The Social Work Stories Podcast
Episodes
It's about the small acts of grace: An on-call social work story - Ep. 94
20 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Social Work and Hope in Action - Ep. 93
19 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In this powerful episode, a pediatric social worker shares her profound insights into hope as an active social work intervention. Working with childre...
New Grad Social Workers - How to Land the Perfect Job - Ep. 92
31 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 journ...
International Social Work and the Practice of Cultural Humility - Ep. 91
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Centring the Child’s Voice - Social Work in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia - Ep. 90
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 worke...
A Case for More Social Workers in the Disabilities Space - Ep. 89
30 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 exp...
Discharge planning: Social justice in action - Ep.88
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 j...
How an aged-care social worker uses dignifying practice as covert resistance - Ep.87
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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...
"Don't just believe what you read on my file": Re-authoring patient stories - Ep. 86
31 Jan 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Welcome back to the Social Work Stories podcast. This is the first episode released for 2024, and boy-oh-boy do we have a doozy for you!! In this epis...
Social Work and Voluntary Assisted Dying: We Have All The Tools We Need - Ep. 85
20 Nov 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Join hosts Lis Murphy and Mim Fox as they delve into the nuanced and delicate role of social workers in supporting individuals through voluntary assis...
Abortion in Australia: The impact on women and social work practice - Ep. 84
04 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
This episode details the experience of a woman and her social worker seeking an abortion, but who face extreme barriers on multiple fronts to access t...
Supporting continuing bonds through adult memory making in hospital-based end of life care - Ep.83
30 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lis invites expert special guest Jo McIlveen to come and listen to this moving story of a social worker's intervention using memory m...
Bush Adventure Therapy: Nature as co-therapist - Ep.82
01 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever thought that maybe taking a client, consumer, patient outside the four walls of your office and into the big, wide world to help with creating so...
We are Making Visible: Introducing the Making Visible podcast
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Exciting news! We are introducing a new podcast project to you all. In this episode you'll hear all about the podcast we've been working on with the A...
The Friday Afternoon Special - A Family and Domestic Violence Social Work Story - Ep.80
30 May 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We've all been there. That moment on a Friday afternoon, when things are calm and you've wrapped up the working week, about to clock-off and hit the w...
Early Intervention Social Work and What Makes a Happy Ending - Ep. 79
25 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
How do we measure a successful outcome in our practice? What would we consider a happy ending for the people we work with? Would they agree? In this e...
Police Social Work: Speaking Life into Young People - Ep. 78
28 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
You probably already know that around Social Work Stories, we’re big fans of stories from social workers who are in unique practice settings... so i...
Hosting a Family Conference: The Stages, Skills, and Language - Ep. 77
20 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Ever wondered about what happens in a Family Conference? Well this is the episode that will bring you up to speed. Covering a diverse range of insight...
An Opportunity for Recovery: Social Work in Emergency Mental Health - Ep. 76
30 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Our first episode of 2023 starts off with an incredible story of a Mental Health Social Worker in a Hospital Emergency Department. We hear about a pat...
A Conversation with Lis & Mim: Storytelling in Supervision - Ep. 75
26 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
It's the end of another year, and to mark this space together, Lis and Mim sit down to have a conversation together about sharing stories in the super...
Therapeutic Social Work in the Home Visit: LIVE SHOW - Ep. 74
28 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
A very special episode of Social Work Stories - a recording from our very first LIVE SHOW! As part of the ANZSWWER Symposium in early November, the ...
School Social Work: An Emerging Field of Practice - Ep. 73
24 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Ever heard from a social worker with an ongoing position in a school before? How about a social work student with an intensive field placement in a sc...
Narrative Therapy and Intensive Outreach- Working with Mothers Whose Children Have Been Removed - Ep. 72
27 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mim and Lis as we listen to a story about narrative therapy, disenfranchised grief, and intensive work with mothers whose children have been remo...
Companioning in End of Life Care - Social Work Education for Students and Practitioners - Ep. 71
29 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mim and Lis as they sit down with Jo McIlveen for an in-depth conversation about social work in the bereavement space. Jo discusses companioning ...
