Provides information on all things social work, including direct practice (both clinical and community organizing), research, policy, education... and everything in between.
[Episode 143] Today’s episode is the first of a two-part series on research design with Dr. Bruce Thyer, Distinguished Research Professor and former Dean with the College of Social Work at Florida State University. Today's episode is all about single system design, also referred to as single subject design. Bruce and I dive into why social workers should know about them, whether they can be used with manualized interventions, and what their core components are. I asked about the kinds of measures and assessments that work best and where to find them. We discuss real-world examples, the nuances of designs like AB, ABC, and beyond, and how to use single subject designs for complicated, multilayered problems. I wanted to know if they work across levels of practice—micro, mezzo, and macro—and whether they’re appropriate for evaluating evidence-based practice. When I told Bruce I had concerns about the generalizability of SSDs, he reminded me that the requirements for generalizability are almost never met, even in rigorous large scale studies. We end with a discussion about publishing SSDs and how to use SSD with the complicated problems and issues that nearly all clients present with. It’s a fascinating conversation about a method that can help social workers evaluate practice in a way that’s rigorous, practical, and client-centered.
Dr. Thyer is a Distinguished Research Professor and former Dean with the
College of Social Work at Florida State University. He is also an
Extra-Ordinary Professor with North-West University in the Republic of
South Africa and an adjunct faculty member with the Tulane University
School of Social Work. Previously he held the position of Distinguished
Research Professor at the University of Georgia. Dr. Thyer received his
MSW from the University of Georgia and his Ph.D. in Social Work and
Psychology from the University of Michigan. He is a Licensed Clinical
Social Worker in Florida and Georgia and he is a Board Certified
Behavior Analyst. Dr. Thyer has been a long-term promoter of the
evidence-based practice model within social work. His work is largely
informed by social learning theory and has taken a recent turn in the
direction of exposing and discouraging pseudoscientific theories,
interventions and assessment methods within social work practice.
[Episode 142] Today's episode is an interview with sociologist, Anna S. Mueller, PhD. Luther Dana Waterman Associate Professor in the Department of Sociology and the Senior Research Program Leader of the Mental Illness, Suicide, and Addiction Section of the Irsay Institute at Indiana University. Anna and I spoke about why Anna and her colleague, Seth Abrutyn, looked at the social roots of youth suicide at Poplar Grove, the social factors that they found contributed to youth suicide contagion and clusters (including the rigid cultural expectations, mental health stigma, and high level of connectedness); the role of social workers in school-based multidisciplinary practice; and practical steps that schools and communities can take to address youth suicide.
[Episode 141] In today's episode I speak with Jessi Gold, MD about her 2024 book, How Do You Feel? One Doctor's Search for Humanity in Medicine, a powerful, honest, and often funny exploration of mental health and well-being, both in and outside of healthcare.
In today's episode we explore the prevalence of burnout among healthcare
professionals, particularly the paradox of empathy leading to
vulnerability. Dr. Gold describes burnout's symptoms and her personal
experience with it, emphasizing the need for self-compassion and
authenticity in the workplace. The conversation also offers advice for
social workers on writing about their experiences and maintaining their
humanity within demanding systems. Finally, Dr. Gold stresses the
importance of acknowledging the impact of work on mental health and
advocating for better support systems.
In her deeply relatable and beautifully written memoir, Dr. Gold shares stories from her own journey in academic medicine and those of her patients, pulling back the curtain on the often-toxic culture of healthcare that expects resilience in the face of trauma and burnout. Through wit and vulnerability, she challenges us to rethink what it means to truly care for others—and ourselves. Whether you’re a healthcare provider, caregiver, or simply someone trying to balance work and life, this book is a must-read. Dr. Gold reminds us that while systemic barriers remain, there’s always room for hope, healing, and finding meaning in the work we do. Let’s dive into her story. Key themes include:
The importance of vulnerability and storytelling in addressing mental health stigma.
Practical tips for healthcare providers to prioritize their own mental well-being.
How societal expectations around medicine influence mental health discourse.
Highlights from How Do You Feel?, offering strategies for patients and providers alike to have better conversations about mental health.
The interview with Dr. Williams highlights several reasons why economic inequality is dangerous, drawing heavily on the ideas of historical thinkers.
Social Conflict and Instability: Dr. Williams emphasizes Plato's view that economic inequality creates a divided society, leading to conflict and instability. He points to Plato's concept of a city divided into two—one of the rich and one of the poor—constantly plotting against each other. This resonates with contemporary observations that rising inequality correlates with the growth of authoritarian populism, social distrust, and political instability.
Erosion of Community and Sympathy: Adam Smith, often seen as a proponent of free markets, believed that extreme economic inequality hinders the development of community and mutual sympathy. Smith argued that a large gap between rich and poor makes it difficult for sympathy to flow between these groups. He was particularly concerned about the lack of sympathy from the wealthy toward the less fortunate, citing a biblical example of a rich man ignoring a beggar. Dr. Williams suggests this lack of sympathy can undermine social cohesion and shared responsibility.
