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
152 episodes
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...
137. Advocacy Through Experience: Storytelling, Systems, and Supporting Families with Paula Yost
In this episode, we sit down with Paula Yost—attorney, licensed mental health clinician, and advocate—to explore what it truly means to advocate for children and families navigating complex systems. Paula shares how her lived experiences, from ...
136. Peer Support Series: Peer Ambassadors vs. Peer Support — What’s the Difference?
In this episode of Stepping In It, we explore the difference between peer ambassadors and peer support—and why both are critical in rural communities. From informal community connectors like volunteers and “the guy in the golf cart” at a Critic...
135. Peer Support in Rural America: Combating Isolation Through Community
In this episode of the Peer Support Series, the hosts explore what peer support looks like in rural communities and why it is becoming an increasingly important strategy to address social isolation and behavioral health challenges. Drawing from...
134. Peer Support Defined: Understanding the Many Forms of Peer Support in Rural Communities
In this episode, the hosts kick off a new series exploring the role of peer support in behavioral health and rural communities. They unpack what “peer support” really means, the many different models that exist across North America, and how pee...
133. The Workforce Within Series: Managing the Hard Stuff: Self-Care When Life Feels Heavy
In this episode, we’re digging into what it really takes to care for ourselves when life—and work—feel like too much and not enough all at once. From waiting on contracts to managing uncertainty, we get real about the emotional toll of the in-b...
132. The Workforce Within Series: The Workforce Behind the Line: Crisis Teams, Stress, and Sustainability
Welcome back, and thanks for joining us—yep, it’s that time again: planting season, fixing everything for it just to break again… and that’s not just on the farm. In this episode, we’re digging into the escalating issue of workplace violence in...
131. The Workforce Within Series: The Workforce Crisis: Peer Support, Burnout, and Innovation
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Illinois Rural Health Conference, held in Champaign, IL. Join us as we explore the latest trends and critical topics discussed at the conference, from how Millennials are shaping the future of...
130. On the Ground Impact Series: Is “No Wrong Door” Even Possible in Rural Communities?
In the final installment of our On the Ground Impact Series—after traveling 3,500 miles across Iowa—we tackle one of the most talked about, yet least understood concepts in behavioral health: “No Wrong Door.” On paper, it promises seamless acce...
129. On the Ground Impact Series: How Do You Change Systems Without the Pain?
Change is rarely comfortable—especially in complex systems like healthcare, policy, and large organizations—but that doesn’t mean it isn’t necessary. In this episode of the On the Ground Impact Series, we dig into the reality of system change: ...
128. On the Ground Impact Series: Behind the Scenes of Care Collaboration
In this episode of the On the Ground Impact Series, we go behind the scenes of what care collaboration really means—and why it’s so often talked about but rarely done well. Moving beyond buzzwords, we unpack how true collaboration requires trus...
127. 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...
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...
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 ...
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...