SWAG Awards Series | Ta’lor L. Pinkston: The Heart Advocate & the Medicine of Self-Love

Host Renita Ray Davis welcomes back LICSW Renee Ingram for an honest conversation about shedding old selves, navigating perfectionism, and embracing therapist humanity. Renee shares the story behind earning her clinical license, the emotional work that surfaced along the way, and what she’s learned about grace, trauma, and transformation — both in herself and the children she serves. A grounding, deeply human episode for social workers in every season of their journey.✨Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this milestone 100th episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, I am honored to welcome Ta’lor L. Pinkston, LSW — widely known as The Heart Advocate. A licensed self-love social worker, creator of Self-Care Matters and Healing Over Everything, and Clinical Practice Program Manager at Healthy Start, Inc. in Pittsburgh, Ta’lor is devoted to helping people choose self-love as a coping skill for mental health and healing.In this deeply moving and liberatory conversation, Ta’lor reminds us that self-love is a practice, not a feeling, and that perfectionism is a learned survival strategy rooted in systems that teach us we are never enough. Together, we talk about:💗 Why self-love is an action — a verb — not a feeling 💗 How perfectionism, internalized judgment, and “staying small” shape our relationships 💗 Seeing diagnoses through a strengths-based and compassionate lens 💗 Ta’lor’s journey from creative writer to social worker to self-love practitioner 💗 How becoming a mother transformed her relationship with herself 💗 The origins of The Heart Advocate and what it means to practice self-love as community careTa’lor’s honesty about shrinking, choosing the wrong relationships, navigating anxiety and prenatal depression, and finally finding her way back to herself is a masterclass in truth-telling. Her story is a reminder that we are born enough — that nothing we do can separate us from worthiness, love, or the possibility of transformation.As we celebrate 100 conversations, 100 stories, and 100 reminders that social work is sacred work, this episode stands as a testament to heart, healing, and legacy.🌟 Connect with The Heart AdvocateFollow Ta’lor and her work here:Instagram: @theheartadvocateFacebook: @theheartadvocateTwitter: @heartadvocate_Self-Care Matters & More: https://theheartadvocate.comIf Ta’lor’s words moved you, inspired you, or invited you deeper into your own self-love practice, share this episode with another social worker who needs it.✨Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, part of the SWAG Awards Series honoring Service, Wellness, Advocacy, and Growth, I sit down with Dr. Angela Campbell, a social work leader, racial equity advocate, healer, and 2023 SWAG Award recipient whose life embodies transformation and purpose.From her beginnings as a foster youth navigating systems not designed for her, to her education at Bennett College, the University of Pittsburgh, and later her DSW at the University of Kentucky, Dr. Campbell has spent her life proving what becomes possible when lived experience, sisterhood, and divine alignment meet.Together we explore: ✨ How foster care, kinship care, and mentorship shaped her calling into social work 📚 Her journey from frontline case management to becoming a racial equity fellow transforming child welfare policy 🎨 The “therapeutic art” space she created where youth manifested confidence, creativity, and community 🖤 The impact of hyper-surveillance on Black families — and why racial equity work is essential, urgent, and deeply personal 🔮 How intuition, tarot, and spiritual discernment support her healing work and leadership 🌺 The inspiration behind her new poetry collection, Healing the Inner ChildDr. Campbell’s story is a powerful reminder that what happens to us can become what happens for us — and that healing, purpose, and self-defined success are always possible.🔗 Connect & Learn More📚 Purchase her new book, Healing the Inner Child: • Amazon: Healing the inner child: a collection of poems• Barnes & Noble: healing the inner child: a collection of poems📸 Follow Dr. Campbell on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angielove5555💼 Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drangelacampbell555✨ Learn more about her healing and spiritual work on YouTube: AngieLove5555✨Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this powerful episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, host Renita Ray Davis, LICSW-S sits down with Tanya J. Ashby, MSW, LSW — the 2023 SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient — for a conversation that is equal parts heart, wisdom, ministry, and legacy.With 40 years in the field, Tanya’s journey is a testament to what it looks like to serve with compassion, faith, and steadfast dedication. From her early years watching her mother’s gentle care as a VA nurse, to internships