The Catalyst Podcast

The Catalyst Podcast
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A weekly podcast and newsletter, The Catalyst is Chestnut Health Systems’ platform for sharing ideas, insights, and innovation that advance public health and strengthen systems of care.  Rooted in Chestnut’s decades-long commitment to direct care, prevention, research, and education, The Catalyst highlights real-world solutions that support whole-person health, foster resilience, and help individuals, families, and communities reach their full potential. It reflects the full scope of Chestnut’s work—from direct care and community‑based services to research, prevention, recovery, and policy‑relevant insight. -Chestnut Health Systems™ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health through a comprehensive approach that includes direct service delivery, prevention, research, training, and system improvement. For decades, Chestnut has worked to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice—helping individuals thrive, strengthening organizations, and supporting healthier communities.The Chestnut corporate office is in central Illinois, with clinical locations in Belleville, Bloomington, Granite City, and Maryville, IL and De Soto and Hillsboro, MO; prevention and recovery services are offered in dozens of counties in Illinois; and Lighthouse Institute research offices are located in Chicago and Bloomington, IL, Euguene, OR, and remote researchers across the United States.  

  1. 4d ago

    Trust and Accountability: Chestnut’s CEO Puneet Leekha Kicks off a New Podcast Series on Executive Leadership

    Our conversation with Chestnut Health Systems’ CEO Puneet Leekha kicks off our new Executive Leadership series of Catalyst Podcasts - conversations with some of the most innovative and successful leaders in the field, on everything from their evolution as leaders to the unique challenges of leading their organizations in this environment, and what they look for in cultivating the next generation of leaders.  Puneet begins by explaining why leadership is a particularly important and timely topic, given the multidimensional challenges today's organizations face. He reflects on his evolution as a leader, describing his leadership style as “high trust and high accountability”: give people real autonomy, then be clear about priorities, expectations, and communication. He speaks about three formative influences on his leadership approach: the importance of judgment, intellectual curiosity, and strong people skills.    The conversation turns to AI’s reach across roles, structure, and decision-making; the positives it can bring in making work more efficient, and concerns about it diminishing the human aspects, which are intrinsic to the work that Chestnut Health Systems does.  He closes by citing the leaders he looks up to: Hubert Joly (purpose, people, and performance), Satya Nadella (building a culture of learning), Warren Buffett (hire well and give people room), and his father, whose hard work, perseverance, and humility shaped him as much as any executive model.   Puneet packs a lot of insight and inspiration in sharing his leadership perspective, experiences, and journey – a perfect way to launch what is sure to be a fascinating series with the most thoughtful, forward-thinking leaders in the field.

    Trust and Accountability: Chestnut’s CEO Puneet Leekha Kicks off a New Podcast Series on Executive Leadership

  2. Aug 25

    "Help, Not Handcuffs": How and Why Problem Solving Courts Work

    What if the smartest response to addiction, relapse, and repeat court involvement is not harsher punishment, but a highly structured path back to stability? The Honorable Shannon R. Dougherty, a Circuit Judge for Division 6 of the 23rd Judicial Circuit in Jefferson County, Missouri, and  Lori Epley, the Director of Project Access at Chestnut Health Systems, break down how problem-solving courts are helping people stay in recovery, keep families together, and rebuild their lives while protecting public safety.   Judge Dougherty explains how treatment courts work in practice: close monitoring, regular drug testing, team staffing, and individualized responses that mix accountability with support. Lori Epley, Director of Project Access at Chestnut Health Systems, shares how Chestnut's clinician and peer support specialists work alongside the court team to provide therapy, transportation help, resume support, and practical services that participants need to succeed. You'll discover: Why treatment courts are more demanding than many people assume How judges, probation, prosecutors, treatment providers, and case managers make decisions together What happens when a participant struggles or relapses Why employment, housing, credit repair, and transportation are often part of recovery How misinformation and stigma can block access to life-changing programs Our guests make the case for better education, stronger interagency collaboration, and a future treatment court center where participants can access multiple services in one place. If you care about criminal justice, substance use recovery, family stability, or practical solutions that actually change outcomes, this episode is essential listening.

    "Help, Not Handcuffs": How and Why Problem Solving Courts Work

  3. Aug 18

    Behavioral Healthcare Meets Predictive Analytics: The Science of Making Compassionate, Effective Mental Healthcare Scalable.

