The Social Workers Radio Talk Show

We are joined by Visiting Assistant Professor, Caroline Sharkey. Caroline's research centers on collective efficacy and social cohesion to mitigate community violence and school shootings, the impact of trauma and historical trauma, and to address the needs of young people in city contexts. We speak about the role of meso/macro-therapeutic interventions, particularly digital storytelling, to foster positive youth development, empowerment, and reclamation.

We are joined by Angie Wootton, a new Assistant Professor at UAlbany's School of Social Welfare. Wootton’s mixed methods research focuses primarily on characterizing and seeking remedies to persistent mental health and behavioral health disparities in the LGBTQ+ community, primarily among sexual minority women, transgender and gender non-binary people, and those experiencing multiple intersecting forms of stigma, discrimination, and exclusion based on sex, gender, and sexuality. This work takes a strengths, resilience, and trauma recovery focus to identify and promote promising new pathways to wellbeing for multiply marginalized LGBTQ+ people.

We are joined by SSW and SPH alum, Taylor Perre ‘22. We speak about the intersection of social work and public health, Taylor’s program and policy work at the Home Care Association of New York State, and navigating the political arena to make macro-level change.

In 2019, armed with a $6,500 University StAR grant, Associate Professor Carmen Serrano set out to establish a largely student-run podcast that would help to amplify the voices of underrepresented and marginalized UAlbany students and alumni, with stories that would prove both instructive and inspiring to others. Joining us today are Carmen Serrano and two student members of the UAlbany Student Stories Podcast, J-Lyn Thomas and Yesenia Melo.

In this episode, we speak with Meghan Keegan of the Albany Common Council. We discuss social workers as elected officials and the benefits of bringing the social work perspective to the table in the political arena.

In this episode, we were joined by Lex Bhagat, Director of the Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library. We discuss how the library is making a difference in the community, particularly regarding the wi-fi expansion #KeepAlbanyConnected campaign aimed to bridge the digital divide.

We were joined by alumna Julia Duff '16, the Executive Director of the Spina Bifida Association of NYS. She discusses the organization's evolution from a local to a statewide chapter, the agency's growth and future goals, and the impact of UAlbany SSW interns on SBANYS's service delivery and success.

We were joined by Interim Dean and Professor, Vicky Rizzo. She speaks about her social work journey, vision for the SSW, goals as President of the NASW-NYS Chapter, and also shares some fun facts.

Lynn Rothenberg graduated from the School of Social Welfare in 2008 after a career as a professional journalist. She recently completed a book-length manuscript that addresses her experience as a mother of a child battling addiction and its consequences.

Dr. Keli Rugestein is the author of "Relationsnip: Is there life after your adult child rejects you?" and discusses the factors that lead to estrangement, the impacts of estrangement, and what the research is saying on this topic.

Kathleen Earle Fox, B.A.’67, M.S.W.’76, Ph.D.’96, is the author of a new book titled, "An Early History of the Wyoming Valley: The Yankee-Pennamite Wars & Timothy Pickering." She discusses how her social work background helped her to write a history book that is not like most history books, as this one pays attention to people and their motivations, and celebrates a group usually ignored in American History: the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois). Fun fact: In 1965, Kathleen submitted the winning entry to UAlbany’s mascot-naming contest, and the Great Dane – which represented “the grace, distinction and ‘strength’ of the new university campus” – became both the nickname of the sports teams and their symbol.

Flora Canavan is part of a group of MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Flora joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of the crisis in the Ukraine. Flora's interview with Father Vasyl Dovgan of St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Troy, NY is shared.

Melinda Haselton is part of a group of MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Melinda joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of childhood bereavement. Melinda's interviews is shared.

Camila Grande is part of a group of 1st year MSW students who are completing a media component as part of their field placement. Camila joined Dr. Hardiman and Alyssa Lotmore to discuss her experience interviewing guests and shares why she chose the topic of abortion and reproductive rights. Camila's two interviews are also shared. Interview one is with Dr. Aurora Phillips, followed by an individual who discusses her experience and the need for support following an abortion.

We were joined by J.T. Stone, a UAlbany journalism major and podcast host. J.T. shared his story about how his interest in celebrity gossip as a high school freshman led him to a passion for journalism and podcasting. Only now a college freshman, J.T. already has built a bit of a resume, specifically in using his skills of storytelling to help amplify voices... particularly around issues such as mental health.

