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.

Episode 3: The Future of the Diagnostic Statistical Manual (DSM) & Mental Health Care with Dr. Nitin Gogtay

Episode 2: New Approaches to Nonprofits: Visionary Leadership and the Five & Rising Initiative

Episode 1: From Capitol Hill to Community Care: The State of Federal Policy for Mental Wellbeing

On this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, Mohini Venkatesh sits down with Dr. Nitin Gogtay and discusses the latest updates to the Diagnostic Statistic 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.

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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.

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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.

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