Behavioral Health Today

The Five S's of Safety: Empowering Women Through Intentional Psychedelic Exploration with Linden Schaffer – Episode 403

Psychedelics offer a fresh snowfall over old patterns, but only you can decide how to sled down the mountain. Education and community are essential guides for that journey. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon speaks with Linden Schaffer, an award-winning wellness entrepreneur, bestselling author, and expert with over 20 years of experience in the wellness and psychedelic spaces. Linden is the founder of Reveal, a global online community for women, and co-founder of the Los Angeles Women's Psychedelic Community, both dedicated to creating safe and informed spaces for exploration and healing. As a member of the Global Psychedelic Society team, she advocates for responsible and inclusive practices in the psychedelic movement. Her work has been featured in Forbes, Condé Nast Traveler, and ABC News, and she has spoken on stages including The New York Times Travel Show and Google Talks. In this conversation, Linden dismantles common misconceptions about psychedelics, explains her Five S's framework for safety (screening, set, setting, support, and sustainability), and discusses why these medicines require more than a one-time experience. We explore how psychedelics can address women's unique mental health challenges—from hormonal transitions to societal pressures, and why preparation, integration, and community support are non-negotiable for transformative healing. Whether you're curious, experienced, or supporting someone on this path, this episode offers practical wisdom for navigating psychedelic spaces with intention, agency, and informed consent.

 

For more information about Reveal and plant medicine, please visit: https://www.revealcommunity.world

For more information about the Soul & Substance 8-week course, please visit: https://www.revealcommunity.world/soulsubstance

Explore other courses offered by Reveal: https://www.revealcommunity.world/courses

Connect with Reveal on Instagram: http://instagram.com/revealcommunity

Connect with Reveal on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@reveal_community

Clinicians Series: How Recovery Coaches Foster Healing & Hope with Dr. Traci Sweet & Emilee Beck – Episode 402

Coaches don’t pave the road to recovery; they walk beside you, helping you rediscover purpose, strength, and resilience. In this episode, host Peter Fenger speaks with Dr. Traci Sweet and Emilee Beck of Holon Health. Traci, Co-Founder and COO, brings over 30 years of experience pioneering innovative approaches in behavioral health and substance use treatment. She has been a leader in breaking down barriers to care and creating integrated models that improve engagement and long-term outcomes. Emilee, an Addiction Recovery Coach, supports individuals through the challenges of substance use recovery. With expertise in coaching and counseling, she guides clients in building healthier, more fulfilling lives. In this Clinicians Series conversation, we welcome Traci and Emilee back to explore the vital role of recovery coaches, how they build trust, navigate relapse, and measure success. We also look at how Holon Health’s approach fosters empowerment, community, and lasting healing.

 

For more information about Holon Health, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com

If you would like to refer a client, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com/client-referrals/

For more information about partnering with Holon Health, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com/providers/

Connect with Holon Health on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holonhealth/

Connect with Holon Health on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holonhealthcare

Connect with Holon Health on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolonHealth

Connect with Holon Health on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holonhealth/

From Crisis to Community: Cityblock’s Bold New Model for Behavioral Health with Ruby Mehta – Episode 401

Community Health Partners bridge the gap between the healthcare system and the people it too often leaves behind. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon speaks with Ruby Mehta, Head of Behavioral Health at Cityblock. Ruby’s journey from investment banker to clinical social worker gives her a rare blend of financial acumen and clinical expertise. She brings years of experience in strategy, operations, and direct care, paired with a passion for making high-quality mental health services both accessible and scalable. At Cityblock, Ruby is driving innovative approaches that improve care for individuals with serious mental illness and substance use disorders. Together, we’ll explore how Cityblock’s Advanced Behavioral Health Program is transforming outcomes by empowering Community Health Partners, integrating essential social supports, and leveraging a value-based model to deliver whole-person care.

