In this episode, I chat with Justine Jecker – an occupational therapist I instantly fell in love with for her grounded wisdom, her realness, her critical thinking and the way she speaks so deeply to the heart of our profession. This conversation is rich, reflective and full of insight into what it really means to … 128: Who Are We Really? A Critical Look at OT Identity ft Justine Jecker Read More »...
May 18, 2025•1 hr 5 min
Have you ever fumbled to explain what you do as an OT?Questioned your place in the profession because the reality feels so far from what you were taught?Shrunk your words just to be understood – and still weren’t?Felt unseen, undervalued or like you care too much in systems that don’t? You’re not alone. Correcting someone … 127: The Identity We Weave: Professional Identity, Language & the Future of OT Read More »...
Apr 30, 2025•19 min
In this episode we are talking all talking about a wide range of topics that surprisingly have a lot in common! We’re talking about emotional regulation, OT coaching and supervision strategies with the wonderful Dr. Áine O’Dea. We discuss: Connect with Dr. Áine O’Dea:Website LinkedIn Instagram
Mar 30, 2025•1 hr 7 min
In this episode we’re exploring how to achieve both time and financial freedom. We dive deep into practical strategies and actionable tips with our guest, Doug Vestal, to empower you on your journey towards a more liberated and fulfilling OT life. We discuss: Doug Vestal is the author of the book: Financial Freedom for OTs: … 125: OTs on the Money: Pathways to Financial Freedom ft Doug Vestal Read More »...
Mar 10, 2025•53 min
In this episode, we discuss: Genevieve is a paediatric occupational therapist and founder of Umbrella OT. She works in a small rural community here in Australia. Genevieve brings a holistic, family-centered approach to her practice and thrives on conducting sessions outdoors, leveraging the calming effects of nature. Genevieve’s work is deeply informed by her interests in … 124: Navigating New Normals: Life and OT After a Brain Tumor Diagnosis ft Genevieve Grainger Read More »...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 2 min
In this podcast episode, we delve into: Michelle has dedicated the last 20 years to empowering teams and leaders across Australia and New Zealand. Her mission is clear: to lead people with care, compassion, and a deep commitment to their well-being, ensuring that teams don’t just succeed, they thrive. Michelle has delivered programs to over 50,000 … 123: Making Mistakes, Moral Injury and Moving Forward in Occupational Therapy ft Michelle Bihary Read More »...
Feb 16, 2025•1 hr 6 min
This episode we are talking all about Occupational Formulation with Lorrae Mynard. We discuss: Lorrae was named Occupational Therapist of the year in the 2023 Australian Allied Health Awards. She is passionate about keeping occupation at the heart of occupational therapy and has worked in a variety of adult mental health settings in Australia, Canada … 122: Occupational Formulation ft Lorrae Mynard Read More »...
Nov 03, 2024•1 hr 1 min
In this episode, we dive deep with Karlye Williamson, an experienced occupational therapist who has seamlessly integrated stretch therapy and nervous system regulation into her practice. Join us as we explore how Karlye’s journey into OT led her to develop a unique approach that enhances both mental and physical well-being. We discuss: You can connect … 121: The Power of Stretch Therapy & Nervous System Regulation in Occupational Therapy Practice ft Karlye Williamson Read More »...
Oct 18, 2024•54 min
In this episode we are talking all about integrating coaching, posiitve psychology and occupational therapy for enhanced mental health care. Padraig Danaher and I discuss: Padraig is a senior occupational therapist and psychological coach specializing in trauma, sensory attachment, and positive psychology. Padraig has an extensive background in social care, with over 13 years of … 120: Revolutionizing Mental Health: Blending Coaching, Positive Psychology and Occupational Therapy ft Padraig Danah...
Sep 08, 2024•59 min
In this episode we are talking all about supporting caregivers through the lens of occupational therapy. We discuss: Ali Buchanan created The OT Carer Pathway. It is a specialised program designed specifically for caregivers, addressing the unique challenges they face in their roles. This initiative is crafted to provide targeted support to carers, who are … 119: The OT Carer Pathway: Empowering Caregivers through Holistic Occupational Science-Informed Support with Cat and Ali Read More »...