We were joined by DTrae Carter, acting president of The Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library (FFAPL). We discuss how the FFAPL provides critical financial support to the Albany Public Library in order to help the Library provide education, literacy, career development, cultural enrichment, and lifelong learning. We also discuss how social workers are being brought into libraries as employees to address the needs of patrons who may be trying to navigate complex life issues.

We are joined again by Julie Bailey, LCSW, who discusses how to help children manage anxiety, different therapies used in the treatment of anxiety and trauma, and how we, as adults who are not immune to our own anxiety, can help children with their anxiety.

We speak with Dr. James "Jim" Caringi, '91 '07, who is a current Professor at the University of Montana’s School of Social Work. He is also a former WCDB 90.9FM DJ! Dr. Caringi discusses his research on primary and secondary traumatic stress, adverse childhood experiences, and his current area of focus - vaccine hesitancy related to COVID-19.

In this non-traditional episode, faculty, staff, and students were randomly interviewed. Without any time to prepare answers, the questions asked focused on the past, present, and future of social work and what it means to them - "Why Social Work?", "Why Now?", and "What Next?".

We are joined by Dr. Carmen Morano of UAlbany's School of Social Welfare and Dr. Tomoko Udo of UAlbany's School of Public Health. Both Dr. Morano and Dr. Udo are involved as researchers in a new Albany County pilot program, Albany County Crisis Officials Responding and Diverting (ACCORD). The program teams up social workers and paramedics to provide assistance in emergencies where a law enforcement presence is not necessary.

UAlbany SSW alumnus, Jordan Steven Sher '81, joined us to discuss his new book entitled, "And Still We Rise: A Novel about the Genocide in Bosnia."

Kathryn Zox started The Social Workers on WCDB Albany 90.9FM in the fall of 2011. She is no longer the host, but the impact of the show remains. Kathryn joins Alyssa and Eric to discuss the history of the show and what she is up to now.

Malikah Shaheed returned to the show, this time to discuss her new role as the NASW-NYS Division Director. She shares how her experience in the social work field led her to this new position and what she hopes to accomplish during her term.

We were joined by UAlbany SSW alumna, Allie Middleton JD LCSW C-IAYT, who is a published author, long term yoga & meditation practitioner, experienced social impact artist, and leadership mentor. She discussed her new book, Yoga Radicals: A Curated Set of Inspiring Stories from the Field.

We were joined by social worker and author, Renee G. Benson, who discusses her new book, "Fifteen minutes on Illinois Street". It is a story about a cluster of people with very different backgrounds and ages who are feeling the secondary impacts of the pandemic.

Al Cardillo, President and CEO of the Home Care Association of New York State, returned to the show to share information on sepsis prevention and awareness. Al is an alumnus of the School of Social Welfare and also a part-time lecturer. He was joined by Kathy Zazarine who had lost her sister, Lois, to sepsis and shares her story.

Noteworthy Resources of Albany, Inc. is a nonprofit that expresses community through educational workshops, empowering support groups, and skateboarding. We are joined by its president & founder, Tatiana Gjergji, who talks about how the agency began, the power of community, and Skate Albany.

In a special Social Work Month episode, we chat with three SSW faculty members about their area of expertise and why social workers are essential. Guests: Dr. Victoria Rizzo, Dr. Wonhyung Lee, and Dr. Eric Hardiman.

We were joined by Beatrice Yorker who shared her expertise on Munchausen by Proxy, also known as Medical Child Abuse. This type of child abuse is potentially lethal, yet remains under-recognized.

We were joined by Rachel Potter, LCSW, who discusses the psychosocial challenges faced by patients and families recovering from COVID-19. She speaks about some of the challenges in providing psychological care for patients during the COVID-19 pandemic and identifies a few strategies for coping with uncertainty.

We were joined by Jonathan Jones, the Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services for the City of Albany. He gave us an update on his departments and what resources and services will be available to city residents as we continue to navigate through this pandemic.

Play therapy is a widely misunderstood therapeutic intervention with children. It is often dismissed as "just playing" or something to do with youth until they are ready to talk. Julie Bailey, LCSW, shares her expertise on play therapy, discusses the myths of play therapy, and outlines the powerful impact of the play therapy approach with children and their families. She also discusses how to use play therapy in non-traditional settings, such as via Telehealth.