 

For more information about Cityblock, please visit: https://www.cityblock.com/mental-health

Connect with Cityblock on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cityblock-health

Connect with Cityblock on Facebook at: https://facebook.com/CityblockHealth

View articles by Cityblock on Medium: https://cityblockhealth.medium.com

 

BHT Bytes – 400 Episodes of Growth: A Celebration of Change & Community – Episode 400

Helping people help people has always been at the heart of what we do, and reaching 400 episodes is only possible because of you, our listeners. In this milestone episode of BHT Bytes, host Peter Fenger and co-host Sharlee Dixon pause to reflect on the journey so far: where we began, how the show has evolved, and the memories that have shaped us along the way. From producing to hosting, from weekly conversations to live summits, the podcast has grown alongside the larger Triad mission to serve the behavioral and mental health community. Whether you’ve been here since episode one or just joined recently, this celebration is about gratitude, growth, and the ongoing mission to help people help people.

 

Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/

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Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy & the Path to Emotional Freedom with Judi Vitale – Episode 399

Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy gives the inner child a chance to finally be heard and healed. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon sits down with Judi Vitale, a writer, speaker, and empowerment coach with more than 30 years of experience helping people discover their inner strength and live authentically. Judi’s horoscopes have been featured in Marie Claire, Redbook, Seventeen.com, and Tarot.com. She is certified by the NCGR Professional Astrologers’ Alliance and combines astrology, mindfulness, and transpersonal coaching in her work. Through workshops, retreats, and private sessions, she helps clients reduce stress, increase productivity, and reconnect with the divine spark within. Together, Sharlee and Judi explore the transformative power of Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy, discussing how this unique approach supports the mind-body connection, heals unresolved trauma, rewrites limiting beliefs, and fosters deep emotional freedom.

 

For more information about Heart-Centered Hypnotherapy and certification, please visit: https://www.wellness-institute.org

For more information about the 6-Day Online Hypnotherapy Certification Training, please visit: https://www.wellness-institute.org/six-day-hypnotherapy-certification-training

For more information about Introduction to Hypnosis Training 2-Day Course, please visit: https://www.wellness-institute.org/hypnotherapy-training/introduction-to-hypnosis

For more information about Judi Vitale, please visit: https://www.cosmic-gps.com/services

Connect with Judi on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/judivitale/

Connect with Judi on LinkedIn at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judi-vitale-780ab81

Quiet Rooms, Strong Bonds: Healing Substance-Exposed Infants & Their Families with Tara Sundem – Episode 398

Healing babies begins with healing families. In this episode, host Sharlee Dixon welcomes Tara Sundem, Co-Founder of Hushabye Nursery and a nationally recognized advocate for neonatal wellness. With over 27 years in neonatal nursing—18 as a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner—Tara has devoted her career to transforming care for substance-exposed infants and their parents. Specializing in Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS), she created the HOPPE program at Hushabye Nursery to provide compassionate, trauma-informed support for pregnant women with opioid use disorder. Named a Health Care Hero in 2021, Tara is leading a movement to shift neonatal care from crisis management to family-centered healing. Together, Sharlee and Tara explore the growing crisis of substance-exposed newborns, the barriers families face in traditional healthcare systems, and how Hushabye Nursery’s innovative model reduces reliance on medication, integrates behavioral health care, and nurtures lasting recovery for both babies and parents.

 

For more information about Hushabye Nursery, please visit: https://hushabyenursery.org

Watch the TED Talk How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across a Lifetime, Presented by Nadine Burke Harris: https://youtu.be/95ovIJ3dsNk?si=W--SV3EEMo_6PakZ

Connect with Hushabye Nursery by calling ( 480) 628-7500.