Aug 26, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this episode we are talking to Dave Jereb, occupational therapist, paediatric clinic owner, author and mentor. We talk all about burnout, the static NDIS price rate and finding meaning in OT. We discuss: Dave is a paediatric occupational therapist based here in Australia with over 20 years of experience. He is the co-founder of MoveAbout … 118 – Burnout, Static NDIS Price Rate and Finding Meaning in OT ft Dave Jereb Read More »...
Jul 28, 2024•58 min
In this special episode, I’m on the other side of the microphone! I’m taking the guest seat as I chat with a fellow OT, Jo, who reached out via Instagram. We realised our conversation could benefit a wider audience, tackling some of the most pressing questions in the world of occupational therapy and starting a … 117 – (ASK ME ANYTHING): From Doubt to Done: Starting a Business, Imposter Syndrome & Building Confidence Read More »...
Jul 07, 2024•1 hr 5 min
In this episode we are talking all about the powerful impact of sensory healing after developmental trauma. We discuss: Marti Smith is an esteemed occupational therapist based in Austin, Texas, where she works at a care farm dedicated to serving individuals who have experienced trauma and adversity. With a profound commitment to healing through sensory … 116 – Sensory Healing After Developmental Trauma ft Marti Smith Read More »...
Jun 16, 2024•1 hr 8 min
The CanMOP is an evolution of the Canadian occupational model, previously known as the CMOP and the CMOP-E. This new iteration places a strong emphasis on occupational participation, encouraging therapists to extend their focus beyond just performance and engagement. Occupational participation is placed at the heart of this new model, emphasising access to, initiation and … 115 – The New Canadian Model of Occupational Participation (CanMOP) ft Mary Egan Read More »...
Jun 10, 2024•59 min
In this episode we are talking all about Collaborative Relationship Focused Occupational Therapy with Professor Gayle Restall. Gayle is co-editor of the new book; Promoting Occupational Participation: Collaborative Relationship-Focused Occupational Therapy. Collaborative Relationship Focused Occupational Therapy underscores the core purpose of occupational therapy—enabling access to, initiation of, and continued participation in occupations. It highlights the … 114 – Collaborative Relationship F...
Jun 02, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode we are lucky enough to be speaking with Dr Nick Pollard. We discuss: Nick is a senior lecturer in occupational therapy at Sheffield Hallam University. Nick’s teaching concerns social contexts for occupational therapy, community based interventions and underpinning concepts including occupational science and social occupational therapy. He teaches research methods and interprofessional … 113 – Social Justice and Narrative-Driven Practice ft Dr Nick Pollard Read More »...
Feb 27, 2024•1 hr 20 min
In this episode we are talking all about: Brad is a father of two and husband, occupational therapist, the host and creator of The Becoming Collective and founder of Naturally Gathered – an OT in nature practice. He is a deep thinker and challenger of the status quo. Brad loves spending time in nature whether … 112 – From Stagnation to Inspiration: Reigniting Our OT Spark ft Brad Williams Read More »...
Jan 28, 2024•1 hr 4 min
In this episode we are talking all about serious mental illness and a path to resilience with Liz Grace. Liz is an occupational therapist in recovery from Schizoaffective Disorder who lives with the daily challenges of profound hearing loss. We discuss: Liz Grace is a first-time author of her book titled – Resilient. At seventeen, … 111 – Inside the Mind: An Occupational Therapist’s Journey with Serious Mental Illness and the Path to Resilience Read More »...
Dec 17, 2023•1 hr 6 min
In this episode we are talking all about strengths based occupational therapy with Kavita Murthi. We discuss: Kavitha Murthi is pursuing her doctoral studies at NYU Steinhardt in the Department of Occupational Therapy. She works with Counselor to the President, Dr. Kristie Patten, on a National Science Foundation (NSF) project titled “Developing Abilities and Knowledge … 110 – Strengths-Based Practice in Occupational Therapy ft Kavita Murthi Read More »...
Dec 10, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode we are talking all about sustainability, the environment and planetary health with Ka Yan Hess. We discuss: – why we need to question the current underpinnings of the profession including person-centered practice (yes, you read right!) – how we can broaden person-centred health care using bidirectional questioning – what we can do in … 109 – Planetary Health and Occupational Therapy: Bridging Theory and Practice ft Ka Yan Hess Read More »...
