In this episode, hosts Renee Schulte and Jason Haglund sit down with Daryn Nelsen-Soza from NAMI National to explore how the NAMI Provider Program bridges understanding between mental health professionals and the people they serve. Together, they discuss how empathy, education, and lived experience can transform behavioral health care. Daryn shares insights into provider training, NAMI’s mission to close gaps in communication, and how these initiatives are reshaping the culture of care across the country.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How the NAMI Provider Program strengthens relationships between clinicians and communities.
• Why incorporating lived experience in professional training leads to better outcomes.
• What NAMI is doing nationally to address workforce burnout and compassion fatigue.
• Ways providers can integrate empathy and self-reflection into their daily practice.
  
  
  

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:06 – Introduction & Episode Overview
00:00:59 – The Whiny Farmer Intro: November on the Farm
00:02:15 – Meet Guest Daryn Nelsen-Soza from NAMI National
00:03:40 – How the NAMI Provider Program Started
00:06:25 – Bridging Gaps Between Providers and Lived Experience
00:09:10 – Common Barriers in Provider Training
00:12:00 – Why Empathy and Education Go Hand in Hand
00:14:35 – The Role of NAMI in Behavioral Health Workforce Development
00:17:50 – Stories of Connection & Impact
00:21:20 – Addressing Burnout and Compassion Fatigue
00:24:10 – How Providers Can Get Involved
00:26:45 – Closing Thoughts & Key Takeaways

Links:

• https://www.nami.org/support-education/mental-health-education/nami-provider/
• https://www.nami.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/NAMI_2020MH_ByTheNumbers_Adults-r.pdf
• https://www.statnews.com/2022/04/01/mental-illness-primary-care-research/
• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36420940/

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/gb8Z5NqMzn0 

In this on-the-road episode, Renee and Jason broadcast live from the Wisconsin Mental Health and Substance Use Recovery Conference, reflecting on how community-driven solutions, workforce realities, and systemic challenges continue to shape behavioral health in rural America. From their trademark “whiny farmer” intro to honest conversations about burnout, access, and innovation, this episode captures the authentic pulse of recovery work in the Midwest — where collaboration meets resilience.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How rural recovery conferences build bridges between systems and communities.
• Why workforce shortages and funding gaps continue to challenge behavioral health access.
• What lessons from the farm field reveal about balance and burnout in helping professions.
• How collaboration across counties and care levels is driving innovation in Wisconsin and beyond.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:09 – Introduction & “Whiny Farmer” Returns

00:02:15 – Live from Wisconsin: Setting the Scene

00:05:40 – Rural Workforce and System Gaps

00:10:05 – Community Collaboration and Conference Insights

00:14:30 – Lessons from the Field: Burnout, Balance, and Boundaries

00:18:45 – Looking Ahead: Recovery, Policy, and Hope

Links:

• https://bja.ojp.gov/program/jmhcp/overview
• https://www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/Mental-Health-and-Substance-Use-Recovery-Conference.aspx 

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/s1hJQ1OcNmw 

In this episode of Stepping In It, Renee and Jason return to their annual collaboration with Lead DSM to explore one powerful truth: the solutions are in the systems. From the fields to the frontlines of healthcare, they examine how integrated systems can solve some of our most persistent challenges in behavioral health. The conversation opens with a collective check-in—how are we really doing?—before diving into data on isolation, loneliness, and changing social habits. With insights as striking as the fact that loneliness can impact health as severely as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, this episode is a candid, creative, and collaborative look at why behavioral healthcare is healthcare—and how systems-level solutions can lead the way forward.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how systems thinking creates sustainable solutions in behavioral healthcare.
• Learn about the impact of isolation and lifestyle behaviors on community health.
• Understand the value of collaboration and creativity in addressing systemic challenges.
• Explore how data and real-world examples guide change at every level of care.