Undermining of Democracy: The interview touches upon the potential threat to democracy posed by economic inequality, particularly through the influence of charitable foundations established by the wealthy. While not directly addressed by Dr. Williams, he references the work of Stanford political theorist Rob Reich, who argues that foundations can perpetuate the power of wealthy individuals and potentially undermine democratic processes. John Stuart Mill also expressed concerns about foundations, viewing them as potentially imposing the will of the wealthy on future generations.
Obstacles to Individual Liberty: Dr. Williams explains how John Stuart Mill, a champion of individual liberty, saw economic inequality as a significant obstacle to achieving true freedom. Mill argued that extreme disparities in wealth create an environment of resentment and distrust, hindering the development of a strong community. He believed that a certain level of economic equality was necessary to foster a society where individuals could genuinely thrive and exercise their liberties.
Dr. Williams' insights, grounded in the wisdom of historical thinkers, offer a compelling argument for why economic inequality poses a danger to society. He demonstrates that the problem extends beyond mere economic disparities, impacting social cohesion, political stability, and individual well-being. I'm excited to bring this conversation about political philosophy to social workers because social work is an inherently interdisciplinary profession. We draw on insights from every discipline and every profession in the pursuit of improving the world and making our client’s lives better. The relationship between social work and biology, psychology, sociology (biopsychosocial anyone???), politics and even economics is clear. But, the relationship between social work and political philosophy? Not so clear. Don't tell David, but I’m not even sure what political philosophy is. But that doesn’t stop me from being very excited to share today’s conversation with David Williams, professor of Political Science at DePaul University and author of the 2024 book, The Greatest of All Plagues: How Economic Inequality Shaped Political Thought from Plato to Marx.
[Episode 139] In today's episode, I speak with Tia Dole, PhD, Chief 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Officer, about updates to 988. We talk about how 988 provides services to Deaf and hard of hearing people, crisis support in Spanish, and the September 17, 2024 launch of geo-routing for T-Mobile and Verizon customers. We talk about how geo-routing is different than geo-location, and what people should know about contacting 988 in a suicidal crisis.
At the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, we understand that life's challenges can sometimes be difficult. Whether you're facing mental health struggles, emotional distress, alcohol or drug use concerns, or just need someone to talk to, our caring counselors are here for you. You are not alone.
[Episode 138] Today's episode is an interview with Dr. Patricia Gianotti, Academic Director of The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University Chicago. Patricia and I speak about the neurobiology of shame, why depth work is
important, and how to think about human complexity in a therapeutic
context. She emphasizes the impact of attachment failures on a person's
sense of self and the role of shame in therapy. She explains the concept
of loyalty contracts and how they shape individuals' beliefs and
behaviors. She underscores the power of psychodynamic techniques in
uncovering and addressing these dynamics. Throughout the conversation,
she highlights the hope and resilience that can be found in therapy.
The Institute for Advanced Psychotherapy at Loyola University Chicago offers a yearlong certificate program for licensed professionals, aimed at enhancing clinical skills through an integrative training method. The program incorporates advances in trauma and neuropsychological research within a framework rooted in attachment theory. Participants engage in onsite residencies that last three full days each, featuring hands-on training by nationally acclaimed faculty. In between residencies, distance learning continues through monthly 90-minute case consultation meetings and bimonthly live webinars. The program is approved for CEU Credit by the APA and NASW, and awards a total of 72 credit hours. To learn more, please visit https://www.luc-iap.com/
[Episode 137] In today's Social Work Podcast, I speak with ChatGPT-4o about the role of AI in child welfare and community organizing and how we can use Bronfenbrenner's ecosystems framework and an antiracist perspective. That's right. I'm interviewing OpenAI's LLM, ChatGPT-4o.
On May 13th, 2024, OpenAI released the Omni version of ChatGPT4. This was a big step forward in processing speed. You could input video audio sort of visuals data all sorts of things and it could analyze it almost in real time. I've been playing around with ChatGpt-4, the earlier version, and you know talking to it on the app and there was always a significant delay as it was thinking through things and kind of coming up with a response. But the Omni version, the response is basically in real time, and I thought what better moment than now to interview ChatGPT, because you'll hear a little bit of the thinking, right? It’ll be a slight delay but no more than you would for any live human guests on the social work podcast.
Unlike a human guest, I didn't have to coordinate schedules. All I did was I took my phone, I clicked on the app, I hit the little headset icon which activated the voice input, and I held up my phone to my microphone so that I was recording my voice like I am now, and then ChatGPT just coming right out of my phone into the speaker. So, it's good audio. it's not rich deep audio like I like to have, but you know when you record over Zoom or Skype or any of the other things that I've done in the past again it's not pristine audio either, but it's pretty good
This is the first time I've interviewed a chatbot. I'd love to hear your thoughts about the interview. Please text me or leave a voicemail for me at (215) 948-2456. If you leave a voicemail, please let me know if you're ok with me including your message as part of a follow-up podcast episode.
[Episode 136] In today's Social Work Podcast, we speak with Allan Cole about his experiences with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease.
