Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Victory, who has over eleven years of experience in the NGO sector in Nepal and is currently pursuing her PhD. She has worked extensively on issues such as mental health, anti-trafficking, gender equality, community development in slum areas, youth empowerment, and the prevention of commercial sexual exploitation of children and her expertise spans program design, proposal writing, monitoring and evaluation, capacity building, and policy advocacy. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:New SADLE Fair Trade Group - https://fairtradegroupnepal.org/member/new-sadleThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1VlTwm5J1Hxt5tr4YVAE2RMXaKowCDNgMgg7uOxBQ-Wg/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Nayanathara, a social worker from Sri Lanka and the founder of The Island of Stories, a volunteer organisation that supports children and women in education, while also working as a lecturer in Youth Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Nayanathara’s NGO Island of Stories Instagram account - @islandstorieslkNayanathara’s Research Gate page - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/K-N-N-JayathilakaSocial Work Diaries on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@socialworkdiariesAssociation of Sri Lankan Social Workers - https://slapsw.lk/Community Solutions USA - https://community.solutions/United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - https://www.unfpa.org/IREX - https://www.irex.org/Asia Safe Abortion Partnership - https://asap-asia.org/Asia-Pacfic Forum on Sustainable Development - https://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd13This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LIjIeKdjUpzfeNB-2O_vT4O6_TAtGvrhJLM7Si0QaIs/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Marta, who beyond being someone who is deeply passionate about people, considers herself a nonconformist; someone who strives every day to make a difference. Marta holds a degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Social Work, with a focus on Chronic Kidney Disease and its impact on patients and their families. Marta is also a couple and family therapist and the mother of four daughters.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Marta’s Diaverum profile - https://www.diaverum.pt/en/diaverum-portugal/diaverum-in-portugal/management-team/marta-olim/Marta’s publications - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marta-OlimMarta’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-freitas-olim-52521ab6/Testimonials from Diaverum’s project for caregivers (‘We, Families’) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wv1_B7AKp1EHcpt7vIwVh90BEi9IbebH/view?usp=sharingThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/18lxc6Tt-UX1MpEcWZBM4QSMxVTWhAixvEmck1BCI2dg/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Jelena, a Social Welfare and Criminalistics Expert from Bosnia and Herzegovina with over 13 years of experience in the public sector, international organisations, and civil society. Her work focuses on research, advancing social policy, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, evaluating programs, and supporting the European integration process. Jelena has collaborated with UNICEF, the EU, and various government institutions and is the author and co-author of more than 39 scientific and professional publications in social work, criminalistics, and human rights. Currently, she works as an independent freelance consultant dedicated to leading transformative social change by connecting diverse sectors and driving innovative, evidence-based solutions for a fairer and more equitable society.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Jelena’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-kupresanin/Jelena’s scientific contributions on Research Gate - https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jelena-Kupresanin-2089961619Jelena’s article titled “Social Work in Educational System of the Balkans - Is Social Worker Needed in Schools?“ - https://econpapers.repec.org/article/apaijhass/2018_3ap_3a245-252.htmUNICEF’s work in Bosnia and Herzegovina - https://www.unicef.org/bih/enThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/17tBnGNmgsGqWq8Szjfm3A3ETk9XkUUzrWCDFBU4aXhg/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Sam, a forensic mental health social worker based in a specialist community mental health team in South London, tailored to work with forensic mental health patients, who have additional needs in the context of intellectual disability and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior to this, he was based with an outreach focused mental health team working with people rough sleeping.