Relational Practice: a social work podcast

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey are joined by Professor Joanne Spangaro, a distinguished researcher and academic leader whose career is defined by a deep commitment to addressing gender-based violence (GBV). With a professional journey that began in 1984 as a sexual assault counsellor, Jo brings over four decades of frontline experience to her high-impact systemic research.

We dive into Jo’s influential work as a researcher, specifically her critical examination of the implementation and impact of routine screening for intimate partner violence (IPV). We discuss the nuances of how survivors decide to disclose abuse and why the health system's response must be rooted in relationship-building and cultural safety.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Screening Research & Implementation: The background and evidence-base for domestic violence screening tools.
• "Deciding to Tell": Jo’s research into how women decide to disclose experiences of abuse when asked by healthcare professionals.
• Indigenous Health & Cultural Safety: Factors influencing Australian Aboriginal women’s decisions to disclose violence and the necessity of clinical safety.
• Implementation Tips: Practical considerations and tips for practitioners implementing screening in their own fields.
• Navigating Complexity: Understanding the risk factors and implementation challenges associated with IPV.

Whether you are a practitioner in health, child protection, or private practice, Jo’s insights offer a powerful look at how research can translate into safer environments and improved service delivery for survivors.

Show Notes & Resources

• Visit our website: relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au
• Connect with us: Join our community on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
• Get in touch: We love hearing your practice stories! Email us at [email protected].
• Featured Guest: Professor Joanne Spangaro, a prolific author of over 60 peer-reviewed works and an expert in domestic violence practice.

Please remember to subscribe, rate, and review to help us continue bringing these vital conversations to the social work community!

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

Music by Hannah Park

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help us grow our community of relational practitioners!

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey tackle the heavy weight of professional fallibility. We often feel that because we work with human lives, we aren’t allowed the luxury of being human ourselves, leading to those 3:00 AM "mistake loops" in our minds.

Using the seminal work of Professor Eileen Munro, we dismantle the idea that errors are simply acts of incompetence. Instead, we explore how the high-pressure environments of child protection and social work naturally trigger cognitive biases and mental shortcuts.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Core Conflict: Balancing fast, intuitive reasoning with slow, logical analytic thinking.
• Reasoning Traps: How "Confirmation Bias," "Availability Bias," and "The Primacy Effect" can skew our assessments of families.
• The Systems Approach: Why we need to stop asking "Who messed up?" and start asking "Why did this mistake make sense at the time?".
• Building Skilled Intuition: Using supervision as a "lab" to socialize our thinking and "de-bias" our practice.

Whether you work in child protection, hospitals, schools, mental health, aged care, or any frontline role where human complexity meets high-pressure decision-making, this episode is a reminder that professional integrity isn’t about being perfect. It is about being transparent in your reasoning and brave enough to treat mistakes as an inevitable part of a system built on uncertainty.

Show Notes & Resources

• Visit our new website: relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au
• Connect with us: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and our new YouTube page.
• Get in touch: Email your practice stories to [email protected].
• Featured Citations:
  • Munro, E. (1999). Common errors of reasoning in child protection work.
  • Munro, E. (2011). The Munro review of child protection: Final report—A child-centred system.

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

Music by Hannah Park

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review to help us grow our community of relational practitioners!

In social work, we are often taught to "reflect" on our practice, but there is a deeper, more transformational layer called reflexivity. In this episode, Jodie and Rose break down these two distinct but interconnected methods for professional growth.

Using the analogy of the Rearview Mirror (looking back at an experience) and the Mirror (looking at ourselves in the present moment), we discuss how to elevate our practice across any setting. Grounded in Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory, we explore how to move from simply observing a situation to truly transforming our professional identity and the way we hold space for others.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The Core Distinction: Why reflection-on-action and reflection-in-action require different internal muscles.
• Kolb’s Cycle: How to use "Reflective Observation" and "Abstract Conceptualization" to turn everyday practice into lasting wisdom.
• Power & Integrity: How being reflexive helps us stay ethical and aware of the "taken-for-granted" assumptions we bring into the room.
• Practical Tools: Simple ways to integrate critical reflection into your supervision and daily routine.

