Best Relational Activism In Social Work Podcasts (2025)

1
Poverty and intersectionality 51:24

7h ago51:24

51:24

In this episode, we interview Professor Anna Gupta about her early experiences as a social worker, her transition into academia, and her important work on poverty and intersectionality in the context of child protection. We explore: - The social model - intersectionality - The role of poverty in child abuse and neglect - The capabilities approach H…

1
Social Anxiety Isn't Just Nerves: The Trauma Behind Your Fear of Connection 8:07

10h ago8:07

8:07

Social anxiety is not just shyness—it's a battle within your body, a fight for survival in a world that constantly demands you to be seen. But what if I told you that the very same body that holds your fear also holds the key to your healing? Social anxiety is often misunderstood as just being shy or introverted, but it’s far deeper than that—it’s …

1
Prayer for Love - Without Losing Yourself 7:37

2d ago7:37

7:37

A somatic prayer to call in love that holds, honors, and does not erase you. In this deeply soothing prayer of Exiled & Rising, Ana Mael offers a somatic prayer for those seeking love that does not cost them their truth, their boundaries, or their body. This is not a prayer of performance. It is a prayer of presence—an invitation to receive love th…

1
How to find meaning in life 44:17

7d ago44:17

44:17

In this episode of the Relational Activism in Social Work podcast, asides Tim's nice hair and the clay.... Tim Fisher FRSA and Richard Devine discuss the powerful insights from James Hollis' Finding Meaning in the Second Half of Life. They explore the challenges of midlife, from the loss of purpose in previously fulfilling careers to the struggle b…

1
A Prayer for When It’s Too Much to Carry: Held in Grief 5:19

9d ago5:19

5:19

Whether you are mourning the loss of a loved one, the loss of home, the loss of safety, or the loss of faith in your country or community—this prayer is for you. In this sacred and unedited episode of Exiled and Rising, Ana Mael offers a somatic prayer for those carrying grief that is too heavy to hold alone. This episode is a place to lay your sor…

1
I Survived Genocide: This Is What I Didn't Survive—And You Won't Either 8:37

11d ago8:37

8:37

In this unfiltered, soul-witnessing episode of Exiled and Rising, Ana Mael reads directly from page 185 of her memoir The Trauma We Don’t Talk About. This is a reading and reflection—not from the past, but from the living, ongoing truth of what genocide does to the body, the nervous system, and the identity. In a world where genocide is happening i…

1
Community and Connection 42:37

14d ago42:37

42:37

In this episode, we interview Jamie Spencer, who holds the position of 'Head of Insight, Quality, Financial Services, and Digital for Camden Adult Social Care'. However, don't let that job title deter you from listening, as Jamie has had a fascinating journey through social care from support worker to senior leader and has been at the forefront of …

1
You Need Justice, Not Breathwork: Imprisoned By Others – Part 1 20:00

16d ago20:00

20:00

Why healing becomes a prison when it doesn’t include justice, relational repair, and acknowledgement? In this direct, unfiltered episode of Exiled and Rising, Ana invites you into the truth that most trauma spaces avoid: healing alone is not enough. Drawing from lived experience and years of working with those displaced by war, harmed by family, or…

1
Your Wound Is Your Medicine: Turn Harm Into Resistance, Justice, and Power 9:03

19d ago9:03

9:03

“Everything that was done to harm me became the medicine to heal me.” Ana transforms her lived experience—statelessness, war, violations—into a global invitation: your pain can become your political and spirtual quest for justice. “When I was humiliated, I healed by honoring the person in front of me.” Ana’s poetic yet grounded declarations are roo…

1
Prayer as Resistance: For Marginalized, Censored, Ostracized and Unseen 15:30

20d ago15:30

15:30

This Is Not Just a Prayer. This Is a Protest. This episode is a somatic and spiritual response to systemic exclusion. In a time when book bans, anti-immigration laws, transphobia, genocide, censhorship and the rise of authoritarianism are threatening the safety and dignity of marginalized people ( and everyone with voice), Ana Mael offers a counter…

1
Safety and belonging in child protection 1:13:23

21d ago1:13:23

1:13:23

In this episode, we speak to Professor Andrew Turnell, co-creator of Signs of Safety. In January 2023, he received the Member of the Order of Australia award for his sustained and innovative contributions to child protection social work. Andrew is internationally renowned for his ground-breaking work in developing safety-organized, solution-focused…

