The Social Work Stories Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Social Work and Voluntary Assisted Dying: We Have All The Tools We Need - Ep. 85 Nov 21, 2023

Show notes

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 socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - 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

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.

Abortion in Australia: The impact on women and social work practice - Ep. 84 Oct 05, 2023

Show notes

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.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

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.

Supporting continuing bonds through adult memory making in hospital-based end of life care - Ep.83 Aug 30, 2023

Show notes

In this episode, Lis invites expert special guest Jo McIlveen to come and listen to this moving story of a social worker's intervention using memory making for a grieving family in a hospital setting. Lis and Jo discuss the ins and outs of the story in such great detail, that we think you will want to know more about this kind of social work practice, whether you're working in end of life care or otherwise. Enjoy!

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

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Special Guest - Jo McIlveen

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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.

Bush Adventure Therapy: Nature as co-therapist - Ep.82 Aug 01, 2023

Show notes

Ever thought that maybe taking a client, consumer, patient outside the four walls of your office and into the big, wide world to help with creating some change and perspective? Well this episode is the one to listen to! Join Lis and Mim (and their guests) as they explore 'nature as a co-therapist'.

Special Guests:

Josh McLean - josh@geelongadventurespecialists.com.au

Amanda Smith - a.smith2@griffith.edu.au

For more information on Bush Adventure Therapy, here's the link: https://outdoorhealth.org.au/service-directory/

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

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Special Guests - Josh McLean and Amanda Smith

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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.

We are Making Visible: Introducing the Making Visible podcast Jun 27, 2023

Show notes

Exciting news! We are introducing a new podcast project to you all. In this episode you'll hear all about the podcast we've been working on with the Agency for Clinical Innovation and NSW Health called 'Making Visible: Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse and Neglect'. We hope you enjoy it.

Here's a link to the podcast webpage: https://bit.ly/42pIatp

You can also search 'Making Visible: Preventing and Responding to Violence, Abuse, and Neglect' on your favourite podcasting platform.

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

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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.

The Friday Afternoon Special - A Family and Domestic Violence Social Work Story - Ep.80 May 30, 2023

Show notes

We've all been there. That moment on a Friday afternoon, when things are calm and you've wrapped up the working week, about to clock-off and hit the weekend. Then... all hell breaks loose and you find yourself in a classic 'Friday Afternoon Special'.

Join Mim and Lis as they listen to this Anonymous Social Worker's practice in the context of a family and domestic violence situation. The expert social work practice, alongside the grace and compassion shown, makes this episode not one to miss!

We hope you enjoy listening along as much as we did.

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

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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.

Early Intervention Social Work and What Makes a Happy Ending - Ep. 79 Apr 25, 2023

Show notes

How do we measure a successful outcome in our practice? What would we consider a happy ending for the people we work with? Would they agree?

In this episode, Mim and Lis explore a story from a social worker in the Early Intervention space. We hear what Early Intervention is, and the approaches for supporting families before their situation reaches a crisis point. Then we hear a powerful story about a family this social worker supported, the ins and outs of their work together, and some deeply thought-provoking reflection regarding the real impact of our work with families. Mim and Lis then discuss these themes and open up a rich conversation on the complexity of working with families, our role in working towards successful outcomes, and the value of critical reflection in our ongoing practice.
Learn more about the Targeted Earlier Intervention Programs discussed in this episode.

Also, don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on our socials (see links below), or otherwise on email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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

Police Social Work: Speaking Life into Young People - Ep. 78 Mar 28, 2023

Show notes

You probably already know that around Social Work Stories, we’re big fans of stories from social workers who are in unique practice settings... so it's no question that we LOVED hearing this story.

In this episode, we mark World Social Work Day 2023! Then, we hear a powerful story from Jack about his time as a Police Social Worker, working with Pacific Islander youth in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Then Mim and Lis explore the complex layers of the story, including Jack's struggle to navigate his role as a Samoan man working with both the police and the Pacifica community, the therapeutic approach he used to connect with a young man on his 'last chance', and the impact of systemic racism on indigenous youth. Hear about the critical reflection and conscious choices Jack made, as he worked to create change within the system and become a much-needed role model for this young man. And something so rare in social work - he got to see the fruits of his labour many years later!
To connect with Jack, reach out to him here.

Also, don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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

Hosting a Family Conference: The Stages, Skills, and Language - Ep. 77 Feb 21, 2023

Show notes

Ever wondered about what happens in a Family Conference? Well this is the episode that will bring you up to speed. Covering a diverse range of insights around the stages of a family conference, the skills you need to develop to undertake a conference competently, and the language you will use throughout, this anonymous social worker explores this and more in-depth. Join Mim and Lis as they then reflect on their own successes and challenges when conducting family conferences after listening to this story.

Also, don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

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 socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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

An Opportunity for Recovery: Social Work in Emergency Mental Health - Ep. 76 Jan 31, 2023

Show notes

Our first episode of 2023 starts off with an incredible story of a Mental Health Social Worker in a Hospital Emergency Department. We hear about a patient who comes in needing support, and how the social worker makes quick decisions about his approach towards her needs. We hear a rich internal-dialogue of a skilled clinician going about their work, providing dignity, person-centred care, and a holistic approach in his practice. Mim and Lis then discuss the story, their own experiences, and a few key approaches for us to take away from this practice piece.

A transcript for this episode can be found on this episode's page of our website.

Be sure to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

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

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Justin Stech and Dr. Ben Joseph

Assistant Producer - Felix Kiefel-Johnson

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

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