Social Workers Beyond Burnout |

Episode Title: You've Reached the Top of the Social Work Ladder. Now What?
DARE 29TH SEPT 2026
Episode Description:
Have you ever felt like you've climbed the entire career ladder, only to realise you might be on the wrong wall?
In this episode, Ade Larigo gets real about the feeling of being a successful, senior professional who is secretly asking, "What's next?"
Drawing on her 20+ years in social work, from the front line to policy conversations at the House of Lords, Ade shares her personal story of hitting burnout and why she believes that for most high-achievers, the problem isn't a lack of motivation—it's a lack of clarity.
This episode is for any capable professional who knows they have more to offer but feels stuck on the next right move.
In this episode, you will learn:
The real, hidden costs of not having a clear plan for your future.
Why your "normal" skills are actually your "genius" (and a high-value asset).
How to start seeing the legacy you are already building, and how to shape it with intention.
GET CLARITY ON YOUR NEXT CHAPTER:
You can learn more about The Clarity Blueprint™ and book your private 90-minute session here: ➡️ https://stan.store/adefunkeclarity
START THE CONVERSATION:
Have a question about the Clarity Blueprint? Send me a WhatsApp with the word CLARITY: ➡️ https://wa.me/447348956483?text=CLARITY
CONNECT WITH ADE:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
If this episode made you think of a colleague who needs to hear this, please share it with them.
And remember, around here, we dey change our story.

Episode Title: 33 Feeling Stuck? Why You Still Can't See Your Next Move
Episode Description:Do you ever get that "Sunday night feeling"? That sense of dread that creeps in, even when you have a good job and a successful career? If you're a capable, high-achieving woman who feels like you're at a crossroads, this episode is for you.
Ade picks up right where "Genius Blindness" left off, and asks the harder question: once you can finally see your own value, why does your next move still feel impossible to plan? You'll learn why more information probably isn't what's missing, and the one small shift that starts to make your next chapter visible.
Stop trying to write the whole book of your future in one go. It's time to get clear on the very next sentence.
In this episode, you will learn:
* Why knowing something needs to change still isn't the same as knowing what to do* The real difference between a motivation problem and a clarity problem* What's still missing even after you've started to see your own value* Why more information might not be what's holding you back* The one small shift that starts to make your next move visible
Resources Mentioned:
This episode is a preview of the deeper work inside my main coaching brand, Adefunke Clarity. If what you heard today resonated, your next step is the free Clarity Catalyst Workshop.
This is a live, 45-minute interactive session where you'll get the tools to start seeing your own next move clearly, and walk away with your very first real action step.
* Save Your Free Spot in the Clarity Catalyst Workshop: https://clarity-catalyst-landing.lovable.app/
Connect with Ade:
* Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
If this episode made you think of another woman, send it to her and simply say: "Sis, I thought of you when I heard this."
Around here, we dey change our story. 👑
 

32: It's Not Impostor Syndrome. It's Genius Blindness.📅 17 September 2026
There's a kind of brilliance that becomes so normal to you, you stop calling it a skill at all.
You read the room before anyone speaks. You hold fifteen things at once and still know what matters. People trust you with the hardest conversations in the building.
And somehow, you've decided none of that counts.
Sis… the very thing that makes you brilliant might be the exact thing you've stopped letting yourself see.
In this episode:
The everyday phrase capable women say that quietly reveals they've stopped seeing their own geniusWhy calling yourself "just" a social worker might be costing you more than you knowWhat Ade caught herself doing the moment she talked about the House of LordsThe name Ade gives to this pattern, and why it has nothing to do with arroganceThe one question worth sitting with before you decide what's next
 
Know something needs to change, but can't quite see what comes next?
🎟️ Join me for The Clarity Catalyst — my FREE live workshop on Thursday 24 September at 12:30pm UK time.
Created for the capable woman who's spent years giving everybody else value but is struggling to see clearly what could come next for her.
👉 Save your free seat:https://adefunkeclarity.lovable.app
 
💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
 
If this episode made you think of another woman, send it to her and simply say:
"Sis, I thought of you when I heard this."
Around here, we dey change our story. 👑

EP31: Feeling Stuck in a Caring Profession? The Skill That Could Be Holding You Back
📅 Wednesday, 9 September 2026
There is a skill that can make you brilliant at caring for other people — and it could also be one of the reasons you feel completely stuck in your own life.
You assess risk. Solve problems. Think three steps ahead. You're the woman everybody relies on.
But what happens when you turn that same brain onto your own future?
Before an idea has even had a chance to breathe, you've carried out a full risk assessment on your own dream.
Sis… sometimes what looks like careful planning is actually fear wearing professional clothes.
In this episode:
The professional skill that could quietly be keeping you stuck
Why “I'm just a social worker” may be saying more than you realise
What nearly ignoring an invitation to the House of Lords revealed about how I saw my own value
Why more information may NOT be what you're missing
The uncomfortable question we rarely ask when we're afraid of change
Know something needs to change, but can't see what comes next?
🎟️ Join me for The Clarity Catalyst — my FREE live workshop on Thursday 24 September at 12:30pm UK time.
Created for the capable woman who's spent years giving everybody else value but is struggling to see clearly what could come next for her.
👉 Save your free seat:https://adefunkeclarity.lovable.app
💬 Connect with me on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
If this episode made you think of another woman, send it to her and simply say:
“Sis, I thought of you when I heard this.”
Around here, we dey change our story. 👑

EP30: Are You Undervaluing Your Own Genius? A Social Worker Mum's House of Lords Wake-Up Call
 
📅 Tuesday, 1 September 2026
I nearly ignored the message that took me to the House of Lords.
A stranger reached out. I thought it was a scam. I almost said no — and that one decision put me in a room where my experience finally mattered.
But even then, I couldn't name the value I was bringing. It took a conversation with AI to help me finally see it.
**In this episode:**- The House of Lords story I nearly missed- Why having experience isn't the same as being able to name your value- How one AI conversation helped me recognise "clarity" as my natural skill- The one question to ask if you can't see your own worth yet
**Ready to gain clarity on your own next chapter?**
🎟️ Free live workshop, 24th September — the Clarity Catalyst. DM me "CATALYST" to register.
💬 Want to go deeper 1:1? Book the Clarity Blueprint session — DM me "BLUEPRINT."
📥 Grab the free Starter Kit:  https://claritystarterkit.lovable.app
 
Or message me on WhatsApp: +44 7348956483
Connect on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
 
*Around here, we dey change our story.* 👑

29 | AI in Social Work: The Conversation Every Social Worker Needs to Hear
📅 25th Aug 2026
AI has saved me hours.
But it has also confidently given me information that was completely wrong.
In social work, where our assessments and recommendations can affect children, families and vulnerable adults, that cannot simply be dismissed as an inconvenient mistake.
Last week, I asked why you have not started creating another income stream. This week, I want to show you what starting can actually look like through something many of us may already be using, but are not yet talking about openly.
Artificial intelligence.
I have been using AI since 2021, the same year I started my social work consultancy. At first, I used it for simple tasks such as writing emails and social media posts. Over time, that developed into research, creating courses, building systems and supporting how I run my business.
But this episode is not a sales pitch for AI.
It is an honest conversation about where AI has saved me time, where it has completely let me down, and the questions I believe our profession and its leaders need to ask before its use goes any further within social work.
Whenever I talk about using these tools, I am referring to my own notes and non-confidential information. Protecting client confidentiality and sensitive data must always remain the priority.
In this episode:
• My AI journey since 2021, from writing emails to building business systems
• Why burnout and bureaucracy may be a greater threat to human-centred social work than the technology itself
• Why social workers may already be using AI quietly, without guidance, training or a safe space to ask questions
• The confidentiality, GDPR and professional responsibility questions to consider before entering anything into an AI tool
• Why I think of AI as my kitchen assistant while I remain the head chef
• The difference between polished writing and genuine professional analysis, and why that matters in assessments
• What happened when AI completely failed to save me time while I was editing this podcast
• How AI helped me solve an urgent family problem in under an hour when my dad’s freezer broke
• Why AI can appear to build trust and the risks this could create for vulnerable people
• The questions social work organisations and leaders need to ask before introducing AI tools
• Why practitioners, children, families and vulnerable adults must be part of shaping this conversation
Reflection question:
What is one task you would like AI to help you with, and what is one part of your work you believe AI should never decide?
This is not a one-off conversation for me.
I will continue sharing what I am learning, what is working, what is failing and the questions I believe our profession needs to be asking.
Connect with me on LinkedIn and tell me what you are seeing in your own work.
What excites you about AI? What concerns you? Where do you believe the boundary should be?
Connect with Ade Larigo:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
If this episode has made you think differently about AI in social work, please share it within your network, your community or at your next team meeting.
Sis, you were built for great things.
And remember, around here, we dey change our story. 👑

