Dr. thOTs

Drs. Ryan Lavalley & Khalilah Johnson
  • 5.0 (16)
  • Social Sciences
  • Updated Monthly

A smart, driven, and fabulous podcast where sometimes it’s about occupation and sometimes it’s just sassy.

  1. 1d ago

    Shakin' Wigs with MDI

    The Dr. thOTs duo is joined by Cheranne Hunter-Bennett, Chairperson of the Multicultural, Diversity, and Inclusion Network Leadership Council in Occupational Therapy. The thOTs hash out the details of MDI, AOTA, COTAD, DEI Committee, and all things DEIJAB orgs in OT. From affinity and advocacy to visions for the future, humanity is top priority. Highlights include: Ryan being a diversity hire, Khalilah shaking some wigs, and Cheranne not judging a butch by her cover!

    Shakin' Wigs with MDI

  2. Jul 31

    Last Time I Checked : Black on Both Sides

    What do you get when you put two passionate rapping educators on the Dr. thOTs podcast? An episode jam packed with stories, history, pedagogical strategies, and more. Khalilah and Ryan welcome Drs. Jian Jones and Donovan Livingston to the podcast to talk all things hip hop pedagogy. Bringing beats, bars, and banter to your earbuds, these two know how to take hip and make it hop. Transforming students and claiming space, these two keep it real in the classroom. Highlights include: Donovan gets one dad joke, Khalilah finds time for freedom, Jian has a feminist t-shirt, and Ryan becomes a choir director.

    Last Time I Checked : Black on Both Sides

  3. Jul 17

    Tantalizing Titles & Provocative Promotions

    The thOTs are Associates! The Dr. thOTs duo celebrates achieving the next stage of their careers by offering a rousing, enthralling, and downright nail-biting discussion of tenure and promotion processes. Maybe not your highest priority topic, but if you're interested in academia, this is a must listen. If you're not interested in academia... well, you've been warned. Highlights include: the trials and tribulations of university bureaucracy, Khalilah's academic pet peeves, and Ryan threatening to quit.

    Tantalizing Titles & Provocative Promotions

  4. Jun 27

    Dr. Daddy thOT's Philosophy

    Is philosophy just professional bullshitting? Well in this episode, the Dr. thOTs duo welcome their mentor, colleague, and occupational elder, Dr. Antoine Bailliard, to the microphone to discuss the state of the philosophy of OS and OT. From occupation to DB3, these theory nerds break down lenses and frameworks - leaving no theoretical stone unturnt. Highlights include: Ryan burning bridges, Antoine getting ontological, and Khalilah calling out propaganda when she sees it.

    Dr. Daddy thOT's Philosophy

  5. Jun 12

    Season 6 Y'all: A Partner's Guide to a PhD

    Do you struggle with balancing work and life? Does your partner read at all hours of the night? Have you not seen your boyfriend in 3 days because you are in a writing hole? Did you and your spouse decide to put your family through 5-7 years of an academic and theoretical gauntlet? Well do we have the podcast episode for you! Julian Johnson and Ben Hershey welcome Drs. Ryan Lavalley and Khalilah Johnson onto the first episode of Season 6 of the Dr. thOTs podcast to discuss all things partnering in academia. Highlights include: Khalilah's car breaking down at a taco stand, Ben saying no, and Julian actually having boundaries.

    Season 6 Y'all: A Partner's Guide to a PhD

  6. 10/09/2025

    Season 5 Finale: Real Housewives of OT & OS

    Y'all aren't ready. You. are. not. ready. The tomfoolery of this season finale, y'all. Channeling their inner Housewives, the thOTs welcome the sassiest guests they could find in the OT&OS world. Joined by Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, Dr. Jessica Kramer, and Dr. Karen McCarthy, these housewives - and their token white gay - bring the drama, the receipts, and all the opinions on who truly holds the title of "Occupation Queen." Are you team OS or OT? Both? Neither? A whirlwind of academic drama and Housewives flair, they tackle the age old question: "Who truly is the white refrigerator of the occupational world?" Tune in for a showdown that promises to educate and entertain, complete with all the sass and class you'd expect from the Dr. thOTs duo, Dr. Khalilah Johnson and Dr. Ryan Lavalley. Highlights include: Measurement queens, building bridges, and bone collectors, oh my!

  7. 09/22/2025

    Super Nerds Unite: AJOT Editor in Chief

    Can peer-review be sexy? Well to answer that question, the Dr. thOTs duo touch base with the thOT in Chief, Dr. Stacey Reynolds, Editor-in-Chief of the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT). They discuss the fabulous life as an Editor in Chief, the state of the science, peer-review processes, and the politics of trustworthy science. The three docs take research from farm to table to make sure you know where your data is coming from! Highlights include: Stacey being a nerd, Ryan starting a revolution, and Khalilah calling universities and associations to action.

  8. 08/29/2025

    Publishing the Dozens

    Khalilah and Ryan dive into a convo with Dr. Frederick V. Engram Jr. to get real about publishing. From navigating academia to reclaiming voice and storytelling, this episode is all about truth-telling, resistance, and writing for liberation—not validation. Come for the critique, stay for the community. Highlights include: Khalilah telling yo mama jokes, Dr. Engram not letting anybody play in his face, and Academia getting put in its place.

See All (78)

Trailer

5
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

A smart, driven, and fabulous podcast where sometimes it’s about occupation and sometimes it’s just sassy.

Information

  • Creator
    Drs. Ryan Lavalley & Khalilah Johnson
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    78
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Drs. Ryan Lavalley & Khalilah Johnson
  • Show Website
    Dr. thOTs

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