The Catalyst podcast

32:42

We are joined by Kevin Conlon (Founder and President) and Linda Shapiro (Executive Vice President) of Conlon Public Strategies (PS) to discuss the need for agile leadership in today’s volatile, rapidly changing landscape. Conlon PS is a strategic advising firm dedicated to advancing the good work of nonprofits and businesses. We discuss: Conlon's work supporting nonprofit health and human service organizations and arts organizations. The strategic plan that has helped Chestnut successfully navigate through COVID and the present-day uncertainties. The challenges faced by non-profit organizations relying on state, federal, and city funding. The value of connecting similar organizations to complement/amplify each other's work. Leadership’s role in maintaining morale and transparent communication during difficult times, the need for optimism to be grounded in credibility, and for leaders to hold themselves accountable. How to enhance effectiveness when working with board committees and non-board advisory groups. Conlon’s advocacy work and the importance of visibility, consistent engagement with elected officials, identifying and educating champions, and building relationships to strengthen organizational influence.…

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Creative Solutions for Delivering Integrated Care Across Missouri: Chestnut's Jim Wallis 22:49

16 днів тому22:49

22:49

Jim Wallis is Director of Business Development with Chestnut Health Systems. He has over 32 years in behavioral health, starting his career in 1989 as a Deputy Juvenile Officer, working with at-risk adolescents in Missouri’s Pike, Lincoln, and St. Charles Counties. With Chestnut, he’s been instrumental in expanding Chestnut’s footprint across Missouri. We discuss: How his background in criminology and criminal justice led him to a career on the “treatment” side of the “continuum.” The initial challenges of expanding Chestnut’s programs from Illinois to Missouri, and its rapid expansion since. Several of Chestnut's “signature” programs, including the innovative Metrolink and Jefferson County school-based programs. Chestnut’s success in lowering barriers to access to services in rural and urban areas across the state. Senator Josh Hawley’s vocal opposition to the proposed cuts to Medicaid given the potential impact on his constituents, and its potential impact on Chestnut’s programs. We close by inviting the Senator to join us on the pod to explain what the cuts would mean if enacted in their present form, and lay out a path forward that will have the best outcome for Missouri and the nation.…

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The Power of “Professionalized” Peer Support in Treatment and Recovery 48:26

25 днів тому48:26

48:26

Chestnut’s Dennis Watson and Justin Bell join us to discuss the role of peer support specialists in substance use disorder treatment and the challenges they are facing in today’s environment. Dennis is a senior research scientist, and Justin is a behavioral scientist. They are among the authors of a recent article in the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment titled “Advancing peer support workforce research: Insights and recommendations through the lens of professionalization." We discuss: What a peer support professional does and what makes them effective. The professionalization of the field and what the certification process involves. How the peer support role has evolved and gained acceptance in the professional and treatment communities. The differences between peers working in treatment spaces and recovery spaces. The challenges in harm reduction work including the need for nuanced skills beyond just supplying resources. Compassion fatigue: why it’s a growing problem, and how the development of an e-learning curriculum and case-based learning can address and ameliorate it.…

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A Capital Conversation with Marvin Ventrell, CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers 36:26

5 weeks тому36:26

36:26

Marvin Ventrell is the CEO of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP). Since 1978, NAATP has served its membership by providing training, education, and technical assistance, while supporting the addiction treatment industry via thought leadership and policy advocacy. We discussed: How the Ventrell part of the Gannett and Ventrell law firm went from practicing law to his work with NAATP. NAATP’s “professionalization” of the field and promotion of “integrated health” models. The most significant changes in the industry in the 10 years he’s been CEO of NAATP. The need for treatment centers is adequate reimbursement from insurance companies, which is crucial for providing affordable care. Marvin stresses the importance of advocacy to ensure fair payment rates, the preservation of the Affordable Care Act, and the enforcement of parity laws to maintain equal coverage for addiction treatment compared to other medical conditions. The importance of storytelling in legal work and his current role at NAATP. Of all the training, education, and technical assistance NAATP provides its members, the 2-3 things members want/need most. What’s at stake regarding proposed cuts to Medicaid. The organization’s support for the development and integration of AI technologies in addiction treatment.…

