Episodes

INTERNATIONAL AWARD FOR Innovation in Social Work and Social Development with Human-Centered AI ​ A Global Call to Recognize Innovation and Technology That Serves People Global initiative launches in October 2026 to celebrate ethical, inclusive and evidence-based uses of artificial intelligence that advance human wellbeing and social justice. The Global Institute of Social Work (GISW), in collaboration with the International Consortium for Social Development (ICSD), International Council on ...

Keith is a builder and operator driven by real-world impact, combining experience in technology, gaming, security & defense contracting to develop systems that address modern threats where they actually exist. In Simple Terms Zero Wake is a team working to stop child exploitation before it happens - especially in online and gaming environments where kids are most vulnerable today. We do this by detecting early warning signs, training professionals, and supporting real-world operations alongsi...

Larry Cameron has worked as President and founder of Paradigm Intelligence Ltd., a global organisation that focuses on forensics, investigations, open source intelligence, force protection, and public safety. We talk of a wide range of threats, challenges and developments in the global fight against exploitation of the vulnerable. Previously , Larry has 20+ years experience in the technology industry. He has worked all around the world, investigating cybercrime but also training and teaching d...

Dane-Marie Marshall is a senior law-enforcement official in Trinidad and Tobago who serves as the Deputy Director of the Counter-Trafficking Unit (CTU), which operates under the Ministry of National (Homeland) Security. Her Role and ResponsibilitiesDeputy Director of the CTU: She helps lead the agency responsible for investigating, preventing, and prosecuting human trafficking cases in Trinidad and Tobago. In this capacity, she works with police, prosecutors, and other national and internation...

I was so pleased to talk with Shamere and learn from her difficult life experience and subsequent professional journey helping survivors. Shamere McKenzie is a distinguished international anti-trafficking strategist, systems leader, and consultant to the United Nations and various U.S. government agencies, with more than 15 years of cross-sector impact. A passionate activist and internationally recognized speaker, she leverages her lived experience with sex trafficking to transform adversity in...

Adrian Alexander is an advocate against modern slavery, forced labour, child labour and human trafficking. He served on a Cabinet appointed Multi-Sectoral Task Force in Trinidad and Tobago to develop a National Policy against Trafficking in Persons in 2010 and on the National Task Force Against Trafficking in Persons Working Group that developed the country’s current National Plan of Action (2021 to 2025). Adrian serves as the Caribbean Regional Coordinator for Free the Slaves. As a consultant ...

This is the first in a series of podcasts talking with key people in the region to understand the challenges posed by trafficking, all forms of slavery and with the work being done to support survivors. Amanda has covered so many of the crucial areas of need in her career and what The Opening Lotus provides reflects the depth of her experience. We talked of many social care and safeguarding concerns facing those in the Caribbean and Amanda set the scene by taking me through the great variety of...

Wayne Reid is a Professional Officer, Social Worker and former Anti-racism Visionary at BASW England. He qualified as a Social Worker in 2010 and his frontline social care experience spans over 20 years. Wayne has worked for private fostering agencies; the Probation Service; a youth offending team; a community mental health service; a child protection service and with care leavers. Wayne previously compiled and curated a national social work newsletter (Wayne’s Weekly), which ran for several yea...

“Once You See It, It’s Really Hard to Ever Look Away” A Deep Dive into Combating Human Trafficking with Sherrie Bosisto, CEO, Global Emancipation Network. Sherrie Bosisto is the founder and Executive Director of the Global Emancipation Network, ( GEN ), a nonprofit at the forefront of using data and technology to fight human trafficking. With nearly two decades of experience in the field, Sherrie has built a reputation for bringing people together and finding practical solutions to some of soci...

Safeguarding in faith settings, Bishop of Bath&Wells Michael Beasley The Rt Revd Michael Beasley is the 80th Bishop of Bath and Wells and was installed in Wells Cathedral on 12th November 2022. He grew up in rural Staffordshire and was educated in Stafford before studying biology and epidemiology at Imperial College, London and Oxford University. Bishop Michael trained for ministry at Cranmer Hall, Durham, before being ordained in the Diocese of Lichfield in 1999. For many years he combined Ch...

Justin Humphreys has over 30 years’ experience in social impact settings as a practitioner and leader in a variety of sectors. He is currently the CEO and Head of Safeguarding Development at Thirtyone:eight, the leading independent, Christian safeguarding charity operating across the United Kingdom and internationally. Established in 1977, the charity is a membership organisation and now supports in excess of 10,000 churches, charities/NGOs and others to create safer places for all through a var...

John Pizzuro, CEO RAVEN. Online Child Exploitation expert, RAVEN is a 501(c)4 non-profit lobbying firm comprised of subject matter experts and retired law enforcement focused on legislative and policy solutions for child trafficking and child exploitation. John works with lawmakers, advocates, agencies, and organizations who are willing to challenge the status quo and fight to protect our most vulnerable citizens while advocating for more resources and support for those who fight for children. J...

