The Social Workers Radio Talk Show

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.  Bio: Julie Bailey, LCSW, has been a children’s therapist for approximately 20 years. After obtaining her Masters of Science in Social Work a...

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.    Bio: James C. Caringi is a Professor and Chair in th...

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 enforcemen...

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." Bio: Jordan Steven Sher has had three careers-  in the non-profit sector as a social worker and administrator; as a middle school teacher; and currently as an author. All of his work throughout has been informed by his social work training in the gradu...

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.  Bio: Graduating over 15 years ago from University at Albany School of Social Welfare, Malikah sought to explore, experience, and practice all aspects of the s...

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. Bio: Allie Middleton JD LCSW C-IAYT is a published author, long term yoga & meditation practitioner, experienc...

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.  BIO Tatiana is first generation American with refugee family members who who escaped Albania and Montenegr...

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.  Links mentioned in interview:  American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) Munchausen by Proxy theme issue of the March 2018 APSAC Advisor.  Webinar given to CSP by Beatrice Yorker on...

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. Bio: Rachel Potter is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New York State. She is the c...

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.  Bio: Jonathan Jones is the Commissioner of Recreation, Youth and Workforce Services for the City of Albany. He has served...

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...

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, g...

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 questi...

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); Kris...

This episode shares a virtual panel discussion on the Americans with Disabilities Act during its 30th year. 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.  Bio: Dr. Julia F. Hastings   is an Associate Professor in the Schools of Public Health and Social Welfare at the University at Al...

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.  Bios: Julie Greiner-Ferris is co-creator of Y-CBT, Yoga Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. She is a clinical social worker and who attended the...

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.  Bio:  Lynn A. Warner is Professor and Dean in the School of Social Welfare at the University at Albany, SUNY.  She is entering her 3rd year as Dean at the school, but  has been on the faculty at SSW for more than 10 years.  Duri...