TheOncoPT Podcast

Send us Fan Mail There’s a version of “playing it safe” in OncoPT that has nothing to do with protecting your patient... and everything to do with protecting *yourself*. In this episode, we examine how fear evolves over time, how reputation anxiety can influence your progression decisions, and how to distinguish true clinical caution from professional self-protection. This is a firm but necessary...

Send us Fan Mail Holding treatment in OncoPT can feel deeply uncomfortable... ...not because you don’t understand safety, but because your professional identity is tied to helping. In this episode, we explore why deciding not to treat can feel like failure, how your clinical judgment matures over time, and why early-career OncoPTs often measure value by how much they do in a session. We discuss th...

Send us Fan Mail Treating patients with bone metastases carries a unique mental weight in OncoPT. In this episode, we unpack why these decisions often linger long after your patient session ends - and why second-guessing doesn’t necessarily mean you lack competence. We explore the psychological load of fracture risk, the discomfort of uncertainty, and why comfort with uncertainty is a learned skil...

Send us Fan Mail The final weeks before the ABPTS Oncology Exam can feel emotionally intense, even when preparation has been solid. Anxiety often increases, and it’s tempting to change everything at the last minute. In this episode, we talk about how to approach the final stretch with focus and restraint, why last-minute overhauls increase stress, and how confidence comes from execution — not cram...

Send us Fan Mail At this point in exam prep, many oncology physical therapists find themselves asking, “Is it too late?” And this LOADED question often comes with fear, pressure, and self-doubt. In this episode, we talk through how to think about this question honestly and calmly, how fear distorts decision-making, and why discernment is a critical professional skill. We cover: • Why this question...

Send us Fan Mail Studying for the ABPTS Oncology Exam while working full-time can make it feel like you’re never doing enough. When time is limited, HOW you study matters more than how long you study. You'll hear why busy clinicians often default to passive studying, how time pressure increases second-guessing, and what actually helps when your schedule is full. In this episode, we cover: • W...

Send us Fan Mail Many oncology physical therapists default to studying EVERYTHING when preparing for the ABPTS Oncology Exam. It feels responsible...but this often leads to overstudying, decision fatigue, and unnecessary stress. You'll hear why overstudying is so common, how it undermines your confidence, and why prioritization is a skill that matters more than volume. In this episode, we cov...

Send us Fan Mail If you’re preparing for the ABPTS Oncology Specialty Exam and feeling overwhelmed or unsure whether you’re studying the right things, you’re not alone. This stage of exam prep often brings more anxiety — not because you’re failing, but because clarity matters more than effort. You'll hear why overwhelm is so common at this point, what actually increases stress during studying...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when we know exercise improves outcomes for cancer survivors… but most patients still can’t access it?  In this episode, I sit down with the guest speakers behind the upcoming APTA CSM session “Mind the Gaps: Advancing Equitable Implementation of Evidence-Based Exercise Programs for Survivors of Cancer” to unpack the real-world barriers between evidence and practice i...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 conversat...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 compare...

Send us Fan Mail 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 wha...

Send us Fan Mail 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 experienc...

Send us Fan Mail 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...

Send us Fan Mail 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 ep...

Send us Fan Mail 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 an...

Send us Fan Mail 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 we...

Send us Fan Mail If you feel like “having it all” in cancer rehab is a pipe dream, LISTEN TO THIS EPISODE NOW. This October, I visited The Cancer Survivorship Center in Amarillo, Texas - and I was not prepared for the AMAZINGNESS of this community-based cancer organization. In short, The Cancer Survivorship Center serves as a great example of accessible, equitable cancer survivorship in action.  W...

Send us Fan Mail The Cancer Rehab Community Conference 2025 kicks off this Friday ! And if it’s your first time attending, this episode is your insider guide to everything you need to know before we begin. I walk you through what makes TCRCC unlike any other conference — from its all-virtual, interactive format to the brand-new networking and community engagement features launching this year. You’...

Send us Fan Mail Lymphedema care has come a long way—but we still have work to do. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Mary Calys , Senior Clinical Specialist at Tactile Medical and a seasoned expert in cancer rehab and lymphedema management. Mary dives into how lymphedema care has evolved over the years (including a SHOCKING anecdote from her first lymphedema experience ), what’s still holding pati...

Send us Fan Mail What happens to your cancer rehab program when you’re not there ? In this episode, Dr. Karyn Jarrett dives into about one of the biggest challenges in oncology rehab right now: how to build programs that last beyond a single clinician. Dr. Jarrett shares how she’s using implementation strategies to make cancer rehab sustainable, so that it’s not dependent on one champion but built...

Send us Fan Mail In this #TCRCC2025 preview episode, I’m joined by Dr. Kelly Martin , a rising leader in helping cancer survivors get back in the game literally .  Return to sport after cancer is an area that doesn’t get enough attention in oncology rehab, but it matters -- not just for competitive athletes, but for any person ready to reclaim meaningful movement after a cancer diagnosis. Kelly is...

Send us Fan Mail Sometimes the best connections happen completely by chance. Case in point: at a recent gala, I just happened to sit next to another physical therapist – and what started as casual small talk turned into one of the best, most energizing conversations of the night. It was the perfect reminder that magic happens when you’re in the room where it happens. These kinds of unplanned, real...