Social Work Spotlight

Yasmine Loupis
  • 4.5 (20)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED TWICE MONTHLY

This podcast features interviews with social workers in Sydney, Australia, showcasing diverse areas of practice, social work stories, successes, and challenges, and providing information on media and other resources that can be accessed to help inform and educate people who are curious about the profession or wanting a career change.

  1. International Episode 12: Sam (England)

    30 JAN

    International Episode 12: Sam (England)

    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.

    1h 5m
  2. International Episode 11: Nur (Malaysia)

    16 JAN

    International Episode 11: Nur (Malaysia)

    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.

    55 min
  3. International Episode 10: Francine & Nadrah (Singapore)

    2 JAN

    International Episode 10: Francine & Nadrah (Singapore)

    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.

    1h 29m
  4. International Episode 9: Dickens (Thailand)

    19/12/2025

    International Episode 9: Dickens (Thailand)

    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.

    55 min
  5. International Episode 8: Harleen (India)

    05/12/2025

    International Episode 8: Harleen (India)

    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.

    31 min
  6. International Episode 7: Dan (Canada)

    21/11/2025

    International Episode 7: Dan (Canada)

    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.

    1h 34m
  7. International Episode 6: Liz & Courtney (USA)

    07/11/2025

    International Episode 6: Liz & Courtney (USA)

    In this episode I speak with Liz and Courtney from the USA. Liz has worked with immigrant survivors of violence for the past 20 years and currently works as a District Student Support Specialist in the public school system where she also provides clinical supervision coordination and supports a trauma cohort. In addition, she provides clinical supervision for the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice and has her own private practice. Courtney is currently the Training Specialist for the Louisiana Crisis Hub which dispatches mobile crisis and behavioural health resources. With 8 years of experience in criminal justice, she has worked with a Statewide Public Defender’s Office and the Metro Public Defender’s Office in Kentucky. Together, they also host their own podcast, the Social Work Squad Cast. Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Vera Foundation - https://www.vera.org/ On the Move Art Studio - Our Team – On The Move Art Studio Provide training and resources - Home - Provide This episode's transcript can be viewed here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/1KnhX04v3k5mYc6UkYg4Q7I4vJR42OwAI7w24wkzLJ5E/edit?usp=sharing Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

    1h 13m
  8. International Episode 5: Estefana (USA)

    24/10/2025

    International Episode 5: Estefana (USA)

    In this episode I speak with Estefana, a seasoned trauma therapist and the Director of Clinical Training at ARISE Alliance Institute with a steadfast commitment to compassionate mental health care tailored to communities in need, developing and implementing training curricula in Critical Memory Integration (CMI™) to bolster trauma-informed and PTSD treatment practices. With over two decades in mental health, spanning roles from behavioural health technician to medical and residential social work, she now also practices at Lighthouse Psychiatry and TMS in Gilbert, Arizona, supporting clinical care and psychedelic research.  Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode: Arise Alliance - https://arisealliance.org/ Shade Tree Academy - https://asashadetreeacademy.org/ Lighthouse Psychiatry - https://lighthousepsychiatry.com/ Estefana’s book ‘The Secret to Life’ - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43201519-the-secret-to-life This episode's transcript can be viewed here:  https://docs.google.com/document/d/13QccEZm9N677rPEXPRgw5O64f0YR9OAuCrDrZWmVSTk/edit?usp=sharing Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

    1h 5m
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4.5
out of 5
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About

This podcast features interviews with social workers in Sydney, Australia, showcasing diverse areas of practice, social work stories, successes, and challenges, and providing information on media and other resources that can be accessed to help inform and educate people who are curious about the profession or wanting a career change.

Information

  • Creator
    Yasmine Loupis
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    156
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Yasmine Loupis
  • Show Website
    Social Work Spotlight

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