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
166 episodes
162. Unmanaged Mental Health in the Workplace: When Stress Starts Affecting the Whole Team
Mental health doesn’t stay at home when we walk into work. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee and Jason explore what happens when stress, burnout, mental health concerns, or substance use begin affecting the workplace—and why ignoring the...
161. Podcast Guests: The Value, Challenges, and Opportunities
Podcasting has become a powerful way to build credibility, expand your network, and create conversations around topics that may not have a platform anywhere else. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund pull back the ...
160. Building Sustainable Behavioral Health in Rural Communities with Dr. Elise Healzer
Rural communities face significant behavioral health challenges, from workforce shortages and clinician burnout to limited resources and professional isolation. In this episode, Renee and Jason sit down with Dr. Elise Healzer, a clinician, rese...
159. Meet JLG Architects: Building Communities That Thrive With Todd Medd & Jennifer Burke Jackson
What if the buildings where people receive behavioral health care or serve time in correctional facilities were intentionally designed to support healing, rehabilitation, and connection? In this episode of Stepping In It, Jason Haglund sits dow...
158. When Consultants Miss the Mark: Why Great Reports Aren’t Enough
Hiring a consultant is often seen as the first step toward meaningful change, but what happens when the final report ends up collecting dust? In this episode, we explore the reasons consulting engagements sometimes leave organizations feeling m...
157. Direct vs. Indirect Consultant Funding: What Works, What Doesn't, and Why It Matters
Not all consulting projects are created equal—and how they're funded can have a major impact on their success. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund explore the differences between direct and third-party consultant ...
156. Are You Getting the Most from Your Consultants? How to Turn Expertise into Action
Organizations invest thousands—and sometimes millions—of dollars in consultants with the expectation that meaningful change will follow. But too often, those investments fall short, not because of the consultant, but because of how the engageme...
155. Why Every Family Needs a Caregiving Plan Before It's Too Late: With Raymond Lavine
Most people spend years planning for retirement but very little time preparing for the possibility of needing care. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund welcome extended care benefits advisor Raymond Lavine for a p...
154. Have We Forgotten How to Meet? The Cost of Bad Meetings
Meetings have become a constant part of professional life, yet many participants leave wondering whether they accomplished anything at all. In this episode, Jason and Renee kick off a new series on meeting effectiveness by exploring why so many...
153. Summer Self-Care: Why Taking Time Off Is Good for Your Health, Career, and Community
In this episode, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund explore an often-overlooked aspect of wellness: actually using the time off you've earned. From the health risks of burnout to the surprising benefits of vacation on productivity and career growt...
152. Culture, Connection, and Care: Lessons from the Indiana Rural Health Conference
In this episode, Jason and Renee reflect on key takeaways from the Indiana Rural Health Conference in French Lick, Indiana. From conversations about rural culture and help-seeking behaviors to surprising data on Employee Assistance Program (EAP...
151. Hoarding, Inheritance, and the Great Wealth Transfer: When “Stuff” Becomes the Legacy
As an estimated $124 trillion in wealth changes hands over the coming decades, many families are discovering that inheritance is about far more than money. In this episode, Renee and Jason explore the intersection of hoarding, aging, rural life...
150. Dakota Conference on Rural Health: When Innovation Meets Reality
In this episode, Jason shares insights from the Dakota Conference on Rural Health in North Dakota, reflecting on conference trends, healthcare innovation, and the realities of implementing system change in rural communities. From discussions ab...
149. On the Road Again: Lessons, Innovations, and Acronym Soup from the Arizona Rural Health Conference
In this episode, Renee Schulte reports from the Arizona Rural Health Conference in Flagstaff, sharing key insights from conversations happening across rural healthcare systems. Renee and Jason explore the challenges facing Medicaid programs, th...
148. Building Belonging: Designing Spaces for Connection and Care
In this episode, we dig into how physical spaces can foster emotional wellbeing, strengthen communities, and serve as true social hubs—not just buildings. From healthcare clinics tucked along the interstate to state hospitals undergoing transfo...
147. From Farm Policy to Mental Health: How a Legislative Ag Summit Bridges the Gap
What does a Legislative Agricultural Summit have to do with rural mental health? In this episode, we share insights from the State Agriculture and Rural Leadership (SARL) summit, where the intersection of agricultural policy and rural well-bein...
146. Rural Realities Series: Culture of Resilience: From the NARMH Conference (Anchorage)
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...
145. Mental Health First Aid & Workplace Wellness: What Every Community Needs to Know
In this episode, Renee and Jason record live reflections inspired by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s NATCON 2026 Conference, diving into the growing importance of mental health awareness trainings in workplaces and communities. From...
144. Breaking Resistance: Implementation Science, Leadership & Change from New Orleans
In this episode, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund record live from New Orleans at the Associations of Paroling Authorities International conference, diving into conversations around evidence-based parole decision-making, implementation science, ...
143. Community Is Not a Place: Rethinking Connection in Rural America
In this episode, we explore a simple but often misunderstood question: What is a community? Broadcasting from rural Colorado—with a few connectivity challenges along the way—we unpack how community goes far beyond geography. It’s something buil...
142. Colorado Rural Health Conference Live: What We’re Learning About 988, Rural Access, and System Change
In this live episode from the Colorado Rural Health Conference, we unpack real-time insights on the evolution of the 988 mental health line, the structural and cultural challenges shaping access in rural communities, and what it actually takes ...
141. How to Conference Successfully (Without Wasting Your Time or Energy)
In this episode, we break down how to actually get value out of conferences—beyond just showing up. From setting intentional goals to making meaningful connections and following up effectively, we share practical strategies to help you maximize...
140. 911 Meets 988: Reimagining Crisis Response Through Alignment, Data, and Action
In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of 911 and 988 and what it means for the future of crisis response systems across the country. With millions of calls flowing through both systems each year, the conversation goes beyond awa...
139. Let’s Talk Rural: Mental Health, Agriculture, and the Truth About Rural Resilience with Lauren Van Ewyk and Bridgette Readel
In this episode, we dive into the realities of rural life and mental health with guests Lauren Van Ewyk and Bridgette Readel. From the unique pressures facing farmers to the concept of “coerced resilience,” this conversation explores what it re...
138. Where the Money Is: How to Fund Behavioral Health Innovation & Technical Support
In this episode, we break down a question many rural leaders and providers are asking: where do you actually find funding for technical support, innovation, and system change? From foundations and state agencies to local service clubs and unexp...