American Motherhood

Bethany Kungle

American Motherhood is a civic platform grounded in motherhood making politics accessible, relevant, and human. We believe that respectful curiosity is powerful and informed participation matters - especially at the local level.

  1. May 28

    Can Ohio finally get paid family leave? With Senator Dr. Beth Liston

    Most of us don't think about family leave until we suddenly need it, and by then it's too late to plan. For millions of Ohio workers, that moment of need is met with an uncomfortable truth: your job may be protected, but your paycheck is not. In this episode, Bethany sits down with Senator Dr. Beth Liston, physician, legislator, and mother, to talk about Ohio Senate Bill 369, a proposed paid family leave program that could fundamentally change how Ohio workers navigate some of life's most demanding moments. From the birth of a child to a serious illness to caring for an aging parent, SB 369 aims to ensure that taking time away from work doesn't mean choosing between your family and your financial stability. We break down what FMLA actually guarantees today, what it doesn't, and why so many Ohio families are left doing impossible math at the worst possible time. Then we get into the bill itself: who would be covered, what wage replacement would look like, how the program would be funded, and the exemptions built in for small businesses. We also explore why paid family leave is not just a family issue, it's a workforce and economic issue. Senator Liston is candid about the political landscape, what feels different about this moment, and why the path forward depends heavily on the coalition - and the everyday Ohioans - rallying around the issue. This one is personal, and we talk about what you can do to fight for the future of working mothers and families. Resources: TimeToCareOhio.org Groundwork OHIO: The Case for Paid Family Leave in Ohio Subscribe to the American Motherhood podcast and follow on Instagram.

    27 min

About

American Motherhood is a civic platform grounded in motherhood making politics accessible, relevant, and human. We believe that respectful curiosity is powerful and informed participation matters - especially at the local level.

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