Social Work to Wealth Podcast

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ashley Stephens, LCSW-S, a social worker, supervisor, and consultant who shares how she built a career that’s financially stable and aligned with how she actually wants to live. Ashley walks us through her early money story and how she started creating multiple income streams, from clinical work to supervision, retreats, teaching, and consulting. We get into the money messages social workers still hear in school, how that messaging keeps folks underpaid and overworked, and why financial wellness is a non-negotiable if you want to stay in this field long term. She breaks down the logistics of setting up a supervision practice, managing your time across different roles, and what to consider if you’re thinking about diversifying your income. If you’re feeling stuck in your current job, curious about supervision, or just trying to figure out how to make social work sustainable, this episode is for you!Takeaways From This Episode:The harmful (and persistent) belief that wanting financial stability makes you less “dedicated” as a social workerWhy diversifying your income isn’t about hustle culture... it’s about safety, creativity, and sustainabilityThe powerful ripple effect of becoming a supervisor and pouring into the next generation of cliniciansWhat autonomy really means in your work and how it can lead to more joy, purpose, and freedomHow the Social Work Compact could expand your clinical reach without starting from scratch in every statePermission to leave a job that doesn’t serve you, just because it doesn’t serve you 👀Mentioned 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.

In this episode, I’m joined by Amber Joiner-Hill, MSSW, a social worker and consultant who shares her story of how she transitioned from a traditional role in social work to starting her own consulting business. Amber walks us through everything from grad school to AmeriCorps, to the moment she said “no more toxic jobs” and built her own path. We get into the nitty gritty of program evaluation, setting up an LLC, pricing your services, and navigating the rollercoaster that is entrepreneurship. Amber doesn’t gatekeep! She shares real numbers and the lessons she learned the hard way (like what happens when a client doesn’t pay or how to price your work without selling yourself short). If you’ve ever thought about starting your own consulting business or just want a peek behind the scenes of how one social worker made it happen, this episode is for you.Takeaways From This Episode:What sparked Amber’s love for program evaluation and systems-level changeHow she transitioned from full-time work into full-time consulting (and back again)Why her first paid training was $1,300, but her next contract was $15K 👀The mindset shift from hourly to flat-rate pricing (and how it saved her time and made her more money)How building relationships early in her career opened doors years laterWhy your consulting journey doesn’t need to be perfect, it just needs to startMentioned 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.

How do you actually write a bill and get lawmakers to take it seriously? In this episode, we’re talking with Dan and Monique from Payment for Placements in New York, two social workers who helped draft and introduce a pilot bill to pay MSW interns in New York State. They walk us through the entire process, from gathering a team to drafting the bill language, finding the right sponsors, and pitching their vision to legislators who can actually move it forward.Takeaways From This Episode:Why unpaid internships are a structural equity issue and how this bill addresses itWhat made their pitch resonate with legislatorsDetails of the bill’s structure, funding timeline, and why they focused on MSW studentsRolling out the bill: sponsors, co-sponsors, off-session activity, and continued advocacyThe balance between idealism and feasibility when writing legislationTips for social workers who want to get into advocacy or policyMentioned 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.

If you've been curious about consulting but unsure where to start, this episode is packed with gems! I’m joined by Christina Broderick-Royes, LSW, founder of Intention Elevation, to talk about what consulting actually is, how social workers can step into it, and why your experience is already more than enough. We get real about pricing, packaging your services, tapping into your network for leads, and navigating that awkward “how much do I charge?” phase. Christina doesn’t just talk theory, she gives actual numbers and examples of projects she’s done, so you can see exactly how this work can play out.Takeaways From This Episode:What “consulting” actually means and how social workers are already doing itWhy starting small (and messy) is better than waiting to be “ready”Real-life contract examples Christina’s landed (and what they paid 👀)How to find leads through your existing network and conferencesWhy undercharging keeps us stuck and how to start pricing with confidenceHow to use your phone contacts and old job connections to land opportunitiesMentioned 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.

In this episode, we’re diving into salary data from over 700 social workers who filled out our anonymous income survey. We talk about who’s hitting six figures, where they live, what jobs they have, and how long they’ve been in the field. But it’s not only about the numbers... we also get into the very real barriers social workers face when it comes to increasing income: expensive licensing processes, low starting pay, and a serious lack of salary transparency in MSW programs.Takeaways From This Episode:Yes, some social workers make over $100K — but they’re still the minority (~14%)Most six-figure earners are licensed, have 10+ years of experience, and/or work in hospitals or federal rolesHalf of the salaries reported fell between $30K–$60K... which is unacceptable, especially for folks with master’s degreesState and cost of living play a big role in how much social workers are paidMSW programs need to start talking about money, not just “self-care”Mentioned 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.

Budgeting isn’t one-size-fits-all, and we’ve had our fair share of budgeting "fails". In this episode, we’re walking through how we budget now, what systems we tried (and ditched), and what finally made a difference in helping us feel more in control of our money. We talk about fun money accounts, money dates with our partners, and the power of automation. We also chat about how our values and mindsets shaped our approach to money and how we still make space for joy even while tackling debt. If budgeting has ever felt overwhelming or unrealistic, this convo is for you!Takeaways From This Episode:The exact budgeting systems we’re using (including how many bank accounts we really have 👀)Why “fun money” helps us spend without guilt or asking for permissionHow we track spending (or don’t) and what’s actually sustainable for usHow we use automation to make budgeting easier and what we still check manuallyHow we align our money with our values (and make room for joy on the journey)Mentioned 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.

This week, we’re diving into a budgeting convo with Maureen Paley, MSW, AFC®, a financial coach and fellow social worker who brings both financial savviness and deep empathy. With a background in investment management and social work, Maureen gets the unique money struggles of our field and is here to help us reframe how we think about budgeting. We talk about the emotional side of money, why shame is so tied to our financial habits, and tips on how to manage your budget once you've created one. Takeaways From This Episode:Why budgeting feels restrictive and how to shift that mindsetWhy budgeting is not one-size-fits-all (and that’s okay!)The power of money dates and checking in with yourself regularlyThe importance of joy and sustainability in your financial planWhy you don’t need to choose between paying off debt or savingMentioned 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.

In this conversation, we’re joined by Eva Forde, MSSW, founder of Rich Social Worker and the Social Work Wealth Conference, to talk about what it really looks like when social workers claim their worth—financially, personally, and professionally. Eva shares her raw story of financial struggle, survival, and eventually building a business that empowers other social workers to rethink their relationship with money. If you’ve ever questioned whether it's "okay" to want more—more time, more money, more freedom—this episode is for you!In this episode, you'll learn:How Eva’s experience living in Jamaica changed her views on money foreverWhy social workers must talk about wealth to create real, lasting impactBreaking free from the old narratives about poverty and serviceHow building wealth can strengthen our communitiesThe heart behind the Social Work Wealth Conference and new community launchPermission to dream way bigger than you thought possibleMentioned 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.

Doing international social work sounds amazing in theory, but how do you actually do it? In this episode, we’re getting into the details. Faith talks through her experience moving to Switzerland and building a social work career internationally. She shares what worked, what didn’t, and the things she wishes someone had told her before making the move. Plus, we share resources if you’re seriously considering working abroad: job boards, degree programs, and organizations that can help you figure it out.In this episode, you'll learn:How Faith transitioned to becoming an expat social worker in SwitzerlandHow to navigate visas and work permits as a social worker abroadThe importance of networking to break into international social workThe challenges and rewards of building a career in a new countryTips for exploring international social work opportunities, including job boards, educational programs, and internshipsMentioned 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.