Best NASW Podcasts (2025)

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EP 132 - Building a Macro Social Work Career 22:22

2d ago22:22

22:22

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–Maryla…

1
EP 131 - Menopause and Mental Health 29:08

20d ago29:08

29:08

NASW Social Work Talks podcast episode 131 - Menopause and Mental Health with Lauren Tetenbaum LICSW, Author of the book, Millennial Menopause: Preparing for Perimenopause, Menopause, and Life's Next Period

1
148: Psychodynamic Theory and Human Development: Interview with Dr. Terry Northcut 42:34

3M ago42:34

42:34

Episode 148: In today's episode of the Social Work Podcast, I spoke with Dr. Terry Northcut, Lucian and Carol Welch Matusak Endowed Professor at Loyola University Chicago's School of Social Work about psychodynamic theory as a framework for understanding human development. She talks about how psychodynamic theory offers conceptual scaffolding for u…

1
EP 130: The First Gen Madrina: Bridging Professional Growth Emotional Wellness & Financial Empowerment 27:30

3M ago27:30

27:30

The First Gen Madrina: Bridging Professional Growth Emotional Wellness & Financial Empowerment | With Sara Diaz, LCSW, Founder of The First Gen Madrina, LLC and Podcast Sara Diaz, LCSW, founder of The First Gen Madrina, LLC, joins us to explore the unique experiences of first-generation students and professionals. In this episode, Sara discusses th…

1
147: Neurobiology for Social Work: Interview with James Marley, Ph.D. 45:07

4M ago45:07

45:07

Episode 147: In today's episode of the Social Work Podcast is about a topic that's often glossed over in social work education: neurobiology and the brain. I spoke with Loyola University Chicago School of Social Work associate professor James Marley, Ph.D. In today’s interview, we talk about how trauma literally writes itself into the brain; why un…

1
146: The Evolving Landscape of Social Work Practice: Technology, Advocacy, and the Interstate Compact with NASW CEO Dr. Anthony Estreet 24:00

4M ago24:00

24:00

Episode 146: In today’s episode of the Social Work Podcast I talk with NASW CEO, Dr. Anthony Estreet, about what he sees as some of the most pressing issues shaping the future of social work. These include the rapid evolution of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the urgent need for social workers to organize and advocate, the Social Work Interstate Com…

1
145: Experimental Research Design (Part 2): Interview with Bruce Thyer, PhD, LCSW 19:16

4M ago19:16

19:16

Episode 145: Today's episode is the third of a three-part series on research design (and the second of a two-part series on Experimental Research Design) with Dr. Bruce Thyer, Distinguished Research Professor and former Dean with the College of Social Work at Florida State University. In today's episode, Dr. Thyer unpacks how social work practition…

1
144: Experimental Research Design (Part 1): Interview with Bruce Thyer, PhD, LCSW 21:37

4M ago21:37

21:37

Episode 144: In today's episode, I spoke with Dr. Bruce Thyer, Distinguished Research Professor, former Dean with the College of Social Work at Florida State University, founding and current editor of the journal Research on Social Work Practice, and author of the 2023 Columbia University Press text Experimental Research Designs in Social Work: The…

1
EP 129: Navigating the Now: Self Care for Social Workers 19:29

6M ago19:29

19:29

In this special episode for Mental Health Awareness Month, we will delve into the intersection of mental health awareness and social work practice, providing insights into self-care strategies in today's challenging climate. Nick Szubiak, LCSW is the Founder of NSI Strategies, an organization that provides support to integrated healthcare environme…

1
EP 128: Cannabis Use in Pregnancy 37:52

7M ago37:52

37:52

In this episode of Social Work Talks, we discuss cannabis use and the impact it has on pregnancy and help social workers bring awareness to women who are pregnant and using cannabis. Joining us today is Dr. Roger Zoorob, the Richard M. Kleberg, senior Professor and chair of the Department of Family and Community Medicine at Baylor College of Medici…

1
EP 127: Understanding Traumatic Grief 33:17

9M ago33:17

33:17

Grief and trauma are universal experiences and, as social workers, we know these issues will show up in our work, no matter our practice area. Grief is an inevitable part of life—but trauma can make the grieving process much more complex. That's where the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing comes in. With decades of experience, they provide critical …

1
EP 126: Established and Emerging Practices in Public Defender Social Work 44:45

9M ago44:45

44:45

In NASW's latest episode of Social Work Talks, sponsored by Illinois Department of DCFS, we converse with the Maryland Office of Public Defenders about their Office of Reentry Services. With the help of social workers on staff, it focuses on helping incarcerated individuals re-enter society—and provides them with resources so they can get a fresh s…

