Once Upon OT

In this episode, I am joined by Annalou who shares in depth her occupational therapy journey and how she decided to tackle her student loan debt following completion of her occupational therapy program. Annalou also shares about her travel sabbatical and her long-term goals as an occupational therapist

https://www.instagram.com/annalouexplores/

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:57) Annalou ... what is your occupational therapy story?

(4:12) Occupational Therapy School experience

(7:17) Helpful experiences that enhanced your learning during the didactic portion of your program

(9:36) Overall experience with cohort, grad school

(12:15) Reflecting on Fieldwork 2 clinical experiences — Outpatient Pediatric clinic/School-based OT +  adapting during COVID times

(18:33) If a current OT student is listening right now and is having a difficult/challenging time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might be something you share with them at this time?

(19:36) Entering the field as a new grad OT— mindset starting out your career

(28:39) Any piece(s) of advice for new grad occupational therapists starting out their career?  

(30:18) Favorite/least favorite aspects as a skilled-nursing facility (SNF) OT

(33:22) Memorable moments as an occupational therapist in a skilled-nursing facility

(36:25) Talking student loans — tackling debt + managing finances from Annalou’s perspective 

(51:35) the day you finally made your final payment —> what was that feeling like?

(53:44) What’s next for you Annalou? Any long-term goals as an OT?

In this episode, I am joined by Josh - an occupational therapist currently working in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) setting.

He shares in further depth his educational journey through OT school in the Philippines. He highlights the sweet wins but also the low points and personal struggles along the way.

TIMESTAMPS:

(1:00) Josh, what is your occupational therapy st ory?

(4:02) What was Occupational Therapy School like in the Philippines? - classes, academic rigor, likes/dislikes, handling failure

(19:43) Reflecting on clinical experiences as an OT student — the “ups and downs”

(24:54) Favorite moment/story as an OT student

(29:10) Least favorite “lowest lows” as an OT student

(30:59) If an OT student is listening to this podcast right now and they are having a difficult time with OT school -  what piece of advice might you share with them at this time

(34:31) Fast forward to your current day role as an occupational therapist in the SNF setting

(38:46) Favorite intervention in the SNF

(41:01) Range of caseload typically // how does it feel for you?

(43:35) Any long-term goals as an occupational therapist? — lifestyle redesign + home care ?

(50:52) Reflecting on your OT journey — any thoughts you’d like to share with someone listening that might be THINKING about pursuing OT? (FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE)

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@joshrendi

@once_upon_ot

In this episode, I am joined by Mary who shares her journey to becoming a speech language pathologist “SLP”. She walks through her early discovery of the profession, the graduate school experience, and current experience starting out as a new grad SLP

** If you are curious about the perspective of speech language pathologists , then this episode is for you!

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:44) What is your SLP story?

(5:51) Mary’s SLP Graduate Program Experience 

(7:54) SLP classes that stuck out for you — favorite/least favorite?

(10:17) highlighting various SLP externship experiences and important lessons learned 

(14:08) Balancing externship, coursework, and life - how did you handle it personally?

(15:40) Talking about social life during SLP program

(17:57) If a current SLP student is listening to this episode right now and is having a difficult/challenging time during their SLP program — what might be something that you share with them?

(20:52) Applying for jobs as a new graduate SLP 

(25:33) What might an SLP treatment session look like? Favorite interventions?

(29:01) Mary’s future goals or aspirations as an SLP?

(32:40) breaking down SLP credentials

(34:49) typical caseload or what it might look like?

(36:47) Any encounters or interactions with an occupational therapist (OT) on your SLP journey?

