In this episode, we break down one of the biggest decisions for social workers considering private practice: should you take insurance, go fully private pay, or try a hybrid model? We talk through the logistics, mindset shifts, pros and cons, and the financial implications of each route.

We also get into the emotional weight that comes with trying to build a sustainable practice while still staying aligned with your values, including the messy narratives around accessibility and burnout.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Starting with insurance might make sense for stability, but private pay gives you more freedom in the long run
• The real reason niching down matters
• How insurance audits, clawbacks, and low rates push therapists out of the system
• Being an anti-oppressive therapist isn’t only about taking insurance; there are many ways to practice social justice
• It’s okay to raise your private pay rate and be mindful of inflation
• If you’re starting out, there’s no shame in going into private practice early in your career

Mentioned resources:

• Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
• 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.

Today’s episode is all about the corporate side of social work! We sat down with Peter Mostachetti, LMSW, who went from a 25-year career in tech at IBM to leading employee experience, learning, and inclusion at IPSY, the largest beauty subscription company. Peter breaks down what corporate social work really is, how he applies the “person-in-environment” approach in HR, and why social workers are already equipped to thrive in corporate spaces.

We dive into what corporate roles can look like for social workers and how to start positioning yourself for work outside of traditional settings. Peter shares how he thinks about charging for his time and the harmful messaging social workers still get about staying broke “for the cause.” This episode is full of insight, especially if you’re curious about nontraditional roles, better pay, or just figuring out your next move.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Corporate social work is just macro social work in a new setting
• Social work skills like crisis response, facilitation, and systems thinking show up all the time in HR, DEI, and employee experience.
• Your MSW makes you qualified to work in spaces like HR, employee experience, and DEI.
• You don’t have to give up your values to work in a space that pays you well.
• Job titles can be misleading, so read the job description before counting yourself out.
• Entry-level HR roles can pay $80K+ depending on industry and location.

Mentioned resources:

• Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
• 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.

In this episode, we are doing something a little different! Faith and I are reacting to the conversation that transpired on LinkedIn after I posted: “Don’t post your job for a master’s level clinician if it doesn’t pay at least $100K.” The post got a lot of traction.... essentially went viral. Thousands of reactions, hundreds of comments, and a mix of support and pushback from folks across the field.

We talk through the range of responses, including the common claim that expecting six figures is “unrealistic,” and why that word keeps coming up in conversations about social work and money. We also talk real solutions: collective bargaining, salary transparency, and policy-level shifts that need to happen if this profession is going to survive and thrive.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• The behind the scenes story of a LinkedIn post that struck a nerve
• What it really means when people say $100K is “unrealistic” for social workers
• The importance of salary transparency and why it’s not “greedy” to talk numbers
• What the data tells us about shortages, turnover, and retention in social work
• Why “that’s how it’s always been” is not a good enough reason to settle
• Ideas for what a new, sustainable model of social work could look like

Mentioned resources:

• Text SOCIAL WORK to 33777 to join the newsletter!
• 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.

Welcome to the Salary Series! This is a mini-series where we’re getting into the real numbers behind what social workers make. In this episode, I’m talking with Erika Morris, MSW, a forensic social worker who went from making $44/hr straight out of grad school to making up to $95/hr as a contractor in Washington state. Erika breaks down what forensic social work actually is and how working on public defense teams can be both meaningful and financially sustainable. If you’ve ever wondered about what it’s like to work on a defense team or how to position yourself for work in legal and court-adjacent spaces, this is your episode.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• What forensic social work really looks like in practice
• How Erika went from intern to earning $55/hr in one year
• How contract work offers flexibility and strong pay, especially for working parents
• The differences in public defense systems between states
• Why holistic defense is growing and how social workers fit into this model
• How to approach public defense agencies even if you don’t see job openings
• Common job titles to look for in forensic and legal-focused social work

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: 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 week, we are excited to welcome Jerrel Peterson, MSW, to the podcast! He’s the Head of Global Content Policy at Spotify, and formerly held a trust & safety role at Twitter. Jerrel walks us through his journey from direct practice in mental health to landing a job in tech. We dive into what “trust and safety” means in tech, how his team develops interventions for content-related harm, and how his social work training helps him create safer online spaces. Jerrel also shares practical advice on how social workers can break into the tech space and translate their skills.

Takeaways From This Episode:

• Why trust & safety work is a perfect fit for social workers
• Why social work skills (crisis management, systems thinking, advocacy) are in demand in tech
• The power of policy as intervention in online platforms
• Negotiation tips: base salary, RSUs, sign-on bonuses, and benefits
• Advice for social workers exploring tech careers: networking, LinkedIn outreach, and resume rewrites
• Why being bold matters in corporate spaces

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: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.