Acute Care, Spiders, and Small Acts of Resistance - Ep. 70
25 Jul 2022
Contributed by Lukas
You're on the ward, it's late at night, and your job is to assess the patient's belongings as part of hospital protocol. You open up a container that ...
A Covid Death: Moral Injury and Burnout in Social Work Practice - Ep. 69
27 Jun 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mim and Lis as we explore a harrowing story from a hospital social worker who was on the front lines of Covid-19 work, supporting families in a d...
Social Work and Narrative Therapy in the Drug and Alcohol Space - Ep.68
30 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Share some time with Mim & Lis as we listen to a piece by Julaine Allan together. Julaine talks about her work in the Drug and Alcohol space, focusing...
A Good Death in Hospital and the Social Work Role - Ep. 67
26 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Death and dying... how do you prepare for the end of life? Join Mim & Lis as we listen to a long-view story of death in a hospital. We explore what ...
Private Practice Social Work in a Pandemic and Beyond - Ep. 66
29 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Have you ever thought about going into private practice social work? Are you already working in this space? Have you never even considered it? Join Mi...
The Worst Scenario Possible - What Does the Social Worker Do? Ep. 24 Redux (Ep. 65)
22 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 su...
The Social Work Stories Podcast - Ep. 01 Redux (Ep. 64)
28 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join us as we revisit Episode 1 of the Social Work Stories Podcast. It's a special time as we recently crossed three years creating this podcast, and ...
SEED: Stories of Bushfire Recovery Part 3 - Ep. 63
13 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As you discovered in parts 1 and 2 of the SEED series, we've been working on something BIG and we're so excited to share the third and final chapter w...
SEED: Stories of Bushfire Recovery Part 2 - Ep. 62
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
As you discovered in part 1 of the SEED series, we've been working on something BIG and we're so excited to share the next chapter with you! Join Mi...
SEED: Stories of Bushfire Recovery Part 1 - Ep. 61
29 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We've been working on something BIG and we're so excited to share it with you! Social Work Stories are bringing a special series of episodes exploring...
Ubuntu in Social Work: I Am Because We Are - Ep. 60
25 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Ubuntu - I Am Because We Are. It was the theme of World Social Work Day in 2021, and we thought we would take some time to unpack what it means and wh...
What‘s Waiting Behind The Door: Social Work and Community Aged Care - Ep. 59
27 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes you have to take a deep breath, prepare yourself for whatever's behind that door, and knock. Join Mim and Lis as we hear a story from a C...
Burnout and Self-Care in Social Work: We Share Our Stories - Ep. 58
31 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Self-care is not a weekly yoga class or a glass of shiraz. Join Mim and Lis for a bit of a different episode, where we share our own stories & experie...
I Need to Keep Her Safe: Domestic Violence in the Emergency Department - Ep. 57
27 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim as we listen to a riveting story from an Emergency Department Social Worker, who tells the story of working with a patient who's part...
Centering Social Justice in Social Work Supervision - Ep. 56
29 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim as they break down the themes of a rich conversation Mim shares with Deanne Dale, all about Social Justice in Supervision. Deanne sha...
A Conversation About Coronial and Forensic Social Work, Part 2 - Ep. 55
25 May 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim for the second-half of a very special interview as they sit down with two social workers from NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic Medic...
A Conversation About Coronial and Forensic Social Work, Part 1 - Ep. 54
27 Apr 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim for a very special episode where they sit down with two social workers from NSW Health Pathology’s Forensic Medicine Service, for a...
Exploring Community Development and Social Work in the Stockholm Projects - Ep. 53
30 Mar 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim as they listen to a story from a social worker based in Stockholm, Sweden, who shares his experience of carrying out community develo...
It Takes a Village: Social Work in Community Youth Mental Health - Ep. 52
23 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim for a story from a social worker who shares his experience of working in a community youth mental health setting. The story revolves ...
Mental Health Social Work and the Great Australian Ratbag Ep. 51
09 Feb 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and friend of the podcast Bec for a story from a social worker who shares her experience of working in a mental health social work setting. T...
The Dark Place: Working with a Suicide Caller (Ep. 10 Redux)
27 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay ...
