100. Rainstorms & Real Talk: Behind the Scenes of 100 Episodes

Ever wonder what it really takes to keep a podcast going for 100 episodes? In this special behind-the-scenes look, we’re sharing the bloopers, the breakthroughs, and the barriers we’ve faced along the way—from loud hotel lobbies and microphone mishaps to internet outages and cleaning lady cameos. We revisit the top 10 most-played episodes, the conversations that made an impact, and the YouTube Shorts that sparked new dialogue. Plus, we reflect on what we’ve loved most about the journey—and what’s next as we double down on rural mental health, policy change, and the powerful stories at the intersection of healthcare and criminal justice. And yes, it starts with a whiny farmer intro, naturally.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how mastering behavioral health systems can transform the way you support clients and navigate complex care pathways.
• Understand the hidden barriers in mental health access that often go unnoticed but deeply impact patient outcomes.
• Explore the surprising behind-the-scenes elements of podcasting that make conversations about behavioral health truly resonate.
• Uncover how recent policy changes are reshaping behavioral health services and what that means for your work on the ground.
• Learn effective strategies to captivate and engage audiences during conferences, making your behavioral health message unforgettable.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:02 - Introduction to the Stepping In It Podcast and Hosts’ Mission
00:02:10 - Behind the Scenes of Podcasting: Equipment, Locations, and Challenges
00:04:52 - Memorable Podcasting Moments on the Road
00:07:33 - Podcasting Setup and Logistics: Angles, Technology, and Home Environment
00:08:37 - Conference Experiences and Lessons Learned from the Road
00:13:04 - Challenges and Frustrations with Conference Planning and Execution
00:17:36 - Top Podcast Episodes and Themes in Mental Health and Advocacy
00:20:25 - The Popularity of Podcast Shorts and Engaging Content
00:22:14 - Benefits of Podcasting for Education and Engagement
00:23:44 - Potential Expansion into Mental Health Topics and Clinical Insights
00:24:43 - Expanding Podcast Topics with Guest Stories and Simplified Policy Updates
00:27:46 - Growing Reach Through Speaking Engagements and Multi-State Impact
00:30:15 - Exploring the Intersection of Healthcare, Criminal Justice, and Rural Mental Health
00:31:42 - Prioritizing Self-Care and Engaging Listeners Through Social Media Shorts
00:34:34 - Celebrating Podcast Milestones and Encouraging Listener Interaction

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

https://www.facebook.com/facebook.com/ruralpolicypartners

https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ibzYKVlRRvE