Occupied

In this special episode of Occupied, we sit down with Professor Mandy Stanley to reflect on an extraordinary career in occupational therapy as she steps into retirement.

Mandy shares the story behind her journey in OT — from early clinical practice to leadership, academia, and shaping the profession at a national level. This conversation is part history lesson, part mentorship session, and part heartfelt reflection on what it really means to grow with a profession over decades.

We explore how occupational therapy has evolved across her career, the moments that challenged and shaped her, and what she hopes the next generation of OTs will carry forward. Whether you’re a student just starting out, a clinician mid-career, or an educator thinking about your legacy, this episode is full of perspective, wisdom, and grounding reminders about the heart of OT.

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Host: Brock Cook

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In this reflective end-of-year episode of Occupied, hosts Brock and Jess take a moment to pause, look back, and make sense of 2025 — both personally and professionally.

Together, they unpack the highs, the hard bits, and the unexpected lessons that shaped the year, before turning their attention to what lies ahead. Rather than rigid resolutions, this conversation focuses on values, direction, and intentional growth as they set goals for 2026.

This episode is an honest check-in about work, identity, creativity, burnout, momentum, and what it means to keep evolving as practitioners, educators, and humans.

In this episode, we discuss:

Key reflections and standout moments from 2025

What challenged us, stretched us, or changed our perspectives

Lessons learned from projects, conversations, and community

Letting go of what no longer serves us

Setting meaningful, values-aligned goals for 2026

How intention, curiosity, and sustainability guide our plans moving forward

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Host: Brock Cook & Dr Jessica Levick

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In this episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick sits down with mental health nurse Ayden Riethmuller to explore the powerful intersection between lived experience and professional practice. Ayden shares his personal journey with mental health challenges and how these experiences have shaped his approach to care, compassion, and recovery-oriented practice.

Together, they discuss the value of lived experience. This candid conversation highlights the strength that comes from vulnerability and the ways personal experience can enrich professional identity in mental health care.

Whether you’re a clinician, student, or someone with lived experience, this episode offers an honest, hopeful look at what it means to support recovery — for ourselves and others.

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Host: Dr Jessica LevickSubscribe now and never miss an episode!

In this episode, Brock sits down with Brad from The Becoming Collective to unpack what it really means to come into alignment with the profession of occupational therapy — and what happens when we drift away from it.

Brad opens up about the origins of The Becoming Collective, how it started as a space for meaningful connection and reflection, and how the group evolved (and sometimes dissolved) as members navigated burnout, personal growth, and the realities of professional life.

Together, Brock and Brad explore:

🌊 The natural ebb and flow of professional identity — and how OTs can lose (and rediscover) their sense of purpose.

🔥 Burnout, disillusionment, and the courage it takes to pause and realign.

🧩 Why models and frameworks aren’t just academic tools, but anchors for reasoning, reflection, and reconnection with occupation.

🤝 The importance of community, vulnerability, and staying curious about who we are becoming as practitioners.

This episode is a grounded, honest reflection on growth, drift, and renewal — reminding us that returning to the core of our profession often starts with reconnecting to ourselves.

Check out the Becoming Collective here: 

The free Clarity Collection guide 1 download: https://thebecomingcollective.kit.com/07b16351bcThe OT Re-Alignment Experience page: https://becoming-realign-landing.lovable.app/The Becoming Collective page: www.thebecomingcollective.com

Email: [email protected]

In this episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick chats with Professor Elspeth Froude — Professor of Occupational Therapy and National Head of the School of Allied Health at the Australian Catholic University. Elspeth shares insights from her leadership journey in academia, her passion for advancing the profession globally, and her role as Chair of the WFOT World Congress to be held in Thailand in 2026.

Together, Jess and Elspeth explore the evolving landscape of occupational therapy education, research, and international collaboration, and discuss how occupational therapists can stay grounded in occupation while responding to global challenges.

A thoughtful and inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about the future of occupational therapy and the power of leadership to create meaningful change.

💥 Exclusive Listener Offer! Listeners of Occupied can receive 10% off full registration for the WFOT World Congress 2026 in Thailand using the code Occupied@10 at checkout. Don’t miss this chance to connect, learn, and celebrate occupational therapy on the global stage!

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Host: Dr Jessica LevickSubscribe now and never miss an episode!

In this episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick is joined by Dr Kieran Broome — occupational therapist, educator, and researcher, to explore how we can bridge the gap between what we know and what we do. We unpack the concept of knowledge translation and why it’s essential for meaningful, evidence-informed occupational therapy practice. Kieran shares insights into how OTs can stay curious, reflective, and engaged in lifelong learning, no matter where they are in their career journey.

Whether you’re a student, clinician, or academic, this conversation will leave you inspired to think critically, learn continuously, and translate knowledge into everyday action.

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Host: Dr Jessica LevickSubscribe now and never miss an episode!

In this episode, I’m joined by Joey Peppas, an occupational therapist running her own private practice. Together, we dig deep into the less-talked-about realities of our profession—being a people pleaser, battling imposter syndrome, and the unique personality traits that often draw us into OT in the first place.

Joey shares her experiences of navigating private practice, from the practical challenges of running a business to the personal growth that comes with stepping outside the comfort zone. We also reflect on the ways our personalities shape how we show up as therapists, colleagues, and leaders.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re giving too much, doubted whether you’re “enough,” or wondered what it really takes to thrive in private practice, this conversation is for you.

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Host: Brock Cook

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In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, the newly elected president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). We dive into her journey into occupational therapy, the experiences that shaped her leadership, and the values guiding her work at the highest level of the profession.

Dr. Anvarizadeh shares candid insights into her personal story, the challenges she’s faced, and the vision she has for advancing occupational therapy during her presidential term. From equity and inclusion, to professional advocacy, to building stronger connections across our diverse OT community, her priorities highlight the future direction of the profession.

Whether you’re a student, clinician, educator, or leader, this conversation will inspire you to reflect on what leadership means in occupational therapy—and how each of us can contribute to shaping the future of our field.

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Host: Brock Cook

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Join Brock and Jess as they chat with Dr Craig Greber about an exciting new model of clinical reasoning he’s helped to develop. Craig shares insights into the origins of this innovative approach, how it can enhance occupational therapy practice, and why clinical reasoning remains critical to the profession. An essential listen for anyone interested in pushing the boundaries of OT thinking!

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Host: Dr Jessica Levick & Brock Cook

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Brock and Jess chat and explore her firsthand experiences attending the 2025 Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference. She explores the highlights, key insights, and areas for improvement from her perspective. Adding depth to the conversation, you’ll also hear reflections from a diverse range of attendees, capturing the varied impressions and standout moments from this year’s event. Whether you attended or missed out, join us as we unpack the takeaways and discuss what it means for the future of occupational therapy practice.

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Host: Dr Jessica Levick & Brock Cook

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