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Chaos Theory: OPEN MINDS CEO Monica Oss on Innovating in Turbulent Times 32:42

6 weeks тому32:42

32:42

There’s no better person to help us navigate and understand today’s chaotic - her word - mental health ecosystem than Monica Oss, the CEO and founder of OPEN MINDS, an award-winning information source, executive education provider, and business solutions firm specializing in the health and human service industry. We discuss: What prompted her to start OPEN MINDS in 1987, the changes that have had the most impact, and the evolution of the mental health field in the 38 years since (health plans expanding developing their own delivery systems, the growth of retail health clinics, hospital systems focusing on outpatient services, and the emergence of private equity firms in the healthcare sector). Findings from their report on Health Care Policy & Market Trends In 2025 : policy changes, new technologies, new competition. The uncertainty around federal healthcare policies as the biggest challenge going forward, and the long-term implications. Chaos Framework: management strategies for navigating a chaotic market, addressing short-term financial issues, growth strategy, and long-term vision for the “post-chaos” market. How AI can improve the customer experience and provide vital decision-support; new technological innovations, such as deep brain implants, transcranial stimulation, and virtual reality therapies, which could revolutionize treatment methods.…

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Why Medicaid Matters: Chestnut CEO Dr. Dave Sharar on Mental Health, Access, and Reform 25:32

6 weeks тому25:32

25:32

On this episode of the Catalyst Podcast we speak with Chestnut Health Systems' CEO Dr. Dave Sharar. We discussed: Dave’s 35-year career at Chestnut Health Systems, including his current role as CEO and his previous leadership of Chestnut Global Partners, where he managed behavioral health services for over 600 employers and 1 million employees worldwide. The significant shift in public and political attitudes toward mental health and substance use disorders over the past decade, with increased recognition and bipartisan support for expanding treatment resources. Medicaid’s role as the largest funder of mental health and substance use services in the United States, providing essential healthcare access for millions of Americans, including the working poor. Chestnut’s evolution into an integrated healthcare organization, now a federally qualified health center, combining behavioral health with primary care. The benefits of an integrated care model, where multidisciplinary teams coordinate to reduce inefficiencies and improve outcomes for patients with complex needs. The potential negative impact of Medicaid funding cuts, particularly on rural areas and small towns, where access to substance use disorder treatment is already limited. The success of Chestnut’s walk-in medication-assisted treatment program for opioid use. Challenges associated with proposed Medicaid work requirements, including the failure of previous attempts and the likely overestimation of able-bodied, non-working Medicaid recipients. Dave's cautious optimism that policymakers will appreciate Medicaid’s importance and approach any reforms thoughtfully.…

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Transforming Lives: Inside MDFT's Family-Centered Approach to Youth Recovery 26:55

8 weeks тому26:55

26:55

We’re joined by Melissa Sienna, Executive Director of MDFT International (Multidimensional Family Therapy), and by Sandra Arguelles, National Trainer, also with MDFT International. MDFT transforms lives through family-centered treatment for youth struggling with mental health and other challenges, including Substance Misuse Mental Health Crime & Delinquency Antisocial & Aggressive Behaviors School & Family Problems Emotional Difficulties MDFT has more than 30 years of rigorous research that proves its efficacy, and the widespread adoption of MDFT demonstrates its feasibility. Today, clinicians implement and sustain MDFT programs in over 150 public and private settings throughout the U.S. and Europe. We discussed: The MDFT for OUD program: the gaps in care that it was created to address, how the program’s enhanced training, overdose protocols, and medication access differ from standard MDFT approaches. The Connecticut Demonstration Project, a pilot study/program evaluation involving participants aged 15 to 19 diagnosed with OUD. They tell us about the methodology and their findings. Plans to expand the program beyond the 6 sites statewide it is currently in. MDFT’s history of partnering with LI in working with the GAIN (Global Appraisal of Individual Needs) and the most significant outcomes achieved through their collaboration.…

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The Catalyst Goes to Washington: A Conversation with Chuck Ingoglia, President. and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing 25:08

