Social Work to Wealth Podcast

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:

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

Mentioned resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. 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.

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:

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

Mentioned resources:

1. 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 conversation, we’re joined by Eva Forde, MSSW, founder of Rich Social Worker and the Social Work Wealth Conference, to talk about what it really looks like when social workers claim their worth—financially, personally, and professionally. Eva shares her raw story of financial struggle, survival, and eventually building a business that empowers other social workers to rethink their relationship with money. If you’ve ever questioned whether it's "okay" to want more—more time, more money, more freedom—this episode is for you!

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How Eva’s experience living in Jamaica changed her views on money forever
2. Why social workers must talk about wealth to create real, lasting impact
3. Breaking free from the old narratives about poverty and service
4. How building wealth can strengthen our communities
5. The heart behind the Social Work Wealth Conference and new community launch
6. Permission to dream way bigger than you thought possible

Mentioned resources:

1. 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.

Doing international social work sounds amazing in theory, but how do you actually do it? In this episode, we’re getting into the details. Faith talks through her experience moving to Switzerland and building a social work career internationally. She shares what worked, what didn’t, and the things she wishes someone had told her before making the move. Plus, we share resources if you’re seriously considering working abroad: job boards, degree programs, and organizations that can help you figure it out.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How Faith transitioned to becoming an expat social worker in Switzerland
2. How to navigate visas and work permits as a social worker abroad
3. The importance of networking to break into international social work
4. The challenges and rewards of building a career in a new country
5. Tips for exploring international social work opportunities, including job boards, educational programs, and internships

Mentioned resources:

1. 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.

How do we get social work interns paid? In this episode, we chatted with Jess Riley, BSW, and Jacqueline Guan from Payment for Placements (P4P), a grassroots movement fighting to make paid internships the norm for social work students. Jess and Jacqueline share their organizing journeys, the realities of advocating for paid placements, and the larger impact this issue has on equity and access in our profession. We dig into how they've built momentum on their campuses, what strategies have worked to shift institutional mindsets, and how social workers everywhere can support this cause.

Takeaways from this episode

• How field funds and legislation are being used as creative solutions to support interns
• The challenges of building relationships with underfunded agencies and shifting long-standing norms
• Why collaboration with faculty, admin, and NASW is key to creating systemic change
• How chapters can build momentum through petitions, protests, and policy work
• How a culture of underpayment starts with unpaid internships and how we push back

Mentioned resources & transcript

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

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, we were joined by Pilar Bonilla and Aiden Bondurant from Payment for Placements (P4P), an organization fighting for social work students to be compensated for their labor. We dive into the challenges of changing perceptions around student labor, the biggest roadblocks to securing funding, and the legislative efforts currently in motion to make paid placements a reality. We also chat about the larger implications of financial wellness in the social work profession and how collective advocacy can push the field forward. If you're a social worker or ally who believes in fair pay for our future social service practitioners, this is a must-listen!

Takeaways from this episode

• The ethical issues surrounding unpaid social work internships
• How unpaid placements negatively impact social workers' long-term financial stability
• The biggest challenges in pushing for paid internships
• Advocacy for paid placements is crucial for the sustainability of the social work profession
• Advocacy requires patience, grace, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversations

Mentioned resources & transcript

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

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

Want to support our work? Buy us a coffee

Find Social Work to Wealth on Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.

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, we're joined by Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, aka The AI Social Worker, a school social worker turned AI enthusiast and consultant. Dr. Badillo-Diaz is breaking down the intersection of AI and social work, discussing the implications, practical applications, and everything in between! Dr. Badillo-Diaz also shares her insights and experience about building her consulting business and growing comfortable charging for her expertise. If you’ve ever been curious about AI, consulting, or just want some solid career inspiration, this episode is for you.

Takeaways from this episode

1. How Marina got into AI and why she’s on a mission to bring it to social work
2. The biggest ethical concerns of AI in social work & how to navigate them
3. AI tools that can help with case notes, referrals, and time management
4. Why AI isn’t replacing social workers—but how it can help us
5. Tips for social workers interested in launching their own consulting business

Mentioned resources & transcript

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. Join the Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money.
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Find Social Work to Wealth on Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.

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.

We're excited to welcome Nicki Sanders, MSW, a career coach and leadership development expert helping professionals break free from the outdated belief that passion and financial security can’t coexist. We dive into the indoctrination that keeps social workers stuck in low-paying roles, unpack the toxic messaging that keeps social workers struggling financially, and explore how we can shift the profession toward financial empowerment and sustainability.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. Why the belief that “social workers aren’t in it for the money” is outdated and harmful
2. How to leverage your social work skills for higher-income opportunities
3. Permission to walk away from a job that is no longer serving you
4. Why self-advocacy, not just self-care, is key to thriving
5. Why financial stability is essential for being an effective social worker
6. The truth about social work’s “vow of poverty” myth—and how to unlearn it

Mentioned resources:

1. 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.

Want to support our work? Buy us a coffee

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.

We are back again finishing our conversation with Sam where she shares her journey of taking control of her finances while navigating the challenges of student loans, credit card debt, and building savings. Sam gets real about the highs and lows of her financial journey- from her struggles with shame and overspending to her incredible progress paying off debt and boosting her savings.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. How Sam tackled $10,000 in credit card debt and started building savings
2. The power of printing and categorizing your bank statements to identify spending habits
3. Strategies for negotiating salary increases and reallocating income to pay off debt
4. How balance transfer cards can help you manage high-interest credit card debt
5. Why vulnerability and honesty about money are key to creating a financial plan that works

Mentioned resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. 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.

We are excited to welcome our very first guest, Sam, a licensed clinical social worker with an inspiring and relatable journey. Sam shares her path into the social work profession, opening up about the challenges she’s faced, from managing student debt to navigating salary growth and overcoming financial barriers along the way.

In this episode, you'll learn:

1. The impact of financial literacy on student loan decisions
2. Sam’s career progression, from earning $17/hour in her first job to doubling her salary
3. The challenges of navigating private student loans and negotiating raises
4. How Sam found a niche within social work that brought her fulfillment and joy
5. Why financial wellness and salary transparency are critical for social workers

Mentioned resources:

1. Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.
2. 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.