Ep. 38 The Truth About Behavioral Health Policy and Advocacy with Andrew Kessler

In this episode of MasterMined, Mark Scrivner and Jeff Skillen sit down with Andrew Kessler, Principal at Slingshot Solutions, to demystify how behavioral health policy actually gets made in Washington. Andrew breaks down the difference between lobbying and advocacy, why education—not emotion alone—drives sustainable change, and how funding decisions ultimately determine whether legislation delivers real impact. From parity and appropriations to today's shifting political trade winds, this conversation equips behavioral health leaders with a clearer lens on how to engage policy strategically and effectively.

Key Moments

• 01:28 – Introducing Andrew Kessler and Slingshot Solutions

• 02:17 – Advocacy vs. lobbying: what's the real difference

• 05:56 – Why legislation takes years—and why the calendar matters

• 08:10 – Andrew's path into behavioral health policy

• 17:31 – The real story behind parity and "right place, right time"

• 29:53 – Three things every advocate must understand

• 36:09 – Why appropriations and funding are the real engine

• 45:37 – Current political trade winds impacting behavioral health

• 1:00:44 – What leaders should watch next in policy and funding

Learn More & Connect
Show Notes + Resources: https://snapshotinteractive.com/mastermined
Connect with Andrew Kessler: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-kessler-5a10666/ | https://www.slingshotsolutions.net
Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com
Connect with Jeff Skillen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffskillen | https://www.skillsetenterprises.com
Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com