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

September 21, 2026 • 64 mins
Beth and George dig into a topic nobody teaches you in school: what to wear as a child welfare worker. Using humorous and raw anecdotes—running from a parent in heels, discovering roach-filled houses, and learning to strip clothes in the garage—they highlight why clothing choices are practice decisions, not style ones. The episode covers footwear for safety, avoiding dangly jewelry or lanyards, handling lice/fleas, keep...
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Beth and George catch up with candid, exhausted humor and dive into a string of court-ordered case takeovers that reveal a broken, inconsistent child welfare system. They unpack missed court dates, blank reports, and supervisors who were literally on vacation while judges and kids waited. The hosts explain how leadership, turnover, and contract incentives let private agencies keep getting paid while critical work goes undone. Betwe...
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August 2, 2026 • 60 mins
Beth and George catch up with laughs and raw honesty: vacation tales, cowbells at St. Jude, and a comedic calendar misunderstanding kick off a show that quickly lands in the serious. They dig into the new SAFE model rollout, questioning its training, state-to-state inconsistencies, and how it might both curb investigator overreach and inadvertently put kids at risk. The hosts reflect on burnout, post-vacation email overload, and th...
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July 5, 2026 • 54 mins
In this engaging episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George delve into the unexpected challenges and hilarity they encounter in the field of child welfare. They reminisce about bizarre cases, including a peculiar situation involving a mother whose children were placed in protective custody due to her roommates' altercation. Despite not being involved, the mother's children face foster care proceedings. Beth ...
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In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George share their experiences balancing a podcast about child welfare with their busy personal and professional lives. From discussing sweet mango sticky Rice Krispie treats to recounting Beth's jam-packed schedule filled with cheerleading and music booster duties, the duo navigates both the humor and the hindrances of managing multiple commitments. Amid laughs an...
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May 24, 2026 • 53 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' Beth and George, two seasoned social workers, navigate the chaotic world of child welfare. They discuss the ups and downs of their profession, touching on leadership changes and the impacts of directives that sometimes clash with the realities on the ground. Through candid conversation and humor, they share stories of unexpected office encounters and the complexities of being a c...
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In this episode, hosts Beth and George humorously dissect the complex hiring process within the child welfare system. They cover the transition from traditional routine interviews to post-COVID practices that prioritize quantity over quality. With their combined experience, they reveal frustrations, such as the lack of accountability within state departments and the lengthy, often ineffective, application processes. The hosts discu...
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April 11, 2026 • 63 mins

Beth and George offer a candid exploration of child welfare through their podcast, where laughter and serious discourse coexist. They unravel intriguing foster care statistics and gender and racial dynamics, shedding light on the discrepancies between policy and practice. With humor and sincerity, this episode encourages listeners to view social work from a different lens, breaking down complex issues into relatable conversations. ...

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March 29, 2026 • 58 mins
In this episode, Beth and George dive into the topsy-turvy world of child welfare, sharing experiences that range from heartbreaking to hilarious. They discuss the struggles families face, including those kids labeled 'beyond ready' yet trapped in a system with no available foster care placements. These hosts boldly confront the bureaucratic barriers delaying children's discharge from residential facilities. Through candid discussi...
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March 15, 2026 • 74 mins
Beth and George navigate the intricate world of child welfare, shedding light on the essence of maintaining wardship post-18. They stress how important '18+ orders' are for young people who may not have the mental ability to make smart choices on their own. Despite the challenges, these orders help to create a bridge to adult services, providing a necessary safety net. The duo employs their signature humor and candidness to convey ...
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March 2, 2026 • 55 mins
In this episode of Laughing through the Struggles, hosts Beth and George deliver a blend of humor and hard truths from their experiences as social workers in child welfare. As they celebrate Social Worker Appreciation Month, the podcast highlights how societal misperceptions and legal missteps can have devastating effects on families. Through personal anecdotes and industry insights, Beth and George challenge stereotypes, explore e...
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February 16, 2026 • 74 mins
In this episode of 'Laughing through the Struggles,' hosts Beth and George tackle the hilarity and headaches of child welfare work. They delve into the chaos of child and family team meetings, with George voicing his frustrations over repetitive policy misunderstandings. Amid light-hearted banter about microphone mishaps and humorous leg catch stories, Beth shares her approach to dealing with procedural challenges. The conversation...
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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