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:News article about the Homeless Outreach Team, featuring Fran Busby - https://lhf.org.uk/press-release-south-london-and-maudsley-homeless-outreach-team-a-winner-in-london-homelessness-awards-2023/Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) community team - https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/f/find-community-teamWitches film by Elizabeth Sankey (trailer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwx5350Bj8Notes on the Mind podcast episode with Rai Waddingham - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/notesonthemind/episodes/Episode-Two---Rai-e13is75/a-a60ohohThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/12GeL7BX6Bx9QH3j90QEdRXDr_c3j6fLa3MMByhmhWdA/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Nur, currently serving at a Government Hospital in Malaysia, working closely with patients and families, especially in cases involving child protection, sexual health awareness, emotional trauma, and family dynamics. Her practice centers on compassionate support, building safe spaces, and empowering individuals to navigate challenging life experiences with dignity.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Malaysian Association of Social Workers - https://www.masw.org.my/Malaysian Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development - https://www.kpwkm.gov.my/Amanah Raya financial trustee and legal support service - https://www.amanahraya.my/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/16r_q9kULoZMk7flfU0dXUSjFNyptP-zMB2r9WKTEVeE/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Francine and Nadrah in Singapore. Francine worked as a PE teacher in Singapore before moving to Australia to study social work at age 40. She worked in many major Australian cities and particularly loved Darwin where she predominantly supported Aboriginal communities in the renal sector, before returning to Singapore to support her elderly parents in 2021. After 8 years of sirens and split-second saves as a paramedic, Nadrah recently swapped her stethoscope for a listening ear. Nadrah has made a mid-career switch into social work to guide others with the right support and services, with no flashing lights required, just a steady supply of coffee.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Mental Health Academy - https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/ComCare support scheme - https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/schemes/COMCARE-SMTA/comcare-short-to-medium-term-assistance-smtaThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/14MbqVmLglx_rw65L2HFVS7VkBbEsedHEedc7bpNuATg/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Dickens, originally from Hong Kong, having worked in social work and counselling in Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne, and Thailand. Drawing on his international experience, he currently serves as an international school counsellor in Phuket, Thailand. He is registered with Social Work England and the Hong Kong Social Worker Registration Board. He is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:PESI online professional development - https://www.pesi.com/International Social Service Hong Kong branch - https://www.isshk.org/en/PsychWire online training - https://psychwire.com/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wN8QG7rYzE2kmoxSKaugZCs_iKRiBSdjfjnWeJRruDs/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Harleen, a social worker from India, awarded the Master’s of Social Work university Gold Medal, with more than five years of experience in the community development sector. Harleen is passionate about societal change. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:UNICEF article on India’s support for newborn and child health - https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/newborn-and-child-healthHarleen’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harleen-kaur-92b714154/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/10-iQGVFGQ0AIPuPiqYmwWUoZ6P895ki1Pq1lb_o1g2w/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Dan, whose more than 30 years of human services experience has seen him serving both children and adults in multiple settings and in various capacities. He has worked at four different child welfare agencies in Ontario, Canada, in frontline, supervisory and managerial roles across different functions. Along with work in the youth and adult mental health and addictions sector, Dan developed and facilitates the HEERO Model, focusing on moving this forward in Canada, the USA and further internationally.