The Catalyst Podcast

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

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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.  

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