Passing the mic

New co-hosts take over the inSocialWork podcast

By Matthew Biddle

Published July 21, 2026

JoAnn S. Lee

Todd Sage

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A pair of new hosts are taking the microphone for the University at Buffalo School of Social Work’s podcast series, inSocialWork, after longtime host Peter Sobota retired in May from his faculty role.

Beginning in August, JoAnn S. Lee, PhD, and Todd Sage, PhD — associate professor and clinical associate professor in the UB School of Social Work, respectively — will share hosting duties for inSocialWork, trading off episodes throughout the year.

Lee joined UB in 2023 and studies how to improve public systems to better support the transition to adulthood for youth.

While she employs traditional research methods, Lee is an advocate for using advanced computational methods, including agent-based modeling, which uses computer simulations to explore how agents — like individuals or families — interact with each other and their environments. Lee recently co-edited a special issue of Research on Social Work Practice on AI in social work research, and she’s building a new Institute for Social Complexity and Computation within the School of Social Work.

Sage is in his ninth year at UB, where he has taught courses on motivational interviewing, addictions, interventions, community social work and social work in medical settings.

Sage has a passion for child welfare practice and motivational interviewing. He chairs the Western New York State Citizen Review Panel for Child Protective Services and runs Sage Training and Consulting to help organizations implement trauma-informed motivational interviewing in their practice.

Lee and Sage recently sat down with Sobota, the outgoing host, for a preview episode of inSocialWork. The following is an edited version of their conversation; listen to the full episode at insocialwork.org.

Peter Sobota: How did both of you end up in social work of all things?

JoAnn Lee: The quick answer is just my mom kind of modeling helping people. And it’s interesting because when I got into social work, my mom was really upset at me. I said, “But mom, you inspired me — you have the biggest heart, you’re the most generous person I know.” And she looked at me and she scoffed and she’s like, “You can make good money and help people too.” [laughs] She’s the classic, old school kind of social worker who just did it because she believed in helping people — not because it was a profession, but it was just part of who she was.

Todd Sage: My origin story is a little bit different and has a kind of a funny undertone to it as well. I’m an Army veteran, and when I got out of the Army, I had to go to college because I had this GI Bill that I wanted to use. So I was originally going to do physician assistant or registered nurse or something like that, and I took organic chemistry and got a C. There was no way I was going to take organic chemistry again to get that precious B you had to have to continue in the program.

At that point, my wife had already done her BSW and her MSW, and she was doing social work. I was really influenced by my wife … and I saw a place for me in social work.

PS: As of today, what is really rattling around that you want to do a podcast on right away?

TS: I have a love and passion for all things motivational interviewing. I’m still involved in teaching motivational interviewing, I train agencies on motivational interviewing, and so one of my first podcasts is going to be about motivational interviewing.

The other thing that’s got my [interest] is this new frontier related to technology and artificial intelligence and large language models. I’m hoping to bring some of that into how we as social workers navigate that as a profession with our values and ethics.

And then lastly, just things related to enhancing practice — because as social work educators, we’re always telling our students we’re lifelong learners, and so, just because I’ve done 101 different things with my social work degree doesn’t mean that there’s not a lot still to learn.

JL: I’ve been going about it in a slightly different way. I have an interest in bringing to the attention of social workers things that may not be quite so mainstream, that might be a little bit more off the beaten path.

[For example,] the conversations I’ve had with one researcher — he’s a criminologist, but when I talk to him, I feel like I’m talking to a social worker. Would he identify as a social worker? Has he been trained as a social worker? No, but does he say things that will resonate with us as a profession? Absolutely. And that’s why I want to bring him on.

PS: What would you like to say to our listeners as you begin your new roles? Last word goes to both of you.

TS: I’m genuinely glad to be here and to hopefully impart some entertainment and knowledge to you through the episodes. The show, as it’s been built, has become a trusted voice in the social work area. I’m hoping to pick up that flame and continue forward with it. I’d be interested, as we move forward, to hear from our listeners: What are you liking, what aren’t you liking and what can we do to make this more entertaining and more meaningful to you all?

JL: Part of the reason I’m excited about the podcast is that … when you read research studies, they’re sterilized. You can’t pontificate at all. You can’t have opinions. I’m excited about bringing the human element to research and understanding a little bit more about the researchers and the passion and the motivation that drives people. I hope that translates into an interesting podcast. My last words would be: Stay tuned.