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 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.

In this episode I speak with Nicky, who has worked throughout the UK, Cape & Torres, and Cairns, with over 20 years’ experience in Queensland Health and the mental health system. Nicky makes use of a variety of psychotherapies in her practice including EMDR, having recently finished a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Hypnotherapy and strategic psychotherapy.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Nicky’s practice Bluewater Therapy FNQ - https://www.bluewatertherapyfnq.com/aboutGordon Young - https://gordonyoung.com.au/Michael Yapko - https://yapko.com/Ericksonian hypnosis - https://ericksonianhypnosis.com/A Guide to the Standard EMDR Therapy Protocols for Clinicians, Supervisors, and Consultants - https://www.springerpub.com/a-guide-to-the-standard-emdr-therapy-protocols-for-clinicians-supervisors-and-consultants-9780826131164.htmlThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tajWVYP75mNiGsCE5Nw0njeoE-8pbDdW17T8njkIEMA/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Rachel, the Principal Accredited Social Worker and Founder of Lighting Your Way Social Wellbeing, a practice she built to be a safe, inclusive, and neuroaffirming service for people who often fall through the gaps. Alongside working directly with clients, she actively advocates for systemic reform by feeding back injustices and gaps in services to policymakers, as a person with lived experience of disability. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Rachel’s business Lighting Your Way Social Wellbeing - https://www.lywsocialwellbeing.com.au/DivergAntz Collective education - https://divergantz.com.au/educationEmily Hammond’s NeuroWild - https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/emily-hammond-neurowildOnwards and Upwards Psychology - https://www.onwardsandupwardspsychology.com.au/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1B-pVqgwmufLs5BMfHDT83gMkvMIW4yuyCkAIijryw-s/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Aishwarya, a passionate social work graduate from India, currently pursuing her Master’s of Social Work at RMIT University in Melbourne. With hands-on experience across diverse sectors including community development, youth education, aged care, and mental health services, Aishwarya brings both compassion and insight to her work. Deeply committed to advancing mental health and hospital social work, she’s driven by a desire to make meaningful, systemic change. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Brené Brown’s Daring Greatly - https://brenebrown.com/book/daring-greatly/Lillian Watson’s Light from Many Lamps - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1270698.Light_From_Many_LampsDr Carol Dweck - https://psychology.stanford.edu/people/carol-dweckThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1H6Fh6hilNny8EHz96IMHVPaDJv0IyK2gfFdFS4KiWLU/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Braden, a social work leader and supervisor from New Zealand. He has worked most of his career in the field of child protection and has recently completed his doctorate which explored how child protection social workers can support children to thrive after they have experienced adversity.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Training through Social Care Solutions with Auntie Tammy Solomon of Mullah Mara - https://www.socialcaresolutions.com.au/our-trainingBraden’s business Relate Services - https://www.relateservices.co.nz/our-storyDr Bruce Perry - https://www.bdperry.com/Signs of Safety approach - https://www.signsofsafety.net/what-is-sofs/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BOthZ_k1N9cI5Ak_CffARgxDBGwZs1Q0jNaYIk8VhT8/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Heath, a recently graduated social worker who has been studying the last six years and is currently working in the child protection space in the NGO sector. He has also completed a five-year internship in counselling whilst studying and now also works in private practice as a social worker. Heath has a strong passion for critical social work practice and strives for innovative change within the human services sector.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Barnardo’s Family Connect and Support program - https://www.barnardos.