The Uncommon OT Series

In this special roundtable episode, I am joined by fellow members of the AOTA Innovative Entrepreneur Ad Hoc Committee for an honest and inspiring conversation about innovation, entrepreneurship, emerging practice, and the future of occupational therapy. Together, we explore how occupational therapists and occupational therapy assistants are creating impact in spaces far beyond traditional healthc...

In this episode, we will learn from Alison Miller, OTR/L, an occupational therapist of 25 years, who saw a transition gap that so many of us have probably witnessed, but didn't always know how to address. She’s the founder of LaunchPAD, an online program that helps parents of neurodivergent teens prepare for life after high school, covering executive functioning, life skills, and confidently creat...

In this episode, I’m joined by Rocky Batzel, Inventor and CEO, and Chason Sordoni, COO and Co-Founder of SnapSlide, to explore how occupational therapy and product design intersect. We dive into the real-life challenges of opening medication bottles, why usability matters, and how small design changes can significantly impact independence, daily routines, and medication adherence. We also highligh...

In this episode, we will learn from Alicia Reiser, OTD, MS OTR/L, ADHD-RSP.  With over 24 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Dr. Reiser is passionate about redefining rehabilitation through a truly integrative and evidence-based lens. After earning her clinical doctorate from Salus University at Drexel in 2018, specializing in vision remediation, Alicia opened her private pract...

In this episode, we will learn from Aja Black, CAE, COTA. Aja is a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant (COTA) with four years of experience and a Certified Associate Ergonomist (CAE). Originally from South Carolina and now based in Maryland, Aja has been studying and implementing ergonomics for nearly two years, combining her clinical background with a deep interest in creating healthier, mor...

In this episode, we will learn from Lizzie Andare, MScOT, OTR/L (she/her).  Lizzie is an occupational therapist and researcher from Kenya whose work explores the intersection of decolonial practice, disability, and forced displacement in the Global South and is passionate about social and occupational justice in underrepresented communities. Her work spans refugee camps in Kenya, grassroots r...

In this annual holiday episode of The Uncommon OT Series , I reflect on my favorite things about being an occupational therapist in 2025, sharing how my OT practice expanded across community, education, media, mentorship, and systems spaces while returning to school as an OTD student. The episode explores occupational therapy as a form of public education and storytelling, as well as role-emerging...

In this episode, we will learn from Marianne Weber MS, OTR/L.  Marianne is an occupational therapist and the founder and CEO of Even Adaptive, an innovative intimate apparel brand for women navigating disability and change. Her journey began in 2018, while completing her master’s degree in occupational therapy and concurrently receiving a diagnosis of multiple sclerosis. That moment reshaped...

In this episode we will learn from Christopher Marotta, OTD, OTR/L. In this episode we will learn from Christpher Marotta, OTD, OTR/L. Christopher is an occupational therapist who provides services to students with physical disabilities at the Henry Viscardi School in Albertson, NY. He has worked as an OT for over 20 years in a variety of settings, but his passion is assistive technology and enabl...

In this special episode, you will be learning from two leading powerhouses in Occupational Therapy leadership, Samia Rafeedie, Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA (OTAC) on a state level and Arameh Anvarizadeh, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA (AOTA) on the national level. We will learn about their experiences at the AOTA Hill Day event in Washington D.C., where occupational therapy practitioners me...

In this episode we will learn from Helen Parsons, MSc OT, an Occupational Therapist who specializes in Tai Chi. Helen is a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist, holds a MSc Occupational Therapy and BSc Sport, Health, Exercise and Nutrition. She is passionate about evidence-based practice for supporting people with their health and wellness. Helen has practiced and studied Tai Chi and Qigong for...

In this episode, we will celebrate a milestone. The Uncommon OT Series just turned FOUR—and I’m feeling all the feels. This anniversary episode is a celebration of:
 ✨ 90 bold conversations with inspiring OT practitioners 
🎤 Origin stories, reflections & behind-the-scenes moments
 🌍 The evolution of our profession beyond traditional paths
 📌 The Uncommon OT Directory is now live. Click to...

In this episode, we will learn from Samia H. Rafeedie, OTD, OTR/L, BCPR, CBIS, FAOTA. Samia is the Director of the Professional Program in Occupational Therapy at the University of Southern California (USC), and professor of clinical occupational therapy.  She has been on the faculty since 2008 and has primarily taught adult physical rehabilitation, kinesiology, and topics on professional dev...

