Child Welfare & Social Work Podcasts
Podcasts are digital files that can be listened to via streaming or download, and have exploded in popularity in the past ten years. While podcasts can be used to catch up on news stories and listen in on interesting interviews between public figures, podcasts are also being used as spaces to host crucial conversations across every line of work, including child welfare and social work, and can serve as excellent supplementary professional development. As new podcasts are released regularly, this guide is intended to be organic and will grow as the podcasts in the field grow. Suggestions are always welcome!
There are two main sections in this guide: Recommended Podcasts, and Recommended Episodes. Recommended Podcasts provides a list of podcasts that are dedicated to the child welfare and social work sectors, or that might benefit people working in those fields directly or indirectly. Recommended Episodes is a listing of podcast episodes that are focusing in on the child welfare sector in that particular episode, without necessarily being a podcast dedicated to child welfare overall.
If you are new to podcasts and are looking for ways to start listening, you can learn more about that here. Though we only provide links to one platform per podcast or episode in this guide, most of these podcasts are available on multiple platforms (ie. Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more).
Recommended Podcasts
Child Welfare Specific
- CASCW PodcastThe Center for Advanced Studies in Child Welfare (CASCW) is committed to connecting child welfare professionals to relevant and accessible training resources. We are excited to bring you the latest in research, policy, and practice via podcasts. This channel will cover a wide range of topics and will feature interviews with researchers, policy makers, frontline child welfare workers, community members, and many others.
- Child Welfare Information Gateway PodcastThe Child Welfare Information Gateway Podcast shares the innovations, lessons, and perspectives from those working to improve child welfare system.
- The Imprint Weekly PodcastThe Imprint Weekly Podcast offers listeners a regular review of news and trends in America's child welfare and juvenile justice systems, along with other critical services for youth and families. Join Imprint Senior Editor John Kelly for a discussion of the week's major headlines, plus interviews with leaders in the field.
- C2Y: Discussions on Child and Youth CareC2Y Podcast: Discussions on Child and Youth Care are conversations with young people, parents and professionals about the youth social service system. These discussions are for people who care about working with children, adolescents and families, as well as young people and parents who want to know more about child and youth care.
- The Unlearning of Child Welfare Podcasts | The Institute for FamilyThe Unlearning of Child Welfare podcast is a six-episode series that highlights key points from a three-part webinar series conversation, which explored how we can transform systems so families can thrive. The Unlearning of Child Welfare webinar series featured thought leaders with lived and professional experience sharing progressive ideas and solutions for how we can transform systems so families can thrive.
- Seen and Heard | Institute for FamilyOn this podcast, host Matt Anderson engages in stories and conversations that recognize transformation of the U.S. foster care system starts with seeing families for who they truly are. Through deeply personal stories from families who’ve experienced the child welfare system, we understand the value of human connection in affecting change. And through conversations with leaders on the front lines of the family well-being movement, we see real possibilities for shaping a future where families are seen, engaged, and have what they need to thrive
- The Road to Permanency PodcastThis is a podcast that is created by the Child and Youth Permanency Council of Canada (CYPCC) and the youth that are involved with the CYPCC. You will hear stories from youth who are dealing with or have dealt with the child welfare system in Canada. You will hear the good parts, the not so great parts, and about the parts that can be improved.
- Project Outsiders PodcastProject Outsiders is a First Voice podcast that aims to highlight the vulnerabilities of the child welfare system.
- Child Welfare ChroniclesJoin host Vernita and Kristy, as they share their passion for child welfare and discuss all things related to working in the child welfare field. Each episode will also break down a specific topic related to child welfare. Interested in disproportionality in the system or want to know more about foster care? This podcast will take a look at these topics, plus much more!
General Social Work
- inSocialWork Podcast SeriesInSocialWork is the podcast series of the University of Buffalo School of Social Work. The purpose of this series is to engage practitioners and researchers in lifelong learning and to promote research to practice and practice to research. The podcast features conversations with prominent social work professionals, interviews with cutting-edge researchers, and information on emerging trends and best practices in the field of social work.
- Social Work MeThis podcast is a brought to you by Southwest Counselling Services in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. The show is for social workers, counsellors, psychotherapists and anyone in the mental health profession as well anyone looking for more information on improving their mental health or overall wellness.
- podsocsPodsocs is an initiative of the School of Human Services and Social Work, Griffith University. We bring you up-to-the minute research, diverse and sometimes controversial perspectives on social phenomena and focus on knowledge and skills needed in the human services.
- Social Work Talks PodcastThe US National Association of Social Work (NASW) Social Work Talks podcast gives us an opportunity to explore topics that social workers care about and to hear from social work experts and practitioners.
- The Social Matters PodcastThree friends that happen to be social workers discuss current social issues from their front room. Expect debate and hard hitting real talk with a sprinkle of top drawer humour to keep it moving.
- Doin' The Work: Frontline Stories of Social ChangePodcast highlighting people working for social change.
Intersectional Voices
- The Melanated Social Work PodcastThe Melanated Social Work Podcast is hosted by four men of color within the field of social work; Josh McNeil, Marvin Toliver, Michael Grinnell, and Jesse Wiltey. Join us as we discuss social work, mental health, politics, music, liberation and many other topics.
- Telling Our Twisted HistoriesWords connect us. Words hurt us. Indigenous histories have been twisted by centuries of colonization. Host Kaniehti:io Horn brings us together to decolonize our minds– one word, one concept, one story at a time.
- Visit the Truth and Reconciliation LibGuide for a list of podcasts, oral histories, and stories that are narrated and focused on the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous creators and authors.
General
- PART Canada PodcastPART (Practice & Research Together) is a Canadian membership-based organization. Our mission is to link research to child welfare practice. We achieve this goal by providing our members with research-based resources that are translated into jargon-free language, with a focus on application to practice.