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:HEERO Canada - https://heero.ca/Dr Bruce Perry - https://www.bdperry.com/Dr Gabor Maté - https://drgabormate.com/Kevin Campbell and Family Finding - https://www.familyfinding.org/kevin-campbellThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CGCALT7nl11_hnaKyTq32-v2Df-VHXQgnmKvbbgNOEs/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Liz and Courtney from the USA. Liz has worked with immigrant survivors of violence for the past 20 years and currently works as a District Student Support Specialist in the public school system where she also provides clinical supervision coordination and supports a trauma cohort. In addition, she provides clinical supervision for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice and has her own private practice. Courtney is currently the Training Specialist for the Louisiana Crisis Hub which dispatches mobile crisis and behavioural health resources. With 8 years of experience in criminal justice, she has worked with a Statewide Public Defender’s Office and the Metro Public Defender’s Office in Kentucky. Together, they also host their own podcast, the Social Work Squad Cast.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Vera Foundation - https://www.vera.org/On the Move Art Studio - Our Team – On The Move Art StudioProvide training and resources - Home - ProvideThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KnhX04v3k5mYc6UkYg4Q7I4vJR42OwAI7w24wkzLJ5E/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Estefana, a seasoned trauma therapist and the Director of Clinical Training at ARISE Alliance Institute with a steadfast commitment to compassionate mental health care tailored to communities in need, developing and implementing training curricula in Critical Memory Integration (CMI™) to bolster trauma-informed and PTSD treatment practices. With over two decades in mental health, spanning roles from behavioural health technician to medical and residential social work, she now also practices at Lighthouse Psychiatry and TMS in Gilbert, Arizona, supporting clinical care and psychedelic research. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Arise Alliance - https://arisealliance.org/Shade Tree Academy - https://asashadetreeacademy.org/Lighthouse Psychiatry - https://lighthousepsychiatry.com/Estefana’s book ‘The Secret to Life’ - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43201519-the-secret-to-lifeThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QccEZm9N677rPEXPRgw5O64f0YR9OAuCrDrZWmVSTk/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Selva, a psychiatric social worker based in Chennai, India. He works as an Employment Coordinator at the Indian Schizophrenia Research Foundation and his focus is on helping individuals with lived experience of mental illness in their recovery, independence, and social inclusion through supported employment.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Schizophrenia Research Foundation India - https://scarfindia.org/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1hy3_7eoZZqEQKTdQHjqJoyC55mJns7uuFKNz21VKUCI/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Matt, who in addition to being a registered social worker, is also a certified mental performance consultant, podcast host and co-founder of Southwest Counselling Services in Ontario, Canada. He is passionate about utilising a variety of tools including EMDR, Emotion Focused Therapy, Sport Psychology and Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy to help individuals, couples and families lead healthy and fulfilling lives. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Southwest Counselling Services - https://swcounselling.ca/Social Work Me podcast - https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkMe/Wade Wilson’s The Mentor Magazine - https://thementormagazine.substack.com/aboutAlliance of Social Workers in Sports - https://www.aswis.org/Association of Applied Sports Psychology - https://appliedsportpsych.org/Canadian Sports Psych Association - https://www.cspa-acps.com/Mindful Men podcast - https://mindfulmen.com.au/podcast/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YqOatfUpDK8yHda4eXKIGYRty1UaydYnkm5Fg1NQJbs/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Santa, an early career social worker from Laos with paid and volunteer experience for the Red Cross, and the UN, as well as working with migrants to support them to build their skills and experience to gain meaningful employment. Santa has a passion for human rights, humanitarian aid, social protection and research.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:STELLA social enterprise - https://launchthestella.wordpress.com/what-we-do/UNFPA (United Nations Sexual and Reproductive Health Agency) - https://lao.unfpa.org/enLao Civil Society Organizations Platform - https://laocso.org/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vyx-g3-Q60mZz0UiL1gf-WpFr9E1pXaCyf02FNFPv04/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

Social Work Spotlight is going international! I'm taking you all with me on my long service leave. Join me on a journey around the world as I speak exclusively with social workers from outside Australia on my travels for the next 12 months. My next three episodes will feature social workers based in Laos, Canada and Nepal, and I can’t wait to share these different perspectives with you. Keep a look out for the first of these episodes to drop on August 30.