    Michael Castanon is the founder and CEO of Alter Behavioral Health and Care Predictor, and founder of the Behavioral Health Outcomes Consortium.    After 30 years in banking and predictive analytics, Michael brings an outsider’s eye to behavioral health and makes a case the field can’t ignore: if you can measure the inputs, you can improve the outcomes. He explains how a deeply personal trauma journey led him from private equity and finance into mental health care, and why that intersection of lived experience and data science became the foundation for Care Predictor.   Michael discusses two important concepts  - “relational velocity and relational intelligence” - and how these traits can be measured, scored, and developed. He describes how Care Predictor uses psychometrics and AI to help deliver better care.   We also get into what some are calling the loneliness epidemic, driven by AI “companionship,” remote work, and algorithmic echo chambers. Michael makes the case that when we lost human connection, people lose the friction, challenge, and healthy conflict that build resilience, judgment, and real relationships.   Finally, Michael discusses the upcoming BHOC 26 gathering, where policymakers, health plans, providers, technologists, and researchers will come together to create a more unified outcomes framework for behavioral health (more information is provided below).    The Behavioral Health Outcomes Consortium (BHOC26) is an outcomes-focused event designed for behavioral health leaders, operators, providers, payers, and partners committed to advancing measurable outcomes across the continuum of care.  Dates: September 8th – 10th, 2026 Location: Waldorf Astoria Monarch Beach, Dana Point, California Register here.

    Behavioral Healthcare Meets Predictive Analytics: The Science of Making Compassionate, Effective Mental Healthcare Scalable.

  4. Aug 12

    Missouri’s Shocking – and Preventable - Maternal Health Crisis: Data, Barriers & What Works

    Mental health and substance use disorders are behind a shocking share of pregnancy-related deaths across Missouri – indeed, nationwide - and many of those deaths were preventable.  Joining us to discuss this are Charisse Montgomery, Family Services Coordinator with Chestnut Health Systems, and Lindsey VonDras, Perinatal Care Coordination Manager for the Missouri Hospital Association. Charisse and Lindsey break down what the data really says about pregnancy, postpartum risk, foster care disruption, and why so many families never get connected to the support they need. You’ll discover why nearly 40% of pregnancy-related deaths happen after delivery, how stigma and access barriers keep people from asking for help, and why Missouri’s maternity care deserts make the problem even harder to solve. We also get into what actually works: family-centered care, individualized recovery pathways, peer support, doulas, and coordinated wraparound services that keep mom, baby, and family in the picture.  Charisse shares how Chestnut Health Systems supports parents through pregnancy and postpartum, and Lindsey explains Project STORK, a new Missouri framework promoting real connection, recovery support, and ongoing care. If you care about maternal health, behavioral health, child welfare, or better systems for families in crisis, this conversation is essential listening.

    Missouri’s Shocking – and Preventable - Maternal Health Crisis: Data, Barriers & What Works

  5. Aug 7

    The Looming Medicaid Crisis: Administrative Hurdles to Strip Millions of Working Americans of Vital Coverage in 2027

    Starting January 1, 2027, changes to Medicaid eligibility requirements will leave millions without coverage. Dr. Timothy McBride, the Bernard Becker Professor of Public Health at Washington University in St. Louis and a leading health economist, breaks down these provisions and explains how they threaten to strip coverage from people who are already working.We discuss the new twice-a-year eligibility checks, the end of self-attestation, and the extra documentation now required of caregivers, pregnant women, and medically frail patients. What sounds simple on paper quickly becomes a maze of mailed forms, state-by-state implementation differences, missing paperwork, and delayed doctor sign-offs.   Key points include: How administrative hurdles—not just the policy itself—will drive millions off coverage Why the new rules may be especially punishing for people with disabilities and caregivers How managed care companies, state agencies, and providers could get squeezed in the process Why the fraud narrative is often aimed at the wrong part of the system (beneficiaries rather than the providers who actually commit fraud) Dr. McBride also outlines the broader stakes: rising uncompensated care, higher medical debt, added pressure on rural hospitals and safety-net providers, and a likely increase in uninsured Americans as coverage rolls back month by month. For a clear-eyed look at what these changes mean for patients, providers, and the healthcare system, this is essential listening.

