In this episode we’re joined by Mark Ishaug, President and CEO of Thresholds, providers of  healthcare, housing, and hope for thousands of persons with mental health and substance use conditions in Illinois each year. Mark shares his inspiring 40 year journey in nonprofit leadership. We discuss the importance of integrated care, as well as the stigma, funding and other challenges in delivering healthcare and housing. Mark then describes what he means by “leading with love,” how he “operationalizes” it, and its transformative impacts on colleagues and clients. #MentalHealth #Leadership #CommunitySupport

When most think of mobile health (mHealth) apps, they think of Calm, BetterHelp, Talkspace, etc. They don't typically think of the music streaming or exercise apps we have in our pockets and that we use every day. Dr. Michael Dennis, the Chief Research Officer for Chestnut Health Systems’ Lighthouse Institute (LI) and a Senior Research Psychologist, focuses the conversation on the challenges faced by emerging adults (ages 18-25) with substance use disorders (SUD): emerging adults have the highest rates of SUD, and only 3% of them receive treatment. Mike discusses the potential of mobile health (mHealth) solutions to address these issues. But rather than focus on the "usual" apps, Mike focuses on music and fitness apps that effectively "reroute" emerging adults from unhealthy cravings to positive activities. He discusses the role music and social support play in recovery, and the unique challenges faced by young adults in rural communities. It's an eye-opening examination of the SUD crisis among our nation's emerging adult population, and an enlightening "reframing" of mHealth and its immense potential in addressing the crisis.   

 Dr. Jared C. Rogers, Medical Director at Chestnut Family Health Center, and Dr. Todd Kettering of OSF Healthcare discuss the partnership between the two organizations,  where OSF provides residents and training while Chestnut supplies ambulatory services and infrastructure. They explore how this collaboration delivers integrated care to underserved communities, addressing "medical deserts" that extend beyond rural areas. The conversation covers innovative approaches to making care more visible and accessible to at-risk populations, their efforts to enhance medical education and patient care, and the integration of AI in healthcare—examining its potential to revolutionize diagnostics and treatment while maintaining the irreplaceable value of human connection in medicine. 

A culture of resilience and innovation, and the importance of balancing mission with performance, are the themes of this fascinating and inspiring conversation with Chestnut's freshly minted CEO, Puneet Leekha. Puneet joined Chestnut as Chief  Operating Officer and General Counsel in 2015 and shares his journey from corporate law to healthcare, highlighting the advantages of bringing a legal background to his new role. He discusses his leadership philosophy and management style, and lays out the most critical challenges and biggest opportunities going forward. He refers to Chestnut as a "true unicorn - we have so many strengths and competitive advantages: a legacy of innovation and collaboration, service lines which are deep and broad, a workforce devoted to our mission, leaders with talent and institutional knowledge...and the Lighthouse Institute, our behavioral health research division, which is our crown jewel." Bonus Content: We discuss Puneet's love of tennis, which he inherited from his father and handed down to his young son, who just won his first tournament!  Tune in for a thoroughly engaging conversation about leadership, resilience, and the future of integrated healthcare.

Dr. Katie Clark, Data Scientist at Chestnut Health Systems, discusses her unusual journey, from counseling individuals experiencing substance use, mental health, homelessness, trauma, and medical conditions, to her current work as a data scientist. With Chestnut, she leads data collection initiatives, doing everything from methodology consultation to grant writing, to software and database development, data visualization, and program evaluation. The episode centers on CRICIT (Clinical Research Information Core for Integrity and Tracking systems), Dr. Clark's innovative platform designed to help researchers maintain fidelity to study protocols. She breaks down how CRICIT addresses common clinical study challenges by streamlining data collection processes and ensuring research integrity through customizable tracking systems. She details CRICIT's flexibility in adapting to individual research project requirements while eliminating typical bottlenecks that plague clinical studies. She also discusses how she is beginning to utilize AI and highlights several of her current projects. For anyone interested in getting at the essence of what Chestnut/Lighthouse do, and why they are the "gold standard" in the field - combining lived experience and state-of-the-art data science - this is the podcast to listen to!   

We spoke with Matt Mollenhauer, Chief Clinical Officer at Chestnut Health Systems, where he’s been for the past 33 years. We discussed: What a CCO does, and a sense of the scope of clinical programs within your purview as CCO. Matt’s leadership philosophy - how he keeps staff engaged, motivated, and at the top of their game.  Matt points to two programs that best exemplify Chestnut’s innovative approaches in delivering successful outcomes. He cites the top 3 challenges in today’s uncertain climate and what Chestnut is doing to overcome them. What he learned from his days with Chestnut Global Partners, an international EAP, that he applies to his work today. And since he’s a diehard Green Bay Packers fan, we couldn’t resist sprinkling in several apt football references. 

