Expanding Access Podcast

Investing in care infrastructure and mental health access is not just compassionate, it's foundational to long-term systemic change.

In this episode, Brittney Riley Gavini, the Director of Investments at Pivotal Ventures, discusses how targeted investment strategies are unlocking real progress in youth mental health, family care, and women’s empowerment. She explains how her career evolved from startups to mission-driven venture capital, and how her team supports both philanthropic and for-profit initiatives that close care gaps. Brittney highlights investments in innovative companies and shares the importance of funding diverse founders and fund managers to reshape the innovation pipeline, especially in mental health and financial access. She also acknowledges challenges in youth mental health startups like provider shortages and complex engagement pathways. Lastly, Brittney offers advice for startups pitching investors: make it a meaningful, generative conversation, not just a transaction.

The most powerful solutions in behavioral health often come not from professionals, but from peers who’ve walked the same path.

In this episode, Arc Telos Saint Amour (they/them), Executive Director of Youth MOVE National, shares their lived experience navigating child welfare, houselessness, the justice system, and behavioral health from birth. As a queer, trans, disabled person of color, Tay reflects on how their identity and history shaped their lifelong mission to transform care for systems-impacted youth. They explain how peer support, rooted in trust, agency, and love, offers a life-saving alternative to broken institutions, and push back on narratives that blame social media, arguing it can be a vital source of safety and connection for marginalized young people. Tay also challenges widespread misunderstandings about peer support, its grassroots origins, its essential equity lens, and how it's often co-opted or commodified, offering a bold call to see youth not as problems to fix, but as people to trust, support, and uplift.

Delivering effective, modern psychiatric care demands clinical excellence, technological innovation, and a deep understanding of patient context.

In this episode, Dr. Arpan Parikh, Chief Medical Officer of SOL Mental Health, and Dr. Amit Parikh, Chief Medical Officer of Brave Health, reflect on how their upbringing, medical training, and deep family roots in psychiatry shaped their professional paths. They explore how the role of the Chief Medical Officer has evolved to include not just clinical quality, but also access, patient-centered workflows, and collaboration with payers. The brothers take a close look at the fragmentation in mental health care and emphasize the value of integrated therapy and psychiatry models, seamless patient experiences, and creating a supportive workplace for clinicians. They also discuss how virtual care can meet the needs of Medicaid populations facing barriers like housing insecurity and transportation challenges, while stressing the importance of leadership training, cultural change in the field, and careful use of technology like AI and ambient scribes to enhance patient-centered care.

Video introductions are a powerful tool to enhance the therapeutic alliance even before therapy begins.

In this episode, Daniel Sorochkin, Founder and CEO of TakeOne, explores the challenges therapy platforms face, such as poor therapist-client matches, high dropout rates, and awkward first sessions. He explains how traditional therapist profiles often fall short, lacking the depth needed to build trust and connection. Daniel makes the case for therapist introduction videos as a powerful tool to improve retention and engagement, while also acknowledging the barriers to adoption like cost, complexity, and therapist hesitance. TakeOne solves these issues with an automated, scalable video solution, and Daniel emphasizes that despite advances in AI, genuine human connection remains central to effective therapy.

Leveraging technology and AI in behavioral healthcare can bridge access gaps, enhance person-centered care, and promote health equity through innovative, community-focused solutions.

In this episode, Wes Williams, VP and Chief Information Officer at WellPower, shares insights on leveraging technology and AI to address gaps in behavioral healthcare. He discusses WellPower's commitment to health equity and community-focused solutions, emphasizing the importance of personalized care and human-centered design. Wes highlights how digital tools, like AI-driven digital scribes, can optimize workflows and deliver more tailored care to individuals. He also explores collaboration opportunities for innovative solutions to expand access to mental health services.

Innovative technology solutions designed for behavioral health providers are transforming the way care is delivered, making it more efficient and impactful.

In this episode, Ben Lawrence, Director of Behavioral Health Clinic Operations, and Dr. Ben Kurian, Executive Medical Director of Risk Identification and Outreach, from Health Care Service Corporation (HCSC), discuss the RIO program’s data-driven, multidisciplinary approach to behavioral and medical health comorbidities. They tackle the challenges of opioid management and untreated depression. Lawrence and Dr. Kurian address outreach and member engagement hurdles, exploring digital methods while adhering to privacy laws. Their active partnership with the American College of Surgeons promotes non-opioid pain management strategies, demonstrating their commitment to evolving care.

