Goddesses of Social Work Podcast

In a profession where doing more is often praised, even when it costs us our health, clarity, and sense of self, what happens when we stop pushing and start listening? In this returning conversation, host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Regina Lacking, LCSW , also known as the Plant-Based BAWSE , to explore radical rest not as retreat, but as reorientation . Regina reflects on the season that forc...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Erika Perry (Coach Perry) for a powerful conversation about what it really means to move from good intentions to real impact. Erika is the owner of EP Enterprises , the founder of Youth Talk United , and the voice behind the YouTube channel Behind the Doer . Her work centers on helping youth-serving orga...

Host Renita Ray Davis welcomes back LICSW Renee Ingram for an honest conversation about shedding old selves, navigating perfectionism, and embracing therapist humanity. Renee shares the story behind earning her clinical license, the emotional work that surfaced along the way, and what she’s learned about grace, trauma, and transformation — both in herself and the children she serves. A grounding,...

In this milestone 100th episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, I am honored to welcome Ta’lor L. Pinkston, LSW — widely known as The Heart Advocate . A licensed self-love social worker, creator of Self-Care Matters and Healing Over Everything, and Clinical Practice Program Manager at Healthy Start, Inc. in Pittsburgh, Ta’lor is devoted to helping people choose self-love as a coping skill...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, part of the SWAG Awards Series honoring Service, Wellness, Advocacy, and Growth, I sit down with Dr. Angela Campbell , a social work leader, racial equity advocate, healer, and 2023 SWAG Award recipient whose life embodies transformation and purpose. From her beginnings as a foster youth navigating systems not designed for her, to her educat...

In this powerful episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , host Renita Ray Davis, LICSW-S sits down with Tanya J. Ashby, MSW, LSW — the 2023 SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient — for a conversation that is equal parts heart, wisdom, ministry, and legacy. With 40 years in the field, Tanya’s journey is a testament to what it looks like to serve with compassion, faith, and steadfast ded...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast — part of the SWAG Awards Series celebrating the values of Service, Wellness, Advocacy, and Growth — I sit down with Dr. Sheila Gillespie Roth, LCSW , a trailblazing educator, clinician, and advocate for first responders’ mental health. From her early days as a medical social worker in a Level 1 trauma center to her leadership as a founding c...

In this episode of the Remember Me Series, we shine a light on the incredible work happening through the Central Alabama Aging Consortium’s Gateway to Community Living program. Host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Erica Dixson , Transition Coordinator and longtime advocate for older adults, people with disabilities, and those navigating mental health and substance use challenges. A proud graduate...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, we continue our Remember Me Series , highlighting the extraordinary yet often unseen work of aging and caregiving services in Alabama. I sit down with DeLane Poague, Dementia Friendly Alabama Project Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC). Raised in the small community of Fleahop, Alabama, and a graduate of Auburn Univers...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , we continue our Remember Me Series, highlighting the extraordinary yet often unseen work of aging and caregiving services in Alabama. I sit down with Meghan Germek , Community Outreach Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC). Born and raised in Odenville, Alabama, Meghan carries forward the legacy of strong women who shap...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , I sit down with Iuri Melo, LCSW , therapist, father of five, author, and co-founder of SchoolPulse , a nationwide support service reaching over 300 schools in 25+ states. Born out of heartbreak after a wave of teen suicides in his community, SchoolPulse now delivers weekly encouragement, growth-mindset tools, and mental health resources dir...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , I sit down with Cheryl Craig , Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC) . Together we explore: 🌿 Cheryl’s journey into advocacy and how she became an Ombudsman 🌿 What an Ombudsman does — and why this role is so vital for elders and their families 🌿 The realities of navigating complex systems in long-term ca...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , I sit down with Camille Jackson of the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC) to explore her journey into the helping professions and the vital role of the Elderly & Disabled Waiver program . Together we talk about: 🌿 The childhood inspirations and early influences that shaped Camille’s path into service 🌿 How she came to work with i...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , host Renita Ray Davis continues the SWAG Awards Series , celebrating honorees and nominees of the Social Work Appreciation of Greatness (SWAG) Awards , founded by Sharise Nance, LCSW. These awards honor social workers who embody Service, Wellness, Advocacy, and Growth . Renita sits down with Johnnie Geathers , a Licensed Social Worker with...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Whitney Anderson , coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC) , to explore her journey into service and her commitment to helping older adults navigate complex systems of care. With nearly 20 years of experience in Medicare, Medicaid, and medical billing, Whitney now leads three key progra...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, we continue our Remember Me Series with Melissa Stellhorn , Nutrition Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC) . Melissa shares her journey into the helping professions, from her early volunteer work at the YMCA to her passion for supporting older adults through CAAC’s Elderly Nutrition Program . We discuss the impact of se...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Tenessa Shepherd, LICSW, a newly licensed independent clinical social worker with 10 years of experience across child welfare, adult and child mental health, inpatient psychiatric care, and her current work in substance use disorder treatment. A proud mom of two girls and an Alabama native with family roo...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Dr. Staci Ford, recipient of the 2024 SWAG Social Worker Entrepreneur of the Year Award , to explore her incredible journey of turning personal loss into community healing. Dr. Ford shares the powerful story behind Kyle’s Hope LLC , founded in honor of her late son, and how her organization now serves as...

In this episode of the Remember Me Series, Claire Culp, SenioRx Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium, joins the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast to share her journey into aging services and her passion for improving access to life-saving medications for older adults. From ensuring safe and affordable prescriptions to advocating for clients and their families, Claire’s leadership in...

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast , host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Dr. Jenny Reed, social worker, author, and public health advocate, to discuss her powerful book, The African American Parent: Rethinking Sexual Health Communication . Together, we explore the cultural, faith, and family influences that shape conversations about sexual health in African American household...

In this special Remember Me Series episode, Executive Director Yolanda Evans of the Central Alabama Aging Consortium joins the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast to share her journey of service, leadership, and advocacy for Alabama’s aging community. From building programs that empower older adults to coordinating care that supports families and caregivers, Yolanda’s work reflects the heart of “hono...

Sharise Nance, affectionately known as the Compassion Fatigue Lady, joins the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast to share how she found her way into the field. She explains why continuing education outside the profession is essential for staying inspired, and she breaks down the difference between compassion fatigue and empathic distress. Sharise also reveals why Entrepreneurial Roller Coaster by Da...

Reverend Sandra Ledyard, LCSW joins the Goddesses of Social Work podcast to discuss her social work journey, her experiences in the Azheimer's and Demenita space and shares why bringing your A-game will get you invited back for more. Find more of Reverend Ledyard's Offerings Here ~ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rsDkBmre7O0UQrxYeWYY3zF33huI961A/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=106649906143996117398&...

Nurse and educator Veronica McKenzie, RN, MSN, BC-D Ed joins the Goddesses of Social Work podcast to share her journey from Tuskegee graduate to founder of the Successful Living Center, a dementia-specific adult day program. She discusses culturally responsive care, aging with dignity, and leading with faith, legacy, and love. Find More About Veronica McKenzie here: www.successfullivingcenter.org...

Monica Barnes, Alabama Cares Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium, joins the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast to share her journey supporting caregivers across Alabama. With deep experience in dementia education, aging services, and community outreach, Monica offers heartfelt stories, practical insights, and a powerful reminder: caregivers deserve care, too. Find More About Alabama...