In this special episode of the Catalyst, we visit with Dave Sharar, the CEO of Chestnut Health Systems. After a remarkable 36-year career, Dave is stepping down from his post to begin a new chapter at the Lighthouse Institute.Dave reflects on his journey from camp counselor to CEO, sharing the pivotal moments that shaped his leadership philosophy, which emphasizes inclusivity, autonomy, and strategic direction. He delves into his pioneering work with Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs), the development of the Workplace Outcome Suite, a tool that revolutionized how EAPs measure their impact on productivity, and his role in pioneering the "glocal" model of international EAP delivery. The conversation also explores the challenges and achievements of his tenure—from navigating service line integration and the pressures of the pandemic to addressing widespread workforce shortages. As he transitions to his new role, Dave reveals his mission to tackle critical issues in workplace behavioral health, including access to care for the working poor and the persistent challenge of labor shortages.Join us as we celebrate Dave's legacy and look ahead to his next chapter of innovation in the behavioral health field.

Amy Gibbar, VP of Integrated Care at Chestnut and problem solver extraordinaire, discusses her extensive experience in overcoming barriers to care and the importance of integrated services in mental health and substance use treatment. Amy shares her techniques for improving access to care, the philosophies that guide her work, the value of "healthy conflict," the challenges of an evolving healthcare landscape, and how she gracefully manages the different generational needs of her team. Bonus content: Amy provides insights into creative and effective problem-solving and the significance of appreciating staff contributions in a mission-driven environment.

Nadia Klekamp is the Director of Integrated Community Education at Chestnut Health Systems. For the last fifteen-plus years, she has helped promote community-level change by developing strategies that improve public health.  Nadia shares her insights on Recovery Oriented Systems of Care (ROSC), a coordinated network of community-based services aimed at supporting individuals and families in recovery. Nadia discusses how ROSC builds on the strengths and resilience of communities, addresses stigma, and fosters collaboration among diverse stakeholders to facilitate recovery. She spoke about specific initiatives across the state of Illinois, and, in particular, the initiative across McLean County.  

Christine Grella, Senior Research Scientist with The Lighthouse Institute, joined us to discuss her decades of research on substance use disorders, with a focus on the particular challenges facing women.  Key Highlights:Chris’s early work at UCLA that focused on incarcerated men, after which most of her work focused on substance use among women.  Longitudinal insights: 30-year study revealed diverse recovery pathways beyond simple success/failure outcomes.Gender disparities: Women face more severe health consequences and historically greater stigma, while changing gender roles have reduced protective factors for girls. For Amy Winehouse fans (which includes Chris and her interlocutor), we also discussed how her tragic demise, which, like many women with substance use issues, was largely driven by her toxic romantic relationship. Opioid crisis shift: Crisis evolved from isolated heroin use to widespread prescription opioids and fentanyl affecting younger, broader demographics.Treatment integration: Moved from stigmatized, isolated clinics to mainstream primary healthcare settings.Policy evolution: Federal approach shifted from incarceration-focused to more balanced treatment and prevention strategies. 

Two leaders from the Illinois Health Practice Alliance (IHPA) — David Berkey (CEO) and Gilbert Lichstein (COO) — join us to discuss IHPA’s mission as a clinically integrated behavioral health network advancing health, recovery, engagement, and choice across Illinois. Topics include:IHPA’s background and the market gaps it addressesThe importance of integrating primary and behavioral health careValue-Based Care and how it's implementedHow IHPA tackles Social Determinants of HealthThe role of technology in supporting integrated and value-based careThe significance of evidence-based practices in IHPA programsA day in the life of an IHPA providerHow potential Medicaid cuts could impact their work and care delivery

Joe E. Glass is a senior research scientist who recently joined Chestnut Health Systems after a nearly five-year tenure at Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute. Dr. Glass’s work centers on expanding access to effective interventions for alcohol and drug use, with a focus on developing, testing, and implementing innovative care models that proactively deliver addiction treatment and ongoing support for those seeking help. In the podcast, we discuss:How listening to Catalyst interviews with Chestnut and Lighthouse scientists helped facilitate his transition from Seattle (Kaiser Permanente) to Eugene, Oregon, by providing valuable insight into the work and passion of his new research colleagues. His experience at the Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital system, where he observed the unique way medical, financial, and mental health needs are addressed comprehensively under one organizational umbrella.The ABC Study which is being conducted in the Kaiser Permanente health system to address barriers to substance use disorder treatment. The study involves a care navigation program that provides immediate support to individuals referred for treatment, including motivational interviewing and assistance in overcoming logistical barriers.A large-scale study of substance use treatment pathways that combines statistical analysis of various entry points and treatment options with qualitative interviews of patients and providers to better understand real-world experiences and decision-making.What dream project he’d pursue if a genie granted him unlimited resources.  For Joe's full bio: https://shorturl.at/4R9zk 

