The Social Work Stories Podcast

The Social Work Stories Team
  • 4.6 (117)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

A podcast exploring Social Work practice through stories & critical reflection.

  1. 08/20/2025

    It's about the small acts of grace: An on-call social work story - Ep. 94

    For all the social workers who work on-call, this episode it for you! This is a very special episode with a very special "anonymous guest"... We think you might guess the voice, but you will have to listen along to fully work it out.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!   p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!   p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (20 Aug, 2025) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    34 min

  2. 05/19/2025

    Social Work and Hope in Action - Ep. 93

    In this powerful episode, a pediatric social worker shares her profound insights into hope as an active social work intervention. Working with children facing complex health challenges, she explores how hope isn't just a concept, but a practice of connection, advocacy, and presence. Through intimate stories of resilience, she reveals how social workers can cultivate hope even in the most difficult circumstances. Mim and Lis dive deep into the social worker's reflections, unpacking the nuanced ways hope can be understood as both a personal experience and a professional strategy. Their discussion explore the critical role of hope in transforming healthcare experiences and supporting families navigating uncertainty. Mim and Lis also discuss research by Carmel Flaskas, "Holding Hope and Hopelessness: Therapeutic Engagements with the Balance of Hope."   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!   p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!   p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (20 May, 2025) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    35 min

  3. 10/31/2024

    New Grad Social Workers - How to Land the Perfect Job - Ep. 92

    Mim and Lis hear from a new graduate social worker who landed a position in a rural Allied Health Graduate Program. The social worker shares her journey, from initial hesitation to embracing the unique opportunities and challenges of rural practice. The social worker describes her experience rotating through diverse clinical settings over two years, highlighting the strong support and flexibility of the graduate program. She recounts a case study demonstrating the creativity required in rural social work - when discharging an isolated older adult, the social worker leveraged local resources and relationships to help the patient maintain independence at home. Mim and Lis unpack the social worker's story, discussing the sense of community and resourcefulness in rural areas. They provide advice for new graduates, emphasising the importance of open-mindedness, asking questions about support, and researching the local context. Throughout, Mim and Lis draw parallels to their own experiences, offering an inspiring look at the realities of rural social work practice. Mim and Lis end with a note about an exciting new book being released soon, Podcasting for Social Work Education.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (31 October, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    40 min

  4. 09/06/2024

    International Social Work and the Practice of Cultural Humility - Ep. 91

    Join Mim and Lis as we hear a story from an Australian social worker who took his child protection experience and practiced in Türkiye, working with urban refugee populations. He reflects on the challenges of applying Western social work practices in a non-Western context, including navigating cultural differences around mental health, trauma-informed practice, and power dynamics. The social worker grapples with his own biases and the need for cultural humility when working with people from backgrounds different to his own. He highlights the importance of letting refugee communities lead in defining their own needs and solutions, rather than imposing an outsider's perspective. Mim and Lis delve into the nuances of international social work practice, as Mim reflects on her own research in this space.   p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (06 September, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    42 min

  5. 06/19/2024

    Centring the Child’s Voice - Social Work in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia - Ep. 90

    Join Mim and Lis as we hear an interview with two social workers from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. These passionate social workers discuss the crucial role of social work in family law cases. Their social work story explores how conducting child-centered assessments and gaining the child's perspective can shift parents' understanding of their child's experiences, and lead to resolutions focused on the child's needs. They highlight how social workers navigate complex issues of risk, development and emotion to advocate for children navigating parental separation and high-conflict disputes. Mim and Lis then unpack the story and the important work that these social workers do, drawing links between this work and wider social work practice.  p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (19 June, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    42 min

  6. 04/30/2024

    A Case for More Social Workers in the Disabilities Space - Ep. 89

    In this episode, Lis and Mim delve into a rich practice story from a social worker in the disabilities space, supporting a mother and her children experiencing domestic violence, while working to meet the high support needs of one of the children. Then we break down the story and what was happening behind the scenes for that social worker - holding this family with great care, dignity and respect in the midst of a challenged service system. In the end, we see the richness that social work values can bring into this important practice area.    p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (30th April, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    40 min

  7. 04/02/2024

    Discharge planning: Social justice in action - Ep.88

    Hey! Social Worker!! If you listen to this episode you'll never think of 'discharge planning' as simply admin again... it'll become an act of social justice each and every time! Enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to Pamela Trevithick's work. Here's the reference: Trevithick, P. (2012). Social work skills and knowledge: a practice handbook (3rd edn.). McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (31st Jan, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    48 min

  8. 03/01/2024

    How an aged-care social worker uses dignifying practice as covert resistance - Ep.87

    Lis called this episode, "A classic!" and Mim said, "This is going straight onto my University Readings List." So, you know it's going to be worth the listen! We hope that you enjoy.   SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Lis refers to a journal article on 'covert activism'. Here's the reference: Greenslade, L., McAuliffe, D. & Chenoweth, L., 2015, 'Social workers' experiences of covert workplace activism', Australian Social Work, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 422-437, DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2014.940360   p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries! p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com Social Work Stories©️ (31st Jan, 2024) Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

    37 min
See All (95)

4.6
out of 5
117 Ratings

About

A podcast exploring Social Work practice through stories & critical reflection.

Information

  • Creator
    The Social Work Stories Team
  • Years Active
    2018 - 2025
  • Episodes
    95
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2019 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Social Work Stories Podcast

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