Occupied

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. https://www.instagram.com/p/DOfxLwMAbV1/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Instagram: @OccupiedPodcast Facebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Brock Cook Subscribe now and never miss an 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.

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.

Brock and Jess chat and explore her firsthand experiences attending the 2025 Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference.

They discuss the genuine highs, the unexpected lows, and share personal insights about navigating life as educators, researchers, and clinicians.

Dr Jessica Levick speaks with Martin Staines, an Advanced Occupational Therapist with a deep commitment to recovery-oriented practice in mental health.

In this episode of Occupied, I sit down with Michelle Oliver, Australia’s first-ever Chief Occupational Therapist, for an inspiring and insightful conversation about her journey, her vision for the profession, and the evolving landscape of occupational therapy in Australia. We dive into: Michelle’s personal career path—from clinical practice to national leadership What the role of Chief Occupational Therapist entails and how it came to be The pivotal work being led by Occupational Therapy Australia to advance our profession Key themes and what to expect from the upcoming OT National Conference in Adelaide The importance of representation, policy influence, and strategic leadership for OTs at every level Whether you're a student, clinician, or leader in health, this episode will leave you reflecting on how we care—for others and ourselves—in complex systems. Instagram: @OccupiedPodcast Facebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Brock Cook Subscribe now and never miss an episode! B

Dr Jessica Levick speaks with consultant psychiatrist Dr Theo Theodoros to explore the realities of working in challenging, complex and high-pressure healthcare environments.

Welcome back to the Occupied Podcast! After a significant hiatus, we're rebooting with fresh perspectives, exciting content, and most importantly, a brand-new co-host—Jessica Levick. In this special reboot episode:Meet Jessica Levick: Get to know Jessica, her professional background in Occupational Therapy, and her vision for the future of Occupied.What's Changing: Brock and Jessica discuss why the podcast took a break, what's been happening behind the scenes, and what listeners can expect moving forward.New Directions & Fresh Ideas: Explore exciting new topics, formats, and features coming your way. From in-depth conversations and expert interviews to addressing critical issues in Occupational Therapy. Join us as we kick off a new chapter filled with enthusiasm, insight, and community engagement. Subscribe and stay occupied with the conversations that matter! Follow us on social media: Instagram: @OccupiedPodcast Facebook: Occupied Podcast Hosts: Brock Cook & Jessica Levick Subscribe n

In this episode I sit down with Dr. Jessica Levick to explore the intersection of identity, social media, and the commercialisation of mental health. Together, we unpack the growing influence of social media personalities on mental health narratives, discussing both the opportunities and the challenges this creates for individuals seeking support. We delve into how this trend impacts perceptions of identity and mental well-being and consider the role Occupational Therapy can play in promoting authentic, inclusive, and ethical approaches to mental health care in this evolving digital landscape. Whether you're an OT, a student, or simply curious about the impact of social media on health, this episode will leave you with plenty to think about. Tune in for an insightful and thought-provoking conversation! And hey, if you enjoyed today’s chat, we’d love it if you could leave us a review and share the episode with your network. Look after yourself, look after others, and always keep Occupied Brock@brockco

In this inspiring episode of Occupied, I sit down with the multi-talented Lindsay DeLong, an occupational therapist and online content creator known for her innovative videos on assistive technologies. Lindsay shares her journey of merging her passion for occupational therapy with her creative flair, offering listeners a unique perspective on how assistive technologies can enhance lives. She delves into the challenges and rewards of being a creator in this niche, providing valuable insights for both aspiring content creators and occupational therapy professionals. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of healthcare, technology, and creativity, as Lindsay's story is a testament to the impact one can make by combining their professional expertise with their personal interests. And hey, if you enjoyed today’s chat, we’d love it if you could leave us a review and share the episode with your network. Look after yourself, look after others, and always keep Occupied Br

In the latest episode of our podcast, we delve into the fascinating topic of Critical Thinking and its significance in our daily lives. We aim to unravel the mysteries of this crucial skill set, often overlooked yet essential for personal growth and informed decision-making. We'll discuss practical strategies for nurturing a critical mindset, share insights from experts in the field, and provide listeners with actionable tips to apply critical thinking in various aspects of their lives. Whether you're a seasoned critical thinker or just beginning to explore this area, this episode promises to be an enlightening journey into the world of rational thought and reasoned analysis. Join us as we embark on this adventure to enhance our cognitive abilities and enrich our understanding of the world around us. And hey, if you enjoyed today’s chat, we’d love it if you could leave us a review and share the episode with your network. Look after yourself, look after others, and always keep Occupied Brock@brockcoo

Today’s episode is all about mastering interviews, whether you're sitting in the hot seat or the one steering the conversation. We’re unpacking everything from breaking down interview myths to post-interview protocols in a way that's easy to digest and even easier to put into action. First off, we're tackling what really happens in an interview, shining a light on the realities versus the common myths. Making a stellar first impression is more than just dressing sharp; it's about presenting the best version of yourself, from your body language to your choice of words. And speaking of words, we'll dive into how to keep the conversation flowing naturally, with tips on active listening and expressing yourself clearly without getting tangled in jargon. Feeling jittery just thinking about interviews? No stress! We’ve got some straightforward strategies to help you stay cool and collected. Plus, once the interview’s over, we're not leaving you hanging. We'll chat about the art of the follow-up and why reflecting

I'm joined by Helen Harrington and Marielle Turner and we embark on a journey of self-reflection and understanding. We delve into the concept of white privilege, and its impact on healthcare today.

Never in my wildest dreams did I see us getting here. Last night we clocked over….half a million downloads!! That’s right…500,000

1 Month on from the OT Australia National Conference in Cairns and these are some reflections from the event! Look after yourself, look after others, and always keep Occupied Brock@brockcookOTbrock.cook@me.com

Was listening to OT & Chill recently and something from this episode triggered my brain into thought!

I explore my friend, Marie's, journey into working with kids with trauma and some of the considerations that need to be made by clinicians when working in this kind of area.  Look after yourself, look after others, and always keep Occupied Brock@brockcookOTbrock.cook@me.com

The main aim of this presentation is to share the evolution of the role of occupational therapists in the field of eating disorders.

If you're on social media and don't know Mandy then are you really on social media? Mandy is not only a beautiful person but has been in the online space helping therapists and students grow and learn into the profession.