Hillary (Closs) Dolinsky, MSW is a two-time alumna of the University at Albany School of Social Welfare. She was involved with The Social Workers Radio Talk Show when it first began at the SSW in 2011. She earned her undergraduate degree in social welfare in 2011, and then went on to earn her Master’s in Social Work (MSW) the following year. Since college, Hillary has worked in higher education, government, and non-profits. In these roles, she was the only social worker within the company. Hillary currently works at the Georgetown University Medical Center as a Communications & Research Administrator and is back in graduate school for a second time to earn her Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from the Georgetown University McDonough School of Business.

How do I grieve—and survive? Well-meaning friends and family encourage grievers “not to dwell” on the loss, to “get over it” and “move on”—at a time when this is very difficult to do in today’s society. However, to thrive on the other side of grief requires finding solutions to questions we are living out but often do not ask because we are rushing to get grief over with. If explored, these questions can help individuals create a healing approach for themselves despite the pressure to hurry up and “get on with their lives.” We were joined by Anne Grenchus, LCSW, who shares her expertise on this topic.

The SNUG program aims to curb gun violence and save lives by intervening in the aftermath of shootings to prevent retaliation, working with high-risk youth to connect them to services and programs, and other community engagement initiatives. We were joined by three social workers who are part of this NYS program: Erika Mendelsohn, LCSW (Statewide Social Work Director of SNUG Street Outreach); Kristin Geiger, LCSW (SNUG Street Outreach Upstate social work supervisor); and Gbolahan Oyekunle ‘GB’ LMSW (SNUG street outreach social worker).

This episode shares a virtual panel discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act. This event was part of the UAlbany School of Social Welfare's Learning From Alumni Continuing Education Series. Panelists: Julia Duff, LMSW; Shameka Andrews, Disability Advocate; Cliff Perez, MSW; and James McDonald, MBA.

Natalie Turner and Mary Moller, both LMSW's and graduates from UAlbany's School of Social Welfare, Internships in Aging Project (IAP), discuss their work with individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. They will be giving an upcoming training through the continuing education program at UAlbany SSW.

This year is the 20th Anniversary of the UAlbany School of Social Welfare's Internships in Aging Project (IAP). We spoke with IAP Director, Linda Mertz, and three 2nd year MSW students - Nicole Gardy, Meredith Goldstein, and Rachel Robinson - about the program and why it is a unique gem of the SSW.

Associate Professor Dr. Julia Hastings, who holds joint appointment in the UAlbany School of Social Welfare and the School of Public Health, discusses the impact of COVID-19 on mental health in the Black community. She is currently conducting new research on the topic.

Yoga-Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (Y-CBT) is a research based psychological paradigm that combines the scientifically documented effects of yoga with cognitive behavioral therapy. Co-creators Julie Greiner-Ferris and Dr. Manjit Khalsa join us to discuss more.

UAlbany School of Social Welfare Dean, Dr. Lynn Warner, joined us to discuss the impact of COVID-19 on social work education and how the SSW is adapting during this time.

We were joined by Marcus Stallworth, LMSW, and Qur-an Webb, MSW, of Welcome 2 Reality, LLC who discussed their work on domestic minor sex trafficking.

We are joined by Benjamin Brubaker and Kate Gillespie of White Bird Clinic in Oregon. Both share their expertise in crisis intervention and discuss the CAHOOTS model (Crisis Assistance Helping Out On The Streets).

Serve Albany aims to make it easy for interested members of the Albany community to find a place to get involved, to volunteer, and to make a difference in their city. With kids home from school and limited in-person contact with individuals like teachers and coaches, now more than ever we need volunteers to be tutors and mentors. And that is what Serve Albany is focusing on in this week-long volunteer recruitment drive. Jonathan Hentrich, who is the Director of Serve Albany and the Lead Pastor at Christ’s Church Albany, joins us to discuss more.

We were joined by Lakia Green who discussed Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) and trauma-informed care, with a particular focus on cultural and historical trauma.

We were joined by three guests from the Spina Bifida Association of Northeastern New York - Executive Director Julia Duff, Heather Horwedel, and Michelle Miller. They discuss the agency, their upcoming Walk-N-Roll fundraiser, and why SBANENY is a great resource to those living with Spina Bifida and their families.

