OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast / Conversations qui comptent en ergo : Le balado

OTA and Juno-nominated R&B artist Angie Akhinagba – known musically as Zenesoul – explores the intersection of occupational therapy and creative expression with host Justine Jecker . By day, Angie supports patients in the rehabilitation department at Cortellucci Vaughan Hospital, but in every spare moment, she’s crafting soulful music, often from the front seat of her car. Dive into conversati...

Explorez le rôle essentiel des ergothérapeutes en tant que facilitateurs de changement avec Soëla Bandaly , notre nouvelle animatrice de la version francophone du balado, et ergothérapeutes Anne Pascale Ménard et Giovanni Arcuri . Ensemble, ils abordent des stratégies pour simplifier le langage, renforcer l’identité professionnelle et favoriser la collaboration interprofessionnelle. Ce nouvel épis...

Discover the resources and support available to you as you approach graduation and begin your new career as an OT or OTA. CAOT has been helping new occupational therapy professionals navigate this important passage for decades, and can equip you with the knowledge and confidence you need to navigate your transition into the profession with ease.    Tune in to hear Christine Dettwiler, CAOT’s Membe...

In 2025, OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast will focus on innovative educational practices shaping the future of occupational therapy. To kick off this theme, Episode 51 highlights a capstone course for second-year occupational therapy students at McMaster University. Join guests  Sandra Moll  and Briano DiRezze , OTs and McMaster University faculty, and host Justine Jecker as they discuss...

In episode 50 of  OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast , host  Justine Jecker  is joined by OT  Katie Churchill  and former OT  Amanda Björn  to explore the intersection of professional identity and leadership in occupational therapy. They discuss why many OTs relinquish their title when stepping into formal leadership roles like CEO or Director, the challenges of maintaining a protected titl...

In this episode of  OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast , host  Justine Jecker  is joined by occupational therapists  Anne-Pascale Ménard  and  Giovanni Arcuri  for a conversation on empowering OTs as transformative change makers. They discuss the critical role of de-jargonizing OT to build stronger client connections, help practitioners reclaim their professional identity, and strengthen in...

In Episode 48 of  OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast ,  host  Justine Jecker  sits down with occupational therapist and influencer  Adam Ly  to explore how OT practitioners identify and build on foundational skills to advance the profession, notably in the area of cognitive rehabilitation. They discuss the importance of grassroots-level education, advocacy, and innovative strategies for sus...

In Episode 47 of  OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast , host  Justine Jecker  and occupational therapist  Stephanie Bizzeth  delve into the impact of dominant cultural practices on occupational therapy service delivery. Drawing on their shared experience organizing and facilitating the CAOT 2024 Professional Issues Forum on Mental Health with a team of researchers and clinicians, they reflec...

Dans l'épisode 46 de  Conversations qui comptent en ergo : Le balado , l'animatrice invitée Josée Séguin reçoit Brigitte Vachon , ergothérapeute et professeure, ainsi que Mylaine Breton , professeure et bachelière en ergothérapie. Toutes deux sont des pionnières dans l'intégration de l'ergothérapie au sein des équipes de soins primaires au Québec. Ensemble, elles discutent des défis liés à la prom...

In Episode 45 of  OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast  host Justine Jecker is joined by Indigenous occupational therapist and PhD candidate Jen Bertoni , returning to the podcast exactly three years after her first appearance. Jen, who is pursuing her Doctor of Science in Rehabilitation and Health Leadership at Queen’s University, reflects on her journey exploring culture, equity, and justic...

In Episode 44 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by Holly Reid , an Indigenous OT and PhD candidate, to explore collaborative relationship-focused occupational therapy. This approach emphasizes the importance of relational connections between therapists, individuals, and communities. Drawing from the Promoting Occupational Participation textbook, they discu...

In Episode 43 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker welcomes Katie Lewis , an occupational therapist, historian, PhD candidate at McMaster University, and the recent recipient of the E. Sharon Brintnell Lectureship Award in Advancing Occupational Therapy. Together, they explore the history of occupational therapy in Canada during the Rehabilitation Era (1950-1985), exam...

