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
106 episodes
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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Episode 99
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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...
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Episode 98
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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 ...
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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...
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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 ...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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Episode 92
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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...
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29:08
90. Back to the Basics: Leading Through the Storm
Welcome back—and hold onto your pitchforks—because even the whiny farmer is feeling the pressure. With family farm bankruptcies up 55% over last year and no signs of slowing down, it’s a reminder that these are challenging times for leaders acr...
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31:13
89. What If We Just... Didn’t? Defunding Mental Health in America
Imagine a world where we didn’t fund mental health services—where Medicaid comes with work requirements, SAMHSA loses a billion dollars, and vital programs like CCBHCs vanish. In today’s episode, we kick things off with our whiny farmer intro (...
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28:19
88. Montana Medicine: Behavioral Health, Bottlenecks & Big Sky Policy
In this episode, we dive into the complicated and often chaotic state of healthcare delivery in Montana—with a whiny farmer intro and a serious question: why don’t we have corn ice cream in the Midwest? From emergency departments overwhelmed du...
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30:15
87. Corn, Collaboration & Change: Nebraska’s Mental Health Policy Push with Amanda McGill & James Bowers
Thanks for joining us—still hauling corn, but progress has been made! Just in time to plant this year's crop… and just in time to plant seeds of change in Nebraska’s mental health policy landscape. In this episode, we sit down with Amanda McGil...
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35:20
86. Still Planting, Still Hauling: Engaging Families in Crisis Care at the Hospital
Welcome back—still corn to haul and somehow still in the middle of planting… and if that doesn’t sum up hospital life during a crisis, we don’t know what does. In today’s episode, we explore the critical yet often complicated role families play...
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24:41
85. Fixing What’s Broken: Preventing Hospital Workplace Violence Through Training (Part 4 of 4)
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...
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29:05
84. Hospitals as Community Conveners: Building Networks for Better Care (Part 3 of 4)
In a fragmented healthcare system, hospitals have the unique opportunity to lead as conveners—bringing together providers, community organizations, and first responders to improve patient outcomes. This episode explores how strong partnerships ...
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26:01
83. Emergency Departments: The Unintended Frontline for Pediatric Behavioral Health (Part 2 of 4)
As mental health and addiction services surpass basic healthcare concerns in rural communities, Emergency Departments have become the default access points for pediatric behavioral health care. In this episode, we explore the growing role of ED...
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27:56
82. Crisis in the ER: The Behavioral Health Bottleneck (Part 1 of 4)
Emergency Departments are overwhelmed with behavioral health patients, many of whom face long waits, inappropriate referrals, and a lack of clinical pathways for care. In this four-part series, we dive into the growing crisis of mental health c...
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22:53
Best of Series: Workplace & Systemic Mental Health Solutions Episode 3
Does it feel like your clutter is taking over and impacting your mental well-being? You may have been told to simply clean up and get organized, but the stress and overwhelm persist. The frustration and anxiety of living in a cluttered space ca...
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31:16
Best of Series: Workplace & Systemic Mental Health Solutions Episode 2
In this episode, we unpack key insights from the VitAL Alabama Conference in collaboration with the National Association of Rural Mental Health (NARMH) held in Tuscaloosa. From Johnny Manziel’s story of resilience to Dr. Ashley Norwood Strickla...
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32:27
Best of Series: Workplace & Systemic Mental Health Solutions Episode 1
Are you aware of the valuable benefits your employer provides? Discover the secret resources that could be helping you with therapy, counseling, and even financial support. But what happens when the very program meant to assist you suddenly dis...
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30:54
81. Legislative Priorities for Mental Health Counselors with Courtney Ackerson
In this episode, we sit down with Courtney Ackerson, a licensed clinical mental health counselor and the president-elect of the American Mental Health Counselors Association. Courtney shares insights into the work of the Iowa Mental Health Coun...
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39:49