Dr. Phyllis Kosminsky's work focuses on grief, loss and trauma. She joined us today to discuss how Covid-19 changed the face of grief, both in the relation to death and non-death losses.

Tammy LaBrake, LCSW, is a therapist who specializes in the treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). She discusses the disorder and the treatment methods that she uses in her clinical practice.

Incoming MSW student, Cassie Lotker, speaks about relocating to Albany during the pandemic and protests, why she chose to move forward with her education during this time of so many unknowns, and why she's excited about starting her graduate work at UAlbany.

We are joined by Julie Bailey, LCSW, who discusses how to manage anxiety with children, roadblocks clinicians face when helping children cope with anxiety, activities for children to help them manage anxiety, and how we, as adults who are not immune to our own anxiety, can help children with their anxiety. Julie does regular workshops through the School of Social Welfare’s Continuing Education program and has an upcoming training scheduled for August 2020.

Alumna Natalie Turner discusses her experience as a BSW and MSW graduate, with a particular focus on her time in the Internships in Aging Project.

Kevin O’Keeffe, Hilary Charles, and Cathy Vasquez are all licensed social workers at Albany Medical Center. They shared their experience about being medical social workers during the COVID-19 pandemic and discuss the importance of the social work profession. Social Workers are Essential Workers.

"Throughout history, sages, mystics, and philosophers called the place between certainty and 'what's around the corner,' 'the unknown.' Anticipating the unknown, 'the not knowing,' evokes anxiety when we lose sight of the harbor of our perceived safety. During this pandemic, social distancing, and isolation, 'what you thought you knew is dissolving,' according to Charles Eisenstein. The desire and struggle to get back to 'normal' feeds the fear of uncertainty, compelling us to cling to what was, avoid what is, while trying to remain present." William Mannel, LMFT shares his expertise in this area.

“Meditation is about orientating ourselves to what is. When I sit down to meditate, I’m not trying to stop what is going on. I am trying to come into relationship with what is going on." Karen Beetle, LMHC, is a therapist and mindfulness teacher in private practice in Albany, NY. She discusses how, in this time of uncertainty, we can incorporate mindfulness and meditation into our practice and our own lives.

UAlbany School of Social Welfare faculty members, Dr. Mary McCarthy and Dr. Catherine Lawrence, discuss the impact of COVID-19 on the child welfare workforce and the child welfare system itself, with a particular focus on tribal communities. Both Mary and Kate are involved with the National Child Welfare Workforce Institute, a collaborative organization that promotes organizational interventions focused on developing and retaining a diverse and effective workforce.

New York State now allows adult adopted persons and their descendants to request and obtain the adoptee’s original birth certificates. With this new law, the amount of adoption reunions may increase. Alumna Marie Dolfi, LCSW, is an Albany-based adoption counselor who works with all members of the adoption triad – adoptees, birth parents, and adoptive parents. Through her work with all members of this triad, she notes that adoption searches and reunion relationships are extremely complex and emotional, often leaving adoptees and birth parents overwhelmed in one of their most important life experiences.

We virtually sat down with the National Association of Social Workers - NYS Chapter Executive Director, Dr. Samantha Fletcher, to discuss how the chapter is engaging with, and providing resources for, its members during this time of COVID-19. We discuss the role of social workers during this pandemic and how we can be at the table when addressing the inequities that are apparent during this pandemic.

We were joined by Nick Pattison and Cassandra Grandeau, both 2nd year MSW students at UAlbany who are graduating this month. Nick was in the Albany Internships in Mental Health (AIMH) program and Cassie was in the Internships in Aging Project (IAP). They speak about their experience in each of their respective programs, why they wanted to work in the field, and how they are moving forward during this pandemic.

Sarah Mountz is an Assistant Professor at UAlbany’s School of Social Welfare and a faculty advisor of Fostering Leaders of Our World, a UAlbany student group composed of students with foster care backgrounds and their allies. She is joined by Selena Snow, the student Vice President of F.L.O.W., and they speak about the barriers to foster youth in higher education, how COVID-19 has impacted college students in foster care, what is being done at state levels to assist foster care youth during this time, and how social workers can support foster care youth.

In this segment, we interviewed Kristen Giroux who is the Deputy Director at IPH, formerly Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless. She discusses how IPH is responding during the COVID-19 outbreak, what this pandemic has shown about areas of need for the homeless population, how individuals can support IPH.