The key moments in this episode are:
 00:00:03 - Introduction & Episode Overview
 00:00:57 - Whiny Farmer Intro: Harvest Updates
 00:02:30 - Lead Des Moines Partnership: Systems in Action
 00:05:45 - Why Systems Provide Sustainable Solutions
 00:08:10 - Isolation and Loneliness Data
 00:10:35 - Drinking, Smoking, and Behavioral Trends
 00:13:00 - Collaborative and Creative Problem Solving
 00:15:50 - Closing Reflections on Systemic Change

Links:

• https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25910392/ 
• https://ph.ucla.edu/news/press-release/2021/oct/ucla-led-research-finds-americans-drank-more-smoked-more-and-exercised 

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/3GvCLT6-ij8 

In this special “Scary” episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the top 10 most frightening challenges confronting behavioral health in 2025. From looming Medicaid cuts and crushing rural healthcare debt to the persistent stigma, workforce shortages, and the rise of AI in care, we uncover the realities keeping providers, patients, and policymakers up at night. Alongside hard-hitting issues like transportation barriers, lack of evidence-based practices, and growing isolation in rural communities, we also tackle the unexpected—Bigfoot. Yes, you heard that right. If researchers can track Sasquatch sightings across the country, why is it still so hard to connect people with a therapist? Join us for a mix of data, dark humor, and serious conversation on the scariest realities shaping behavioral health today.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Explore the top scariest issues facing behavioral health in 2025.
• Hear how funding challenges, stigma, and technology are shaping care.
• Learn about rural healthcare struggles from the frontlines.
• Discover how policy, workforce, and community voices intersect in reform.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:06 - Introduction to Episode 113: Scariest Issues in Behavioral Health 2025

00:01:08 - Family Costumes, Soup Holiday, and Traditions

00:01:24 - Balancing Harvest with Halloween Parties

00:02:00 - Coyotes, Full Moons, and Spooky Farm Nights

00:02:53 - Transition into the Top 10 Scariest Issues

00:03:44 - #10: Federal Funding Cuts & Medicaid Uncertainty

00:04:38 - #9: Stigma Blocking Access to Care & Housing

00:05:47 - #8: Cannabis & THC Policy Challenges (Texas Example)

00:06:53 - THC Risks: Link to Psychosis and Psychiatric Disorders

00:07:15 - #7: Technology & AI in Behavioral Health

00:07:50 - #6: Transportation Barriers to Accessing Services

00:08:15 - #5: Data Gaps and Research Limitations

00:08:40 - #4: Evidence-Based Practices and Implementation Challenges

00:09:10 - #3: Workforce Shortages Across Rural Behavioral Health

00:09:45 - #2: Isolation and Its Mental Health Impact

00:10:15 - #1: Bigfoot (Sasquatch) – A Lighthearted Wrap-Up

00:23:05 - Closing Reflections & Bigfoot Crowned as Scariest of All

00:23:15 - Self-Care Policy of the Week: Removing Hidden Triggers from Environments

00:24:35 - Holiday Season Guidance: Making Sobriety an Easier Choice

00:24:49 - Episode Wrap-Up & Preview of What’s Next

Links:

• https://www.bfro.net/gdb/ 

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4bdFqc50DMM 

In this episode of Stepping In It, we dive into the often-overlooked reality of vicarious trauma—the emotional residue left behind when professionals are repeatedly exposed to the pain, fear, and trauma of others. Sometimes called “secondary traumatization,” this phenomenon is distinct from burnout and is now recognized in the DSM-5 as a trauma- and stressor-related disorder. We explore the data behind its prevalence, unpack how it shows up in the lives of helping professionals, and share strategies for building resilience through awareness, balance, and connection. Whether you’re a clinician, advocate, or community leader, this conversation offers tools to navigate the weight of the stories you carry and sustain your own well-being.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Understand what vicarious trauma is and how it differs from burnout.
• Explore the impact of secondary exposure to trauma on professionals in corrections, healthcare, and counseling.
• Learn how constant exposure to traumatic stories can lead to emotional exhaustion and compassion fatigue.
• Discover strategies for awareness, balance, and connection to protect helpers from secondary stress.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:02 - Introduction to Episode 112: Vicarious Trauma