1
143: The Power of One: Single System Design with Bruce Thyer, PhD, LCSW 33:13

10M ago33:13

33:13

Episode 143: In today's episode, I spoke with Dr. Bruce Thyer, is Distinguished Research Professor and former Dean with the College of Social Work at Florida State University about Single System Design. We start our conversation diving into why social workers should know about single system design, its core components, and the kinds of measures and…

1
142: Social Roots of Youth Suicide: Interview with Anna Mueller, PhD 29:40

11M ago29:40

29:40

Episode 142: In today's episode, I spoke with sociologist, Anna S. Mueller, PhD. Luther Dana Waterman Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and the Senior Research Program Leader of the Mental Illness, Suicide, and Addiction Section of the Irsay Institute at Indiana University. Anna and I spoke about why Anna and her colleague, Seth Ab…

1
EP 125: Forever Family for Children in Foster Care 22:31

11M ago22:31

22:31

For more than 30 years, Rita Soronen, President and CEO of the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption has worked on behalf of abused, neglected and vulnerable children, providing leadership for local, state and national efforts working to improve the juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Leading the Dave Thomas Foundation for Adoption, a nationa…

1
141: How Do You Feel?: Interview with Jessi Gold, MD 42:18

11M ago42:18

42:18

Episode 141: In today's episode I speak with Jessi Gold, MD about her 2024 book, How Do You Feel? One Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine, a powerful, honest, and often funny exploration of mental health and well-being, both in and outside of healthcare. Today's conversation covers the importance of vulnerability and storytelling in addressing…

1
EP 124: Fractured Families: When to Stay and When to Go 42:36

11M ago42:36

42:36

Imagine this scene. You are sitting in your office when a call comes in. A man and his wife are on the line. The wife says she was given your name from someone who thought you could help. Their adult children have not spoken to them for 10 months. They have pleaded, cajoled, and apologized for all past transgressions hoping they can make amends and…

1
140: The Greatest of All Plagues: David Lay Williams, PhD on Economic Inequality 52:10

12M ago52:10

52:10

Episode 140: In today's episode I talk with David Lay Williams, Professor of Political Science at DePaul University about his 2024 book, The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx. Today's conversation will provide you with a deeper understanding of the historical roots of economic inequality, i…

1
EP 123: Mass Deportation: Unjust and Harmful to the Nation 47:37

1y ago47:37

47:37

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 fam…

1
EP 122: Something's Really Wrong Here: What Social Workers Should Know About Families with Adult Children With Mental Illness 40:53

1y ago40:53

40:53

Dr. Judith R. Smith, LCSW is author of the new book, Difficult: Mothering Challenging Adult Children Through Conflict and Change. We chat with her about her research and the impact of having a "difficult adult child" on aging mothers and explore how social workers can best support these parents in navigating both the emotional and practical challen…

1
Ep 121: Voting Information Day with Vot-ER 43:57

1y ago43:57

43:57

Vote ER and NASW on mobilizing for the extremely important 2024 presidential and down ballot elections. It goes without saying that the upcoming election is one of the most important elections in terms of preserving America's democracy since the Civil War. Hopefully, this podcast will be able to share some important information about what is at sta…

1
Ep 120: Getting Real with Relationship Expert & Author Terry Real 39:20

1y ago39:20

39:20

In our latest podcast we chat with Relationship Expert, Author and Social Worker Terry Real! An internationally recognized family therapist and best-selling author, Real is dedicated to helping couples build lasting, loving relationships. With a revolutionary approach known as Relational Life Therapy (RLT), Terry equips individuals and couples with…

1
139: An Update of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Interview with Tia Dole, PhD 8:31

1y ago8:31

8:31

Episode 139: In today's episode, I speak with Tia Dole, PhD, Chief 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Officer, about updates to 988. We talk about how 988 provides services to Deaf and hard of hearing people, crisis support in Spanish, and the September 17, 2024 launch of geo-routing for T-Mobile and Verizon customers. We talk about how geo-routing is…

1
EP 119: Update on the EAP Landscape 23:12

1y ago23:12

23:12

Dr. Dale Masi is a pioneering social worker renowned for her work in Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Dr. Masi, who recently edited the Fifth International EAP Compendium, is Professor Emeritus at the University of Maryland, where she taught and directed the Employee Assistance Specialization for 22 years. With 16 books and over 70 articles to …

1
EP 118: Career Pivots — It's Never Too Late to Become a Therapist 58:49

1y ago58:49

58:49

In this NASW podcast episode of Social Work Talks we examine why it's Never Too Late to enter the field of therapy. Our host NASW member Elisabeth Joy LaMotte, LICSW chats with chef Karey Swartwout, and political organizer and journalist Dr. Brooke Stroud, now a clinical psychologist, and author Daniel Duane (who today is featured in an article in …

