Social Work to Wealth Podcast

How do we get social work interns paid? In this episode, we chatted with Jess Riley, BSW, and Jacqueline Guan from Payment for Placements (P4P), a grassroots movement fighting to make paid internships the norm for social work students. Jess and Jacqueline share their organizing journeys, the realities of advocating for paid placements, and the larger impact this issue has on equity and access in our profession. We dig into how they've built momentum on their campuses, what strategies have worked to shift institutional mindsets, and how social workers everywhere can support this cause.Takeaways from this episodeHow field funds and legislation are being used as creative solutions to support internsThe challenges of building relationships with underfunded agencies and shifting long-standing normsWhy collaboration with faculty, admin, and NASW is key to creating systemic changeHow chapters can build momentum through petitions, protests, and policy workHow a culture of underpayment starts with unpaid internships and how we push backMentioned resources & transcriptCheck out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Join the Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Want to support our work? Buy us a coffeeFind Social Work to Wealth on Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we were joined by Pilar Bonilla and Aiden Bondurant from Payment for Placements (P4P), an organization fighting for social work students to be compensated for their labor. We dive into the challenges of changing perceptions around student labor, the biggest roadblocks to securing funding, and the legislative efforts currently in motion to make paid placements a reality. We also chat about the larger implications of financial wellness in the social work profession and how collective advocacy can push the field forward. If you're a social worker or ally who believes in fair pay for our future social service practitioners, this is a must-listen!Takeaways from this episodeThe ethical issues surrounding unpaid social work internshipsHow unpaid placements negatively impact social workers' long-term financial stabilityThe biggest challenges in pushing for paid internshipsAdvocacy for paid placements is crucial for the sustainability of the social work professionAdvocacy requires patience, grace, and a willingness to engage in difficult conversationsMentioned resources & transcriptCheck out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Join the Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Want to support our work? Buy us a coffeeFind Social Work to Wealth on Instagram, YouTube, or Facebook.Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Marina Badillo-Diaz, aka The AI Social Worker, a school social worker turned AI enthusiast and consultant. Dr. Badillo-Diaz is breaking down the intersection of AI and social work, discussing the implications, practical applications, and everything in between! Dr. Badillo-Diaz also shares her insights and experience about building her consulting business and growing comfortable charging for her expertise. If you’ve ever been curious about AI, consulting, or just want some solid career inspiration, this episode is for you.Takeaways from this episodeHow Marina got into AI and why she’s on a mission to bring it to social workThe biggest ethical concerns of AI in social work & how to navigate themAI tools that can help with case notes, referrals, and time managementWhy AI isn’t replacing social workers—but how it can help usTips for social workers interested in launching their own consulting businessMentioned resources & transcriptCheck out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript. Join the Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Want to support our work? Buy us a coffeeFind Social Work to Wealth on Instagram, Youtube, or Facebook.Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

We're excited to welcome Nicki Sanders, MSW, a career coach and leadership development expert helping professionals break free from the outdated belief that passion and financial security can’t coexist. We dive into the indoctrination that keeps social workers stuck in low-paying roles, unpack the toxic messaging that keeps social workers struggling financially, and explore how we can shift the profession toward financial empowerment and sustainability.In this episode, you'll learn:Why the belief that “social workers aren’t in it for the money” is outdated and harmfulHow to leverage your social work skills for higher-income opportunitiesPermission to walk away from a job that is no longer serving youWhy self-advocacy, not just self-care, is key to thrivingWhy financial stability is essential for being an effective social workerThe truth about social work’s “vow of poverty” myth—and how to unlearn itMentioned resources:Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Want to support our work? Buy us a coffeeFind Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

We are back again finishing our conversation with Sam where she shares her journey of taking control of her finances while navigating the challenges of student loans, credit card debt, and building savings. Sam gets real about the highs and lows of her financial journey- from her struggles with shame and overspending to her incredible progress paying off debt and boosting her savings.In this episode, you'll learn:How Sam tackled $10,000 in credit card debt and started building savingsThe power of printing and categorizing your bank statements to identify spending habitsStrategies for negotiating salary increases and reallocating income to pay off debtHow balance transfer cards can help you manage high-interest credit card debtWhy vulnerability and honesty about money are key to creating a financial plan that worksMentioned resources:Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Find Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.

We are excited to welcome our very first guest, Sam, a licensed clinical social worker with an inspiring and relatable journey. Sam shares her path into the social work profession, opening up about the challenges she’s faced, from managing student debt to navigating salary growth and overcoming financial barriers along the way.In this episode, you'll learn:The impact of financial literacy on student loan decisionsSam’s career progression, from earning $17/hour in her first job to doubling her salaryThe challenges of navigating private student loans and negotiating raisesHow Sam found a niche within social work that brought her fulfillment and joyWhy financial wellness and salary transparency are critical for social workersMentioned resources:Check out the affiliated blog post for the full list of resources mentioned in this episode and the unedited transcript.  Social Work to Wealth Newsletter — a newsletter for the social worker wanting to level up their career and money. Want to support our work? Buy us a coffeeFind Social Work to Wealth on: Instagram, Youtube, Facebook, and Pinterest. Disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast & on any affiliated platforms are for educational, informational, & entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as legal, financial, or professional advice. Consuming this content does not create an attorney-client relationship. If you need legal advice pertaining to your particular situation, consult one-on-one with an attorney.