Discover how to navigate themaze of parental leave programs with the help of Linzay Davis from The Park Consulting. In this discussion, Linzay shares not just the technicalities of state and federal protections but the emotional and financial impact these policies have on American families. We'll reveal how understanding and preparing for parental leave can change the game for new parents. While Linzay's experience focuses on California's paid leave, this episode is packed full of insights for anyone planning to start a family or leaders hoping to better understand the complexities of paid leave. The current state of parental leave in the U.S. is a patchwork of policies that often leaves families in a lurch. We talk about the harsh realities that over half of the women in the country do not have job protection to take parental leave, leading to a startling number returning to work too soon postpartum. Lindsay and I tackle the gaps in paid leave, the limitations of short-term disability insurance, and the dire need for systemic change. We also talk about workplace rights under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act and the Pump Act, two critical pieces of legislation that support pregnant and nursing employees. We lay out the potential legal recourse for non-compliance by employers and share resources for parents seeking guidance. Whether you're a parent or an employer, arm yourself with the knowledge and insights from this episode to better support the parenting journey. Linzay Davis Linzay Davis is the founder and CEO of The Park, a parental leave consulting agency serving new and expecting moms throughout the US. After her parental leave went terribly wrong, she quit a job she loved and started The Park to help ensure every mom gets the parental leave they deserve. The Park's mission is to educate and empower new and expecting moms on every pregnancy right, protection, and leave program they have access to so they can confidently advocate for themselves and take the longest, paid parental leave possible. Since she launched The Park in early 2023, Linzay has coached nearly 250 parents, helping them collectively take 6,500 weeks of leave and receive $6,300,000 in parental leave paid benefits.  Connect with Linzay: Instagram: @theparkconsulting TikTok: @theparkconsulting LinkedIn: The Park Website: TheParkConsulting.com Planning to Pump Course: A teacher's guide to confidently pumping at work (and understanding her rights to do so!) Check it out at: Playgroundsandpaychecks.com/planningtopump Connect with us at: RossLearningSolutions.com LinkedIn: @kortneyross Instagram: @nextgenworkculture Facebook: @nextgenworkculture