Professor Johnston Wong is a social work and psychology expert at Beijing Normal Hong Kong Baptist University and co-founder of Social Workers Across Borders. With two decades of international experience, he shares insights into disaster response, digital innovation in psychosocial support, and the growing need for global collaboration in social work. Episode Highlights: Audio at bottom of this page How digital platforms like WeChat and WhatsApp transformed disaster response during COVID-19 an...

Clare Moody Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset , elected in May 2024 and bringing extensive experience across diverse sectors to the role. Her career spans public service, advocacy, and leadership. Clare has served as a Member of the European Parliament, worked at the heart of government in No.10 Downing Street, and dedicated over two decades to representing workers’ rights as a Trade Union officer. Before her election as PCC, Clare was the co-Chief Executive of Equally Ours, a...

Safeguarding, Social Work, and Multi-Agency Collaboration with Steve Myers Vice Chair of the Association of Child Protection Professionals, (AOCPP) Steve Myers is a registered Social Worker with a background in child protection and youth justice. He has worked as a Social Worker in both statutory and voluntary organisations and been involved with the education of social workers in Higher Education for the past 25 years, including leadership roles. Steve has researched and written about strength...

Sarah Crew is the Chief Constable of Avon and Somerset Police, with a career spanning nearly three decades. As the National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for adult sexual offences, she has been instrumental in shaping policies on policing, public confidence, and safeguarding. She became an officer in September 1994 and took on the role of Deputy Chief Constable in June 2017. In November 2021, she became Avon and Somerset’s first female Chief Constable. Sarah has undertaken a wide variety of role...

Jonathan Singer , Professor of Social Work at Chicago Loyola University and presenter of The Social Work Podcast for over fifteen years co edits this excellent new publication. Podcasting in Social Work Education. https://www.amazon.com/Podcasting-Social-Work-Education-Educators/dp/1032215585/ Technology innovations have changed how social work educators teach and students learn. This book is designed to assist social work academics and educators in enhancing their students’ critical thinking, ...

Isabelle Trowler CBE Chief Social Worker for Children and Families took up the post in September 2013. She is well known for co-designing a practice framework for delivering child and family social work, which has influenced the children’s social care practice system across England. We talk across the range of issues confronting social workers home and abroad with reflections spanning the eleven years she has been in her position. She is the first person in her post and discusses the challemges...

Christina Gabbitas is a writer, educator, Honorary Member of the NSPCC Council, Coronation Champion, and founder of the Children Literature Festivals charity, who was awarded a Prime Ministers Points of Light Award in 2023. We talk of the critical situation threatening thousands of young people in the UK. The grooming by organised criminals and, as a result, the destruction of their childhood with many going missing or being locked into a nightmare. Her impactful writing commissions include co...

Delighted to have Karim back after 6 months giving update on the shocking financial cost of Human Traffiking and Slavery. The The growth of the Follow the Money strategy is such an important addition to the investigation and interruption of crimes that are conservatively put at costing over 500 Billion dollars a year. Karim Rajwani, B.A, F.C.A. C.P.A. ACAMS talks to me of his extensive history in several settings helping combat these scourges on our communities. We discuss the growth of these cr...

For the past three years, as a Human Traffiking expert of considerable experience, Larry has worked as President & Founder of Paradigm Intelligence Ltd, a global organisation that focuses on forensics, investigations, open-source intelligence, force protection and public safety. Website: https://quantusintel.ocugroup. We talk of a wide range of threats, challenges and developments in the global fight against exploitation of the vulnerable. Previously , Larry has 20+ years experience in the te...

Anne Longfield CBE is the author of Young Lives, Big Ambitions: Transforming Life Chances for Vulnerable Children and Teens. Anne is CEO of the Centre for Young Lives and was Chair of the Commission on Young Lives. From March 2015 to February 2021, she was Children’s Commissioner for England. Anne has spent the last three decades working to improve the life chances of children, particularly the most vulnerable. She previously led a national children’s charity and has also worked on the deliv...

Jakub Sobik — Modern Slavery & Human Rights PEC Jakub Sobik is a communicator with over one and a half decades of experience of working on addressing modern slavery. He worked at Anti-Slavery International, the world’s oldest human rights organisation committed to ending of all forms of slavery across the world. Now, as a Communications Director at the Modern Slavery and Human Rights Policy and Evidence Centre (Modern Slavery and Human Rights PEC), he has helped to establish the Centre’s reputa...

Ann Marie Christian Independent Safeguarding Consultant qualified as a social worker in 1996. She has worked for various local authoritieson on the front line, in management, Local Safeguarding Children Board Trainer, LADO, Safeguarding advisor to schools, school improvement advisor, Designated Safeguarding Lead trainer and Designated Safeguarding Lead coordinator. She has a thorough knowledge of safeguarding in education. She is well known amongst her peers and is very passionate about keepin...