Episode 28: You Know You Need Another Income Stream — So Why Haven't You Started?
You've felt it. That quiet but persistent voice telling you that you were built for more, that you need more options, and that another income stream could be the key to your future freedom.
But you're still standing at the starting line.
In this direct and challenging episode, Ade unpacks the three biggest mental blockers that keep capable, brilliant women from launching their own income stream:
The 'Not an Expert' Fallacy: The belief that your lived experience isn't "enough."
The 'No Time' Myth: How to find pockets of powerful, focused time even in a packed schedule.
The 'What to Sell' Paralysis: A simple framework for choosing your path when you have too many ideas.
This isn't just inspiration; it's a practical guide to dismantling your excuses and taking your first, tangible step in the next 24 hours. If you're tired of thinking and ready to start building, this episode is your call to action.
Ready for Your Next Chapter?
1. The Free Starter Kit: Get my free 7-day guided workbook and private audio guide to find your focus and define your future. This is the perfect first step.
https://claritystarterkit.lovable.app
2. The 1-on-1 Deep Dive: Ready to build your personal action plan in 90 minutes? Book your private Clarity Blueprint™ session with me.
https://stan.store/adefunkeclarity
Let's Connect:
LinkedIn: [Your LinkedIn Profile URL]
Website: https://claritystarterkit.lovable.app
Like this episode? Please leave a review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and share it with a friend who needs to hear it.
We dey change our story !
 

EPISODE 27 | 4 AUGUST 2026
CAN’T MAKE A DECISION? HERE’S WHAT INDECISION IS REALLY COSTING YOU
What if the confidence you are waiting for is waiting for you to make a decision?
Sometimes indecision looks responsible. You research, ask for advice and tell yourself you need more clarity. But when information gathering becomes a way of avoiding action, it can cost you time, opportunities and trust in yourself.
In this episode, Ade shares why she spent approximately three years thinking about starting this podcast, what finally helped her move and why confidence often comes after we act, not before.
You will also hear about the woman who put her business on hold while waiting for someone else to lead, and how waiting for permission can quietly keep capable women stuck.
Ade introduces the practical DECIDE Framework to help you move from overthinking to responsible action:
D: Define the real decisionE: Establish the essential informationC: Cut through the competing voicesI: Identify the next responsible stepD: Decide and set a deadlineE: Execute and evaluate
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU WILL DISCOVER:
• What indecision may already be costing you• How repeatedly changing your mind can weaken self-trust• Why fear does not automatically mean a decision is wrong• How confidence grows through evidence and action• Why you do not need to see the whole road before taking the next step• The difference between useful information and distracting opinions• How to use the DECIDE Framework with a real decision in your life
PODCAST PILLARS
Primary pillar: MindsetSupporting pillar: Voice
DOWNLOAD THE FREE CLARITY STARTER KIT
If you are struggling to separate what you genuinely want from the demands, expectations and noise around you, download Ade’s free seven-day Clarity Starter Kit.
It will help you explore your strengths, hidden assets, priorities, energy and possible next steps.
Download the Clarity Starter Kit:
https://claritystarterkit.lovable.app
CONNECT WITH ADE
If this episode brought a decision to mind and you would like to share what feels unclear, message Ade on WhatsApp:
https://wa.me/447348956483
There is no pressure and no pitch, just a conversation.
If this episode blessed you, follow the podcast and share it with one woman who needs to hear it.
You were built for more than this.
We dey change our story.