Parkinson's Disease affects nearly 1 million people in the United States and more than 6 million people worldwide. It is a a progressive neurological disorder that primarily affects movement. I’m releasing this episode in April because April is Parkinson's Disease Awareness Month, chosen because it is the birth month of James Parkinson, who first identified the symptoms of Parkinson's disease more than 200 years ago.
Full disclosure – before this episode I knew that my childhood hero Muhammad Ali and the actor Michael J. Fox had Parkinson’s, but I didn’t know they had Young Onset Parkison’s Disease. I also assumed that it was a terminal illness that significantly decreased your lifespan like Multiple Sclerosis (MS) (https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/multiple-sclerosis/symptoms-causes/syc-20350269) and ALS (aka Lou Gehrig’s Disease). I was wrong.
And that’s why I spoke with Allan Cole, a person who lives with Young-Onset Parkinson's Disease. He also serves as the Dean of the Steve Hicks School of Social Work at the University of Texas at Austin. And, as you’ll hear in today’s episode, Allan's personal and professional journey is one of vulnerability and profound empathy, qualities that resonate deeply within the social work community.
In today’s episode, Allan shares his personal journey with Young-Onset Parkinson’s Disease, acknowledging diversity of experiences people have with Parkinson’s. We explore the emotional landscape of receiving a Parkinson's diagnosis, the misconceptions surrounding the disease, the difference between disease and illness, living well with Parkinson’s, the need for more research and awareness, what social workers should know about working with people with Parkinson’s Disease, and the importance of empathy and support in navigating its challenges. I appreciated how Allan spoke about his journey in the context of his many privileges, acknowledging that his ability to be vulnerable was a manifestation of his privilege.
In the years since his diagnosis, much of Allan’s scholarship and advocacy has centered around caring for people living with Parkinson’s disease. He has written or edited several texts on Parkinson’s disease, including the 2021 Oxford University Press book, Counseling Persons with Parkinson’s Disease, and two books on lessons learned from Parkison’s Disease: Discerning the Way (Cascade, 2021), and Jumping to the Skies (Cascade, 2023). He also has two books of poetry, Riding the Wave (Resource Publications, 2023) and In the Care of Plenty (Resource Publications, 2021). He moderates a website called PDWise.com, a hub he created for sharing personal stories, experiences, and wisdom gained from living with Parkinson’s, which encourages personal connections and opportunities for learning.
Hey there podcast listeners Jonathan here. I am humbled and honored to let you know that I have been selected as one of 25 Social Work Pioneers for starting the first podcast by and for social workers. The NASW Social Work Pioneers® program celebrates some of the most influential social workers in the nation.
There is no way I would have been considered for this prestigious honor had it not been for you, the long time devoted listeners of the social work podcast. You have welcomed me into your morning and evening commutes, bus rides to class, your workouts, and wherever you learn on the go.
When I started the podcast in 2007, I hoped that a handful of social work students would find my summaries of practice theories useful. I handed out social work podcast bookmarks and gave workshops at social work conferences to let folks know what a podcast was. Fifteen years later, episodes have been assigned to hundreds of thousands of students and downloaded millions of times. There are now dozens of social work related podcasts all around the world, including Dave Niven's Social World Podcast from the UK. Mim Fox and Ben Joseph in Australia have been doing amazing work with co-construction of podcast episodes. And of course, Shimon Cohen's Doin the Work Podcast right here in the USA.
I want to thank the folks who nominated and wrote letters of support including social work pioneer Linda Grobman, publisher of the New Social Worker magazine. Jennifer Luna, who you'll hear from in a forthcoming episode about building your social work brand and who interviewed me 14 years ago for the one-year anniversary of the Social Work Podcast. And Allan Barsky, social work professor at Florida international University whom I've had on the podcast several times talking about ethics and social work.
To learn more about this year's inductees into the social work hall of fame, you can go to NASW's website or search NASW social work pioneers.
Again, thank you for all of your support throughout the years. I'm truly honored. But don't think this means I'm going away. I have a bunch of really exciting episodes coming out this year. Thanks for listening.
[Episode 135] Today’s episode is the second of a two-part series with Lisa Damour about her 2023 book, The Emotional Lives of Teenagers: Raising Connected, Capable, and Compassionate Adolescents. In today’s episode, Lisa and I talk about how decades of research on the gender binary can provide
insight into the emotional lives of adolescents across the gender spectrum. We talk about intersection of race and gender. We end our conversation talking about how it is important to help teens express their emotions, but perhaps more important to help them regain control.
In Part 1, we talked about the difference between adolescent distress and adolescent mental illness, how the COVID-19 pandemic made it more difficult for parents to distinguish between normative adolescent distress or pandemic-related mental health concerns. She talks about the most destructive myth that is out there about adolescent mental health and what we as parents, professional and a society can do about that. Along the way Lisa shared some practical tips about to manage a teenage meltdown, a story about swimming pools, and she encourages us to think
critically about the research that is being done on adolescent mental
health and how the news media is portraying adolescent distress.
