The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund
The Stepping In It Podcast is a weekly discussion of the latest news and trends in behavioral health policy development and practice. Each episode features interviews with experts from across the field, including policymakers, clinicians, researchers, and advocates. The podcast provides listeners with practical tips and resources for improving the quality and access to behavioral health care.
Episodes
131 episodes
On the Ground Impact Series: Naming the Barriers to Behavioral Health System Change
In this On the Ground Impact Series episode, the hosts move beyond the “big three” behavioral health challenges—funding, workforce, and crisis response—to name the deeper, often unspoken barriers that stall real system change. From policy decis...
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40:15
126. On the Ground Impact Series: What We’re Seeing, Hearing, and Learning Across the Midwest
This episode kicks off our On the Ground series, sharing real-world insights from building behavioral health systems across the Midwest. We name the common challenges showing up across states—workforce shortages, inconsistent mobile crisis resp...
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25:37
125. Coaching & Innovation in the Rural Midwest: Rethinking Mental Health Support
In this episode, we dive into what coaching and innovation can look like in the rural Midwest when traditional mental health systems fall short. Joined by Jessica, a longtime healthcare leader and nonprofit founder, we explore the realities of ...
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29:29
124. Live from Houston: Rethinking Behavioral Health Through Data, Economics, and Real-World Impact
In this episode, recorded live from Houston at the Bridge Think Tank, Renee and Jason dive into the complex intersection of economics, human behavior, and the real-world challenges facing behavioral health systems across the country. From the l...
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39:45
123. Goal Setting in the New Year: The Why, the Science, and the Strategy
As the new year approaches—and yes, in the middle of tax season—this episode takes a grounded, practical look at goal setting and why it truly matters. From the neuroscience behind writing goals down to the data showing how few people actually ...
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25:55
122. 2025 Year in Review: Oh What Fun It Has Been
In this energetic year-in-review episode, Renee and Jason look back on a whirlwind 2025 filled with travel, conferences, chaotic weather, unexpected wildlife encounters, and powerful moments with rural communities across the country. From Alask...
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31:00
121. On the Road: Conferences & State Shake-ups Pt 3 - Ep 96
This week, we’re stepping in it—live from Indiana! After a chaotic detour through CMA Fest (yes, we accidentally ran into Blake Shelton and Rascal Flatts on Broadway), we’re back with crop scouting updates and a deep dive into a powerful conver...
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26:22
120. On the Road: Conferences & State Shake-ups Pt 2 - Ep 95
We’re on the road in Flagstaff for the Arizona Rural Health Conference, diving into the unique challenges and opportunities facing rural healthcare in the Southwest. From a whiny farmer update about Arizona’s never-ending dry spell (and Iowa’s ...
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29:29
119. On the Road: Conferences & State Shake-ups Pt 1 - Ep 91
In this special on-the-ground episode, we’re coming to you live from Anchorage, Alaska at the National Association of Rural Mental Health Conference—moose sightings, state fair stories, and all. From the icy beauty of Chickaloon overlooking the...
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30:02
118. Breaking Silos & Building Solutions: Insights from the Louisiana Rural Health Conference
In this episode, we take you inside the Louisiana Rural Health Conference, where Renee and Jason delivered the morning keynote focused on the continuum of care and the persistent gaps between high-level inpatient treatment and traditional outpa...
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23:42
117. The Power of Gratitude: How Small Shifts Create Big Change
In this episode, Renee and Jason dive into the science and practice of gratitude—what it is, why it matters, and how it impacts resilience, mental health, and daily life. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and a look at how gratitu...
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24:48
116. Beyond Awareness: How NAMI’s Provider Program is Changing Behavioral Health
In this episode, hosts Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund sit down with Daryn Nelsen-Soza from NAMI National to explore how the NAMI Provider Program bridges understanding between mental health professionals and the people they serve. Together, th...
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41:03
115. Live from Wisconsin: Recovery Systems, Workforce Strain, and Rural Solutions
In this on-the-road episode, Renee and Jason broadcast live from the Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference, reflecting on how community-driven solutions, workforce realities, and systemic challenges continue to shape beh...
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30:09
114. The Solutions are in the Systems: Behavioral Healthcare is Healthcare
In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee and Jason return to their annual collaboration with Lead DSM to explore one powerful truth: the solutions are in the systems. From the fields to the frontlines of healthcare, they examine how in...
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25:35
113. Scary – The Top 10 Scariest Issues Facing Behavioral Health in 2025
In this special “Scary” episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the top 10 most frightening challenges confronting behavioral health in 2025. From looming Medicaid cuts and crushing rural healthcare debt to the persistent stigma, workf...
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25:33
112. Vicarious Trauma: Understanding the Hidden Impact of Bearing Others’ Stories
In this episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the often-overlooked reality of vicarious trauma—the emotional residue left behind when professionals are repeatedly exposed to the pain, fear, and trauma of others. Sometimes called “secondary tr...
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29:37
111. Live from Missouri – Drones, Tech, and AI at the Rural Mental Health Conference
In this episode of Stepping In It, we go live from the Missouri Rural Mental Health Conference to explore how technology is reshaping rural healthcare. From drones buzzing the farm fields to AI transforming patient care, we unpack inno...
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19:36
110. Live from TORCH: Mental Health Funding, Medicaid Cuts, and Rural Healthcare Realities
In this special live episode from the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH) Conference, we dive into breaking policy news and its impact on rural healthcare. Governor Abbott’s recent signing of HB 18 brings $5 billion towa...
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16:18
109. Boosting Compliance Through Coaching: A Conversation with Jerry Fu
In this episode of Stepping In It, we sit down with Jerry Fu, a career and leadership coach who helps leaders become more visible, vocal, and valuable. With a background in pharmacy leadership and certifications in Emotional Intelligen...
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32:26
108. The LandLogic Model: Bridging Gaps in Farmer Mental Health with Kaila Anderson
In this episode of Stepping In It, we sit down with Kaila Anderson, licensed social worker, professor, and creator of The LandLogic Model℠, a groundbreaking framework designed to meet farmers where they are in their mental health journ...
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40:35
107. Building Rural Behavioral Health Solutions Interview with Kimberly Johnson
In this episode of Stepping In It, we talk with Kimberly Johnson, CEO of Arch Collaborative and founder of the Children’s Legacy Center. Kimberly shares her journey as a mother of five navigating a broken behavioral health system and her work l...
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35:53
106. Ohio Rural Health Conference Recap: Telehealth, Policy Gaps, and Coaching Lessons
In this episode of Stepping In It, we’re fresh off the Ohio Rural Health Conference and digging into the biggest takeaways. From telehealth becoming the new standard for specialty and psychiatric care to the rise of telehospitalists im...
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25:15
105. Rural Realities: Crisis Care, Community, and New Mexico’s Model with Dr. Jess Spohn
In this episode, we’re diving into the urgent realities of crisis care in rural and remote communities with the brilliant Dr. Jess Spohn (they/them), a neurosparkly public health social worker and national voice for equitable mental health and ...
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33:58
104. From Ticks to Tech: How AI Is Transforming Rural Healthcare
In this episode, we’re back in Champaign, Illinois, recapping key takeaways from the Illinois Rural Health Association Conference — and this one’s all about Artificial Intelligence. We’re talking workflow algorithms, predictive modeling, and us...
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28:02
103. Arizona, Advocacy, and System Gaps: A Behavioral Health Deep Dive
In this episode of Stepping In It, Jason talks with Will Humble, former director of the Arizona Department of Health Services and now executive director of the Arizona Public Health Association. They dig into Arizona’s behavioral healt...
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33:04