two weeks after delivering their child. CT Paid Leave offers up to 12 weeks of income replacement to parents to bond with their child. Commissioner Beth Bye from the Office of Early Childhood, is an e…

1
You Can Choose Your Family. 31:24

12M ago31:24

31:24

June is Pride Month. "Blood is thicker than water," however for many people, family isn't just about blood — it's about deep, meaningful connections. During Pride month you may hear the words "chosen family". A chosen family is a family you choose to have in your life that loves and supports you the way a blood family would. My guest Robin McHaelen…

1
Navigating the Challenges of Transgender Healthcare 36:52

1y ago36:52

36:52

Pride Month is all about celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and advocating for their rights—and the medical field is no exception to this. Health care should be inclusive and respectful for everyone, no matter their gender identity or who they love. The challenges include gaps in coverage, affordability, stigma, discrimination and poor treatment from…

1
Kids and the Mental Health Crisis. 39:56

1y ago39:56

39:56

May is Mental health Awareness month, and with that comes the question of what parents should do if their child is having mental health issues. The Pew Research Center report said mental health was the greatest concern among parents, followed by bullying, which worries 35% of parents. These concerns trumped fears of kidnapping, dangers of drugs and…

1
Minority Men and Mental Health. 33:03

1y ago33:03

33:03

Mental health became a focus during the pandemic as many people struggled with depression or anxiety due to isolation. A recent study from the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) finds that suicide attempts were rising at an alarming rate long before COVID-19. The study found that Black males had the highest increase in suicide attempts …

1
An athlete with Multiple Sclerosis keeps on moving. 29:34

1y ago29:34

29:34

Nearly 1 million people are living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS) in the United States. More women are diagnosed with the disease and colder climates can be a contributing factor. MS can be a very tricky disease to diagnose, but quick treatment can help to slow the progression of the disease. UConn Medical Center's neurologist Dr. Hamza Coban explain…

1
What is a Death Doula? 33:37

1y ago33:37

33:37

Death and dying aren’t easy subjects to talk about. In this episode I am talking to an end-of-life doula or a death doula. A death doula is someone who is there to help you emotionally navigate through your own end of life illness or that of a loved one. Nathalie Bonafe is a death doula, who considers her job a privilege to assist family members de…

1
The Truth about long Covid 34:57

1y ago34:57

34:57

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed everyone's lives in one way or another. For some people the battle continues to rage on every day. Long Covid or Long Haul Covid can last years in those that got infected with COVID-19. These symptoms can affect every aspect of their life, and the reason why is elusive. Yale New Haven Health's Dr. Erica Spatz is an…

1
Heart health is different for women. 26:16

1+ y ago26:16

26:16

Heart attacks and strokes are responsible for 1 in 3 deaths among women each year – more than all cancers combined. Close to 80 percent of cardiac and stroke events can be prevented with education and action – which includes learning the risk factors and warning signs most prevalent for women. UConn Health's cardiologist Supriya Tigadi explains tha…

1
Parents worry about their kids mental health. 32:27

1+ y ago32:27

32:27

The mental health crisis in adolescents is a growing problem. Three years after the COVID pandemic uprooted life as we knew it, kids are still dealing with many issues causing a number of mental health conditions. Dr. Laine Taylor, Medical Director at The Village for Families and Children in Hartford, joins me to discuss mental health in children i…

1
What is CT Paid Leave, CT FMLA, and Federal FMLA? Our new CEO explains. 37:31

1+ y ago37:31

37:31

It can get confusing when you talk about CT Paid Leave, CT FMLA and Federal FMLA. How do you know if you are eligible for any of these? Our new CEO Erin Choquette is an expert in this field and explains if you are eligible, and how they cover you if you are taking care of your own serious health condition. Erin Choquette was the Chief Operating Off…

1
What is Planned Parenthood? 29:06

1+ y ago29:06

29:06

Since 1923 Planned Parenthood of Southern New England has been providing family planning and reproductive health care. It covers Connecticut and Rhode Island and serves about 70,000 people yearly in both states and has 14 health centers across Connecticut. CEO Amanda Skinner talks about the mission of PPSNE, and says it is to protect the fundamenta…

1
The fight continues for National Paid Leave. 32:21

1+ y ago32:21

32:21

Currently, the United States doesn't have a national paid family and medical leave program. That could change if this plan becomes law in 2023. However, it failed in 2021, and in 2022 was defeated by one vote. Compared to many other countries around the globe, the United States lags far behind when it comes to passing a paid leave program. This lea…

1
Minorities and Organ Donation 35:18

1+ y ago35:18

35:18

The need for organ donation in Connecticut and nationally is high. Kidneys are the most needed organ. The reason for the shortage is that many people do not properly declare their wishes to be an organ donor. The need is even greater for minorities. Today we will discuss why minorities are so skeptical about becoming an organ donor, and what is bei…

