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

follow along on insta :)

https://www.instagram.com/eblackwell9/

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 :)

In this episode, I am joined by Stephanie who is currently practicing school-based OT. In this episode, she shares her occupational therapy journey, lessons learned along the way & future plans as an occupational therapist

follow on insta ~

https://www.instagram.com/stephanie.ceciliab/ (@stephanie.ceiliab)

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ (@once_upon_ot)

TIMESTAMPS:

(3:36) Occupational Therapy Program Experience

(9:29) Fieldwork 2 Experiences - outpatient pediatrics + outpatient ortho/hands

(17:45) Entering the field as a new grad occupational therapist

(24:44) Any piece of advice you might share with a new grad OT applying for jobs?

(27:29) Diving deeper into School-based OT experience (lifestyle, day-to-day)

(34:08) How do you handle difficult/challenging moments as an OT

(35:19) Memorable stories as an occupational therapist 

(38:33) Recent travels in Asia (non-OT related) — taking time off from OT

(46:10) Any long-term goals as an occupational therapy practitioner?

In this episode, I am joined by Justine - a certified occupational therapy assistant . We dive deep into Justine's clinical rotations, balancing full-time & per diem jobs, memorable stories as a COTA and much much more!

~insta~

https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/

https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/

https://www.instagram.com/just_tee_cota/

Timestamps: 

(3:38) What was your occupational therapy assistant (OTA) program like? 

(7:36) Exploring OTA Fieldwork experiences : SNF & School Settings

(15:59) What is something you might share with an OT/OTA student currently having a difficult time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotations?

(17:16) Initial mindset as a new grad COTA — the job search?

(21:25) Managing & balancing a full-time position with a per diem position

(27:12) Tips for new grads applying for their 1st occupational therapy job

(29:25) Current Life as Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant “COTA” : school-based OTA + business non-traditional OT focused on Handwriting

(40:33)  Diving deeper into OT/OTA dynamic

(45:27) What are some challenging aspects of your current role?

(47:29) Memorable stories as a COTA

(49:47) WHY COTA & not occupational therapist?

(53:47) Long-term goals as a COTA

In this episode, I am joined by Daniella - who shares her occupational therapy journey from the early days of OT discovery, occupational therapy school, entering the field as a new grad OT and lessons learned along the way.

Daniella is currently a pediatric occupational therapist and is certified in Ayer’s Sensory Integration + advanced training in neuro-affirming, trauma-informed care

Tiny Hands & Bright Minds - for more information :

⁠https://www.tinyhandsandbrightminds.com/⁠

Daniella’s insta : @tinyhands_brightminds

Timestamps: 

(3:10) Walk us through your occupational therapy program experience 

(6:06) Unique experiences that enhanced your learning in grad school

(8:18) Memorable moments during your OT program

(10:10) Fieldwork 2 Experiences — navigating COVID times | Home Health & Neuro-outpatient

(14:06) If a CURRENT occupational therapy student is listening & is having a difficult or challenging time with their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might you share with them at this time? 

(15:28) Entering the field as a new grad occupational therapist — navigating your first job

(18:05) What led you to your current role today as an occupational therapist? | Tiny Hands and Bright Minds

(20:37) Your experience with noticing signs of burnout | what are some signals that it might be time for the next thing as an OT?

(23:53) Transitioning into private practice — Tiny Hands & Bright Minds

(27:22) A typical day in the life in your current role as an occupational therapist

(32:56) Approaching treatment/intervention sessions

(35:15) Reflecting on your experience

(36:52) Memorable stories as an OT

insta: @once_upon_ot

In this episode, we get a brief dive into Jill's occupational therapy journey and memorable moments along the way!

She is also known as @jillwholesome.life on insta! Check out her content for both simple & creative ideas for OT interventions when working with the adults

https://www.instagram.com/jillswholesome.life/

~follow Once Upon OT on insta~

https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot