Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Elizabeth, a first-year PhD student at the University of Bucharest and early career practitioner. Elizabeth has participated in several exchange programs under the Erasmus+ framework, broadening her perspective on social work practices and international collaboration. She has worked in diverse roles supporting older adults and children with autism, allowing her to develop a diverse set of skills and a deeper understanding of different vulnerable populations. Elizabeth is particularly interested in initiatives that promote innovation, inclusion, community development, and evidence-based practice within the social services sector.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Elizabeth’s YouTube channel - https://www.youtube.com/@elizabethfarca%C8%99 

Elizabeth’s WordPress page - https://elizabethfarcas.wordpress.com/ 

https://ro.linkedin.com/in/elizabeth-farcas-1909aa225 

Elizabeth’s TikTok account - http://tiktok.com/@elizabethfarcas 

Elizabeth’s Pinterest page - https://ro.pinterest.com/elizabethfarcas/_profile/ 

The Romanian Ministry of Labor, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity - https://mmuncii.gov.ro/

Bucharest’s social services agency - https://www.dgas.ro/ 

Romania’s National Agency for Payments and Social Inspection - https://www.mmanpis.ro/ 

Romania’s National Authority for the Protection of the Rights of Persons with Disabilities - https://anpd.gov.ro/web/ 

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1BURBqURLK8nHM_EaemK7_quQaogNVJaUaBs72vIzs0M/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Sophia, a social worker, sexologist, and relationship counsellor from Germany. She has worked in child protection and youth services in both Germany and Australia, including child and family welfare services, therapeutic residential crisis care for children and young people, and specialised crisis support for girls who have experienced sexual violence and abuse. Sophia has worked as a lecturer in sexology, and is the founder of Sexology Hub, where she offers sexuality and relationship counselling, individual coaching, as well as educational programs, workshops, and professional training for diverse audiences.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Trauma-informed work and recovery
Sanctuary Institute - https://www.thesanctuaryinstitute.org/

Creating Sanctuary by Sandra Bloom - https://sandrabloom.com/book/creating-sanctuary-toward-the-evolution-of-sane-societies/

Trauma and Recovery by Judith Herman - https://openlibrary.org/books/OL1563764M/Trauma_and_Recovery

The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk - https://www.besselvanderkolk.com/resources/the-body-keeps-the-score

Practical resources and research on sexual violence
RAINN - https://rainn.org/

Caste-based discriminination
International Dalit Solidarity Network - https://idsn.org/

International Cooperation Work
Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire - https://fsi-ebcao.princeton.edu/sites/g/files/toruqf1411/files/media/freire.pdf

Decolonizing Methodologies by Linda Tuhiwai Smith - https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/decolonizing-methodologies-9781786998125/

Social Work Crisis in Berlin
AG Weiße Fahnen, DBSH Berlin, GEW BERLIN "Die Berliner Jugendhilfe befindet sich im Kollaps" | GEW - Berlin - https://www.gew-berlin.de/presse/detailseite/ag-weisse-fahnen-dbsh-berlin-gew-berlin-die-berliner-jugendhilfe-befindet-sich-im-kollaps

Sexuality and relationship counselling/therapy
A Clinician's Guide to Systemic Sex Therapy by Gerald Weeks et al. - https://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/mono/10.4324/9781315817392/clinician-guide-systemic-sex-therapy-gerald-weeks-katherine-hertlein-nancy-gambescia

Principles and Practice of Sex Therapy by Hall & Binik - https://www.guilford.com/books/Principles-and-Practice-of-Sex-Therapy/Hall-Binik/9781462543397

Personal / Professional Resources
Sophia’s open-access publication on Problematic Porn Consumption among Men: Males’ Lived Experience with Self-Perceived Pornography Addiction: A Qualitative Study of Problematic Porn Use - https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/20/2/1497

Sophia’s website - https://sexologyhub.com/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vmORcM52JnAuYjakfttLbPmLQHqEH2JH5fOPG8AmOC8/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Theo in Greece, with experience in refugee settings and now supporting people with disabilities. Theo is passionate and motivated to work with people in need, believing strongly in the power of community, working next to people and for the people.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) - https://pecs.com/picture-exchange-communication-system-pecs/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1bFHrk9IdTg26k0HiGobKdEJqyffptQQQ9ZRaQ37OgPE/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Susana, with over fifteen years working in frontline social care, as a social worker in children's and adults' services, and now as a Registered Manager for an independent fostering agency in England. Susana is also the creator of MyTappyPlace, a wellbeing platform designed specifically for frontline professionals.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Frontline’s national fast-track social work training programme - https://thefrontline.org.uk/

My Tappy Place - https://mytappyplace.co.uk/

EFT Universe (High Energy Health Podcast) - https://eftuniverse.com/podcast/

Lika Family Fostering - https://likafamilyfostering.co.uk/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1YQU3DZV1lzdsKh6t_LIDzF3REDwTJe5A4a-P5FnOwI0/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Emmanuel, an early-career social work researcher from Nigeria, at the intersection of migration and mental health, with a bachelor’s degree in social work and a master's degree in migration, and a strong interest in research.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Emmanuel’s published works on ORCID - https://orcid.org/0009-0002-2029-5857

Emmanuel’s ResearchGate profile - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Emmanuel-Onyemaechi-Ugwu?ev=hdr_xprf 

Dibia Akwukwo Social Solutions Research Group - https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-solutions-research-group-ssrg/posts/?feedView=all

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1HRYWc2xZMFknYIGZyjpCJZ3iFGRbiSEMLjn6J_kDHRE/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.