Join the Community:

• New Website: Visit relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au to find episodes and our Ambiguous Loss printables.
• Connect & Watch: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our new YouTube page for regular videos and practice updates.
• Your Stories: Email us at [email protected] or use the contact section on our website.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, hosts Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey dive deep into the most essential tool in a practitioner’s toolkit: the art of truly hearing what isn't being said. They are joined by Ross Judd, an expert in communication and organizational culture, and the author of Listening: A Guide to Building Deeper Connections.

For social workers on the front lines, whether in child protection, disability, or crisis intervention, clients often "test the waters" with surface-level complaints before sharing their true stories. Ross introduces his R.E.O.S.T.A.R. process, a powerful framework designed to help practitioners break through these barriers, avoid the common "fix-it" trap, and build radical empathy.

Key highlights of this conversation include:

• The R.E.O.S.T.A.R. Process: A step-by-step guide to recognizing surface comments, empathizing with underlying emotions, and asking powerful questions to uncover core values.
• The Integrated Values Iceberg: How to remain self-aware of your own biases and values so they don't "block" what a client is trying to communicate, especially in high-stress environments.
• The Heavy Gift of Listening: A candid discussion on how to stay open and listen deeply to heavy stories without losing yourself in the process.

Whether you are navigating high-conflict family dynamics or trying to connect with a defensive client, this episode offers practical strategies to move beyond the paperwork and build life-changing connections.

Find Ross’s book at https://rossjudd.com/listening/

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: https://relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au/
• Socials: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more content and practice stories.
• Support the show: Please subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more social workers.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey explore a strategy often mistaken for kindness or "being an easy person," but which actually carries a high psychological price tag: Appeasement.

We examine this issue through a multi-lens theoretical approach to promote deep sense-making for practitioners. By linking Attachment Theory, the Dynamic-Maturational Model (DMM), and Polyvagal Theory, we move beyond seeing appeasement as a personality trait and instead recognize it as a sophisticated neurobiological survival map used to manage unpredictable or dangerous environments.

In this discussion, we identify Appeasement as a core behavioural strategy utilized in distinct contexts:

• In Childhood Trauma: We explore how appeasement can be a survival strategy designed to minimize environmental or relational threats to the child’s internal or external safety. We dive into the "Foster Care Trap," where the child described as an "absolute angel" an be a red flag for trauma, as they have learned that being "easy" is the only way to promote safety.
• In the Socialization of Women: We examine the societal pressures that train women from a young age to be "appeasers". We discuss how women are frequently socialized to prioritize the moods and expectations of others at the cost of authentic identity.

The discussion also covers:

• The Attachment Perspective: How the "Internal Working Model" creates a mental script where an individual feels worthy of love only when they are useful or compliant.
• Authenticity vs. Attachment: Drawing on Gabor Maté’s work, we explore the "tragic transaction" where one reflexively suppresses their authentic self to preserve a necessary connection to a caregiver or partner.
• DMM Type A Strategies: How "compulsive compliance" involves prioritizing external rules and others' states of mind over one's own internal feelings (Affect) to ensure interpersonal safety.

⚠️ Trigger Warning

Today’s episode involves discussions of trauma, childhood neglect, and domestic violence survival strategies. Please prioritize your well-being while listening.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: https://relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au/
• Socials: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more content and practice stories.
• Support the show: Please subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more social workers.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this heavy but essential episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey confront the "national crisis" of domestic violence and the predictable patterns that lead to intimate partner homicide. Moving beyond media narratives that describe these tragedies as "senseless" or "out of nowhere," this discussion utilizes research from 2024–2026 to map out the "Path to Lethality."

We dive deep into criminologist Jane Monckton Smith’s 8-stage homicide timeline, exploring how a relationship moves from "fast-tracked" romance to coercive control, and ultimately to the terminal stage of homicide.

