On The air

Stephanie Lancaster
  • 4.9 (28)
  • MEDICINE

Welcome to On The air, a podcast for individuals interested in learning about the profession of occupational therapy. Through interviews and dialogue on each episode of the show, we will explore topics, exchange ideas, become better informed, and gain a dose of inspiration as we talk about topics and ideas related to the field of OT.

  1. 02/18/2025

    Strategies for Coping with Stress & Burnout for OT Practitioners and Students (Episode 134)

    Jonathan Miller, OTD, OTR/L, holds a BS in Interdisciplinary Studies and Doctorate in Occupational Therapy from Arkansas State University. Jonathan has practiced clinically for five years in a variety of setting to include outpatient hand therapy, long-term acute care, skilled nursing facilities, inpatient rehab, and acute care. Jonathan began working as an adjunct professor in the Spring of 2023 to teach a clinical reasoning and skills course at his alma mater, which led to transitioning full-time into academics at Arkansas State University in the Fall of 2023. Jonathan considers himself a generalist as a clinician with a focus on the adult/older adult population. Jonathan’s research is currently focused on perceived stress and coping strategies of OT students in higher education and on the potential of burnout with clinical practitioners. Jonathan was recently elected as Vice-President of the Arkansas Occupational Therapy Association. On this episode of On The Air, Jonathan discusses strategies for use by OT practitioners and OT/OTA students for coping with stress and potential burnout.

    1h 4m

  2. 05/27/2024

    The Role of Occupational Therapy in Working with People with ALS (Episode 133)

    On this episode, occupational therapy practitioner Cindy Molnar, COTA/L, talks about the role of occupational therapy (OT) in working with people diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) - also referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease. Cindy has been a second career OT assistant for over 10 years, primarily working in a sub-acute rehabilitation hospital setting. Her previous career was in Human Resources as a Corporate Talent Acquisition.  Recommended resources Books:  A Life Impossible by Steve GleasonEyes to the Wind by Ady BarkanTuesdays with Morrie by Mitch AlbomUntil I Say Goodbye: A Year of Living with Joy by Susan Spencer-WendelFilms: Transfatty lives For Love and Life: No Ordinary CampaignNot Going QuietlyTuesdays with Morrie Websites and More: Team Gleason Foundation - teamgleason.orgI am ALS - iamals.orgBridging Voice - bridgingvoice.orgSynapticure - synapticure.comLiving While Dying [podcast]Limbroozkit with Brooke Eby [IG account]

    54 min

  3. 04/19/2024

    SnapType: How the Idea of One OT Student is Changing the World (Episode 132)

    On this episode, occupational therapist Amberlynn Slavin and her husband Ben Slavin share information about SnapType, an app created based on an idea Amberlynn had on a Level I fieldwork clinical rotation while she was in occupational therapy school at Springfield College. The goal of SnapType is to help students complete their schoolwork even when their handwriting, literacy, or vision holds them back. Amberlynn is a pediatric OT who has practiced in California and New Hampshire. She has experience working in a sensory clinic with children with Autism Spectrum Disorder, ADHD, Sensory Processing Disorder, Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, mental health disorders, and other developmental disorders. When she’s not working, you can find her coaching gymnastics, working on all sorts of creative projects, and spending time with her husband and their two young boys.  Learn more about SnapType here: https://snaptypeapp.com or on Instagram @snaptypeotCheck out Amberlynn's Instagram account which is dedicated to OT activity ideas: @creative_cheap_craftsContact Amberlynn via email at amberlynn@snaptypeapp.com

    30 min

  4. 02/20/2024

    Resiliency and Mental Illness (Episode 131)

    Liz Grace is the pen name of an occupational therapist living from southwestern Ontario, Canada. She lives and works with a mental illness called schizoaffective disorder. She navigates the OT world despite profound hearing loss and cochlear implants. Liz has been working in homecare since 2015 after graduating from school. Her primary clientele is older adults and adults with severe physical disabilities. Liz enjoys community activities and curling in the winter. She has a service dog from the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides in Oakville, Ontario. On this episode of the podcast, Liz talks about her experiences as a person with mental illness as well as profound hearing loss and shares about the autobiographical account she has written in a book entitled "Resilient: Surviving My Mental Illness," which is available on platforms such as Amazom and Audible. Connect with Liz via social media through the account @lizgraceauthor or via email at lizgraceauthor@gmail.com

    29 min

  5. 12/20/2023

    The Moxie OT on The CO-OP Approach (Episode 130)

    On Episode 130, Sarah Zera, OTD, OTR/L, shares the story about how she discovered and fell in love with occupational therapy and discusses her work as a mobile- and community-based practitioner and insight about how to bring moxie to one's OT practice. Growing up, two of Sarah’s primary caregivers were people with disabilities. Her background has provided her with first-hand knowledge of what is possible when living with a disability. These experiences also showed her the many barriers people with disabilities face on a daily basis. Sarah has been working as an occupational therapist since 2002. Throughout her career she has been proud to support her clients in their rehabilitation journey. As Sarah has grown as an occupational therapist she has realized that we can do better. Traditional rehabilitation services are vitally important. However, many people “graduate” from rehabilitation but do not return to doing the things in life that matter to them most. In 2013 she returned to school to study the most effective approaches to help her clients return to their most life-affirming activities. Her doctorate in occupational therapy propelled her to open Moxie OT. Sarah can be reached via email at moxieot@moxieot.com, and you can find information about her work including her podcast at https://www.moxieot.com/ Read her article in the British Journal of Occupational Therapy: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/03080226211008713 Read her Blog Post for the ICANCOOP website: https://icancoop.org/blogs/first-hand-account/goal-plan-do-check-supporting-community-participation-through-adult-group-sessions Other resources mentioned on this episode: Chappell, I. et al. (2006). Enabling Occupation in Children: The Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance (CO-OP) Approach. CAOT Publications ACE Dawson, D. (2017). Cognitive Orientation to Daily Occupational Performance in Occupational Therapy: Using the CO-OP Approach (TM) to Enable Participation Across the Lifespan. AOTA Press

