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

Mental health and substance use systems are evolving, and the conversations shaping their future matter now more than ever.

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, this mental health podcast brings together leaders, practitioners and advocates working every day to strengthen mental wellbeing in their communities and advance the field.

What You’ll Hear

Every episode features thoughtful, in‑depth conversations with:

• Behavioral health leaders
• Practitioners and system experts
• Mental wellbeing advocates
• Community and organizational changemakers

You’ll hear real‑world experiences, expert perspectives and practical ideas designed to help you stay informed, connected and grounded in your work.

Whether the focus is national policy or local implementation, every episode’s goal is the same: to bring clarity to complexity and elevate solutions that support making mental wellbeing a reality for everyone, everywhere.

New episodes are released weekly.

Who It’s For

The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use is designed for people committed to advancing mental wellbeing. If you care about system‑level change and want insight you can trust, this podcast is for you.

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Meet the Host

Mohini Venkatesh | Chief of Staff, National Council for Mental Wellbeing

As chief of staff at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Mohini Venkatesh works closely with senior leadership and key stakeholders to advance strategic priorities across mental health and substance use policy, workforce and systems change.

Each week on the podcast, Mohini leads conversations that connect policy to practice, bringing together national experts and on‑the‑ground voices to explore how we can strengthen mental wellbeing in communities nationwide.

Why This Mental Health Podcast Is For You

The mental health podcast space is crowded, but The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use is different.

This podcast is:

• System focused, not lifestyle driven
• Grounded in practice
• Designed for professionals, leaders and advocates
• Rooted in evidence and experience

It’s a space to think critically, learn from leaders and stay connected to the national effort to strengthen mental wellbeing.

Latest Episodes

Listen to the latest episodes of The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health & Substance Use and explore conversations shaping mental health and substance use care nationwide.

Doing Good Doesn’t Mean Doing Everything

Innovation in Action: Expanding What’s Possible for Nonprofits

Data-driven Advocacy: Missouri’s CCBHC Success Story

Recorded live at NatCon 2026, 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.

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Explore behavioral health leadership and clinical innovation with Linda Rosenberg and Chuck Ingoglia on the National Council podcast. Learn about CCBHCs and interventional psychiatry — listen now!

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On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, Mohini Venkatesh 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 through school-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.

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