Workplace trauma is real trauma, especially when racism, anti-LGBTQ bias, and institutional betrayal are part of the job. In Episode 34 of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, Alicia Stettler and Causha Spellman-Timmons host a grounded, practical conversation with Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW on toxic workplaces, psychological safety, culturally affirming crisis response, and what it takes to stay bold in advocacy without losing yourself.

Ace was taking a burnout break from podcasting, and Alicia and Causha held it down.

Website: RevolutionarySocialWork.com

Connect / collaborate: [email protected]

Guest Links

Website: https://www.workplacetraumarecovery.com/

Provider page: https://care.headway.co/providers/heliana-ramirez

About Heliana Ramirez, PhD, LISW

Heliana Ramirez is a clinical social worker and researcher focused on the trauma of toxic workplaces, including workplace racism and anti-LGBTQ bias. During her own recovery from a toxic workplace, she recognized how unprepared many mental health providers are to address the specific injuries of workplace abuse and institutional betrayal. Drawing on post-traumatic growth and peer support, she developed communal resources to reduce isolation and strengthen recovery, including culturally informed somatic interventions, career-protection tools, a self-help workbook, blog posts, and on-demand webinars for survivors and the clinicians and advocates who support them. Her work spans anti-racist and LGBTQ+ affirming workforce wellness, occupational psychosocial safety, culturally responsive suicide prevention, somatic trauma therapy, harm reduction, and liberatory community building.

Episode Focus

Workplace trauma • institutional betrayal • psychological safety • suicide prevention • culturally affirming crisis response • social work advocacy inside institutions • middle management pressure • somatic recovery • community support

Chapters

00:00 – Theme song + intro

01:50 – Introduction and Guest Introduction

07:38 – Exploring Workplace Trauma and Healing

13:09 – The Neuroscience of Trauma and Institutional Betrayal

18:54 – Navigating Middle Management Challenges

21:23 – Social Work's Role in Addressing Global Issues

28:49 – Overcoming Fear in Advocacy

31:45 – Living with Fear and Ancestral Trauma

37:26 – Workplace Trauma and the Me Too Movement

40:55 – Navigating Financial Abuse in the Workplace

49:05 – Understanding Workplace Abuse Dynamics

55:45 – The Intersection of Childhood Trauma and Workplace

Abuse

59:12 – Gathering for Change: The Waves of Consciousness

Summit

01:01:27 – Addressing the Suicide Crisis: A Call to Action

01:07:59 – Crisis Intervention: Rethinking Our Approach

01:13:24 – Cultural Healing: The Role of Community in Suicide

Prevention

01:19:33 – Boldness in Advocacy: The Future of Social Work#WorkplaceTrauma #ToxicWorkplace #InstitutionalBetrayal #PsychologicalSafety #SocialWork #RevolutionarySocialWork #TraumaRecovery #SomaticTherapy #SuicidePrevention #LGBTQAffirming #WorkplaceRacism #MentalHealth #WorkplaceAbuse #CrisisIntervention #CommunityHealing

© Revolutionary Social Work