Are you making the most of your treatment center’s alumni network? In this episode, guest host Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer of Recovery.com, sits down with Ben Wilkins, General Manager of Cared For (a division of Continuum Cloud), to reveal why alumni programs are no longer a “nice to have”—they’re essential for long-term recovery, growth, and community. Discover how technology, peer support, and smart engagement can transform outcomes for both patients and providers.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about Cared For: https://www.caredfor.com/

— Learn more about Continuum Cloud: https://continuumcloud.com/

— Connect with Ben on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bentwilkins/

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• Why alumni programs are now a must-have for treatment centers
• The difference between having an alumni program and doing it well
• How alumni engagement drives referrals, retention, and growth
• The pitfalls of relying solely on Facebook groups for alumni support
• The role of dedicated alumni coordinators and peer support
• How to measure outcomes and ROI for alumni programs
• The impact of technology and apps on post-treatment engagement
• Real-world examples of top-performing alumni programs
• How to create sustainable, meaningful touchpoints after discharge
• The future of alumni programming: AI, digital tools, and community

Timestamps / Shownotes:

00:00 – Introduction & guest welcome
01:05 – Why alumni programs are essential in 2025
03:20 – The competitive advantage and common pitfalls
05:30 – Alumni as an “army of marketers” and referral drivers
08:00 – Personal stories: the impact of post-treatment silence
10:30 – Alumni programs as a marketing and outcomes tool
13:00 – What great alumni programs look like (and common mistakes)
16:00 – The limits of Facebook groups and the need for real engagement
18:30 – Technology’s role: apps, automation, and maintaining connection
22:00 – Measuring ROI: outcomes, referrals, and value-based care
25:00 – How to engage alumni before, during, and after treatment
28:00 – Building sustainable touchpoints and care journeys
30:00 – The future: AI, peer support, and evolving alumni engagement
32:00 – Final thoughts and takeaways

Welcome to another episode of Recovery Reach! Guest host Cliff McDonald, Chief Growth Officer of Recovery.com, sits down with Wade Muhlhauser, CEO and founder of Plugged In Recovery, to explore how personal narrative and authenticity can become powerful assets in building a brand that truly converts in behavioral health. Wade shares his journey from corporate life to recovery leadership, revealing how vulnerability, data-driven strategy, and a people-first approach can transform both organizations and lives. Whether you’re a founder, marketer, or someone passionate about recovery, this episode is packed with actionable insights and inspiration.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about Plugged In Recovery: https://pluggedinrecovery.com/

— Connect with Wade on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wade-muhlhauser-b9347735

Topics Covered:

• Wade’s founder story: from corporate to recovery leadership
• The power of authenticity and vulnerability in branding
• Reframing “conversions” as helping people, not transactions
• Building admissions and marketing strategies with KPIs and systems
• Leveraging technology and a strong tech stack in behavioral health
• The value of lived experience vs. business acumen in hiring
• Lifestyle and alumni-driven content for audience growth
• Educating and supporting clients through the continuum of care
• Creating a proactive, differentiated content strategy
• Training and coaching admissions/frontline staff for empathy and impact

Time-Stamped Show Notes:

• 0:00 – Introduction: Meet Wade Muhlhauser and today’s topic
• 1:05 – Wade’s journey: authenticity, vulnerability, and leadership
• 4:30 – Embracing lived experience and being “outed” in recovery
• 7:00 – Reframing conversions: people over transactions
• 10:45 – Bringing corporate KPIs and systems into behavioral health
• 15:00 – Tech stacks, business acumen, and competitive advantages
• 20:00 – Building a team: lived experience vs. outside expertise
• 25:00 – Lifestyle content, alumni engagement, and audience growth
• 30:00 – Explaining the continuum of care and client education
• 35:00 – Admissions playbooks, data, and experimentation
• 40:00 – Training staff for empathy, compassion, and brand alignment
• 45:00 – Lasting relationships, community trust, and closing thoughts

In this episode, host Clint sits down with Jen Carvalho, CEO of The Haven at College, to explore what truly sets behavioral health organizations apart. With over 20 years of executive experience and a personal journey in recovery, Jen shares her insights on authentic differentiation, leadership, and building a culture that delivers real impact for clients and staff alike. If you work in behavioral health, lead a team, or want to build a brand that stands out, this conversation is packed with actionable wisdom.

— Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

— Learn more about The Haven At College: https://thehavenatcollege.com/

— Connect with Jen on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jen-carvalhobh/

Key Discussion Points
• Why most treatment centers sound the same—and how to break out of the sameness trap
• The difference between external marketing and internal culture
• How authentic clinical philosophy drives real differentiation
• The importance of showcasing your team, not just your facilities
• High turnover in behavioral health: causes and solutions
• Building a culture of appreciation, ownership, and engagement
• The power of niche: why The Haven focuses on college students
• Aligning marketing and clinical teams for brand integrity
• Leadership’s role in creating a healing, resilient organization
• Jen’s personal recovery journey and how it shapes her leadership

Timestamped Show Notes
0:00 – Introduction to the episode and guest, Jen Carvalho
0:35 – Jen’s background: CEO of The Haven at College, 20+ years in behavioral health, personal recovery story
1:18 – Why “differentiation” in treatment centers is often just surface-level marketing
2:37 – The real value: deep clinical philosophy and internal focus
4:39 – The challenge of turnover and why many centers don’t showcase their staff
7:48 – How to honor and elevate your team, and why it matters for clients
8:48 – Industry turnover rates: 35-40% and the emotional toll of the work
10:10 – Burnout, career advancement, and the need for self-care in behavioral health
11:57 – Jen’s approach to building culture and professional development
13:37 – The importance of supporting staff and recognizing their impact
16:22 – Authentic differentiation: supporting clinicians’ passions and specialties
18:10 – Telling stories of change: making clinicians and staff the heroes
20:22 – The role of every team member in creating a healing environment
22:06 – The power of niche: why The Haven focuses on college students and the benefits of specialization
25:36 – Marketing vs. clinical: bridging the gap for brand authenticity
28:36 – Leadership’s responsibility: vision, culture, and empowering teams
31:32 – Jen’s recovery journey and how it informs her leadership style
34:37 – Final thoughts: the value of focus, alignment, and human connection in behavioral health

Welcome to an in-depth conversation with Matthew Fung-A-Fat, digital marketing leader at Acadia Healthcare. In this episode, we dive into the world of behavioral health marketing, exploring how data and analytics can drive better outcomes, ethical marketing practices, and the human side behind every click and conversion. Whether you’re running a local IOP or a national network, you’ll find actionable insights on metrics, experimentation, and the future of data-driven healthcare marketing.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Acadia Healthcare: https://www.acadiahealthcare.com/

Connect with Matthew on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthew-fungafat


Key Topics Covered:

• The importance of data in behavioral health marketing
• Which marketing metrics matter most (and which are overrated)
• Understanding the full marketing funnel: from website visits to admissions
• Qualitative vs. quantitative data: why both matter
• The role of experimentation and A/B testing in healthcare marketing
• Ethical data practices and privacy in healthcare
• Overcoming challenges with tracking, attribution, and fragmented platforms
• How to keep marketing human-centered and empathetic
• Building a useful data infrastructure for treatment centers
• The future of behavioral health marketing: AI, personalization, and beyond

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction: Why data matters in behavioral health marketing
0:48 – Meet Matthew Fung-A-Fat & his approach to ethical, outcome-driven marketing
2:00 – Which metrics matter most? Funnel metrics, admissions, and outcomes
3:30 – Qualitative data: scoring calls, understanding lead quality
5:00 – How Acadia tracks and rates calls, and the challenges of attribution
7:00 – Key website metrics: unique visitors, conversion rates, dwell time
9:00 – Troubleshooting website performance: SEO, engagement, and clinical questionnaires
11:00 – What’s a “good” dwell time? Segmenting by service line and user intent
14:00 – Designing and running marketing experiments in healthcare
17:00 – A/B testing in action: button language, clarity, and conversion
20:00 – Learning from data: when metrics mislead and how to course-correct
23:00 – Keeping marketing human: empathy, testimonials, and voice of customer
27:00 – Privacy, cookies, and ethical tracking in healthcare
30:00 – Building a data infrastructure: spreadsheets, CRMs, and analytics tools
34:00 – The future: AI, personalization, and smarter campaigns
36:00 – Where to learn more about Matthew and Acadia Healthcare
37:00 – Final thoughts: Better marketing, better outcomes

In this episode of Recovery Reach by Recovery.com, we sit down with Daniel Krasner, former Chief Marketing Officer at Summit Behavioral Healthcare (Summit BHC), about bridging the gap between sales and marketing in the behavioral health industry. Daniel shares his unique journey from business development to the C-suite, revealing the mental and tactical shifts required to lead both teams. The conversation covers building in-house marketing, the power of attribution, local branding, alumni programs, and the future of targeted, data-driven campaigns. Packed with real-world stories and actionable insights, this episode is a must-listen for anyone in healthcare marketing or business development.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about Daniel's consulting & interventionist services: https://dksolutionsgroup.com/

Connect with Daniel on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danielkrasner

