Social Work in Progress (2025)

19/11/2021

Feeling proud, sad, grateful, and everything in between to announce the finale episode of SWIP. Listen for one last reflection on what this podcast has meant to us and what we’ll be taking from it going forward. Thank you to everyone who has been on this journey with us! Your support has meant so much. Listen on Spotify below or go wherever you get your podcasts.

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mrwJj0tEUGJQhzJbMhHKL

[Image ID: Text reads, “Finale Episode.” Text is framed by flower graphics. An image of Bri, Sophia, and Kira on Zoom is on the bottom half of the screen. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner of the slide. End ID]

17/10/2021

SWIP’s new episode is out! Listen for a discussion about the meaning and history of Indigenous Peoples’ Day, as well as some Indigenous stories from the past year. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/show/1mrwJj0tEUGJQhzJbMhHKL

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. Indigenous Peoples’ Day 2021.” Text is over a background photograph of an Indigenous dancer taken by Pu Huang for Reuters. End ID]

12/10/2021

It’s Teach-in Tuesday! In honor of Indigenous Peoples’ Day yesterday, we’re learning about the significance of the holiday. To learn even more, listen to SWIP’s new episode later this week.

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads “Teach-in Tuesday. Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Text is centered in a search bar graphic over a background image from Red Lake Nation news of a person wearing traditional indigenous clothing. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner of the slide. Second slide: Text reads “Indigenous People’s Day is celebrated on the federal holiday of Columbus Day, the second Monday of October. Columbus Day was declared a federal holiday in 1937 after intense lobbying by the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic men's organization. They said Columbus Day was a chance to celebrate the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’' voyage to America, patriotism, and Italian and Catholic heritage.” Third slide: Text reads “Columbus Day has been controversial since its origin, with critics saying that celebrating Columbus ignores the genocide and slavery he brought to indigenous Americans. Also, celebrating his “discovery” of America is a reminder of colonialism, as indigenous Americans were living there long before he arrived. Because of this, there has been a growing movement to officially recognize Indigenous Peoples’ Day in place of Columbus Day as a holiday to learn and honor indigenous history.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “A growing number of states and localities have officially recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day either in place or in addition to Columbus Day: Over 130 cities observe the holiday. AL, AK, HI, ME, NE, NM, OK, OR, SD, and VT celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day officially by law. AZ, CA, IA, LA, MI, MN, NV, NC, VA, WI, and Washington D.C. have recognized the day through gubernatorial proclamations, or through the DC council.” Fifth slide: How should we celebrate Indigenous Peoples' Day? What should non-Native people know about what's happening to Indigenous people? Listen to Social Work in Progress on Friday to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide. End ID]

09/10/2021

SWIP’s new episode is out! Listen for a conversation about the Texas abortion ban, its unique enforcement mechanism, and how citizen reporting and social work intersect. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/5slXTAPjWCk9rRmx3OPgmZ?si=TAAdpnDeTSax7rwFUu-efg&dl_branch=1

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. The Texas abortion law & citizen deputizing.” An image of protestors holding a sign with the Texas flag that reads “Don’t mess with Texas women” is in the background. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. End ID]

05/10/2021

It’s Teach-in Tuesday! Today we’re talking about the Texas abortion ban and what makes it unique. Stay tuned for SWIP’s new episode about this topic later this week!

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads, “Teach-in Tuesday. What's unique about the Texas abortion ban?” Text is set in a search bar graphic over a background image of the state of Texas outlined in a wire hanger. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. Second slide: Text reads, “Senate Bill 8. Governor Greg Abbot signed this bill into law on May 19th, and it went into effect on September 1st, 2021.The law prohibits an abortion from being performed as soon as what lawmakers defined as a "fetal heartbeat" is detected, which is typically around 6 weeks into a pregnancy.” Third slide: Text reads, “Enforcement Mechanism. Usually, government officials are responsible for enforcing abortion bans like this one. A unique provision in this law instead turns enforcement over to ordinary citizens. Any private citizen can now sue anyone that helps someone get an abortion in Texas. The person filing the lawsuit does not have to be a Texas resident, and if the lawsuit is successful, the claimant could collect $10,000.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “This citizen-driven reporting was specifically adopted as an enforcement mechanism so that the law would be harder to overturn in court. Because there is no state official enforcing the law, it’s more difficult for organizations to sue to block it. It essentially makes citizens responsible for policing their neighbors, and removes the ability of abortion providers to go on the offensive against the law.” Fifth slide: Text reads, “What's happened since the law took effect? What is the Justice Department's role? Has citizen reporting been used before? Listen to Social Work in Progress on Friday to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide. End ID]

28/09/2021

It’s Teach-in Tuesday! This week we’re talking about budget reconciliation and immigration reform. Be sure to catch SWIP’s new episode this Friday for even more!

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads, “Teach-in Tuesday. Immigration in the Budget Reconciliation.” Text is set in a search box graphic over a background image of people with papers sitting at a meeting desk with microphones. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. Second slide: Text reads, “Budget Reconciliation. In short, budget reconciliation is a way for Congress to pass a budget bill with just a simple majority and bypass the filibuster. It can be done once a year and is overseen by an advisor called the Senate Parliamentarian. This year's budget reconciliation is called the "Build Back Better Act" and has been in negotiations for months.” Third slide: Text reads, “Build Back Better. The “Build Back Better Act” includes things like lower childcare costs, free community college, tax credit expansion, healthcare expansion, and investments in green jobs. It also included immigration provisions to create a pathway to citizenship for 8 million people. Specifically, people under DACA and TPS, farm workers, and essential workers would have qualified for citizenship under this bill.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “On September 19th, the Senate Parliamentarian, Elizabeth MacDonough, ruled that the immigration provisions could not be included in the budget reconciliation bill. She stated that the immigration reforms "far outweigh the budgetary impact scored to it and it is not appropriate for inclusion in reconciliation." This is a big blow to Democrats, as they are unlikely to pass immigration reform traditionally as long as the filibuster exists.” Fifth slide: Text reads, “What does immigration have to do with the budget? What's next for immigration reform? What has the Biden administration done so far? Listen to Social Work in Progress on Friday to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide. End ID]

22/09/2021

This week’s episode is out now! Listen for a conversation about the Purdue Pharma bankruptcy settlement, what it means for the Sackler family, and how to move forward with accountability for the opioid epidemic. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1zdDGEwvqOLDQIqVvHgAXj

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. The Sackler Family: Accountability for the Opioid Epidemic.” Text is over a photograph of people holding signs that read “Sackler” standing in a street covered with orange prescription bottles. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner. End ID]

21/09/2021

It’s Teach-in Tuesday! We’ve taken a short break but we’re back this week! Today we’re learning about the Sackler family and Purdue Pharma’s recent bankruptcy settlement. Be sure to listen to tomorrow’s episode of Social Work in Progress to hear more!

The NYT story referenced in the post: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/05/29/health/purdue-opioids-oxycontin.html

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads, “Teach-in Tuesday.” The text “The Sackler Family” is written in a search box in the center of the slide. An image of an orange prescription bottle is in the background. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner of the slide. Second slide: Text reads, “Who are the Sacklers? The Sackler family are the multi-billionaire owners of Purdue Pharma - the pharmaceutical company that made and sold the prescription opioid painkiller, OxyContin. While there have been numerous lawsuits against Purdue Pharma over OxyContin’'s role in the opioid epidemic, the members of the Sackler family themselves have never faced criminal charges. Third slide: Text reads, “What’s Changed? Purdue Pharma filed for bankruptcy in 2019. After two years of negotiations, a Federal judge approved a settlement earlier this month. This settlement means: Purdue Pharma will officially be dissolved and reorganized as a public trust. The Sacklers will have to pay $4.5 billion towards addiction prevention and treatment programs. The Sacklers (and hundreds of their associates) will be granted a “third party release” protecting them from any legal liability for harm caused by OxyContin or other opioids.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “This release means that no one can pursue legal action against the Sacklers for anything related to opioids. Essentially, they cannot be sued for their role in the opioid epidemic.. For more in-depth history on how Purdue Pharma and the Sacklers contributed to the opioid epidemic, check out the New York Times story "Origins of an Epidemic: Purdue Pharma Knew Its Opioids Were Widely Abused." Fifth slide: Text reads, “Why were the Sacklers given this immunity? What was their role in the opioid epidemic? How can we hold people accountable when the legal system fails? Listen to Social Work in Progress tomorrow to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide.” End ID]

