Spark Sessions Podcast

In this episode, Kris + Michelle grapple with the idea of agreeing to disagree versus empathy without endorsement. This work includes conflict management. How well are we versed in this skill?

Kris + Michelle chat with Daniel Rhodes about what resistance, social justice + solidarity look like right now for social workers.

Kris + Michelle chat with Matthew Mills, LCSW about strategies that social workers can put in place to continue the hard work in a world of political chaos.

Kris + Michelle begin exploring how it feels to navigate personally and professionally during a time of political chaos.

Kris + Michelle are back for Season 5 of Spark Sessions Podcast and talk through the focus for this era of the pod, especially in this challenging post-election political environment + how it is affecting social workers.

Key Resources:

www.sparksessionspodcast.com

We don’t ask others to do what we ourselves are not willing to do.  This episode features co-host Dr. Michelle Vance.  Michelle shares how her lived experiences around identity have shaped her career and fight for social justice.

This episode features Tyler Yates, BSW, CADC, Community Overdose Prevention Initiatives Coordinator for the Division of Public Health.  Tyler discusses how harm reduction and empathy are crucial to those in recovery and those seeking support for substance use.

This episode features Melody Gross, Principal Consultant for Courageous SHIFT.  Melody shares how her lived experience as a survivor has shaped her work and helps us to understand that interpartner violence is everyone’s concern.

This episode features Quatavia Jones, Spoken Word Artist, Lived Experience Expert, and Trauma Informed Advocate.  Quatavia shares how pure will and determination to live a different path, sprinkled with support along the way, has helped her build a life she dreamed of as a child.

This episode features Sil Ganzó, Founder and Executive Director of ourBridge, an afterschool program and community support for immigrant and refugee children and their families.  Sil hopes to encourage us to use curiosity and empathy to change the landscape for the children and families she serves.

This episode features Carla Carlisle, Executive Director of The Compassionate Companion (™) and author of several books.  Carla shares her experience as a foster parent that led to her leaving corporate America to follow her passion for trauma informed care.

This episode features Traletta Banks, Founder and Executive Director of Erika’s Closet and Another Level Staffing LLC.  Traletta helps us understand what it means to give and be given a second chance.

This episode features Jordan Hayes, BSW, Peer Mentor at Disability Rights and Resources.  Jordan shares how her lived experience as a disabled person allows her to help others who are living with a disability.

This episode features Greg Jackson, Founder of Heal Charlotte.  Greg inspires us by asking everyone to do a little so no one has to do a lot.

We don’t ask others to do what we ourselves are not willing to do.  This episode features co-host Kris Taylor.  Kris shares how her lived experiences brought her to her career in social work and shape her work and passions in and out of the classroom.

Join Michelle + Kris as they discuss Season 4 where the focus will be on the power of lived experience.  Our guests this season will bravely share how what they have been through has shaped where they are today.

Join Kris + Michelle as they discuss + reflect on key themes and moment from Season 3.

This episode features Kali Franklin, MSW, LCSWA.  Kali talks about how her lived experience as a trauma survivor led her to social work.

This episode features Sterling Grissom, MSW, LCSWA.  Sterling talks about the importance of doing your own work so that you can support others in doing theirs.

This episode features Alejandra Davis, MSW, LCSWA.  Alejandra discusses how ethical dilemmas really do occur in practice and how she stays connected to social justice through her work with justice-involved youth.

This episode features Octavia McLean, MSW, LCSWA.  Octavia gets real about her experience in the job search and encourages new social workers to not get discouraged.

This episode features Deja Stover, MSW, LCSWA.  Deja shares her interest and desire to do clinical work and how she stays connected to social justice.

This episode features Tray Ruffin, MSW, LCSWA, LCASA.  Tray shares about his experience providing psychiatric evaluations and lessons he has learned since graduation.

This episode features Jasmin Ashford, BSW.  Jasmin discusses her journey in elder care and her current job functions and roles, as well as what she wishes she had learned during her BSW program.

This episode features Destiney Springs-Walker, MSW.  Destiney shares how she is navigating working within systems as the only social worker on her current staff.  Destiney challenges social workers to consider how we continue to dismantle systems while working within them.

