The Social Work Stories Podcast

Join Lis and Mim for a story from a social worker who shares her story of navigating grief, loss, and the practical challenges that arise when someone passes away. Working with a father who is a carer for his adult son, and who also has an end-stage cancer diagnosis, this social worker discusses the balance of logistical and emotional support, as well as processing her own professional grief. This...

Join our hosts Mim and Lis for something a little different - a conversation with a social worker who shares insight into her unique practice space, working with the families of children who use violence against their parents. This social worker talks about the value of reflective practice, and discusses the importance of learning from both the successes and failures that we have along the way. Th...

Join Mim and Lis, as well as our producer Justin, as they listen to a social worker share her story of working in a bushfire evacuation centre. Hear the way social work practice can support communities in the midst of a crisis, and the surprising way it can impact the people as they process these traumatic events. Our team talks more about the unexpected moments you encounter while working with in...

Join your hosts Mim & Lis as they share an update from the Social Work Stories team. There are comings and going, plans and changes, and a lot of news to update you on.  Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you! Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.c...

An exciting conversation with fellow social work podcaster Christopher Scott (a.k.a The Hip Hop Social Worker). We hope you enjoy this fusion of social work podcasts and that it sparks some interesting thoughts for you along the way.   Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to...

We have another group work practice story this week! Join Mim and Lis as they listen to the amazing story from this anonymous social worker doing fantastic work in the field of adolescence, masculinity and growing up.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole and Noni Reginato. Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018)...

A special episode that explores a difficult experience, and the complex work of supporting families through terrible loss.   Join Lis and Noni (and Mim) as they tell a story about one of the most awful experiences imaginable.    Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy, Noni Reginato, and Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph and Justin Stech. Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole and Noni Reginato. Music - 'Mama' by Be...

There's a loop at play here in this social work story. Can you pick it?   Join Lis and Mim as they listen to the story of this episode's anonymous social worker. Make sure you stay right till the end to catch the amazing music this SW has composed. We hope you enjoy! " PTSD: Dissociation" from Mind/Electric: Music Inspired by Mental Illness (album) " by Alexandra Pajak (Copyright 2019). Available...

Join us for this episode as a social worker tells you the story of her time working alongside Brian. This is a moving, heartwarming, and compelling tale of a social worker going far and beyond the scope of her role, but also shining a light for all other social workers to follow. And so, the social work stories team is proud to present: Aged Care Social Work: Far beyond just another case study. We...

Connect with this story from a passionate Social Worker who supports families of missing persons, as they face unresolved loss and learn to tolerate the unknown. Join along with Mim and Lis as they reflect on this emotional story and share their own critical reflection.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018)...

Join Mim and Lis as they introduce a hospital social worker in Nigeria, who discusses the response he and his team have delivered in the era of COVID-19, from patient support to contact tracing. We love the opportunity to hear from social workers around the world, in different contexts and practice settings. A big thanks to this social worker for taking the time to share his experiences with us! I...

A compelling story shared by a social worker who works in a unique and challenging environment, helping to bring healing and support to people who have experienced trafficking. Join along with Mim and Lis as they reflect on this story and share their own critical reflection.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright...

This episode features an interview with Mark Isaacs, author of landmark books such as The Undesirables - Inside Nauru, and The Kabul Peace House, as we hear about his first-hand experience working in Australia's offshore detention centre in Nauru, and subsequent work as a whistle-blower and advocate for refugee rights. Join Lis and Mim as they process this confronting story and explore the challen...

Our team has produced a special episode for you regarding the COVID-19 pandemic and the potential impacts on social work education. As with all our episodes, this is designed to be a conversation starter, and is by no means the be all and end all of the matter. As you listen, we hope that you know that we're thinking of you and your families. Look out for each other folks! We hope you enjoy.   Cre...

Join us in hearing from a social worker who explores all things leadership in the social work profession - you most certainly won't want to miss what he has to say. Listen along with Mim and Lis as they contemplate the challenges and fulfillment that comes with working as a leader in social work.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Music - 'Mama' by...

It's April 2020 and the world is facing the disastrous affects of the COVID-19 pandemic. Things are difficult on multiple fronts for many of our loved ones during this crisis, and we are all doing our best to bring this awful disease under control, but it has not been easy. We thank all of the brave and selfless people who are out there looking after the sick, the needy, and the scared in our hosp...

Social workers are walking alongside people dealing with some of the hardest and most traumatic circumstances they've ever had to face. Sometimes these difficulties leave a mark. Join Mim and Lis as they contemplate 'the fear of it all unraveling'.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on  Spotify , o...

She put her hands on the table and said, "You girls have saved my life, and I've even put mascara on for you." Come and listen alongside Lis and Mim to this magic-filled episode that looks into the world of an anonymous social worker and the group they are leading. We wish you all a very lovely and safe World Social Work Day!   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph &...

This episode includes an interview which was recorded in late 2019 just prior to the terrible Australian bushfire disaster. Many of the points of view shared by the panelists became highly poignant in the following months. We believe you'll feel the same way. As ever, join Mim & Lis as they unpack this emerging, yet integral social work practice in Eco Social Work and Climate Justice. We hope you...

Welcome back to the third season of the Social Work Stories podcast. We've just experienced the summer-that-wasn't and in this episode we share with you a little bit why. We have a lot of great social work stories coming your way this year, so stay tuned, share with your friends, and a big thanks for listening!   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Mu...

This episode features the story of a social worker who has to navigate how best to help a family tell their child that their sibling is soon to die. Join Lis and Mim as they listen to this heartbreaking, yet heartwarming story of learning about dying.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox. Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on  Spotify...

In October of 2019 the Social Work Stories Podcast travelled to Perth for the Australia and New Zealand Social Work, Welfare, Education and Research (ANZSWWER) Symposium to hear some amazing social work stories around the topic of 'Social Work & Activism'. Join Mim and Lis as they listen back to the first of our ANZSWWER stories and unpack some themes relevant to all of our social work practices a...

A heart-wrenching story shared by your anonymous social worker. A four year old girl dies in the Emergency Department and you are the social worker supporting the family. What do you say? What do you do? Listen along with Mim & Lis as we bear witness and honour the life lost, the family's grief, and the support of this social worker in the worst of scenarios.   Credits: Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr....

In this episode, we sit down with a social worker who shares his story of being attracted to his client- what does this look like, how does it feel, and how do you keep yourself and your client safe. We discuss what happens when Eros enters the therapeutic space, the importance of being honest in supervision, and what role personal counselling holds for practitioners.  Mim and Lis share from their...

It's been one year, twelve months, fifty-two weeks, three hundred and sixty-five days, five hundred and twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes since we released episode one of the social work stories podcast. To help us celebrate we've invited your third and fourth-favourite podcast hosts to reminisce on the year that's been. We hope you enjoy! With love from the Social Work Stories Team.   Cred...