In Episode 42 of OT Conversations That Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapist  Gisele Craswell ,  and social worker  Heather Boynton,  to explore the significance of trauma-informed care in daily practice. Trauma's impact is now widely recognized, encompassing personal, collective, childhood, and intergenerational trauma. Despite this awareness, healthcare...

In Episode 41 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapists  Nancy Rushford  and Thomas Lovell to consider the meaning of wholistic health in occupational therapy. This episode highlights how OTs go beyond responding to injury and illness to promoting overall health and well-being through preventative and nature-assisted approaches. Discover...

In Episode 40 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker dives into what it means to change occupations with guests Mary Julieth Rivera Rincon and Laura García Diaz . Having spent their early lives outside of Canada, Julieth and Laura share their experiences maneuvering different industries, embracing newfound passions, and engaging in life transitions in the “Canadian cultu...

In Episode 39 of OT Conversations that Matter, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapists  Michèle L. Hébert   and  Nadine Larivière   for an important discussion on suicide prevention within occupational therapy. Focusing on the new Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists (CAOT) Position Statement, the conversation highlights the need to thrive and live, moving beyond the id...

In episode 38 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the intersection of occupational therapy and homelessness in collaboration with occupational therapists Becky Marval and Laurence Roy. Together, they discuss the multifaceted approach to acknowledging and addressing homelessness through meaningful occupation using humanistic approaches. From evaluating self-ca...

In Episode 37 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by Australian occupational therapist Bradley Williams . Together, they discuss the profound ways occupational therapy fosters meaningful engagement, drawing from eastern ways of knowing such as the Japanese concept of Ikigai which acknowledges the intersection of passion, mission, profession, and vocation. Ex...

In Episode 36 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker and occupational therapist Crystal Dieleman , explore holistic occupational therapy service provision with persons in prison and forensic mental health settings, and with clients who have a criminal record. Today, 1 in 7 adult Canadians have a criminal record, but are not in prison or forensic settings. This discussion...

For episode 35 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by occupational therapist Skye Barbic to discuss the expansive scope of occupational therapy in mental health service delivery. Together, they unpack the profound impact OT has on wholistic well-being and the significance of meaningful occupation. Occupational therapists across Canada are tirelessly advocati...

In episode 34 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the transformative potential of AI with occupational therapists Shelley Vaisberg and Sarah Brzeszkiewicz . From revolutionizing assessment to streamlining administrative tasks and enhancing interventions, this discussion considers the various ways AI is influencing occupational therapy practices and clinical s...

In Episode 33 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker explores the reshaping of Canadian health systems with guests Dr. Ivy Bourgeault and Dr. Ivy Oandasan . Dr. Bourgeault, a Professor at the University of Ottawa, leads the Canadian Health Workforce Network and focuses on gender perspectives in health workforce research. Dr. Oandasan, a Professor at the University of Tor...

In Episode 32 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast , host, Justine Jecker, explores team-based leadership with guests, social worker Gayle Adams-Carpino and occupational therapist Kathryn Wise . Aligned with its strategic priorities, CAOT is dedicated to empowering OTs and OTAs to be influential leaders. The podcast dives into understanding interprofessional competencies in the context of...

In Episode 31 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, host Justine Jecker is joined by  Stefanie Matos and Husna Harmi , two internationally educated occupational therapists (IEOTs). Stefanie and Husna openly share their unique international journeys, shedding light on the various joys and challenges encountered while studying and working abroad. They also explore the hurdles faced during th...

In Episode 30 of OT Conversations that Matter: The Podcast, the host, Justine Jecker, explores the intersection of occupational therapy, mental health, and psychotherapy. Accompanying her to discuss the various theories and practices within the psychotherapeutic realm are occupational therapists, Sandeep Marwaha and Sarah Good . In the world of occupational therapy, navigating the nuanced landscap...