In this episode we are joined by former journalist and reporter, Liz Benjamin, who shares information on how social workers can engage the media, navigate the political world for macro level change, and even create their own media content to get their message out.

We were joined by UAlbany alumna, Erin Casey Pellegrino, who is the Vice President of Communications, Events & Marketing at the Ross Initiative in Sports for Equality (RISE). She discusses her work at RISE, which is a nonprofit that educates and empowers the sports community to eliminate racial discrimination, champion social justice and improve race relations.

This segment focuses on caring for our senior population during COVID-19. In part one, we are joined by Greg Olsen who is the acting director of the New York State Office for the Aging. The second segment features UAlbany School of Social Welfare alumna, Eden Hunter, who is employed at Shaker Place Rehabilitation and Nursing Center.

In this episode, we discuss the UAlbany Big Event that occurred this past weekend... virtually. In the first half of the segment, we speak with the Dr. Martha Asselin who is the Director of the UAlbany Center for Leadership and Service and the Assistant Director, Cheryl Simmons. The second half we are joined by Dr. Mary Ellen Mallia who is the Director of the Office of Environmental Sustainability at UAlbany. She discusses the #FillItForward campaign that was launched this past weekend at the Big Event and other initiatives that the Green Scene will be launching.

This student spotlight feature highlights UAlbany BSW senior, Sebastian Vidal. Sebastian a member of Alpha Phi Omega National Service Fraternity, Presidential Honor Society, Psi Chi National Psychology Honor Society and Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society. Sebastian serves as a Peer Career Advisor, is the Vice President of the Baccalaureate Social Welfare Association, and a mentor for Big Brothers Big Sisters. He also served as a Resident Assistant. Sebastian is published in the inaugural Social Work student-led journal, ‘Critical Conversations’, and was sponsored on a 5-week service learning trip in the Dominican Republic last summer with The DREAM Project. Sebastian is a social work intern at Albany International Center and also interns at the UAlbany Center for Leadership & Service on his initiatives for DREAM. Lastly, Sebastian has received the SUNY Chancellor’s Award for Student Excellence & the President’s Award for Leadership - Outstanding Senior award.

Joe Bonilla joined us recently and discussed all of the messages we have been getting from businesses, brands, and organizations, as well as what we can do to support local businesses and non-profits during this time. With information changing not only daily, but hour by hour, Joe joins us again to share some tips for organizations moving forward, what is currently happening in the Albany community to help those in need, and how we can support local businesses.

We are dedicating some episodes to highlight the experiences, research, and accomplishments of UAlbany School of Social Welfare students. This episode features BSW senior Jessica Rodgers.

Jonathan Jones, Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services for the City of Albany, virtually sat down with The Social Workers to discuss his department and how they are working for flatten the curve.

With the coronavirus pandemic happening, we virtually sat down with UAlbany School of Social Welfare's Dr. Loretta Pyles. Dr. Pyles is a meditation and yoga teacher, workshop leader, organizational consultant, and activist. Her work focuses on disasters, community organizing, and body-mind-spirit social practice.

Holly McKenna is president of the Friends and Foundation of the Albany Public Library (FFAPL) and past president of the Albany Public Library Board of Trustees. She discusses the ways that the FFAPL helps the Albany Public Library, the services available to the community, and how we can support.

With the coronavirus the focus of much of what is in the news right now, today’s guest is well versed in communication during a crisis and will speak to us about all of the messages we are getting from businesses, brands, and organizations, as well as what we can do to support local businesses and non-profits during this time. Joe Bonilla is the senior media director, and co-founder of Relentless. Recognized as a leading communications professional based in the Northeast, major brands, companies, organizations, and public figures rely on Bonilla’s counsel and insight in moving their message forward with impressive results. One of Joe’s specialities is crisis communication and rapid response

UAlbany School of Social Welfare's Dr. Mary McCarthy spent 5 weeks in the fall of 2019 in Indonesia. During that time she worked at Padjadjaran University in Bandung through the Fulbright Specialist Program. Dr. McCarthy speaks about the value of partnerships like the one between UAlbany SSW and Padjadjaran, the benefits of students from Indonesia studying at UAlbany and bringing a different cultural perspective to the classroom, and the development of the social work profession in Indonesia.