00:04:29 - Shifting from Trauma in Individuals to Secondary Trauma in Professionals

00:05:18 - The Role of Media and Global Events in Amplifying Vicarious Trauma

00:06:05 - Experiences from the Parole Board and Layers of Trauma in Stories

00:07:44 - Defining Vicarious Trauma: Emotional Residue and Compassion Fatigue

00:09:08 - Controlled Empathy: The Exhaustion of Managing Reactions

00:10:00 - Mobile Crisis Experiences and Coping with Intense Situations

00:11:26 - Leadership Layers: Supporting Teams Exposed to Trauma

00:13:00 - Impact on Relationships: When Both Partners Work in Trauma Fields

00:13:53 - Confidentiality and the Challenge of Processing Trauma Stories at Home

00:22:31 - Mindset and Reframing: Choosing Positivity Amid Stress

00:24:24 - Gratitude Practice and Daily Habits for Balance

00:25:44 - Recovering Politician Self-Care Policy of the Week: Bubble Breaks

00:27:30 - Normalizing Breaks and Playfulness in the Workplace

Links:

• https://www.cdcr.ca.gov/bph/wp-content/uploads/sites/161/2021/10/Trauma-Fact-Sheets-October-2021.pdf

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0-nj0f41l8Q

In this episode of Stepping In It, we go live from the Missouri Rural Mental Health Conference to explore how technology is reshaping rural healthcare. From drones buzzing the farm fields to AI transforming patient care, we unpack innovations that spark both hope and hesitation. We also take a closer look at Missouri’s latest Rural Health Needs Assessment, spotlighting alarming increases in drug overdoses and suicide, alongside the critical shortage of primary care providers and broadband access. Plus, hear the inside scoop on the launch of Causeway, a new initiative tackling system-wide change. It’s a mix of data, policy, and a little good-natured farmer grumbling you won’t want to miss.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how system changes in healthcare impact everyone in rural communities.
• Learn about Missouri’s Rural Health Needs Assessment and what the data reveals.
• Explore the introduction of the Causeway and its role in connecting healthcare leaders.
• Understand how drones, technology, and AI are reshaping rural health and farming.
• Hear about ongoing challenges with IT, broadband, and provider shortages in Missouri.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:04 - Introduction, Live from Missouri Rural Mental Health Conference
00:02:05 - How System Changes Impact Everyone
00:02:42 - Introducing the Causeway: A New Connectivity Tool
00:03:15 - Exploring AI in Healthcare and Rural Systems
00:09:25 - Missouri Rural Health Needs Assessment Findings
00:12:48 - Data: 127% Increase in Overdose Deaths
00:14:10 - Suicide Deaths Rising & Rural Mortality Trends
00:15:22 - Primary Care Shortages vs Metro Areas
00:16:05 - Broadband Access Gaps for Telehealth
00:21:00 - Complaining about IT & Tech Limitations
00:23:10 - Closing Thoughts & Reflections from Missouri

Links:

• https://mrhassociation.org/healthneeds/
• https://mrhassociation.org/annualconference2025/
• https://mrhassociation.org/healthneeds/

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/PeBKWsMLX08 

In this special live episode from the Texas Organization of Rural and Community Hospitals (TORCH) Conference, we dive into breaking policy news and its impact on rural healthcare. Governor Abbott’s recent signing of HB 18 brings $5 billion toward mental health service infrastructure, but looming federal Medicaid cuts could cost Texas $39 billion over the next decade—threatening access for rural communities. We unpack the numbers, the politics, and the implications for hospitals and patients alike, while also bringing you the lighter side of Austin with stories of bat bridges, honky-tonks, driverless Ubers, and even a donut-and-beer run.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Hear highlights from the TORCH Conference and Governor Abbott’s signing of major healthcare legislation.
• Understand how HB 18 and new funding streams aim to expand Texas’ mental health infrastructure.
• Learn about the projected $39B Medicaid cuts and their implications for rural hospitals.
• Explore the challenges and opportunities facing rural healthcare leaders in Texas.
• Enjoy lighter moments from Austin, including bats, honky-tonks, driverless Ubers, and a donut-and-beer run.
  
