The Paid Leave Podcast

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 honor of his father, Officer Paul S. Buchanan, who died by suicide at his own police station in East Hartford. He did leave a note to his family, and those words eventually inspired Jared, but initially enraged him. Jared is a Marine infantry veteran who discovered a transformative path to healing by conquering grueling ultramarathons spanning 100, 200, and 240 miles all in the memory of his father. He talks about his father, and his own anger, and the years and miles it took to find forgiveness and the work he needed to do for his own mental health.

He is the focus of a documentary, Beautifully Broken. This was produced by Daniel Herzog who is a documentary filmmaker, creative producer, and friend to Jared. Beautifully Broken, shows Jared accomplishing an ultramarathon and how he found healing, peace and understanding along the way. He runs for his father and carries his picture with him. Daniel says he realizes that while the subject matter is difficult, the film serves to create connection and move conversations regarding mental health forward. He talks about Jared's transformation and positive attitude while running these grueling races. They talk about suicide and emotional trauma, but they also talk about finding meaning after loss. Jared and Daniel discuss the impact of their work through public screenings and speaking engagements, which they both find incredibly emotional and important.

Jared earned his master’s degree at Sacred Heart University in 2025 and is a practicing unconscious-based psychotherapist, who helps and encourages other police officers and first responders to talk about their struggles. Jared says he has helped people utilize CT Paid Leave in his practice. He finds the time allowed away from work to heal and the intermittent leave incredibly important.

If you or someone you know is struggling, please use the suicide and crisis hotline, 9-8-8 

For more information about the documentary, Beautifully Broken, please visit, https://www.beautifullybrokendocumentary.com/ (beautifullybrokendocumentary.com)

For information or to apply for benefits please visit, https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US (ctpaidleave.org)
https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US

https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/

https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave

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 therapeutic and led to the creation of a farm that provides free services to brain injury, trauma survivors and the disabled. Ruiz emphasized the importance of mental health and community support, highlighting the benefits of the Connecticut Paid Leave program, which could have significantly aided her recovery.
This sub-urban farm serves as a place of learning and healing for survivors, urban farmers, BIPOC communities, veterans, and aspiring growers; offering a platform to learn diverse agricultural practices and maximize the potential of small and large spaces.  She elevates awareness through local and international presentations and consultations for diverse audiences like the USDA FSA, University Extensions, Agri Stress Response, Common Ground, and Yale Health.

For more information about Dr. Ivette Ruiz and Healing by Growing Farms please visit, https://www.healingbygrowing.com/ (healingbygrowing.com).

For more information or to apply for benefits, please visit, https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US (ctpaidleave.org)

https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US

https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/

https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave

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. With more than 26 years of experience in healthcare and over 15 years in strategic philanthropy, Clorinda leads the organization’s vision, operations, and patient-focused programs. Walley shares her personal journey with ulcerative colitis and psoriatic arthritis, including the emotional toll of managing her conditions and the importance of support systems. She discusses Good Days' programs, which provide financial assistance for copays, insurance premiums, travel, and diagnostic testing. Clorinda emphasizes the need for expanded access to care and paid leave programs, highlighting their benefits for patients and employers. She also reflects on the impact of Good Days' work, having provided over $40 million in assistance to Connecticut residents since 2008.
To find more information about Good Days please visit, https://mygooddays.org/  (mygooddays.org)
For More information or to apply for benefits visit, https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US (ctpaidleave.org)
https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US

https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/

https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave

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 Professor of Human Development and Family Sciences at Oregon State University. His research and teaching focuses on how policies can best serve children and families with low incomes. Dr. Julia Goodman has a PhD in Health Policy and is an Associate Professor in the Oregon Institute of Occupational Health Sciences at OHSU, which stands for Oregon Health and Sciences University. Julia has a secondary faculty appointment in the OHSU-PSU School of Public Health. Her research examines inequities attributed to work-related social determinants of health among pregnant people. she explores how work-related policies, such as paid family leave, impact health and health equity, as well as potential spillover into the broader workplace.  
They discuss the need for flexible policies that include leave for various reasons, such as medical conditions and caregiving. Both highlight ongoing research to understand the impact of state-specific policies and the importance of collaboration with policymakers.

For more information about Dr. David Rothwell please visit, David Rothwell, MSW, PhD | College of Health | Oregon State University. (www.ohsu.edu)

For more information about Dr. Julia Goodman please visit, Julia M. Goodman PhD | OHSU People | OHSU. (www.oshu.edu)

For more information or to apply for benefits please visit ctpaidleave.org.
https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US

https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/

https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave

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 men in the support group to process their grief. Community organizer Derrick Cranford and his wife created Black Men Grieve Different to help with his own grief after losing his son Derrick Junior suddenly and to help others. Derrick has been friends with well-known radio personality DJ BiggMann from Hot 93.7.  BiggMann lost his son PJ in May of 2023, just 5 months before Derrick lost his son. They discuss the tragedies and how they picked up the pieces and helped each other as they struggled emotionally and how they found solace in a support group. Black Men Grieve Different is a safe space for men to let their emotions out and to start the healing process. Amos talked about the value of CT Paid Leave, and how it can give the gift of time off from your job so you can focus on your own mental health and the healing process.

To get in touch with Amos Lys, please visit his website LYS Counseling & Consulting, LLC | Licensed Therapist in Manchester (LYScounseling.com)

To find out more about Black men Grieve Different please visit, Black Men Grieve Different - Virtual Tickets, Multiple dates | Eventbrite   or to get in touch with Derrick Cranford please visit Cranfordinc@outlook.com 

You can message BiggMann on Instagram about Black Men Grieve Different. Please visit, https://www.instagram.com/djbiggmann (djbiggmann)

For Information or to apply for benefits please visit https://www.ctpaidleave.org/?language=en_US (ctpaidleave.org)

https://ctpaidleave.org/s/?language=en_US

https://www.facebook.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.instagram.com/ctpaidleave/

https://twitter.com/CTPaidLeave

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=ct+paid+leave