PiP Cast: Perspectives in Paeds

Kid Link OT

Perspectives in Paeds (PiP Cast) is your go-to podcast for thought-provoking conversations relating to paediatric practice! Join Melbourne-based OTs Jackie Sikic and Caitlin Smith as they explore best practices, unpack the latest evidence, and chat about the everyday challenges faced by clinicians in paediatrics. Each episode, Jackie and Caitlin are joined by fellow clinicians to share their insights, swap stories, and spark new ideas to enrich your practice. No matter your level of experience, PiP Cast invites you to reflect, learn, and grow alongside a community of passionate clinicians.

  1. Jun 25

    Episode 55: From Overwhelmed to Empowered - Parent Coaching with Jacqui Ornellas

    In this episode, Jackie and Georgia are joined by Jacqui Ornellas Snider, paediatric Occupational Therapist and ICF PCC-level Coach, to explore what it really means to bring a Coach Approach into paediatric practice. Together they unpack the core principles of coaching - from believing the client is the expert in their own life, to resisting the urge to fix - and what genuinely separates a coaching mindset from simply being a warm, curious clinician. From navigating the complexity of a teenager and parent in the same room with competing agendas, to knowing what to do when a family just wants you to tell them what to do, this episode gets practical. Whether you're an OT, speech pathologist, psychologist, or physio, you'll walk away with a clearer sense of what a coaching moment looks like mid-session - and at least one thing you can try tomorrow. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: https://jacquisnider.com.au

    46 min

  2. Jun 18

    Episode 54: The Eighth Sense: Interoception in Paediatric Practice

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Danni and Dayna to explore interoception - the often-overlooked sense that tells us what's happening inside our own bodies. From hunger and thirst to heartbeat and emotional states, the team discuss how interoception underpins so much of how children regulate, connect, and navigate their day - and when it works differently, the ripple effects can show up across feeding, behaviour, emotional regulation, and learning. The conversation goes beyond an OT lens, exploring why interoception is relevant for all clinicians. The team bring their caseload experience to the table, sharing what interoceptive differences actually look like in practice, and how to support a child in building their interoceptive awareness. Relevant episode links:  https://www.kelly-mahler.com/ Reference discussed: Khalsa, S. S., Adolphs, R., Cameron, O. G., Critchley, H. D., Davenport, P. W., Feinstein, J. S., Feusner, J. D., Garfinkel, S. N., Lane, R. D.,Mehling,W. E., Meuret, A. E., Nemeroff, C. B., Oppenheimer, S., Petzschner, F. H., Pollatos, O., Rhudy, J. L., Schramm, L. P., Simmons, W. K., Stein,M.B., Stephan, K. E., Interoception Summit 2016 participants (2018). Interoception and Mental Health: A Roadmap. Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging, 3(6), 501–513. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpsc.2017.12.004 Be sure to follow us on Instagram @pip.cast Link to Kid Link’s upcoming live webinar:  Kids, Teens, And Digital Tech: Essentials for Clinicians https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/kids-teens-and-digital-tech-essentials-for-clinicians-tickets-1989626822385 For access to free tools, clinical resources, and early access to Kid Link OT courses, all in your inbox. Join the list at https://mailchi.mp/kidlink/mailing-list-sign-ups  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy. We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognise their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  ·  Produced by Michael Daniels

    30 min

  3. Jun 11

    Episode 53: Rethinking Career Progression

    In this episode, Jac sits down with Mik and Cowie to challenge the default "team leader is the only way up" pathway that is often promoted in allied health. They explore what career progression could look like if it was  less like a ladder and more like a rock wall? Sometimes up, sometimes sideways, sometimes back a step to leverage forward. They unpack why great clinicians don't always make great managers, how to design roles around your team's strengths, and why progression should be about about widening your impact, not how many people report to you. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels

    44 min

  4. Jun 4

    Episode 52: Handwriting - When to Move On and What to Move On To

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Maddie and Emily to talk about one of those questions that many paediatric clinicians wrestle with but don't always say out loud: when do you stop chasing the handwriting goal, and what do you do instead? They dig into the clinical signals that it might be time to take a different approach, how to have that conversation with families, what alternatives like typing and voice-to-text actually look like in practice, and  how to help families imagine a positive future for their child that doesn't centre on neat handwriting. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels

