Laughing Through The Struggles

Laughing Through The Struggles

We're two social workers—Beth and George—sharing our experiences, debunking myths about our profession, and providing a glimpse into what child welfare really involves. From advocating for families to tackling the misconceptions about our roles, we're here to bring you insights sprinkled with humor and real-life stories. Whether you're in the field, a parent, or just curious about what we do, there's something for you. We promise not to bore you with the technicalities but instead engage you with genuine conversations that reflect our love and challenges in this journey. So, come along as we lay it all out, exploring 15 years of being in social work, the ups, the downs, and everything in between. We're excited to connect with you and share this wild ride through laughter, passion, and the occasional WTF moments. Thanks for tuning in, and remember, we're not for everybody, but if you're here, you're definitely in for a treat!

Episodes

New Year New Worker......

January 20, 2026 • 48 mins
In this episode of Laughing through the Struggles, hosts Beth and George explore the intersection of procrastination and productivity in the field of child welfare. They share relatable anecdotes about last-minute delivery under pressure and the constant push and pull between proactive and reactive measures in social work. Through candid conversations and humor, Beth and George offer listeners a glimpse into the struggles and trium...
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Stressors Coming Down On Me PT.2

January 12, 2026 • 56 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing Through the Struggles', Beth and George delve into the real-life challenges faced by social workers in the child welfare field. Through their candid discussion, they highlight the critical issue of coping mechanisms, from unhealthy addictions to setting effective boundaries. The duo shares harrowing stories, including a co-worker who turned to meth amidst personal turmoil, to underscore the stressors in...
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Stressors Coming Down On Me Pt1............

December 30, 2025 • 56 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing Through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George bring humor to the intense world of child welfare as they discuss their favorite Christmas movies and the unique stressors they face on the job, especially during the holiday season. They share personal anecdotes about managing the constant deadlines and unforeseen challenges that arise, emphasizing the importance of self-care and laughter. This episode is a...
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I'm Locked Out..They Won't Let Me In.....

December 8, 2025 • 55 mins
In this episode of Laughing through the Struggles, Beth and George tackle the complex issue of lockouts in child welfare. They provide insights into how these situations arise, discussing the influence of the foster care crisis and the role of juvenile courts. With a mix of humor and serious discussion, the hosts explore the challenges facing social workers and families, highlighting the nuances between necessary safety measures an...
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Transcript

A.D.V.O.C.A.T.E Find Out What It Means To Me

November 10, 2025 • 86 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' Beth, George, and their guest Thane Hunt delve into the intricacies of social work and child welfare. Thane shares his journey from being a police officer to an advocate for individuals with disabilities. The hosts discuss how disability services focus on empowering clients by aligning with the independent living philosophy, emphasizing everyone's unique potential. Thane also hig...
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Lets Play Catch Me Up

October 20, 2025 • 58 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George dive into the highs and lows of child welfare work. They discuss the challenges of navigating data dashboards, the evolving standards of care, and the often frustrating world of case management. With humor and honesty, they address the discrepancies in monitoring between DCFS and private agencies and the difficulties faced by caseworkers in achieving measura...
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The Great Battle Of Poverty Vs. Neglect.......

September 28, 2025 • 59 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing Through the Struggles,' Beth and George, seasoned social workers, discuss the misconception of equating poverty with child neglect. They share personal anecdotes and highlight the importance of understanding the economic challenges families face. With humor and frankness, they advocate for supportive community approaches over judgmental ones, stressing that the economics of a household should not automa...
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Father Where Art Thou...........

September 22, 2025 • 49 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing Through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George dive into the complexities of father involvement in the child welfare system. They explore systemic biases that favor mothers while marginalizing fathers, despite research indicating positive outcomes from actively involving dads. A heartfelt story highlights a dad's dedicated fight to reclaim his children against legal and familial barriers. The episode emp...
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Rate Me 1-4......

September 1, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George explore the complex realities and absurdities of child welfare. They discuss the new safe model, the redesign of their work protocol, and the ideal versus actual implementation of policies. Amid amusing anecdotes and serious discussions, they critique issues like the flawed distribution of foster care placements and the restricted access to alternative thera...
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And The Award Goes Too....

