The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

Renee Schulte
  • 5.0 (8)
  • Mental Health
  • Weekly

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. 

  1. 18h ago

    166. Holiday Overscheduling: How to Avoid Hating Your Family by Christmas

    The holidays are supposed to be a time of connection and celebration, but packed calendars, endless commitments, and unrealistic expectations can quickly turn the season into a source of stress. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund kick off a three-part holiday series by exploring the emotional and physical toll of overscheduling on adults and children. They discuss rising holiday anxiety, the challenges of juggling multiple family gatherings, and how disrupted routines and lack of downtime can leave everyone exhausted before Christmas even arrives. From setting boundaries and learning to say no to protecting sleep, simplifying traditions, and building breathing room into your schedule, Renee and Jason share practical strategies to help you reclaim your time, prioritize what matters, and actually enjoy the holiday season. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize the signs of holiday overscheduling and how stress impacts both adults and children.Understand why holiday anxiety is increasing and how seasonal changes contribute to exhaustion.Discover practical ways to set boundaries, manage family expectations, and avoid overcommitting.Learn how protecting routines, prioritizing self-care, and building downtime into your schedule can create a healthier holiday season. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:45 - Introduction to the Holiday Series 00:01:42 - Farm Safety and Jason's Unexpected Injury 00:03:15 - Recognizing the Signs of Holiday Overscheduling 00:05:30 - Family Gatherings, Expectations, and Scheduling Challenges 00:08:00 - Setting Boundaries and Managing Holiday Pressure 00:10:09 - Daylight Saving Time, Sleep, and Seasonal Exhaustion 00:11:00 - Holiday Anxiety Statistics and Generational Differences 00:14:20 - Practical Strategies to Prevent Overscheduling 00:16:00 - Learning to Say No and Prioritizing What Matters 00:18:00 - Building Buffer Time and Protecting Your Schedule 00:21:00 - Maintaining Healthy Habits During the Holidays 00:24:00 - Planning Ahead and Making Time for Self-Care 00:27:50 - Final Takeaways and Closing Thoughts Links: https://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/americans-more-anxious-about-the-holidayshttps://www.apa.org/news/press/releases/2023/11/holiday-season-stresshttps://www.psychiatry.org/news-room/news-releases/americans-more-anxious-about-the-holidayshttps://annescollege.fsu.edu/blog/managing-family-dynamics-and-stress-during-holidays https://herviewfromhome.com/were-done-overscheduling-ourselves-at-christmas/ https://www.expansiveheart.com/blog/highly-sensitive-holiday https://youthvillages.org/7-tips-to-decrease-stress-during-the-holidays-for-children-and-families/  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/jszAbUDreZI

  2. Oct 27

    165. Rural Mental Health in Action: Lessons from the NARM Conference

    Renee joins Jason from Santa Fe, New Mexico, for a conversation inspired by the National Association for Rural Mental Health (NARM) Conference—and shares the news that she has officially joined the NARM board. Together, they explore what rural communities across the country are doing to address behavioral health challenges, from behavioral health aides and Project ECHO to community-based prevention and culturally responsive approaches to healing. They also unpack the surprisingly complicated question of what actually qualifies as “rural,” why federal definitions don’t always reflect lived realities, and the importance of bringing local culture, community connection, and sustainability into rural behavioral health solutions. In this episode, you will be able to: Explore innovative rural behavioral health strategies, including behavioral health aides, community health workers, and Project ECHO.Learn why prevention, community connection, and “neighbors helping neighbors” remain essential to rural mental health.Understand how multiple federal definitions of “rural” can complicate funding, data, and access to services.Discover how Indigenous communities are incorporating storytelling, art, dance, and traditional healing practices into behavioral health.Hear why sustainable, community-driven solutions matter beyond short-term funding opportunities. The key moments in this episode are: 00:01:27 - Renee Joins the NARM Board & Introduces the Conference 00:02:03 - Rural Weather, Farming & the Wettest September 00:03:36 - The National Association for Rural Mental Health Conference 00:05:03 - Renee’s Journey to Joining the NARM Board 00:06:35 - Advocacy, Rural Funding & Long-Term Sustainability 00:09:09 - How States Are Approaching Rural Health Transformation 00:11:10 - Key Themes & Lessons from the Conference 00:13:03 - Behavioral Health Aides & Community-Based Support 00:15:05 - Prevention & the Power of “Neighbors Helping Neighbors” 00:17:20 - Project ECHO & Collaborative Clinical Learning 00:21:01 - The 14 Federal Definitions of “Rural” 00:23:27 - Why Rural Definitions Don’t Always Reflect Reality 00:27:00 - Culture, Indigenous Communities & Rural Mental Health 00:29:00 - Storytelling, Art, Dance & Traditional Healing Practices 00:30:52 - Addressing Isolation Through Community Support 00:31:23 - Renee’s Self-Care Policy of the Week 00:33:32 - Closing Thoughts from Santa Fe 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/CDdXVH-oKxI

