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
119 episodes
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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...
•
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 ...
•
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...
•
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...
•
33:04
102. Adapting to Change: Managing the Chaos of Constant Transformation
Change is coming, fast and furious, and in this episode, we’re talking about how to stay sane and strategic while the world around you evolves. After a whiny farmer moment (new equipment shopping blues, anyone?), we’ll dig into today’s rapid pa...
•
37:46
101. What Matters Most: Building Age-Friendly Health Systems
In this episode, we’re digging into the heart of what makes a health system truly age-friendly. After a classic whiny farmer intro (spraying before the rain, you know the drill), we’ll break down the 4Ms framework—What Matters, Medicat...
•
32:19
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 mi...
•
35:56
99. 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...
•
Episode 99
•
28:08
98. 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...
•
Episode 98
•
29:09
97. Checking In: North Dakota’s Behavioral Health Shake-Up
In this episode of Stepping In It, we head north to check in on the bold system changes underway in North Dakota. From a $300 million investment in a new state hospital to expanding pediatric and acute care beds across the state, it’s ...
•
32:40
96. Live from the Hoosier State: Justice Reform, CMA Fest, and TikTok Docs
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...
•
25:28
95. Live from Arizona: Rural Realities, System Shifts, and the Quest for Access
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 ...
•
28:34
94. When Systems Collide: Behavioral Health & Juvenile Justice with Nina Richtman
In this powerful episode, we sit down with Nina Richtman, Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Treatment Advocacy Center, to explore what happens when behavioral health needs go unmet and youth fall through the cracks—landing in the justice s...
•
40:58
93. Live from Atlanta: Parole, Mental Health, and the Push for Prevention
Reporting live from the Association of Parole Authorities International conference in Atlanta—right after finally getting that dryer delivered—we're digging into the surprising overlap between mental health and the parole system. From a panel d...
•
37:20
92. Living with Mental Illness: Real Life, Real Policy, Real Peer Support
Today’s episode takes a raw and relatable look at what it means to live with mental illness—and why peer support is more than just a feel-good idea. We’re joined by Josh, a certified peer support specialist, NAMI program leader, and unapologeti...
•
Episode 92
•
37:12
91. Culture of Resilience: From the National Association of Rural Mental Health Conference in 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...
•
29:08