The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

Renee Schulte
  • 5.0 (7)
  • MENTAL HEALTH
  • UPDATED 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. 5D AGO

    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 healthcare to the evolving role of peer support in the workforce. We’ll also cover comprehensive chronic care management, the challenges of rural health clinic care coordination, and the ongoing struggle with the stigma of behavioral health needs in rural areas. Plus, we’ll discuss the importance of attending these conferences for networking, staying informed, and bringing back valuable insights to improve healthcare delivery in your own communities. Whether you’re a healthcare professional, a policy maker, or simply interested in rural health, this episode is packed with information you won’t want to miss. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover effective strategies for navigating behavioral health systems to improve patient care and access to mental health services.Gain insights into the impact of weather on agriculture and how it influences food production and distribution, affecting global health and nutrition.Explore how millennials are transforming healthcare and driving innovation to make healthcare more accessible and personalized for all generations.Learn about the power of peer recovery in rural communities and its impact on improving mental health support and addiction treatment accessibility.Uncover effective methods for managing medication donation programs to ensure safe and equitable distribution of medications to those in need. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:02 - Millennials in Healthcare 00:08:03 - Peer Recovery in Rural Communities 00:10:14 - Chronic Care Management 00:11:24 - Medication Donation and Safe Disposal 00:12:13 - Safenetrx Program 00:13:43 - Medication Management and Disposal 00:15:21 - Healthcare Security and Workplace Violence 00:19:24 - Federal Rural Health Update 00:21:55 - Networking Opportunities 00:24:31 - Data Integrity and Selective Reporting 00:25:23 - Value of Conferences 00:26:12 - Networking and Implementation 00:28:08 - Self-Care Tip: Rain Plans 00:29:29 - Practicing Flexibility  Links: https://peoplecentric.com/ https://www.siumed.edu/center-rural-health-and-social-service-development/certified-recovery-support-specialist-training https://safenetrx.org/ Conference Schedule 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/hhwWEgFFjd8

    33 min

  2. FEB 24

    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 access, coordinated entry, and person-centered care. But on the ground in rural and underserved communities, the reality is far more complicated. From fragmented systems and workforce shortages to 30-page “resource guides” that don’t translate into real access, we explore whether a true no wrong door approach is achievable—and what would actually have to change to make it real. In this episode, you will be able to: Discover what the “No Wrong Door” concept is designed to accomplish in behavioral health systems.Understand why rural communities struggle to implement coordinated, person-centered access points.Learn how long-term services and supports (LTSS) have advanced nationally—while mental health and substance use systems lag behind.Explore what a true “no refusal” crisis response model looks like and whether it could work in rural settings. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:09 - Introduction & Final Installment of the On the Ground Series 00:02:10 - 3,500 Miles Across Iowa: What We’re Seeing on the Ground 00:05:42 - What “No Wrong Door” Is Supposed to Mean 00:09:18 - The Gap Between Policy Language and Rural Reality 00:13:07 - Care Collaboration & the Myth of System Alignment 00:16:55 - LTSS Investment vs. Mental Health & SUD Gaps 00:20:44 - Why Resource Guides Aren’t the Same as Access 00:23:30 - Crisis Response Models & the “No Refusal” Standard 00:27:12 - Is System Change Possible Without Pain? 00:30:05 - What It Would Take to Make No Wrong Door Real in Rural America Links: https://www.advancingstates.org/sites/default/files/FINAL%20-%20NWD%20Systems%20-%20Guide%20for%20Community%20Organizations%2011-04-2022.pdfhttps://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/books/NBK571016/https://connectionshs.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/aqzUgENCyA0