1
For the Anxious Hours When It's All Too Much: Somatic Prayer With Divine 8:00

22d ago8:00

8:00

Use somatic prayer for the moments when your nervous system feels pushed to the edge. Ana Mael offers more than words—she offers a relational space with the Divine, where overwhelm, fear and anxiety softens and the body remembers safety. This episode is not instructional or analytical—it is experiential. Ana Mael guides the listener through a deepl…

1
You Don't Need To Forgive: Privileged Tool Of Silencing 28:49

24d ago28:49

28:49

You don’t owe forgiveness to anyone who hurt you. In this unapologetic and deeply validating episode, Ana Mael dismantles the harmful myth that forgiveness is a requirement for healing. With clarity and compassion, Ana speaks directly to marginalized, BIPOC, and harmed individuals who’ve been told—explicitly or subtly—that their healing must includ…

1
Terrible Knowledge: What Trauma Taught You That No One Else Can 12:21

25d ago12:21

12:21

Ana’s own history as a genocide and war survivor roots this episode in lived experience, offering not abstract theory—but guidance forged in lived pain. What if the hardest parts of your life—the pain, the silence, the survival—taught you a wisdom more powerful than any degree? In this episode, Ana Mael calls it Terrible Knowledge—the kind of embod…

1
Withdrawn and Lonely: The Trauma of Not Being Welcomed 13:41

26d ago13:41

13:41

Withdrawal is a deep somatic adaptation to chronic unsafety, invisibility, and social erasure. Ana identifies withdrawal not as a symptom to be “fixed,” but as a brilliant survival strategy when someone has never felt safe, welcomed, or truly allowed to exist as they are. Welcome to Exiled and Rising. Please follow and rate and always share to othe…

1
The Trauma of Obedience: Censorship and Somatic Cost of Silencing Yourself 15:36

27d ago15:36

15:36

In a time of increasing political instability, censorship, and erasure of marginalized voices and every other voice who wants to speak up, Ana Mael’s work boldly calls us back to the sacred terrain of the body. This episode is both a blueprint for personal healing and a call to collective resistance. It offers one of the most nuanced, deeply embodi…

1
Save Years in Therapy: The Critical First Step to Trauma & PTSD Healing 21:59

27d ago21:59

21:59

If you’ve tried everything to heal but still feel stuck, this one crucial starting point can save you years in therapy. If healing still feels out of reach, it’s not because you’re broken. It’s because healing doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in a relational space your trauma therpist ( or you ) need do the on somatic embodied level between s…

1
How to change the system 52:35

28d ago52:35

52:35

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/…

1
Prayer For Depression, Anxiety, And Mental Health: A Guided Somatic Prayer for Inner Piece 7:22

30d ago7:22

7:22

Somatic Healing and the Power of Embodied Prayer. In moments of mental heaviness, when the mind is restless and the heart is exausted, let this prayer be a place of hope and mental rejuvenation. Whether you are seeking comfort, piece, faith, or a guided pause from overwhelming thoughts, morning anxiety and fear this episode offers a gentle space to…

1
Prayer for Health and Healing Through Diagnosis and Recovery 8:43

1M ago8:43

8:43

Prayers have a deeply somatic impact, helping restore whole nervous system. Healing is not just physical—it is emotional, spiritual, and deeply personal and the most impact you have with prayers is when prayers are embodied. Whether you are facing a diagnosis, recovering from illness, or supporting a loved one in their healing journey, this prayer …

1
When Self-Hatred and Self-Judgment Rob You of Another Day 10:21

1M ago10:21

10:21

Self-hatred is not yours to carry. It was placed there - by somone else - not you. Trauma, neglect, and oppression distort how we see ourselves, burying our inner light under layers of shame and survival. Look as the tactic of opressor to keep you caged and exiled so they can take more space, not you. But that brilliance—the part of you that was si…

1
Reflections on the Silent Retreat (Bonus episode) 25:41

30d ago25:41

25:41

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/…

1
Not Wanting To Live And Not Wanting To Die: Resignation Syndrome – The Hidden Trauma State No One Talks About 32:38

1M ago32:38

32:38

You don’t want to die, but you don’t want to be here either. This is the space no one talks about, not even seasoned therapists,—the silent, hidden trauma state where your body shuts down after too much pain, too much loss, too much survival. This is not depression, it is not you being suicidal. It’s Resignation Syndrom. In today’s episode, Ana Mae…