9 weeks тому25:08

25:08

Dateline: Washington, DC. This week’s guest is Chuck Ingoglia, President and CEO of the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, the. unifying voice of America’s community mental health and addiction treatment organizations. Together with more than 3,300 member organizations, they serve more than 10 million adults and children living with mental illnesses and addictions. For fifty-five years, the organization has been a voice on Capitol Hill, driving policy and social change. We discussed: The organization’s mission and Chuck’s role (on the morning we spoke, he was just back from a meeting at the White House ). With Medicaid funding under threat, the messages are likely to resonate with lawmakers. The Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) program, which has been used to train more than 3 million people in the U.S. to identify, understand and respond to signs and symptoms of mental health and substance use challenges. The importance of storytelling to showcase the value of services promoting mental wellbeing. The intersection of AI and mental health - AI’s potential to help clinicians cut the time spent on note-taking and administrative processes, improve decision-making and client access, etc. Chuck also raised concerns, such as whether AI can be entrusted to generate duty-to-warn notifications when necessary. The importance of keeping engaged with elected officials to help them understand the crucial role Medicaid plays in healthcare delivery.…

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At the Intersection of Research and Lived Experience: the Personal and Professional Journey of Research Scientist, Patrick Hibbard 36:52

9 weeks тому36:52

36:52

There’s lived experience…and there’s lived experience . Patrick Hibbard, Assistant Research Scientist at Chestnut Health Systems, has had anything but a conventional career path. Patrick shares his journey, from incarceration to his current role with Chestnut, and how his background inspires and informs his work. We discuss: How he uses econometrics and quantitative methods in evaluating public health interventions. The challenges of causal inference in public health research and the need for quantitative data to measure community-level impacts. The need to balance research with lived experience. The effectiveness of drug courts and their evolution (while drug courts can be effective, they may not always be the best approach, especially where there are structural inequities in policing). The connections between/among different organizations in the recovery ecosystem. What’s ultimately so compelling about Patrick’s story is how he’s used it in combination with data-driven insights to increase community-level impacts, improve public health…and save lives.…

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The State of the Art in Behavioral Healthcare: Interview with MHCA's Dale Shreve 22:05

10 weeks тому22:05

22:05

Dale Shreve is President and CEO of MHCA (Mental Health Corporations of America), a national association of innovative, entrepreneurial behavioral healthcare organizations focused on the development of C-suite executives. We discuss: MHCA's Role in fostering executive development for behavioral healthcare leaders, highlighting the importance of peer connections among CEOs and the organization's evolution over 40 years. How the field changed over the past 5 years - how Covid prompted a shift to virtual healthcare services and how it affected the field. The meaning of “entrepreneurship in behavioral healthcare”. The biggest impediments in transforming healthcare delivery and how behavioral health organizations have adapted technologies, such as AI, to improve service delivery. Increased demand for behavioral health services, Medicaid funding, revenue constraints, and the need for integration with primary care. MHCA’s role promoting continuous learning and encouraging leadership skill enhancement. Whether Dale is related to Michael Shreve, a former percussionist with Santana. For more on the organization, visit www.mhca.com.…

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What’s New in Digital Mental Health: Remble Health CEO and Founder Jordan Green 22:13

11 weeks тому22:13

22:13

Jordan Green is the Founder and CEO of Remble Health, developers of a mental health app that empowers individuals, providers, and clients with innovative AI tools, mental health resources, and 24/7 AI-powered chat support. With Remble, mental health support is accessible, confidential, and personalized to each user’s unique journey. We discuss: What Jordan was seeing and experiencing during the pandemic that prompted her to start Remble Health in 2020. How the Remble app and Mia, the chatbot, work. Remble’s “escalation protocols” and “duty to warn” functionality. The importance of balancing safety and privacy in digital mental health. How Remble expanded beyond serving individual consumers to supporting providers, payors, and public sector agencies. The increasing stress and anxiety in today's workforce, particularly due to AI-related job uncertainties, and how Rumble helps address these issues. Remble’s partnership with Chestnut and Lighthouse. Remble’s plans for the coming year - the ability to engage Mia verbally, an update to Remble’s massive content library (which currently includes over 300 short videos, 150 in-depth courses, a coping skills library, and guided meditations).…

