Listening to podcasts is a great way for busy Social Workers to expand their practice knowledge, stay up to date in the field and develop the tools they need to manage the everyday challenges of their Social Work jobs. Covering everything from the latest industry trends to current events through a Social Work lens, podcasts are excellent resources for professional development, and with just the click of a mouse or tap of a screen, you can listen to them whenever and wherever you want. It’s as though you have a team of experts available to give you support and advice anytime you need it!
If you are just embarking on your podcast journey, we’ve put together a list of our favourites to get you started – and the best part is, several of these top Social Work podcasts are produced right here in Australia!
Podsocs
An initiative of the School of Human Services and Social Work at Griffith University, this podcast promises to keep you up to date on the latest findings in the realm of human services. Podsocs interviews leading experts in the field and touch on key issues from both within Australia and across the globe. It covers a range of topics from ‘everyday racism’ to ‘foster families’ and offers fresh insights and perspectives on critical social phenomena.
The Social Work Podcast
One of the top podcasts for Social Workers, Jonathon Singer dives into any and all aspects of the profession, spanning across education, research, policy and direct practice. Singer delivers an excellent podcast in an easy-to-digest format that tackles plenty of relevant and thought-provoking subjects, including ethics, social media and self-care for Social Workers.
The Mental Illness Happy Hour
Even with the growing focus on raising awareness and combatting stigma we are seeing today, mental health is still a topic that many people find uncomfortable to discuss. This podcast creates a safe space for honesty and openness where people can talk about their experiences and normalise mental illness. Sharing even his own struggles, host Paul Gilmartin interviews everyone from comedians, to artists, to doctors, in a bid to remind people that the biggest mental health myth is that you’re all alone.
inSocialWork
This research-based podcast engages practitioners and researchers alike to help shed light on some of the issues Social Workers face today. In a wonderfully easy-to-listen-to format, this podcast dives into hard-hitting social work conversations such as macro social work, trauma, human rights, social justice and inequality.
The Social Work Stories Podcast
Every week, Australian hosts Mim Fox and Liz Murphy talk with industry professionals about their experiences in Social Work. From child welfare to crisis helplines, to new models of practice while helping victims of trauma, this not-to-be-missed podcast is full of remarkable stories from real people who have lived through the nitty-gritty of the Social Work field.
Social World Podcast
Having experienced both triumphs and disasters in the ever-changing field of Social Work, David Niven interviews fascinating members of the community while discussing the obstacles our world is facing today and what we can do to overcome them. A pillar in the Social Work world, when he’s not podcasting, Niven delivers bespoke training in the social care sector with a focus on child protection, undoubtedly giving him valuable experiences to draw on.
Social Work Discoveries
Ben Joseph, an Australian Social Worker, researcher and tutor, delves into the many exciting Social Work projects happening in the community and highlights the important role played by Social Work research. Joseph interviews a different Social Work Researcher each week to deconstruct their findings and discover what we can gain from their experience.
Summary
If you work in the field, you know first-hand that Social Work is a path of hard work, sacrifice and the joy of helping others. With an exciting variety of Social Work podcasts in your back pocket, you’ll be able to stay updated on best practice, hear the voices of other industry champions and find a meaningful connection within the community.
If you’re looking for your next Social Work job, get in touch with the team and Tradewind Recruitment – we’re always here to help.