    The Looming Medicaid Crisis: Administrative Hurdles to Strip Millions of Working Americans of Vital Coverage in 2027

  6. Jul 22

    The Hidden Opioid Crisis No One Talks About: Seniors and the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act

    Grant Wood’s American Gothic (1930), depicting a middle-aged rural couple, is what “seniors” look like in the popular imagination, but recent data tell a very different story. Opioid overdoses and prescription misuse are rising fast among the elderly.  Returning to the pod for his second appearance to discuss this little-known issue and the bill proposed to address it is Al Guida, veteran healthcare lobbyist and policy strategist with over 30 years of experience navigating Washington’s complex legislative landscape. We discuss:  How the opioid epidemic has infiltrated the senior population, defying stereotypes The details behind the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act and how it defines and funds residential addiction centers under Medicare The strategic political alliances and bipartisan support making this legislation possible—more Republicans than Democrats are involved! The financial and healthcare impact of expanding residential treatment, including cost savings from avoided ER visits and hospital stays The challenges and opportunities in implementing high-quality addiction care for seniors, and why incremental progress is the best approach With the upcoming legislative hurdles and regulatory headwinds, understanding how this bill could reshape care for millions has never been more urgent. This podcast is for healthcare professionals, advocates, policymakers, or anyone with a personal stake in getting seniors battling substance use disorder the attention and treatment they need and deserve.

    The Hidden Opioid Crisis No One Talks About: Seniors and the Residential Recovery for Seniors Act

  7. Jul 14

    Inside the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition: A New Blueprint for Person-Centered Care

    The ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition (released in 2023) is the most widely used, evidence-based set of standards for assessing, placing, and treating individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs), addiction, and co-occurring conditions. Developed by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM), the fourth edition champions holistic, person-centered care that’s more inclusive, equitable, and effective than ever before.    We are joined by Diana Kelly, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), clinician, educator, and Clinical Director for the Consulting and Training Team at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation, where she leads the development and implementation of national training and consultation initiatives for the ASAM Criteria Fourth Edition. Diana is an Army veteran with 12 years of service, during which she served as both a Combat Medical Sergeant and a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Diana joins us to discuss how this new blueprint is revolutionizing the way we approach substance use and co-occurring disorders.    We discuss how the 2023 revision incorporates harm reduction, medication-assisted treatment, and trauma-informed strategies into standard practice. Diana breaks down the key differences between adolescent and adult treatment standards, emphasizing the power of early intervention to alter lives. She shares the groundbreaking focus on family inclusion, peer support, and tailored approaches for marginalized populations, including women veterans and justice-involved individuals.    We also explore the critical challenges—and opportunities—related to access and how this blueprint acts as a north star for future policy, funding, and community efforts.

    Inside the ASAM Criteria 4th Edition: A New Blueprint for Person-Centered Care

  8. Jul 7

    Celebrating the Lighthouse Institute’s 40th Anniversary with Dr. Mark Godley.

    Dr. Mark Godley was there at the creation, 40 years ago, when he was the first director of Chestnut Health Systems’ Lighthouse Institute for Research and Training. Dr. Godley pulls back the curtain on a remarkable four-decade journey,  from the Lighthouse Institute’s early struggles to keep the lights on to its emergence as the world-class research powerhouse it is today.    He shares behind-the-scenes stories of their bootstrapping early days and major milestones along the way: winning their first major NIH grants in 1997, developing client follow-up protocols that led to a 19-year study, the institute's evolution from program evaluation to investigator-initiated research, among other notable achievements.   We break down: how research shifted from confrontational models to supportive, adolescent-centered care; the secret to building lasting community partnerships; and the surprising ways resilience and vision transformed a fledgling organization into a national leader.

    Celebrating the Lighthouse Institute’s 40th Anniversary with Dr. Mark Godley.
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About

A weekly podcast and newsletter, The Catalyst is Chestnut Health Systems’ platform for sharing ideas, insights, and innovation that advance public health and strengthen systems of care.  Rooted in Chestnut’s decades-long commitment to direct care, prevention, research, and education, The Catalyst highlights real-world solutions that support whole-person health, foster resilience, and help individuals, families, and communities reach their full potential. It reflects the full scope of Chestnut’s work—from direct care and community‑based services to research, prevention, recovery, and policy‑relevant insight. -Chestnut Health Systems™ is a nonprofit organization dedicated to improving public health through a comprehensive approach that includes direct service delivery, prevention, research, training, and system improvement. For decades, Chestnut has worked to bridge the gap between knowledge and practice—helping individuals thrive, strengthening organizations, and supporting healthier communities.The Chestnut corporate office is in central Illinois, with clinical locations in Belleville, Bloomington, Granite City, and Maryville, IL and De Soto and Hillsboro, MO; prevention and recovery services are offered in dozens of counties in Illinois; and Lighthouse Institute research offices are located in Chicago and Bloomington, IL, Euguene, OR, and remote researchers across the United States.  

Information

  • Creator
    The Catalyst Podcast
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 The Catalyst Podcast
  • Show Website
    The Catalyst Podcast