OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast / Conversations qui comptent en ergo : Le balado

In 2025, OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast will focus on innovative educational practices shaping the future of occupational therapy. To kick off this theme, Episode 51 highlights a capstone course for second-year occupational therapy students at McMaster University.

Join guests Sandra Moll and Briano DiRezze, OTs and McMaster University faculty, and host Justine Jecker as they discuss design thinking and entrepreneurship in occupational therapy.

The conversation explores how the McMaster course bridges design and business education with occupational therapy, strengthens connections with the occupational therapy entrepreneur community, and emphasizes the importance of exploring business-related competencies and strategic partnerships for advancing the profession.

Tune in now to hear about the benefits of equipping future occupational therapists with the skills to innovate and lead in a dynamic health care landscape!

In episode 50 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by OT Katie Churchill and former OT Amanda Björn to explore the intersection of professional identity and leadership in occupational therapy. They discuss why many OTs relinquish their title when stepping into formal leadership roles like CEO or Director, the challenges of maintaining a protected title, and how self-worth shapes leadership in the field. Tune in for a reflective conversation on the “art of occupational therapy” and the critical role of clear communication in defining professional identity and building meaningful connections.

In this episode of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapists Anne-Pascale Ménard and Giovanni Arcuri for a conversation on empowering OTs as transformative change makers. They discuss the critical role of de-jargonizing OT to build stronger client connections, help practitioners reclaim their professional identity, and strengthen interprofessional collaboration, ultimately driving meaningful change in practice. With their expertise in mental health and OT education, Anne-Pascale and Gio also emphasize the value of centering mental well-being, preventative care, and collaborative approaches to improve outcomes for those accessing occupational therapy services.

In Episode 48 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker sits down with occupational therapist and influencer Adam Ly to explore how OT practitioners identify and build on foundational skills to advance the profession, notably in the area of cognitive rehabilitation. They discuss the importance of grassroots-level education, advocacy, and innovative strategies for sustainable system transformation and the need for OT practitioners to get actively involved in post-licensure education both as participants and leaders. With advancements in AI, interprofessional collaboration, and complex knowledge systems, Adam emphasizes how understanding and strengthening core foundational skills is key to becoming effective advocates and leaders in the field. 

In Episode 47 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker and occupational therapist Stephanie Bizzeth delve into the impact of dominant cultural practices on occupational therapy service delivery. Drawing on their shared experience organizing and facilitating the CAOT 2024 Professional Issues Forum on Mental Health with a team of researchers and clinicians, they reflect on critical discussions around equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility (EDIA) practices, as well as the systemic structures that continue to reinforce dominant cultural norms. Together they explore the fluid nature of dominant culture and ways to challenge, transform and influence dominant Eurocentric norms within the Canadian context. Tune in for a meaningful dialogue on building a more inclusive, culturally responsive approach to healthcare.

Dans l'épisode 46 de Conversations qui comptent en ergo : Le balado, l'animatrice invitée Josée Séguin reçoit Brigitte Vachon, ergothérapeute et professeure, ainsi que Mylaine Breton, professeure et bachelière en ergothérapie. Toutes deux sont des pionnières dans l'intégration de l'ergothérapie au sein des équipes de soins primaires au Québec. Ensemble, elles discutent des défis liés à la promotion, à la clarification du rôle des ergothérapeutes et à leur intégration dans les équipes interprofessionnelles de soins primaires au Québec. Avec une population vieillissante et des besoins de santé de plus en plus complexes, l'ergothérapie joue un rôle clé. Écoutez cet épisode pour découvrir leurs réflexions et solutions face à ces enjeux.

In Episode 45 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast host Justine Jecker is joined by Indigenous occupational therapist and PhD candidate Jen Bertoni, returning to the podcast exactly three years after her first appearance. Jen, who is pursuing her Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation and Health Leadership at Queen’s University, reflects on her journey exploring culture, equity, and justice in occupational therapy practice in northwestern Ontario. Together, they discuss lessons learned and unlearned, the importance of self-reflection and mentorship to process personal narratives and biases, and how Jen's connection with her ancestral community has shaped her understanding of culturally appropriate care in occupational therapy. Tune in to discover how hope, belonging, meaning, and purpose have become central to her work.

In Episode 44 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by Holly Reid, an Indigenous OT and PhD candidate, to explore collaborative relationship-focused occupational therapy. This approach emphasizes the importance of relational connections between therapists, individuals, and communities. Drawing from the Promoting Occupational Participation textbook, they discuss four key components: contextually relevant relationships, nuanced interactions, safety, and rights-based self-determination. Through personal and professional insights, they examine the meaning of being "in relationship," its evolution in OT education, essential relational protocols, and how relationships shape occupational engagement. Tune in for valuable perspectives on enhancing OT practice.

In Episode 43 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker welcomes Katie Lewis, an occupational therapist, historian, PhD candidate at McMaster University, and the recent recipient of the E. Sharon Brintnell Lectureship Award in Advancing Occupational Therapy. Together, they explore the history of occupational therapy in Canada during the Rehabilitation Era (1950-1985), examining its impact on the profession’s holistic roots. Through oral history interviews, extensive archival research, and theories of gender and professionalization, Katie provides valuable insights into the challenges and growth the profession experienced. Tune in for a fascinating discussion!

In Episode 42 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapist Gisele Craswell, and social worker Heather Boynton, to explore the significance of trauma-informed care in daily practice. Trauma's impact is now widely recognized, encompassing personal, collective, childhood, and intergenerational trauma. Despite this awareness, healthcare providers often struggle to stay updated on trauma-informed care practices. Together, they discuss how occupational therapy and social work are crucial in addressing trauma's effects and in promoting recovery. Through approaches such as holistic assessments, creating safe spaces, developing coping strategies, sensory integration, and identifying meaningful occupations, therapists can support individuals in rebuilding their lives and enhancing overall well-being. Tune in to hear Gisele, Heather, and Justine share their personal and professional journeys surrounding trauma.