The episode also addresses the terrifying surge in filicide, examining why 1 in 4 domestic murder victims in NSW are now children and identifying the "proxy" motives and systemic failures that leave families at risk. Finally, we look at the economics of prevention, discussing the $45 billion annual burden of child maltreatment on the Australian economy and the urgent need to shift funding from crisis response to early, proactive intervention.

⚠️ Trigger Warning

Today’s episode involves detailed discussions of domestic violence, intimate partner homicide, and the death of children. This content is deeply distressing, but we believe that understanding the mechanics of this violence is the first step toward stopping it.

Support Resources

If you or someone you know is affected by the issues discussed, please reach out for support:

• Australia: Call 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732) or Lifeline on 13 11 14.
• Singapore: Call the National Anti-Violence and Sexual Harassment Helpline (NAVH) at 1800-777-0000 or the AWARE Women's Helpline at 1800-777-5555.
• USA: Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 800-799-SAFE (7233).
• UK: Call the National Domestic Abuse Helpline at 0808 2000 247.

Please find the crisis domestic violence support number in your area.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: https://relationalpracticeasocialworkpodcast.com.au/
• Socials: Find us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for more content and practice stories.
• Support the show: Please subscribe, rate, and review to help us reach more social workers.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, hosts Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey dive into the complex world of supervised birth family contact. Moving beyond the idea that supervision is a passive task, this discussion explores the high-stakes clinical skills required to protect a child’s emotional and psychological well-being during family visits.

Drawing on research and listener feedback, Jodie and Rose break down the essential "Supervisor’s Toolkit" and provide actionable insights for decision-makers.

Key Discussion Points:

• The Nuance of Contact: Why contact can be a tool for healing, helping children resolve grief and strengthen attachments or a trigger for trauma and placement instability if managed poorly.
• The Supervisor’s Toolkit: Essential skills including trauma-informed observation, parent coaching, and maintaining clinical neutrality.
• Invisible Risk Management: Training supervisors to spot subtle emotional abuse, such as grooming behaviours, that untrained observers might miss.
• Planning for Decision-Makers: Why case managers and judges must define the "Why" of contact (reunification/restoration vs. identity-building) and account for the “Contact Hangover”, the behavioural fallout a child experiences after a visit.
• Quality Over Quantity: Understanding why poor-quality contact can be more damaging than no contact at all.

Connect with Relational Practice: We love hearing from our community! Please send your practice stories, questions, or comments to [email protected].

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and our new YouTube page for regular content updates.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

What happens to parenting when the "private" family unit becomes a "public" system? In this episode, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey explore the "Glass House" of foster care, a space where personal lives are visible to the state and parental autonomy is reshaped by systemic oversight.

We’re moving beyond the media debate to discuss what it really means to be a Public Parent. To succeed, foster carers must embrace a hybrid identity that balances the intimacy of private parenting with the weight of public accountability.

We break down the core tensions that define the foster care experience:

1. The Surveillance Paradox: Carers are expected to provide a "normal" family life while their every move is monitored by caseworkers and courts.
2. Systemic Transparency: A realistic view of the role means acknowledging that "private" life is no longer private; carers must open their homes, bank statements, and medical records to the state.
3. Shared Authority: We discuss the "Privacy Tug-of-War," where carers have the daily responsibility of a parent but lack the legal authority to make simple decisions—like haircuts or vacations—without system approval.
4. Professionalism vs. Passion: Carers must be both professional caregivers and emotional anchors, loving a child like their own while navigating the reality of being a "temporary placement".

How do we make the "Glass House" feel like a home? It starts with clear, grounded expectations that bridge the gap between birth families, carers, and the system.

1. Information as Power: Shared parenting thrives when information flows freely, including the "little things" like a funny comment or a new food the child liked that keep birth parents included.
2. Defining the Role: It is vital to move past binary labels of "saints" or "people doing it for the money" and instead embrace the messy, human reality of public parenting.
3. Prioritizing Dignity: The ultimate goal of a public parent is to ensure the system’s visibility does not strip away the child’s private dignity.
4. Collaborative Decision-Making: We explore how to empower adults to make decisions together, rather than letting the system decide for them.

Join us as we discuss how to navigate the boundaries of the system while keeping the heart of parenting private.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Socials: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe: Hit follow or subscribe to stay updated on our fortnightly deep dives.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

In this episode of Relational Practice: A Social Work Podcast, Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey dive deep into the intricate world of Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Unlike traditional PTSD, which often stems from a single acute event, complex trauma results from prolonged, repeated experiences—often within a relational context where escape is difficult or impossible.

We explore:

• Defining the Difference: How C-PTSD fundamentally damages the sense of self and attachment capacity compared to standard PTSD.
• The Symptoms: A breakdown of "Disturbances in Self-Organization" (DSO), including affective dysregulation, negative self-concept, and chronic interpersonal difficulties.
• The Developing Brain: Insights from Dr. Bruce Perry on how chronic threat disrupts neurodevelopment and keeps the "survival brain" in a state of perpetual activation.
• The Four Fs: Understanding the survival responses of Fight, Flight, Freeze, and Fawn.
• Pathways to Healing: An introduction to evidence-based, body-centered therapies like EMDR and Somatic Experiencing (SE). We discuss Peter Levine’s work on releasing "trapped" survival energy through titration and pendulation.

Join us as we shift the perspective from seeing symptoms as failures to recognizing them as remarkable neurobiological adaptations to unsafe environments.

Connect with us:

• Email: [email protected]
• Socials: Follow us on Facebook and Instagram
• Subscribe: Hit follow or subscribe to stay updated on our fortnightly deep dives.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone

Trigger alert- there is a small amount of swearing in this episode. It is an emotive topic for us!

A Critical, Timely Deep Dive for Professionals and the Community

We understand it’s the Christmas period, and this is a heavy topic. But we also know that for many people navigating high-conflict relationships, the holidays can be the most dangerous and suffocating time of the year. This episode is dedicated to providing timely validation and understanding.

Join Dr. Jodie Park and Rose Mackey as they move beyond isolated incidents of physical violence to examine the overarching, strategic pattern of coercive control.

Why This Episode is Essential Listening Right Now:

The festive season often acts as a catalyst for coercive control. External pressures like financial strain and forced family proximity are frequently weaponized to intensify patterns of domination. For practitioners, this is a critical window for intervention. By framing these holiday stressors as strategic tactics of entrapment, rather than isolated incidents of "stress", we provide a psychological lifeline for clients. Understanding these dynamics is essential for trauma-informed validation and navigating the heightened risks survivors face this time of year.

What You Will Learn in This Deep Dive:

• Defining the Core Harm: We discuss the foundational research of Evan Stark, who defines domestic violence not by the use of force, but by the systematic deprivation of liberty and autonomy.

• The Blueprint of Domination: Understand the sophisticated, chronic pattern of behaviours, including isolation, micromanagement, economic abuse, and surveillance—tactics that create chronic fear and entrapment.

• The Psychological Toll: We explore the link between chronic abuse and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), and why survivors often feel trapped, using the Hostage Syndrome analogy to explain the impact of learned helplessness.

• Lethal Risk & Assessment: Coercive control is consistently identified as a precursor in approximately 97% of intimate partner homicides. We detail why the control, not just the physical punch, is the core lethal risk factor.

This episode details trauma-informed interventions for social workers, emphasising the need to re-establish a client's autonomy and safely document the pattern of control.

🚨 Need Support?

If this episode has raised any issues for you, please reach out to the following services in Australia:

• Emergency: Always call Triple Zero (000).
• Lifeline 13 11 14
• 1800RESPECT: Confidential counselling and support. Phone: 1800 737 732 (24/7).
• Men's Referral Service: For men concerned about their own use of violence. Phone: 1300 766 491.
• 13 Yarn 13 92 76

For our international listeners, please contact your local domestic violence or crisis support services.

Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and our new YouTube page for more content! Send any practice stories, episode suggestions, or anything social work related to [email protected].

If you like our podcast, please take a minute to rate, review, and subscribe. This helps others find us and helps us continue to create valuable content.

Music by Hannah Park

Editing by Angus Pinkstone