Social Work in a Maximum Security Prison: A Story of Creative Practice in Social Work (Ep. 15 Redux)
12 Jan 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay ...
Removing the Children, Receiving a Mug - A Child Protection Story - Ep. 06 Redux
28 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay ...
A Social Worker, A Client, and a Long Journey of Support - Ep. 49
14 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This one is a little different - join Lis and Mim for one story from two perspectives - the social worker and the client both! Hear the way Bek and ...
Social Work from an Aboriginal Perspective - Exploring Cultural Load - Ep. 48
02 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mim and friend of the podcast Denkia Thomas for a story from a social worker who shares her perspective on being Aboriginal and practicing social...
Social Work with Gender & Sexuality Diverse Communities - Ep. 47
17 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Join Lis and Mim for a conversation with Sarah Etter, who shares insights into work with gender and sexually diverse communities. The discussion delve...
Professional Grief and the Wilderness of the Soul - Ep. 46
03 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Working With Families of Children Who Use Violence - Reflective Practice in a Delicate Space - Ep. 45
20 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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, w...
Social Work During a Bushfire - Safety in Chaos - Ep. 44
06 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Touching Base - An update from the Social Work Stories Team - Ep. 43
22 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
The Hip Hop Social Worker vs Social Work Stories- Ep. 42
08 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 socia...
Social Work with Teenage Boys: The Teachable Moments - Ep. 41
18 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 fant...
When a Baby Dies: Conversations in Birth and Death, Companioning and Memory Making - Ep. 40
04 Aug 2020
Contributed by Lukas
A special episode that explores a difficult experience, and the complex work of supporting families through terrible loss. Join Lis and Noni (and M...
Social Work in Prison: Sounds Interesting! Ep. 39
20 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 so...
Aged Care Social Work: Far Beyond Just Another Case Study Ep. 38
07 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ta...
Social Work with Families of Missing Persons: Learning to Live Alongside Loss Ep. 37
23 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Connect with this story from a passionate Social Worker who supports families of missing persons, as they face unresolved loss and learn to tolerate t...
Social Work and COVID-19: Hospital Social Work in Nigeria Ep. 36
10 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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-...
Trauma, Trafficking & Homelessness: A Social Work Resettlement Story Ep. 35
26 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 hav...
Asylum Seekers, Refugees and Social Work: Stories from Nauru - How Could We Let This Happen? Ep. 34
12 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
This episode features an interview with Mark Isaacs, author of landmark books such as The Undesirables - Inside Nauru, and The Kabul Peace House, as w...
COVID-19 and Social Work Education Ep. 33
06 May 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ep...
Social Work Leadership: Where Maximum Challenge Meets Maximum Support Ep. 32
28 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Social Work and COVID-19: Reassigned to the Intensive Care Unit Ep. 31
14 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Social Work and Vicarious Trauma: The Fear of it All Unraveling Ep.30
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
Social workers are walking alongside people dealing with some of the hardest and most traumatic circumstances they've ever had to face. Sometimes thes...
Social Work and Group Work: Where the Magic Happens! Ep. 29
16 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 t...
Eco Social Work and Climate Justice Ep. 28
02 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Droughts and Flooding Rains - The Social Work Stories Podcast Ep. 27
11 Feb 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 y...
Learning About Dying: The Invisible String and Other Important Stories Ep. 26
26 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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. J...
Your Liberation is Tied Up With Mine: Social Work Stories from ANZSWWER 2019 Ep. 25
12 Nov 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In October of 2019 the Social Work Stories Podcast travelled to Perth for the Australia and New Zealand Social Work, Welfare, Education and Research (...
The Worst Scenario Possible - What Does the Social Worker Do? Ep. 24
28 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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 su...
The "S-Word" in Social Work- When Eros Enters the Therapeutic Space Ep.23
15 Oct 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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, a...
The Social Work Stories Podcast: Our First Year Ep. 22
17 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Social Work in a Royal Commission Ep. 21
03 Sep 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our first live podcast recording of the Social Work Stories Podcast, with your hosts Mim & Lis and guest social worker Gary Hampton. On this episode y...
