In this powerful live recording from the NASW National Conference in Chicago, the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast centers Indigenous women whose leadership, resilience, and cultural vision are reshaping the future of social work.

Hosts Alicia and Ace talk with Maria Panjoj Salvador, Vilma Saloj, and Ausirys Alviz — grassroots social workers advancing cultural preservation, education, and healing across Guatemala, Colombia, and the diaspora.

This dialogue pushes beyond theory and into lived struggle: machismo, systemic barriers, and the loss of language. At the same time, it uplifts how Elders, intercultural education, and cultural pride serve as enduring sources of empowerment. Together, these voices remind us that decolonizing social work is a lived practice rooted in community, identity, and cultural continuity.

🔗 Learn more: The Contextual Indigeneity in Social Work Toolkit - https://www.ciswt.co/

🎙️ About the Guests

Vilma Saloj — Maya Kaqchikel educator and Executive Director at MAIA, leading transformative intercultural education in Guatemala and advocating globally for Indigenous youth.

Ausirys Alviz — Colombian therapist based in the U.S., founder of Transparent Healing Psychotherapy, offering trauma-informed, culturally affirming care to migrant and Indigenous-multicultural families.

Maria Panjoj Salvador — K’iche community advocate from Chichicastenango, Guatemala, promoting education, women’s leadership, and cultural pride through nonprofit engagement and traditional market life.

✨ Key Themes & Takeaways

Social work as a calling, rooted in cultural identity.Indigenous women at the forefront of empowerment and leadership.

Machismo and systemic discrimination as ongoing challenges.

Language preservation as a cornerstone of identity and practice.

Elders as vital knowledge-keepers in social work.

Decolonization through Indigenous wisdom and cultural humility.

Community engagement as a path to resilience and capacity-building.

⏱️ Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:06 Theme song

02:51 Personal Journeys into Social Work

05:22 Cultural Contexts in Social Work

07:49 Empowerment and Visibility of Indigenous Women

10:40 Challenges of Machismo and Discrimination

12:56 The Role of Social Workers in Indigenous Communities

15:50 Building Community and Capacity

18:00 Comparative Perspectives on Social Work

20:32 The Importance of Representation

23:06 Navigating Identity and Allyship

26:05 Toolkit for Contextual Indigenous Social Work

28:59 Bridging Gaps in Social Work Practices

31:08 Conclusion and Future Directions

41:29 Cultural Roots and Coping Mechanisms

42:44 Decolonizing Therapy and Cultural Humility

45:13 Challenges of Remote Work in Social Services

47:39 Barriers to Education and Community Engagement

53:40 The Importance of Language Preservation

58:53 Incorporating Elders in Social Work

01:08:24 Visions for the Future of Social Work

🔑 Keywords (SEO)Revolutionary Social Work, Indigenous Women, Social Work Education, Cultural Context, Empowerment, Community Engagement, Language Preservation, Elders, Decolonization, Gender Dynamics, Guatemala Social Work, Colombian Therapist, Indigenous Leadership, NASW Conference© Revolutionary Social Work

In this live episode of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, recorded at the NASW National Conference in Chicago, Ace and Jerome MT sit down with Dr. Amana Mbise—scholar, mentor, and global advocate in social work. Together they explore the profound intersections of migration, cultural adjustment, authenticity, masculinity, and community engagement.

Dr. Mbise shares insights from his work across Tanzania, Denmark, and the United States, where he has led groundbreaking studies on labor exploitation, health equity, and the lived realities of Black communities. From rites of passage to the role of barbershops as vital cultural hubs, the conversation reveals how identity, responsibility, and connection shape both individual lives and collective liberation.

This episode challenges social workers and educators to move beyond technical “competence” toward authenticity, kinship, and community-rooted practice.

