Dr. thOTs

Trauma, Transitions, and Treating Yourself (with Ribs)

Khalilah and Ryan discuss preparing for the transition back to in-person teaching/work and managing the trauma of the pandemic and the catalyzing energy of social movements over the past two years. Habits and routines are changing; environments and energy demands are in transition - and they are feeling it. They discuss the ways they're planning on doing self-care to support returning to campus but also discuss the excitement they feel about the generative and shared spaces that come with that c...

3 Academic Mamas and Gay Uncle

Ryan and Khalilah invite Dr. Kendra Heatwole-Shank and Dr. Amber Angell onto the podcast to discuss pregnancy, parenting, and academia. As Khalilah prepares to enter into academic mamahood, Amber and Kendra offer experiences, advice, and considerations for parents and parents to be navigating the complexities and demands of academic and professional spaces. Highlights include: Amber telling us how she "practiced" being a parent, Khalilah dropping statistics everywhere, Kendra reclaiming her pump...

Growing into Activism in Scholarship and Practice

Khalilah and Ryan jump right into this episode and wander through the tensions and challenges of scholar/practitioner activism, exploring the situation of Ms. Nikole Hannah-Jones and UNC-Chapel Hill and the growing edges and frustrations they have as they navigate pushing for change. They discuss ivory town "activism" and connecting writing to action, while also recognizing how draining this work can be. Highlights include: Khalilah calling out privilege and Ryan challenging a professor; also co...

Fashion, Style, and the Authentic Self

Kahlilah and Ryan welcome Mecca Williams (@meccapresents) to talk about about all things fashion, style, and mental health. Mecca is a licensed professional counselor and fashionista, named one of Richmond, VA's most fashionable people. We discuss clothing, colors, and comfort and how those play into our lives, practice, and therapeutic relationships. Mecca drops gems left and right about the art of dressing yourself and curating your body for your own joy and liberation. We also talk tips and t...

thOTs: The provocative mind, body, and practice

This episode is short but packs a punch! Khalilah and Ryan share their thoughts on thOTs - the name and the idea, discussing liberation on all fronts from language barriers and sexual liberation to self-examination and identity politics. They share how they manage thOT-iness in the classroom and beyond. Highlights include: Ryan somehow thinking he ever passes as straight and Khalilah dropping gems on liberating the soul.

Conferencing: The Good, the Bad, and the Occupational

Khalilah and Ryan are joined by Dr. Jenny Womack and Dr. Virginia Dickie to discuss the dos and don'ts of conferences. We discuss being bold and sometimes contentious at conferences, the best places to find dissertation advisors at conference, and to "doing together" that can lead to some great relationships and collaborations. Highlights include: Dr. Dickie blowing our minds with facts about conference badges and all of us expressing our universal disdain for 5 minute preludes to questions. #Ju...

Spilling the FaculTea: Accomplices in the Classroom

Ryan and Khalilah discuss how faculty can be accomplices when inviting guest speakers with minoritized backgrounds into the classroom, sharing stories from both being speakers and inviting speakers. Highlights include: Khalilah has a "pregnant" pause 😉 and PAY YOUR SPEAKERS

Take Us to Church!

Khalilah and Ryan invite George Barrett, Executive Director of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center, to discuss the occupation of going to church, faith, and community. Speaking from the Southern Baptist, Pentecostal, and Catholic perspectives, we talk across the intricacies of race, queerness, and spirituality and how it has played into our everyday lives. Highlights include: Realizing that all educated people don't go to hell, the formation of the Church of OT Justice and Drag Liberation, and an af...

"Money, Power, Respect" in Healthcare

Khalilah and Ryan unpack a recent visit to the emergency room, how costs of health care and power differentials influence access to and quality of care, and the importance of respect in occupational therapy practice and beyond. Highlights include Ryan breaking to Khalilah that he was only 8 years old in 1998 and Khalilah trying to grow a third leg. NOTE: This episode was recorded prior to the passing of Earl Simmons, American rapper DMX, may he rest in peace.

Discussing the "Dr."

Dr. Johnson and Dr. Lavalley welcome Dr. Katie Sorensen and Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh to the podcast to discuss the trials and celebrations of the "Dr." title. We discuss when and where we do and do not want to be called Dr. and some of the underlying messages that can surround the use or not use of this title.

Learning Oppression and Using it Forward

Khalilah and Ryan discuss memories when they learned about their identities as a Black woman and a queer man, what these experiences have taught them as they carry them forward, and how those lessons emerge in their practice, pedagogy, and personal life. "Come Clean" by Blue Cactus is highlighted as their conversation starter.

Introducing Dr. thOTs

Ryan and Khalilah introduce the podcast and talk a little bit about their backgrounds, work together, and friendship, and describe hopes for the space this podcast can offer for themselves and for all the other occupation-oriented queens out there.

Dr. thOTs (Trailer)