Connect with Hushabye Nursey on Instgram at: https://www.instagram.com/hushabye.nursery/

Connect with Hushabye Nursery on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hushabyenursery
Connect with Hushabye Nursery on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/hushabyenursery/

Connect with Hushabye Nursery on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvvCDQHtvr9wzaORoCE8vrA

The Art of Detachment: Shifting from Attachment to Aspiration with Bob Rosen – Episode 397

True abundance begins when we stop chasing and start embracing who we already are. In this episode, host Peter Fenger sits down with Dr. Bob Rosen, a world-renowned psychologist, bestselling author, and expert in personal and organizational transformation. Bob holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Pittsburgh and teaches at George Washington University’s School of Medicine. As founder of Healthy Companies, he has advised more than 500 CEOs across 60 countries. His insights have appeared in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and Fortune. He is also the author of several bestselling books, including Grounded and Conscious. His newest work, “Detach: Ditch Your Baggage to Live a More Fulfilling Life,” explores how fear-based attachments limit us and how letting go can lead to greater freedom, joy, and purpose. In this conversation, Bob shares practical steps to move from attachment to aspiration and offers powerful lessons on living and leading with greater fulfillment.

 

For more information about “Detach: Ditch Your Baggage to Live a More Fulfilling Life” by Dr. Bob Rosen, please visit: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/detach-bob-rosen/1146250480;jsessionid=D4A0ECF45A8646F991B8CD065E29CB80.prodny_store01-atgap02?ean=9781637746455

Discover more about Dr. Bob Rosen & Take a Quiz to find your attachment style, please visit: https://www.bobrosen.com

View other books by Dr. Bob Rosen at: https://www.bobrosen.com/books

To contact Dr. Bob Rosen, email at:  bob@bobrosen.com

Connect with Dr. Bob Rosen on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobrosen/

Connect on Instagram at: http://instagram.com/bobrosen4

Connect on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/bob.rosen.560

Connect on Youtube at: https://www.youtube.com/@HealthyCompaniesIntl

BHT Bytes – Beyond the Scale: Unpacking Diet Culture and the GLP-1 Era – Episode 396

Wellness is more than weight, and health is more than numbers. In this episode of BHT Bytes, host Sharlee Dixon is joined by Peter Fenger to unpack the complex intersections of diet culture, body image, and mental health. From the rise of weight-loss fads in the ’80s and ’90s to the emergence of body positivity and fat visibility movements, we trace how cultural messages about size and health have shaped generations. The conversation dives into the psychological toll of diet culture—covering disordered eating, negative self-image, and the mental health struggles tied to societal ideals. We also explore the new wave of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound—hailed by some as groundbreaking, but raising critical questions about identity, stigma, and long-term impact. Together, Sharlee and Peter break down the science, the stigma, and the shifting narratives of weight and wellness in today’s world.

 

Follow Behavioral Health Today on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/behavioralhealthtoday/

Follow us on TikTok at: https://www.tiktok.com/@behavioralhealthtoday

Follow us on Threads at: https://www.threads.net/@behavioralhealthtoday

Or watch us live on YouTube at: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvOeCMGsF7B2gNBHuWxt-fQ

Posture, Place, and Possibility: The Hidden Power of the Mind–Body Connection with Janice Kaplan – Episode 395

How much influence does your body really have on your happiness? More than you might think. Small, science-backed shifts in the way we move, sit, or shape our environment can unlock profound changes in mood, creativity, and wellbeing. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon sits down with Janice Kaplan, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and former Editor-in-Chief of Parade. Janice has devoted her career to exploring what makes us happier and more fulfilled. Her book “The Gratitude Diaries” became a national sensation, and her newest work, What Your Body Knows About Happiness, offers a groundbreaking look at the mind–body connection. With a career spanning bestselling books, award-winning journalism, and more than 30 primetime TV specials, Janice has interviewed world leaders, Hollywood icons, and leading researchers—all in pursuit of deeper insights into human happiness. Together, we explore how the body shapes the mind just as much as the mind shapes the body, and how simple daily choices can open the door to greater joy and creativity.