This episode features Abbie Peck, MSW, LMSW.  Abbie shares her thoughts on macro social work, policy, and the micro/macro divide and how she hopes social work education will more strongly highlight the importance of macro practice.

This episode features Xuan Troung, MSW, LCSWA.  Xuan shares about her journey, life post grad school and how she continues to advocate for disability rights.

Join Kris + Michelle as they discuss Season 3 where we will focus on novice social workers.  Our guests for this season have graduated within the past two years and are here to spill the beans on the real world of social work.

In this episode, Kris + Michelle reflect on the final two episodes of Season 2.  Make sure you're all caught up, then listen to their reflections on the season and evolving roles of social workers.

This episode features Keshia Sandidge, LCSW, who is running for NC Senate in District 34.  Keshia shares her journey of getting involved with political action and reminds us that social work is political.

This episode features Miriam Espaillat, MSW, LCSW.  Miriam is the co-founder + Director of Community for Raydal Hospitality.  Miriam shares how she uses her social work skills + social justice mindset in the restaurant industry.

In this episode, Michelle + Kris share their thoughts and reflections on the first part of Season 2.  Make sure you are all caught up and then listen along.  They also share how to become a supporter if you are so inclined!

This episode features Jordan Harrold, MSW, LCSW, owner, Clinical Director, and therapist at Harrold Counseling and Wellness. Jordan shares how she has bridged a personal tragedy into shaping her work and passion.

In this episode, Kris + Michelle speak with Tchernavia Montgomery, MSW, LCSW, Executive Director of Care Ring.  Tchernavia discusses health equity, showing up as our full selves, and how her own journey keeps her hopeful for others.

In this episode, Kris + Michelle interview Maruka Rivers, LCSW, CCPT, Chief Visionary Officer & Clinical Director of MRiversAwakenings Healing Collective. Maruka leads a conversation about bridging the gap between micro and macro work while focusing on decolonizing therapy.

This episode features Roger Suclupe, MSW, LCSW, Clinical Assistant Professor + BSW Program Director at UNC Charlotte School of Social Work.  Roger shares how he bridges the gap between the classroom and the community.

This episode features Joey Honeycutt, MDiv, MSW, LCSW-A.  Joey shares how a crisis of faith led her and how her social work training came together on her life's journey.

Join Kris + Michelle as they discuss our upcoming Season 2 where we will highlight social workers as doers and, more importantly, bridge builders.

Join Kris + Michelle as they download Season 1 of Spark Sessions Podcast and chat about what has resonated with them thus far.

This episode is Part 2 of the conversation with Kristie Puckett-Williams, the Statewide Campaign for Smart Justice Manager for the ACLU of North Carolina.  Kristie continues an honest look at how we really move towards racial equity.

This episode features Holly Jackson the Founder + Creator of Walls of Love.  Holly shares how her personal struggles led her to showing love and support through the magic of human kindness.

This episode features Kristie Puckett-Williams, the Statewide Campaign for Smart Justice Manager for the ACLU of North Carolina.  Kristie shares her personal journey and the pain that let her to fight to decarcerate.

This episode features Tomeka Isaac and Michaela Penix, two amazing women working hard in their own ways to close the gaps in maternal health.  Tomeka shares her personal story of loss and Michaela sheds light on how you can help stand in the gap for mothers and babies.

This episode features Alison Clougherty, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Blind Early Services of Tennessee.  Alison shares her very personal journey of raising a child who is blind and helping others understand that ability is more than meets the eye.

This episode features Brandon Stiles, a senior manager at an electric company in the southeast US.  Brandon shares an important perspective on representation in the workplace and how happy hours can change everything.

This episode features Toussaint Romain, a lifelong activist.  Listen as he shares his focus on community and his unique perspective on getting involved.

This episode features Artie Hartsell, a social worker whose lived experiences were the catalyst for their organizing for equality.  Their trajectory of service and organizing began early in life and has led them to working closely on LGBTQIA+ and human rights legislation.

This episode features Emmanuel and Adrienne Threatt, co-founders of Hope Vibes, a Charlotte based non-profit that started with a social media rant.  Come hear about their innovative solutions to support our homeless neighbors.