Jessica Hulsey, President and CEO of the Addiction Policy Forum, joins us to discuss her advocacy work in the addiction and recovery field. Jessica was appointed by President Bill Clinton to serve on the Drug-Free Communities Commission and also served as a legislative aide in the U.S. House of Representatives, focusing on drug policy issues. In 2015, Jessica founded the Addiction Policy Forum. We discuss: Her personal experiences with her parents, who struggled with heroin use disorder, and the challenges she faced in finding appropriate treatment for her father.What led to the founding of the Addiction Policy Forum,  the organization’s priorities, and goals. The importance of using health-focused, non-stigmatizing language and making content accessible to various stakeholders, including educators, healthcare professionals, and families. The 'bench to trench' gap - why addiction research doesn’t always translate into real-world practice. What made her book, 'Understanding Addiction: A Guide for Families,' which took seven years to write, necessary and important (available on Amazon as an ebook and audiobook).  The personal rewards she derives from her advocacy work. 

For over 50 years, America’s “war on drugs” has been a war with unintended consequences. Framed as a battle to be won, it reshaped addiction not as a public health crisis but as a moral and criminal one. This rhetoric didn’t just stigmatize millions — it fundamentally altered the course of treatment and recovery for decades.We sit down with Dr. John F. Kelly, Harvard Medical School’s first endowed professor in addiction medicine and Director of the Recovery Research Institute at Massachusetts General Hospital. Dr. Kelly takes us deep into how the language of war derailed our response to addiction, and how we’ve fought to course-correct since. From the abandonment of outdated treatment models to the rise of evidence-based care, he breaks down the evolving science of recovery and the hard-won insights that are reshaping policy, public perception, and patient outcomes.Dr. Kelly also shares what the latest research tells us about recovery support services, how we’re finally tilting the scales from criminal justice to public health, and what we must do next to meet the challenges of the opioid epidemic and beyond.This is a must-listen for anyone who wants to understand how far we've come in treating substance use disorder, and how far we still have to go.

If you are among the many people confused about the One Big Beautiful Bill barreling through Congress and its implications for Medicaid, we have just the guy to walk you through it. Al Guida founded Guide Consulting Services, a 25-year-old consulting practice that helps corporate, government, and non-profit clients navigate Washington policy processes to achieve measurable goals. In this episode, Al breaks down Medicaid-related provisions in the BBB; we discuss the political outlook, potential impacts, and how continued advocacy can influence outcomes, even after the bill passes.Key Takeaways:Legislation Timeline:Medicaid provisions tied to tax cut bill likely to pass by early to mid-July.CBO projects rising deficits and major Medicaid cuts.Medicaid Coverage Impact:Up to 10 million may lose coverage.Red states most affected due to high Medicaid reliance.Safety net providers face more uncompensated care.Work Requirements:Mostly paperwork-related; 60% of recipients already work.Could disqualify 5.2 million due to admin burdens.Shorter retroactive coverage harms crisis mental health care.Fraud Measures:Support for blocking deceased and fraudulent enrollees.Opposed to punitive cuts and eligibility restrictions.Immigrant Coverage:Cuts affect refugees and undocumented populations.Could drive ER use and strain local budgets.Provider Advocacy:Push for carve-outs to protect mental health/addiction providers.Urged listeners to contact senators and oppose cuts.Stressed advocacy potential during regulatory phase post-passage.

Austin Howald is the Director of Integrated Community Services at Chestnut Health Systems. His work targets the intersection of mental health, housing insecurity, and social drivers of health. The overarching theme of our conversation is "what innovation in healthcare looks like" through the lens of the Medicaid Innovation Initiative. We discussed: The Fundamental lessons that have informed Austin's approach to his work (the importance of providing support without judgment, etc.) How the Medicaid Innovation Collaborative (MIC) works, Chestnut’s multipronged role in it, standout examples, and how they made it cost-effective. The metrics used to measure innovation in healthcare,  focusing on social drivers of health and their impact on patient outcomes.  The importance of using consistent language when discussing concepts such as social determinants vs. social drivers of health, among other common terms of art, especially when engaging with a broader audience.

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.

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.  

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. 

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.