  3. Oct 20

    164. Emotional Well-Being in Rural Communities: Supporting the People Who Support Others with Shoshannah Guerrero

    Behavioral health professionals spend their careers supporting others—but who is supporting them? In this episode, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund sit down with licensed marriage and family therapist and systems leader Shoshannah Guerrero, PhD, to explore emotional well-being, burnout, and the unique challenges of providing and accessing support in rural communities. Shoshanna shares why changing the language around mental health can reduce stigma, how her “Mental Health Moments” are creating opportunities for conversation, and why strengthening relationships and community capacity can help people get support long before they reach a crisis. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand what emotional well-being means and why it goes beyond conversations about mental illness.Explore the unique barriers therapists, farmers, and other rural community members face when seeking support.Learn how changing the language and normalizing simple check-ins can reduce stigma around mental health.Discover how “Mental Health Moments” and trusted community relationships can build awareness and support over time.Understand why stronger community connections are an important part of moving behavioral health efforts upstream toward prevention.Learn why caring for your own well-being is essential when your work involves supporting others. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:09 - Introduction & Emotional Well-Being of Therapists 00:02:05 - Meet Shoshannah Guerrero 00:03:32 - What Is Emotional Well-Being? 00:05:49 - Emotional Well-Being in Rural Communities 00:08:40 - Stigma, Language & Normalizing the Check-In 00:13:02 - Introducing “Mental Health Moments” 00:15:33 - Reaching Men & Other Hard-to-Reach Rural Populations 00:18:02 - Supporting Farmers & Agricultural Communities 00:19:55 - Rebuilding Community Connections 00:22:23 - Creating Support Before Crisis Happens 00:25:59 - Jason’s Policy Moment: Moving Upstream to Prevention 00:26:56 - Self-Care Policy of the Week 00:28:08 - Shoshannah’s Self-Care Practice & the Benefits of Nature 00:29:21 - Closing Thoughts: Building Stronger, More Connected Communities Links: https://www.dreamweavertherapypllc.com/https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdguerrero/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023464080521  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/nqzDXMnWQDc

  4. Oct 13

    163. Are You Networking? You Might Be Doing It Wrong

    Networking isn’t about collecting business cards, sending generic LinkedIn messages, or reaching out only when you need something. In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund take a deeper look at what effective networking actually looks like—and why relationships, consistency, and simply showing up can make all the difference. Drawing from years of consulting experience, they share real examples of relationships that turned into contracts, projects, and long-term professional connections, sometimes years after the first conversation. They also discuss the importance of being in the right rooms, following up without always asking for something in return, and building trust through thoughtful, ongoing communication. In this episode, you will be able to: Understand the difference between genuine networking and transactional outreach.Learn why being in the right rooms—and showing up in person—can create opportunities you may never find online.Discover how long-term relationships have led to consulting contracts and projects for Rural Policy Partners.Explore practical ways to stay connected through newsletters, helpful resources, coffee conversations, and handwritten notes.Learn why effective networking is ultimately about building relationships, not collecting contacts. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:13 - Why Networking Matters 00:01:10 - Taking a Deeper Dive Into Networking 00:02:08 - What Effective Networking Actually Looks Like 00:03:12 - Networking Mistakes: Business Cards, Spam & “Picking Your Brain” 00:05:07 - Turning Initial Connections Into Real Relationships 00:06:15 - Finding the Right People and Being in the Right Rooms 00:08:10 - The Challenge of Following Up & Staying Connected 00:10:36 - The Data Behind the Power of Networking 00:11:46 - Why Face-to-Face Connections Build Trust 00:13:16 - How Showing Up Helped Secure a North Dakota Contract 00:14:11 - From Conference Connections to Long-Term Consulting Work 00:16:31 - How Networking Creates Opportunities You Won’t Find Posted Online 00:18:27 - Practical Tips for Networking Well 00:18:47 - Using Newsletters to Maintain Relationships 00:19:36 - Following Up by Providing Value Without Asking for Anything 00:21:47 - The Lasting Impact of Handwritten Notes 00:23:38 - Self-Care Policy: Knowing When Not to React 00:26:33 - Closing Thoughts on Relationships & Networking Links: https://boterview.com/a/networking-statistics https://www.apollotechnical.com/networking-statistics/  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/yfVaxXyqYDo

