In this episode I speak with Lamiya, a social work practitioner, researcher, and social entrepreneur from Azerbaijan with over a decade of experience in migration, social inclusion, child welfare, and gender-based violence, having worked with international organisations including the UN system, UNHCR, ICMPD, and the Council of Europe, and actively advocates for evidence-based, community-centred social services.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• International Centre for Migration Policy Development - https://www.icmpd.org/

• SiM (Sosial İş Məktəbi (Lamiya’s training college) - https://sosialishmektebi.com/

• Social Dialogue Magazine - https://www.iassw-aiets.org/2024/12/25/social-dialogue-magazine/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yem1BndD9X44w97e8BK8WEOQIAQbK148-fLVT1s8ypk/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Nayanathara, a social worker from Sri Lanka and the founder of The Island of Stories, a volunteer organisation that supports children and women in education, while also working as a lecturer in Youth Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Nayanathara’s NGO Island of Stories Instagram account - @islandstorieslk

• Nayanathara’s Research Gate page - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/K-N-N-Jayathilaka

• Social Work Diaries on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@socialworkdiaries

• Association of Sri Lankan Social Workers - https://slapsw.lk/

• Community Solutions USA - https://community.solutions/

• United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - https://www.unfpa.org/

• IREX - https://www.irex.org/

• Asia Safe Abortion Partnership - https://asap-asia.org/

• Asia-Pacfic Forum on Sustainable Development - https://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd13

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LIjIeKdjUpzfeNB-2O_vT4O6_TAtGvrhJLM7Si0QaIs/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Marta, who beyond being someone who is deeply passionate about people, considers herself a nonconformist; someone who strives every day to make a difference. Marta holds a degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Social Work, with a focus on Chronic Kidney Disease and its impact on patients and their families. Marta is also a couple and family therapist and the mother of four daughters.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Marta’s Diaverum profile - https://www.diaverum.pt/en/diaverum-portugal/diaverum-in-portugal/management-team/marta-olim/

• Marta’s publications - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marta-Olim

• Marta’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-freitas-olim-52521ab6/

• Testimonials from Diaverum’s project for caregivers (‘We, Families’) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wv1_B7AKp1EHcpt7vIwVh90BEi9IbebH/view?usp=sharing

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/18lxc6Tt-UX1MpEcWZBM4QSMxVTWhAixvEmck1BCI2dg/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Jelena, a Social Welfare and Criminalistics Expert from Bosnia and Herzegovina with over 13 years of experience in the public sector, international organisations, and civil society. Her work focuses on research, advancing social policy, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, evaluating programs, and supporting the European integration process. Jelena has collaborated with UNICEF, the EU, and various government institutions and is the author and co-author of more than 39 scientific and professional publications in social work, criminalistics, and human rights. Currently, she works as an independent freelance consultant dedicated to leading transformative social change by connecting diverse sectors and driving innovative, evidence-based solutions for a fairer and more equitable society.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Jelena’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-kupresanin/

• Jelena’s scientific contributions on Research Gate - https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jelena-Kupresanin-2089961619

• Jelena’s article titled “Social Work in Educational System of the Balkans - Is Social Worker Needed in Schools?“ - https://econpapers.repec.org/article/apaijhass/2018_3ap_3a245-252.htm

• UNICEF’s work in Bosnia and Herzegovina - https://www.unicef.org/bih/en

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/17tBnGNmgsGqWq8Szjfm3A3ETk9XkUUzrWCDFBU4aXhg/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Sam, a forensic mental health social worker based in a specialist community mental health team in South London, tailored to work with forensic mental health patients, who have additional needs in the context of intellectual disability and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior to this, he was based with an outreach focused mental health team working with people rough sleeping.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• News article about the Homeless Outreach Team, featuring Fran Busby - https://lhf.org.uk/press-release-south-london-and-maudsley-homeless-outreach-team-a-winner-in-london-homelessness-awards-2023/

• Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) community team - https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/f/find-community-team

• Witches film by Elizabeth Sankey (trailer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwx5350Bj8

• Notes on the Mind podcast episode with Rai Waddingham - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/notesonthemind/episodes/Episode-Two---Rai-e13is75/a-a60ohoh

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/12GeL7BX6Bx9QH3j90QEdRXDr_c3j6fLa3MMByhmhWdA/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Nur, currently serving at a Government Hospital in Malaysia, working closely with patients and families, especially in cases involving child protection, sexual health awareness, emotional trauma, and family dynamics. Her practice centers on compassionate support, building safe spaces, and empowering individuals to navigate challenging life experiences with dignity.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Malaysian Association of Social Workers - https://www.masw.org.my/

• Malaysian Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development - https://www.kpwkm.gov.my/

• Amanah Raya financial trustee and legal support service - https://www.amanahraya.my/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/16r_q9kULoZMk7flfU0dXUSjFNyptP-zMB2r9WKTEVeE/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Francine and Nadrah in Singapore. Francine worked as a PE teacher in Singapore before moving to Australia to study social work at age 40. She worked in many major Australian cities and particularly loved Darwin where she predominantly supported Aboriginal communities in the renal sector, before returning to Singapore to support her elderly parents in 2021. After 8 years of sirens and split-second saves as a paramedic, Nadrah recently swapped her stethoscope for a listening ear. Nadrah has made a mid-career switch into social work to guide others with the right support and services, with no flashing lights required, just a steady supply of coffee.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• Mental Health Academy - https://www.mentalhealthacademy.com.au/

• ComCare support scheme - https://supportgowhere.life.gov.sg/schemes/COMCARE-SMTA/comcare-short-to-medium-term-assistance-smta

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/14MbqVmLglx_rw65L2HFVS7VkBbEsedHEedc7bpNuATg/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Dickens, originally from Hong Kong, having worked in social work and counselling in Hong Kong, Singapore, Melbourne, and Thailand. Drawing on his international experience, he currently serves as an international school counsellor in Phuket, Thailand. He is registered with Social Work England and the Hong Kong Social Worker Registration Board. He is also a Certified Clinical Anxiety Treatment Professional.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• PESI online professional development - https://www.pesi.com/

• International Social Service Hong Kong branch - https://www.isshk.org/en/

• PsychWire online training - https://psychwire.com/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wN8QG7rYzE2kmoxSKaugZCs_iKRiBSdjfjnWeJRruDs/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Harleen, a social worker from India, awarded the Master’s of Social Work university Gold Medal, with more than five years of experience in the community development sector. Harleen is passionate about societal change. 

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• UNICEF article on India’s support for newborn and child health - https://www.unicef.org/india/what-we-do/newborn-and-child-health

• Harleen’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/harleen-kaur-92b714154/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/10-iQGVFGQ0AIPuPiqYmwWUoZ6P895ki1Pq1lb_o1g2w/edit?usp=sharing

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

In this episode I speak with Dan, whose more than 30 years of human services experience has seen him serving both children and adults in multiple settings and in various capacities. He has worked at four different child welfare agencies in Ontario, Canada, in frontline, supervisory and managerial roles across different functions. Along with work in the youth and adult mental health and addictions sector, Dan developed and facilitates the HEERO Model, focusing on moving this forward in Canada, the USA and further internationally.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:

• HEERO Canada - https://heero.ca/

• Dr Bruce Perry - https://www.bdperry.com/

• Dr Gabor Maté - https://drgabormate.com/

• Kevin Campbell and Family Finding - https://www.familyfinding.org/kevin-campbell

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CGCALT7nl11_hnaKyTq32-v2Df-VHXQgnmKvbbgNOEs/edit?usp=sharing

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