The Paid Leave Podcast

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, she is the Associate Director of Communication and Administration at the Center for Hunger Communities at the Dornsife School of Public Health at Drexel University. The study, which included a literature review and personal stories, highlights the physical and mental health benefits of paid leave, particularly for mothers and infants. It found that paid leave reduces postpartum depression, domestic violence, and stress, and improves child health outcomes. The conversation also touches on the challenges of implementing paid leave, including the need for inclusive policies that cover part-time and gig workers. They emphasize the importance of paid leave for workplace culture, recruitment, and retention, and advocate for a national program to ensure equitable access. To get in touch with Drexel's Dornsife School of Public Health: About the Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health | Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health [https://drexel.edu/dornsife/about/overview/] For information or to apply for benefits go to: CT Paid Leave [https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US] https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

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.  My guests are Dr. Genice Nelson. Dr.  Nelson is 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 mom who was diagnosed at birth with sickle cell disease and has been suffering since she was 6 months old. She always wanted to be a mom and has a healthy daughter who was born without Sickle cell disease. Daisha is seen at the New England Sickle cell Institute and gets her treatments for sickle cell and pain there at UConn Health. We discussed what sickle cell disease is and how it effects the body. Dr. Nelson is aware of CT Paid Leave, and the benefits it has for the patients she treats and their caregivers. Daisha's health has been improving with the newer medications that have become available to combat the symptoms and the pain.  To get more information about the New England Sickle Cell Institute: New England Sickle Cell Institute | UConn Health [https://www.uconnhealth.org/cancer-blood-disorders/services-specialties/sickle-cell] For more information about Dr. Genice Nelson: Genice Nelson, DNP, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC | UConn Health [https://www.uconnhealth.org/providers/profiles/nelson-genice] For more information or to apply for benefits: ctpaidleave.org https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

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 me 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, and how it affected her as a young girl. She talks about losing her mother tragically in a car crash, and how her trauma led to her being told she may be suffering from PTSD. Evelyn discusses the shame and stigma of mental health and says that CT Paid Leave is a resource that can help many Hispanics, who may not know about the program.  To get in touch with Evelyn Please go to her website at: Agape Designs - Holistic Marketing Agency [https://agapedesignsct.com/]  Contact Evelyn at her email address: agapedesigns860@gmail.com Or Here at the Central Connecticut Chamber of Commerce at their PYVOT program: PYVOT - Central Connecticut Chambers of Commerce [https://www.centralctchambers.org/pyvot/#:~:text=PYVOT%20is%20Central%20Connecticut%E2%80%99s%20premier%20young%20professional%20network,networking%2C%20career%20growth%2C%20volunteer%20opportunities%2C%20and%20leadership%20development.] For more information or to apply for benefits please go to: ctpaidleave.org https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

In this episode of The Paid leave Podcast, I am talking 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, and that fits in perfectly with my 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 reproductive health. Lauren frequently contributes thought leadership to media and professional organizations; she is the author of the acclaimed 2025 book Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period, that was released in July. Lauren discusses her journey as a women's rights advocate, her dual degrees in law and social work, and her focus on supporting women through life transitions, particularly perinatal and perimenopausal periods. She emphasizes the importance of mental health, support groups, and comprehensive care. Lauren highlights the value of paid leave programs in supporting working women and parents and shares her experience writing the book to raise awareness about menopause and its impact on mental health, and some women who experience serious health conditions. You can find more about Lauren please go to: Media - Lauren Tetenbaum, The CounseLaur [https://thecounselaur.com/media/]  theCounseLaur.com For information about book tours and how you can get your copy of Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period,  please go to: Book (Millennial Menopause) - Lauren Tetenbaum, The CounseLaur [https://thecounselaur.com/millennialmenopausebook/]  millennialmenopause.com For information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave [https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US] https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]

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, I am focusing on Connecticut farmers. I talk with Ella Kennen, the Coordinator of the New Connecticut Farmer Alliance. We discussed supporting beginning farmers, particularly first-generation farmers. Caitlin Kimball is the Director of Agriculture at CitySeed, and she 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 highlights the benefits of the Farmers Market Nutrition Program and some of the new legislation that passed aiding farmers. Both emphasize the importance of supporting local farms and the role that CT Paid Leave plays in offering benefits to farmers and their workers. To get in touch with Ella Kennen via email: newctfarmers@gmail.com or got to their website at: New CT Farmer Alliance | Building a Stronger Local Food System | Connecticut [https://www.newctfarmers.com/] To get in touch with Kaitlyn Kimball please go to her website at:  Home | Sunset Farm [https://www.sunsetfarmct.com/] Their farmstand is open Wednesday through Saturday at Wheeler's Farm Road in Milford. You can find Kaitlyn's produce at Ridgefield farmers market, Monroe farmers market, and Naugatuck farmer's markets. Or go to Cityseed's New Haven farmers markets year-round!  For more information or to apply for benefits please go to: CT Paid Leave [https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US] https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US [https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US] https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave [https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/ [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave [https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave] https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave [https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave]