In this episode I’m unpacking Michael Easter’s The Comfort Crisis: Embrace Discomfort to Reclaim Your Wild, Happy, Healthy Self — his argument that modern life has engineered discomfort out of almost everything, and what that’s quietly costing us physically and mentally. I’m looking at it through an occupational therapy lens, and through my own experience with outdoor…

In this episode, I reflect on the first month of a new self-development routine built around getting up earlier, journalling, habit tracking and taking a bit more time to reflect. I talk about what I’ve been trying and what I’ve noticed so far. Development shows benefits I’m starting to see, and I’m still figuring out…

In this episode of Occupied, Jess sits down with Adam Lo OAM to explore an inspiring career spanning clinical practice, leadership, advocacy, and the arts. Adam shares his experiences working in Child and Youth Mental Health Services (CYMHS) and discusses the unique role occupational therapists play in supporting children, young people, and their families. We also dive into his passion…

In this episode of Occupied, Brock sits down with Mallory Reilly, an occupational therapist who never quite felt like she fit the traditional OT mould. Rather than forcing herself into a version of practice that didn’t feel right, Mallory forged her own path — blending her OT knowledge, clinical reasoning, and passion for physical training into a…

In this episode of Occupied, Jess sits down with occupational therapist Angus Buchanan to explore a career that has spanned clinical practice, academia, and leadership as a Head of School. Angus shares reflections from his recent keynote address at the National Occupational Therapy Conference in Adelaide in 2025, offering honest insights into how his thinking has…

Greg Santucci is an internationally recognised paediatric occupational therapist with over 26 years experience. He is a clinical leader, educator and creator of the Model of Child Engagement, known for making complex neurodevelopmental concepts practical and usable. We sat down and chatted about where it all started and the keys to the development of the…

In this solo episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick reflects on her PhD journey and explores what evidence-based practice really means for occupational therapists. Why does it take an average of 17 years for research to reach routine clinical practice? Why does strong evidence alone fail to change systems? And what responsibility do clinicians hold in…

Burnout gets talked about a lot — but rarely with clarity. In this episode, Brock and Jess unpack the biology of burnout and challenge the flood of non-evidence-based ideas circulating online. If you’ve ever been told burnout is “just stress,” “just poor boundaries,” or something you can fix with a weekend off… this conversation is for you….

More than a year in the making, this episode follows Courtnee Bertucci across three check-ins throughout her first year as a new graduate Occupational Therapist. Instead of a single retrospective reflection, we captured her experience in real time — documenting the emotional shifts, clinical growth, and evolving professional identity as it unfolded. Together, we unpack…

Sex and intimacy are core parts of everyday life—but they’re often left out of healthcare conversations. In this episode, we chat with Emilie Chong about sexual expression as an occupation and the role of occupational therapists in supporting clients’ intimacy and wellbeing. We cover: Instagram: @OccupiedPodcastFacebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Dr Jessica Levick & Brock Cook Subscribe now and never miss…

In this special episode of Occupied, we sit down with Professor Mandy Stanley to reflect on an extraordinary career in occupational therapy as she steps into retirement. Mandy shares the story behind her journey in OT — from early clinical practice to leadership, academia, and shaping the profession at a national level. This conversation is part history lesson,…

In this reflective end-of-year episode of Occupied, hosts Brock and Jess take a moment to pause, look back, and make sense of 2025 — both personally and professionally. Together, they unpack the highs, the hard bits, and the unexpected lessons that shaped the year, before turning their attention to what lies ahead. Rather than rigid resolutions, this conversation focuses on…

In this episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick sits down with mental health nurse Ayden Riethmuller to explore the powerful intersection between lived experience and professional practice. Ayden shares his personal journey with mental health challenges and how these experiences have shaped his approach to care, compassion, and recovery-oriented practice. Together, they discuss the value of…

In this episode of Occupied, Dr Jessica Levick is joined by Dr Kieran Broome — occupational therapist, educator, and researcher, to explore how we can bridge the gap between what we know and what we do. We unpack the concept of knowledge translation and why it’s essential for meaningful, evidence-informed occupational therapy practice. Kieran shares insights into how OTs…

In this episode, I’m joined by Joey Peppas, an occupational therapist running her own private practice. Together, we dig deep into the less-talked-about realities of our profession—being a people pleaser, battling imposter syndrome, and the unique personality traits that often draw us into OT in the first place. Joey shares her experiences of navigating private practice,…

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Arameh Anvarizadeh, the newly elected president of the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA). We dive into her journey into occupational therapy, the experiences that shaped her leadership, and the values guiding her work at the highest level of the profession. Dr. Anvarizadeh shares candid insights into her personal story,…

Join Brock and Jess as they chat with Dr Craig Greber about an exciting new model of clinical reasoning he’s helped to develop. Craig shares insights into the origins of this innovative approach, how it can enhance occupational therapy practice, and why clinical reasoning remains critical to the profession. An essential listen for anyone interested…

Brock and Jess chat and explore her firsthand experiences attending the 2025 Occupational Therapy Australia National Conference. She explores the highlights, key insights, and areas for improvement from her perspective. Adding depth to the conversation, you’ll also hear reflections from a diverse range of attendees, capturing the varied impressions and standout moments from this year’s…