NASW Social Work Talks – Details, episodes & analysis

When Artificial Intelligence enters social work conversations, we often rush to warn colleagues about the potential harm it could cause—almost as if we're trying to protect the profession from an existential threat. This podcast, featuring Dr. Lauri Goldkind, Professor at Fordham University's Graduate School of Social Service and Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Technology in Human Services, invites us to face the reality that technology and social work must work together—leveraging strengths, reducing harm, and staying open to new possibilities. There's no going back. So, what will the future hold? Dr. Goldkind discusses this with our host, social worker Lorrie Appleton.

The NASW's Social Work Talks Podcast is embarking on a NEW occasional series on careers within the Social Work Profession! In our inaugural episode we chat with NASW Maryland Executive Director Karessa Proctor, BSW, MSW. Proctor shares her journey into macro social work and the impact of her chapter's advocacy. Under her leadership, the NASW–Maryland chapter, is one of the fastest growing for social work students and draws social workers in the micro, mezzo, macro, and international fields. We discussed why she chose macro social work and how her chapter advanced two major laws signed by Governor Wes Moore: the Social Work Licensure Compact and the Supporting Older Adults with Resources (SOAR) Act. Tune in to learn how macro social workers shape policy, strengthen communities, and expand opportunities across the profession. Tune in wherever your listen to podcasts!

Wendy Cervantes is the Director of Immigration and Immigrant Families at the Center for Law and Social Policy. In this episode, she and Mel Wilson, NASW's Senior Policy Advisor focusing on social justice issues, discuss what mass deportation would look like under a potential Trump Administration and why such policies are harmful to children and families.

Ellen Kahn is a social worker and Director of the Children, Youth and Families Program at the Human Rights Campaign (HRC). We speak with her about HRC's work to serve youth who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer.

See the show notes for resources and a transcript. If you like this episode, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Animals provide some of our most reliable, uncomplicated and valued relationships, which contributes to our health and well-being. Philip Tedeschi, LCSW, is Clinical Professor and Executive Director of the Institute for Human-Animal Connection at the University of Denver's Graduate School of Social Work. We speak with Professor Tedeschi about the benefits of animal-assisted interventions in social work.

See the show notes for resources and a transcript. If you like this episode, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Martha Gonzalez-Cortes is Senior Vice President of Community Investment at Kalamazoo Community Foundation in Michigan. She has a deep working knowledge of immigration policy issues, and a passion for finding systemic solutions to challenges faced by immigrant and refugee families.

We speak with her about immigrant children in the United States who have been separated from their families, and what can be done to put an end to this inhumane practice.

See the show notes for resources and a transcript. And if you liked this episode, please leave us a review in iTunes!

Athena Viscusi, LCSW, is a Psychosocial Care Specialist at Doctors Without Borders. She's directed mental health programs in Haiti, South Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, and Palestine. She's hired, trained and supervised local workers in refugee camps and worked with clients in cholera and Ebola treatment centers.

Prior to this, she was a community mental health provider in Washington, DC. She worked with immigrants and refugees, at a domestic violence shelter, and a homeless outreach and substance abuse treatment program. She also directed a gang intervention program that provided services to youth and their families.

Allison Peeler, LMSW, believes social workers need to drop the outdated story of "underworked and unpaid" and to redefine the way they view themselves and their earning capabilities.

See show notes page for resources.

Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP, discusses why it's so important for social workers to negotiate their salaries. Arendt is the Executive Director of NASW's North Carolina Chapter.

See the show notes for resources, and please leave us a review on iTunes!

Suze Orman is a New York Times best-selling author and smart money expert. She hosted the award-winning "Suze Orman Show" on CNBC for 13 years. Her books include "Women & Money," "The Money Book for the Young, Fabulous and Broke" and "The Courage to be Rich."

We spoke with her about balancing working in a helping profession and taking care of yourself first.

See the show notes for resources and if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a review!