In this episode, we’re joined by Aja Evans, financial therapist and licensed mental health counselor, to talk all things feelings and finances. We get into what financial therapy actually is, why our money habits are deeply emotional, and how unprocessed shame and avoidance are holding so many of us (especially those of us in helping professions) back from financial clarity and peace. Aja gives us so much permission to pause, reflect, and rewrite our money story without shame.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Why financial therapy is more than just numbers... It’s about emotions, patterns, and past experiences
• The emotional toll of money avoidance (and how to gently start facing it)
• Why so many of us feel left out of the financial conversation and how to reclaim our place in it
• A peek inside what financial therapy can actually look like
• The power of financial confidence and how it can change your entire life
• A reminder: your financial journey takes time. You are not behind.

Mentioned resources:

• Buy Feel Good Finance Here
• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m talking with Lauryn Williams, CFP®, and consultant with Student Loan Planner, about what’s really going on with student loans right now, especially for social workers trying to make sense of repayment, forgiveness, and all the recent changes. We break down the current repayment options, what’s happening with the SAVE plan, and how the new RAP plan is expected to work (when it finally rolls out).

If your loans feel overwhelming or you’ve been avoiding them altogether, this episode will help you understand your options and what next steps to take. 

Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner*

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Why repayment isn’t one-size-fits-all and how to choose what works for you
• What’s happening with the SAVE plan and why it might be time to move off it
• Which income-driven repayment plans are still available (and who qualifies)
• What the new RAP plan is, and what we know about it so far
• How PSLF actually works and common myths that confuse borrowers
• What to consider before refinancing your federal loans
• How a consult with Student Loan Planner works and why it could save you thousands

Mentioned resources:

• Get $100 off a consult with Student Loan Planner*

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. (This post has extra resources that were not shared in the episode, thanks to Leslie!) 

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

*This episode may contain affiliate links, meaning if you decide to make a purchase via my links, I may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. See my disclosure for more info.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m talking with Leslie Taylor, MSW, about what it looks like to leave traditional social work and build a career in tech, and specifically in the growing field of Trust & Safety. Leslie shares her career journey from intensive in-home therapy to working at organizations like Snap and Adobe.

We get into what Trust & Safety actually means, how social workers are already equipped for this work, and why more of us should be exploring this path (especially if we’re feeling stuck, underpaid, or burned out 👀). We also chat about salary ranges and how to start looking for these kinds of roles, even if you don’t have previous experience in tech. This conversation is full of insight for anyone considering a nontraditional path with their MSW.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• What Trust & Safety work involves and how it connects to core social work skills
• The kinds of companies hiring for these roles and what they’re actually looking for
• Common job titles to search for if you’re exploring a career pivot
• Practical advice on how to reposition your experience and update your resume for tech roles
• How Leslie approached negotiating her salary 

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. (This post has extra resources that were not shared in the episode, thanks to Leslie!) 

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: TikTok, Instagram, & YouTube.

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms is for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ashley Stephens, LCSW-S, a social worker, supervisor, and consultant who shares how she built a career that’s financially stable and aligned with how she actually wants to live. Ashley walks us through her early money story and how she started creating multiple income streams, from clinical work to supervision, retreats, teaching, and consulting. We get into the money messages social workers still hear in school, how that messaging keeps folks underpaid and overworked, and why financial wellness is a non-negotiable if you want to stay in this field long term. She breaks down the logistics of setting up a supervision practice, managing your time across different roles, and what to consider if you’re thinking about diversifying your income. If you’re feeling stuck in your current job, curious about supervision, or just trying to figure out how to make social work sustainable, this episode is for you!

Takeaways From This Episode:

• The harmful (and persistent) belief that wanting financial stability makes you less “dedicated” as a social worker
• Why diversifying your income isn’t about hustle culture... it’s about safety, creativity, and sustainability
• The powerful ripple effect of becoming a supervisor and pouring into the next generation of clinicians
• What autonomy really means in your work and how it can lead to more joy, purpose, and freedom
• How the Social Work Compact could expand your clinical reach without starting from scratch in every state
• Permission to leave a job that doesn’t serve you, just because it doesn’t serve you 👀

