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

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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This ones for you.....

April 7, 2025 • 59 mins
In the podcast 'Laughing through the Struggles,' social workers Beth and George navigate the turbulent seas of child welfare. The hosts discuss the unpredictable nature of their field, from long work hours and travel distances to handling unexpected events that fall beyond their control. This episode sheds light on how committed social workers manage emotional challenges, emphasizing thoughtful responses and personal boundaries. Wi...
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Depoy Hearings, CANTS, and Light Skinned Pizza

March 31, 2025 • 55 mins
This episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles' explores how child welfare investigations can tangibly affect the lives of those involved. Beth and George dispel myths around employers being automatically informed of DCFS cases, and they navigate the nuances of how personal and professional lives intersect in these situations. By answering listener questions, they uncover the reality of background checks, retention periods, and th...
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Overworked and Undervalued

March 24, 2025 • 58 mins
Beth and George explore the intricate lives of social workers, particularly focusing on the challenges posed by overwhelming caseloads. With a touch of humor, they talk about their personal experiences in the field and the necessity of building strong relationships with foster parents as a means to manage workload. The conversation sheds light on the complex dynamics of casework, such as the impact of frequent caseworker changes on...
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I'm Weak from the Week

March 17, 2025 • 53 mins

This episode of Laughing through the Struggles explores the intersection of laughter and the demanding world of child welfare through the experiences of hosts Beth and George. They recount their week dealing with SIP meetings and the complexities of getting children specialized services. The discussion touches on systemic issues, such as regional disparities in service availability, and the inevitable paperwork battles in social wo...

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Transcript

There is a meeting for that.......

March 10, 2025 • 67 mins
In this episode, hosts Beth and George delve into the intricacies of child and family team meetings (CFTMs) and their crucial role in child welfare. They discuss the importance of inviting the right people to the table, including families, natural supports, and formal resources, to ensure comprehensive support for children. The hosts also lament the challenges faced by social workers due to tracking overload and inconsistency in me...
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You Have The Right To.....

March 3, 2025 • 49 mins

In a lively discussion, Beth and George explore the intricacies of client rights and the challenges of implementing fair and unbiased social work practices. They navigate the sometimes rocky terrain of personal biases, particularly in sensitive areas such as domestic violence, and underscore the importance of self-awareness in their roles. Through personal anecdotes and humor, they reveal how social workers often juggle professiona...

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