Social Work HQ Podcast

In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a palliative care social worker to talk about one of the most misunderstood roles in healthcare. We break down what palliative care actually is, how it differs from hospice, and what it really looks like to support patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life decisions. We also talk about: What palliative care social workers do da...

If you’ve ever wondered what it’s really like to be a therapist—or what goes on behind the scenes in private practice—this episode gives you a real, honest look. In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a licensed clinical social worker who specializes in grief therapy, including pet loss and complex grief. We talk about: What a day in the life of a therapist actually looks like The emot...

If you’ve ever wondered what social workers actually do in the corrections system, this episode gives you a real, unfiltered look. In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a forensic social worker who works inside a jail setting, supporting individuals in custody through crisis, mental health challenges, and reentry planning. We talk about: What it’s really like working in a jail as a so...

If you’ve ever wondered what ER social workers actually do—this is a behind-the-scenes look you won’t hear in school. In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a trauma hospital ER social worker to break down what the job really looks like in a fast-paced, high-stakes environment. We talk about: The difference between trauma cases and major medical emergencies What happens when patients c...

If you’re considering social work—or already in the field—this is a conversation you need to hear. In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a hospital case manager to talk about what social work actually looks like beyond the classroom. We talk about: The reality of hospital case management Burnout and learning to set boundaries Why you can’t “save everyone” in this field The challenges...

If you’re considering social work—or already in the field—this is a conversation you need to hear. In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a social worker who shares the real, unfiltered reality of working in mental health and family-based services. We talk about: Why burnout happens so quickly in social work What the day-to-day actually looks like (and what school doesn’t prepare you f...

What does an ER crisis social worker actually do? In this episode of Social Work HQ, I interview a social worker who works in emergency room crisis intervention. We talk about what it’s like responding to mental health emergencies in the ER, supporting patients during psychiatric crises, and working alongside doctors, nurses, and law enforcement in high-stress situations. We also discuss what a ty...

If you're thinking about becoming a therapist as a social worker, there are a few things you should understand before choosing this career path. In this interview, I speak with a therapist about what the job is actually like — including the realities of the work, common misconceptions about therapy, and what social work students should know before pursuing this path. Many social workers assume the...

In this episode of Social Work HQ, I sit down with a licensed therapist to discuss what it’s really like working in the field. We cover how she became a therapist, what her day-to-day looks like, salary expectations, challenges, burnout, and advice for students considering this path. If you’re thinking about becoming a therapist or pursuing your MSW, this interview will give you a realistic look a...