In this episode, we are joined by Kevin Hofmann. He is the author of 'Growing Up Black In White', a memoir that focuses on race, culture, identity and transracial adoption.

A conversation with Samantha Rini, the Political Education Program Manager at Citizen Action of New York, and Emily Connor, an MSW student involved with Citizen Action. Citizen Action of New York is a grassroots, membership organization that spans New York State- from New York City to Buffalo. They fight for social, racial, economic and environmental justice, and battle against the forces of racial capitalism. Citizen Action approaches their issue work on a trajectory of structural reforms. They take on issues that make people’s lives better today while creating the political and ideological environment for transformational change and a world full of opportunity, love, respect and dignity.

Dr. Nicole MacFarland is the Executive Director of Senior Hope Counseling, Inc. & Executive Director of The Senior Hope Foundation, Inc. In May 2014 she graduated from the University at Albany’s School of Social Welfare Ph.D. program. Her dissertation focused on geriatric addictions. She is currently Clinical Assistant Professor for the School of Social Welfare and Clinical Associate Professor for the School of Public Health Policy, Management and Behavior for the University at Albany. Ms. MacFarland is the recipient of a Hartford Doctoral Fellows Pre-Dissertation Award and the 2009 Individual of Distinction in Addictions Education and Training Award for NYS. In 2010, she was honored as Social Worker of the Year for New York State at the Annual NASW-NYS conference. Over the past twenty five years, Dr. MacFarland has published two book chapters, several articles, developed on-line courses and has lectured locally, state-wide and nationally.

Hannah Reinhardt, a senior distance runner from Clarence, N.Y. is one of the most decorated distance runners in UAlbany program history, repeating as America East individual cross country champion this year, setting school records at both 5K and 6K, becoming the first Great Dane to win NCAA XC Regional championships, and qualifying for NCAA XC Championships. Today she speaks about the personal story she wrote for the America East Conference's AE Voices series. Their #BetterTo9ether initiative aims to help create more mentally healthy environments for AE student-athletes.

Amanda Matteson is UAlbany alum, a current School of Social Welfare doctoral student, and a Veteran. She is also an employee for the SUNY Research Foundation and does program evaluation for a veterans’ peer-to-peer support program, which she has been doing for the past five years. Amanda discusses her experience as a student veteran, the needs of student veterans, and her experience working with the veteran population.

Lenize Villaca Cardoso is a visiting scholar at UAlbany from Sao Paolo, Brazil. Her dissertation is on the culture and history of college radio stations in the U.S. and Brazil. She will use her findings to apply to Mackenzie University's radio station in Brazil.

Stephanie Deyo is the Training Coordinator of the Surrogate Decision-Making Committee (SDMC) Program at the NYS Justice Center for the Protection of People with Special Needs where she advocates for timely medical care for individuals with disabilities. Stephanie is responsible for recruiting and training volunteers who serve on the SDMC panels to make medical decisions on behalf of individuals who lack capacity and have no authorized, available, and willing surrogate to act on their behalf. In addition to her role at the Justice Center, she volunteers at Ellis Child and Adolescent Outpatient Treatment Center providing counseling services to children and families through a structural lens.

We sat down with Fredrick Erlich, who is a founder and CEO of Living Resources, a not-for-profit health and human services agency has helped over 5,000 people with developmental disabilities, including autism spectrum disorder and brain injuries throughout the Capital Region of New York State.

Mary Moller, MSW, CAS, discusses her new book 'Alzheimer's Through the Stages, A Caregivers Guide'.

Jonathan Richardson, an alumnus of UAlbany SSW and Rockefeller College, discusses the importance of fundraising in the nonprofit sector, and how social workers have the skills to excel in this area.

Teresa Gil, PhD, has a master’s degree is in Professional Studies in Humanistic Education, and her second is in Clinical Social Work. She also has a Ph.D. in Social Work from the State University of New York at Albany. She is the author of 'Women with Histories of Childhood Sexual Abuse: Mothering, Resilience, and Protecting the Next Generation'.

Dean Warner is proud to be a first generation college graduate who earned a Master of Public Policy Degree from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and MSW and PhD degrees in sociology and social work from the University of Michigan. Although she just completed her first year as Dean at the school, she has been on the faculty at SSW for more than 10 years. During that time she’s taught in the MSW and PhD programs and collaborated with faculty and staff in many administrative roles, including director of the MSW program and associate dean for research.

