Episode 4: Startup Social Work, with Taylor Ford

We’re back! It’s a new fall semester and the Wild Bill’s space is back open.

In our fourth episode, Stephen and Jen interview Taylor Ford, an alum of the University of Iowa School of Social Work’s BSW program. Taylor talks about her career path, which took her to Atlanta and back to Iowa. and how her leadership paved the way to improved services on the University of Iowa campus.

Episode 4 is the first episode recorded after receiving a Diversity Seed Grant at the University of Iowa. Episodes of the Wild Bill’s Cup of Justice podcast are recorded at Wild Bill’s in North Hall, using equipment provided by this grant.

This episode’s links:

Taylor Ford’s bio: https://scsmh.education.uiowa.edu/author/taylor-ford/

Scanlan Center for School Mental Health: https://scsmh.education.uiowa.edu/

University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinic Crisis Stabilization Unit: https://uihc.org/services/crisis-stabilization-unit-csu

Episode 4: Taylor Ford

Episode 3: Supporting our Students, with Claudia Artola

Our third episode focuses on support for students—specifically Social Work students of color. We are joined for a lively conversation with Claudia Artola, a current senior in our BA in Social Work program who transferred into the program from a nearby community college.

In the episode, Claudia talks about what it’s like to be a first-generation Latina student, the importance of listening, and the huge impact that scholarship support has made, not only in her education but also in removing barriers to her future and a satisfying social work career.

During Social Work Month, you can support students like Claudia by donating to our Diversity Scholarship Fund. Check out our fundraiser progress, see a video of Claudia, and make your contribution at www.uigoldrush.org/socialwork.

Thanks for your support!

Podcast Episode 3: Supporting our Students

Episode 2: The Big Pivot, with Dr. Mercedes Bern-Klug

Imagine that in the first episode we were facing one direction—looking toward the past. We are going to start there—and during the course of this episode, we are shifting our view and orientation toward what the future holds for Wild Bill’s.

In this episode, we chat with Dr. Mercedes Bern-Klug, the Director of the University of Iowa School of Social Work, who shares her memories of Bill Sackter and talks with Jen and Stephen about the future plans.

We would like to thank Lane Wyrick, who kindly supplied the audio of Bill Sackter playing his harmonica. Lane Wyrick directed the 2011 documentary A Friend Indeed, about the life of Bill Sackter.

Episode 1: The origins of Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop

In the 1970s, the University of Iowa School of Social Work opened a coffee shop on campus, giving students a place to congregate between classes, and meet with the school’s newest employee, Bill Sackter. As we discuss in the episode, Bill’s story is fascinating, leading to two made-for-TV movies, and a documentary.

In our first-ever podcast episode, Jen Knights and Stephen Cummings talk about the history of Wild Bill’s Coffee Shop, the story of Bill Sackter, and the future of the coffee shop.

We would like to thank Lane Wyrick, who kindly supplied the audio of Bill Sackter playing his harmonica. Lane Wyrick directed the 2011 documentary A Friend Indeed, about the life of Bill Sackter.