Social Work is Everywhere

University of Maryland School of Social Work

5.0 (4)
EDUCATION

The Social Work is Everywhere Podcast highlights social work practice, research and expertise in various industries and roles across the globe. Hosted by University of Maryland School of Social Work faculty, this podcast explores and informs how social work shows up everywhere in society.

12/11/2025

A Chat with the Office of Access, Strategic Initiatives, and Support (OASIS)

In this special episode of the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast, we bring you highlights from our conversations with the OASIS team at the University of Maryland's School of Social Work. Join us as we discuss strategic planning, collaboration, community and global engagement, and the importance of aligning strategic goals with personal and institutional values. Learn about the evolving landscape of social work, the significance of relational intelligence, and the enduring legacy of Dr. Raju Varghese. Tune in for insights on building resilient, adaptable, and collaborative approaches in social work. 00:00 Introduction to the Social Work Is Everywhere Podcast 00:06 Highlights from University of Maryland Faculty and Staff 00:16 Strategic Planning and Partnerships with OASIS 00:35 Reflections on Resiliency and Adaptability 00:41 Key Takeaways from the Oasis Team 00:48 Community and Policy Developments 01:18 Aligning Goals with Values 02:09 The Importance of Relational Intelligence 03:48 Interdisciplinary and Global Initiatives 04:34 Building Relationships Across Schools 05:12 Redefining Strategy and Resilience 06:19 The Role of Social Work in Everyday Life 06:48 Closing Remarks and Tribute to Dr. Raju Varghese To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

8 min
11/13/2025

Moving Well: Bringing Mental Health Support to Truck Drivers in Africa

Join Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson on the Social Work Is Everywhere podcast as they explore the Moving Well Project—a groundbreaking initiative delivering mental health and HIV prevention support to long-distance truck drivers in Zambia and beyond. In this episode, you’ll hear from: Sabeen Ahmed, clinical social worker and curriculum developer for the Moving Well appMunsaka Mubela, coordinator with the Truck Drivers Association of ZambiaGracious Witola, social scientist and public health researcherDiscover how the team: Identified the unique mental health and HIV risks faced by truck driversDeveloped and adapted a mobile app to deliver accessible, culturally relevant supportOvercame challenges in reaching a mobile population through creative solutions like WhatsApp groupsEngaged local communities, government, and private sector partners for sustainable impactLearn about the project’s successes, lessons learned, and hopes for scaling up to reach more drivers across Africa and the world. If you’re inspired by this work, please consider supporting the University of Maryland School of Social Work. Your donation helps fund scholarships, research, and community partnerships: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/give For more information about admissions: https://ssw.umaryland.edu/msw MentalHealth #SocialWork #Africa #TruckDrivers #HIVPrevention #MovingWellProject #PublicHealth #PodcastTo request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

34 min
10/09/2025

Building Bridges: Community Partnerships in Zambia with Dr. Simona Simona

In this episode of the 'Social Work Is Everywhere' podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Dr. Simona Simona, a lecturer at the University of Zambia and Assistant Dean for Research in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. Dr. Simona shares insights on the critical role of community partnerships in research, emphasizing ethical, relevant, and community-driven approaches. He reflects on his decade-long collaboration with Dr. Michalopoulos, particularly focusing on their work with vulnerable communities like Fisher Folks and international truck drivers. Dr. Simona discusses the importance of integrating cultural humility over mere competency and offers advice to global social workers on avoiding extractive research practices. The episode also highlights Dr. Simona's contributions to the field through his work on gender-based violence in Sub-Saharan Africa and his development of educational resources, including an upcoming book on using R for quantitative methods. Listeners are encouraged to support the University of Maryland School of Social Work and connect with Dr. Simona via LinkedIn. To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

27 min
09/11/2025

Expanding Horizons: The Center for Global Engagement (CGE)

In this episode of the Social Workers Everywhere podcast, hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson interview Virginia and Amy from the University of Maryland's Center for Global Engagement (CGE). The discussion highlights the diverse and significant roles of social workers across various industries and the importance of global engagement in education and research. Virginia and Amy share their personal journeys into the field, provide insights into CGE's impactful programs like the President's Global Impact Fund and the Provost Global Scholar Program, and discuss challenges and strategies for sustainability and collaboration. They emphasize the transformative power of global education and encourage students and faculty to embrace international opportunities for a broader, more nuanced understanding of their professions and the world. The episode concludes with a call to support global initiatives at the University of Maryland School of Social Work. To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

49 min
08/14/2025

From Maryland to Kerala: Exploring Social Work's Global Impact

In this episode of the Social Work is Everywhere podcast, we dive into the global impact of social work through the experiences of students Christa Gloster and Claude Thomas from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. They discuss their participation in the India course, a program developed in partnership with Rajagiri College in Kerala, India. The course offers students the opportunity to attend international conferences and engage in cultural site visits. Christa and Claude share how they learned about the program, their initial perceptions, and how these evolved during their trip. They also talk about the personal and professional challenges faced, the cultural differences observed, and the valuable lessons gained. The episode concludes with advice for prospective students considering global social work opportunities. To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

31 min
07/31/2025

Charity vs. Solidarity: Lessons from the US-El Salvador Sister Cities

Hosts Dr. Lynn Murphy Michalopoulos and David Robertson engage in a compelling conversation with guests Patrice Forrester and Leigh Beck. Dive deep into the far-reaching impact of social work, the history and mission of the US El Salvador Sister Cities organization, and the role of solidarity vs. charity in global social work. Learn about the inspiring legacy of Oscar Romero and how social work practice evolves with a focus on community engagement and advocacy. To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

42 min
07/17/2025

Global Social Work, Grief, Climate Change and Community Collaboration

This episode highlights guest, Thomas Northrop, and host, David Robertson’s participation in the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Provost Global Scholar Program with an emphasis on grief and trauma-informed care and innovative practice in climate change. Both guests share insights about international collaborations, the importance of community engagement, and culturally grounded approaches to social work. Listen in to learn about their impactful projects and how they shape the future of social work on a global scale. To request more information about admission to the University of Maryland School of Social Work, visit ssw.umaryland.edu/msw. Every gift matters. Visit ssw.umaryland.edu/give to donate today. Follow us on social media! Facebook Instagram LinkedIn YouTube

29 min

7 Episodes

5

out of 5

4 Ratings

The Social Work is Everywhere Podcast highlights social work practice, research and expertise in various industries and roles across the globe. Hosted by University of Maryland School of Social Work faculty, this podcast explores and informs how social work shows up everywhere in society.

Creator

University of Maryland School of Social Work
Years Active

2K
Episodes

7
Rating

Clean
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© 2025 Social Work is Everywhere
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Social Work is Everywhere