1
Scared of Your Own Voice: Why Trauma Silences You & How to Reclaim It 10:49

1M ago10:49

10:49

Have you ever felt afraid to speak up? To take up space? To hear your own voice in a room? At some point, many trauma survivors learn that silence is safer—that being unseen and unheard protects them from harm. But healing requires reclaiming your voice and learning that you deserve to be heard. In this episode, host Ana Mael, a genocide survivor, …

1
Release the Burden You Carry: Somatic Tools to Stop Living in Endurance Mode 22:33

1M ago22:33

22:33

Trauma and PTSD often leaves us feeling burdened and caged in a state of endurance, as if survival means carrying everything alone. But what happens when your body has endured for too long? No fancy production- real talk only. In this episode, host Ana Mael, a somatic trauma therapist and war survivor, explores the deep-rooted patterns of over-resp…

1
Grief and Unprocessed Loss: Somatic Grieving for Trauma & PTSD Body ( Part 1) 19:24

1M ago19:24

19:24

Grief and Unprocessed Loss: How to identify and name what your body is grieving but your mind has ignored. Grief is not something you process in five stages and then 'get over'—it is something you learn to live with, move through, and integrate. In this powerful episode, we explore how grief lives in the exiled, displaced body, how trauma reshapes …

1
Healing from trauma 44:39

1M ago44:39

44:39

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/…

1
When the World Feels Unsafe: Why Finding Safety in Your Body is Non-Negotiable for Survival 17:06

1M ago17:06

17:06

Global crises are making the experience of feeling unsafe more real than ever. When the outside world feels dangerous—whether due to political uncertainity, war, displacement, violence, or personal trauma—how can you find safety within yourself? In this episode of Exiled & Rising, we explore how trauma rewires your nervous system to prioritize surv…

1
Why You Want to Disappear and Hide: The Science of Trauma Survival and Healing 11:30

1M ago11:30

11:30

Your trauma body didn’t want to die—but it did want to disappear. This episode of Exiled & Rising explores the survival intelligence of the body when living through exile, war, and displacement. What happens when trauma forces you into hiding? How does the nervous system adapt to make you small, unseen, and safe? Host Ana Mael, a genocide survivor,…

1
Child Protection vs. Family Support 52:17

1M ago52:17

52:17

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/…

1
Dissociation Is Not Your Weakness: Your Hidden Power of Survival & Trauma Healing 15:50

1M ago15:50

15:50

Trauma and PTSD can make you disconnected, emotionally numb, or lost in your own world. Say, THANK YOU! Do you find yourself zoning out during stress or struggling to stay present and feel ashamed about it? In this episode of Exiled and Rising, host Ana Mael defines dissociation—not as a weakness, but as a survival mechanism which saved you and pro…

1
The Wound of Non-Existence: The Hidden Core of Trauma & PTSD 27:33

1M ago27:33

27:33

Trauma is more than rejection; it is the erasure of your presence, voice, and needs. You learn to yield, avoid conflict, and suppress your own desires and identity.....show note bellow. If this episode resonated with you, please take a moment to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who might need to hear this message. Episode Summary…

1
How to see the person not the problem 56:46

2M ago56:46

56:46

Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/…

1
Relationships and 'Spongy boundaries' 49:34

2M ago49:34

49:34

Links: Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.…

1
What is Relational Activism 39:50

2M ago39:50

39:50

Links: Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.…

1
Care, Prison and Transformation 50:08

2M ago50:08

50:08

Opening Discussion: Teaching & Activism Conversation with Lee: Care Experience, Prison, and Activism Lee’s Background: Grew up in care, moving through 28+ placements. Entered the justice system at 17, receiving a 5-year sentence Lee talks about: The Impact of the Fellowship & Retreat Reflects on the Justice System & Care Experience Describes the cy…

1
Navigating conflict in social work 45:24

3M ago45:24

45:24

In this episode of the Relation Activism in Social Work podcast, hosts Tim Fisher and Rich Devine engage in a lively discussion that covers a range of topics from personal anecdotes about daily life to reflections on their university experiences and the challenges faced in direct work with children in social work. They also touch on upcoming profes…