Oct 22, 2023•59 min
In this episode we are talking all about human rights, social inclusion and population health with Clare Hocking. We discuss: Clare Hocking is a New Zealand occupational therapy academic, and New Zealand’s first occupation therapy professor. She is currently a full professor at the Auckland University of Technology. Clare’s goal is to transform occupational therapy … 108 – Human Rights, Social Inclusion & Population Health ft Clare Hocking Read More »...
Sep 24, 2023•59 min
In this episode we are talking all about therapeutic use of self with psychotherapist, academic, author, researcher and former occupational therapist, Linda Finlay. We discuss: Linda is an integrative psychotherapist who has her own private practice in the UK. Linda originally qualified as an occupational therapist in 1977 and worked in the mental health field in … 107 – Therapeutic Use of Self: Personal & Professional Self Intertwined ft Linda Finlay Read More »...
Sep 06, 2023•1 hr 15 min
In this episode we are talking all about sexuality, an often overlooked aspect of the human experience in our OT field. So we’re lifting the veil to develop a deeper understanding. We’re talking with Dr Sakshi Tickoo. In this episode we explore: Dr. Sakshi Tickoo (she/her) is a brown, queer Occupational Therapist and Sexuality … 106 – Sexuality, Sexual Identity, Gender, Pronouns & Intimacy ft Dr. Sakshi Tickoo Read More »...
Aug 15, 2023•1 hr 33 min
In this episode we are talking all about the NDIS: The National Disability Insurance Scheme here in Australia. We are talking with Sarah Collison, Occupational Therapist, Director of Verve OT and administrator of The NDIS OT Community of Practice Facebook Group. We discuss: Sarah is an Occupational Therapist with over 20 years of experience and … 105 – Navigating the NDIS: Assessments, Reports & Everything You Need To Know ft Sarah Collison Read More »...
Jul 30, 2023•1 hr 11 min
In this episode, it is an absolute privilege and pleasure to be speaking with Emeritus Professor Elizabeth Townsend. Liz is a remarkable occupational therapist, occupational scientist and scholar who developed Canadian Model of Occupational Performance and Engagement (CMOP-E) and has made significant contributions to the field of occupational therapy, occupational science and the understanding of … 104 -Occupational Science & Literacy, Awakening To Justice and Re-Imagining the Possibilities ...
Jul 23, 2023•1 hr 22 min
Goal setting is part of the therapeutic process, and I must say that how I go about setting goals with the people I work with has shifted and evolved in many ways over the past 15 years. I’ve come to learn that goal setting:
Jul 11, 2023•21 min
When we step fully into our role as an occupational therapist and own the title, when we educate the community on our understanding of ‘occupation’ – we raise the collective consciousness. But it starts with us. As occupational therapists we often get frustrated that no one knows what it is we do. And it’s a … 102 – Raising the Collective Consciousness: “Occupation” Explored Read More »...
Jul 05, 2023•14 min
In this episode we explore person-entered care with occupational therapist and stroke survivor, Emma Gee. We discuss: Emma is an occupational therapist, a professional speaker and a person who survived a stroke when she was 24. In a moment, Emma’s life changed from that of a professional health provider and long-distance runner to that of … 101 – Person-Centered Care & Surviving a Stroke ft Emma Gee Read More »...
Jun 18, 2023•56 min
In this episode we are talking all about co-regulating the parents, reparenting and parent coaching with occupational therapist and parent coach, Maggie Viers. We explore: Maggie is an Occupational Therapist and the founder of The Empowered Family. She is a transracial Korean adoptee, wife, and mom to 4 kids all under the age of 7. She … 100 – Co-Regulation with Parents and Parent Coaching ft Maggie Viers Read More »...
Jun 04, 2023•56 min
In this episode we talk all about street art and graffiti as a meaningful therapeutic occupation with occupational therapist and not-afraid-to-question-the status-quo, Gavin Symes. We discuss: Gavin is an occupational therapist and founder of Wizard OT in Melbourne, Australia. In 2010 Gavin sustained a serious head injury that left him physically and cognitively impaired. His injury made … 99 – Street Art, Graffiti and Occupational Therapy ft Gavin Symes Read More »...
May 28, 2023•1 hr 20 min