    54 min

  6. 03/22/2022

    Promoting Self-Determination in Children (Episode 129)

    Occupational therapist Amy Coopersmith, MOT, OTR/L, MAEd, has worked as an educator and OT for more than 25 years. She currently works as a lecturer on topics related to children’s independence and positive mental health. For 17 years, she worked as an OT Supervisor, clinician and evaluator for the NYC Department of Education. Amy is passionate about promoting children’s self-determination through AOTA workshops as well as national/regional conferences and online learning communities. In 2020, she created Captain Me®, a video-based musical self-determination program for all children. Through the evidence-informed use of guided questioning, role play, music, puppets and video modeling, Amy helps practitioners learn how to best utilize their pediatric sessions to promote motivation, engagement and independence. Currently, she is pursuing her OT doctorate at Temple University. Previously, Amy taught Pediatric Assessment and Treatment at Mercy College and worked as a teacher in New York City. Her favorite hobby is writing songs about self-determination and mental health to promote children’s independence. On this episode, Amy shares about her journey into the profession of OT and introduces listeners to Captain Me®, the program she developed to promote self-determination in children, and to Cappy, the star of that program. Here's a link to a sample of her work: https://www.seekfreaks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Cappy-Lesson-Plan-Setting-Goals.pdf To connect with Amy, email her at captainmekids@gmail.com Also check out the continuing education courses she has developed through the company Apply EBP: https://www.applyebp.com/

    38 min

  7. 03/02/2022

    The Leadership Pathway of an Occupational Therapy Assistant (Episode 128)

    Occupational therapy assistant Amy Mahle is passionate about promoting the occupational therapist/occupational therapy assistant (OT/OTA) collaboration, uniting and motivating OT practitioners, advocating for occupational therapy, and finding solutions. She is the founding OTA Program Director at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College in Salisbury, NC and co-author/co-editor of the comprehensive textbook, Adult Physical Conditions: Intervention Strategies for Occupational Therapy Assistants. Amy has been an active member of AOTA and the North Carolina Occupational Therapy Association for her entire career and has served in leadership roles in both, including President of NCOTA. She is currently pursuing her EdD in Community College Leadership at NC State University. Prior to her career as an OTA, she was a small business owner and worked in the social service sector. Connect with Amy: Via email at amy.mahle.cota@gmail.com Via her website - www.amymahle.com On Instagram: @amyjanemahle On Twitter @AmyMahleCOTA On Facebook: Amy J. Mahle (professional page) Resources: The textbook Amy co-authored and co-edited: https://tinyurl.com/MahleBook Dallas Herring lecture series: https://belk-center.ced.ncsu.edu/our-impact/executive-leadership-programs/dallas-herring-lecture/

    54 min

  8. 02/22/2022

    The Power of Professional Membership & Representation (Episode 127)

    Vikram Pagpatan, MS, OTRL, ATP, CAS, BCTS, EdDc is a practicing Asian-American occupational therapist from New York City. He is a full time Assistant Professor and Admissions Coordinator at SUNY Downstate’s MSOT program as well as an adjunct lecturer at York College. Prior to beginning his work as an OT, Vikram served the city he loves as a paramedic and found the profession of OT on his graveyard shift through one of his patients. Vikram's clinical interests are in the areas of assistive technology and seating and mobility systems within pediatric practice. He presently serves on the AOTA DEI committee, as the social media chair of the Asian-Pacific Heritage Occupational Therapy Association, and as a cohort member of the 2021 AOTA Academic Leadership Institute. On this episode, Vik shares about the influence of diversity - and diversity of thought - within the OT profession- diversity of thought, his path into the profession, what OT has allowed him to do personally and professionally, and more - including his bid for a seat on the AOTA Board of Directors. Connect with Vikram: Via email: vikram.pagpatan@downstate.edu On Instagram @ VikramPagpatanOTRL On LinkedIn @ Vikram Pagpatan For more about the AOTA election: https://www.aota.org/community/get-involved/elected-and-appointed-positions/elections/2022-elections

    30 min
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4.9
out of 5
28 Ratings

About

Welcome to On The air, a podcast for individuals interested in learning about the profession of occupational therapy. Through interviews and dialogue on each episode of the show, we will explore topics, exchange ideas, become better informed, and gain a dose of inspiration as we talk about topics and ideas related to the field of OT.

Information

  • Creator
    Stephanie Lancaster
  • Years Active
    2017 - 2025
  • Episodes
    132
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright Stephanie Lancaster
  • Show Website
    On The air