The Lead Climb
Behavioral Health Podcast
Episodes
One Question Pod: Steve Donai at BHASE 2025
Live from BHASE 2025, The Lead Climb brings you a special One Question Pod episode, where Steve Donai, founder of Growth Sherpa Consulting, asks a single, thought-provoking question to some of the most influential voices in behavioral healthcare. BHASE (Behavioral Health and Addiction Services Expo) is one of the premier conferences in the industry, bringing together executives, clinicians, and service providers to discuss innovation, best practices, and the future of patient care.
In this episode, industry leaders from across the country share their expertise, tackling one crucial question that defines the challenges and opportunities ahead. Whether you’re a CEO, admissions director, marketer, or clinician, this rapid-fire format delivers valuable takeaways that can help shape your approach to behavioral healthcare. Tune in to hear diverse perspectives from the best minds in the field!
Here’s who we spoke with:
✔️ Dillon McClernon from ERPHealth
✔️ Scott Delmarr from Congress Billing
✔️ Ashley Scott from Congress Billing
✔️ Kristin Wolfe from Monte Nido
✔️ Patrick Dunn from Hansei Solutions
✔️ Christopher M. Wolfington from FinPay, LLC
✔️ Todd Schlosser from Sunwave
✔️ Humberto Buniotto from Opus
✔️ Ben Camp from Recovery.com
The State of Hiring in Behavioral Healthcare: Trends, Challenges, and the Future
In this episode of The Lead Climb Podcast, host Steve Donai welcomes longtime friend and industry expert Jordan Young, CEO of Jordan & Associates Consulting, to break down the current hiring trends in behavioral healthcare. They discuss how the industry has evolved over the past five years, the increasing challenges organizations face in recruiting top talent, and the financial pressures impacting hiring decisions.
Jordan shares his insights on why many treatment centers are cutting back on outsourced hiring, the trickle-down effects of insurance reimbursement issues, and the growing need for qualified therapists. Steve and Jordan also explore the decline in senior leadership roles in outreach and marketing, questioning whether it’s a result of market shifts, leadership turnover, or cost-cutting strategies.
Whether you’re an executive, recruiter, or industry professional looking to stay ahead of hiring trends, this episode offers valuable insights into the changing dynamics of behavioral healthcare employment.
Mastering Leadership in Behavioral Health: Culture, Influence, and Trust
In this episode of The Lead Climb, host Steve Donai, founder of Growth Sherpa Consulting, sits down with behavioral health executive Cameron Bolish, who has held leadership roles at Acadia and Discovery Behavioral Health. They dive into the nuances of leadership in behavioral healthcare, emphasizing the importance of observing and understanding workplace culture before making changes. Cameron shares his approach to personality management, the power of earned influence, and the critical role of key influencers within an organization.
Steve and Cameron also discuss the challenges leaders face when inheriting teams and the importance of fostering trust and vulnerability within leadership groups. From learning how to navigate team dynamics to engaging in exercises that encourage open dialogue, this conversation provides valuable insights for both new and seasoned behavioral health leaders. Whether you’re leading an admissions team, overseeing clinical operations, or driving strategic growth, this episode offers actionable advice on how to build strong, cohesive teams that drive long-term success. Tune in for a deep dive into behavioral health leadership, culture, and influence.