The Social Work Experience

Reimagining Child Welfare: It takes a village, and youth deserve the loudest seat at the table. 08.05.2026 1h 13min

In this episode, we interview two guests—Karen Mestizo and Wendy Kinnear-Rausch—working in child welfare in Santa Clara County. We discuss the successes and challenges that folx working in child welfare face and discuss the lenses from which Karen and Wendy approach their work. While their perspectives differ, both guests amplify the importance of working in partnership with children, youth, and families to improve child welfare services.

Connection as Medicine: A Humanistic Discussion on In-patient Care & Schizophrenic Disorders 03.03.2026 1h 13min

In this episode, co-hosts Ana, Britt, and Roberto speak with Stephen Burke about his experience treating individuals with Schizophrenic Spectrum Disorders in his role as the Director of 7th Avenue Center, an in-patient care organization in Santa Cruz, CA. Stephen has been doing incredible work in the field of mental health care and discusses the human-centered way he goes about treating both clients and staff.

Now What? Creating Our Own Solutions to Community Needs 14.12.2025 1h 33min

In this episode, hosts Ana, Roberto, and Britt interview SJSU social work professor and Executive Director of Ujima Adult and Family Services, Yvonne Maxwell, to talk about how social workers can move from discussion to action by building our own solutions to real community needs.The hosts also reflect on the first step of the Native Governance Center’s Beyond Land Acknowledgment Guide. You can follow along by checking out the guide here.To support Eric Garcia, founder and former co-host of the podcast, consider purchasing or sharing his book through his Linktree.Are you an SJSU MSW student interested in the Clinically Curious workshops? Sign up to receive the Zoom links here.Have feedback or ideas for this season of the podcast? Leave a comment on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, or share your thoughts through our Google Form.

Disrupting White Supremacy & Anti-Blackness 10.11.2025 1h 15min

In this episode, hosts Ana, Roberto, and Britt interview SJSU's newest social work professor, Dr. Babe Kawaii-Bogue, and discuss how social workers can begin to disrupt white supremacy and anti-blackness in both our personal and professional lives. In an effort to move from discussion to action, hosts will begin following this Beyond Land Acknowledgement Guide from the Native Governance Center. We will be tackling each step of the guide throughout this season. Check out the guide to follow along with us! And, if you'd like to share ways that you're moving beyond land acknowledgements, leave a comment on Spotify/Apple Podcasts or submit a response to our Google Form.If you'd like to continue learning how you can combat white supremacy, check out this incredible guide created by our guest, Dr. Kawaii-Bogue!

We’re Back: Kicking Off Season 4! 06.10.2025 1h 21min

In this episode, new hosts Roberto, Britt, and Ana launch season 4 with an introduction to this year’s season and a look ahead at what’s to come. They sit down with Dr. Peter Allen Lee, Director of the School of Social Work at San José State University, who reflects on his journey in social work, the evolution of the field, and offers thoughtful advice for new social workers entering the field.

Season 3 Finale: Goodbyes and Graduations 02.05.2025 24min

In this episode, Jessica, Maddy, and Luna will be signing off as hosts. This time, we'll start off with the transcultural corner to learn about Josefa Llanes Escoda, who was an influential social worker from the AAPI community. We'll then dive into a conversation where we reflect on the past year and discuss our next steps after graduation.It was great being your hosts for this school year! Thank you for all of your support as listeners. We can't wait to see what the next season brings for the Social Work Experience!Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!):Clear Sky by Hartzmannhttps://uppbeat.io/t/hartzmann/clear-skyLicense code: ITYHYLGUNPZ6XY2P

Celebrating Arab American Heritage Month 09.04.2025 1h 15min

Happy Arab American Heritage Month! In this episode, we dive into important parts of Arab American heritage, covering the sociopolitical context of how Arab Americans have come to be recognized as a distinct community, exploring how to best serve and support Arab Americans, and learning about the dabke, a folk dance that is enjoyed across the Levant.Special thanks to Parisa and Michael for their insightful perspectives! For more information on the social justice work that Parisa does, check her out on social media: https://www.instagram.com/champagnepari?hl=enMusic: Beirut by Spinnin Tapehttps://uppbeat.io/t/spinnin-tape/beirutLicense code: RGHJTGY8E4KFTB4N

Happy National Social Work Month! 07.03.2025 50min

March is National Social Work month, and in this episode, we'll be highlighting the amazing contributions that social workers across the field make in their areas of work. This month's episode features a positive news section highlighting the heroic efforts of an incredible social worker, an expert discussion with medical social work student Kat Alvarado, and a look into the importance of advocating for disability rights.To learn more about National Social Work month, visit the NASW page: https://www.socialworkers.org/News/Social-Work-Month/Theme-and-Rationale-2025Special thanks to 53 Thieves from giving us a permission to use their song, Dreamin'. You can check out their artist profile here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4IwM0dNvhWqqtsTyulxe2KStay in touch with us by sending a message on the SWGSA instagram page or emailing swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com!

