Mohini Venkatesh and Shankar Vedantam explore how the hidden brain shapes the way we think, respond to uncertainty and decide what actions are within our control. Recorded live at NatCon26, this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing features Shankar Vedantam, founder of Hidden Brain Media, in conversation with host Mohini Venkatesh. Together, they explore the unconscious forces that influence our thoughts, choices and reactions; why uncertainty can feel overwhelming; and how focusing on what we can control can help turn knowledge, values and intention into meaningful action. Listeners will learn: How unconscious “hidden brain” processes shape attention, behavior and decision-making. Why focusing on what is within our control can help us navigate uncertainty and change. How small, values-driven actions can still matter when larger problems feel overwhelming. Shankar Vedantam is the founder of Hidden Brain Media and host of the acclaimed Hidden Brain podcast and radio show, which explores human behavior, psychology and the unseen forces that shape our lives. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

Former National Council President and CEO Linda Rosenberg joins Chuck Ingoglia, current President and CEO, to discuss the evolving landscape of behavioral health. Together, they share insights on leadership, innovation and advocacy for advancing mental health care.Host Mohini Venkatesh sits down with Linda Rosenberg and Chuck Ingoglia to explore behavioral health leadership, nonprofit strategy and innovation. Drawing on decades of experience at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, they discuss the impact of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs), the role of technology in expanding access to care and strategies for advancing mental health policy and funding. This episode offers practical insights for behavioral health professionals, advocates and policymakers working to build more fair, connected and effective systems of care. Listeners will learn: Behavioral health evolved from industry builders to market strategizers, emphasizing integration and consumer voice. CCBHCs drive scalable, innovative care with evidence-based practices and sustainable financing. AI and virtual reality enhance care delivery, transparency, and support for clinicians and patients. Linda Rosenberg is co-founder of Behavioral Health Strategy and former CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, where she led transformative growth and advanced major initiatives including Mental Health First Aid USA and Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, MohiniVenkatesh sits down with Natalie Cook from Missouri Behavioral Health Council to explore how Missouri became a national leader in Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs). Natalie shares how Missouri expanded statewide access to mental health and substance use treatment throughschool-based services, jail partnerships, data-driven advocacy and a prospective payment system. The conversation highlights how collaboration among providers, state leaders and advocates helped reduce stigma, strengthen care coordination and build a sustainable behavioral health model. 

In this episode, Mohini Venkatesh sits down with Steve Appleton of the Global Leadership Exchange (GLE) and Chuck Ingoglia of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing to explore how global collaboration can strengthen mental health care, substance use treatment and behavioral health systems. They discuss workforce shortages, task sharing, peer support, crisis response, leadership development and cross-sector innovation, offering practical insights for improving access to care, community-based services and systemwide outcomes. This conversation highlights how global knowledge exchange can advance mental health policy, behavioral health innovation and substance use care. From task sharing and peer-led crisis services to leadership development and workforce strategy, the episode explores scalable solutions for meeting rising demand. How global knowledge exchange can strengthen mental health systems, substance use services and behavioral health leadership Why task sharing, peer support specialists and nontraditional workforce models are critical to the future of mental health careWhat leaders can do to improve crisis response, expand access to care and embed lived experience into service design Steve Appleton serves as President and Chief Executive of Global Leadership Exchange (GLE). Prior to this, Steve was Managing Director of a consultancy and research practice specializing in work relating to mental health, housing, disability and older age. He has worked nationally and internationally on population-based mental health improvement programs in cities and urban regions. Alongside his role with GLE Steve also serves as Chair of the Board of the Association of Mental Health Providers in England and Wales, and Chair of the Board of Beacon CHC. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