(39:26) SLP insta — @maryspeech (motivation, purpose, inspiration for starting the account)

(42:03) FINAL piece of advice for — 

a) ...a prospective student considering SLP as a profession 

b) ...an SLP student starting their graduate program tomorrow

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@maryspeechy

https://www.instagram.com/maryspeechy/?__d=dist

@once_upon_ot

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I am joined by Catie who shares her occupational therapy journey from the early discovery of OT, to passing the NBCOT after multiple attempts and starting out as a new graduate occupational therapist in the home health setting

TIMESTAMPS:

(2:46) Occupational Therapy School EXPERIENCE

(4:40) favorite classes and challenging classes

(6:48) Memorable moments in OT school

(7:46) Fieldwork 2 Experiences (Hand Therapy and Inpatient Rehab)

(13:03) If a current OT student is listening right now and is having a difficult/challenging time during their fieldwork 2 rotation — what might be something you share with them?

(15:21) Preparing for the NBCOT Exam — what was your experience?

(25:25) Entering the field as a new grad occupational therapist

(30:24) A Day in the Life as a Home Health OT

(35:21) Favorite aspect of Home health OT

(39:44) the challenging parts or “not-so-fun” parts of being a home health OT

(43:30) Home Health approach to treatments & interventions

(45:21) Memorable moments or stories with clients

(47:07) Long-term goals as an occupational therapist? + Bonus Lightning Round*

In this episode, I am joined by Alyssa a current OTD student finishing up her doctoral capstone at USC

Alyssa reflects on her occupational therapy journey thus far & what's next for her moving forward!

TIMESTAMPS:

(1:00) Alyssa, what is your occupational therapy story?

(4:15) Occupational therapy Program Experience — why USC, cohort, fav/not so favorite classes

(10:48) Unique experiences in your program 

(15:40) Talking fieldwork 2 experiences — A) Community-based Mental Health site B) Pediatric Mental Health (Capstone) : what was it like for you? Overall lessons learned

(20:57) If a current fieldwork 2 student is struggling in their clinical rotation at this time ….  what might be something that you share with them?

(22:23) Alyssa’s Doctoral Capstone

(27:56) Looking ahed at what’s next & upcoming on your OT journey

(29:45) story behind “@thebloomingtherapist”

(34:09) A student starts their OT program tomorrow, what might be something you tell them?

https://www.instagram.com/thebloomingtherapist/?hl=en

https://www.instagram.com/thebloomingtherapist/?hl=en

In this episode, I am joined by Bea Fontano BSN, RN - a traveling emergency room (ER) nurse who shares her nursing journey

Bea reflects back on the memorable days of nursing school (Seton Hall University where we briefly crossed paths) and also on the early days as a new graduate nurse entering & navigating the field

_________________________

INSTA:

 @bay_uhhh

https://www.instagram.com/bay_uhhh/

@once_upon_ot

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

_________________________

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:36) Bea’s Nursing Journey

(2:29) Reflecting back on your Nursing School experience

(7:40) Mindset starting out as a new graduate nurse 

(10:39) Deciding to switch specialities - working in the Emergency Room (ER) 

(13:36) ER Travel Nursing — WHY? What’s it like?

(17:00) A “typical” day in the life in your current role as an emergency room nurse

(20:41) Favorite & least favorite/challenging aspects of being a nurse

(23:13) Burnout & stress management - thoughts?

(25:31) Memorable moments as a nurse

(28:49) Long-term goals 

(29:40) FINAL PIECES OF ADVICE

In this episode, I am joined by Sarah - an occupational therapist with her own private practice in early intervention. She answers my curious questions about her occupational therapy journey and discusses the array of experiences she has garnered over the years.

** whether you are an occupational therapy student or practitioner -- if you have the slightest bit of interest in private practice or OT entrepreneurship - then this episode is for you :)

insta: @ot.4.lyfe

https://www.instagram.com/ot.4.lyfe/?hl=en

insta: @once_upon_ot

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:50) Sarah’s Occupational Therapy Story

(3:22) Occupational Therapy School Experience 

(9:02) Fieldwork 2 Experiences 

(13:34) Perspectives as a fieldwork 2 student and as a Fieldwork Educator

(22:52) Entering the field as a new graduate occupational therapist

(31:23) Present day work as an OT — running a private practice specializing in early intervention

(36:49) A “typical” day in the life in your current role

(41:38) “OT-preneur” podcast

(46:09) Any advice for a student or new grad OT interested in entrepreneurship?

