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You’ve probably heard that “the soft skills are actually the hardest skills.” But what happens when your interpersonal skills are put to the test in the most chaotic and emotionally charged moments of patient care?

In this episode, we unpack why so-called “difficult” patients behave the way they do, how fear and loss of control drive conflict, and why oncology physical therapists are uniquely equipped to navigate these moments with clarity and confidence.

You’ll hear practical strategies for anticipating patient needs, managing escalating situations, collaborating across disciplines, and checking your own bias before it checks you.

This conversation goes beyond protocols and productivity metrics to focus on what actually determines success in high-stress encounters: trauma-informed care, de-escalation, emotional intelligence, ethical boundaries, and clinical communication.

This episode will challenge how you think about conflict, remind you that human connection is a clinical skill, and leave you with tools to turn tension into therapeutic opportunity.

🎧 Listen in, and if you’ll be at CSM, add this session to your schedule:
AC-24501 - Managing the Unmanageable, the a-Holes of the Emergency Department

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OncoPTs are part of a patient’s oncology team during the most vulnerable moments of life, including the end of life. However, many clinicians feel unprepared to hold conversations about death and dying and manage the emotional toll that comes with this work.

In this APTA CSM Preview episode, I’m joined by Drs. Adam Matichak and Lori Boright for a grounded, compassionate conversation about what PTs need to know to show up confidently in hospice and palliative care settings.

We talk about:

• The OncoPT’s role when the goal is no longer “getting better,” but living fully
• How to navigate difficult conversations about functional decline, goals of care, and quality of life
• Why “Death is not a dirty word”… and how normalizing these conversations can transform patient care
  
  

No matter your previous experience, this episode will help you understand the landscape, communicate more clearly, and care for yourself as you care for others.

If you’re headed to CSM 2026, add this session to your schedule:
Death Is Not a Dirty Word: The What’s What of Hospice and Palliative Care

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Happy new year OncoPTs! APTA CSM 2026 is just around the corner, so we’re back with our annual CSM preview series 🎉

Immunotherapy has changed the cancer treatment landscape - and if you’ve ever felt like the terminology (and the pace of new developments) is moving faster than you can keep up, you’re not alone.

In this APTA CSM 2026 Preview episode, I’m joined by Scott Capozza, PT, MSPT, Amanda Giarratano, PT, DPT, and Stephen Wechsler, PT, DPT, PhD to unpack what every rehab clinician needs to know about the world of immunotherapy - from the “cibs,” “mibs,” and “mabs” to the real-life implications we’re seeing in rehab settings.

Whether you’re working in oncology rehab every day or you’re a generalist who occasionally sees patients on immunotherapy, this episode will help you feel more confident and more prepared - especially if you’re heading to CSM and deciding which sessions to prioritize.

🎧 Listen in, and if you’ll be at CSM, add this session to your schedule:
ON-24021: Cibs, Mibs and Mabs, Oh My! Demystifying Challenges and Identifying Opportunities with Immunotherapy in Rehabilitation

If immunotherapy still feels like a lot after this episode, I’ve got you:

I created a MedBridge course called “Immunotherapy: What Every Rehab Professional Should Know” that breaks it down step-by-step. You can access it (and support my work) here.

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You listened and you LOVED this episode, which is exactly why this is THE NUMBER ONE EPISODE of TheOncoPT Podcast for 2025!

In case you missed it, the most important cancer rehab research since the PAL trial debuted at ASCO 2025.

Today on the podcast, I’m joined by Scott Capozza, PT, who recently attended and presented at ASCO 2025. Scott breaks down what ASCO is, how it compares to APTA CSM, and why oncology rehab professionals need to be paying attention.

We dive into some of the key themes from this year’s conference, including the game-changing findings from the CHALLENGE trial and the growing emphasis on structured exercise as a critical part of cancer care. 

But more importantly, we talk about how OncoPTs are perfectly positioned to take this research and turn it into action.

It’s not just about being at the table. It’s about putting research into practice, starting now—because our patients can’t wait.

Listen now!

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TheOncoPT Podcast officially turned SEVEN, y'all! 

And a beautiful part of being around this long means that it's time for some knowledge updates:

Bone Marrow Transplant (BMT) and CAR T-cell therapy are evolving fast—are you keeping up? 

In this episode of TheOncoPT Podcast, Dr. Adam Matichak returns to share the latest updates on these groundbreaking treatments and what they mean for your OncoPT practice.

You'll learn how CAR T-cell therapy is expanding, why mobility strategies matter more than ever, and how to use vital signs to guide your treatment decisions. 

Plus, we’ll explore how you can advocate for rehab’s role in oncology, prepare patients for complex treatments like BMT and CAR T, and find the resources you need to stay ahead in this rapidly changing field.

Whether you're new to cancer rehab or a seasoned pro, this conversation will give you practical tools to treat your patients undergoing BMT and/or CAR T-cell therapy. 

Listen now!

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Hey OncoPTs! We're back with our #3 episode of 2025, this time with Dr. Katie Schmitt on her incredible APTA CSM 2025 session, CIPN, Balance, and Breathing: An Interactive Workshop on Manual Therapy, Diaphragmatic Breathing, & Improving Balance.

Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy (CIPN) is more than just numbness and tingling. 

With up to 83% of patients experiencing persistent CIPN, oncoPTs need practical, evidence-based strategies to address these challenges head-on.

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Katie Schmitt, PT, to discuss an innovative, hands-on approach to treating CIPN, improving balance, and integrating breathwork into cancer rehab. 

We explore the role of manual therapy in nerve stimulation, how diaphragmatic breathing enhances core control, and why these techniques should be part of every oncology PT’s toolbox. 

Plus, we’ll cover practical takeaways that you can apply in the clinic immediately.

If you’re looking to elevate your approach to CIPN and fall prevention, don’t miss this conversation!

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We're back with our #4 top episode of TheOncoPT Podcast 2025! 🎉⬇️

What sets a good oncology PT apart from a great one? 

Becoming a specialist in OncoPT doesn’t just elevate your clinical skills—it transforms how you advocate for patients, opens new career opportunities, and positions you as a leader in this growing field. 

And one of the most powerful ways to showcase your expertise? The ABPTS Oncology Specialty Certification Exam.

If you’ve ever wondered whether certification is right for you, this episode will help you think bigger about your career and what’s possible. Plus, I’ll share how preparing for the exam can make you a more confident, capable, and effective oncology PT—long before you ever sit for the test.

🎧 Tune in now to start your journey from good to great in OncoPT!

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We’re starting our Top 5 Episodes of 2025 with an interview that showed up in your downloads all year long. It’s earned the #5 spot, and today we’re bringing it back for another listen. Enjoy! 

Too often, people living with and beyond cancer are sidelined from fitness—not because they can’t exercise, but because programs aren’t designed with their unique needs in mind. 

In this episode, Elise talks with Dr. Kaci and Dr. Reed Handlery, PTs, about building inclusive, sustainable community-based programs for people with mobility challenges—including those living with and beyond cancer. 

From the CSM stage to real-world community impact, Kaci and Reed share how they’re creating inclusive, adaptable programs that meet patients where they are—and empower them to go further. 

We covered:

• The role of seated, high-intensity movement for oncology patients
• How to adapt exercise creatively for mobility impairments and other barriers
• What it takes to build and sustain inclusive fitness programs in your community
• How to identify and empower community champions to keep patients engaged

And best of all: you’ll be inspired to rethink what's possible in your exercise prescription—inside and outside the clinic.

Listen now to discover how you can bring this innovative, adaptable approach to your oncology patients!

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Day 2 of TCRCC2025 wrapped this year’s conference with power, purpose, and so many mic-drop moments you’ll want to revisit again and again.

In this episode, we’re digging into standout Day 2 clips—from clinical insights to career perspective shifts—and unpacking the themes that had our chat buzzing all day long. I’ll share what these sessions mean for the future of cancer rehab and how you can put these ideas into action starting now.

If you’re looking to extend your conference glow and bring fresh strategy into your work, this is your episode.

📣 TCRCC2026 Is Coming!

 Mark your calendar and grab your spot early because next year is already shaping up to be our biggest and boldest yet.

🗓 Friday, November 6 – Saturday, November 7, 2026
🎟 Early bird registration is officially open
🎤 Speaker applications are now live (and due March 1, 2026)

Let’s keep building the future of cancer rehab TOGETHER.

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Day 1 of The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 did not come to play.

In this episode, I’m walking you through some of the biggest takeaways, mindset shifts, and “I needed to hear that” moments from our Day 1 speakers. You’ll hear select clips straight from the sessions and my behind-the-scenes reflections on why these messages matter for cancer rehab right now.

Whether you were there live or you’re catching up afterward, this episode will help you carry the momentum, clarity, and fire from Day 1 into your own practice.

📣 TCRCC2026 Is Coming!
We’re already gearing up for next year’s conference—and you’re invited.
🗓 Friday, November 6 – Saturday, November 7, 2026
🎟 Early bird registration is officially open
🎤 Speaker applications are now live (and due March 1, 2026)

If TCRCC2025 lit you up… just wait until 2026.

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