  
  

The key moments in this episode are:
 00:00:07 - Introduction & Live from TORCH Conference
 00:01:10 - Governor Abbott’s Visit & Legislative Signing
 00:02:20 - HB 18 and $5B for Mental Health Infrastructure
 00:07:49 - Medicaid Cuts: $39B Losses Over 10 Years
 00:10:15 - Impact on Rural Hospitals & Communities
 00:12:45 - Conference Stories and Networking Highlights
 00:14:07 - Austin Adventures: Bats, Honky-Tonks & Driverless Ubers
 00:16:30 - Donut & Beer Run Tradition
 00:18:00 - Closing Reflections & Takeaways

Links:

• https://legiscan.com/TX/bill/HB18/2025
• https://www.texaspolicyresearch.com/bills/89th-legislature-hb-18/
• https://www.dallasobserver.com/news/texans-who-might-lose-medicaid-after-trump-cuts-are-very-worried-22679500
• https://www.houstonchronicle.com/health/article/texas-medicaid-cuts-big-beautiful-bill-20774741.php
• https://www.kff.org/medicaid/allocating-cbos-estimates-of-federal-medicaid-spending-reductions-across-the-states-enacted-reconciliation-package/ 
• https://kffhealthnews.org/news/article/state-budget-fallout-trump-health-funding-cuts-obbba/ 

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/jC_dRDo6F4k

In this episode of Stepping In It, we sit down with Jerry Fu, a career and leadership coach who helps leaders become more visible, vocal, and valuable. With a background in pharmacy leadership and certifications in Emotional Intelligence, Talent Optimization, and Life Design, Jerry brings unique insight into how coaching can bridge the gap between providers and patients to improve compliance. We explore the real challenges behind medication adherence—where long-term compliance often falls below 50%—and discuss how collaboration, coaching, and true engagement can transform both healthcare outcomes and leadership effectiveness.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how leadership coaching can improve engagement between healthcare providers and patients.
• Learn why collaboration is a key factor in increasing patient compliance.
• Explore the barriers that keep patients from following treatment plans and what really motivates adherence.
• Understand how pharmacy leadership experience connects to coaching and healthcare outcomes.
• Uncover data-driven insights into medication adherence and what it means for the future of healthcare.

The key moments in this episode are:

00:00:00 - Introduction to Episode 110 with Guest Jerry Fu

00:01:04 - Jerry’s Background in Pharmacy and Leadership Coaching

00:01:20 - Jason’s Whiny Farmer Intro: Southern Rust and Harvest Challenges

00:02:15 - Jerry’s Path from Pharmacist to Leadership Coach

00:05:10 - Using Coaching to Improve Engagement with Providers and Patients

00:07:45 - Collaboration as a Strategy to Increase Patient Compliance

00:10:22 - Medication Adherence Data and Compliance Challenges

00:13:40 - Why Patients Struggle with Following Long-Term Therapies

00:16:05 - Motivations that Drive True Patient Compliance

00:19:15 - How Coaching Fits into Healthcare and Leadership Development

00:22:00 - Practical Lessons from Jerry’s Work with Leaders and Teams

00:25:30 - Wrapping Up and Where to Learn More from Jerry Fu

Links:

• https://www.adaptingleaders.com
• https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2503662/

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/SEinKABdaDY

In this episode of Stepping In It, we sit down with Kaila Anderson, licensed social worker, professor, and creator of The LandLogic Model℠, a groundbreaking framework designed to meet farmers where they are in their mental health journey. Drawing from her family’s experience during the 1980s Farm Crisis and a decade of service in rural Kansas, Kaila shares how LandLogic uniquely leverages the agrarian imperative—faith, family, legacy, sensory experience, and connection to the land—to break down barriers between farmers and behavioral health professionals. We explore practical tools like Barbed Wire Thinking and the FARM Tool, new research on provider training, and how small but powerful shifts can transform the way rural communities approach mental health.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Learn how Kayla Anderson’s Land Logic model supports farmer behavioral health.
• Hear how lived experience from the Farm Crisis shaped her research and passion.
• Explore the unique barriers farmers face in accessing mental health services.
• Discover how rural clinicians and communities can use practical interventions.
• Reflect on the cultural importance of farming traditions and identity in behavioral health.