    33 min

  3. FEB 17

    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: why it often feels exhausting, where resistance really comes from, and how leaders can move change forward without losing momentum or people along the way. From change fatigue and tribal knowledge to data challenges and decision overload, this conversation explores what actually gets in the way of sustainable transformation—and how to keep going even when the process feels hard. In this episode, you will be able to: Why meaningful system change is almost always painful—and why that doesn’t mean it’s failingHow change fatigue impacts teams, productivity, and moraleThe hidden role of tribal knowledge in slowing or blocking transformationWhat the data says about why so many transformation efforts failPractical insights on sustaining focus, reducing overwhelm, and moving change forward intentionally The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 – Welcome & episode introduction 00:02:05 – Why all meaningful change comes with discomfort 00:04:10 – Change fatigue and its impact on teams 00:06:45 – Data management challenges and system complexity 00:09:20 – Tribal knowledge and resistance to documentation 00:12:05 – Productivity loss during system transitions 00:14:30 – The statistic: why 70% of transformation efforts fail 00:16:10 – Losing focus and momentum during long-term change 00:18:40 – Sustainability, overwhelm, and decision fatigue 00:21:15 – When leaders don’t know what to do next 00:23:30 – Closing reflections: continuing change even when it’s hard 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/sMOzL9gq4UY

    34 min

  4. FEB 10

    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 trust, shared vision, clear roles, and accountability across organizations and disciplines. Using real-world examples from healthcare and behavioral health systems, this conversation explores why collaboration efforts fail, what the data tells us about team-based care, and what it will actually take to break down silos so patients don’t fall through the cracks. In this episode, you will be able to: What care collaboration truly is (and why it’s more than internal teamwork).The most common reasons collaboration fails across healthcare systems.How leadership, culture, and incentives impact collaboration success.What the data shows about team-based and collaborative care models.Practical steps organizations can take to improve care coordination and information sharing. The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 – Introduction & On the Ground Impact Series overview 00:02:00 – Setting the stage for collaboration 00:04:10 – Defining true collaboration vs. simple cooperation 00:07:45 – Why collaboration is rarely done well in healthcare 00:11:30 – Leadership, silos, and cultural barriers that derail collaboration 00:15:40 – What the data says about collaborative care models 00:19:10 – Team-based care explained: roles, structure, and shared plans 00:23:50 – Benefits of collaboration for patients, providers, and systems 00:27:30 – Practical fixes: communication, coordination, and data sharing 00:31:10 – Final thoughts: crossing the street and starting the conversation Links: https://www.forbes.com/sites/cherylsnappconner/2014/02/17/why-most-collaborations-still-fail-and-5-ideas-for-turning-the-equation-around/https://aims.uw.edu/evidence-base-for-cocm/ 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/E3PGCSKzRu0

    34 min

  5. FEB 3

    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 decisions made far from lived experience, to lack of champions and collaboration, to culture and communication breakdowns, this conversation explores why well-intended initiatives fail and what rural and behavioral health leaders must address to create lasting, people-centered change. Grounded in data and real-world stories from the field, this episode challenges listeners to rethink how change is led, communicated, and sustained. In this episode, you will be able to: Why legislation and policy decisions often drive costs without understanding system realitiesHow the absence of champions and collaboration creates silos and stalled progressWhat data shows about why nearly 70% of change initiatives failHow people, culture, and leadership—not technology—are often the biggest barriersReal-world examples of system failures and missed opportunities for alignment The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:10 – Welcome & Opening (On the Ground Impact Series intro) 00:02:05 – The “Big Three” Challenges in Behavioral Health 00:04:12 – Naming the Unspoken Barriers to System Change 00:06:40 – Policy & Legislation: Decisions Without Lived Experience 00:09:05 – The Cost of No Champion and Lack of Collaboration 00:12:18 – Why 70% of Change Initiatives Fail: What the Data Tells Us 00:15:30 – People, Culture, and Change Fatigue 00:18:42 – Leadership, Communication, and Follow-Through Gaps 00:21:55 – Stories from the Field: When Systems Get It Wrong 00:25:10 – Why Alignment and Local Awareness Matter 00:27:40 – Closing Reflections: What It Really Takes to Create Lasting Change 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/wm5G88x9PNI

