
28.8K
Downloads
71
Episodes
The Social Work Lens podcast focuses on social work & child welfare topics, and brings you the voices of youth, caregivers, social workers, and subject matter experts. Follow along and join the Training & Coaching Specialists at the University of Vermont’s Child Welfare Training Partnership (CWTP) as they bring you interviews on all things child welfare. Find show notes & transcripts @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Follow us on IG @ https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/
The Social Work Lens podcast focuses on social work & child welfare topics, and brings you the voices of youth, caregivers, social workers, and subject matter experts. Follow along and join the Training & Coaching Specialists at the University of Vermont’s Child Welfare Training Partnership (CWTP) as they bring you interviews on all things child welfare. Find show notes & transcripts @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/ Follow us on IG @ https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/
Episodes

7 days ago
7 days ago
In this episode we will be continuing our discussion of the Foster Care to Prison Pipeline, focusing in on this system as it pertains to Vermont. This will be a discussion with two extremely knowledgeable individuals from the Department for Children and Families, Family Service Division; Deputy Commissioner Aryka Radke and Adolescent Services Unit Director Lindy Boudreau.
Show notes & Transcripts available at https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
Follow us on IG @thesocialworklens

Friday Apr 03, 2026
Foster Care to Prison Pipeline Part 1: Dr. Sherri Simmons-Horton
Friday Apr 03, 2026
Friday Apr 03, 2026
In this episode, Mackenzie Leonard interviews Dr. Sherri Simmons-Horton about her incredible work around what is being referred to as "The Foster Care to Prison Pipeline". In part one of this three-part series Mackenzie will explore the national trends and outcomes that Dr. Sherri has found, as well as her professional findings in regard to harm prevention and mitigating factors that social workers can practice now. Later on in the series, Mackenzie will sit down with leaders from Vermont to discuss how Vermont is noticing these impacts and what is being done locally to support youth and families. Finally, in our last episode of the series, Mackenzie will talk with a very special returning guest.
Transcript & show notes available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Friday Jan 16, 2026
Vermont Resource Spotlight on Camp Outright!
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Friday Jan 16, 2026
Listen in as Chynah and Emma Makdessi, director of camp programs at Outright Vermont talk about Camp Outright, how and when to apply for your camper, and why you should send your LGBTQ camper to summer camp this year!
Transcripts & show notes @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
Follow us on IG @thesocialworklens

Friday Dec 19, 2025
Friday Dec 19, 2025
TBD

Friday Dec 05, 2025
What is “Anti-Adopterism” with Dr. Seungmi Laura Cho
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Friday Dec 05, 2025
Adoption is complicated. In this episode, Dr. Seungmi Laura Cho, a critical qualitative researcher, reflects on her experience researching Korean Adoptees and her work with “Anti-Adopterism”.
Transcripts & Show Notes @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
Follow us on Instagram @ https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/

Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Food Not Cops with Sam Bliss
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Wednesday Nov 19, 2025
Food Not Cops (FNC), a volunteer-run mutual aid effort in Burlington, has served a free daily meal for the last five years. They gather around hot meals cooked by community members and combine relationships and resources to secure whatever people need: clothing, toiletries, medicine, communication devices, camping gear, etc. FNC began at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, as a partnership between Food Not Bombs Burlington and BTV Copwatch. Food Not Cops has since evolved into a network of neighbors organizing to meet each other’s needs outside of markets and government programs.
Join us in this episode as we talk with FNC group member, Dr. Sam Bliss and discuss food insecurity, mutual aid movements, and current pressures facing FNC.
Transcript & Show notes @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
Follow us on IG @thesocialworklens

Monday Oct 27, 2025
DEI Part 2: What Is Going On In Higher Education?
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Monday Oct 27, 2025
Join us for Part 2 of our series on DEI as we talk with Paul Suk-Hyun Yoon, Dr. Jason C. Garvey & Dr. Tiffanie Spencer about what Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion work in Higher Education looks like in this current political moment.
Transcripts, Show Notes, & Part 1 of this series available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
Follow us on IG @https://www.instagram.com/thesocialworklens/

Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
DEI Part 1: AG Charity Clark on Executive Orders
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Tuesday Oct 21, 2025
Join us for Part 1 of our series on DEI as AG Clark returns to the Social Work Lens studio to unpack current executive orders as they pertain to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.
Show notes & transcripts available at https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Rooted in Pride: Youth-Led, Youth-Centered
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Rooted in Pride: Youth-Led, Youth-Centered
In this episode, we sit down with Emmett, Youth Organizer at Outright Vermont, for a powerful conversation about the role of young people in shaping political and social justice movements. Emmett shares insights into what youth organizing looks like on the ground, why affirming trans youth is a collective responsibility, and how adults can truly show up—by listening, believing, and staying curious. Tune in for a moving reminder that youth aren’t just the future—they’re leading right now.
Show notes & transcripts available @ https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/

Friday Sep 12, 2025
What happens when the rules change overnight?
Friday Sep 12, 2025
Friday Sep 12, 2025
“You can’t come home and tell your spouse, or your best friends what you experienced at work… because then you are just traumatizing other people, and no one is going to really, fully understand.” - Anna Rodgers
Anna Rodgers, a seasoned attorney with over 15 years of experience in immigration law and removal defense, joins Cassie to discuss the impact & sustainability of practicing immigration law in America right now.
Transcript & show notes available at: https://vermontcwtp.org/podcast/