August 18, 2025 • 61 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George, two seasoned social workers, discuss the complexities of child welfare. They share anecdotes from their professional experiences, touching on themes of respect and understanding, especially regarding interactions with foster parents. Beth recounts a challenging colleague she once worked with, emphasizing the importance of forming one's own opinions rather t...
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Catch Me Up.....

August 4, 2025 • 52 mins
In this engaging podcast episode, hosts Beth and George, both seasoned social workers, dive into the ups and downs of child welfare. They blend personal anecdotes and humor to discuss the challenges of attending school activities as reluctant participants and the humorous side of losing one’s voice. The duo also highlights recent restructuring in their department, focusing on strategy and quality improvement. The episode offers a f...
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Home Visits

July 14, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode of Laughing through the Struggles, hosts Beth and George delve into their day-to-day experiences as child welfare social workers. They share stories of home visits, navigating everything from roach encounters to the more severe realities of neglect. The conversation turns serious as George discusses a tragic case involving a two-year-old found unresponsive, contrasting the lighter anecdotes with genuine challenges f...
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Siloed Systems and other Sugar Honey Iced Tea......

July 7, 2025 • 53 mins
In this episode, Beth and George delve into the challenges of siloed communication within child welfare agencies. They highlight the frustrations of inconsistent policies and procedures, exacerbated by leadership egos. With nearly 30 years of combined experience, the hosts share personal stories and observations, illuminating the systemic issues that hinder effective collaboration. The conversation touches on the difficulties of tr...
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What in the Scooby Doo?!

June 30, 2025 • 63 mins
In this podcast episode, hosts Beth and George explore recent headlines about child protection interventions in different states, with a specific focus on Iowa. An Iowa camp, reportedly designed for children's rehabilitation from substance abuse, saw 88 minors taken into protective custody. While media have sensationalized this as a church camp raid, the hosts question the portrayal and stress the importance of understanding the ca...
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Georgia Tann We Hardly Knew Ye!!

June 23, 2025 • 49 mins
In this riveting podcast episode, hosts Beth and George dive into a shocking chapter of social work's past. Uncovering the story of Georgia Tann, a woman who operated under the guise of a social worker in the early 1900s, they explore her notorious role in orchestrating illegal adoptions through the Tennessee Children's Home Society. Beth's genuine outrage and emotional recount of learning about Tann's actions draw listeners into a...
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My Height Falls Short, But ABA Doesn't

June 2, 2025 • 58 mins

In this episode of 'Laughing Through the Struggles,' Beth and George are joined by their first guest, Sarah Woods, a board-certified behavior analyst. Sarah discusses her career in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), motivated by her personal experiences with autism in her family. The podcast delves into Sarah's advocacy for children and the use of behavior modification techniques beyond just autism care. Together, they explore the in...

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A Headbang and Shoestrings

May 26, 2025 • 58 mins
On Laughing through the Struggles, co-hosts Beth and George bring to light the often overlooked need for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy in child welfare. The conversation revolves around systemic issues delaying access to this vital service, which is crucial for children on the autism spectrum. Highlighting Sarah Woods’ expertise in ABA therapy, they discuss potential solutions for integrating such support into care facili...
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No Diddy Though!!!!

May 12, 2025 • 44 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' Beth and George discuss the often uncomfortable yet significant aspect of handling inappropriate comments from clients and sometimes even professionals in the social work field. The duo explores various scenarios, sharing personal anecdotes and discussing strategies for maintaining professionalism. They emphasize the importance of self-advocacy and safety, reminding listeners to ...
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Self-Care, Take Care

May 6, 2025 • 57 mins
In this episode, hosts Beth and George delve into the intricacies of managing self-care within the demanding field of social work. They discuss the importance of setting boundaries and the common struggle to prioritize personal health. Reflections on generational work habits reveal how societal expectations have shifted over time, influencing work-life balance. The hosts engage in humorous banter, underlining the necessity of laugh...
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I Believe The Children Are The Future

April 28, 2025 • 47 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' Beth and George highlight the importance of including youth in child welfare decisions, particularly concerning case planning and permanency. They discuss the often-overlooked voices of children in care, emphasizing the need to involve them in deciding their futures. The conversation reflects on laws that require youth involvement and the challenges faced in engaging them. Beth a...
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