The key moments in this episode are:
 00:00:00 - Introduction to Episode 108 with Kayla Anderson and Land Logic
 00:00:25 - Kayla Anderson’s background and passion for farmer mental health
 00:00:42 - Whiny farmer intro: Jason’s farm auctions and collecting tools
 00:02:00 - Challenges and stressors farmers face across generations
 00:04:15 - Kayla shares her family’s 5th generation farm experience and the 1980s Farm Crisis
 00:06:20 - Barriers to accessing behavioral health services in rural communities
 00:09:05 - How Land Logic was developed to support farmer mental health
 00:12:30 - Examples of interventions tailored to farmers’ needs
 00:15:40 - Importance of cultural understanding in rural clinical practice
 00:18:25 - Farmers’ reluctance to seek mental health help and stigma issues
 00:21:10 - Kayla’s vision for improving behavioral health outcomes in farming communities
 00:24:00 - Adjunct professor role and bridging academia with lived rural experience
 00:26:30 - Closing thoughts and continuing the conversation on rural behavioral health

Links:

• https://www.ruralhealthinfo.org/topics/rural-health-disparities
• https://www.thelandlogicmodel.com/
• https://farmstress.us/land-logic-behavioral-health-training/

Connect with us: 

https://ruralpolicypartners.com/ 

https://www.linkedin.com/linkedin.com/company/rural-policy-partners/ 

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https://www.youtube.com/@ruralpolicypartners

Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/CT1DNTkjfMo

In this episode of Stepping In It, we talk with Kimberly Johnson, CEO of Arch Collaborative and founder of the Children’s Legacy Center. Kimberly shares her journey as a mother of five navigating a broken behavioral health system and her work leading reform. We explore rural challenges—from crisis care gaps to lack of infrastructure—and the power of trauma-informed, community-driven solutions to transform care in California’s North State and beyond.

In this episode, you will be able to:

• Discover how lived experience shapes leadership in behavioral health reform.
• Learn about federal initiatives and workforce development challenges.
• Understand the role of advocacy in advancing rural and underserved communities.
• Gain insights from Kimberly Johnson’s impact at both state and national levels.

The key moments in this episode are:
00:00:09 - Introduction & Guest Kimberly Johnson
00:02:15 - Kimberly’s Background & Lived Experience
00:06:05 - Federal Perspective on Behavioral Health
00:08:27 - Workforce Challenges
00:12:16 - Building Systems of Care for Rural Communities
00:15:40 - Lessons from the Farm Crisis
00:19:05 - Advocacy in Policy Change
00:22:11 - Future Directions for Behavioral Health
00:25:22 - Closing Thoughts

Links:

• https://www.najeralawgroup.com/blog/california-domestic-violence-rate/
• https://openjustice.doj.ca.gov/exploration/crime-statistics/domestic-violence-related-calls-assistance
• https://www.cdph.ca.gov/Programs/CID/DCDC/Pages/COVID-19/Crisis-Care-Continuum.aspx
• https://healthpolicy.ucla.edu/our-work/publications/building-californias-comprehensive-988-crisis-system-strategic-blueprint-draft?language=en
• https://www.archcollaborative.org/
• https://www.dhcs.ca.gov/BHT/Pages/FAQ-Prop1.aspx

Connect with Kimberly:

https://www.instagram.com/ospshasta/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/childrenslegacycenter/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/kimberlylanelle/?hl=en

https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-l-johnson-7803a374/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/archcollaborative/

https://www.facebook.com/OneSafePlaceShasta/

https://www.facebook.com/childrenslegacycenter/

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/nWSxR1f3f8I