Social Workers, Rise!

Social media can be a powerful tool for networking, education, and advocacy—but one post, comment, or direct message can create ethical concerns and professional liability. In this episode, we discuss practical guidelines for maintaining professional boundaries online, protecting client confidentiality, and avoiding common social media mistakes that can put your reputation and license at risk. In...

Social Work is no longer considered a "professional degree" by the Department of Education. In this episode, Catherine Moore, LCSW will break down what these changes mean for current and future social workers, including the potential impact on affordability, workforce shortages, and access to social work education. We discuss: The new federal student loan limits for social work students...

Graduating with your social work degree is a huge accomplishment but it can also feel overwhelming. Between job applications, uncertainty about the future, and the emotional highs and lows of launching your career, many new graduates feel excited, exhausted, hopeful, and discouraged all at the same time. In this episode, we discuss why your first social work job doesn't have to be your forever...

What does a typical day look like for a Social Worker working in assisted living? This episode walks you through the daily duties, responsibilities, challenges, and perks of the role. Whether you’re a social work student, associate therapist, LCSW, or simply exploring different career paths outside of private practice, this episode offers an honest, practical look at life in assisted living mental...

In this episode, we explore what clinicians are seeing across age groups in the aftermath of COVID-19 and how prolonged disruption has reshaped mental health, especially for youth. From developmental delays to increased anxiety and social challenges, we unpack the real-world clinical patterns emerging in practice. We also dive into practical, actionable strategies social workers can use to support...

If you’ve ever wondered, “What actually makes social work different from other therapy degrees?”—this episode is for you. Somewhere along the way, social work started getting reduced to “just therapy.” And while social workers can provide therapy, that’s only a fraction of what we’re trained to do. In this episode, we’re breaking down the real differences between a Social Work degree (MSW) and the...

Starting your career in social work can feel overwhelming. With so many paths available—medical social work, schools, nonprofits, private practice, community mental health—it’s easy to wonder if you’re choosing the right job. In this episode, Earvin and Catherine talk about what they wish they knew as new social workers navigating new career settings and finding a role that truly fits personal str...

We are talking with Marya Wright, DSW MSW BSW, about the challenges plaguing the Social Work industry, demanding more from NASW, her Future Vision, and talking about why she is so passionate about being elected as the next NASW-CA President Elect. Contact Dr. Wright here: Support@MaryaWrightConsulting linktr.ee/maryawrightconsulting ____________________________________ ⁠Tap Here to Subscribe⁠ to t...

There’s a growing pressure in our field to speak on every issue, respond to every crisis, and carry the weight of the world. And if we’re not careful, that pressure turns into overwhelm, exhaustion, and burnout. In this episode, I’m giving you permission to step back. We’re talking about the emotional cost of constant advocacy, how chronic outrage impacts your nervous system, and why trying to car...

In this joint episode with Bas Moreno , host of Social Work Rants, we have a real and honest conversation about the challenges happening in clinical supervision right now — and what social workers can do about it. We talk about: Common clinical supervision struggles (from both supervisor and supervisee perspectives) The writing process behind The Rising Clinical Supervisor Log Building multiple in...

“You need experience to get hired… but you need a job to get experience.” If you’re an early-career social worker , MSW student, or associate clinician, this frustrating catch-22 probably sounds very familiar. In this episode, we break down why this happens in social work and—more importantly— what you can actually do about it . You’ll learn realistic, ethical, and practical strategies to gain exp...

Does your internship feel chaotic, confusing, or overwhelming? You’re not alone—and you’re not doing anything wrong. In this episode, we break down common communication challenges interns face and share 5 practical, confidence-building strategies to help you navigate unclear expectations, lack of training, and difficult workplace dynamics. If you’ve ever felt like a burden, an inconvenience, or li...

Talking about what Social Work Salaries actually looks like in this profession. This is a collaborative podcast with the hosts of Social Work to Wealth. Between Catherine's experience in medical social work and Taylor’s salary database with over 1,500 entries, we looked at how social workers are getting paid and why we need more transparency around it. This episode is all about shifting the mi...