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Joiner-Hill, MSSW, a social worker and consultant who shares her story of how she transitioned from a traditional role in social work to starting her own consulting business. Amber walks us through everything from grad school to AmeriCorps, to the moment she said “no more toxic jobs” and built her own path. We get into the nitty gritty of program evaluation, setting up an LLC, pricing your services, and navigating the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship. Amber doesn’t gatekeep! She shares real numbers and the lessons she learned the hard way (like what happens when a client doesn’t pay or how to price your work without selling yourself short). If you’ve ever thought about starting your own consulting business or just want a peek behind the scenes of how one social worker made it happen, this episode is for you.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• What sparked Amber’s love for program evaluation and systems-level change
• How she transitioned from full-time work into full-time consulting (and back again)
• Why her first paid training was $1,300, but her next contract was $15K 👀
• The mindset shift from hourly to flat-rate pricing (and how it saved her time and made her more money)
• How building relationships early in her career opened doors years later
• Why your consulting journey doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to start

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you actually write a bill and get lawmakers to take it seriously? In this episode, we’re talking with Dan and Monique from Payment for Placements in New York, two social workers who helped draft and introduce a pilot bill to pay MSW interns in New York State. They walk us through the entire process, from gathering a team to drafting the bill language, finding the right sponsors, and pitching their vision to legislators who can actually move it forward.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Why unpaid internships are a structural equity issue and how this bill addresses it
• What made their pitch resonate with legislators
• Details of the bill’s structure, funding timeline, and why they focused on MSW students
• Rolling out the bill: sponsors, co-sponsors, off-session activity, and continued advocacy
• The balance between idealism and feasibility when writing legislation
• Tips for social workers who want to get into advocacy or policy

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've been curious about consulting but unsure where to start, this episode is packed with gems! I’m joined by Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW, founder of Intention Elevation, to talk about what consulting actually is, how social workers can step into it, and why your experience is already more than enough. We get real about pricing, packaging your services, tapping into your network for leads, and navigating that awkward “how much do I charge?” phase. Christina doesn’t just talk theory, she gives actual numbers and examples of projects she’s done, so you can see exactly how this work can play out.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• What “consulting” actually means and how social workers are already doing it
• Why starting small (and messy) is better than waiting to be “ready”
• Real-life contract examples Christina’s landed (and what they paid 👀)
• How to find leads through your existing network and conferences
• Why undercharging keeps us stuck and how to start pricing with confidence
• How to use your phone contacts and old job connections to land opportunities

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re diving into salary data from over 700 social workers who filled out our anonymous income survey. We talk about who’s hitting six figures, where they live, what jobs they have, and how long they’ve been in the field. But it’s not only about the numbers... we also get into the very real barriers social workers face when it comes to increasing income: expensive licensing processes, low starting pay, and a serious lack of salary transparency in MSW programs.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Yes, some social workers make over $100K — but they’re still the minority (~14%)
• Most six-figure earners are licensed, have 10+ years of experience, and/or work in hospitals or federal roles
• Half of the salaries reported fell between $30K–$60K... which is unacceptable, especially for folks with master’s degrees
• State and cost of living play a big role in how much social workers are paid
• MSW programs need to start talking about money, not just “self-care”

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Budgeting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we’ve had our fair share of budgeting "fails". In this episode, we’re walking through how we budget now, what systems we tried (and ditched), and what finally made a difference in helping us feel more in control of our money. We talk about fun money accounts, money dates with our partners, and the power of automation. We also chat about how our values and mindsets shaped our approach to money and how we still make space for joy even while tackling debt. If budgeting has ever felt overwhelming or unrealistic, this convo is for you!

Takeaways From This Episode:

• The exact budgeting systems we’re using (including how many bank accounts we really have 👀)
• Why “fun money” helps us spend without guilt or asking for permission
• How we track spending (or don’t) and what’s actually sustainable for us
• How we use automation to make budgeting easier and what we still check manually
• How we align our money with our values (and make room for joy on the journey)

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we’re diving into a budgeting convo with Maureen Paley, MSW, AFC®, a financial coach and fellow social worker who brings both financial savviness and deep empathy. With a background in investment management and social work, Maureen gets the unique money struggles of our field and is here to help us reframe how we think about budgeting. We talk about the emotional side of money, why shame is so tied to our financial habits, and tips on how to manage your budget once you've created one.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Why budgeting feels restrictive and how to shift that mindset
• Why budgeting is not one-size-fits-all (and that’s okay!)
• The power of money dates and checking in with yourself regularly
• The importance of joy and sustainability in your financial plan
• Why you don’t need to choose between paying off debt or saving

Mentioned resources:

• Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  

Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. 

Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. 

Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.