In this episode I speak with Dylan, who currently supervises a team of Support Coordinators spanning across South East Queensland. With experience in Child Safety, NDIS Social Work and Pastoral Ministry, Dylan takes a holistic approach to working with people, incorporating feminist theory and humanistic theory in his work.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Choosing Change - https://www.choosingchange.com.au/Circle of Security parenting program - http://www.circleofsecurityparentingprogram.com.au/Summary of Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed - https://bookbrief.io/books/pedagogy-of-the-oppressed-paulo-freire/summaryJan Fook’s ‘Social Work: A Critical Approach to Practice’ - https://uk.sagepub.com/en-gb/eur/social-work/book260992Janet Hagberg and ‘The Critical Journey’ - http://www.janethagberg.com/critical-journey-book.htmlMoral Injury and the Humanities: Interdisciplinary Perspectives - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/edit/10.4324/9781003281122/moral-injury-humanities-andrew-cohen-kathryn-mcclymondThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1qFcXba9ZZJPYcdCI0CFEAWQxkGx8m8vBW9ws4ADl3fE/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Carol, a dedicated and trauma-informed therapeutic social worker with a degree also in Criminal & Community Justice. As the child of immigrant parents, Carol's upbringing instilled a deep understanding of the systemic barriers many individuals face, as well as the importance of empathy, empowerment, community care and social justice. Carol is highly experienced in Domestic and Family Violence, Out of Home Care, Child and Adolescent Mental Health and in upskilling and empowering social workers and other helping professionals through clinical supervision and training, and is also a trained facilitator in Circle of Security, Tuning into Kids, Westmead Feelings Program and Black Box parenting program. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Got It program- https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/resources/Pages/got-it-guidelines.aspxAustralian Parenting website - https://raisingchildren.net.au/Emerging Minds resource for social workers - https://emergingminds.com.au/Gabor Maté; Hungarian-Canadian physician - books, podcast, interviews - https://drgabormate.com/WDVCAS-  https://www.legalaid.nsw.gov.au/about-us/our-partners/womens-domestic-violence-court-advocacy-programTuning in to Kids program - https://tuningintokids.org.au/Parenting Stress Index - https://www.parinc.com/products/PSI-4Circle of Security parenting program - http://www.circleofsecurityparentingprogram.com.au/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g_hpCeXKkOCq0chzlT9NXiHkGRJuFVOtHjWxxyJiTdM/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Celesty, a registered social worker and music educator committed to intersectional practice. With experience across domestic violence, refugee support, and community development, she centres healing, autonomy, and relational care. As a queer, neurodivergent professional with South Indian heritage, Celesty draws from ancestral resilience, person-centred frameworks, and creative pedagogy to walk alongside those impacted by systemic violence. Her work is grounded in cultural humility, lived accountability, and the belief that everyone deserves dignity and not discipline.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:It’s Going to be OK podcast - https://open.spotify.com/show/0pqULMk8JpPYwgNvRdQuQn?si=d17dc110a58845be&nd=1&dlsi=48bda940e1f046f6The Great Indian Kitchen film - https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-55919305Gaycation TV series - https://www.vicetv.com/en_us/show/gaycationBangalore’s Human Library article - https://lbb.in/bangalore/human-library-bangalore/A Migrant’s Story at Randwick Council - https://www.randwick.nsw.gov.au/library/creative-hub/library-exhibitions/migrant-story-2014This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1oifPuHrd1QANUFS-phmfp88xy5XUgOdmbSUIUxi4S40/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Charlotte, the Program Manager of a youth crisis refuge and outreach program in Sydney. She has been in the housing and homelessness sector for the past five years and has also worked in men’s domestic and family violence and community outreach roles. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Y Foundations - https://www.yfoundations.org.au/Inner Sydney Voice training - https://innersydneyvoice.org.au/news-events/training/See What You Made Me Do by Jess Hill - https://www.jesshill.net/home/see-what-you-made-me-do/The Oasis and Life After the Oasis documentary films - https://www.jesshill.net/home/see-what-you-made-me-do/Safe Home TV series - https://www.sbs.com.au/whats-on/article/sbs-thriller-safe-home-coming-may-11/kajyykajzApplied Suicide Intervention Skills Training - https://asisttraining.com.au/Brené Brown - https://brenebrown.com/about/Vikki Reynolds - https://vikkireynolds.ca/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/15AteoPDMJGW6IrwXT15GCJ2hS5zkSy54-156bexnrlY/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.