Social Work to Wealth Podcast

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.

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.