  5. Oct 6

    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 signs can create problems for everyone. They discuss what unmanaged mental health can look like in leaders and coworkers, the importance of knowing and following workplace policies, and how HR and Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) can help. They also look at the significant productivity costs associated with workplace mental health challenges and share why meaningful check-ins, ongoing conversations, training, and access to resources can make a bigger difference than a one-time initiative. In this episode, you will be able to: Recognize signs that stress, burnout, or unmanaged mental health may be affecting a leader, coworker, or entire workplace.Understand why workplace policies and HR involvement are especially important when substance use or safety concerns arise.Explore the impact mental health challenges can have on productivity, absenteeism, presenteeism, and life outside of work.Learn why ongoing check-ins and debriefing can be more effective than relying on one-time workplace trainings.Discover how Employee Assistance Programs can provide counseling, financial support, referrals, crisis response, training, and other resources.Understand why leaders need to address their own stress and well-being to create healthier, more sustainable workplaces. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:23 - Introduction & Unmanaged Mental Health in the Workplace 00:01:31 - Recognizing When a Workplace Is Struggling 00:04:00 - What Happens When the Leader Isn’t Well 00:05:35 - Self-Awareness, Stress & Leadership Behavior 00:06:46 - Addressing Mental Health & Substance Use Concerns with Coworkers 00:07:29 - Workplace Policies, HR & Managing Risk 00:10:24 - The Productivity Cost of Unmanaged Mental Health 00:11:40 - Workplace Stress & Access to Mental Health Support 00:12:46 - Why One-Time Workplace Trainings Aren’t Enough 00:14:33 - Using Training, Debriefing & Check-Ins to Support Employees 00:18:17 - How Employee Assistance Programs Can Help 00:20:13 - EAPs as a Bridge to Longer-Term Support 00:22:13 - Creating a Workplace Where People Can Ask for Help 00:24:03 - Self-Care Policy: Dealing with Stress Head-On 00:25:34 - Finding Practical Ways to Manage Stress 00:27:40 - Closing Thoughts & The Business Case for Workplace Mental Health Links: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work https://www.osha.gov/workplace-stress  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/tTaObmJ3ddA

  6. Sep 29

    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 curtain on their own podcasting experience and, more specifically, the value of bringing guests into the conversation. They discuss how guests can grow listenership and introduce new perspectives, the challenges of scheduling and navigating spammy guest requests, and the opportunities podcasting creates to establish niche expertise, promote important issues, and even generate speaking, training, and consulting opportunities. Plus, they explore the unique role podcasts can play in rural communities where traditional local media has become increasingly limited. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover how podcasting can build credibility and establish expertise in a specific niche.Learn why bringing guests onto a podcast can expand both your audience and your professional network.Explore the challenges of scheduling guests, managing requests, and recording from rural or remote locations.Understand how podcasts are filling gaps left by traditional local media, particularly in rural communities.Learn how podcast appearances can lead to speaking engagements, educational opportunities, contracts, and other professional connections.Hear what Renee and Jason look for in potential Stepping In It guests and how behavioral health experts can get involved. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:22 - Introduction: The Value, Challenges & Opportunities of Podcast Guests 00:01:05 - Harvest Season & Remote Farming 00:01:42 - Why Stepping In It Has a Podcast 00:03:28 - The Value of Bringing Guests Into the Conversation 00:05:24 - What Makes a Great Podcast Guest 00:07:34 - The Challenges of Appearing on Other Podcasts 00:08:16 - Podcast Listenership & the Growing Reach of the Medium 00:09:33 - How Podcasts Are Replacing Local Media in Rural Communities 00:11:20 - Scheduling, Follow-Through & Guest Challenges 00:12:34 - AI, LinkedIn Spam & Finding Legitimate Podcast Opportunities 00:14:10 - Equipment, Connectivity & Recording From Rural Areas 00:15:48 - Growing Your Audience Through Podcast Collaboration 00:16:13 - Using Podcasting to Elevate Other Voices & Issues 00:17:39 - Opportunities Beyond the Podcast: Speaking, Training & More 00:18:34 - Establishing Yourself as a Niche Expert 00:20:35 - Recovering Politician Self-Care Policy: Creating New Routines 00:22:38 - Want to Be a Guest on Stepping In It? Links: https://rss.com/blog/the-current-state-of-podcasting/  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/73uQeG7t2iw