20/08/2021

This week’s episode is out! Listen for a discussion of the newest UN report on climate change, what it means for the future, and how we as social workers can balance our fears with accountability and action. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NIS018sLU1cW8wDhdzZfe?si=hMqGw3x4SLqvLutbGJwOVA&utm_source=copy-link&dl_branch=1

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. Climate Change.” Text is over a geothermal map of the globe. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner. End ID]

18/08/2021

It's Teach-in Wednesday! Read on to learn about the new UN Report on Climate Change, and be sure to listen to Social Work in Progress tomorrow to hear more.

[Image ID: First slide: Header reads, “Teach-in Wednesday.” The text, “UN Climate Report” in a search bar graphic is over a photograph by Noah Berger of the California Dixie fire. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. Second slide: Text reads, “What Report? The almost 4,000 page report was released on August 7th and is the most comprehensive study of climate change to-date. It was compiled by a UN body called the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The IPCC consists of scientists from 195 member countries whose goal is to provide governments with up-to-date science and knowledge regarding climate change to help inform climate policy.” Third slide: Text reads, “What’s in the Report? According to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, this report is a "code red for humanity." The report makes it clear that humans are indisputably responsible for climate change. It also states that the atmosphere has warmed 1.1 degree Celsius (about 2 degrees Fahrenheit) over the past 200 years. Because there is so much carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, this warming will continue for at least 30 more years, even if emissions are drastically cut.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “Potential Futures. Although warming and extreme weather events will increase over the next 30 years no matter what, we can still influence the longer-term outcomes of climate change. This report projected five different futures dependent on varying levels of global emissions in the next few decades.” Fifth slide: A chart from the UN IPCC report shows potential future scenarios, ranked from lowest emissions level (SSP1) to highest emissions level (SSP5) in the Near term (2021-2040), Mid-term (2041-2060, and Long term (2081-2100). In the best case scenario, temperatures rise 1.2 to 1.8 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2100. In the worst case scenario, temperatures rise 1.3 to 5.7 degrees Celsius between 2021 and 2100. Sixth slide: Text reads, How long have we known about climate change and its impacts? How is policy related to climate change? What should we do if we feel powerless? Listen to Social Work In Progress tomorrow to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner.

05/08/2021

Check out this week’s new episode! Bri and Kira talk about what local races they’re following, as well as why social workers should participate in local politics. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0wE8U99oMfakLCyHVSpNEA?si=MUEKbu8CS2efagWNta1BUw&dl_branch=1

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. Local Elections.” The text is over a background image of “I Voted” stickers on a table. The SWIP logo is in the bottom right corner of the slide. End ID]

03/08/2021

It’s election day!!! For Teach-in Tuesday today, let’s head to the polls (or the absentee ballot dropbox) and make our voices heard. Go to www.vote411.org to see what will be on your ballot!

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads “Teach-in Tuesday.” The text, “Election Day” is set in a search bar graphic in the center of the slide. An image of a sign that reads, “Amplify your voice” is in the background. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide. Second slide: Text reads, “Get out and vote in your local primary election today! Municipal elections are being held all over the country. Go to vote411.org to see what's on your ballot! Third slide: Text reads, “Listen to Social Work in Progress tomorrow to hear more about local elections and why they matter for social work!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. End ID]

29/07/2021

Our new episode is out! Listen for a discussion of what’s been happening in Cuba the past few weeks, how both domestic and international factors impact politics, and how social workers can balance truth and facts with self-determination and empathy. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3hAuSfQjr6w71r6p1fcvHO

[Image ID: Text reads, “New Episode. Protests in Cuba.” Text is over an image from CNN.com of people standing in front of a Cuban government building holding a flag. End ID]

28/07/2021

It’s Teach-in Wednesday! Today we’re learning about the recent protests in Cuba. Listen to SWIP’s new episode tomorrow for more!

