Remark-a-BULL: USF School of Social Work Podcast
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Overview
Welcome to the Remark-a-Bull podcast! Hosted by Chris Groeber, MSW, an associate in research in the University of South Florida School of Social Work, this podcast explores powerful stories of social workers, students, and social work scholars who have made an outstanding impact on our communities far and wide. We hope these conversations inspire you to recognize a common humanity and believe that you can get a BSW, MSW, or PhD.
Where to listen
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Episodes
Episode 11
Vickie Lynn, PhD, MPH, MSW is an assistant professor of instruction in the USF School of Social Work whose research focuses on implementation science, evidence-informed interventions, and health care delivery for people dual and multi diagnosed with HIV, mental health, and/or substance use disorders. In the episode, Vickie discusses her second chance at life after her HIV diagnosis, the power of community, and how social work and education saved her life. Learn more about how she’s uplifting others through education to have better health outcomes, not only for themselves, but for their families and their community.
Keywords: self-care, HIV, social work education, trauma
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 10
Angel Reyes, Marissa Norton, and Samantha Emerick discuss their recent study abroad experiences led by faculty in the USF School of Social Work. The students talk about their hands-on experiences within community-based health care and social service organizations in Peru and Spain, where they had the opportunity to examine alternative health and mental health practices and learn about the socio-cultural context of health. The group compares what they saw in those countries to practices in the United States and discusses how improvements can be made. Tune in for advice on studying abroad and an examination of public health, stigma, and the global fight against sickness, poverty, and injustice.
Keywords: global health, education abroad, global mental health, accessibility
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 9
Pedro Serrano-Mejia is a recent graduate of the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program and current Master of Social Work student at the University of South Florida. He is also a case manager within the Positive Parenting & Partnership program at Champions for Children, where he listens to people’s stories and provides them with resources to not only care for their families but also for themselves. In this episode, you’ll learn more about getting connected and networking at USF and the BSW program. Chris and Pedro discuss self-care, mindfulness, building relationships, and gratitude as a Gen Z.
Keywords: bachelor of social work, student success, self-care
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 8
Tanya Johnson-Gilchrist is a veteran, USF alumna, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and a Certified Public Health Professional who specializes in trauma, PTSD, and family conflict. Dive into the meaning and execution of self-care in this episode with Tanya and Chris. The two chat about integrating work and life, time management, interpersonal and client relationships, and the impact of trauma.
Keywords: trauma, PTSD, veterans affairs, self-care
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 7
Born and raised in Tampa, FL, Clara Reynolds is the CEO of the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay and has been a social worker in Tampa since 1993. In this episode, Chris and Clara discuss the business of social work, the breadth of social work in society, and the future use of AI in social work.
Keywords: AI in social work, business of social work, macro social work
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 6
Dawn Brown, MSW is the current executive director of NASW Florida and the Virgin Islands and a member of the Association of Black Social Workers - Jacksonville Chapter. Dubbed the “Macro Maniac” by her MSW cohort at USF, Dawn has paved an impactful and inspirational career path in macro social work while simultaneously centering micro and mezzo in everything that she does, as she argues one cannot exist without the other.
In this episode, Dawn and Chris discuss the call to advocate, the social work code of ethics, professional obligation, and how to speak the language of equity and social justice. Dawn offers advice for future advocates and how to have healthy debates and conversations with those who may not agree.
Keywords: advocacy, macro social work, policy, social justice
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 5
Stephanie Rosado, MSW is a PhD student in the USF School of Social Work and a Certified
Wellness & Health Coach. Stephanie's research interests involve young adult populations
diagnosed with osteoarthritis, the disease’s biopsychosocial impact, and research
that focuses on advancing the field of sport social work. In this episode, Stephanie
and Chris discuss self-discovery in the face of adversity and contributing to society
through social work.
Keywords: self-discovery, sport social work, clinical social work, osteoarthritis, chronic illness
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 4
Simone Till is a senior studying social work at the University of South Florida who applies empathy and her lived expertise with her disability to advocate for others and accessibility policy. In this episode, Chris and Simone discuss the bachelor of social work at USF and Simone’s interdisciplinary experience at the university and in her internship with the City of Tampa.
Keywords: disability advocacy, accessibility, policy, bachelor of social work
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 3
As the academic advisor for the BSW program at the USF School of Social Work, Justine Leigh advises students to pursue their passions and develop soft skills necessary for job acquisition and stresses the importance of exploration. In this episode, she discusses how she helps undergraduates navigate the future, how she supports them in their professional and personal growth, and the wide variety of career paths possible with a degree in social work.
Keywords: first-generation, professional growth, non-traditional students, career exploration
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 2
Conial Caldwell, Jr., MSW, is a visiting instructor in the School of Social Work. In this episode, Conial shares his passion for researching the lived experience of Black fathers and the ways in which they talk to their children about race and racism. He discusses his professional journey from Washington, D.C. back to the academy and describes the importance of integrating our clinical work and work of a more macro nature. He discusses how understanding the clinical aspects of social work has informed his policy making ideals.
Keywords: diversity in social work, macro social work, social work and policy
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Episode 1
Meet Vivian Mills, PhD. In this episode you will hear about balancing homelife and school from someone who has done just that on an incredible level. Vivian takes us on a journey all the way through getting her PhD, with all its twists and turns. She describes the moment she decided to go back to school to earn MSW while parenting nine children (one birth child, four adopted children, and four kids in care). Her story is an intense tale that shows what parents can be capable of in reaching their goals.
Keywords: child welfare, returning to school as an older adult, parenting and higher education
A transcript of this episode is available here.
Have an idea for a future episode?
We welcome your suggestions! Send an email to our host, Chris Groeber.