1
How to face the end of life with grace and dignity. 30:53

1+ y ago30:53

30:53

Hospice is invaluable to patients and caregivers during a critical time. Studies have shown that approximately 80% of Americans would prefer to die at home, if possible. Nationwide more than 1.6 million people use Hospice services. The pandemic certainly created challenges for the industry, as it had to change the way it could give care and respite…

1
You don't have to be a smoker to get Lung Cancer. 34:32

1+ y ago34:32

34:32

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month. Every year more people die from lung cancer than colon, breast and prostate cancer combined. Lung Cancer is by far the leading cause of cancer death among both men and women, making up more than 25 percent of all cancer deaths. I spoke with Dr. Omar Ibrahim who is an interventional pulmonologist and top lung…

1
ALS takes a life every 90 minutes. 33:47

1+ y ago33:47

33:47

You may remember the Ice Bucket Challenge that went viral a few years ago. It was started by a man diagnosed and who later died from ALS, which stands for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disease with no cure. Your body fails, but your mind stays sharp. Every 90 minutes someone is diagnosed with ALS, and someone…

1
Breast Cancer is a beast. 33:41

1+ y ago33:41

33:41

October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It is great to have a month that highlights a disease, and brings awareness about prevention, treatment and survival. The fact remains that one out of every 8 women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. CT Paid Leave gives up to 12 weeks of income replacement, so you can take time…

1
Surviving Domestic Violence and learning to FLYY. 33:28

1+ y ago33:28

33:28

My guest Sistah Anyango has energy and spirituality to spare. She founded the FLYY movement that gives women a safe space to move, to recover, and to heal. FLYY is the acronym for the Freedom to Love the You in You. It started out as a Zumba class, but it grew into so much more. Sistah Anyango is well equipped as a domestic violence survivor to hel…

1
Alzheimer's is a robber. 32:06

1+ y ago32:06

32:06

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…

1
One State Senator's Passion for Paid Leave. 31:00

2y ago31:00

31:00

It takes one person's commitment to a cause to create a wave of change. That is true about my guest Connecticut State Senator Julie Kushner, who represents the 24th Senate District that includes Danbury, New Fairfield, Sherman and some parts of Bethel. She has led a life of advocacy and helping others, including her 2018 campaign aimed at getting C…

1
Paid Leave and caregivers. 33:44

2y ago33:44

33:44

Caregivers are essential to families. Sometimes they have to make hard choices between taking care of a loved one or working. Connecticut Paid Leave gives them some relief by giving up to 12 weeks of income replacement, so you don't have to make such difficult choices. The AARP was instrumental in helping to get the Paid Medical and Family Leave Ac…

1
Adoption can change a life. 32:05

2y ago32:05

32:05

Adoption can be rewarding and life altering for a parent. CT Paid Leave recognizes that adding to your family whether by birth, fostering or adopting, you may need some time to bond with the new addition to your family. CTPL offers up to 12 weeks of income replacement so parents can take bonding time with their new family and not worry about financ…

1
Married to the Military. 32:22

2y ago32:22

32:22

Caring for a loved one injured during active duty in the Armed Forces can be a full-time job. Hear from two women - Kim Brown and Kasey Timberlake - who were caregivers for their spouses upon their return home from their military deployments. Kim and Kasey talk in detail about the challenges they faced when caring for their husbands, who suffered t…

1
The Veterans Affairs and Paid Leave. 29:38

2y ago29:38

29:38

There are more than 1.3 million active duty service men and women in the military branches of our country. In Connecticut there are more than 7,000 serving and 5000 more serving in the Guard. That's a lot of families who are effected by their duty to their country. Active duty military members can focus on their job, while Connecticut Paid Leave ca…

1
CWEALF and the early fight to get CT Paid Leave passed. 28:21

2y ago28:21

28:21

Getting CT Paid Leave passed didn't come easy. Host Nancy Barrow talks to the organization that is a strong supporter, advocate and coalition member, the Connecticut Women's Education And Legal Fund (CWEALF). Executive Director Janée Woods Weber and Policy Director Maddie Granato discuss the long fight to get a paid leave law in the state, and how …

1
The WBDC and the passion for Paid Leave. 28:32

2y ago28:32

28:32

Host Nancy Barrow got a chance to speak with the founder and CEO of the Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) Fran Pastore. She believes women are jumping into business ownership, but are still lagging behind in leadership roles in government and big business. She said there is only one female CEO of a Fortune 500 company in Connecticut. Fran…

1
The new DCF and Foster Parenting. 30:25

2y ago30:25

30:25

It's not easy to be a foster parent. Host Nancy Barrow talks with two foster care parents about how to navigate the system. DCF ( The Department of Children and Families) also joins in on the discussion, and talks about the big changes the agency has made over 30 years. It takes a special person to be a foster parent. Jessika Holmes is a relative f…

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