In this episode, host Catherine Moore, LCSW, breaks down what it means to be a Palliative Care Social Worker — a role focused on enhancing quality of life for patients with serious or life-limiting illnesses. You’ll learn how palliative social workers support the emotional, social, and spiritual needs of patients and families through psychosocial assessments, family meetings, and advance care plan...

In this episode, host Catherine Moore, LCSW, shares her personal journey as a hospice social worker, including the story of her first hospice patient and the lessons she learned supporting individuals and families through the final stages of life. You’ll discover what hospice social workers really do—from grief counseling, crisis intervention, and family mediation, to navigating ethical dilemmas l...

In this episode, I sit down with fitness coach Anthony Briseno to talk about how movement can truly transform your mental health. Whether you’re a social worker, therapist, or just someone trying to balance a busy life, this conversation will give you practical ways to understand the emotional benefits of exercise, make time for movement, and use fitness as a tool to manage stress. Anthony opens u...

Compassion fatigue — it’s called the “common cold” of helping professionals for a reason. In this episode, we dive into the signs and symptoms every social worker should recognize, from emotional exhaustion to the subtle ways it sneaks into daily life. You’ll hear real stories, strategies for breaking generational patterns of overgiving, and why self-awareness is essential for long-term sustainabi...

Why is the word suicide still treated like it’s unspeakable? In this episode, Suicide Prevention: Un-shaming the Conversation , we’re breaking the silence and leaning into the tough talk every social worker needs. You’ll hear powerful insights from my guest, who trains others to see that saying the word is not dangerous—it’s necessary. Together, we unpack how open conversations can actually preven...

What happens when social work meets the world of sports? In this episode, we sit down with the leaders of the Alliance of Social Workers in Sports to explore this fast-growing specialty. From youth leagues to professional teams, sport social workers are stepping in to address mental health issues like OCD, perfectionism, eating disorders, and anxiety—challenges often hidden behind performance pres...

Are you a social worker looking to build financial freedom beyond the 9-5? 💸 In this inspiring episode of Social Workers, Rise! Catherine Moore, LCSW, chats with Bas Moreno—Financial social worker, podcaster, Zumba instructor, author, and speaker—about how he’s successfully built multiple streams of income while staying true to his mission of service. You’ll discover: - How to maximize your skill...

Have you ever wondered what PTSD really looks like from the inside out? In this raw and powerful solo episode of Social Workers, Rise! , host Catherine Moore, LCSW, opens up about her personal journey with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) after losing her home in a devastating wildfire at just 16 years old. Through her lived experience and clinical lens, Catherine explores: 🔥 The emotional a...

Depression is one of the most common mental health conditions, and as a social worker, understanding how to support clients with depression is vital. This episode of Social Workers, Rise! explores everything new social workers need to know about depression, including key symptoms, risk factors, treatment options, and how to recognize it in clients (and ourselves). From emotional and physical sympt...

Anxiety is one of the most common mental health conditions in the world—and as new social workers, it’s essential to understand how to recognize it, support clients dealing with it, and manage it in ourselves. In this episode of Social Workers, Rise!, host Catherine Moore, LCSW, breaks down everything you need to know about anxiety from a clinical and practical lens. Whether you’re in supervision,...

What’s the difference between mental health and mental illness? As new social workers, understanding this distinction is crucial—not just for our clients, but for our own well-being as we step into emotionally demanding roles. In this episode of Social Workers, Rise! Podcast, host Catherine Moore, LCSW, breaks down the definition of mental health vs. mental illness, shares current mental health st...

In this episode of Social Workers Rise , we’re diving into a topic that every social worker needs in their toolbox: Trauma-Informed Assessments . You’ll walk away with a deeper understanding of what trauma is and how it impacts the people we serve. We’ll break down the psychosocial assessment step-by-step and explore how to apply trauma-informed principles to make the process safer, more compassio...