Efficient, tech-driven revenue cycle management is key to scaling behavioral health services and sustaining financial stability amid rising mental health care demand.

In this episode, Chris Powell, CEO of Prosperity Behavioral Health, explains the pivotal role of financial infrastructure in the expanding field of behavioral healthcare. He discusses how revenue cycle management addresses the growing demand for mental health services. Chris highlights topics ranging from streamlining financial operations to leveraging technology and AI. He also highlights strategies for enhancing care access while supporting the operational growth of behavioral health organizations.

Creating inclusive environments for neurodivergent individuals requires addressing stigma, fostering disclosure, and providing tailored solutions to support employees and their families.

In this episode, Melissa Danielsen, CEO at Joshin, shares her journey of creating solutions to support neurodivergent individuals and their families in navigating fragmented systems and how her company aims to bridge these gaps. She explores the prevalence of neurodivergence in workplaces and the stigma surrounding disclosure. Melissa mentions the innovative outcomes achieved through coaching and navigation support services. She calls for increased awareness and specialized workplace solutions to foster inclusive environments.

Mental health startups targeting employers need to understand employer challenges, build relationships, and innovate to make care accessible, affordable, and integrated.

In this episode, Ryan Koo, Employee Benefits Consultant at Marsh McLennan Agency, talks about critical challenges and opportunities in the mental health landscape. Ryan highlights actionable insights for startups aiming to succeed in employer markets. He discusses the vital role of community and relationships in the healthcare ecosystem. Ryan also discusses emerging trends like integrated mental health solutions addressing acute and chronic needs.

Innovative partnerships and culturally tailored approaches are essential to expanding access to behavioral health services and addressing critical gaps in care.

In this episode, Luis Suarez, CEO of Sanarai, and Stella Tran, Senior Program Investment Officer of the California Health Care Foundation, talk about the importance of building trust and leveraging cultural competence. Luis shares how his organization provides culturally relevant mental health services for Spanish-speaking communities, addressing a critical gap in access. Stella discusses how her foundation uses innovation as a lever to improve care quality and access for low-income populations.

Innovative solutions and heartfelt experiences are driving significant changes in mental health care.

In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast, Tina Keshani, co-founder and CEO of Seven Starling, highlights the urgent need for addressing maternal mental health. 1 in 5 women experience perinatal mood and anxiety disorders, which are often underreported and untreated. Tina shares that Seven Starling’s specialized care tailored specifically for women features specialized therapists, groups for shared experiences, and partnerships with OB/GYNs for seamless referrals.

Transforming mental healthcare through personal stories and innovative solutions is pivotal in enhancing access for all.

In this episode, Dr. Mike Franz, Executive Medical Director for Behavioral Health at Regence BlueCross BlueShield of Oregon, shares his personal battles with depression and anxiety, illustrating how these experiences shape his empathetic approach to patient care. He emphasizes the significance of effective treatment, highlighting therapy, medication, and the need to destigmatize mental health issues. Dr. Franz discusses the interdependence of mental and physical health, showcasing the accessible services his health plan offers, such as rapid access to psychiatrists and therapists. He encourages leaders to openly share their mental health journeys to help reduce stigma and foster a more supportive environment.

The 988 crisis lifeline must integrate into a broader mental health network through partnerships, technology, and strategic expansion to tackle the root causes of crises effectively.

In this episode, Pawel Walczuk, Managing Director at Accenture, discusses the transformative potential of 988, the national mental health crisis line. He highlights how it can evolve to address broader behavioral health needs and the importance of connecting the crisis line to a broader care ecosystem. Pawel also talks about addressing workforce shortages through technology and leveraging partnerships across startups, governments, and larger organizations to scale solutions effectively.

Increased awareness, empathetic management, and culturally competent care are essential for addressing the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals.

In this episode, Rebecca Warnken, Inclusive Benefits Leader at the Practice of Health Transformation at Aon, talks about navigating neurodiversity in the workplace and in healthcare. She discusses the challenges and opportunities associated with supporting neurodivergent individuals, both as employees and patients. Rebecca shares her personal and professional journey advocating for increased awareness, better benefits, and cultural competency in care for neurodivergent populations.