Key Themes & Takeaways:

Cultural adjustments and the challenges families face in new environments

Why authenticity is essential in social work practice and teaching

Mentorship, responsibility, and the work of empowering

Black menBarbershops as safe spaces and sites of identity formation

Rites of passage and the meaning of masculinity across cultures

Community engagement as a foundation for liberation in social work

Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction and Setting the Scene

02:25 – Cultural Adjustments and Family Dynamics

05:03 – Community Support and Integration

07:18 – Diversity in Alaska and Personal Experiences

09:54 – Teaching and Engaging with Students

12:41 – Authenticity in Social Work

15:19 – Building Community and Relationships

17:32 – Empowering Black Men and Cultural Identity

31:20 – Empowering Black Men Through Community Engagement

34:28 – The Role of Barbershops as Safe Spaces

38:46 – Navigating Fatherhood and Masculinity

44:27 – Rites of Passage and Cultural Identity

49:35 – Responsibility in Parenting and Identity

55:17 – Men in Social Work: A Growing Presence

📣 For more information or to connect with Revolutionary Social Work, email: RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com

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🌍 Visit us at: RevolutionarySocialWork.com

Keywords :

social work, community engagement, cultural adjustment, authenticity, mentorship, masculinity, Black men, barbershops, identity, responsibility, migration, cultural dynamics, empowerment, revolutionary social work© Revolutionary Social Work

In this live episode of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, recorded at the NASW National Conference in Chicago, hosts Christian Ace and Jerome MT sit down with Prajna Horn and Dr. David Wrathall to explore how Indigenous wisdom and the guidance of elders can transform our response to today’s global crises.

The conversation highlights the work of Kaiāulu, a women- and Indigenous-led nonprofit bridging ancestral knowledge with science and spirituality. Together, we examine the role of elders, rites of passage, ecological consciousness, and synchronized ceremonies as pathways to healing and systemic change.

This dialogue underscores that revolutionary transformation requires both inner reflection and collective action. From climate justice to community connection, from storytelling to ceremony, Prajna and David illuminate what it means to bridge tradition and modernity in a world desperate for coherence.

📖 Chapters & Timestamps

00:00 – Opening & Introduction

05:45 – The Power of Elders and Rites of Passage

10:20 – Indigenous Wisdom and Modern Science

12:42 – The Role of Technology in Cultural Transmission

15:26 – Creating Ripples of Kindness and Connection

18:11 – The Journey of Remembering and Homecoming

21:11 – Synchronizing Indigenous Ceremonies for Global Healing

23:35 – Bridging the Gap Between Tradition and Modernity

48:33 – Bridging Indigenous Wisdom and Western Science

51:47 – Nature’s Storytelling: The Role of the Moon

54:48 – Cultivating Listening: The Call of the Elders

57:17 – Reconnection: Finding Harmony in Modern Times

01:04:18 – The Grace of Integration: Navigating Resistance

01:18:05 – Transformative Knowledge: Love as a Way of Knowing

🔑 Keywords Indigenous wisdom, elders, Prajna Horn, David Wrathall, Kaiāulu, climate change, climate justice, ecological consciousness, spirituality, rites of passage, collective intelligence, synchronized ceremonies, Indigenous knowledge, ancestral traditions, Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, NASW Conference, community healing, relational transformation, Indigenous science

#IndigenousWisdom #Elders #ClimateJustice #Spirituality #RevolutionarySocialWork

© Revolutionary Social Work

Reggae music, Rastafari, and revolutionary social work collide in this powerful live conversation with Hawaiian reggae artist Lion Fiyah, recorded at the NASW National Conference in Chicago. Hosted by Professor Ace with special guest MT, this episode is part of the Social Work Outside the Status Quo series — where we challenge the profession’s comfort with celebrity culture and amplify voices that speak truth, unity, and liberation.

We open by questioning the NASW’s controversial award to Ludacris, contrasting his violent, misogynistic lyrics with the uplifting, positive messages of reggae rooted in cultural resilience and Rastafarian values. Then we dive deep with Lion Fiyah into the responsibility of lyrics, the creative process behind Royal Vibes, and the role of music as a vehicle for cultural identity, anti-colonial consciousness, and liberation for all.

From Bob Marley’s legacy in Hawaiian reggae to navigating the modern music industry with integrity, this episode explores music’s power to heal, connect, and inspire social change. It’s a call for social workers, artists, and community leaders to align their work with the values they claim to uphold — because music is a tool for transformation and resistance.

