Season 1 Finale! This guy gets one pepper because although we talk about occupational therapy the whole time, the theme of transitioning into a new career is relatively universal, and if you are new to occupational therapy, it's a good way to learn about the profession! We make connections between two different specialty areas within the practice of OT, as well as with themes from previous podcast episodes. We also squish some life lessons in there. We begin by discussing how we changed...
It's OT Month, and also Nicole's birthday month! In this brief little treat of an episode, we talk about word choice. She's a mild gal on the OT spiciness scale. We begin by examining some terms identified by Brock Cook, in the most recent episode of his OT podcast Occupied, as terms that should be used with caution, or perhaps, not at all. Per protocol, we had thoughts to add, discussing the way we have used these terms in our episodes. With Autism Awareness Month underway, we also wanted to...
This week it was Val's time to shine! Cip was somehow able to suppress her impulsivity using all the strategies (taking notes instead of talking, sipping her beverage, and at times, spacing out on purpose), to let Val have a chance to take the driver's seat for once! OK fine, she did pop in a couple times. But for the most part, Val and Nicole Fidanza had an enlightening chat about all things occupational in the realm of older adults and neurorehabilitation, focusing on areas of social partic...
We recently sat down with the delightful Sheila Frick, OTR/L for a two pepper-sode! Sheila is the founder of Vital Links, an education resource for all sorts of sensory integration, motor development, self-regulation, and trauma-healing techniques for occupational therapy practitioners and other individuals working in this area. Sheila tells us about her occupational history, and how all the different roles of her early career informed her practice today. We talk her partnership with her husb...
Join Nicole and Val (and the wind whistling across the block) for a leisurely stroll through their occupational histories relative to work and education. This episode is rated 🌶🌶, not necessarily because you need to know a lot about occupational therapy, but because you should have at least an interest in it to groove on the convo. We talk about how we got into OT, how our interests evolved through schooling and careers, and our plans for the future. We touch on addressing sensory processing ...
OK guys, here comes the first 🌶 episode (remember, our OT Spiciness Scale is out of 3, so we're in mildtown tonight)! We met virtually with Shannon Downey: artist, activist, craftivist, community builder, and general instigator at www.badasscrossstitch.com. Nicole got so flustered in her excitement that Val had to help her remember the 9 occupations because she forgot to count on her fingers (twice)! We discussed Shannon's occupational evolution, and, like, all the projects she's done i...
Roseanna Tufano is a professor at Quinnipiac University who joined us to talk about her dual licensure in occupational therapy as well as marriage and family counseling. We talked about her background with these two degrees, and the ways that they compliment each other in her practice and professional interests. She discusses her recent research in the area of transitioning from high school for students and their families, and the challenges they face along the way, as well as how...
Marilyn "Marli" Cole. What a delight! Marli was our very first interview for this podcast and we loved every minute! She has written so much on a variety of topics in OT such as group dynamics, applied theories, productive aging, and global perspectives. Join us as we wander casually through her career, from new grad Marli, working with Claudia Allen in the mental health field as she developed the Allen Cognitive Levels, to her current project: adding a Covid-19 update study...
CW: We discuss the rehab aftermath of a child being hit by a car (spoiler alert, it turned out OK) Have you ever tried to describe a completely new food? Tricky right? In our first episode, Nicole and Val attempt to describe the unique flavor that is OT, using the OT practice framework and food analogies, with examples of Val's experience being hit by a car as a teenager, and Nicole's experience working with children and adults. We think we did a pretty good job. We al...
Welcome to Occupy Yourself, a podcast that aims to bring the glory of intentional occupation to all the land! Nicole is an OTR with 20 years of experience and Val is an OT student finishing up her final fieldwork. Join us with a tasty beverage as we explore occupational therapy concepts through storytelling and interviews. Even if you're not an OT practitioner, everyone could use an OTP friend right now. Let us be your OTP pals as you navigate the job of life!