1
EP 117: Why Social Workers Make Great Leaders 26:50

1+ y ago26:50

26:50

Dr. Michael Kaufman, MSW, PhD., author of the new book, Doing Good & Doing Well: Inspiring Helping Professionals to Become Leaders in Their Organizations, has managed countless crises that have needed quick, level-headed thinking and tough decisions delivered with empathy and heart. Board chair of Premier Education Partners he has seen other helpin…

1
EP 116: Psychedelic Assisted Therapy 51:32

1+ y ago51:32

51:32

Mary Cosimano, LMSW, has been with the Department of Psychiatry at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research since 2000 when they began research with psilocybin. She is currently a Psychedelic Session Facilitator and has served as Director of Clinical Services and as a research coordinator.…

1
138: Embracing Therapeutic Complexity: Interview with Patricia Gianotti, Psy.D. 41:17

1+ y ago41:17

41:17

Episode 138: In today's episode of the Social Work Podcast, I speak with Dr. Patricia Gianotti, author of the book, Embracing Therapeutic Complexity, and Academic Director of The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University Chicago. Patricia and I speak about the neurobiology of shame, why depth work is important, and how to think abou…

1
137: The Role of AI in Child Welfare and Community Organizing: Interview with ChatGPT-4o 31:02

1+ y ago31:02

31:02

Episode 137: In today's Social Work Podcast, I speak with ChatGPT-4o about the role of AI in child welfare and community organizing and how we can use Bronfenbrenner's ecosystems framework and an antiracist perspective. That's right. I'm interviewing OpenAI's LLM, ChatGPT-4o. This is the first time I've interviewed a chatbot. I'd love to hear your …

1
EP 115: Social Workers in Public Healthcare - Is it the career path for you? 32:33

1+ y ago32:33

32:33

Jasmin Saville, RN, MPH, MSSW, is whole health and equity director for Amerigroup, a health insurance and managed health care provider that covers older adults, low income families, state and federally sponsored beneficiaries and federal employees in 26 states. Saville talks about how she combined social work and nursing, why public health care cou…

1
136: Living with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease: Interview with Allan Cole, PhD 46:05

1+ y ago46:05

46:05

Episode 136: In today's Social Work Podcast, we speak with Allan Cole about his experiences with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease. Parkinson's Disease affects nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide. It is a a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. I spoke with Allan Cole, a p…

1
EP 114: Marijuana reform policies and their impact Black and Brown communities 55:45

1+ y ago55:45

55:45

As of April 20, 2024, recreational use of marijuana has been legalized in 24 states, three U.S. territories, and Washington, D.C. But how have marijuana reforms affected Black and Brown populations that were heavily impacted by marijuana criminal prosecutions before legalization? NASW Senior Policy Adviser Mel Wilson sits down with Maritza Perez Me…

1
EP 113: Student Initiated Confrontations' Impact on Social Work 25:43

1+ y ago25:43

25:43

Social Work Instructor Dr. Thalia Anderen, MSW, RCSW, LCSW, and Social Work Talks Podcast Host Lorrie Appleton, LCSW, dive into the concerning trend of student-initiated confrontations (SIC) in universities. With over 20 years of experience as a therapist, Anderen's research sheds light on the impact of these behaviors on both educators and the fie…

1
EP 112: Social Work is Everywhere Campaign 43:49

1+ y ago43:49

43:49

During Social Work Month 2024, the University of Kentucky College of Social Work is celebrating with the campaign "Social Work is Everywhere." The college is seeking to raise awareness that social workers help millions of people each day and work in a variety of settings, including many people may not be aware of such as sports and financial planni…

1
EP 111: Ending our nation's gun violence epidemic - a Brady campaign update 28:40

1+ y ago28:40

28:40

Gun violence remains a serious public health issue in the United States. About 46,000 Americans died due to gun violence in 2023, with half using guns to die by suicide. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is a partner with Brady, a campaign to end our nation's gun violence epidemic. In this episode of NASW's Social Work Talks podcast…

1
EP 110: Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention Services Payment Update 8:04

1+ y ago8:04

8:04

Mirean Coleman, LICSW, director of clinical practice at the National Association of Social Workers, talks about a new regulation that will allow clinical social workers to bill for Health Behavior Assessment and Intervention (HBAI) Services. Learn why this development is so important for social workers.…

1
EP 109: Partnering with White Ribbon VA to end sexual harassment, sexual assault and domestic violence 35:59

2y ago35:59

35:59

White Ribbon VA is a national call to action to eliminate sexual harassment, sexual assault, and domestic violence across the Department of Veterans Affairs by promoting a positive change in culture so that the actions outlined in the pledge become the organizational norm. NASW and other mental health organizations have partnered with White Ribbon.…