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The Podcast that Answers the Question: Can AI teach humans how to interact with other humans? 29:12

12 weeks тому29:12

29:12

We have the two founders of CogniTrainer on to find out (spoiler alert: it can). CogniTrainer uses AI to create a simulated training environment for students and mental health professionals, ensuring that they’re prepared for real-world clinical encounters. Michael Glowik, Emile Rutherford, and I discussed: The gaps in mental health training and education CogniTrainer fills. The challenges in mental health education that they believe have been overlooked by conventional programs. How their AI chatbot/avatar technology so effectively replicates the nuances of real-life therapy sessions. Ethical considerations - bias, etc. How the technology will be used in police training. Where they see their technology evolving and the future of online learning. Check it out! For more on the company, go to https://cognitrainerai.com/…

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Emory Prof. Justine Welsh, MD on Study that Updates Adolescent Substance Use Treatment and Policy 26:09

13 weeks тому26:09

26:09

A lot can change in just ten years. This conversation with Emory University’s Justine W. Welsh, MD, discusses recommendations for updating adolescent use treatment and policies that have been in place for over a decade. Dr. Welsh is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Emory University School of Medicine, where she is Vice Chair of Child, Adolescent, and Young Adult Services, and Director, Addiction Services, for Emory Healthcare. She is also the Medical Director of the Addiction Alliance of Georgia. Dr. Welsh was lead author and editor of a new paper titled " Recommendations for Adolescent Substance Use Treatment and Policy ” (co-writers/editors include Chestnut’s Lora Passetti and Mark Godley*). The paper updates the 13 original principles espoused in the 2014 paper, “Principles of Adolescent Substance Use Disorder Treatment” published by the U.S. National Institute on Drug Abuse. We discussed: What prompted Justine and the team to update the paper. How integrating care for co-occurring mental health disorders and substance use disorders improves treatment outcomes. The most effective ways to integrate substance use treatment within the educational system. The biggest barriers to maintaining adolescent engagement in substance use treatment, and how can providers overcome them. How SBIRT, an important screening and intervention tool, has been effectively used in adolescent populations. Harm reduction services remain controversial in some areas - Justine discusses the evidence that supports increasing funding for harm reduction in adolescent substance use treatment. The most effective ways of engaging families in adolescent substance use treatment. The one policy change she’d make that has the potential to have the greatest impact on adolescent substance use treatment. *Welsh JW, Dopp AR, Durham RM, Sitar SI, Passetti LL, Hunter SB, Godley MD, Winters KC. Narrative Review: Revised Principles and Practice Recommendations for Adolescent Substance Use Treatment and Policy. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. 2025 Feb;64(2):123-142. doi: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.03.010. Epub 2024 Mar 25. PMID: 38537736; PMCID: PMC11422521.…

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Transforming Methadone Delivery: Sonara Health's CEO Michael Giles 19:44

14 weeks тому19:44

19:44

Dr. Michael Giles, a licensed psychiatrist, founded Sonara Health during his residency at UT Southwestern Medical Center - a remarkable feat by itself! Sonara makes it easier for people with opioid use disorder to commit to their methadone treatment program to achieve their recovery goals. In this episode, we discuss: Michael’s unconventional journey from residency to entrepreneurship, bypassing the traditional career path. The challenges of treating methadone addiction, particularly for patients juggling daily medication with work, family, and education responsibilities. How Sonara's solution works; how it helps patients build trust with their care team, promoting adherence (up to 85%) and retention. Outdated prescribing practices in clinics and how Sonara's platform aims to provide a more clinically focused operation, despite recent regulatory changes. Sonara's collaboration with Chestnut/Lighthouse Institute on research to assess Sonara's impact on patient retention and treatment outcomes. Lessons Michael has learned as an entrepreneur. Michael has a fascinating story to tell, and a solution that enables more people to regain control of their lives. For more information, see https://www.sonarahealth.com/…