that shaped her understanding of trauma and healing, to decades as a beloved school social worker with Pittsburgh Public Schools, Tanya embodies service as both calling and ministry.In this episode, Tanya shares: ✨ The story behind her Sister-to-Sister Women’s Bible Class, a multigenerational circle of women ages 40–90 ✨ Her experiences in crisis response and postvention work — supporting children and schools after tragedies ✨ The mindset, habits, and spiritual grounding that have sustained her across four decades ✨ How she nurtures her own wellbeing through routine, journaling, prayer, and rest ✨ A moving moment when a former student recited a poem she learned from Tanya nearly 30 years ago ✨ Her reflections on youth voice, elder care, and the importance of honoring all stages of life ✨ What receiving the SWAG Lifetime Achievement Award meant to herThis episode is a love letter to longevity in social work — a reminder that impact builds quietly, consistently, heart to heart, life to life.Whether you are a new social worker seeking guidance, a seasoned professional looking for renewed purpose, or someone who simply loves stories of resilience and service, Tanya’s journey will bless you.Listen in and be reminded: You never know the ripple effect of your presence.🔗 Connect & Learn More✨ Reach out to Tanya Ashby here: [email protected]✨Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast — part of the SWAG Awards Series celebrating the values of Service, Wellness, Advocacy, and Growth — I sit down with Dr. Sheila Gillespie Roth, LCSW, a trailblazing educator, clinician, and advocate for first responders’ mental health.From her early days as a medical social worker in a Level 1 trauma center to her leadership as a founding chair of Carlow University’s social work programs, and now through her private practice, Roth Consulting, Dr. Roth has spent decades helping those who help others.Together we explore: 🚒 How Dr. Roth became a leading voice for first responders and trauma recovery 🧠 The concept of “invisible emotional body armor” and how social workers can learn to lower it 🌿 The connection between teaching, clinical practice, and community healing 💫 The meaning of reinventing yourself after decades of service 💖 The importance of joy, nature, and self-care as lifelong healing practicesDr. Roth’s story is a powerful reminder that even in high-stress professions, growth and renewal are always possible.🔗 Connect & Learn More✨ Learn more about Roth Consulting: [email protected]🎓 Read Dr. Roth’s research on trauma and first responder wellness: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kE1mijLih12LwTvvZbsTRQzmu0nMryBe/view?usp=sharing🌸 ✨Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Remember Me Series, we shine a light on the incredible work happening through the Central Alabama Aging Consortium’s Gateway to Community Living program.Host Renita Ray Davis sits down with Erica Dixson, Transition Coordinator and longtime advocate for older adults, people with disabilities, and those navigating mental health and substance use challenges. A proud graduate of Alabama A&M University, Erica has spent nearly 30 years helping Alabamians transition from nursing facilities back into their homes and communities with dignity and care.Together they explore: ✨ What Gateway to Community Living means in practice ✨ How decades of social work experience shaped Erica’s approach to advocacy ✨ A real-life story that captures the heart of this program ✨ Why community-based care is transforming the landscape of aging in Alabama💜 Join Us: Register now for the upcoming Remember Me: Dementia in the African American Community screening and community gathering hosted by the Central Alabama Aging Consortium. 🎟️ [Register here ➜ https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1588469818989?aff=oddtdtcreator]To learn more about CAAC’s programs and how they support older adults, caregivers, and families across Alabama, visit www.caaclink.org.Find more of Renita's offerings here:👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy:👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, we continue our Remember Me Series, highlighting the extraordinary yet often unseen work of aging and caregiving services in Alabama.I sit down with DeLane Poague, Dementia Friendly Alabama Project Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC). Raised in the small community of Fleahop, Alabama, and a graduate of Auburn University, DeLane has dedicated her career to serving others—from foster care and Meals on Wheels to long-term care and dementia support. Since 2021, she has led the Dementia Friendly Alabama initiative, working to build communities across the state where people living with dementia, their caregivers, and care partners can truly live and thrive.Together we explore: 🌿 DeLane’s journey from Fleahop to leading Dementia Friendly Alabama 🌿 What it means to create a truly dementia-friendly community 🌿 Programs like Memory Cafés and Resource Wallet Cards that change lives 🌿 The hopes she holds for the upcoming Remember Me documentary screening and gathering 🌿 How working the land on her family farm mirrors the patient, steady work of building community careDeLane’s story is a reminder that transformation begins at the roots — with care, creativity, and people committed to ensuring every person is seen and supported.