In this episode, we will learn from Corrin Campbell, BS, COTA/L. Corrin, a COTA for 25 years, has practiced Occupational Therapy in areas from home health, subacute rehab, long term care, outpatient, Geri-psych and more. In every setting, she zeroes in on maximizing each client's level of function. After nearly a decade in the clinical settings, she took on higher education, support...

In this episode, we will learn from Michelle LeRoy, PhD, OTR/L, BCP and Colton Sayers, OTD, OTR/L, CNS:  OT in LGBTQIA+2S Health & Fellowship. Dr. Colton Sayers is a practicing clinical occupational therapist at UC Health and an adjunct instructor at the University of Cincinnati. He works primarily in an outpatient neurological clinic. His doctoral work has consisted of creating learning...

In this episode, we will learn from the editors of the first of its kind book, "Occupational Therapy in the Philippines: Theory, Practice, and Stories.” This book aims to provide a more relatable and culturally appropriate understanding of occupational therapy, showcasing the diverse practices and experiences of Filipino occupational therapists. Caroline Fischl, PhD, Reg. OT, OTRP, Assistant...

In this special OT Month episode, we are doing something a little different — a reunion episode! Just a couple of weeks ago, the four of us were on stage at SXSW, one of the world’s most influential festivals for tech, film, music, and culture, sharing our experiences, perspectives, and our passion for role-emerging and non-traditional OT practice. And today, we’re bringing the band back together...

In this special OT Month episode, we will learn from inspiring industry leaders in the OT Design Space.  Listen to our SXSW 2025 panel discussion recording as we dive deep into Occupation-Centered Design. Occupational science provides crucial insights into human capabilities, diverse needs, and environmental impacts required for inclusive design. This presentation explores the transformative...

In this episode, we will learn from, Adeola (Toni) Solaru, MS, OTD, OTR/L, QMHP (they/them). Toni is a community-based mental health occupational therapist and clinical assistant professor working in Chicago, IL. Driven by justice and inclusion, Toni is dedicated to providing equitable services to meet the diverse needs of their students and clients. In addition to their role as a professor and cl...

In this episode we will learn from Holly Ross, OTR/L, WSI, LTP, ATRIC. Holly is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University with a bachelor’s in science and a masters in occupational therapy. Growing up in the state of Michigan, Holly has been in the field of aquatics for going on 15 years in December 2024 and has taught over 3,000 students. With the relocation to the state of Colorado in 2018, Holl...

In this episode we will learn from Sarah Lyon, OTR/L (she/her). Sarah received her BA from St. Olaf College, then moved to the Big Apple and earned her master’s degree in occupational therapy from New York University. Since then, she’s worked in numerous facilities, including a critical access hospital, an acute trauma hospital, and a state inpatient psychiatric hospital. In 2011, Sarah launched&n...

Welcome to a special Christmas episode of the Uncommon OT Series Podcast! Today, we’re celebrating the holiday season by reflecting on what makes our profession truly extraordinary. You’ll hear from me and some of my incredible past guests, sharing our favorite parts of being occupational therapy practitioners. For me, it’s still the amazing versatility of our field—the fact that we can work acros...

In this episode, we will learn from Nikki Latimer, OTD.  Nikki is a recent graduate of Boston University and is currently studying for the NBCOT exam. Nikki is a registered yoga teacher and is from Orange County, California. Nikki is an Iowa State University graduate with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology and Health with a minor in Psychology. At ISU, she was the President of the College of H...

In this special episode, we’re putting a spotlight on occupational therapy through the voices of those who live it every day. In celebration of World Occupational Therapy Day—a global event that kicked off on October 27, 2010, thanks to the World Federation of Occupational Therapists—we’re exploring what this incredible profession truly means and the essential work that occupational therapy practi...

In this episode, we will learn from Jill Maglio, PhD, OTR/L. Dr. Maglio is an occupational therapist with over 15 years of experience using circus as an educational, therapeutic, and community-building tool. She has collaborated with service recipients and governmental and non-governmental organizations to improve occupational participation for individuals and communities worldwide. Jill has train...