Celebrating Black History and Queering Love 07.02.2025 39min

It’s February, and love is in the air! For this episode, we’ll be celebrating Black History Month, uplifting Black joy, challenging mainstream notions of love, discussing how to queer the idea of love, and honoring the historical figures that have shaped Black History. For any questions or comments, feel free to email us at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com or reach out to Luna, Jessica, or Maddy! Links/Resources: Positive News - Black Joy 1. Info on Oakland Black Joy parade: https://www.510families.com/the-black-joy-parade-oakland/ 2. General info on Black Joy: https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/stories/black-joy-resistance-resilience-and-reclamation#:~:text=Black%20Joy%20is%20finding%20the,Black%20people%20continue%20to%20encounter. LGBTQ Resources 1. SF LGBT Center https://www.sfcenter.org/ Youth-Foria: group for trans and gender nonconforming youth ages 16 to 24 from 4:30 to 5:30 pm every Thursday at the SF LGBT Center (1800 Market St, San Francisco) 2. What’sTea Youth group for folks 13-34 West Oakland: meetings held at 2811 Adeline St, Oakland, Monday 3:00 to 7:00, catered event every third Saturday SF: meetings held at 1400 Pine St, San Francisco, Wednesday and Friday, 4:30 to 6:30 Instagram: @whatsteaeastbay Email: whatstea@calpep.org Black History Month 1. https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month Music: 1. Megawatt (short version) from Adobe Podcast music library 2. New Life by Moire Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/moire/new-life License code: 5WGRABDE1CJNZKTB 3. Go With You Darlin’ by All Good Folks Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/go-with-you-darlin License code: WWU3VIT3ASHYU1DS 4. Ember by Walz Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/walz/ember License code: Q2JXQGKNBMH31MWW

Celebrating the Winter Holidays 13.12.2024 24min

As the days get darker and winter draws near, there is nothing more comforting than a steaming mug of hot cocoa. Winter is a time to reflect, recharge, and begin looking forward to a new year. In this short and sweet episode, we highlight some positive news and share different holiday traditions from a multicultural lens. The royalty free music used in this episode comes from Uppbeat and Adobe Podcast. For questions and comments, please email us at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com. Thank you for tuning in!

Social Workers in Policy and Voting Advocacy: Making Everyone's Voices Heard 01.11.2024 1h 4min

For Episode 3 of Season 3, we'll be discussing how to get involved in macro level social work, highlighting political advocacy, exploring the idea of encouraging voter engagement as an act of social work, providing nonpartisan summaries of the California Propositions on the ballot for the 2024 election cycle, and speaking with an honorable veteran social worker. To learn more about voting advocacy: https://voting.socialwork.uconn.edu/ CA Proposition Overview: https://lao.ca.gov/ballotanalysis/propositions Thank you to our wonderful speakers, Professor Tanya Rhodes Smith, Emmy Franklin, Thomas Arnold, and Aldo Delacruz for their valuable time and extremely insightful perspectives. Until next time!

No Tricks, Just Treats: Making the Application Process Sweet, Not Scary 04.10.2024 48min

Happy October, and happy Hispanic Heritage Month! As Halloween approaches, the Social Work Experience co-hosts are here to dispel the scary mysteries around admissions and make applying to a graduate social work program more approachable. This time, we’ll be chatting with both online/hybrid and on-campus students, prioritizing positivity, getting faculty perspectives from Dr. Wolf and Dr. Nguyen, and dancing away to cumbia rhythms and stories. *Correction: email us at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com Music: 1. Woodland Mystery by Wood and Paper Music (spooky intro) Website: PremiumBeat 2. Lemon Bass - Adobe Podcast track 3. High Roller - Adobe Podcast track 3. All That by Benjamin Tissot (chill hop) Music by: Bensound License code: CLW89FO4PAN71DL5 4. E.R.F by Benjamin Tissot (energetic electronica) Music by Bensound.com/royalty-free-music, License code: REAZHI7NDAPLDSET 5. On Repeat by Marcus P. (pop) Music I Use: Bensound.com/free-music-for-video, License code: 4HHO0KY9FTAWHTBN 6. Cumbia Caliente by Daniel Belardinelli (cumbia) Website: PremiumBeat Application Page for MSW ⁠https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/apply-msw/index.php⁠ General Information for Fall 2025: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fs36ZDaEteM Online/Hybrid Resources https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/programs/msw/msw-online.php https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsR1kdafyV0 Full-Time On-Campus https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/programs/msw/msw-fulltime.php Advanced Standing https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/programs/msw/msw-advancedstanding.php

Welcome to Season 3: Self-Care September and First Day Jitters 06.09.2024 1h 2min

Welcome to season 3 of the Social Work Experience podcast! For the '24-'25 school year, we have Maddy Western, Luna Khalil, and Jessica Silva as our hosts. During this episode, we’ll be covering how to navigate first day jitters, prioritizing self care, and how to beat the back-to-school blues. Thank you to our special guests Jessica Salza Rybnikar, Wendy Siguenza, Mackenzie Minard, Juliana Ramirez, Dr. Peter Lee, and Professor Derek Wang for contributing to this episode. Music Credits: 1. Trendsetter by Mood Maze Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/mood-maze/trendsetter License code: 0FFYKSJHGUX5XONK 2. Comparsa by Kevin MacLeod Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/kevin-macleod/comparsa License code: VMSPZKTAWREYHQXC 3. Bring the Fun! by Andrey Rossi Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/andrey-rossi/bring-the-fun License code: ANFW7SE866V5ANZA Have any suggestions? Please let us know at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com. Thanks for tuning in!

