The Steward Project

In this episode of The Steward Project, I want to give you permission to SLOW DOWN. As helpers, healers, activists, and changemakers, we are exposed to a lot of oppression and injustice in the world. And we often run towards it in order to be of service to those suffering first-hand from these injustices. But sometimes, we have to slow down, pull away, and take some time for ourselves.

In this episode, I share that NO is a complete sentence and one we should use more often; that self-care is a daily practice of being attuned to what our bodies need and operating with compassion and kindness to meet that need for ourselves; and that we shouldn't wait until we get sick. It's easy to get carried away by the challenges in the world, but in order to stay sustained in this helping, healing, activist and change-making work, we must commit to self-care, which includes...slowing down.

After you listen, jump on my blog at www.radical-tendencies.com/my-thoughts for links & show notes!

Spiritual Bypass is defined as, "the use of spiritual practices and beliefs to avoid dealing with our painful feelings, unresolved wounds, and developmental needs." As we start any spiritual journey, we must become aware of spiritual bypass and how that can impact our path.  For some, coming across a teacher or "guru" who is engaging in spiritual bypass may cause them to pull away from spirituality altogether.  I want you to avoid that by being fully aware.

 

In this episode, I share about what Spiritual Bypass is and how it shows up.  And we can't talk about spiritual bypass without talking about "manifesting".  Manifesting is something I strongly believe in...AND, I think sometimes we make very blanket statements about what manifesting is to the point that it can become spiritual bypass in and of itself.

Join me on this episode as we explore spiritual bypass and bullsh*t manifesting! After you listen, jump on my blog at www.radical-tendencies.com/my-thoughts for links & show notes.

It's Back to School time!  Whether you're getting your own kids ready to go back to school or you're going back to school yourself (as a student or an educator), you know the drill...school supply shopping, getting that new first-day-of-school outfit, and preparing for the first day.

The McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act is the federal law that guides how schools identify, enroll, and support homeless students in public schools. While this is a time of excitement and new changes, for our homeless students, back to school time is one of anxiety and hardship.

In this episode l share information about the McKinney-Vento Act, how it defines "homelessness", what supports it offers, and how YOU can help homeless youth in the schools near you.

After you listen, jump on my blog at www.radical-tendencies.com for additional show notes and links and let me know what you think!

This episode of The Steward Project Podcast came from a post I saw on Instagram. The post hit a nerve for me and when I saw the comments from fellow social workers I knew I had to address this topic: Ethics & Humanity.

When we think about our work with clients, we must understand and uphold privacy and confidentiality.  Of course.  We must also hold very clear boundaries for our work and self care.  Of course. AND we can show our humanity by being human in our interactions with them in public/outside of our work.

In this episode, I share some steps to ensure we can balance ethics & humanity. I'd love to know how this topic resonates for you. After you listen, jump on my blog at www.radical-tendencies.com for additional show notes and links and let me know what you think!

This latest episode of The Steward Project podcast explores the difference between caring for others and carrying them. When we CARE for others, we help guide them towards love & belonging. When we CARRY others, we keep them from doing the accountability work needed to change but we also set ourselves up for serious burnout.

Join me as I share how this awareness of CARING vs. CARRYING has shifted my personal view of boundaries as they relate to self-care. I hope this difference creates a shift for you as well. It's so important that we keep the scope of our work in check so we can continue this challenging helping, healing, and change-making work!

Visit www.radical-tendencies.com for additional show notes and links.

Let’s talk about what’s happening on our southern border. The separation of families, specifically separation of children from their parents, is causing severe trauma. What does this mean? In this episode, I share briefly about what is meant when people say “these kids are being traumatized” and share a few tips on self-care as we fight these despicable actions.

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Steward Project Podcast, a conversation on mental health. Specifically, depression and suicide in the wake of the recent suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain. If you or someone you love suffers from depression or have/have had suicidal thoughts, this is the episode for you.

In this episode, I share some brain science around depression, my personal experience with depression and suicide, and some answers to common questions. Is depression just a "chemical imbalance" in the brain? Do all people who suffer with depression become suicidal? What is going on in the brain when someone is suicidal? How do I help?

Resources:

- Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

- Suicidepreventionlifeline.org

- Anxiety & Depression Association of America (ADAA.org)

- adaa.org/understanding-anxiety/depression

Visit www.radical-tendencies.com for additional show notes and links.

May is Foster Care Awareness month! This month I'm sharing about the foster care system. This beast of a system that cares for almost half a million kids yearly is still somewhat mysterious to those outside of it.

This is part 2 of a 3-part series...

Part 1: The What, Where & How of foster care w/ data & info;

Part 2: The Who of foster care, sharing my personal journey;

Part 3: *possible* Interview w/ a former foster youth

In this episode, I share my own personal journey as a foster youth advocate and then a foster parent. I share my WHY, my start as a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate), and a few experiences I've had with my foster kids. I hope you enjoy!

Visit www.radical-tendencies.com for show notes and links.

May is Foster Care Awareness month! This month I'm sharing about the foster care system. This beast of a system that cares for almost half a million kids yearly is still somewhat mysterious to those outside of it.

This will be a 3-part series...

Part 1: The What, Where & How of foster care w/ data & info;

Part 2: The Who of foster care, sharing my personal journey;

Part 3: *possible* Interview w/ a former foster youth

Do you know how many youth are in foster care or how many are available for adoption each year? Do you know how many foster youth "age-out" of the system each year or what their outcomes look like? Join me as I share this data (and more!) to help you understand this system and how you can get involved.

Visit www.radical-tendencies.com for show notes and links.

Welcome to The Steward Project podcast! In this first episode, Nicole shares about the journey thus far and how 20+ years of social work experience has informed her current work in the world. How did she get started in social work? What has the path over a 20 year career looked like? What are the challenges we face in this helping, healing, and change-making work? How can we work together in this space to find healing and support for each other? Join the conversation!