Dr. thOTs

Have you ever wanted to jump from the clinic to the classroom? From practice to pedagogy? From grading activities to grading papers? - well maybe not that last one. Either way, this episode is for you! The Drs. discuss the various journeys and pathways to becoming a professor or faculty at a university for practitioners. They touch on everything from which degrees you might have or want to pursue to the story you tell on your 1-2 page (please!) resume. They discuss myths about landing the job and a few difficulty realities to prepare for once you're in the classroom. Highlights include: Khalilah not having the words, Ryan suggesting drop kicking professors (metaphorically of course), and most importantly, we learn how many walls are between Khalilah and Ryan's offices.

Khalilah and Ryan welcome Dr. Douglene Jackson, FAOTA to the podcast to talk about all things imposter syndrome and the future of OT practice.  They explore the places and spaces occupational practitioners are showing up and some of the challenges they face in believing they can translate their skills. Dr. Douglene reveals her tips and tricks for shifting your narrative around imposter syndrome and framing the work you do. Khalilah names and frames how that can show up in academia and the profession. Ryan and Dr. Douglene kiki about community practice. Highlights include: Dr. Douglene going Futuristic OT, Khalilah wanting to know Dr. Douglene’s bicep measurement, and Ryan reclaiming #VintageOT.

Welcome back to Dr. thOTs! Drs. Ryan Lavalley and Khalilah Johnson are excited for the next sassy installment of the podcast. Khalilah and Ryan jump straight into updating listeners on the last few months - mostly incubating babies, grants, and labs - as academics do! They discuss the transitions of motherhood and going from post-doc to full faculty member, and all the joys and challenges that accompany. Shout outs rain down for all the amazing OTPs out there doing the werk and mobilizing to make change and leadership happen across the globe. But even with that mobilization, self-care is important! Ryan and Khalilah touch base about how they're keeping self-care alive as they dive into the work alongside such a powerfully inspiring community. Let Season 2 begin!

Ryan and Khalilah jump into reminiscing about the past season and the lessons and takeaways they'll carry with them from it. We discuss the new ways science communication is evolving, the importance of how we learn from each and support each other in our professional spaces, and the hopes we have had for this podcast. We remember transformational moments from our guests and talk discussions we hope to have in Season 2. Have ideas for us? Connect with us via email [email protected] or on instagram (@Drth0ts_podcast). Highlights include: Ryan learning how not to be raggedy, Khalilah calling out anybody eating ribs with a fork, and all the joyful reprisals of Dr. thOTs moments you could every ask for!

Khalilah and Ryan have the privilege and honor to sit with Dr. Elelwani Ramugondo and Dr. Frank Kronenberg to, oh you know, just casually discuss theorizing and disrupting for occupational therapy's future. This pair of professors seamlessly connect the story of their couple power to their immense individual contributions in the occupational therapy and occupational science realm, while being hilarious and as salt of the Earth as you can be. We laugh, we shake shit up, we are inspired and energized! Highlights include: Trojan horses galore, Elelwani being an enzyme,  Khalilah immediately changing her syllabus, Ryan calling out angels, and Frank severely underestimating the age of a spring chicken.

In this episode three queens kiki the house down with all the tea and shade we can muster, yaaasss gawd. Khalilah and Ryan invite Mr. George Barrett, executive direction of the Marian Cheek Jackson Center and concept queen extraordinaire, back to the podcast to talk queer culture in professional spaces, appropriation, and celebrating intersectional queerness. You betta believe these regular degular queers and favorite auntie spill the tea on Rupaul, Pink-washing, and Derek the drunk straight White guy. We get our life and celebrate our gifts. Werk! Highlights include: Khalilah's wisdom for the gods, a shout out to the House of Coxx, and George sending an email on a Thursday at 2:30.

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 change. Highlights include: Khalilah asking for a cot in the office and Ryan calling for #RealRibsToTheFront

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 pumping time, and Ryan taking parenting notes left and right.

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 coining a term - and its definitely not "occupational intersectionality."

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 tricks for professionals in more restrictive fashion settings. Highlights include: Khalilah being a beginner at something, Ryan's whole relationship with clothes being turned upside down, and Mecca having a fight with dress codes.