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/FCS_21_89491_FCS-brochure.pdfMacquarie Cottage Counselling Services - https://www.macquariecottagecounsellingservicesinc.net/meet-our-clinical-team/Reimagining Narrative Therapy Through Practice Stories and Autoethnography - https://www.routledge.com/Reimagining-Narrative-Therapy-Through-Practice-Stories-and-Autoethnography/Heath-Carlson-Epston/p/book/9781032128658#:~:text=Reimagining%20Narrative%20Therapy%20Through%20Practice%20Stories%20and%20Autoethnography,contemporary%20narrative%20therapy%2C%20based%20in%20autoethnography%20and%20storytellingDCJ’s TEI program - https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/service-providers/deliver-services-to-children-and-families/targeted-earlier-intervention-program/tei-program.htmlPESI training - https://www.pesi.com.au/National Hearing Voices Network - https://www.hearing-voices.org/#contentNarrative Means to Therapeutic Ends - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/726292.Narrative_Means_to_Therapeutic_EndsDr Mark Cross - https://www.drmarkx.com/Changing Minds: The Inside Story - https://iview.abc.net.au/show/changing-minds-the-inside-storyPower Threat Meaning Framework - https://www.bps.org.uk/member-networks/division-clinical-psychology/power-threat-meaning-frameworkOpen Dialogue Centre - https://opendialoguecentre.org.au/Gabor Maté - https://drgabormate.com/A Therapeutic Treasure Box for Working with Children and Adolescents with Developmental Trauma - https://www.booktopia.com.au/a-therapeutic-treasure-box-for-working-with-children-and-adolescents-with-developmental-trauma-dr-karen-treisman/book/9781785922633.htmlAping Mankind - https://www.routledge.com/Aping-Mankind/Tallis/p/book/9781138640320Invitations to responsibility: the therapeutic engagement of men who are violent and abusive - https://catalogue.nla.gov.au/catalog/1797499This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1snKAEum6R64hrjc4ffU0wZKi8trGjq6K2e7HyXbEhis/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Eileen, who has over 30 years of experience in child abuse, family violence, mental health and trauma and is passionate about the safety of children and ensuring the voices of children are heard. In 2022 Eileen launched her own company as a way of promoting primary prevention in the areas of child abuse and family violence.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Eileen’s business ‘Earlvention’ - https://www.earlvention.com.au/Safe and Equal, Melbourne - https://safeandequal.org.au/The National Association for Prevention of Child abuse and Neglect (NAPCAN) - https://napcan.org.au/ANROWS research - https://www.anrows.org.au/Love Bites program - https://www.napcan.org.au/Programs/love-bites/It’s the Little Things Community - https://www.itsthelittlethingscommunity.org/Dr Fiona Buchanan - https://people.unisa.edu.au/fiona.buchananAnother Day in the Colony (Chelsea Watego) - https://www.uqp.com.au/books/another-day-in-the-colonyHow Many More Women? A discussion at UNSW’s Centre for Ideas with Jennifer Robinson and Keina Yoshida - https://www.centreforideas.com/article/how-many-more-womenThe Whole Story (Patrick Todmarsh) - https://www.penguin.com.au/books/the-whole-story-9781787334625In Control (Jane Monckton Smith) - https://www.bloomsbury.com/au/in-control-9781526613226/Safe Home (SBS short series) - https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-series/safe-homeVictim/Suspect review in The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2023/may/20/netflix-documentary-victim-suspect-women-rapeThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1S2hKT-uJtuMjzgXZ2UrLU_ui57ruY_OEGhpmph_YEGk/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Kristen, a passionate early career practitioner in the children, young persons and families space who in her spare time is also continuing her professional development by completing a Master’s of Social Work. Kristen uses relationship-based practice to work alongside young parents in supporting them to improve child developmental outcomes, breaking the cycle of generational disadvantage, and to empower them to realise their parental strengths. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Circle of Security International (Early Intervention Program for Parents and Children) - https://www.circleofsecurityinternational.com/Australian Childhood Foundation - https://www.childhood.org.au/Raising Children Network - https://raisingchildren.net.au/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/118sNDGkeExij9ilP_ewZEMwWop8v_a4X5gyFwoWa474/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Calum, an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker and Psychotherapist, with 10 years of experience across specialist mental health services both in Australia and the UK. Calum also runs a small private practice, Stoa Therapy, and is undertaking further education in Family Therapy.