    34 min

  5. May 28

    Episode 51: Accidental Leader

    In this episode, Jackie is joined by Caitlyn and Gabs to unpack what leadership really means, and why so many of us have worked under leaders who received the title without mastering the leading. They challenge "convenient leadership" and explore leadership as a behaviour, not a position. Anyone who takes responsibility for finding potential in people and processes is a leader and you don't need permission or a promotion to start leading. Whether or not you hold an official title, they share practical ways to grow your leadership skills. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: Brené Brown – Strong Ground (her 2025 book on daring leadership): https://brenebrown.com/hubs/strong-ground/ Brené Brown – Dare to Lead: https://brenebrown.com/hubs/dare-to-lead/ Adam Grant – Think Again (the "rethinking" book): https://adamgrant.net/book/think-again/ Kristin Neff – Self-Compassion: https://selfcompassion.org

    48 min

  6. May 22

    Episode 50: Is Allied Health Too Nice?

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Gabs and Em to ask a question that doesn't get asked enough: is allied health too nice? Not too kind - too nice. Because there's a difference, and it might be quietly getting in the way of the work we're actually here to do. From softened reports and avoided conversations, to recommending what families want rather than what they need, this episode gets honest about the habits and pressures that push clinicians toward comfort over honesty - and what it's costing the kids and families on our caseloads. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels

    40 min

  7. May 14

    Episode 49: Assessing Engagement at School: AN OT Lens on Participation

    In this episode, Caitlin is joined by Josh and Keely to chat about what school-based OT observations actually look like in practice - how they help clinicians better understand a child's participation in their learning environment, and how they can shape meaningful therapy plans. Together they unpack the purpose behind a school observation, what the OT lens brings to understanding a child's engagement in the classroom, and what it really takes to write recommendations that are practical enough to actually be implemented - and don't just sit in a drawer. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: Ross Greene’s Lives in the Balance: https://livesinthebalance.org/

    34 min

  8. May 7

    Episode 48: Supporting Caregivers to Become Confident Puberty Educators

    In this episode, Caitlin, Alyssa and Danni extend their conversation on puberty, moving beyond the developmental landscape and into one of the most practical questions clinicians face: how do we actually support parents/caregivers to become confident puberty educators for their own child? Together they discuss what gets in the way of parents and caregivers having these conversations at home, what unhelpful puberty education looks like, and how clinicians can gently and effectively bring this topic into their sessions. Whether you have families who are already in the thick of puberty or those who are just approaching it, this episode offers a clear framework and concrete language to help parents move from avoidant to approachable, because an open door, however imperfect, will always beat the conversation that never happens. Be sure to follow us on instagram @pip.cast  This podcast is brought to you by Kid Link Occupational Therapy.  We acknowledge the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung people as the Traditional Owners of the land on which we work and live here in Mitcham, Victoria. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and recognize their ongoing connection to the land, waterways, and culture. As we support children and families, we are inspired by the wisdom and care that First Nations peoples have shown for generations. Music by Daniel Pavey  Produced by Michael Daniels  Relevant Episode Links: Link to Pipcast Puberty Pt 1 Episode (Ep 18): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0GO5Yey3ADP4QFxNAVm4kn?si=8e0316e01bc544a6 Amaze: Age-appropriate videos and resources covering puberty, sexual health, healthy relationships, pregnancy, online safety, and STDs https://amaze.org/ Sex Ed Rescue: Puberty Books for Neurodivergent Preteens  Instagram: @sexedrescue https://sexedrescue.com/puberty-sex-education-books-for-neurodiverse-kids-with-autism/

    33 min
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About

Perspectives in Paeds (PiP Cast) is your go-to podcast for thought-provoking conversations relating to paediatric practice! Join Melbourne-based OTs Jackie Sikic and Caitlin Smith as they explore best practices, unpack the latest evidence, and chat about the everyday challenges faced by clinicians in paediatrics. Each episode, Jackie and Caitlin are joined by fellow clinicians to share their insights, swap stories, and spark new ideas to enrich your practice. No matter your level of experience, PiP Cast invites you to reflect, learn, and grow alongside a community of passionate clinicians.

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