📣 For more information or to connect with Revolutionary Social Work, email: RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com✨ Subscribe for more powerful stories that challenge mainstream social work:https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionarySocialWork/sub_confirmation=1

Keywords: reggae music, Lion Fiyah, Rastafari, revolutionary social work, NASW Conference, Royal Vibes, Bob Marley, Hawaiian reggae, conscious reggae, cultural resilience, positive lyrics, social justice music, anti-colonial music, music and liberation, music and social work, activist music, conscious lyrics, unity and reggae, cultural heritage, liberation movements, reggae interview, reggae podcast, Rastafarian culture.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Revolutionary Social Work Podcast (Alicia & Ace)

01:21 Ludacris and the NASW Award Controversy

05:24 Positive Lyrics and Social Work Values

10:57 Introducing Lion Fiyah’s Impact

11:38 Bob Marley’s Influence in Hawaiian Reggae

12:39 — Theme Song —

13:19 Welcoming Lion Fiyah & His Musical Journey

16:10 The Creative Process and Collaboration

20:19 Lyrics as Responsibility and Cultural Force

23:29 Rastafarian Influence and Personal Identity

26:40 The Role of Musicians in Shaping Public Consciousness

29:29 Breaking Down Royal Vibes and Its Message

34:56 Staying Grounded and Centered in Chaos

41:06 Symbols, Integrity, and Legacy in Music

49:40 Addressing Division Through Music

54:27 Artistic Growth and Adaptation

59:57 The Enduring Legacy of Reggae Music

01:02:19 Heritage, Authenticity, and Cultural Exchange

01:04:13 Identity, Liberation, and Shared Struggle

01:07:09 Music as Cultural Identity and Empowerment

01:10:06 Personal Vows, Spiritual Growth, and Reflection

01:13:09 Cross-Cultural Connections and Solidarity

01:16:16 Closing Reflections on Music and Liberation

#reggaemusic #lionfyiah #rastafari #revolutionarysocialwork #socialwork #NASWconference #nasw2025 #bobmarley© Revolutionary Social Work

Recorded live at the NASW National Conference in Chicago, Episode 22 of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast features Rev Love — yogi, musician, activist, and founder of Yoga for Activists — in a powerful dialogue on liberation, healing, and political prisoners.

Rev Love shares her decades-long connection to Dr. Mutulu Shakur, her work bringing sound healing into carceral spaces like Rikers Island, and her philosophy that true revolution begins within. Alongside host Professor Ace and guest Jerome MT, the conversation dives into revolutionary love, creating community outside oppressive systems, and the integrity required to hold space for deep healing.

For more information about Revolutionary Social Work visit RevolutionarySocialWork.com

To connect with Revolutionary Social Work, email:RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com

Subscribe for more powerful stories that challenge mainstream social work:https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionarySocialWork/sub_confirmation=1

We explore:

How to honor political prisoners and carry forward their legacies

The intersection of yoga, sound healing, and social justicePracticing revolutionary social work outside the profession

The personal and collective transformation needed for lasting change

Whether you’re a social worker, activist, healer, or anyone committed to justice, this episode will challenge, inspire, and ground you.

🎙 Listen, reflect, and keep walking the path toward liberation.

