A Valentine’s Day to Social Workers

In this powerful Valentine’s Day episode, Amja shares her transformative Self-Soothing Creative Steps (SSCS) framework—a lifeline born from her own journey through domestic abuse and a beacon for those who pour themselves into caring for others.

The framework’s four pillars—support, self-love, spirituality, and security—challenge the extractive culture that demands women / social workers prove their worth through constant depletion. Amja speaks to a truth many recognise: the expectation, especially for Black women, to prioritise everyone else while neglecting themselves leads to burnout that serves no one.

What makes this conversation revolutionary is its refusal to accept martyrdom as virtue. Asking for support isn’t weakness; setting boundaries isn’t selfishness. These are acts of preservation that enable sustainable, meaningful work. Amja’s background as both a service user and a consultant gives her unique insight into how organisational culture can either nurture or drain its people.

The discussion addresses generational shifts in workplace expectations, in which younger professionals increasingly reject disrespectful treatment and demand compensation that reflects their value. This isn’t entitlement—it’s overdue recognition that caring professions deserve adequate resources and respect.

Through art-led activities like “Let the Pen Speak,” Amja creates spaces for difficult conversations about harm and well-being. Her work reminds us that self-expression and reflection aren’t luxuries but necessities for those holding others’ pain daily.

As AI threatens to further dehumanise work, this episode offers a counterpoint: What if technology freed us to bring more creativity, emotion, and humanity to our roles? What if organisations aligned their principles with employees’ well-being rather than extraction?

This Valentine’s Day, Amja’s message resonates: true service begins with serving yourself. Only then can you offer others genuine, sustainable care.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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Welcome to this new episode of Social Workers Matter, my guest today is Antonia Amja Lee where creativity meets resilience and empowerment! Join us as we dive into Amja’s inspiring journey —a self-taught artist and motivational speaker who has transformed her life through art after overcoming the shadows of domestic abuse. In today’s episode, Amja introduces her innovative framework, the Self-Soothing Creative Steps, and shares how creativity can be a powerful catalyst for personal growth and advocacy.

Prepare to be moved as Amja discusses how her artwork resonates deeply with audiences, tackling profound themes of self-love, cultural beauty standards, and Black identity. She reveals the transformative power of visual art to express complex ideas and foster understanding in our communities.

We explore her remarkable transition from focusing on trauma to embracing joy as a vital tool for healing and advocacy. Interestingly, discover her experiences in boxing and her current project, "Journey to the Ring," which honours stories of empowerment through creativity and movement.

In this episode, Amja discusses:

- Art as a Trauma Recovery Tool

- Mindfulness and Personal Growth

- The Power of Art to Connect and Inspire

- Meaning and Audience Collaboration in Art

- Black Artistry and Identity

- Authentic Black Storytelling Through Art

- Reclaiming Power Through Joy

- Creative Empowerment Through Movement

Amja's passion and joy are infectious, and her unwavering belief in her mission shines through every word. So, get ready to be inspired as we welcome Amja Lee—her love and light are sure to ignite your creative spirit!

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In Conversation with Professor Prospera Tedam SFHEA

Join me for an inspiring conversation with the remarkable Professor Prospera Tedam, from the School of Social Policy, Social Work and Social Justice at University College Dublin. Professor Tedam takes us on a journey through her career spanning both academia and frontline practice, sharing insights which are sure to resonate with social work professionals, students, and those passionate about social justice.

Professor Tedam opens up about her fascinating five-year experience working in the United Arab Emirates, offering her perspectives on how social work practice translates across different cultural contexts and what she learned from this vital experience.

Professor Tedam is passionate about school social work as a specialism. She discusses:

• The tremendous value this field brings to children and their families
• How school-based social work creates impact in the lives of vulnerable children
• Why school placements offer enriching and invaluable learning experiences for social work students

Professor Tedam created the MANDELA Model, which was designed to support and enhance the experiences of student social workers, with particular sensitivity toward Black and minoritised students who are not well served. Hear the story behind its creation and how it’s making a difference in social work education.

Professor Tedam teases exciting upcoming research outcomes, scheduled for release in 2026.



Find Professor Tedam’s work available here:

https://people.ucd.ie/prospera.tedam/publications

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In conversation with Dr Andrea J. Boudreaux, a seasoned physician with a wealth of experience, she shares her insights on the pressing challenges within the U.S. healthcare system. In this thought-provoking episode, we dive into themes like trust, resilience, and the urgent need for change.

Dr Boudreaux doesn’t shy away from discussing the stark realities of a broken system that often fails marginalised communities. Yet, amidst the challenges, she remains hopeful, embodying the spirit of a promise-driven leader. Her candid reflections on both her professional journey and personal experiences reveal the complexities of healthcare and the radical transformations needed to make it equitable for all.

Get ready to be inspired as we explore how to navigate despair with determination and the importance of never giving up on creating a better future for healthcare. Listen to discover how one leader’s vision can spark change in an entire system!

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This is episode 101 of SWM, and Psychotherapist Hugh Mayers is our special guest. In our conversation, Hugh shares details about his career, and we take a deeper dive into his interesting work with young men at HM Prison Feltham following a difficult period, as well as his work with several school Pupil Referral Units and his meaningful therapeutic work with young Black boys.

Hugh can be found on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, Instagram and X, he hosts his own community radio talk show @https://erccommunityradio.co.uk/ to reach out to him directly, at Emotionalinsight@hotmail.co.uk

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Celebrating 100 episodes of SWM, whoop whoop! 💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽💃🏽🎤

Here is the interview my friend and colleague, the lovely Sharon Jennings, did with me when the 5th Anniversary arrived.

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'We are giving Back' - Safeguarding in the Caribbean

D. Aleski Brandy-Williams and his Team

D. Aleski Brandy-Williams is a qualified Social worker and the CEO of Brandy-Williams Ltd. He is the author of the book 'My Journey to Becoming a Black Male Social Worker.'

In this podcast, we discuss his career, how he found social work, the value he places on contextual safeguarding practice and, importantly, a colossal undertaking he and his team have embarked upon in St Kitts and Nevis.

www.brandy-williams.co.uk

https://gofund.me/676e5aa0

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In this insightful episode of "Social Workers Matter," Dr. Sylvia B. Smith engages with Denise Harvey and Arlene P. Weekes as they share their recent collaboration on the book "Effective Personal and Professional Judgment in Social Work."

Throughout the episode, the authors explore the complexities of decision-making in social work and the broader application of the concepts in other sectors.

Listeners will learn about the significance of Arlene’s decision-making tool, Effective Personal & Professional Judgement, aka EPPJ, and the plans to create a comprehensive training package for individuals and organisations.

Denise and Arlene also share their enthusiasm about promoting the book in various settings, including universities and international entrepreneurial training programs.

As the episode wraps up, the focus shifts to promoting the model, with discussions on utilising social media and training opportunities to reach a wider audience. The episode not only highlights the journey of these inspiring women but also encourages the audience to reflect on their own decision-making processes and the value of adaptability in their careers.

Tune in for a rich blend of personal stories, professional insights, and practical strategies to elevate social work practices.

For your copy, use this link https://eppj.org/about-eppj/#publications

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