37. A long and joyful working life — Jill Nuthall

37. A long and joyful working life — Jill Nuthall

From Learning How To Be Old by Rachel McAlpine

November 17, 2025 · Season 4 · Episode 37

About this episode

Jill Nuthall discusses her long and fulfilling career as a social worker and the importance of reflecting on one's working life through writing.

My big sister Jill Nuthall learned skills as a child that were invaluable in her career as a social worker. To realise just how damn good you were in your long working life: write about it! She talks about the people-skills she learned as a child, particularly leadership and team work. These big-sister skills were the foundation for what became a fascinating career as a social worker. Why did Jill enjoy her working life so much? After marrying young, having four children, and living in a stimulating environment in Urbana Illinois, in 1966 Jill became an at-home suburban wife back in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand. Her husband went off to his wonderful job every day and Jill felt stifled and was longing to have her own career. To get a qualification, use her talents, be with grown-ups again. (By the way, that certainly didn't stop her from being a terrific mother and homemaker.) When her youngest started school, she was delighted to be able to start on a long working life. It was by writing a memoir that Jill calls "A Joyful Working Life" that Jill spotted certain themes that ran through her life. At the time, her career seemed like a patchwork, a crazy quilt. But in…

People in this episode

Host: Rachel McAlpine

Guest: Jill Nuthall

Topics covered

  • working life
  • social work
  • memoir writing
  • personal development
  • family dynamics

Keywords

  • social worker
  • memoir
  • career reflection
  • leadership skills
  • teamwork
  • personal growth
  • family

Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: A Joyful Working Life

Places: Urbana Illinois, Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand

More episodes of Learning How To Be Old

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Learning How To Be Old podcast page.