00:00 – Intro: Why sales and marketing must work together
01:12 – Daniel’s background: From business development to CMO
02:15 – The shift from sales to marketing leadership
03:30 – Learning digital marketing from scratch
05:00 – Building a digital marketing team and hiring agencies
07:00 – In-house vs. agency: Pros, cons, and lessons learned
09:00 – Aligning business development and marketing strategies
10:45 – Navigating team tensions and communication challenges
13:00 – The importance of attribution: Tracking what works
15:00 – Tools and processes for measuring ROI
17:00 – Creating local awareness and building community trust
19:00 – Launching new facilities: Pre-opening strategies
21:00 – The role of content, SEO, and Google reviews
23:00 – Balancing brand storytelling with performance marketing
25:00 – Feedback loops: Sales, marketing, and operations working together
27:00 – Best practices for regular team communication
29:00 – Alumni programs: Leveraging testimonials and reviews
31:00 – The future of behavioral health marketing: Personalization & innovation
33:00 – Daniel’s next chapter and how to connect
34:00 – Final thoughts and takeaways

Key Takeaways:

• Sales and marketing alignment is crucial for growth and patient acquisition.
• Data-driven attribution enables smarter marketing investments.
• Local branding and authentic community engagement build trust.
• Regular, structured feedback between marketing, business development, and operations teams prevents miscommunication.
• Alumni programs and testimonials are underutilized assets for reputation and referrals.
• The future is in targeted, persona-based, and multi-channel campaigns.

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of marketing luxury and international mental health and addiction treatment. Our special guest, Giles Fourie, Director of White River Manor in South Africa, discusses the unique offerings of their high-end treatment center located near Kruger National Park. Topics include the importance of pricing transparency, the strategic use of location, and the challenges and benefits of international treatment. Giles also shares his personal journey of recovery and how it fuels his passion for helping others. Don't miss this deep dive into the world of luxury behavioral health treatment.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about White River Manor: https://www.whiterivermanor.com/

00:00 Introduction to Mental Health and Addiction Treatment

00:31 Exploring Luxury and International Treatment

00:34 Guest Introduction: Giles from White River Manor

01:41 The Importance of Pricing Transparency

03:37 Marketing the Unique Location of White River Manor

06:52 Building Trust and Safety in International Treatment

11:12 Personalized Luxury Experience at White River Manor

21:21 Giles' Personal Journey and Passion for Recovery

24:54 Balancing Luxury and Clinical Excellence

27:37 Future of International Luxury Treatment

30:09 Conclusion and Contact Information

Join us in this episode of Recovery Reach as we sit down with Zach Gross, CEO of MGMT Digital, to discuss the critical importance of branding in the behavioral health industry. Learn the difference between branding and marketing, the consequences of ignoring branding, and how to create a brand that truly connects and converts. Zach shares insights about MGMT Digital's comprehensive approach to branding, including their onboarding process, competitor analysis, and the emotional connections necessary to build trust. Discover why branding is more crucial than ever in a highly competitive market and how making a strong first impression can make all the difference.

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about MGMT Digital: https://mgmtdigital.com/

Learn more about Zach Gross: https://mgmtdigital.com/teams/zach-gross/

00:00 Introduction to Branding in Behavioral Health

00:49 Meet Zach Gross: CEO of MGMT Digital

01:52 Understanding Branding vs. Marketing

04:05 The Importance of Branding in a Competitive Market

07:29 Building a Strong Brand: Key Elements

10:30 MGMT Digital's Approach to Branding

12:55 Common Branding Mistakes and Their Consequences

15:18 The Role of Trust and Authenticity in Branding

21:20 The Branding Process at MGMT Digital

26:44 The Future of Branding in Behavioral Health

31:09 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Welcome to Recovery Reach by recovery.com! In this insightful episode, we dive deep into the world of paid media within the behavioral health space. Join us as Preston Powell, founder of WebServ, shares his journey from sober living to agency owner, and offers expert advice on auditing, wasted spend, and the intricacies of PPC in the substance use and mental health treatment industry. Discover how different regions impact media spend, the significance of first-party data, and the future of AI in PPC. Don't miss this enlightening discussion tailored for marketers looking to maximize their impact and efficiency!

Explore mental health and addiction treatment options: https://recovery.com/

Learn more about WebServ: https://webserv.io/
Learn more about Revenue Logic: https://revenuelogic.io/

00:00 Introduction to Recovery Reach
00:49 Meet Preston Powell: From Sober Living to Agency Owner
02:33 Understanding the Behavioral Health Paid Media Landscape
03:57 Challenges and Strategies in Paid Media
07:54 Auditing and Reducing Wasted Spend
16:23 Google's AI and Performance Max
28:22 Opportunities in Canadian Treatment Advertising
30:09 Lightning Round: PPC Myths, Tools, and Tips
33:11 Conclusion and Contact Information