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The Science of Making Informed Decisions: with Research Scientist Gracelyn Cruden 31:43

15 weeks тому31:43

31:43

Dr. Gracelyn Cruden is a Research Scientist at Chestnut Health Systems’ Lighthouse Institute-Oregon Group. Her research leverages systems science, decision science, and implementation science to develop tools, processes, and partnerships to implement evidence-informed programs and policies. We discussed: What is “decision science”? How is it applied, and how does it help get groups to a consensus? The precise definition of evidence. Why decision-making needs to go beyond "the ‘best available data” and integrate expertise, judgement, values, and preferences. The need to balance quantitative with qualitative data in selecting the right combination of methods/approaches/treatments. The Data2Action Oregon program - another great example of their work combining science and lived experience, and coordinating multiple “stakeholders” to facilitate effective outreach to improve lives and communities. Gracelyn provides a fascinating glimpse into how her work integrates all these elements - decision and implementation science - to deliver real-world solutions whose impact is more than the sum of their parts.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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How Research Meets Lived Experience to Change Lives: a Timely Conversation with LI's Dr. Jodie Dewey 22:53

15 weeks тому22:53

22:53

Jodie Dewey is a Research Scientist and Program Evaluator with the Lighthouse Institute, the research arm of Chestnut Health Systems, where she focuses on substance use, recovery, and criminal legal system involvement. But that speaks to only a portion of Dr. Dewey’s broad experience, having worked as a probation officer and full college professor - and now in her current role - a remarkable and unusual career trajectory. So when Jodie talks about the importance of balancing research with lived experience, she knows whereof she speaks. We discuss: The common theme/s in her winding career path. How what she’s learned about substance use and the criminal justice system has challenged or changed what she thought she knew from her research. How she and her colleagues sometimes need to take a step back to realize the real-world impact of their work - and how this realization can inspire new creative approaches and new ideas. What are the biggest misconceptions about her work in the criminal justice system and the biggest barriers to success? What are problem-solving courts, and how do they offer an alternative to incarceration for low-level nonviolent crimes? The impact of technology and AI, and the need to adapt to the changes they bring. The importance of ensuring efficiency and cost savings in healthcare and criminal justice systems while emphasizing people's well-being. The challenges of sustaining this work in the current political climate. A fascinating and timely conversation from someone who brings an unusual wealth of "lived" experience and passion to her work.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Rides to Recovery: at the Intersection of Public Transit and Public Health 35:25

17 weeks тому35:25

35:25

Public transit is vital to city life, but safety concerns like substance use, mental health crises, and homelessness can significantly affect the rider experience. In the St. Louis Metro East region, an innovative program developed by Bi-State Development (BSD) and the St. Clair County Transit District (SCCTD) in partnership with Chestnut Health Systems, is redefining transit security—not through enforcement, but through compassion and connection. Since 2021 Chestnut Health Systems has embedded behavioral health professionals into the MetroLink system. Working alongside transit security, they provide real-time support to riders in crisis, addressing issues before they escalate and connecting individuals to essential services. Nathan Zeller, Associate Director of Recovery Support for Chestnut Health Systems, and Dennis Watson, Senior Research Scientist also with Chestnut, join us to discuss this amazing program, its initial barriers, its evolution, its success thus far, what can be learned from it, and applied elsewhere. To view the four-minute video on the program we referenced in the pod go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtxR1dHTO9c It's well worth your while.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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R1 Reshuffles Learning: a Conversation with CEO and Founder Tom Karl 24:03

17 weeks тому24:03

24:03

Today we're joined by Tom Karl, Founder & CEO of R1 Learning, an education company providing interactive evidence-based curriculum that engages and retains individuals in service, increases practitioner effectiveness through workforce training, and generates data for measuring outcomes. R1 delivers greater engagement for the leading evidence-based and best practices for mental health & wellness, substance use & addiction, and life skills. We discussed: R1’s Origin Story – how Tom’s personal and professional journey shaped the company’s vision. Discovery Cards – their history, design, function, and scientific foundation - and how their element of randomness promotes engagement. Engaging the Unwilling – strategies to connect resistant individuals to counseling. Beyond the Session – how R1 moves learning beyond a single session into treatment plans, follow-ups, and accreditation reviews. Their innovative work with CHS/LI.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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How Chestnut’s Evaluation Director Belinda Willis Ensures that Addiction Programs “Add Up” 18:55

