Money is often the thing we’re told not to talk about. Yet for social workers, it’s at the heart of so many challenges in our profession.

In this episode, Ashton and I unpack:

• Why social workers feel guilty about charging for their work
• The gendered expectations tied to caring professions
• How undervaluing ourselves hurts both us and the profession
• The hidden costs of private practice training, supervision, sick leave, overheads
• Shifting mindset from “martyrdom” to sustainability
• How charging fairly allows us to keep showing up for clients

We talk openly about the guilt, the judgment, and the reality of making a living in social work.

If this resonates, start with the Intro Episode of the series and follow through each conversation. Together, they’re about honesty, growth, and reclaiming what it means to thrive in this profession.

Resources

Listen to the previous episodes in this series:

• Why we became social workers (and why we stayed)
• How our social work practice has grown
• The careers we built that our younger selves wouldn’t believe
• The moments self-doubt almost stopped us
• The hardest parts of social work and what we love about it

Got something you'd like to hear on the podcast?

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Your curiosity could help shape a conversation that resonates with the wider community.

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Mentioned in this episode:

5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work

Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence.

5 Days to Career Clarity in Social Work

Reflect, plan, and take your next step with confidence.