Empower Hour: Social Work Stories

Herzing University MSW Program
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Mental Health
  • Updated Monthly

Empower Hour: Social Work Stories is a podcast dedicated to exploring social work and the quest to create positive change. Each episode dives into topics such as mental health, social justice, community building, and professional diversity by offering different perspectives from practitioners, educators, and advocates. With a focus on the guests, Empower Hour seeks to inspire all listeners with tools and strategies for advocacy, stories of resilience, and opportunities in the profession to help make a meaningful impact.

Episodes

  1. Mar 27

    Holding the Line: Social Work Practice in Veteran Crisis Care

    Happy Social Work Month!! In this episode, Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea interviews Charles Wilson. He is a licensed clinical social worker who works with veterans and crisis services. He is a licensed clinical social worker and discusses his journey as a veteran, the challenges veterans face, and effective strategies for supporting them through trauma-informed care, crisis response, and trust-building, among other topics. You don't want to miss this! Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    49 min

  2. 12/19/2025

    Beyond the Stigma: Social Work in Suicide Prevention & Substance Use Recovery

    Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea's conversation delves into the impact of upbringing and traumatic experiences on individuals, particularly focusing on how these factors relate to substance use as a coping mechanism. Dr. Kenshara Cravens-Knoxson emphasizes the importance of understanding these connections in the context of assessments and support. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    44 min

  3. 11/21/2025

    Foster Care: Where Lived Experience Fuels Practice

    In this episode of Empower Hour: Social Work Stories, Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea engages in a profound conversation with Dr. Isaiah Gonzalez, a licensed clinical social worker and professor, about the complexities of the foster care system. Dr. Gonzalez shares his personal journey through foster care and how it informs his professional practice. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    51 min

  4. 08/15/2025

    Where Purpose Meets Practice: A Herzing MSW Alum's Journey

    In this episode of the Empower Hour: Social Work podcast, Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea speaks with Erica Smith, a graduate of Herzing University and a passionate social worker focused on housing. Erica shares her personal journey from facing challenges as a single mother to finding her purpose in social work. The conversation delves into the importance of meeting clients where they are, the necessity of self-care for social workers, and the impact of trauma-informed care. Erica also discusses the need for policy changes in housing to address inequalities and offers valuable advice for aspiring social workers. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    43 min

  5. 06/30/2025

    Pride in Practice: Social Work With the LGBTQIA+ Community

    In this episode of Empower Hour: Social Work Stories, Dr.KaRon Spriggs-Bethea talks with Tresa Rollison, a licensed clinical social worker, to discuss the intricacies of working with the LGBTQIA+ community. They explore Tresa's journey in social work, the challenges and rewards of advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights, and the importance of cultural competence and humility in practice. The conversation also touches on the significance of self-care, and the need for ongoing education and supervision in the field. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    34 min

  6. 05/23/2025

    Not Just a Month: Everyday Advocacy with Survivors

    April is both National Child Abuse Prevention Month, as well as National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. And so, we're going to be taking time to explore some of the important conversations around both of those topics today. And I'm so thrilled to be joined by one of Herzing University's very own. We have Professor Stephanie Parsons, who is a MSW adjunct faculty here. Stephanie brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in these areas. Today, we talk about what social workers and advocates need to know when working with survivors of child abuse and sexual assault. Disclaimer:The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    37 min

  7. 03/14/2025

    Empowering Change: A Conversation with Herzing University MSW Educators

    Welcome to the inaugural episode of Empower Hour: Social Work Stories. In this episode, Dr. KaRon Spriggs-Bethea sits down with Dr. Elizabeth Wilson, Dr. Hyacinth McKee, and Professor Nicki Schoonover to discuss Social Work Month, Herzing University's Master's in Social Work program, and what it means to be a social work educator. Whether you are a student, professional, professor, or advocate in the community, this episode offers education and inspiration on the social work profession. Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect the policies or positions of Herzing University. This podcast is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered professional, legal, or medical advice. References to any products, services, or organizations do not imply endorsement by Herzing University. While every effort is made to ensure the information shared is accurate and current, Herzing University makes no guarantees as to the content and assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions.

    51 min

  8. Trailer

    Welcome to Empower Hour: Social Work Stories

    Please enjoy a little teaser for the first episode of Empower Hour: Social Work Stories. The first official episode will be premiering on Friday March 14 at 9am CT.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Empower Hour: Social Work Stories is a podcast dedicated to exploring social work and the quest to create positive change. Each episode dives into topics such as mental health, social justice, community building, and professional diversity by offering different perspectives from practitioners, educators, and advocates. With a focus on the guests, Empower Hour seeks to inspire all listeners with tools and strategies for advocacy, stories of resilience, and opportunities in the profession to help make a meaningful impact.

Information

  • Creator
    Herzing University MSW Program
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Herzing University MSW Program
  • Show Website
    Empower Hour: Social Work Stories