19 weeks тому18:55

18:55

Belinda Willis is Evaluation Director for Chestnut Health Systems with over 30 years of research, program evaluation, database management and administrative experience. "The Figure in the Carpet" is a short story by novelist Henry James that’s about a narrator who is intent on discovering the secret meaning of an author's works, which is likened to discerning the hidden “ figure in the carpet." The metaphor seems like an apt lens through which to appreciate Belinda’s work as she explains what an Evaluation Director does - analyzing large datasets to determine the efficacy of addiction treatment methods, to working with providers and external partners to ensure they’re following grant guidelines. We discussed what’s changed in the field over the course of the past three decades, what’s driven this change, and the potential impacts of AI on the important work she and her colleagues at CHS/LI do. Belinda also discusses several of the projects she’s currently working on and what’s in the pipeline.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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The State of the Art in Addiction and Recovery with a True Giant in the Field 37:40

21 weeks тому37:40

37:40

We’re joined by Mr. William L. White, a true giant in the field of addiction and recovery. Bill is an Emeritus Senior Research Consultant at Chestnut Health Systems/Lighthouse Institute and has worked full time in the addictions field since 1969. His book, Slaying the Dragon – The History of Addiction Treatment and Recovery in America, received the McGovern Family Foundation Award for the best book on addiction recovery. Bill was featured in the Bill Moyers’ PBS special “Close To Home: Addiction in America” and Showtime’s documentary “Smoking, Drinking and Drugging in the 20th Century.” In a fitting tribute to his life’s work, Chestnut and the Lighthouse Institute are building an online library/repository of the more than 20,000 books, articles, and materials Bill has collected over the years. We discuss: his early inspirations the sweeping changes in the field over the course of his career if there’s a “grand unified theory” of addictive behaviors the telltale signs to watch for when evaluating a person for a substance abuse disorder best practices in treating people suffering from addiction stages of recovery and how to measure the success of treatment recommendations to a family member who’s in a household with a substance abuser the advice would you give the younger Bill White, and what he’d say to someone considering entering the field. A fascinating conversation with a remarkable man who has left an astounding legacy.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Youth at a Crossroads: the Intersection of Substance Use and Suicidal Ideation 41:27

21 weeks тому41:27

41:27

Dr. Yifrah Kaminer, Professor Emeritus of Psychiatry and Pediatrics with the Alcohol Research Center, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, joins us to discuss substance use disorders (SUD) and suicidal ideation among our nation’s youth, a worsening crisis that has started to extend to middle schoolers. Among the topics we discuss are: Yifrah’s background, clinical experience, and his parallel life as an author of two children’s books and a play the increase in depression since the 1990s, the rising depression, suicide and opioids epidemics. the differences/similarities between passive and active planning re suicide. legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes and its impact on opioid use among this cohort. the need for awareness about the extent of the problem, as it often operates in the shadows; the importance of access to services and prevention in schools; the risks faced by children living with drug-using parents. how to address the issue through policy changes and CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). It's a large and growing problem, with many facets and drivers - there's no one better equipped to explain and dissect it than Dr. Kaminer, who brings over 35 years of research and clinical experience in the field focusing on this cohort.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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A Catalyst for Changing Behaviors and Perceptions Around Substance Use Recovery 23:30

23 weeks тому23:30

23:30

We had an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Tess Drazdowski, a research scientist with Lighthouse Institute, who joined us to discuss her innovative, important and inspiring work on substance use recovery for emerging adults (ages 18 to 26). We talked about: the need for more evidence-based services for this age group, as they are the most likely to use substances and have the least access to treatment. her experiences teaching child development classes in prisons, which sparked her passion for helping those involved in the criminal legal system. the efficacy of "contingency management," aka, incentives-based treatment, why it's long been stigmatized and underfunded, and why that's changing. the "outdated belief" that substance use disorder is moral problem requiring will power, tough lover or waiting for people to hit rock bottom - beliefs that perpetuate stigmas which prevent those needing help from getting it. people who are “living their recovery out loud” and providing pathways that reduce stigma.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Dr. Tess Drazdowski on Changing Behaviors and Perceptions Around Substance Use Recovery 1:47