Purpose-built technology solutions tailored for behavioral health providers are essential to enable a more efficient and impactful care delivery system.

In this episode, Chad Dodd, Vice President of Product Management at athenahealth, talks about the growing need for innovation in behavioral health technology.  Chad addresses the challenges of administrative burdens, provider shortages, and patient care gaps. He highlights the development of purpose-built solutions for behavioral health providers.  Chad discusses how these tools prioritize asynchronous communication, interoperability, and tailored workflows to alleviate burnout and improve care delivery.

Autism advocacy is transforming perceptions and increasing awareness in various domains.

In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast, Jennifer Palumbo, a writer and advocate, shares her journey with autism and infertility, driven by raising her neurodivergent son. She highlights the importance of dispelling misconceptions about autism in the workplace to showcase the value of neurodivergent individuals. Advocacy has been empowering for Jennifer, akin to her previous stand-up comedy work, and she emphasizes humor's role in coping with challenges and making complex topics accessible through Wonder Woman Writer. Jennifer's future panel will explore neurodivergence and technology, and she encourages openness about personal challenges to reduce stigma.

Adolescent behavioral healthcare is undergoing a transformation through innovative virtual solutions.

In this episode, Robert MacNaughton, co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Antelope Recovery, discusses how his organization addresses challenges in adolescent behavioral healthcare, including mental health deserts and stigmas against virtual care. Antelope Recovery provides virtual, personalized care for high-acuity teens, integrating therapy within their home environments and collaborating with school and healthcare providers. Robert emphasizes the effectiveness of virtual care in improving teens' real-life situations and highlights the importance of clinician wellbeing, collaboration, and sustainable practices. He also advocates for a growth mindset to continually address deficiencies in the behavioral health system.

Preventative mental health education is essential for student success, and integrating quick, practical tools into daily routines can foster emotional resilience and prevent crises.

In this episode, Tessa Zimmerman, founder of Upstream Education, discusses her mission to revolutionize mental health education for students. She talks about her struggles with severe panic attacks as a child and how it impulsed the development of a program that equips educators with tier-one social-emotional learning tools. Tessa mentions how, with the help of a student task force and mental health experts, Upstream Education ensures its programs remain relevant and impactful. She also explains the three pillars to aim to prevent mental health crises: stress management, self-regulation, and attachment.

To expand mental healthcare access and balance operational growth with quality care for diverse populations, including underserved communities and teens.

In this episode, Julia Bernstein, Chief Operations Officer at Brightside Health, explores the challenges and innovations in scaling quality mental health care to underserved populations. She talks about leveraging evidence-based practices to ensure quality care delivery. Julia discusses utilizing digital tools to address barriers to accessing care for teens. She also shares some insights on navigating regulatory frameworks to expand equitable mental health services.

Integrating behavioral health into OB practices and utilizing telehealth is critical to addressing the maternal mental health crisis and improving outcomes for families.

In this episode, Dr. Jessica Gaulton, CEO of Family Well, discusses the intersection of perinatal mental health and technology, focusing on collaborative care. She discusses how innovative care models are addressing critical gaps in maternal mental health services. Dr. Gaulton talks about embedding behavioral health support into OB practices. She also mentions how leveraging telehealth helps scale access to specialized care for new mothers and families.

Asynchronous therapy and telehealth expand access to mental healthcare, especially for underserved populations, through scalable, technology-driven approaches.

In this episode, Erin Boyd, Chief Growth Officer at Talkspace, discusses the evolving landscape of digital behavioral health. She emphasizes how innovative approaches like asynchronous therapy and telehealth are breaking barriers in mental healthcare. Erin also discusses strategies to combat stigma and expand access to underserved populations such as teens and seniors. She also explores the integration of AI to improve therapeutic outcomes.

Maternal mental health care is undergoing a transformation through cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions.

In this episode, Malekeh Amini, CEO and founder of Trayt Health, shares how her personal experiences with maternal mental health have driven her passion for improving care and prevention through Trayt’s platform. This platform enhances providers' access via integrated care models and emphasizes the importance of universal screening beginning before pregnancy, as maternal mental health affects entire families and future generations. She highlights the urgent need to treat maternal mental health as a critical issue, advocating for public-private partnerships to foster solutions. Malekeh also underscores the significance of educating mothers and families about accessible care and highlights the crucial role of leaders and funders in supporting universal screening initiatives.