For more information about “What Your Body Knows About Happiness,” by Janice Kaplan, please visit: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/what-your-body-knows-about-happiness-janice-kaplan/1146176802

Discover more about Janice Kaplan: https://www.janicekaplan.com

Explore her other bestselling books: https://www.janicekaplan.com/books-2/

The Middle Place: Finding Growth in Eating Disorder Healing with Mallary Tenore Tarpley – Episode 394

Most people have experienced what Mallary Tenore Tarpley calls “the middle place,” even if they never had a name for it. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon talks with Mallary, author of “SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery”. In her deeply personal and powerfully researched debut, Mallary blends her own story of anorexia and grief, beginning with the loss of her mother, with interviews from experts and survivors. Together, these narratives reveal the often-overlooked realities of recovery. Her concept of the middle place reframes recovery as a living, evolving journey rather than a fixed destination. In addition to her work as an author, Mallary is a journalism and writing professor at the University of Texas at Austin. Her writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, and other major publications. In our conversation, she shares how recovery can be shaped by grief, personal growth, and the courage to live between sickness and full healing.

 

For more information about “SLIP: Life in the Middle of Eating Disorder Recovery,” by Mallary Tenore Tarply, please visit: https://bookshop.org/p/books/slip-life-in-the-middle-of-eating-disorder-recovery-mallary-tenore-tarpley/21872676?ean=9781668035016

For more information about Mallary, please visit: https://www.mallarytenoretarpley.com

For more articles and writing by Mallary, please visit: https://mallary.substack.com

Connect with Mallary on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/mallarytenoretarpley/

Connect with Mallary on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mallary-tenore-6719484/

Connect with Mallary on X at: https://x.com/mallarytenore

From Parallel to Unified: Designing Mental Health Into Primary Care with Erik Osland of evolvedMD – Episode 393

When mental health is integrated into primary care, patients are less likely to fall through the cracks. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon speaks with Erik Osland, co-founder and CEO of evolvedMD, a company redefining how behavioral health is delivered. With a background as a corporate leader turned serial entrepreneur, Erik has built and led multiple successful healthcare ventures, including a clinical lab that was acquired by a major diagnostic company in 2020. At evolvedMD, Erik is focused on bringing mental health care directly into primary care settings, making services more accessible, collaborative, and effective. He and Sharlee discuss the personal story that inspired the company, the challenges of our fragmented healthcare system, and how evolvedMD’s integrated model is improving outcomes for patients with both simple and complex needs. This episode offers valuable insights for anyone interested in healthcare innovation, behavioral health, and the future of whole-person care.

 

For more information about evolvedMD, please visit: https://www.evolvedmd.com

If you would like to contact Erik Osland, please email at: erik@evolvedmd.com

If you would like to connect with Erik on Linkedin, please visit: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erik-osland-0a41b7133

Connect with evolvedMD on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/evolved_md

Connect with evolvedMD on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/company/evolvedmd

Connect with evolvedMD on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/evolvedMD

 

Challenging the System, Healing the Whole: Rethinking Addiction Recovery with Dr. Traci Sweet of Holon Health – Episode 392

When we treat minds, bodies, and communities together, we don’t just reduce harm, we build hope. In this episode, Peter Fenger sits down with Dr. Traci Sweet, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Holon Health. With more than 30 years of experience driving innovation in behavioral health and substance use treatment, Traci has been a leading force behind integrated care models that truly serve underserved populations. From launching the first integrated SUD treatment program at Catasys, to developing evidence-based curricula for incarcerated individuals and DUI programs, Traci has spent her career breaking down barriers to care. Her work has consistently focused on meeting people where they are—with respect, with science, and with systems that work. At Holon Health, she’s helping lead a systemic shift, one that seamlessly combines primary care, substance use treatment, and harm reduction into a collaborative, forward-thinking model. Holon is challenging outdated norms, bridging the divide between healthcare and the criminal justice system, and using technology to expand access and build trust. We're thrilled to have Traci on the show to explore how Holon is transforming what care looks like, and what recovery can truly mean.

