In this rich and moving episode, an experienced intensive care social worker invites us into the often unseen world of organ donation. She walks us through the delicate, extended process—from the first traumatic moments families arrive in ICU, to end-of-life conversations, consent for donation, and final goodbyes. Along the way, she reveals how careful observation, silence, and presence help her read the room, honour families’ grief, and support truly informed, unhurried decisions.

Lis and Mim reflect on what this practice teaches us about relationship-based social work in high-pressure hospital environments. They explore how advocacy can look like slowing things down, protecting space for ritual and memory-making, and ensuring the person with the strongest connection (not just the highest status) leads critical conversations. Together, they highlight the quiet yet radical power of social work in creating dignity, meaning, and even moments of joy at the end of life.

Check out our website to access every episode of all the Social Work Media family of podcasts, including Social Work Discoveries, Social Work Teach, PodSocs, and Social Work Stories.

We'd love for you to join the conversation, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (17 July, 2026)

Contact us online at www.socialwork.media and follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on instagram.

For all the social workers who work on-call, this episode it for you!

This is a very special episode with a very special "anonymous guest"... We think you might guess the voice, but you will have to listen along to fully work it out.

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (20 Aug, 2025)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.

In this powerful episode, a pediatric social worker shares her profound insights into hope as an active social work intervention. Working with children facing complex health challenges, she explores how hope isn't just a concept, but a practice of connection, advocacy, and presence. Through intimate stories of resilience, she reveals how social workers can cultivate hope even in the most difficult circumstances.

Mim and Lis dive deep into the social worker's reflections, unpacking the nuanced ways hope can be understood as both a personal experience and a professional strategy. Their discussion explore the critical role of hope in transforming healthcare experiences and supporting families navigating uncertainty. Mim and Lis also discuss research by Carmel Flaskas, "Holding Hope and Hopelessness: Therapeutic Engagements with the Balance of Hope."

p.s. Don't forget to check out the latest episode of our sister podcast Social Work Discoveries!

p.s.s. We'd love for you to join the conversation on this, so make sure you reach out to us on the socials (see links below), or otherwise by email at socialworkstoriespodcast@gmail.com - we'd love to hear from you!

p.s.s.s. Follow our Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/SocialWorkStoriesPodcast

Credits:

Hosts - Lis Murphy and Dr. Mim Fox

Producers - Dr. Ben Joseph and Justin Stech

Social Media Coordinator - Maddison Stratten

Music - 'Mama' by Ben Grace (copyright 2018). Find on Spotify, or at www.bengracemusic.com

Social Work Stories©️ (20 May, 2025)

Contact us online at www.socialworkstories.com, follow our facebook page and LinkedIn, or use the handle @SOWKStoriesPod on twitter or instagram.