
The Social Work Stories Podcast
A podcast exploring Social Work practice through stories & critical reflection.
Latest episodes

Mar 30, 2021 • 39min
Exploring Community Development and Social Work in the Stockholm Projects - Ep. 53
Join Lis and Mim as they listen to a story from a social worker based in Stockholm, Sweden, who shares his experience of carrying out community development practices in the social housing projects there. The story revolves around a group of young men who are given the opportunity to participate and lead in a whole new context, and the changes that come from creative social work.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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 Mim Fox
Producer - Justin Stech
Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 23 February 2021)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

4 snips
Feb 23, 2021 • 35min
It Takes a Village: Social Work in Community Youth Mental Health - Ep. 52
Join Lis and Mim for a story from a social worker who shares his experience of working in a community youth mental health setting. The story revolves around a young woman who journeys through complex mental health in the midst of a challenging family and social context.
Stick around for an announcement from the team at the end of the episode.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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 Mim Fox
Producer - Justin Stech
Assistant Producers - Noni Reginato, Hamish Cole and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 23 February 2021)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Feb 9, 2021 • 43min
Mental Health Social Work and the Great Australian Ratbag Ep. 51
Join Lis and friend of the podcast Bec for a story from a social worker who shares her experience of working in a mental health social work setting. The story revolves around a man who the social worker praises as an Australian Ratbag. Hear more about working with people who might come across as a little bit different than what society expects, and using creativity in practice to respond to their needs while championing their autonomy.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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 Bec Garvie
Producers - Justin Stech and Mim Fox
Editing - Hamish Cole
Assistant Producers - Noni Reginato and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 9 February 2021)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Jan 27, 2021 • 45min
The Dark Place: Working with a Suicide Caller (Ep. 10 Redux)
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay of one of our favourite episodes, "The Dark Place - Working with a Suicide Caller". It originally released on April 1, 2019.
Our anonymous social worker takes you through one of her most difficult stories while working for a mental health crisis line. Throughout this episode we walk the line of uncertainty, risk and harm in the dark place of suicide prevention and crisis support. Please look after yourselves as you listen.
We also have a very special guest join us to unpack it all. Be sure to stay with us the whole way through the episode to hear a hauntingly beautiful song that means so much to us!
Credits:
Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox.
Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Jan 12, 2021 • 43min
Social Work in a Maximum Security Prison: A Story of Creative Practice in Social Work (Ep. 15 Redux)
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay of one of our favourite episodes, "Social Work in a Maximum Security Prison: A Story of Creative Practice in Social Work".
When a social worker works in a maximum security prison, and she opens with the line - "He was really intimidating!", you can be sure it will be a story worth listening to. Join your hosts Lis & Mim as they unpack the creative practice of another one of our fantastic social work storytellers.
Credits:
Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox.
Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech, with special thanks to Brenna Lorkin.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Dec 28, 2020 • 36min
Removing the Children, Receiving a Mug - A Child Protection Story - Ep. 06 Redux
Our team is taking a break to enjoy the Aussie summer and exhale after a long year. But we didn't want to leave you without. So please enjoy a replay of one of our favourite episodes, "Removing the Children, Receiving a Mug":
Join your hosts Mim & Lis as they take a few steps into the dynamic and challenging world of social work in the child and family sector. Be prepared to be challenged and inspired by this story of an early-career social worker thrown into a difficult situation.
Credits:
Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox.
Producers - Ben Joseph & Justin Stech.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Dec 14, 2020 • 54min
A Social Worker, A Client, and a Long Journey of Support - Ep. 49
This one is a little different - join Lis and Mim for one story from two perspectives - the social worker and the client both! Hear the way Bek and Paul have worked together for over a decade, learned from each other, and journeyed through multiple crises. This incredible story will break your heart, sew hope, and challenge your perspective - it certainly astounded our team!
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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.
Producer - Justin Stech.
Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole, Noni Reginato and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 15 December 2020)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Dec 2, 2020 • 39min
Social Work from an Aboriginal Perspective - Exploring Cultural Load - Ep. 48
Join Mim and friend of the podcast Denkia Thomas for a story from a social worker who shares her perspective on being Aboriginal and practicing social work. In this vibrant story, she details the richness of cultural understanding within her practice, but also the challenges of "cultural load".
This episode may contain some terms and concepts that are not familiar to some of our listeners, especially those who live outside of Australia. Here's a handy guide to some of the terms you may have heard, and what they mean.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!
Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast
Credits:
Hosts - Dr. Mim Fox and Denika Thomas
Producer - Justin Stech and Lis Murphy
Editing - Hamish Cole
Assistant Producers - Noni Reginato and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 2 December 2020)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Nov 17, 2020 • 36min
Social Work with Gender & Sexuality Diverse Communities - Ep. 47
Join Lis and Mim for a conversation with Sarah Etter, who shares insights into work with gender and sexually diverse communities. The discussion delves into both the big-picture concepts of equality-building, and many practical tips for weaving inclusivity and respect into your practice, no matter what context you work within. Sarah generously shares with us their passion and motivation, lived experience, and wisdom from the field.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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.
Producer - Justin Stech.
Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole, Noni Reginato and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 17 November 2020)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

Nov 3, 2020 • 42min
Professional Grief and the Wilderness of the Soul - Ep. 46
Join Lis and Mim for a story from a social worker who shares her story of navigating grief, loss, and the practical challenges that arise when someone passes away. Working with a father who is a carer for his adult son, and who also has an end-stage cancer diagnosis, this social worker discusses the balance of logistical and emotional support, as well as processing her own professional grief. This is a rich practice story about the complexities of human work, and how to stay connected with your clients and yourself in the process of doing social work.
Do you have thoughts, want to contribute a story or question for the team, or just say hello? Send us an email on 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.
Producer - Justin Stech.
Assistant Producers - Hamish Cole, Noni Reginato and Felix Kiefel-Johnson.
Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com
Social Work Stories©️ (Copyright 3 November 2020)
Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.