Before we sit down with Ohio's candidates, we wanted to better understand the campaigns behind them.

At American Motherhood, we believe civic engagement starts with curiosity. Who actually runs a political campaign? What rules do campaigns operate under? And how can busy parents meaningfully support the leaders they believe in?

In this episode, Bethany and guest co-host Hayley are joined by Louise Valentine, a mom, nonprofit leader, advocate, and political strategist who works with female candidates across Central Ohio. Together, we pull back the curtain on campaign operations, volunteer involvement, fundraising, messaging, and the realities of running for office.

But the conversation doesn't stop there. It also explores an idea many of us don't consider enough. If we want strong leaders representing our communities, what responsibility do we have to help make that possible?

Whether you're deeply involved in politics or just beginning your civic journey, American Motherhood invites you to learn alongside us as we explore the people, policies, and processes shaping our families, our communities, and our future.

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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

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In the final episode of American Motherhood: Schoolhouse Edition, Yana Doughty closes the series with a focused look at how strong communities are built through powerful partnerships, as illustrated between the Ohio City of Westerville and Westerville City Schools.

Our guest, Monica Dupee, Westerville City Manager, shares how city leadership and the school district work together to support families, expand student opportunity, and strengthen long-term community stability.

Across this series, we have unpacked the systems behind education, including funding, policy, and governance, while consistently returning to the same core idea. Strong schools are built through informed questions, engaged parents, and aligned community partners, yourself included.

If you've ever felt like your voice does not matter or that these systems are too complicated to engage with, this conversation is a reminder that you do not have to be an expert to participate. You just have to stay informed, ask questions, and show up.

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In this episode of the Schoolhouse Series from American Motherhood, Yana is joined by Steve Osborne for a conversation about how public school budgets actually work.

Drawing on more than 20 years of experience in school finance, Osborne explains how district budgets are structured, where funding is allocated, and what drives rising costs in areas such as instruction, transportation, special education, facilities, and safety. The episode also examines common misconceptions surrounding administrative spending, local control, and school funding flexibility.

Designed as a practical guide for parents and community members, this conversation offers a clearer understanding of the financial realities shaping today’s public schools.

Resources: Ohio Department of Education & Workforce

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Bridging the Gap: Motherhood and Civic Life is a live panel conversation from American Motherhood exploring how moms navigate the intersection of parenting and public life. In this special episode, panelists Kimberly Blair, Jamille Jones, Kelley Stocker, and Kristin Sutton, alongside moderator, Ohio House Representative Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, reflect on what it means to stay engaged in civic spaces while raising a family - whether that’s staying informed, attending local meetings, volunteering, advocating, running for office, or simply having more intentional conversations in everyday life.

We’re grateful to our panelists, moderator, and the moms who joined us in person to be part of this dialogue, and we’re honored to share it with you. Our hope is that this conversation leaves you feeling encouraged, validated, and equipped to find your own way of engaging in civic life in a way that fits your season of motherhood.

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Welcome back to the Schoolhouse Series with American Motherhood. In this episode, Yana is joined by former Ohio legislator and longtime education policy expert, Stephen Dyer, to break down what “fair school funding” really means.

Stephen cuts through the noise to explain the difference between equity and equality, why students cost different amounts to educate, and how Ohio’s Fair School Funding Plan was designed to address those realities. We also tackle EdChoice, what it is, how it’s funded, and why it’s become such a point of tension for public school districts across the state.

Beyond policy, this conversation gets into power and accountability. Who actually makes school funding decisions, how do these choices affect local classrooms, and why voters should be paying attention, even in high-performing districts.

Stephen brings urgency and conviction, reminding us that public education depends on informed, engaged communities. His message is clear: hold our elected leaders accountable, organize, and speak up.

Because school funding isn’t just policy, it’s a reflection of what we value and what we’re willing to fight for.

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In this episode of The Schoolhouse Series, we sit down with Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano to better understand one of the most debated issues in our community: property taxes.

We break down how property values are determined, what a property tax bill actually represents, and how those dollars are distributed. We also explain why rising home values do not automatically translate into increased funding for schools - and why districts must still return to voters for levies.

Most parents are regularly asked to vote on school funding, yet few are given a clear understanding of how the system works. American Motherhood exists to make these complex issues more accessible and easier to navigate.

Episode resources:

Stay apprised of the 2026 Triennial Property Value Update: FranklinCountyAuditor.com/KYHV

Learn how an upcoming or recently passed levy will impact your property taxes with the Value of Your Vote website: franklincountyauditor.com/LevyEstimator

In this episode of American Motherhood, we’re joined by Dr. Christina Collins, Founder and Executive Director of Honesty for Ohio Education, a nonprofit organization focused on bringing clarity and transparency to how Ohio schools are funded.

Dr. Collins offers thoughtful, grounded insight into how Ohio’s school funding system impacts real classrooms and communities, while addressing how culture wars create common misconceptions that often shape public perception. With a career dedicated to education, and as a former member of the Ohio State Board of Education, she walks us through the core questions many parents have about school funding. What do your property taxes actually fund inside a school? Why do Ohio districts rely so heavily on local taxes? What happens when the school levy fails?

This episode is designed to give parents a clearer understanding of the system behind our education system so that we can confidently get engaged in the decisions that shape it.

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Learn more about Honesty for Ohio Education.