    40 min

  6. JAN 27

    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 response, and one-time funding—while grounding the conversation in key 2025 data that reinforces why this work matters. We also preview the next four episodes, where we’ll dive deeper into system barriers, care collaboration, sustainable change, and whether a true “no wrong door” approach is possible. In this episode, you will be able to: The shared behavioral health system challenges are emerging across rural Midwest statesWhat 2025 mental health data reveals about students, young adults, and low-income communitiesWhy untreated behavioral health carries a major human and economic costWhat to expect in the upcoming On the Ground series The key moments in this episode are: 00:00 – Conference season reflections 00:03 – Lessons learned from system-building across the Midwest 00:06 – Common challenges: workforce, funding, and mobile crisis gaps 00:10 – 2025 behavioral health data and societal stress trends 00:18 – The economic cost of untreated behavioral health 00:22 – Preview of the next four episodes and closing thoughts Links: University of MichiganAHA News and Gallup state reportsThe American Psychological Association's 2025 reporthttps://news.gallup.com/poll/693362/drinking-rate-new-low-alcohol-concerns-surge.aspx https://www.forbes.com/sites/sorensonimpact/2025/12/11/the-high-cost-of-low-funding-for-behavioral-healthcare/  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/6-g8K4Kfwhw

    26 min

  7. JAN 20

    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 rural mental health access, workforce shortages, and the disproportionate impact on youth and marginalized communities. Through lived experience, data, and practical examples, this conversation challenges the “waitlist-only” model of care and highlights why rural communities need more flexible, integrative, and community-driven approaches to mental health support. In this episode, you will be able to: How coaching and integrative models can complement traditional mental health services in rural communitiesWhy nearly 90% of counties in Iowa are designated Mental Health Professional Shortage Areas and what that means for access to careHow workforce shortages disproportionately impact youth and minority populationsWhy innovation, prevention, and appropriately matched interventions are critical in rural mental health systemsHow communities can move beyond “just wait to see a therapist” toward more responsive support models The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:00 – Introduction, hosts, and the classic “whiny farmer” rural Midwest intro 00:02:10 – Jessica’s background and 20+ years in healthcare and community health 00:05:40 – From clinical care to coaching: expanding how we think about mental health support 00:08:30 – The data: Iowa’s mental health workforce shortages and rural disparities 00:12:15 – Impact on youth, families, and underserved populations 00:15:10 – Funding challenges and structural barriers in rural mental health systems 00:18:20 – Innovative, integrative approaches that actually meet people where they are 00:22:10 – Moving beyond waitlists: reimagining access and intervention in rural communities 00:25:00 – Closing reflections and what needs to change next Links: https://data.hrsa.gov/topics/health-workforce/shortage-areas/hpsa-findhttps://hhs.iowa.gov/media/14237/download?inlinehttps://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/charts/7 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/C3dRhZY11Wo

    29 min

  8. JAN 13

    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 limits of academia and evidence-based models to the nationwide implications of data gaps across parole boards and community reintegration, this conversation explores what truly matters when building policies that work. Together, they unpack how behavioral health shows up everywhere, why narrow niche solutions often miss the mark, and what it will take to design policy and practice that supports communities nationwide. In this episode, you will be able to: Why traditional academic research often misses the lived realities driving human behaviorHow economics and societal cost shape conversations around evidence-based careWhy “data-driven” sounds good—but is incredibly hard to establish in behavioral healthHow behavioral health intersects with systems across the country, including 400+ parole boardsThe challenges of managing release, reentry, and community impact What new policy and practice could look like as behavioral health evolves nationwide The key moments in this episode are: 00:00:07 – Introduction & Live From Houston Setup 00:02:14 – Academia, Economics & The Cost of Understanding Human Behavior 00:07:42 – Evidence-Based Models & What Actually Matters 00:11:25 – The Data Problem: Behavioral Health Touches Every System 00:14:38 – Parole Boards, Reentry, and Real-World Impact 00:18:03 – Narrow Niches vs. Holistic Community Needs 00:21:16 – Where Do We Go From Here? Policy & Practice Innovations 00:25:10 – Closing Thoughts & What’s Next 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/4sNh0gB5Nbc

    40 min
See All (135)

5
out of 5
7 Ratings

About

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. 

Information