In this inspiring episode of the Journey To Licensure® Podcast, Shara Ruffin welcomes Dr. Olymphia “Dr. O” O’Neale, LCSW — Founder of Through My Lens Consulting® and 2024 NASW Emerging Leader Award recipient.

Dr. O shares her journey from aspiring attorney to powerhouse social work leader, blending personal experiences with infertility and loss into a mission of advocacy, education, and empowerment. With humor, authenticity, and boldness, she challenges social workers to lead, heal, and disrupt systems for change.

🎙️ Highlights include:

• Navigating grief, resilience, and purpose in social work

• Why authenticity is a superpower in advocacy and education

• Practical ways to embed cultural competence daily

• Building a brand rooted in service, story, and social impact

• Why giving yourself grace fuels true leadership

If you’re ready to be inspired and called into action, this conversation is for you!

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more!

In this heartfelt episode of Journey to Licensure, Shara Ruffin sits down with Ms. Greer, an anti-trafficking advocate, to unpack the raw realities of balancing life’s challenges while preparing for the LCSW exam. Ms. Greer opens up about how moving, job pressures, and personal loss impacted her study routine and mindset, and why it’s okay to pause and prioritize self-care. Shara offers empowering strategies for regaining focus and making exam prep work through adversity, reminding listeners that acknowledging your needs is a crucial step toward success.

In this episode, Shara Ruffin talks with JaChe “Chey” Peaks, LMSW—licensed social worker, PRN behavioral health assessor, and founder of Soulful Path Career Coaching. JaChe shares her powerful journey from conducting suicide assessments in correctional settings to coaching Black social workers through career transitions, burnout, and salary negotiations.

They dive into the importance of mentorship, self-care, and aligning your career with your values—plus real talk on navigating the emotional toll of correctional mental health work.

If you’re a social worker looking for purpose, clarity, or the courage to pivot, this episode is for you.

In this inspiring episode of the Journey To Licensure® Podcast, Shara Ruffin sits down with powerhouse Lequita Brooks, LCSW — leading expert in Social Work Career Mapping and founder of The Social Work Incubator®.

Lequita shares how social workers can break free from burnout, intentionally design careers that align with their purpose and secure financial freedom. From the power of career mapping to overcoming licensing roadblocks and building businesses rooted in impact, Lequita delivers real talk and real strategies.

Tune in as we dive deep into:

• How to move beyond the “bitter, broke, and burnout” narrative in social work

• Strategic career planning using the Social Work Career Mapping© framework

• How social workers can achieve financial sustainability without sacrificing their purpose

• Why licensing standards matter — and the future of social work reform

• The role of mentorship, vision boards, and “beginning with the end in mind”

• How Lequita’s creative use of poetry therapy blends art and clinical practice

Social workers don’t have to choose between making a difference and making money — they can do BOTH.

Grab your notebook because this episode is packed with gems you won’t want to miss!

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts!

In this empowering episode of Journey to Licensure®, Shara Ruffin, LCSW, gets real about why so many social workers struggle to stay consistent with their exam prep. From the challenges of balancing life’s demands to the frustration of losing momentum, Shara reveals the secret: it’s not just about knowing the material, but building a study system that fits your real life and learning style. Discover actionable strategies for overcoming inconsistency, finding accountability, and developing a smart, supportive exam plan that can move you from stuck to successful.

Ready to create a study routine that actually works? Follow for more social work exam tips or book a consultation to get personalized support for your LMSW or LCSW journey!

In this uplifting episode of Journey to Licensure®, Prescott shares her powerful journey of overcoming burnout, workplace fatigue, and repeated setbacks on the road to passing the LCSW exam. Discover how she transformed defeat into determination through the power of affirmations, group study communities, and embracing a growth mindset—even after facing grief and two failed attempts. Prescott opens up about breaking free from the confines of case management to chase flexibility and fulfillment as a licensed clinician.

If you’re a social worker battling test anxiety, juggling full-time work, or rethinking your path, Prescott’s story delivers actionable study tips, motivational insights, and hope that your breakthrough is closer than you think.

In this uplifting episode of Journey to Licensure: Stories of Success, Lexus shares how she turned self-doubt and anxiety into a passing score on her second licensing exam attempt for the LMSW exam with the support of the Journey To Licensure Mastery Course the game-changing impact of personalized study plans, group accountability, and real mental health support—in and out of the classroom. Lexus’s experience reveals how community, discipline, and resilience can transform your exam prep journey.

In this vibrant and laughter-filled episode of The Journey to Licensure Podcast, host Shara Ruffin kicks off the New Year with a candid discussion on effective exam prep strategies, key insights into systems theory, operant conditioning, and ethical standards, as well as Sullivan’s modes of experience for social workers. Tune in as Shara navigates real-life application questions, shares the latest updates about her business, and offers a sneak peek into exciting new ventures like her upcoming professional development webinar.

Join the community as they tackle practice questions, share moments of humor, and reflect on personal and professional growth. This episode is packed with actionable advice for mastering the licensing exam and thriving in your social work career.

In this episode of the Journey to Licensure Podcast, Shara Ruffin dives deep into the art of focused preparation for the social work licensing exam. From understanding key exam concepts like ethical reasoning and diagnostic differentiation to practical study strategies for overcoming overwhelm, Shara shares invaluable insights to help you navigate your unique journey. Hear firsthand success stories from clients like Sade, who overcame anxiety and multiple exam attempts to finally achieve her goal. Shara also tackles the pitfalls of mixing too many study materials, emphasizes the importance of tailoring resources to your learning style, and highlights her upcoming content expansions on TikTok and YouTube. Whether you’re preparing for your first attempt or seeking to pass after multiple tries, this episode is packed with motivation, tips, and strategies to help you cut out the noise and make 2025 your year to pass.

Dive into the inspiring journey of Frank, a determined social worker who conquered anxiety, financial challenges, and self-doubt to pass his LCSW exam on his 7th attempt. Guided by renowned social work coach Shara Ruffin, Frank’s story is a testament to resilience, personalized coaching, and breaking through barriers. Discover how he turned his weaknesses into strengths, overcame labels, and unlocked new professional opportunities as a Black male social worker in a field where representation matters. Whether you’re preparing for your licensing exam or looking for motivation, this episode is packed with actionable insights and heartfelt triumphs. Don’t miss this powerful story of transformation and success!