In this powerful episode, a pediatric social worker shares her profound insights into hope as an active social work intervention. Working with children facing complex health challenges, she explores how hope isn't just a concept, but a practice of connection, advocacy, and presence. Through intimate stories of resilience, she reveals how social workers can cultivate hope even in the most difficult circumstances.

Mim and Lis dive deep into the social worker's reflections, unpacking the nuanced ways hope can be understood as both a personal experience and a professional strategy. Their discussion explore the critical role of hope in transforming healthcare experiences and supporting families navigating uncertainty. Mim and Lis also discuss research by Carmel Flaskas, "Holding Hope and Hopelessness: Therapeutic Engagements with the Balance of Hope."

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (20 May, 2025)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Mim and Lis hear from a new graduate social worker who landed a position in a rural Allied Health Graduate Program. The social worker shares her journey, from initial hesitation to embracing the unique opportunities and challenges of rural practice.

The social worker describes her experience rotating through diverse clinical settings over two years, highlighting the strong support and flexibility of the graduate program. She recounts a case study demonstrating the creativity required in rural social work - when discharging an isolated older adult, the social worker leveraged local resources and relationships to help the patient maintain independence at home.

Mim and Lis unpack the social worker's story, discussing the sense of community and resourcefulness in rural areas. They provide advice for new graduates, emphasising the importance of open-mindedness, asking questions about support, and researching the local context. Throughout, Mim and Lis draw parallels to their own experiences, offering an inspiring look at the realities of rural social work practice.

Mim and Lis end with a note about an exciting new book being released soon, Podcasting for Social Work Education.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (31 October, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Join Mim and Lis as we hear a story from an Australian social worker who took his child protection experience and practiced in Türkiye, working with urban refugee populations. He reflects on the challenges of applying Western social work practices in a non-Western context, including navigating cultural differences around mental health, trauma-informed practice, and power dynamics.

The social worker grapples with his own biases and the need for cultural humility when working with people from backgrounds different to his own. He highlights the importance of letting refugee communities lead in defining their own needs and solutions, rather than imposing an outsider's perspective. Mim and Lis delve into the nuances of international social work practice, as Mim reflects on her own research in this space.

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (06 September, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Join Mim and Lis as we hear an interview with two social workers from the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. These passionate social workers discuss the crucial role of social work in family law cases. Their social work story explores how conducting child-centered assessments and gaining the child's perspective can shift parents' understanding of their child's experiences, and lead to resolutions focused on the child's needs. They highlight how social workers navigate complex issues of risk, development and emotion to advocate for children navigating parental separation and high-conflict disputes. Mim and Lis then unpack the story and the important work that these social workers do, drawing links between this work and wider social work practice. 

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (19 June, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

In this episode, Lis and Mim delve into a rich practice story from a social worker in the disabilities space, supporting a mother and her children experiencing domestic violence, while working to meet the high support needs of one of the children. Then we break down the story and what was happening behind the scenes for that social worker - holding this family with great care, dignity and respect in the midst of a challenged service system. In the end, we see the richness that social work values can bring into this important practice area. 

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (30th April, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Hey! Social Worker!! If you listen to this episode you'll never think of 'discharge planning' as simply admin again... it'll become an act of social justice each and every time! Enjoy.

SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to Pamela Trevithick's work. Here's the reference:

Trevithick, P. (2012). Social work skills and knowledge: a practice handbook (3rd edn.). McGraw-Hill/Open University Press.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (31st Jan, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Lis called this episode, "A classic!" and Mim said, "This is going straight onto my University Readings List." So, you know it's going to be worth the listen! We hope that you enjoy.

SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Lis refers to a journal article on 'covert activism'. Here's the reference:

Greenslade, L., McAuliffe, D. & Chenoweth, L., 2015, 'Social workers' experiences of covert workplace activism', Australian Social Work, vol. 68, no. 4, pp. 422-437, DOI: 10.1080/0312407X.2014.940360

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (31st Jan, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Welcome back to the Social Work Stories podcast. This is the first episode released for 2024, and boy-oh-boy do we have a doozy for you!! In this episode, you'll join Lis and Mim in hearing from an anonymous social worker using a practice innovation in an Emergency Department setting. This is a riveting story and discussion, not to be missed!

SIDE NOTE: In this episode, Mim refers to 'Narrative Therapy and Intensive Outreach: Working with Mothers whose Children have been removed - Ep. 72'. You can find it in our previously released episodes.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (31st Jan, 2024)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Join hosts Lis Murphy and Mim Fox as they delve into the nuanced and delicate role of social workers in supporting individuals through voluntary assisted dying. As the state of New South Wales, Australia prepares to introduce voluntary assisted dying later this month, Mim and Lis frame the conversation by highlighting how this emerging field of practice adds depth to the already established wider skillset of social work.

The heart of the episode unfolds with a poignant story from a social worker who guided an elderly man and his family through the voluntary assisted dying process. The narrative emphasises the importance of compassion, autonomy, and family involvement in end-of-life decisions. Lis and Mim reflect on the ethical considerations and social work principles involved, stressing the need for preparatory supervision, paired with ongoing critical reflection. The episode concludes with insights into creating safe spaces for end-of-life care conversations and the value of in-person and virtual communities for support. This emotionally charged and timely episode provides a compelling exploration of the social work principles underpinning voluntary assisted dying, showcasing the skills and compassion social workers bring to these complex situations.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise on email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 21 Nov, 2023)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

This episode details the experience of a woman and her social worker seeking an abortion, but who face extreme barriers on multiple fronts to access the care and decision-making power she needs. This is certainly an episode NOT TO MISS!

Join Mim and Lis as they navigate this heartwrenching and personal story from our anonymous social worker, as she details the work she does with her client/patient to support, care, and put her first.

Please be mindful of yourselves in the listening of this episode. Please reach out for support as you need it.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise on email at [email protected] - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 30 May, 2023)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.