1
EP 108: EcoSocial Work 43:46

2y ago43:46

43:46

Rachel Forbes, MSW, Associate Professor of the Practice of Social Work and Western Colorado MSW Program Director at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, and Kelly Smith, DSW, founder and the director of the Institute of Social Work and Ecological Justice, and a social work instructor at Columbia University and the Adelphi Univer…

1
EP107: Hip Hop Therapy in the South Bronx 32:43

2y ago32:43

32:43

JC Hall, MSW, LCSW, is a hip hop therapist and school social worker in the South Bronx, New York. He works at a high school there, where he is the Hip Hop Therapy Studio Program Director. JC says that hip hop saved his life. He talks about his mentor, the late Dr. Edgar H. Tyson, and how he turned his love of hip hop and working with youth into a c…

1
EP106: EMDR Therapy Training for Social Workers 50:42

2y ago50:42

50:42

EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a form of psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories. What do social workers need to know about EMDR? Deany Laliotis, LICSW, is an internationally recognized trainer, consultant, and psychotherapist who teaches EMDR therapy using a relational approach t…

1
EP105: Hawai'i Fires Update 15:46

2y ago15:46

15:46

In Maui, more than 115 people have died after wildfires struck in early August. Some 1,000 people remain missing, and the death toll is expected to rise as recovery and identification efforts continue. The fires are especially heartbreaking for Hawaiians; more than 2,000 acres have burned in Lahaina, the historic town and the onetime capital of the…

1
Social Work Pioneer 4:12

2+ y ago4:12

4:12

I am humbled and honored to let you know that I have been selected as one of 25 Social Work Pioneers for starting the first podcast by and for social workers. The NASW Social Work Pioneers program celebrates some of the most influential social workers in the nation. There is no way I would have been considered for this prestigious honor had it not …

1
EP104: Social Work in an Online World 47:46

2+ y ago47:46

47:46

We speak with David A. Wilkerson, PhD, MSW, and Liam O'Sullivan, MA, NQSW, co-editors of "Social Work in an Online World: A Guide to Digital Practice" (NASW Press, 2023). With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, in-person social work service delivery was dramatically interrupted. The field continues to experience a shift toward modern technology-me…

1
EP103: Supporting People Grieving After Losing a Loved One to Suicide 52:43

2+ y ago52:43

52:43

Christine Gilchrist, LCSW, is a specialist in suicide in prevention and in helping those who are survivors of suicide. She speaks about how she and other social workers help people who are grieving after losing a loved one to suicide. Visit the show notes for related resources.By NASW

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EP102: Children's Mental Health in Decline 24:06

2+ y ago24:06

24:06

American children's mental health is worsening. Young people and their families are dealing with the emotional impact of inflation, social injustice, mass violence, and grief related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode, we talk about the problematic decline in children's mental health in the United States, and what social workers can do to he…

1
EP101: Preventing Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders 23:40

2+ y ago23:40

23:40

We speak with Mary Marden Velasquez, PhD, and Anna Mangum, MSW, MPH, about National Partnerships to Address Prenatal Alcohol and other Substance Use and Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders, the Centers for Disease Control grant that began October 2023 in partnership with the University of Texas at Austin. Our host for this discussion is NASW member Lo…

1
135: The Emotional Lives of Teenagers – Part 2: Interview with Lisa Damour, PhD 34:38

2+ y ago34:38

34:38

Episode 135: Today's episode is the second of a two-part series with Lisa Damour about her 2023 book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. In today’s episode we talk about how decades of research on the gender binary can provide insight into the emotional lives of adolescents across the gender…

1
EP100: Empowering Men To Be Better Fathers 15:06

2+ y ago15:06

15:06

We speak with Dr. Charles Daniels Jr, PhD, MDiv, LICSW , co-founder and CEO of Fathers' Uplift in Dorchester, Massachusetts. Fathers' UpLift provides mental health counseling, coaching, advocacy, and resource support to assist fathers with overcoming barriers — including racism, emotional, traumatic, and addiction-based barriers — that prevent them…

1
EP99: Genetics and Family Life: What Social Workers Need to Know 52:53

2+ y ago52:53

52:53

We speak with Dr. Allison Werner-Lin about genetics and family life. Dr. Werner-Lin is Associate Professor at the School of Social Policy and Practice at the University of Pennsylvania. Her research addresses the intersection of genomic discovery and family life. Her work is among the first to explore the psychosocial challenges unique to women and…

1
EP98: Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice 1:05:48

2+ y ago1:05:48

1:05:48

We speak with Christina Erickson, MSW, PhD, about environmental justice. Dr. Erickson is professor and chair of the social work department at Augsburg University. She is author of "Environmental Justice as Social Work Practice," (Oxford University Press, 2018) and "Spanked: How Hitting Our Children Is Harming Ourselves" (Oxford University Press, 20…

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