🔗 Learn more about Dementia Friendly Alabama and CAAC: Home - CAAC🗓️ Register for the Remember Me event on November 1st: [Event registration link]Find more of Renita's offerings here: 👉 https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers? 👉 https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5✨ Goddess of Social Work Earrings – Etsy: 👉 https://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, we continue our Remember Me Series, highlighting the extraordinary yet often unseen work of aging and caregiving services in Alabama.I sit down with Meghan Germek, Community Outreach Coordinator at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC). Born and raised in Odenville, Alabama, Meghan carries forward the legacy of strong women who shaped her upbringing. With a background spanning nursing home social work, youth services, and mental health outreach, she now leads community engagement efforts—connecting people with vital resources through health fairs, radio appearances, and public events.Together we explore: 🌿 Meghan’s journey into social work and the values that shaped her path 🌿 What community outreach looks like on the ground ~ and why it matters 🌿 The joys and challenges of being on the frontlines of public engagement 🌿 Her hopes for the upcoming Remember Me documentary screening and community gathering 🌿 The message she would whisper to her younger self as she stepped into the field of social workMeghan’s story is a powerful reminder that systems are only as strong as the people within them ~ and that outreach, at its core, is about ensuring everyone feels seen, supported, and worthy of care🔗 Learn more about CAAC and Ombudsman services here:CAAC link🗓️ Register for the Remember Me event on November 1st:Event registration linkFind more of Renita's offerings here:https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5Goddess of Social Work Earrings - Etsyhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, I sit down with Iuri Melo, LCSW, therapist, father of five, author, and co-founder of SchoolPulse, a nationwide support service reaching over 300 schools in 25+ states.Born out of heartbreak after a wave of teen suicides in his community, SchoolPulse now delivers weekly encouragement, growth-mindset tools, and mental health resources directly to students, parents, and educators. Together, Iuri and I explore:✨ The story behind SchoolPulse and how it offers hope through consistent care ✨ What it means to “bless the human family” in divided times ✨ How parenthood, authorship, and Adventure Based Therapy have shaped his mission ✨ The real-world impact of showing up with kindness, psychology, and presenceIuri’s journey is a powerful reminder that one consistent voice of care can change lives.🔗 Learn more about SchoolPulse, Iuri’s books and his weekly messages below. 2 MINUTE VIDEO that quickly summarizes SchoolPulse and how schools deploy its incredible strategiesHere is a link to all of luri's extraordinary VIDEOS.Here is a link to the most comprehensive MENTAL HEALTH RESOURCE PAGE in the country, created and delivered to every school, parent, and student.Links to luri's books:Know Thy Selfie - t.ly/juUMBMind Over Grey Matter - t.ly/SxNUUFind more of Renita's offerings here:https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressions

In this episode of the Goddesses of Social Work Podcast, I sit down with Cheryl Craig, Long-Term Care Ombudsman at the Central Alabama Aging Consortium (CAAC).Together we explore: 🌿 Cheryl’s journey into advocacy and how she became an Ombudsman 🌿 What an Ombudsman does — and why this role is so vital for elders and their families 🌿 The realities of navigating complex systems in long-term care 🌿 A story that reminded Cheryl why this work matters, even when it’s hard 🌿 Her hopes for those attending the Remember Me documentary screening and community gathering on November 1stCheryl’s reflections remind us that advocacy is not just policy or paperwork — it’s giving voice to those who may otherwise go unheard, and standing beside elders with dignity and compassion.🔗 Learn more about CAAC and Ombudsman services here: CAAC link 🗓️ Register for the Remember Me event on November 1st: Event registration linkFind more of Renita's offerings here:https://linktr.ee/illuminatedexpressionsInterested in Mastering Your Therapeutic Techniques for Dementia Caregivers?https://gamma.app/docs/Interested-in-Mastering-Your-Therapeutic-Techniques-for-Dementia--7fnyf5ydeq70qd5Goddess of Social Work Earrings - Etsyhttps://www.etsy.com/listing/1183285270/goddess-of-social-work-earrings