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

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, the podcast brings together leaders, practitioners and advocates working every day to strengthen mental wellbeing in their communities and advance the field. Stream our latest episode wherever you listen to podcasts.

The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health and Substance Use is a health podcast hosted by National Council for Mental Wellbeing, with 29 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

National Council for Mental Wellbeing hosts The State of Mental Wellbeing: A Podcast on Mental Health and Substance Use, a health show with 29 episodes published.

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  Episode #18

  What the Latest Research Says About Alcohol Addiction

  Sep 23, 202639 minS2

  Alcohol use is evolving in ways that affect public health, clinical care and recovery. In this episode of The State of Mental Wellbeing, host Mohini Venkatesh sits down with Dr. George Koob, director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, to discuss alcohol use disorder, emerging research and opportunities to improve treatment. Drawing on decades of research, Dr. Koob explores changing alcohol use trends, the science of addiction and the growing understanding of how alcohol affects brain and physical health. He and Mohini discuss why alcohol screening should become a routine part of health care, what promising treatments could mean for the future of recovery, and how researchers and providers can work together to improve outcomes. Listeners will gain practical insight into prevention, treatment, stigma reduction and the evolving landscape of alcohol use disorder care. Listeners will learn: How alcohol use patterns are changing across age groups and populations How alcohol use affects the brain, stress and emotional wellbeing Why alcohol screening should become a routine part of health care What emerging research may mean for alcohol use disorder treatment Why stronger connections between researchers and providers can improve care Dr. George Koob is director of the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism. He is also a senior investigator at the Intramural Research Program of the National Institute on Drug Abuse, where he directs the Neurobiology of Addiction Laboratory in the Integrative Neurosciences Research Branch. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

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  Episode #15

  Why Investors Are Banking on Behavioral Health

  Sep 2, 202635 minS2

  Behavioral health is entering a new era of innovation, and impact investing is helping shape what comes next. This week, host Mohini Venkatesh and Anjlee Joshi explore impact investing, mental health innovation, behavioral health technology and the evolving relationship between providers, startups and investors working to improve care, strengthen organizations and expand community impact. Anjlee Joshi, principal consultant for the impact investing initiative at the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, shares how investors evaluate behavioral health startups, what founders often misunderstand about community-based care, and why provider perspectives matter in technology development. From workforce challenges and operational efficiency to AI, reimbursement and patient outcomes, this conversation offers practical insights for behavioral health leaders, entrepreneurs and anyone who’s invested in the future of mental health and substance use care. Listeners will learn: Why investors, startups and providers are increasingly working together to address mental health and substance use challenges. How the National Council serves as a bridge between behavioral health organizations and emerging technologies. What it takes for behavioral health innovations to deliver both financial sustainability and meaningful community impact. Anjlee Joshi leads the impact investing work for the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, which prioritizes investing in solutions that drive impact and innovation for members, strengthening member innovation capabilities, and enabling technology companies to better understand and serve them. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

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  Episode #15

  Can GLP-1s Transform Addiction Treatment?

  Aug 26, 202643 minS2

  GLP-1 medications are changing how we think about addiction. This week, an addiction medicine physician outlines the emerging science linking these drugs to reduced cravings, improved impulse control and recovery support, and shares why they may represent a major shift in addiction treatment and prevention. In this episode, Mohini talks with Dr. Steven Klein about the growing evidence that GLP-1s may help treat addiction by reducing cravings and interrupting addictive behaviors. Drawing on both research and clinical experience, Dr. Klein explores the connection between obesity, substance use disorders and the brain’s reward system. He also discusses what these medications could mean for alcohol use disorder, impulse control, stigma reduction and the future of recovery care as this rapidly evolving field continues to develop. Listeners will learn: How GLP-1s may reduce cravings and substance use by acting on the brain's reward pathways. What current research reveals about GLP-1s and alcohol use disorder, as well as emerging evidence across other substances. Why concepts like agency, impulse control and dopamine regulation are becoming increasingly important in addiction treatment. Dr. Steven Klein is a compassionate and highly accomplished physician-scientist specializing in addiction medicine. Dr. Klein is dedicated to advancing innovative, evidence-based approaches to support recovery for teens, young adults and individuals facing relapse challenges. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

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  Episode #14

  Safe, Supported, Expected, Rewarded: A Road Map for AI Adoption

  Aug 19, 202637 minS2

  Before behavioral health organizations can transform with AI, they first need the confidence to start. In this episode, AI expert Trent Gillespie shares practical insights on building trust, driving experimentation and helping teams embrace change while keeping people, purpose and mission at the center of AI adoption. Mohini and Trent explore how organizations can move beyond AI experimentation and build lasting adoption. Drawing on lessons from his time as an executive at Amazon and his work with leaders across industries, Trent shares a practical framework for making AI use safe, supported, expected and rewarded. The conversation covers AI leadership, change management, workforce adoption, behavioral health innovation and how AI can expand access to care while helping organizations prepare for the future. Listeners will learn: Why AI should be treated as an organization-wide leadership strategy, not simply an IT project. Practical ways to foster experimentation, share AI learnings and build an organizational culture of continuous improvement. How AI can help behavioral health organizations expand access to care, reduce administrative burden and create more meaningful human connections. Trent Gillespie is a former Amazon executive who left one of the world's most powerful AI companies to serve the organizations it was disrupting. He translates that insider perspective into something you can act on immediately. Not someday. Monday morning. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

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  Episode #13

  Mental Health First Aid: A Global Movement

  Aug 12, 202637 minS2

  Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) has become a global movement, helping people build the confidence to recognize mental health challenges, reduce stigma and support one another. This week, leaders from Canada and Ireland share lessons on growth, adaptation and the power of human connection. Host Mohini Venkatesh speaks with Donal Scanlan of MHFA Ireland and Shane Silver of the Mental Health Commission of Canada about how MHFA has expanded across countries and cultures. They discuss national partnerships, workplace and community engagement, context-aware adaptations and the critical role instructors play in sustaining momentum. The conversation also explores what countries can learn from one another and why courage, vulnerability and connection remain essential to mental wellbeing. Listeners will learn: How Mental Health First Aid expands mental health literacy across countries and communities The importance of partnerships, instructors and context-aware adaptations Why confidence, vulnerability and human connection are central to reducing stigma Donal Scanlan is head of MHFA Ireland, with over 27 years of professional experience and study dedicated to mental wellbeing. Shane Silver is a VP at the Mental Health Commission of Canada, leading national initiatives to improve mental health literacy and reduce stigma. Follow for weekly conversations shaping mental health and substance use care.

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