24 weeks тому1:47

1:47

Here's a representative portion of an eye-opening conversation with Dr. Tess Drazdowski, a research scientist with Lighthouse Institute , who joined us to discuss her innovative and important work on substance use recovery for emerging adults. She calls on an end to the stigma around substance use struggles and the outdated belief that it’s a moral problem requiring will power, tough lover or waiting for people to hit rock bottom. She gives a shout out to the people “living their recovery out loud” and providing pathways that reduce stigma. (The full interview will be out shortly and is largely about the efficacy of an incentives-based approach in increasing program utilization and adherence among emerging adults.)…

The Catalyst Podcast

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The New Normal in Cutting-Edge Training and Certification for Clinicians Treating Substance Use Disorders 26:02

26 weeks тому26:02

26:02

We're joined by Lora Passetti, Evidence-Based Practice Center Program Director at Chestnut Health Systems (CHS) where she trains and certifies clinicians across the country on several well-established, specialized behavioral treatment approaches for addressing substance use disorders among youth, young adults and adults. We discuss: The EBP Center’s mission and how it’s changed in the 28 years she’s been with CHS The misconceptions people have regarding Evidence Based Practice Their three core training approaches: the Community Reinforcement Approach (CRA), the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach (A-CRA) and for recovery support specialists, Recovery Monitoring and Support (RMS) The main treatment challenges she sees going forward Several of the truly ground-breaking projects and initiatives she’ll be leading in 2025 Few are as passionate about their work as Lora is about hers - a fun, insightful conversation, check it out!…

The Catalyst Podcast

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A Saucerful of Information: Barbara Estrada on the Technology Driving LI’s Integrated Health Solutions 41:39

27 weeks тому41:39

41:39

We're joined by Barbara Estrada, Chestnut Health System’s Director, GAIN Coordinating Center and Software Development, to discuss: Her favorite band, Pink Floyd (which we weave into our conversation at critical junctures). What inspired her to do the work she does. Her role in developing and implementing the GAIN (the Global Appraisal of Individual Needs) Her role in developing MOSAIC, a cloud-based integrated health platform, and how it will be a game-changer in the field (integrating workflows, data, other systems). Their plans for incorporating AI and how it will improve the user experience, from making assessments more efficient to yielding actionable insights. Coming in at a tidy, information-packed 41 minutes, it almost perfectly syncs up with Wish You Were Here - coincidence? Maybe. Check it out!…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Implementation Science and Improvisation: a Model for Successfully Delivering Continuum of Care 24:56

30 weeks тому24:56

24:56

Dr. Lisa Saldana is Associate Director, Senior Research Scientist, and Director for the Center for Implementation Science at the Lighthouse Institute. Lisa discusses her work as an implementation scientist (and what one does), provides a definitive description of social determinants of health (while crisply clarifying misconceptions surrounding it), the Just Care for Families continuum of care service model that she developed, the improvisational skills required to deliver these services “where people are,” and what she finds most rewarding about her work.…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Shining a Light on the State of the Art in Integrated Health with Dr. Michael Dennis 40:56

32 weeks тому40:56

40:56

We kick off our maiden Catalyst Podcast with Dr. Michael Dennis, the Director of Chestnut Health Systems’ Lighthouse Institute (LI) and a Senior Research Psychologist. To those in the field, Mike needs no introduction. We discuss: Mike’s background LI’s mission and their ground-breaking work in behavioral/integrated health several of the important projects they have underway those teed up for the coming year what the future holds (including, inevitably, the impact of AI on research and the field in general). A perfect person to begin what should be an endlessly fascinating series of conversations. Please join us!…

The Catalyst Podcast

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Welcome to the Catalyst 1:20

33 weeks тому1:20