The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health and Substance Use

National Council for Mental Wellbeing
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The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use is a weekly series from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that explores the people, policies and systems influencing mental health and substance use care across the United States. Hosted by Mohini Venkatesh, chief of staff at the National Council, the podcast brings together leaders, practitioners and advocates working every day to strengthen mental wellbeing in their communities and advance the field. Stream our latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.

Episodes

  1. 12/10/2025

    The Leadership Link: Helping Middle Managers Thrive

    For more than 20 years, our Middle Management Academy (MMA) has equipped behavioral health leaders with the tools,confidence and community they need to thrive. In our Dec. 10 episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, we sat down with program lead Jeanne Supin, MA, to explore MMA’s origins, evolution and lasting impact. Tune in to learn how MMA continues to empower the leaders at the heart of our health care system.

    32 min

  2. 11/18/2025

    Pioneering Pathways: Growing the Behavioral Health Workforce

    In this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, we explore the behavioral health workforce crisis through a deeply personal and visionary conversation between Chuck Ingoglia, CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, and Dr. Joe Lee, CEO of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Joe shares his journey from an immigrant background to leading one of the country’s largest nonprofits in substance use and mental health care. A major focus is on workforce development, particularly how Hazelden Betty Ford is pioneering alternative educational pathways, including master’s programs that don’t require a bachelor’s degree.  Joe highlights the organization's "ambassadorship culture", their unique graduate school, and their strategic partnerships, including a new collaboration with the National Council to create training pipelines for future clinicians. The conversation ends with a powerful reflection on the definition of recovery—not just sobriety, but thriving through living one's values.

    14 min

  3. 11/12/2025

    From Complexity to Clarity: Integrating CETA into Behavioral Health Systems

    In this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, National Council for Mental Wellbeing President and CEO Chuck Ingoglia, MSW, sits down with Laura K. Murray, PhD, MA, sr. scientist at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and co-developer of CETA, to explore how this groundbreaking approach: • Breaks complex care into practical, measurable components. • Empowers clinicians and other caregivers to deliver effective treatment. • Reduces burnout and waitlists through smarter workflows. • Uses technology and AI to scale trainings and outcomes.

    33 min

  4. 11/05/2025

    The Power of Peer Support: Healing Through Shared Experiences

    This episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast is a heart-forward exploration of the impact of peer support specialists in community mental health, centered around VIP Community Services in the Bronx. Debbian Fletcher-Blake outlines the breadth of VIP’s integrated services—from methadone treatment and mobile medication units to shelter, behavioral health, and pediatrics—all under one roof. Their goal: meet people where they are, with compassion, access, and comprehensive care.  Anthony Kohl, a peer specialist and military veteran, shares his raw, personal story of addiction, recovery, incarceration, and finding purpose in service. He describes his typical day doing outreach, running groups for veterans, delivering supplies, and building trust with people who often feel forgotten. Anthony’s empathy and lived experience make him an anchor for clients and colleagues alike.  Debbian and Anthony underscore the unique value of peers: they bridge trust gaps, reduce stigma, and offer relatable support that clinical roles alone often can’t match. The conversation closes with reflections on mental wellbeing, self-care, and the deep human need for connection.

    40 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    Denied But Not Defeated: Turning Insurance Battles Into Advocacy

    Accessing quality mental health care shouldn’t take a legal fight — but for Joe Feldman, it did. When his child was denied coverage for needed treatment, he took on the insurance company and won. Now, he’s helping others do the same. In our latest episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, Joe shares his story and how to fight insurance denials, understand parity laws and access the care every family deserves.

    26 min

  6. 10/15/2025

    Accelerating Change: Empowering the Next Generation of Leaders

    In this October 15th episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, we discuss the critical workforce crisis America is facing. Communities nationwide are grappling with a shortage of licensed mental health and substance use professionals, creating barriers to care for those who need it most. Our National Mental Health Workforce Acceleration Collaborative, developed in partnership with and funded by Kaiser Permanente, is addressing this challenge head-on. Learn more in this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, featuring insights from Kaiser Permanente leadership, an Accelerator participant and the National Council’s Jessica Robins, MPH.

    31 min

  7. 10/10/2025

    Redefining Recovery: A Human-centered Approach to SUD Care

    On Wednesday, Sept. 10, we held “Redefining Recovery: A Human-centered Approach to SUD Care,” a special National Recovery Month edition of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast. In this episode, National Council Chief of Staff Mohini Venkatesh and Nzinga Harrison, MD, co-founder and chief medical officer of Eleanor Health, discuss elevating lived experience alongside clinical expertise, putting people at the heart of healing, and recognizing community, connection and agency as essential to recovery.

    37 min

  8. 10/09/2025

    Real Stories, Real Change: Turning Lived Experience Into Advocacy

    On Aug. 27, we hosted another episode of the The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, featuring Brett Beckerson, senior director of public policy and advocacy at the National Council, and Zoe Frantz, president and CEO of the Indiana Council of Community Mental Health Centers. Frantz shares how her family’s experience with opioid use disorder drives her grassroots policy work and highlights effective advocacy strategies — from Hill Days to site visits — that align efforts across government levels. She also explores the power of authentic storytelling and fostering a culture of mental wellbeing for both clients and staff.

    26 min

  9. 10/09/2025

    From Idea to Impact: The Journey of Mental Health First Aid

    On August 13, we hosted the 20th episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, featuring Tramaine EL-Amin, Vice President of Mental Health First Aid USA; Professor Tony Jorm, co-founder of Mental Health First Aid International; and Dr. Claire Kelly, Mental Health First Aid International’s Director of International Programs. Together, they discussed the program’s evolution, impact to date and the life-changing power of compassionate conversations. Want to learn more about Mental Health First Aid? Visit https://www.mentalhealthfirstaid.org.

    40 min

  10. 10/09/2025

    Beyond Access: CCBHCs and the Future of Rural Behavioral Health

    On July 24, we hosted this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast, “Beyond Access: CCBHCs and the Future of Rural Behavioral Health,” a follow-up to our July 9 episode, “The CCBHC Effect: Expanding Access, Elevating Outcomes.” Rebecca Farley David, senior advisor for policy and special initiatives at the National Council, was joined by Lauren Moyer, executive vice president of clinical innovation at Compass Health Network, and Kyle Kessler, executive director of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas. Together, they explored how Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) are transforming access to behavioral health care in rural communities. Want to learn more about CCBHCs? Visit our CCBHC Success Center: ⁠https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/program/ccbhc-success-center/

    27 min

  11. 10/09/2025

    The CCBHC Effect: Expanding Access, Elevating Outcomes

    On Wednesday, July 9, we held “The CCBHC Effect: Expanding Access, Elevating Outcomes,” the first episode in The State of Mental Wellbeing podcast. The National Council’s Rebecca Farley David (Senior Advisor, Policy and Special Initiatives) sat down with Shauna Reitmeier, MSW, LICSW (Executive Officer, Alluma) and Vera Sansone (President and CEO, CPC Integrated Health) to discuss how the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model is transforming access to mental health and substance use care. Want to learn more about CCBHCs? Visit our CCBHC Success Center: ⁠https://www.thenationalcouncil.org/program/ccbhc-success-center/⁠.

    32 min
  • 11 Episodes

About

The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use is a weekly series from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing that explores the people, policies and systems influencing mental health and substance use care across the United States. Hosted by Mohini Venkatesh, chief of staff at the National Council, the podcast brings together leaders, practitioners and advocates working every day to strengthen mental wellbeing in their communities and advance the field. Stream our latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.

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