The Stepping In It Podcast with Renee Schulte & Jason Haglund

In this episode, Renee Schulte reports from the Arizona Rural Health Conference in Flagstaff, sharing key insights from conversations happening across rural healthcare systems. Renee and Jason explore the challenges facing Medicaid programs, the impact of new federal work requirements, and the financial pressures rural providers are navigating. They also highlight innovative initiatives focused on...

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 transformation, we explore how intentional design can either isolate or invite connection. Join us as we talk with Zach from MKM in Indianapolis and Todd from JLG...

What does a Legislative Agricultural Summit have to do with rural mental health? In this episode, we share insights from the State Agriculture and Rural Leadership (SARL) summit, where the intersection of agricultural policy and rural well-being took center stage. Kicking off with a whiny farmer intro (featuring a custom crustbuster bin tool), we explore the summit’s key events—from the World Food...

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 Matanuska Glacier to villages with no roads along the Bering Strait, rural takes on a whole new meaning here. We unpack what true community orientation loo...

In this episode, Renee and Jason record live reflections inspired by the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s NATCON 2026 Conference, diving into the growing importance of mental health awareness trainings in workplaces and communities. From Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) to Question, Persuade, Refer (QPR), ASIST, Rural Watch, and other evidence-informed approaches, they explore how these train...

In this episode, Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund record live from New Orleans at the Associations of Paroling Authorities International conference, diving into conversations around evidence-based parole decision-making, implementation science, and organizational change. They explore why resistance to change is so common in healthcare, behavioral health, and justice systems, and how leaders can bet...

In this episode, we explore a simple but often misunderstood question: What is a community? Broadcasting from rural Colorado—with a few connectivity challenges along the way—we unpack how community goes far beyond geography. It’s something built through action, relationships, and shared experiences. From the realities of isolation in frontier regions to the everyday moments that foster connection...

In this live episode from the Colorado Rural Health Conference, we unpack real-time insights on the evolution of the 988 mental health line, the structural and cultural challenges shaping access in rural communities, and what it actually takes to build systems people will use. From cross-state coordination issues and shifting liability in crisis response to surprising data trends and lessons in co...

In this episode, we break down how to actually get value out of conferences—beyond just showing up. From setting intentional goals to making meaningful connections and following up effectively, we share practical strategies to help you maximize your time, energy, and investment. We also explore the scale and impact of conferences across the country and highlight some of the unexpected benefits—fro...

In this episode, we explore the critical intersection of 911 and 988 and what it means for the future of crisis response systems across the country. With millions of calls flowing through both systems each year, the conversation goes beyond awareness and into action—highlighting the need for alignment, shared language, and system redesign. We unpack the realities of current response structures, th...

In this episode, we dive into the realities of rural life and mental health with guests Lauren Van Ewyk and Bridgette Readel. From the unique pressures facing farmers to the concept of “coerced resilience,” this conversation explores what it really takes for rural communities to thrive. With perspectives grounded in agriculture, counseling, and lived experience, Lauren and Bridgette share insights...

In this episode, we break down a question many rural leaders and providers are asking: where do you actually find funding for technical support, innovation, and system change? From foundations and state agencies to local service clubs and unexpected funding streams, we explore how thinking broadly—and strategically—can unlock dollars that fuel long-term impact. We also discuss why starting small m...

In this episode, we sit down with Paula Yost—attorney, licensed mental health clinician, and advocate—to explore what it truly means to advocate for children and families navigating complex systems. Paula shares how her lived experiences, from parenting to surviving medical trauma, have shaped her approach to advocacy, storytelling, and support. Together, we unpack the realities behind IEPs and 50...

In this episode of Stepping In It, we explore the difference between peer ambassadors and peer support—and why both are critical in rural communities. From informal community connectors like volunteers and “the guy in the golf cart” at a Critical Access Hospital to trained peer support specialists, we break down how trust, relationships, and lived experience help bridge gaps in access to care. We...

In this episode of the Peer Support Series, the hosts explore what peer support looks like in rural communities and why it is becoming an increasingly important strategy to address social isolation and behavioral health challenges. Drawing from recent research and on-the-ground experiences in places like southern Illinois and northwest Colorado, they discuss how rural culture, geography, and commu...

In this episode, the hosts kick off a new series exploring the role of peer support in behavioral health and rural communities. They unpack what “peer support” really means, the many different models that exist across North America, and how peers show up in settings ranging from mental health and substance use recovery to agriculture, first responders, and community organizations. Drawing on exper...

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-between. We explore clinically-backed benefits of self-care and why it matters more than ever during busy seasons. Plus, we share the biggest barriers to sel...

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 hospitals. From chaotic emergency room scenes to underreported assaults on staff, we uncover what workplace violence really looks like and why it’s often s...

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 cl...

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 fragmente...

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....

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 syst...

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-in...

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,...

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...