Episode 26: The Lie That Keeps Capable Women From Seeing Their Superpower
Date 23/07/26
 
What if the thing you keep dismissing as “nothing” is actually your superpower?
So many capable women struggle to recognise their own value, not because they have nothing to offer, but because their strengths have become so natural to them that they no longer see them as skills.
You can’t read the label from inside the jar.
In this episode, I share the unexpected birthday conversation that helped me recognise a gift I had been using for years without even realising it: helping people untangle their thoughts, uncover what is beneath the surface and find clarity.
I also share the story of a support worker facing redundancy who believed she was losing her job, until she began to recognise that her experience and skills belonged to her and could create new possibilities beyond her job title.
If you have ever wondered, “What’s next for me?” but struggled to find an answer, this episode is for you.
In this episode, we explore:
Why burnout can affect your sense of identity, not only your energy
The lie that makes us dismiss the things that come naturally to us
Why your most valuable skills may be hiding in plain sight
How to separate your abilities from your current job title
The questions that can help you uncover your hidden assets
Why clarity is not simply found; it is built
How recognising your strengths can begin creating new options for your life
Ask yourself:
What do people always come to me for?
What am I asked to do repeatedly?
What do I do for people without even thinking about it?
What comes so naturally to me that I have stopped recognising it as a gift?
Your answer may be hiding in plain sight.
Download Your Free Clarity Starter Kit
The Clarity Starter Kit is a free seven-day guided workbook designed to help you identify the skills, strengths and experiences you may have been overlooking.
Over seven days, you will explore your hidden assets, what drains you, what lights you up, the next chapter you desire, the options available to you and one small step you can begin taking.
Download your free copy today:
claritystarterkit.lovable.app
Don’t wait until life becomes less busy. You don’t need to have everything figured out. You just need to begin.
If this episode blessed you, please share it with one woman who needs to hear it. Follow or subscribe to the podcast so you don’t miss what comes next.
You can also connect with me on LinkedIn by searching for Adefunke Larigo.
Remember:
What comes easily to you is not nothing.
You are not empty.You are not starting from scratch.And you are not too late.
You were built for more than this. And around here, we dey change our story.
 
 

Title:
Why Everyone Else Can See Your Potential… Except You
 
Show Notes:
"Can I ask you something honest?"
When was the last time someone gave you a compliment — maybe at work, maybe from a friend — telling you that you were brilliant at something, and you just... brushed it off? You said, "Oh, that's just me. That's nothing special."
If you know that feeling, this episode is for you. I want to talk about that thing you are dismissing, because from where the people around you are standing, it is anything but ordinary.
I share a story about my daughter, a pair of running blocks, and the moment I understood something I believe is going to speak directly to where you are right now. I call it the CEO in the Jar. And by the time this episode is done, I want you to see yourself differently.
 
In This Episode, You'll Discover:
Why you cannot read the label from inside your own jar — and what that is costing you.
The story of my daughter, a gift from a family who barely knew her, and what it unlocked in her.
Why the blocks only worked because the ability was already there — and what that means for you.
What happens when someone from the outside believes in you before you believe in yourself.
The skills you are calling 'ordinary' that are actually your greatest assets.
A direct mirror moment — because sometimes we all need someone to hold one up.
Ready to talk about YOUR label?
If something stirred while you were listening, don't let that feeling go cold.
I read every message personally. Click the link below to send me a WhatsApp message and tell me: what is the skill you have been dismissing?
Start the conversation here: https://wa.me/447348956483
 
Connect with Ade on LinkedIn:
For daily insights on clarity, value, and creating your next chapter, connect with me here:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/adelarigo/
Around here, we dey change our story.