Handwritten letters foster human connection, bridging cultural and systemic gaps in mental health care and empowering individuals, even in underserved communities, to feel heard and supported.

In this episode, Diana Chao, founder of Letters to Strangers, discusses how her personal struggles with mental health led her to create a global youth mental health NGO that spans 72 countries. She also discusses the power of letter writing to foster empathy and connection and the limitations of Western-centric mental health frameworks in a globalized world. Tune in to hear how the universal power of human connection is breaking barriers in mental health care!

AI-driven healthcare solutions can revolutionize behavioral health by optimizing schedules, improving patient matching, and enhancing operational efficiency.

In this episode, Plamen Petrov, CEO of Healee, shares how AI-driven solutions are addressing critical challenges in healthcare scheduling. He also discusses the importance of provider-patient matching and operational optimization through technology. Plamen discusses the importance of identifying gaps in provider schedules and leveraging data-driven strategies to enhance care delivery and accessibility.

Psychedelics are transforming mental health care accessibility and treatment.

In this episode, Dr. Dana Lerman shares her journey from being an infectious disease consultant to founding Skylight Psychedelics after facing personal mental health struggles during the COVID pandemic. She discusses her transformative experiences with psychedelic-assisted therapy, including an ayahuasca retreat, and how these therapies catalyzed profound personal changes and a career shift. Dr. Lerman highlights the critical role of psychedelics in enhancing mental health care accessibility, illustrated by her work with insurance companies to provide ketamine-assisted therapy benefits. She emphasizes the potential of psychedelics, like ketamine, in treating conditions such as suicidality, advocating for the de-stigmatization and respectful use of these medicines.

Innovative psychiatric care models are reshaping how we address behavioral health crises.

In this episode, Colin LeClair, CEO of Connections, discusses Connections' freestanding emergency psychiatric units that provide alternatives to traditional hospital settings, aiming to rapidly stabilize patients in crisis and reduce the burden on hospitals. Colin addresses significant barriers to behavioral health parity, particularly health plan engagement, and advocates for a shift towards value-based care models.

FDA-cleared digital mental health treatments are transforming behavioral healthcare by improving access, affordability, and clinical rigor.

In this episode, Dr. Jenna Carl, Chief Medical Officer at Big Health, discusses the transformative potential of FDA-cleared digital mental health treatments. She explains how these evidence-based, automated programs address critical challenges like accessibility and cost in behavioral healthcare.

The power of lived experiences has been harnessed to create a transformative platform for advancing mental health and expanding access for all.

Solome Tibebu, Founder and CEO of Behavioral Health Tech, shares her journey from personal struggles with anxiety and OCD to building the largest community focused on advancing mental health and substance use care through technology. She discusses the origins of Behavioral Health Tech during the pandemic, its rapid growth, and its commitment to promoting health equity and innovation.

Neurodivergent care is being revolutionized through technology and innovation.

In this episode, Christal Wang, Co-founder and CEO of Shimmer, discusses Shimmer's strengths-based coaching platform for individuals with ADHD. She emphasizes shifting the perception of neurodivergence from a deficit-focused to a strengths-focused approach.

Telehealth initiatives in schools are expanding access to mental health services, ensuring students receive the care they need.
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In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast, Kacie Kelly, Chief Innovation Officer at Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute, explains how the Institute bridges policy and practice in mental health technology through innovative partnerships.

Lived recovery experiences strengthen Sober Sidekick's support systems for individuals battling substance use disorders.

In this episode of the Expanding Access podcast, Christopher Thompson, Founder and CEO of Sober Sidekick, shares his personal recovery journey and the inspiration behind his app, which aims to create a supportive recovery community through peer support.

Incorporating lived recovery experiences improves Wayspring's programs for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders.

In this FIRST episode of the Expanding Access podcast, we meet Ashley Potts, Vice President of Operations at Wayspring, during BHT2024. With 18 years of recovery from substance use, Ashley shares how her lived experience informs Wayspring's programs for Medicaid recipients with substance use disorders.