Episodes

In this episode, Todd Haedrich, CEO of LIO, discusses the hidden economic and operational costs of patient safety in behavioral health. Introducing the PLGL (Patient Liability and Grievous Loss) framework, he explores the real financial run-rate of sitter labor, sentinel events, and staff turnover—and how continuous monitoring technology can reduce reactive spend, de-risk operations, and allow staff to focus on therapeutic care. This episode is sponsored by LIO.

In this episode, Alex Vance, Chief Clinical Data Officer, Holmusk, discusses Holmusk’s health system partnership model, the role of its NeuroBlu database in transforming complex behavioral health data into research and insights, and how secure data collaboration can help connect care, evidence, and better decision-making. This episode is sponsored by Holmusk.

In this episode, John Walkup, MD, President of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Chair of the Pritzker Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health at Ann and Robert H. Lurie Children’s Hospital of Chicago, joins the podcast to discuss expanding access to child psychiatric care within the current workforce and the growing role of collaborative care. He also shares insights on the benefits and concerns surrounding shorter training pathways and how new approaches to car...

In this episode, Colin LeClair, CEO of Connections Health Solutions, joins the podcast to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in behavioral healthcare and the organization’s new AI initiatives. He also shares insights on administrative simplification and how technology can help reduce complexity and support more efficient healthcare operations.

In this episode, Holly DuBois, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Connections Health Solutions, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of upstream care and expanding access to behavioral health services. She also shares insights on using telehealth to address access challenges and what the future of psychiatry may look like as care delivery continues to evolve.

In this episode, Matthew Hurford, President and CEO of Community Care Behavioral Health at UPMC, discusses workforce development, the growth of UPMC’s Telemedicine Bridge Clinic to 23,000 encounters, and strategies to expand behavioral health access, treatment engagement and recovery.

In this episode, Javier Favela, VP Market & Segment Leader at NextGen, discusses how AI can reduce administrative burden, expand behavioral health capacity and support earlier, more personalized interventions while keeping clinicians and human connection at the center of care. This episode is sponsored by NextGen Behavioral Health.

In this episode, Laura Bauer, Vice President of Strategy at Iris Telehealth, discusses integrating behavioral health into women’s health across the lifespan, including proactive screening, menopause and maternal mental health, patient loyalty and care team support. This episode is sponsored by Iris Telehealth.

In this episode, Dr. Manish Sapra, System Vice President of Behavioral Health and Collaborative Service Lines for CommonSpirit Health, discusses strategies to expand access to behavioral healthcare, strengthen integrated care models, and address growing mental health needs through innovation and collaboration.

In this episode, Chris Santarsiero, Vice President of Government Affairs at Connections Health Solutions, discusses the policy, reimbursement, and community partnerships needed to expand access to behavioral health crisis care. He also shares how crisis stabilization centers, the 988 Lifeline, and coordinated care models are improving outcomes while reducing pressure on hospitals, law enforcement, and the broader healthcare system.

In this episode, Robin Henry, Chief Operating Officer, Solvera Health, discusses how FQHCs can extend behavioral health and substance use disorder services for underserved populations through integrated care models, strategic partnerships, telehealth, and innovative workforce solutions that improve access while maintaining quality and continuity of care. This episode is sponsored by Precise Behavioral Health.

In this episode, Melissa Brule, Director of Behavioral Health and Specialty Services at Elliot Health System, shares how her team transformed outpatient behavioral health access through a “no wrong door” intake model, rapid clinical assessments, and patient navigation support. She discusses the importance of matching patients to the right level of care, reducing barriers to treatment, and building a more coordinated, patient-centered behavioral health experience.

In this episode, Omar Fattal, MD, MPH, Chief Behavioral Health Officer, NYC Health + Hospitals, shares insights on workforce development, continuity of care, patient engagement and innovative programs designed to improve outcomes and equity for New Yorkers facing mental health and substance use challenges.

In this episode, Sarah Hollins, Director of Behavioral Health Services at West Virginia University Medicine Camden Clark Medical Center, joins the podcast to discuss the importance of staff support and patient safety in behavioral healthcare leadership. She shares insights on addressing training and practice gaps, and offers her perspective on the future of behavioral health and the evolving needs of patients and care teams.

In this episode, Carl Hoopes, MS, MBA, EVP, Chief Operating Officer, GRAND Mental Health, discusses redesigning behavioral health workflows, leveraging AI and telehealth technology to reduce clinician burnout, and expanding access through new pharmacy and telepsychiatry initiatives.

In this episode, Kellan Tittle, MBA, Chief Financial Officer, People Incorporated Mental Health Services, discusses the shift from access to outcomes, workforce challenges, and how AI is improving documentation and efficiency. He also shares how integrated care models and disciplined growth strategies are shaping the future of nonprofit mental health services.

In this episode, Ben Johnson, Director of Behavioral Health Provider Practices and Operations at Lakeland Regional Health-Florida, discusses how to standardize operational infrastructure without compromising clinical care. He also shares insights on leveraging technology, reducing administrative burden, and improving continuity across the behavioral health continuum.

In this episode, Georgia Gaveras, DO, Co-Founder & CMO, Talkiatry, explores the critical link between menopause and mental health and why siloed care leads to worse outcomes. She highlights the need for integrated, whole person approaches and expanded access to specialized psychiatric care for women navigating this stage of life. This episode is sponsored by Talkiatry.

In this episode, Sandeep Acharya, CEO & Founder, Octave, shares how outdated infrastructure, fragmented systems, and ghost networks create barriers to mental health access and how smarter matching and integrated platforms can connect patients to care faster. He also explores the role of collaboration, data, and accountability in rebuilding trust and improving outcomes across behavioral health. WiseMatch by Octave is a proprietary technology platform that prioritizes the patient experience throug...

This episode recorded live at the Becker’s Spring Behavioral Health Summit features Ken Powers, MSW, LICSW, ACSW, BCD, Director of Behavioral Health Services/Licensed Independent Clinical Social Worker, E. A. Hawse Health Center & Johnathan Lyon, MSW, LICSW, Assistant Director of Behavioral Health Services, E. A. Hawse Health Center, who share how ambient AI is reducing documentation burden, improving clinician capacity, and enhancing patient care. This episode is sponsored by Heidi.

In this episode, Kristen Ford, General Manager of the Employer Division, Carelon Behavioral Health, discusses how employers are transforming mental health support into a proactive, integrated strategy and shares practical ways to drive engagement, align leadership, and improve workforce outcomes. This episode is sponsored by Carelon Behavioral Health.

In this episode, Shana Palmieri, LCSW, Co-Founder of XFERALL, discusses how emergency departments, case management teams, community providers, and behavioral health intake teams can be connected in real time to reduce ED boarding and improve patient flow. She explores how AI-enabled intake technology helps intake departments manage high volumes of referrals more accurately and efficiently—reducing administrative burden, supporting clinicians in operating at the top of their license, and improvin...

In this episode Dr. Edisa Shirley, Chief Growth Officer at ClinicMind, shares how health systems can move beyond expansion to truly scalable behavioral health models by strengthening governance, access, and operational infrastructure. She highlights the shift toward hybrid care and why sustainable growth depends on integrated systems, disciplined operations, and measurable outcomes. This episode is sponsored by ClinicMind.

In this episode, Stephen Merz, Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Sheppard Pratt Solutions, shares how partnering with health systems to integrate behavioral and physical care, improve access, and strengthen financial sustainability can help communities expand much needed mental health services nationwide.