Building the Future Together: Joanna Travis-Roberts on 10 Years of ISSUP

A special three-part series celebrating 10 years of of the International Society of Substance Use Professionals (ISSUP).  

In this first episode, host Associate Professor Goodman Sibeko speaks with Joanna Travis-Roberts, ISSUP’s Chief Executive. Joanna shares how an unexpected opportunity shifted her path from literature and languages to leading a global community focused on substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery. Together, they discuss the serendipitous moments, mentors, and experiences that shaped her career and her passion for making evidence-based knowledge accessible worldwide.

This conversation goes beyond Joanna’s career story. It provides a behind-the-scenes look at the values and motivations driving ISSUP, including transparent leadership, mentorship, and connecting people with knowledge and expertise. She shares the lessons, inspirations, and challenges that have shaped her journey, as well as the inspiration she draws from ISSUP members and the impact of their work. The episode offers a candid and inspiring perspective on leading and innovating in a constantly evolving field, making it a must-listen for anyone interested in global substance use work, leadership, and creating real-world impact.

Featured Voices 

Host – A/Prof. Goodman Sibeko 

ISSUP Global Scientific Advisor.

Head of Addiction Psychiatry, University of Cape Town.

LinkedIn: goodmansibeko

Twitter/X: @profgsibeko

Guest – Joanna Travis-Roberts 

Chief Executive of ISSUP

Learn more about Joanna on issup.net

Time Stamps

[00:00] – Introduction to ISSUP and Joanna

[01:56] – Joanna’s Journey into Substance Use Prevention

[06:18] – Mentorship and Early Influences

[08:49] – Motivation and Impact in the Field

[13:10] – Learning from Challenges and Leading with Humility

[18:19] – Lessons from Defining Moments and Leadership Experiences

[20:56] –Real-World Experience in Advisory Roles

[26:27] – Closing Reflections

About the ISSUP Exchange 

The ISSUP Exchange podcast series explores the evolution of responses to the challenges of substance use—from research and training to ethics, quality standards and evidence-based practice. We connect the dots so you can see the big picture. 

Explore more episodes and join the ISSUP podcast community here>>>

About ISSUP 

ISSUP is a global network that unites, connects, and shares knowledge across the substance use prevention, treatment, and recovery support workforce. Our mission is to make our members’ work as effective as possible—by providing access to training, resources, and a vibrant professional community.