Five Great Podcasts for Social Workers

The Social Work Podcast
inSocialWork
Show About Race
Pod Save the People
Mental Illness Happy Hour

The field of social work is consistently evolving and expanding. Long beyond their master’s and doctoral studies, social workers must be keeping pace with new developments in their field.

In the age of information, however, doing so has never been easier. From blogs and YouTube videos to new texts and podcasts, there are hundreds of ways to continue building knowledge of the field of social work – and even to dismantle previous suppositions based on new information, according to Forbes. Here are five great podcasts for social workers.

The Social Work Podcast

Hosted by Jonathan Singer of Loyola University, the Social Work Podcast addresses a wide range of issues and subjects relevant to and impacting the field of social work. From ethics and responsibility to assessment and methods, the Social Work Podcast provides a tremendous amount of information about best practices and new and emerging topics and methodologies in social work. This podcast is not just for social workers, but for anyone working in a profession that involves working with and helping people, such as nursing, psychiatry, and psychology.

inSocialWork

Beginning in 2008 and airing more than 200 episodes, inSocialWork is the premier social work podcast produced by the University of Buffalo. Intended as a continuing education and skills learning podcast, the School of Social Work at SUNY Buffalo features regular experts and experienced practitioners on the podcast, and discusses a broad range of topics including the intersection of social work and social justice, human rights and ethical responsibility, the impact of social work on larger communities, and much more.

Show About Race

While this podcast is no longer producing new episodes, Show About Race focuses on the intersection of social work and racial disparity and injustice in America. Rooted in the concepts of civil debate and open discourse, this podcast frankly and openly discusses racial issues in the United States, how social work can help to alleviate and correct them, and addresses best methods for achieving these goals. The show hosts experts and guests of many different ethnic backgrounds, and discusses differing racial disparities and attitudes that address all minority groups in the United States, from black and Latinx to Middle Eastern and Indigenous American.

Pod Save the People

Hosted by well-known social justice activist DeRay Mckesson, Pod Save the People is a weekly podcast that gets to the root of racial injustice in America. The podcast discusses the topics and intersection of social justice, education, racism, racialization, and cultural phenomena and hot-button issues in the United States. Featuring regular high-profile experts and thought leaders, this podcast brazenly approaches high-impact social justice issues – and is a must-listen for social workers intent on doing work in this challenging and yet highly rewarding and impactful field.

Mental Illness Happy Hour

Hosted by Paul Gilmartin, the Mental Illness Happy Hour is intended as a platform for both mental illness sufferers and experts in the fields of psychology, psychiatry, and medicine to discuss the impact of mental illness on everyday life, relationships, work, and overall wellbeing and happiness. Gilmartin’s intent with the podcast is not only to provide a platform for discussion of this impact and information on methods for constructive management, but to afford mental illness sufferers hope and encouragement as they work towards recovery and a life less impacted by their illnesses or disorders.

Each one of these podcasts addresses different areas of social work and provides a great deal of information on the most up-to-date practices in social work. Whether a student wrapping up their master’s studies or a twenty-year veteran, each is worth the listen – and can help every social worker maximize the impact of their work on both individuals and communities.