Alix Foisy is a social worker and therapist in the New York capital region who specializes in working with individuals who suffer from anxiety, those with chronic pain and illness and older adults. She is also a local yoga teacher and social entrepreneur who provides education on the reduction of anxiety and the retirement transition. She pairs the mind-body techniques of yoga with the Acceptance and Commitment Therapy model to help clients address how they feel emotionally and physically and to make a solid commitment to their goals. Alix discusses social entrepreneurship and how more social workers can get involved.

Victoria M. Rizzo, LCSW-R, PhD, Associate Professor, School of Social Welfare, University at Albany, SUNY has dedicated her career to demonstrating the value of social work in health care settings through her research, teaching, and workforce development activities.

The author of 'On Conquering Schizophrenia', Robert Francis, is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with more than 10 years’ experience as a mental health therapist. However, it is his own 25-year-long battle with schizophrenia that makes this book different.

This unique episode mixes old and new content for an engaging segment on media savvy social work.

UAlbany President, Dr. Havidan Rodriguez, sits down with The Social Workers to discuss the past, present and future of the University. UAlbany is celebrating its 175th year... Happy Birthday, UAlbany.

UAlbany SSW Associate Professor, Dr. Heather Larkin, shares her expertise on homelessness, adverse childhood experiences (ACE), Restorative Integral Support (RIS), and mind/body/spirit interventions.

In this 2015 throwback episode, now available via podcast, editor and author Harry Rosenfeld joins 'The Social Workers' as a guest. Mr. Rosenfeld has spent years as an editor at The New York Herald Tribune and the Washington Post. As the Metro Editor at the Post, he oversaw Woodward and Bernstein in the Pulitzer Prize-winning expose of Watergate. After leaving the Post, Mr. Rosenfeld began working with the Albany Times Union and Knickerbocker News. Although he retired in 1998, he continues to serve as a consultant to the Times Union and sits on its editorial board as Editor-at-Large. In 2013, Harry wrote From Kristallnacht to Watergate: Memoirs of a Newspaperman, which is a memoir of his childhood in 1930s Berlin under Nazi rule and his career path from the New York Herald Tribune to the Washington Post.

Gretta Hansing, Nicole Gentile, Bob Wright, and Will Schaefer, sat down with The Social Workers to discuss their MSW Capstone Project which tackles food insecurities.

Al Cardillo, a lecturer in the School of Social Welfare, is leading the efforts to stop sepsis in at-risk patients being cared for at home, and was recently honored for his work. He is a 1981 LMSW alum of the School.

Rossana Coto-Batres is the Education and Training Coordinator at the Northeast New York Coalition for Occupational Safety and Health (NENYCOSH). She has a background in social work and has worked to train refugees and immigrants around nutrition, health and safety topics.

Jennifer Harvey is the Education Specialist at Eddy Alzheimer's Services. She shares her expertise on Alzheimer's and resources for caregivers.

Anna Fields, Elisa Donato, Angela Grimshaw and Yvonne Garcia are 2nd year UAlbany MSW students. They make up the Capstone project group called, "EducateMeToo", and are dedicated to increasing awareness in their community about rape culture and toxic masculinity in light of the #MeToo movement. They will be holding a film screening and panel discussion on the new documentary film, The Bystander Moment: Transforming Rape Culture at its Roots, presented by Jackson Katz.

Chelsea Turnbull, Aubrea Ageda, Eileen Duran, Erin Caligiuri and Michelle Williams (all 2nd year MSW students) discuss how the book, 'Becoming' by Michelle Obama, motivated them to become more involved with policy work. This interview is in connection with their class, Women and Social Policy instructed by Dr. Kate Lawrence.

Kira Kosydar, Liz Sellman, Alison Kosinski, Natalie Brown, and Rae Eubanks (all 2nd year UAlbany MSW students) discuss how reading 'Redefining Realness' by Janet Mock helped them to have a better understanding of social policy in social work. This was done in connection to their class, Women and Social Policy.

Robert N. Swidler, Esq. is the Vice President of Legal Services for St. Peter’s Health Partners. He discusses End of Life Decision Making and how individuals can best prepare. This is a past live segment, now available via podcast.