  7. Sep 22

    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, researcher, practice founder, and consultant focused on strengthening behavioral health leadership in rural communities. Elise shares insights from her doctoral research on clinician burnout, why strong clinical skills don't automatically translate into strong leadership, and how better infrastructure, peer support, and management practices can create healthier workplaces and more sustainable access to care. They also discuss the unique pressures rural behavioral health leaders face and how bringing leaders together can create opportunities for collaboration, problem-solving, and long-term change. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover why leadership and management development are critical to reducing burnout and strengthening rural behavioral health organizations.Understand the unique challenges rural practice owners face, including limited resources, professional isolation, dual relationships, and workforce shortages.Learn why addressing clinician burnout requires looking beyond individual self-care to the systems and leadership structures surrounding clinicians.Explore how peer networks, clinical supervision, collaboration, and stronger organizational infrastructure can help create sustainable rural behavioral health services.Hear how Dr. Elise Healzer's Behavioral Health Summit is bringing practice owners and experts together to share solutions and build stronger support networks. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:10 - Introduction & Harvest Season on the Farm 00:01:43 - Meet Dr. Elise Healzer 00:03:27 - The Leadership Gap in Behavioral Health 00:06:14 - Clinician Burnout & the Role of Management 00:08:28 - Unique Challenges Facing Rural Behavioral Health Leaders 00:11:36 - Building Community & Support for Rural Clinicians 00:15:40 - Rural Behavioral Health Shortages & Access to Care 00:17:40 - Creating Sustainable Rural Behavioral Health Practices 00:19:37 - What Policymakers Need to Understand About Rural Infrastructure 00:23:21 - Workforce Competition & Supporting Private Practices 00:25:26 - Dr. Healzer's Behavioral Health Summit 00:28:09 - The Power of Collaboration & Peer Support 00:30:30 - The Recovering Politician Self-Care Policy of the Week 00:33:51 - Seasonal Self-Care & Slowing Down in the Fall 00:34:56 - Closing Thoughts & Resources Links: https://cornerstonestrategypartners.com/  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/gFvtBCC0mjM

  8. Sep 15

    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 down with JLG Architects principals Todd Medd and Jennifer Burke Jackson to explore how trauma-informed design is reshaping behavioral health and correctional environments. From the new North Dakota State Hospital to progressive rehabilitation facilities, they discuss how thoughtful design can create safety, strengthen relationships, support caregivers, and help people successfully return to their communities. The conversation also explores the importance of addressing trauma further upstream and building a true continuum of behavioral health care across rural communities. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover the core principles of trauma-informed design and how physical environments can promote safety, choice, flexibility, and healing.Learn how North Dakota is rethinking behavioral health and correctional facilities through rehabilitation, progression, and community connection.Explore how design elements like natural light, acoustics, flexible spaces, and access to nature can impact patients, residents, staff, and caregivers.Understand why behavioral health infrastructure must be part of a larger continuum of care that includes state hospitals, rural hospitals, community-based services, and corrections.Learn how relationships, family connection, and community engagement can support rehabilitation and improve public safety.Hear why addressing childhood trauma and other upstream factors is essential to creating long-term change in behavioral health and incarceration. The key moments in this episode are: 00:10:06 - Introduction: JLG Architects & Building Communities That Thrive 00:11:28 - Meet Todd Medd & Jennifer Burke Jackson 00:15:29 - The Long Road to Building a New North Dakota State Hospital 00:17:46 - Designing Modern Behavioral Health Facilities 00:19:20 - Understanding Trauma-Informed Design 00:22:19 - Bringing Trauma-Informed Principles Into Corrections 00:23:34 - North Dakota’s Four Pillars of Rehabilitation 00:28:17 - Designing a Progression From Treatment Back to Community 00:29:24 - State Hospitals, Community Services & the Continuum of Care 00:32:52 - Rethinking Incarceration by Addressing Trauma Upstream 00:37:58 - How Physical Spaces Can Support Safety & Healing 00:41:24 - Designing Correctional Spaces for Choice, Family & Connection 00:45:10 - Behavioral Health Challenges in Rural Hospitals 00:48:36 - Designing Spaces That Support Caregivers 00:50:09 - Capacity, Rehabilitation & the Challenges Facing County Jails 00:52:15 - Building Flexible Facilities for Changing Behavioral Health Needs 00:56:21 - Self-Care, Family & the Power of Connection 00:59:46 - Bringing Community Connection Home 01:00:38 - Closing Thoughts Links: https://jlgarchitects.com/ https://www.tidsociety.com/ https://medium.com/@kristincooke/designing-for-the-wounded-how-trauma-informed-product-design-creates-digital-sanctuaries-edfe3e72885a https://rosehaven.org/trauma-informed-design-inspiring-safety-healing/ https://perkinswill.com/news/trauma-informed-design-healthcare-designed-to-heal/  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/sal9ZO2ICoI

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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. 

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