Timestamps / Chapters

00:00 Alicia & Ace Introduction – Social Work Outside the Status Quo

05:59 Theme Song

06:39 Live from NASW Chicago – Introducing Rev Love

07:22 Meeting Dr. Mutulu Shakur & Revolutionary Love

12:05 Honoring Mutulu’s Legacy Through Everyday Actions

12:21 Yoga, Activism, and Extending Practice Beyond the Mat

14:22 Revolution as Personal Transformation

15:18 Interconnected Struggles and Holistic Change

18:41 Sound Healing as Practice, Not Trend

21:13 The Science and Power of Frequency & Vibration

23:47 Honoring Traditional Practices with Integrity

25:11 Trauma, Sound Healing, and Holding Space Responsibly

29:47 Noise, Environment, and Self-Regulation Tools

31:36 Power in the Practice – Building Resilience Alone

35:19 Consistency Over Quick Fixes

36:16 Sound Healing in Healthcare & Insurance Challenges

38:35 Alternative Wellness in Social Work Contexts

42:33 Discovering Your Home Frequency

44:15 Discomfort, Healing, and Energy Shifts

46:10 Tools for Navigating Challenging Frequencies

48:20 Sound Healing at Rikers Island

51:22 Connecting with Incarcerated People

54:28 Every Prisoner as a Political Prisoner

56:15 Revolution Beyond Reform – Building Our Own Systems

1:03:01 Breath, Humming, and Nervous System Regulation

1:04:28 Childhood Story – Humming to Heal Pain

1:06:55 Making the Road by Walking It

1:08:09 Youth, Leadership, and Revolutionary Action

1:09:14 Reflections on Tupac and Lost Potential

1:09:24 Closing Gratitude & Revolutionary Love

#RevolutionarySocialWork #RevLove #NASW2025 #NASWChicago #MutuluShakur #PoliticalPrisoners #SoundHealing #YogaForActivists #SocialJustice #PrisonAbolition #HealingJustice #CommunityHealing #BlackLiberation #HolisticActivism #RevolutionaryLove© Revolutionary Social Work

In Episode 21 of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, Alicia takes the host seat and interviews Professor Ace in a deeply personal conversation about addiction, recovery, and the power of lived experience. Together, they explore the terrain of methamphetamine use, the role of peer pressure, and the long road to healing. Professor Ace's story does not reflect perfection. It’s a story of truth, reflection, and connection.

The conversation moves through early encounters with substances, the moment of realization, and the ongoing process of recovery. Professor Ace reflects on what helped them move forward—community, connection, and an internal value system built over time. They speak to the limitations of conventional substance abuse education and call for a more relational, story-centered, and human approach to healing work.

This episode offers real insight for social workers, educators, people in recovery, and anyone seeking deeper understanding of how connection and narrative shape the recovery process.

🌐 For more information, visit: https://www.revolutionarysocialwork.com/

📬 To contact the hosts, email: RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com

📣 For more information or to connect with Revolutionary Social Work, email: RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com

✨Subscribe for more powerful stories that challenge mainstream social work:https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionarySocialWork/sub_confirmation=1

💎 Learn more about Revolutionary Social Work Values: https://youtu.be/L6vnVENCvU0

Listen if you're interested in:

Lived experience with addiction and recovery

The power of storytelling in healing

Substance use education through a relational lens

Building a value system in social workIsolation, community, and finding purpose after rehab

Revolutionary approaches to substance abuse

Personal growth grounded in connection and self-love

Chapters

00:00 Introducing the Episode

15:12 Theme Song

16:02 Grounding the Conversation

21:03 The First Encounter: Discovering Methamphetamines

26:45 The Turning Point: Realization and Decision to Change

33:51 Understanding Addiction: The Role of Connection and Disconnection

41:37 The Impact of Support Systems on Recovery

48:48 The Importance of Listening and Understanding Pain

56:12 Life After Rehab: Challenges and Commitment to Recovery

01:06:40 Isolation in Recovery and Finding Community

01:16:48 Creating a Value System in Social Work

01:22:00 Maintaining Wellbeing: Hills and Valleys of Life

01:27:36 The Importance of Self-Love and Healing

#AddictionRecovery #RevolutionarySocialWork #LivedExperience #SubstanceUse #HealingThroughStory #ProfessorAce #MethRecovery #TraumaHealing #CommunitySupport #SelfLove #NarrativeTherapy #SocialWorkPodcast #AliciaStettler #RecoveryJourney #HealingNarratives #ConnectionIsRecovery #KinshipInPractice

© Revolutionary Social Work

What does it mean to live as resistance? In Episode 20 of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast, we sit down with Causha Spellman-Timmons for a powerful conversation on ancestral connection, identity, and the spiritual roots of social work.