(55:51) Present-day Sarah, current headspace, thoughts about your occupational therapy future

BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND.

In this episode, I am joined by Joshua - a current travel occupational therapist who shares his occupational therapy journey. He shares his career pivot from working in medical imaging <> to finding purpose and passion for OT

Additionally, Victor and I met during AOTA conference in 2026 when I volunteered as a room monitor for his session -- and he presented about test-taking strategies & managing anxiety to help students prepare & pass the NBCOT exam

~resources from Joshua~

https://stan.store/JoshuaVictorOTCoach?fbclid=PAQ0xDSwLaYNBleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABp9UqUKbsn8STiNJlBgDIm7L69KJX8BKQ4hbFXKQAdFPAmV7Ea4TTyhuDJH3u_aem_LSN6hOowBiUpxPCMI6PCEQ

TIMESTAMPS:

(0:48) What is Joshua’s occupational therapy story?

(10:02) Occupational Therapy Program experiences — what was your experience like?

(14:45) Fieldwork 2 Experiences — inpatient vs outpatient 

(21:09) If a current OT student is listening right now — and is having a challenging or difficult time during their fieldwork 2 clinical experience — what might you share with them?

(23:41) Importance of “soft skills” as an occupational therapist

(24:40) AOTA Presentation on Managing Test Anxiety | How did you personally prepare for the NBCOT exam?

(35:39) Mindset as a new grad occupational therapist

(40:05) Joshua’s Travel OT experience 

(46:36) Joshua’s DIML as a SNF occupational therapist

IG: https://www.instagram.com/joshuavictor_ot/

In this episode, I am joined by Emily Blackwell - who shares her occupational therapy journey : from the early discovery of occupational therapy to her exciting travels during fieldwork 2 and her present day adventures as a travel pediatric OT in Hawaii

**if you are curious about what it's like to have a fieldwork 2 experience abroad or travel occupational therapy as a new grad OT - then this episode is for you ! :)

TIMESTAMPS:

(1:05) Emily’s occupational therapy story

(5:01) Occupational Therapy Program Experience - why UNE, fav/least favorite classes

(13:28) Level 2A Fieldwork  — Community Clinic in Ecuador

(18:44) What might you suggest to someone interested in setting up an OT fieldwork 2 abroad

(20:10) Level 2B Fieldwork — Acute Care in Cancer Center

(23:35) If a current occupational therapy student is having a difficult or challenging time during their fieldwork 2 rotation —  what might be something you share with them?

(24:48) How did you prepare for the NBCOT exam? 

(27:34) Starting out in Travel Occupational Therapy as a new grad OT - what was that like?

(39:03) Current life as an occupational therapist - what does a typical day look like?

(45:12) Memorable moments or stories as an occupational therapist <3

(47:56) Future or long-term goals as an OT

(50:02) Your WFOT experience 

(53:44) ONE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE — for someone starting their occupational therapy program

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https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

In this episode, I am joined by Justin - who shares his occupational therapy journey from past to present day. He shares his occupational therapy school experience as well as a deep dive into his fieldwork 2 clinical experiences, insights, and lessons learned along the way - leading to his present day work as a school-based occupational therapist

TIMESTAMPS:

(1:11) What is your occupational therapy story?

(7:39) Occupational Therapy Program Experience - favorite classes, not-so-favorite classes, cohort size, etc. 

(16:14) Memorable moments for you during OT school

(21:30) Justin’s fieldwork 2 - clinical experiences : 

• 2A)school based pediatrics 
• 2B) outpatient hand therapy

(38:15) If a current OT student is listening and having a difficult or challenging time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might be something you share with them?

(41:52) How did Justin prepare for the NBCOT exam?

(48:51) Entering the field + applying for jobs as a new grad OT

(54:40) Life as a school-based occupational therapist

(1:05:31) Any long-term goals in your OT future?

(1:08:42) BONUS LIGHTNING ROUND

https://www.instagram.com/jstnsnt/

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/

Thank you for listening :)