1
Why parents take drugs and what we can do about it 53:33

3M ago53:33

53:33

This episode explores the profound complexities of addiction, trauma, and recovery, featuring the deeply personal and inspiring journey of guest Ian Thomas, a social worker and speaker with lived experience of addiction and healing. In this conversation, we cover: Understanding Addiction and Trauma Drawing from Gabor Maté’s In the Realm of Hungry G…

1
Supporting newly qualified social workers 54:01

3M ago54:01

54:01

In this episode, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine kick off 2025 with reflections on personal and professional goals, recent events, and an inspiring conversation with guest Vicki Shevlin, creator of Social Work Sorted. The discussion explores social work practice, personal growth, and the profession’s challenges. Key Highlights: 1. Personal Reflections a…

1
The courage to be disliked 1:00:44

4M ago1:00:44

1:00:44

Links: Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.…

1
The use of self in social work 1:01:22

4M ago1:01:22

1:01:22

In this episode, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine are joined by Becca Carr-Hopkins for a powerful conversation about use of self, attachment theory, and the transformative power of relationships in social work practice. Becca shares her journey into social work, insights on adapting to challenging environments, and how understanding attachment can unlock…

1
How to create systemic change 59:57

5M ago59:57

59:57

Links: Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/ Rich's BASW Child Protection sessions: https://basw.co.uk/social-work-child-protection-professional-practice-programme Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/ Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/ Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.…

1
How to assess a parents capacity to change 1:06:33

5M ago1:06:33

1:06:33

The podcast focuses on two main themes: assessing capacity to change in social work and a parent’s personal journey through the child protection system. Part 1: Assessing Capacity to Change Rich Devine shares insights from his 14 years in social work, focusing on the challenges of evaluating a parent’s capacity to change within child protection con…

1
The why, what and how of Family Group Conferences 53:10

5M ago53:10

53:10

In this episode of Relational Activism in Social Work, hosts Rich Devine and Tim Fisher kick off with a light-hearted discussion about Tim’s potential rebranding as “Timothy,” complete with tweed jackets and tortoiseshell glasses. Join them for this playful start before diving into the core topic: The Why, What, and How of Family Group Conferences.…

1
Small acts that make a big difference as a social worker 49:15

5M ago49:15

49:15

Tim Fisher and Rich Devine kick off with reflections on culture and connection, inspired by recent experiences, including Rich’s first trip to the theatre to watch Les Misérables. They discuss the profound impact of stories and how creative expressions like theatre offer fresh perspectives on justice, empathy, and the challenges of human connection…

1
Ideas for social workers who feel ‘stuck’ or overwhelmed 48:39

5M ago48:39

48:39

In this week’s episode of the Relational Activism and Social Work Podcast, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine dive into strategies for social workers when feeling “stuck” in cases, especially in longstanding family dynamics where change can be elusive. Rich introduces a framework for recognizing situational and psychological denial in families, exploring t…

1
Growing up in care, shame and healing 48:40

6M ago48:40

48:40

In this episode of Relational Activism in Social Work, hosts Tim Fisher and Rich Devine are joined by Terri-Anne Hamer, a care-experienced activist, who shares her powerful journey of overcoming intergenerational challenges and finding her voice within the care community. Terri-Anne reflects on her unique path, discussing her experiences as a third…

1
Top tips for direct Work and insights from Maya Angelou 44:46

6M ago44:46

44:46

In this episode, Rich kicks things off by admitting his secret fuel: a double-double coffee (that's double strength, double shot!)—the only thing that kept him going through late nights in child protection. He then dives into his approach to direct work with children, sharing insights that go beyond caffeine-fuelled energy. We’re also treated to a …

1
How to write analysis in assessments 54:38

6M ago54:38

54:38

In this episode, Rich and Tim explore the practicalities of analysis. Rich draws on his wealth of experiences and deep dives into analysis. Tim showcases his podcasting skills with an expertly timed musical interlude, which allows Tim and Rich to transition smoothly to talk about the Relational Activism Manifesto. Finally, we say goodbye before con…

1
How to support Kinship Carers; What social workers need to know 50:05

6M ago50:05

50:05

In this episode we speak with Team Manager of a Family Placement Team, Toni Mayo. She talked about: - Different types of kindship care arrangements - How LA's can improve their support for Kinship Carers - How Social workers can support Kinship Carers Tim shares his experience of attending the Kempe Conference, and learning about the Family Finding…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Relational Activism In Social Work Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

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