On this episode, special guest host Philip Rutherford, VP of Growth and Substance Use Strategy at the National Council, speaks with John Kelly, PhD, a leading addiction recovery researcher at Harvard Medical School, about the future of youth substance use prevention, treatment and recovery. They explore recovery science, recovery support services, adolescent substance use disorder, early intervention, high-potency cannabis, polysubstance use and the urgent need for evidence-based, developmentally appropriate care for young people and families. Key Takeaways:Why youth recovery support services remain one of the biggest gaps in substance use care. How recovery science has evolved their definitions of recovery, mutual-help research and long-term support. The rising risks of social media exposure, high-potency cannabis and polysubstance for adolescents. John Kelly, PhD, is the Elizabeth R. Spallin Professor of Psychiatry in Addiction Medicine at Harvard Medical School and founder of the Recovery Research Institute and the National Center on Youth Prevention, Treatment, and Recovery at Massachusetts General Hospital.Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, we sat down with Andi Smith from Ballmer Group’s Washington team to explore how the capitalization of Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) is fundamentally changing the way community and behavioral health care is delivered in America.  During this episode, Mohini Venkatesh and Andi Smith discuss the increasing adoption of the CCBHC model. Through Medicaid funding and philanthropic partnerships, CCBHCs are becoming the norm, not the expectation, for how communities can receive care and services. Dive deeper into what makes the backbone of a CCBHC, philanthropy’s partnership with public dollars and how Ballmer Group’s advocation of the CCBHC model is creating scalable change in the way we think about and deliver behavioral health care services.  This episode explores how CCBHCs are increasing access to care and services through payment reform, community partnerships and implementation support.  How CCBHCs are expanding access to behavioral health care services for the community. How philanthropic partnerships with public sectors are scaling these behavioral health care services.How mental health is used as a force multiplier to create change in the community and individual lives. Andi Smith is the Executive Director of National Behavioral Health and Ballmer Group’s Washington team, where she leads strategy and investments to improve economic mobility for children and families across the state. She brings deep expertise in public systems and policy, with a focus on child welfare, behavioral health, early childhood, disability, housing, and services for youth experiencing homelessness. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

Dr. Nitin Gogtay joins Mohini Venkatesh to discuss the future of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) and how a more scientific, flexible and person-centered approach could reshape psychiatric diagnosis, behavioral health practice and mental health care. On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, Mohini sits down with Dr. Nitin Gogtay and discusses the latest updates to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual (DSM) and his impact as chief of research and deputy medical director at the American Psychiatric Association. Explore how measurement-informed care, scientific advancements and stakeholder engagement are shaping a more person-centric approach to diagnosis and treatment. Perfect for mental health professionals, advocates and anyone interested in the future of psychiatry. This episode examines how the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) may move beyond fixed categories toward a more holistic, measurement-informed model for psychiatric diagnosis, behavioral health assessment and better long-term treatment planning.  How the DSM is evolving into a living document shaped by scientific advances in mental health Why quality of life and transdiagnostic symptoms matter in psychiatric diagnosis How measurement-informed care and emerging biomarkers could improve behavioral health treatment Nitin Gogtay, MD, is a psychiatrist and neuroscientist who currently serves as Vice President of Research and Deputy Medical Director at the American Psychiatric Association (APA). Subscribe and listen for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. 

Join host Mohini Venkatesh and Jody Levison-Johnson, president and CEO of Social Current, for a conversation about what it will take to create a more sustainable social sector and the Five & Rising initiative. They explore leading through constraint, changing how the social sector is valued and funded, and building a bold vision for the future. In this episode, Mohini Venkatesh speaks with Jody Levison-Johnson about the urgent need to reshape public understanding of the social sector, Social Current’s mission and the Five & Rising initiative. They discuss constrained funding environments, harmful narratives about nonprofits, the importance of bold leadership, and how organizations can build new blueprints for sustainability, innovation, and long-term community impact. Key takeaways include:How the Five & Rising initiative aims to shift public narratives about the social sector.Why leaders should stay bold, trust their instincts and resist shrinking in constrained environments.What boards, funders and communities can do to support a more sustainable and effective sector. Jody Levison-Johnson is a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of experience in the field of human services. She currently serves as the President and CEO of Social Current, a diverse network of nearly 1,600 human service organizations. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care. For more information on the Five & Rising Initiative, visit ⁠https://www.fiveandrising.org/⁠ 

In this episode, host Mohini Venkatesh speaks with Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO, and Reyna Taylor, Vice President of Policy and Advocacy, at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, about the federal landscape of mental health and substance use policy. They explore current challenges and emerging opportunities shaping behavioral health care nationwide.This conversation focuses on federal mental health and substance use policy, a key issue shaping the future of behavioral health care nationwide. Mohini, Chuck and Reyna discuss major developments on Capitol Hill, including federal funding for mental health, workforce pressures, Medicaid implementation and legislative priorities such as the Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act. They offer accessible insight for behavioral health professionals, policy leaders and mental wellbeing advocates navigating a fast‑moving policy environment. Together, they explore how federal policy decisions affect communities, providers and people seeking care.Listeners will learn:What the current federal mental health policy environment means for mental health and substance use care.How the National Council for Mental Wellbeing’s top policy priorities are shaped by community and provider needs.What professionals, organizations and individuals can do right now to prepare for policy changes ahead.Chuck Ingoglia is President and CEO, and Reyna Taylor is Vice President of Policy and Advocacy at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. Their work advances mental health and substance use care policy to strengthen communities nationwide. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care and learn more about the podcast: https://bit.ly/4u7ERWm

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.