Let’s talk about sexuality podcasting in social work education: a deeply personal pedagogical approach to explore the deeply personal

Abstract

Social work, a practice-based profession focused on social justice, is increasingly recognizing sexual wellbeing/health as a practice area that students need to build competence. Yet there remains a paucity of opportunities to do this effectively, ways that are brave, not merely safe, for the student-learner, as well as for the social work educator. To address this need, the authors designed and produced a podcast episode called, ‘Episode 13–Sexual Justice as Social Justice’ to support student learning and exploration of sexual health/wellbeing as a key social worker competency. This article examines the use of social work podcasting, a deeply personal pedagogical approach, as an effective method for engaging with the deeply personal in social work education. First, we highlight the need for and importance of greater inclusion of sexual health/wellbeing education for social workers, highlighting scholarship that grounds this topic as being of universal relevance and importance, especially for social work practice. Next, we explore both podcasting as a pedagogical tool for engaging students and implications of social work podcasting. Finally, we offer five student learning outcomes for social work educators to consider in their approach to integrating discussions on sexuality into their teaching using podcast episodes.