Social Work Spotlight

Yasmine Loupis

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SOCIAL SCIENCES
UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

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.

4D AGO

International Episode 13: Jelena (Bosnia and Herzegovina)

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

1h 3m
JAN 30

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
JAN 16

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
JAN 2

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
12/19/2025

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
12/05/2025

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
11/21/2025

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
11/07/2025

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

TRAILER

Special Announcement - international season coming soon!

Social Work Spotlight is going international! I'm taking you all with me on my long service leave. Join me on a journey around the world as I speak exclusively with social workers from outside Australia on my travels for the next 12 months. My next three episodes will feature social workers based in Laos, Canada and Nepal, and I can’t wait to share these different perspectives with you. Keep a look out for the first of these episodes to drop on August 30.

S2

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1 min

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.

Creator

Yasmine Loupis
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

157
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© Yasmine Loupis
Show Website

Social Work Spotlight

Comedy

Comedy

Updated Weekly