Season 2 Finale! Ft. Zitlaly 18.05.2024 28min

On this final episode of Season 2, Jess and Tanvi sign off for the last time after talking about commencement with SWGSA Commencement Chair Zitlaly. Stay tuned until the very end to hear some very special messages from the class of 2024.

Neurodivergence in Grad School ft. Melissa Arias 20.04.2024 33min

In this episode, we speak with Melissa, a second year SJSU MSW student, about her personal experience with neurodivergence in the grad school experience. Tune in to hear about one of the many perspectives of what being neurodivergent can mean inside the classroom.

Sacramento, Here We Come! (Lobby Days 2024) 15.03.2024 33min

On this episode, we talk to Mikey and Maddy about Lobby Days! Tune in for information about what lobby days is, what is the importance of lobby days, and how to get involved! SJSU MSW Program Admissions Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/aply-msw/index.php Follow us on Instagram: @sjsuswgsa @uswasjsu @sjsusocialwork

Starting a New Semester! 17.02.2024 50min

On our 5th episode of Season 2, we talk with MSW Student Diego about how we all feel about starting the new semester. Later, we talk with SWGSA President Paola about time management skills we learned that help us manage grad school! Episode Markers: Starting a New Semester with Diego: 0:00-20:33 Announcements: 20:33-20:48 Time Management with Paola: 20:48-50:27 SJSU MSW Program Admissions Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/apply-msw/index.php Follow us on Instagram: @sjsuswgsa @uswasjsu @sjsusocialwork Please get in touch with us at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com if you have any questions and comments about our episodes!

Dealing with Imposter Syndrome + SJSU Stipends! (Ft. Valeria + Professor Ruiz) 24.12.2023 1h 13min

On the fourth episode of Season 2, we lead a discussion with Valeria (USWA President!) about what imposter syndrome is, how it may look in the field of social work, and how we personally deal with it. But first, Professor Ruiz tells us all about stipend opportunities at San Jose State University! Episode Markers: 0:00-39:00: Information about stipends at SJSU (ft. Professor Ruiz) 39:00-40:00: SWGSA Announcements 40:07-1:15:20: Dealing with Imposter Syndrome (ft. Valeria) SJSU MSW Program Admissions Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/apply-msw/inde.php Follow us on Instagram: @sjsuswgsa @uswasjsu @sjsusocialwork Please get in touch with us at swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com if you have any questions and comments about our episodes!

Organization Green and Red Flags ft. Jen/ Micro, Mezzo, Macro Experiences 10.11.2023 50min

In this third episode of Season 2, we talk about some green and red flags of organizations, support within the field, and professional boundaries. We are joined by Jen, a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) who shares her honest thoughts about what to look for within an organization. Then, we are joined by podcast hosts Tanvi and Jess who share some reflections of what drew them to social work and their thoughts on micro, mezzo, and macro social work. We are excited to have you on this journey by following and subscribing to our social media accounts below. Episode Markers: 0:00-27:00 – Speaking with Jen: What makes a good organization? What are some green and red flags? 27:22-28:05 - SWGSA Events for November 2023! 28:18-49:04 – What drew Tanvi and Jess to social work? Micro, Mezzo, and Macro talk. SJSU MSW Program Admissions Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/apply-msw/index.php Follow us on Instagram: @sjsuswgsa @uswasjsu @sjsusocialwork Please get in touch with swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com if you have any questions and comments about our episodes!

The Grad School Experience ft. Julie Black, Maddy Western, and Old Hosts! 13.10.2023 1h 14min

On this second episode of Season 2, we talk about what its really like to be in grad school, more specifically in the MSW Program at SJSU. We are joined by Julie Black and Maddy Western who share about their honest experiences in grad school so far. Then, we are later joined by former Podcast hosts Eric and Pancho who share about their reflection of the SJSU MSW Program. We are excited to have you on this journey by following and subscribing to our social media accounts below. Episode Markers: 0:00-39:00 - What's Julie and Maddy's grad school experience? 39:00-41:25 - SWGSA Events! 41:25-1:14:25 - What's Eric and Pancho's grad school experience? SJSU MSW Program Admissions Page: https://www.sjsu.edu/socialwork/admissions/apply-msw/index.php Follow us on Instagram: @sjsuswgsa @uswasjsu @sjsusocialwork Please get in touch with swgsa.podcastchair@gmail.com if you have any questions and comments about our episodes!