Causha shares how embodying their truth is an act of defiance in a world that demands conformity. We explore the role of ancestry in shaping identity, the necessity of spiritual practices and sacred spaces, and how healing from generational trauma demands both personal transformation and collective accountability.

Revolutionary social work doesn't go by the book. Neither does Causha. It’s soul work. It’s kinship. It’s a return to what colonization tried to sever. If you’ve been yearning for a deeper way to practice, live, and connect -- this conversation is for you.

🔗 Visit: https://RevolutionarySocialWork.com

📬 Contact: RevolutionarySocialWork@gmail.com

🎙️ Subscribe: https://www.youtube.com/@RevolutionarySocialWork/sub_confirmation=1

Chapters

00:00 – Intro & Theme Song

03:20 – Introduction and Context of the Conversation

05:57 – Embodiment of Resistance

08:41 – Ancestral Connections and Identity

13:35 – Navigating Life's Challenges and Collective Care

18:56 – Exploring Ancestry and Spiritual Practices

24:10 – Creating Sacred Spaces and Altars29:45 – Healing and Generational Responsibility

37:57 – Ancestral Wisdom and Identity

40:05 – The Importance of Genealogical Testing

42:44 – Navigating Spirituality and Organized Religion

45:27 – Reconciliation of Spiritual Practices

49:58 – Filling the Holes of Our Heritage

53:21 – Authenticity in Social Work

57:47 – Imagining the Future of Social Work

#RevolutionarySocialWork #AncestralWisdom #SocialWorkPodcast #SpiritualityAndResistance #DecolonizeSocialWork #Kinship #SoulWork #CaushaSpellmanTimmons #HealingJustice #IdentityAndResistance

© Revolutionary Social Work

Episode 19 of the Revolutionary Social Work Podcast continues our Social Work Outside the Status Quo series, recorded live at the NASW National Conference in Chicago. With Alicia Stettler unable to join from Hawaiʻi due to the six-hour time difference, Jerome MT stepped in as guest alongside Professor Ace for a powerful conversation with Dr. Paul Michael Garrett (PMG), joining from Ireland.

This episode explores the urgent relevance of dissenting social work—how it confronts the profession’s complicity in systems of control, and why critical dialogue must remain central to practice. We get into collective action, the rise of AI, abolitionist tensions, Indigenous worldviews, and the role of social workers in shaping more humane futures.

PMG brings sharp insight into the need for structural rethinking and invites listeners to approach the work with historical awareness, political clarity, and relational grounding.

🎓 To learn more about Dr. PMG and dissenting social work:

Visit: https://www.pmgarrettdsw.com/Watch:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba6_45xLZ6Y

Contact: pm.garrett@universityofgalway.ie

🌍 Learn more about Revolutionary Social Work: https://revolutionarysocialwork.com

🌺 More from Alicia: https://aliciastettler.com

🌀 More from Professor Ace: https://professorace.com

📚 Watch the class on RSW values: https://youtu.be/L6vnVENCvU0Chapters

00:00 Welcome + Theme Song

03:20 Introduction to Dissenting Social Work04:14 Contextualizing Dissenting Social Work

08:13 The Importance of Critical Engagement

12:37 Collective Action in Social Work

14:40 Practical Approaches to Dissent

18:10 Themes of Dissent in Social Work

21:54 The Role of Technology in Social Work

26:41 Indigenous Perspectives on Technology and Social Work

29:00 Enhancing Human Connection through AI in Healthcare

30:01 Racial Capitalism and Technology's Impact on Society

31:38 Understanding Social Structures and Their Influence

33:30 The Need for New Economic and Social Systems

35:11 Abolitionism in Social Work: Challenges and Perspectives

39:47 Indigenous Perspectives on Justice and Social Work

44:42 The Role of Critical Conversations in Social Change

#dissentingsocialwork #revolutionarysocialwork #socialworkpodcast #nasw2025 #abolition #criticalsocialwork #indigenousjustice #pmg #paulmichaelgarrett #professorace #aliciastettler #socialworkeducation #aiandsocialwork

© Revolutionary Social Work