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Calum’s private therapy practice, Stoa Therapy - https://www.linkedin.com/company/stoa-therapyStoa Therapy on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wearestoa/Headspace - https://headspace.org.au/NSW Health Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) - https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/mentalhealth/Pages/services-camhs.aspxDBT Skills Manual for Adolescents (Rathus & Miller) - https://www.guilford.com/books/DBT-Skills-Manual-for-Adolescents/Rathus-Miller/9781462515356Growing Yourself Up (Jenny Brown) - https://exislepublishing.com/product/growing-2nd-edition/Family Evaluation (Kerr & Bowen) - https://murraybowenarchives.org/books/family-evaluation/The Bowen Center on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@TheBowenCenterThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1yNDpZ0bOnHxfv-EeKgASKmJCBz8eB-0DQ-RXgU7m9J8/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Stacey, a social worker and program manager with extensive experience in youth homelessness, leading crisis refuges and transitional accommodation services. Passionate about trauma-informed care, she also leads initiatives supporting male survivors of domestic violence and is pursuing a PhD focused on suicide bereavement in Australian adult males.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Safe Pathway program (NSW Government) - https://dcj.nsw.gov.au/legal-and-justice/safer-pathway/information-for-victim-survivors/general-information-about-safer-pathway.htmlThe Oasis and Life After the Oasis (documentaries - https://theoasismovie.com.au/Short Term 12 film - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Short_Term_12Social Work Stories podcast - https://socialworkstories.com/Young & Homeless podcast (Y Foundations) - https://www.yfoundations.org.au/young-homeless-podcastPlease Don’t Stab Me! How to Tuck a Gangster Into Bed - https://goodreads.com/book/show/21310569-please-don-t-stab-me-how-to-tuck-a-gangster-into-bedKnightlamp Institute training opportunities - https://knightlamp-institute.teachable.com/p/homeThis episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Tdp46POUmY7_fwZTHDw9xK6Fe8zUxK6l8wzvpJiWEuc/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Mel, the founder and CEO of Social Care Solutions, a leading child safeguarding organisation in child protection assessment, training, support and consultancy across Australia and Aotearoa. With over 20 years of experience, multiple industry awards, and a passion for improving outcomes for children and young people, Mel is a recognised thought leader and advocate in the sector.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Child-centred Social Work: Theory and Practice by Barnes, V. (2017). UK: Macmillan EducationEcological Systems Theory - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mRdlWPB8xS4With Our Two Hands Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Corporation - https://wothatsic.org/Queensland Foster and Kinship Care - https://www.qfkc.com.au/After the Apology documentary - https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/tv-program/after-the-apology/1333274179947Hear Us Roar: Lioness edition - https://www.kmdbooks.com/product-page/hearus-roar-lioness-editionInternational Childhood Trauma Conference 2025 - https://childtraumaconference.org/Queensland Family and Child Commission - https://www.qfcc.qld.gov.au/Peak Care - https://peakcare.org.au/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/188bF1sxIpSWX0rvyXnZ7wd5HuyWqYb3iSAw92CGCUIY/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Korin, who has been working in the disability space for the last 4 years, currently working in behaviour support and supporting a team of practitioners under NDIS. In this role Korin supports people from various trauma backgrounds and helps to improve their lives and educate support workers, families and other providers to enable them to live out their full potential. Korin has a passion in advocating for human rights and accessibility for all and is about to expand into providing supervision to social work students undergoing their placements.Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia - https://bigbrothersbigsisters.org.au/Mindful Recovery DBT Centre - https://www.mindfulrecovery.com.au/Alex Wilson (of Mindful Recovery) featured on Social Work Spotlight - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/fx8u6TaZvRbThe Assertive Social Worker - https://www.instagram.com/theassertivesocialworker/Chantelle Towers (The Assertive Social Worker) featured on Social Work Spotlight - https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/NSSLoyaZvRbThe Playful Psychologist - https://www.theplayfulpsychologist.com/This episode's transcript can be viewed here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/180e0-3pyDKo_0Pv98td4MVkC3wCwG9VFHpMpSOZJsJI/edit?usp=sharingThanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.