Bringing the A-Game: A Social Work Advocacy Story Ep. 20
20 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode comes with a social justice warning - If you aren't exasperated, flabbergasted, frustrated, or outraged by this story from today's anonym...
Abortion Care, Self-Reflection, Trauma, and Social Work Ep. 19
05 Aug 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode you'll get to hear the story of two anonymous social workers and their client in an abortion care service. There is a lot to unpack an...
Leaving Violence - Finding the Power of Choice Ep. 18
22 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode highlights the story of an amazing woman, her children, your social worker, and the incredible rediscovery of self, choice, freedom and j...
Aged Care: Getting Beyond the Four Walls Ep. 16
05 Jul 2019
Contributed by Lukas
It's 2019 and there's a Royal Commission into Aged Care in Australia. We are well overdue for looking into what is happening in this marginalised and ...
Social Work in a Maximum Security Prison: A Story of Creative Practice in Social Work Ep. 15
21 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
When a social worker works in a maximum security prison, and she opens with the line - "He was really intimidating!", then you can be sure it will be ...
Decolonising Social Work Stories: A Supervision Session Ep. 14
07 Jun 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Join Mim and Lis and their special guest Denika, as they explore and investigate decolonisation in the social work world. If you've ever wondered what...
An Antenatal Care Story: Happy Ending? Sad Ending? - You Decide. Ep. 13
24 May 2019
Contributed by Lukas
As the title suggests, we're leaving the final decision up to you. Happy ending, or sad ending? You decide. Join your hosts Mim and Lis as they listen...
He Can‘t Speak! The Practice of Holistic Recovery Ep. 12
26 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Theory to practice! You hear it over and over again in the social work world, but sometimes it's hard to make sense of how it actually works in day to...
Miscarriage: A Disenfranchised Grief Ep. 11
14 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode you'll hear from two social workers walking alongside a family experiencing a profound yet disenfranchised grief. With Lis & Mim as yo...
The Dark Place: Working with a Suicide Caller. Ep. 10
01 Apr 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Our anonymous social worker takes you through one of her most difficult stories while working for a mental health crisis line. Throughout this episode...
Relationship - the Change Agent! Ep. 09
15 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
We come to you with Episode 09 of the Social Work Stories podcast, along with a big hug to say, Happy world social work day 2019! On this episode you'...
Baptism of Fire - A Story About Early-Career Child Protection Work Ep. 08
01 Mar 2019
Contributed by Lukas
This episode and traverses some of the difficult circumstances and choices experienced by an early-career social worker. Join Mim and Lis as they star...
My Job Is To Be With You - Breaking the Inflexibility of Social Work Practice Ep. 07
15 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode, Mim & Lis investigate so many of the 'collisions of inflexibility' experienced within the disability welfare sector. You'll hear some...
Removing the Children, Receiving a Mug - A Child Protection Story Ep. 06
01 Feb 2019
Contributed by Lukas
Join your hosts Mim & Lis as they take a few steps into the dynamic and challenging world of social work in the child and family sector. Be prepared t...
Holding the Space - Working with Young People Ep.05
07 Dec 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 05 of the Social Work Stories podcast explores the anonymous story of an amazing social worker who loved his role as a youth worker for an org...
Quality of Life - Putting Your Patient at the Centre Ep. 04
22 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Lis & Mim explore a story filled with the complexities of 'end of life' vs 'quality of life' for a patient and their social worker. L...
The Memory Maker and the War Correspondent - Helping Families Process Loss Ep. 3
09 Nov 2018
Contributed by Lukas
On this episode you'll hear Mim & Lis introduce a Social Worker that they have come to know as 'The Memory Maker' and 'The War Correspondent'. This is...
Finding My Voice As a Social Worker Ep. 2
26 Oct 2018
Contributed by Lukas
In episode 02 of the Social Work Stories podcast, your hosts Mim and Lis introduce an anonymous social worker who finds her voice as she does all she ...
The Social Work Stories Podcast Ep. 1
17 Sep 2018
Contributed by Lukas
Episode 01 - The Social Work Stories Podcast. CONTENT WARNING: This episode contains discussion of the death of a young child. If this subject is l...