 

For more information about Holon Health, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com

If you would like to refer a client, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com/client-referrals/

For more information about partnering with Holon Health, please visit: https://www.holonhealth.com/courts/

Connect with Holon Health on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/holonhealth/

Connect with Holon Health on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/holonhealthcare

Connect with Holon Health on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@HolonHealth

Connect with Holon Health on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/holonhealth/

Building Emotionally Intelligent Teams: Habits, Norms, & the New Leadership with Vanessa Druskat – Episode 391

Belonging, feedback, and trust aren’t soft skills. They’re the foundation of strong, high-performing teams. In this episode, Peter Fenger talks with Vanessa Druskat, associate professor of Organizational Behavior and Management at the University of New Hampshire and a leading expert on team performance and leadership. Vanessa is the author of The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform the Rest, a practical guide to creating team cultures that foster motivation, collaboration, and results. Her best-selling article in Harvard Business Review, coauthored with Steven Wolff, has been featured in five of HBR’s most valued collections. Vanessa has advised leaders at more than a dozen Fortune 500 and Global 500 companies, and her award-winning research continues to shape how organizations build emotionally intelligent teams. Together, Peter and Vanessa explore what makes a team emotionally intelligent—from the norms that create belonging and trust to the habits and feedback systems that help teams thrive in today’s evolving workplace.

 

For more information about “The Emotionally Intelligent Team: Building Collaborative Groups that Outperform the Rest” by Vanessa Druskat, please visit: https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-emotionally-intelligent-team-building-collaborative-groups-that-outperform-the-rest-vanessa-urch-druskat/20207200?ean=9781647824877&next=t

For more information about Vanessa Druskat, please visit: https://www.vanessadruskat.com

For more information about other books and publications written by Vanessa, please visit: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/books

For resources for fostering emotionally intelligent teams, please visit: https://www.vanessadruskat.com/resources

Watch Vanessa speak on Team El for TEDx Portsmouth: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_wcdXXgG2rQ

BHT Bytes – From Villains to Vulnerability: Mental Health in the Media Spotlight– Episode 390

Mental wellness is no longer just a plot twist—it’s the story itself. In this episode of BHT Bytes, hosts Peter Fenger and Sharlee Dixon explore how our work overlaps with the films, TV shows, and music we consume, especially when it comes to mental health. We’ve both seen it move from punchline or surprise reveal to something central, human, even heroic. Think back to horror-movie “madness” in the 1970s and ’80s, then fast-forward to recent, more nuanced portrayals in Silver Linings Playbook, 13 Reasons Why, or even The Thunderbolts. Media is changing quickly, and while greater visibility has brought many benefits, there are unintended downsides: everyday emotions get over-pathologized, diagnoses become identities, and awareness doesn’t always mean accuracy. Today we ask: when mental wellness goes mainstream, what improves, what blurs, and what should we watch closely?

 

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Trust, Tech, and Transformation: Human-Centered AI for Public Health Transformation with Sheetal Shah – Episode 389

Technology should serve the mission rather than take the lead. When guided by compassion, strategy, and inclusion, AI becomes a teammate instead of a threat. In this episode, Sharlee Dixon welcomes Sheetal Shah, founder and CEO of MettaHealth Partners, a consulting firm dedicated to helping public health and social service organizations navigate digital transformation with both compassion and efficiency. Sheetal’s career spans from the frontlines of a dengue epidemic in Brazil to leading digital health initiatives in Ethiopia, and even shaping national policy during the Obama Administration. With over two decades of experience supporting value-based care, Medicaid transformation, and health equity initiatives, she brings a global perspective grounded in deep expertise. Sheetal holds a Master’s in Public Health from George Washington University, is pursuing an Executive MBA at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, and centers loving-kindness, or metta, in all aspects of her work. We are excited to have Sheetal on the show to explore how MettaHealth Partners is using AI and digital innovation to drive value-based, equitable transformation in public health by blending global insight, ethical technology, and compassionate strategy to help mission-driven organizations create meaningful and lasting impact.

 

For more information about MettaHealth Partners, please visit: https://mettahealthpartners.com

For more information about their AI Digital Learning Series, please visit: https://mettahealthpartners.com/training-ai-25

For more information about MetttaHealth Partners and their services, please visit: https://mettahealthpartners.com/services

If you are interested in contacting MettaHealth Parterns, please visit: https://mettahealthpartners.com/contact

Connect with Sheetal Shah on Linkedin at: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sheetalshahmph