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Michelle + Kris check in to give an update on what’s next for Spark Sessions Podcast! It’s a tough time in the world and we hope that you’ll turn to our previous episodes to get inspired and feel a sense of hope.

In the final episode of Season 5, Michelle + Kris recap lessons learned and name their take-aways from this series.  They discuss the importance of community, perseverance, and listening to those most impacted.

This episode features Valerie Arendt, MSW, MPP, Executive Director of the National Association of Social Workers North Carolina.  Valerie shares strategies for successful advocacy and calls for social workers to double down on our social justice values.

In this episode, Kris + Michelle grapple with the idea of agreeing to disagree versus empathy without endorsement. This work includes conflict management. How well are we versed in this skill?

Kris + Michelle chat with Daniel Rhodes about what resistance, social justice + solidarity look like right now for social workers.

Kris + Michelle chat with Matthew Mills, LCSW about strategies that social workers can put in place to continue the hard work in a world of political chaos.

Kris + Michelle begin exploring how it feels to navigate personally and professionally during a time of political chaos.

Kris + Michelle are back for Season 5 of Spark Sessions Podcast and talk through the focus for this era of the pod, especially in this challenging post-election political environment + how it is affecting social workers. Key Resources: www.sparksessionspodcast.com

We don’t ask others to do what we ourselves are not willing to do.  This episode features co-host Dr. Michelle Vance.  Michelle shares how her lived experiences around identity have shaped her career and fight for social justice.

This episode features Tyler Yates, BSW, CADC, Community Overdose Prevention Initiatives Coordinator for the Division of Public Health.  Tyler discusses how harm reduction and empathy are crucial to those in recovery and those seeking support for substance use.

This episode features Melody Gross, Principal Consultant for Courageous SHIFT.  Melody shares how her lived experience as a survivor has shaped her work and helps us to understand that interpartner violence is everyone’s concern.

This episode features Quatavia Jones, Spoken Word Artist, Lived Experience Expert, and Trauma Informed Advocate.  Quatavia shares how pure will and determination to live a different path, sprinkled with support along the way, has helped her build a life she dreamed of as a child.

This episode features Sil Ganzó, Founder and Executive Director of ourBridge, an afterschool program and community support for immigrant and refugee children and their families.  Sil hopes to encourage us to use curiosity and empathy to change the landscape for the children and families she serves.

This episode features Carla Carlisle, Executive Director of The Compassionate Companion (™) and author of several books.  Carla shares her experience as a foster parent that led to her leaving corporate America to follow her passion for trauma informed care.

This episode features Traletta Banks, Founder and Executive Director of Erika’s Closet and Another Level Staffing LLC.  Traletta helps us understand what it means to give and be given a second chance.