The Move. Talk. Thrive. Podcast

How does movement support the sensory system, and why does this matter when working with children? In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Lizzy explores the connection between sensory input, motor output, regulation and participation from an exercise physiology perspective. She explains why children who crash, jump, avoid movement, struggle to sit still, become dysregulated or refuse activiti...

In this solo episode, Lizzy shares how research has shaped her confidence, clinical reasoning and advocacy as a paediatric exercise physiologist. She reflects on her journey from consuming research to partnering with the University of Queensland on an independent review of her Kids Heart Pilates program. Lizzy also shares the unexpected benefits of being involved in research, from professional gro...

In this solo episode, Lizzy unpacks the difference between stimulation, regulation and behaviour and why understanding this distinction matters when supporting children. She explores how sensory input affects the nervous system, why regulation does not always mean calm, and how behaviour is often the outward signal of what is happening underneath. Lizzy also shares how movement, environment and co...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy reflects on what she wishes she knew when she first started working in paediatrics. This episode is for new grads, clinicians brushing up on their paediatric skills, supervisors, managers and business owners supporting new clinicians. Lizzy unpacks why clinical confidence is not about having all the answers, but about connection, flexibility, curi...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy chats with Michelle Kvello , founder of Lantern Partners and fractional CFO, about financial clarity for allied health business owners. Michelle breaks down the numbers every business owner should understand ; from cash flow and pricing to gross margin, utilisation rates, payday super changes, and preparing for NDIS funding uncertainty. This is a pract...

The allied health landscape is changing, and paediatric practitioners, clinics and families are all feeling the uncertainty. In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy shares reflections from recent conversations with allied health business owners around NDIS changes, the proposed Thriving Kids model, advocacy, business sustainability and the future of paediatric care. She also explores wh...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Lizzy Dawson shares an inside look at running a successful pediatric holiday program and why it has become such a valuable part of her clinic. From managing cancellations and maintaining continuity of care to creating a supportive, low-stimulation environment for children with complex needs, Lizzy breaks down what makes a holiday program truly effective. She...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Lizzy Dawson explores why therapy strategies that work in the clinic often don’t translate into real life. Lizzy unpacks the gap between controlled therapy environments and the realities of home, school, and early learning, and shares practical ways clinicians can create more functional, meaningful outcomes. From aligning clinical goals with real-world i...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy Dawson explores why the word “sales” feels uncomfortable for many allied health professionals — and why it shouldn’t. Lizzy reframes sales as clear communication, education, and advocacy for client outcomes , explaining that practitioners are already “selling” every time they help families understand what they’re seeing, why it matters, and what t...

In this solo episode, Lizzy Dawson explores the topic of client retention in pediatric allied health and why it should be seen as a matter of clinical leadership, not just administration . After reviewing patterns inside her own clinic, Lizzy shares what she discovered about why families disengage from services and where clinics often “leak” clients — including school holiday transitions, funding...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Lizzy Dawson shares 16+ years of real-world experience working inside early learning centres — and why they’re not mini clinics. As funding models shift, more clinicians are moving into group-based, naturalistic settings. But one-on-one strategies don’t automatically work in busy, noisy classrooms. Lizzy breaks down: • Why modelling in real time beats th...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy Dawson explores the evolving landscape of early intervention in Australia, including the proposed Thriving Kids model and ongoing NDIS reforms. She breaks down what’s currently known, what remains uncertain, and how these changes may impact families, clinicians, and allied health providers. Lizzy discusses the shift toward earlier, community-based...

In this episode of  Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy Dawson sits down with speech pathologist Carolyn Weatherby to explore the future of allied health within the NDIS — and why clinicians can no longer navigate sector change alone. With 28 years in the disability sector, Carolyn shares how evidence-based communication and mealtime support transform lives, the growing challenges clinicians face during on...

Returning to therapy after a long break can feel chaotic for kids, parents, and clinicians. In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Lizzy Dawson and Emily Mackie share practical, experience-based guidance on how to restart pediatric therapy after the holidays without pressure or burnout. They explore regulation, reconnection, flexible planning, and how to meet children where they’re truly at so yo...

Lizzy Dawson and Emily Mackie answer a listener question about Virtual Assistants and how they use them to support their businesses. From onboarding and systems to delegation and consistency, they share practical tips for making VAs a valuable part of your team. Perfect for startup owners, clinicians, and solo operators ready to free up time and mental energy. 🎧 For business owners and clinicians...

Lizzy Dawson and Emily Mackie kick off 2026 with an honest conversation about planning for the year ahead while honouring very different life seasons. From business growth and maternity to energy protection and sustainable pacing, they explore why goals need to be flexible , and why calm, steady progress beats burnout every time. With Lizzy’s “Zone 2” business analogy and Emily’s reflections on mo...

In this solo episode of Move Talk Thrive , Lizzy Dawson shares a gentle, intentional approach to reflecting on the year that’s been — and planning ahead without burnout. Lizzy invites listeners to look beyond unfinished goals and focus on wins, lessons, patterns, and growth across personal life, leadership, and business. She shares simple reflection and journaling prompts you can use in 10 minutes...

In this episode of Move Talk Thrive, Emily and Lizzy unpack the transition to school through three lenses: parent, clinician, and business owner. They explore why school transition isn’t a single moment, but an ongoing process; from preschool to Kindy, new grades, new teachers, changing routines, and shifting expectations. Drawing on real-life parenting experiences and clinical insight, they discu...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Emily and Lizzy have a candid, practical conversation about navigating the end-of-year season while juggling multiple roles; clinician, business owner, parent, partner, and more. They unpack the realities of this time of year: clinic closures, financial pinch, school holidays, gift-giving pressures, and year-end exhaustion. Sharing their rituals, systems, and...

In this solo episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Emily gets honest about a feeling so many clinicians and leaders know well — being stuck in a rut. When your work feels heavier, your creativity dips, or everything starts to feel a bit “meh,” it can be tough to know what’s next. Emily shares why ruts happen, what they’re trying to tell us, and the small, doable steps that help you get moving again. Draw...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Emily sits down with her business bestie Lizzy for an honest conversation about goals, burnout, resilience, and what it means to pivot when life doesn’t go to plan. Lizzy opens up about her five-year New York Marathon goal — and how illness, overwhelm, and anxiety led her to make the hardest (and most aligned) decision: not running it. They unpack what it loo...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Emily sits down with pediatric occupational therapist and Move About co-founder Dave Jereb to talk about something many clinicians think about but rarely discuss openly: relocation. They explore how moving — whether to a new city, state, or lifestyle — connects to burnout, career growth, workplace culture, and overall wellbeing. Dave shares his own relocation...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Emily and Lizzy turn the focus from children to the adults who support them — the employees, clinicians, and leaders feeling the strain of end-of-year fatigue. As reports pile up, diaries fill, and festive logistics take over, they unpack what it truly means to “finish well” — without tipping into burnout. Drawing from their own experiences as business owner...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive, Emily and Lizzy dive into the end-of-year chaos every parent, teacher, and pediatric professional knows too well — when everyone’s tired, routines fall apart, and regulation goes out the window. As clinicians and mums, they talk through what this season looks like in their own homes and clinics, why tired kids struggle more with regulation, and how small adju...

In this episode of Move. Talk. Thrive , Emily and Lizzy unpack a habit we all fall into from time to time — procrastination . Whether it’s putting off paperwork, avoiding tricky conversations, or feeling stuck in a cycle of “I’ll do it later,” procrastination often isn’t about laziness, it’s about what’s happening underneath . Drawing from their own experiences in business and clinical work, Emily...