[Image ID: First slide: A photograph by Eva Marie Uzcategui of protestors holding Cuban flags is in the background behind the text, “Teach-in Wednesday.” The text, “Protests in Cuba” is in the center of the slide in a search bar. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. Second slide: Text reads, “What Happened? On Sunday, July 11th, thousands of protestors flooded the streets of Cuba in an unprecedented demonstration against the Cuban government. Gatherings that are not authorized by the government are illegal in Cuba, and these protests were the largest the island has seen since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1994.” Third slide: Text reads, “Economic Reasons. Food and medicine shortages have led to Cubans waiting in line for hours to buy
basic goods, and it's only gotten worse during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Cuban government attributes the economic crisis to a lack of tourism revenue and U.S. sanctions.” An image by Yamil Lage of Cubans standing in line holding bags outside of a building is at the bottom of the slide. Fourth slide: Text reads, “Political Reasons. Miguel Diaz-Canel became the first secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba in April 2021. He succeeded Fidel Castro's brother, Raul, and is only the third person to lead the party in 62 years. Protestors called for the right to elect their own leaders and have a Cuban government that’s more representative of the people.” An image of a sign that says “Cuba Libre!” is at the bottom of the slide. Fifth slide: Text reads, “How did the Cuban government respond? What is the embargo and how does it connect to the protests? How does this relate to U.S. politics? Why should social workers pay attention to what's happening in Cuba? Listen to Social Work In Progress tomorrow to hear the answers to these questions and more!” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner of the slide.” End ID]

20/07/2021

The SWIP Crew is off this week! Catch up on our most recent episode(s) & let us know down in the comments what has been your favorite so far? 🥰✌🏼

We’ll be back next week on our regular schedule!

14/07/2021

This week’s episode is out now! Listen for a discussion about Nikole Hannah-Jones, white supremacy and elitism in academia, and going where you are valued. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/2YW6wzixPXHHIiwXaaph6B?si=mzX2yeeGT1KINX2SsdqOZQ&dl_branch=1

[Image ID: Text reads: “New Episode. NIKOLE HANNAH-JONES: Going Where You're Valued.” Text is over a photograph of Howard University. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. End ID]

13/07/2021

It’s Teach-in Tuesday! Today we’re learning about Nikole Hannah-Jones and why everyone is talking about her tenure. Be sure to listen to SWIP tomorrow for more on this story!

[Image ID: First slide: Text reads, “Teach-in Tuesday.” The text “Nikole Hannah-Jones” in a search bar is on top of an image of Nikole Hannah-Jones, a person with curly red hair wearing a black shirt and jacket. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. Second slide: Text reads, “Nikole Hannah-Jones is a New York Times Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author of the 1619 project. In late April, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill announced they were appointing Hannah-Jones to a professor position at their Hussman School of Journalism and Media. This is a position that is typically tenured.” Third slide: Text reads, “On May 19th, the UNC Board of Trustees voted to deny Hannah-Jones tenure and instead offered her a non-tenured 5-year contract. After receiving major backlash from faculty, alumni, students, and others, UNC eventually reversed its decision and on June 30th decided to offer her the tenure position after all. On July 7th, Hannah-Jones announced that she would not be accepting the UNC offer and instead would be joining the journalism faculty at Howard University - in a tenured position.” Fourth slide: Text reads, “I've spent my entire life proving that I belong in elite white spaces that were not built for Black people. I decided I didn't want to do that anymore. That Black professionals should feel free, and actually perhaps an obligation, to go to our own institutions and bring our talents and resources to our own institutions and help to build them up as well. - Nicole Hannah-Jones to CBS.” Fifth slide: Text reads, “Listen to Social Work in Progress tomorrow to hear more about this story as well as the Social Work Spin.” The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. End ID]

08/07/2021

This week's episode is out! Listen for a discussion on the bipartisan infrastructure bill, how it's tied to budget reconciliation, and why social workers should care about infrastructure. Listen on Spotify below, or go wherever you get your podcasts!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/189PXcerUawcp1HSiK20cz?si=X6aEQLL6R7GyB2md71lLjQ&dl_branch=1

[Image ID: Text reads, "New Episode. INFRASTRUCTURE: Legislation and Impact." Text is over an image of a power line. The SWIP logo is in the bottom left corner. End ID]

Social Work in Progress