Finding the time to stay current on industry news and best practices can be challenging for many occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs). One easy way for OTPs to continue active learning is through podcasts. Podcasts offer a flexible learning option that fits seamlessly into your busy schedule as an OTP.
Whether you’re commuting, working out, or grabbing a coffee, you can tune in to the AOTA podcasts and stay updated on the latest in occupational therapy. The episodes delve into a wide variety of topics, from clinical insights and research updates to advocacy and professional growth. Whether you're a student or a seasoned clinician deepening your practice, AOTA’s podcasts are designed to support and inspire you. Plus, you can receive one contact hour for listening to any Everyday Evidence episode.
Below, we've outlined 10 of our most popular episodes with valuable discussions to start your learning journey (including 6 Everyday Evidence episodes).
Episodes for Everyone
1. Identifying Ethical Dilemmas in Practice
We speak with Leslie Bennett, Chairperson of the Ethics Commission at AOTA, about the various ethical challenges that OTPs often encounter. Leslie discusses medical ethics, common red flags practitioners can keep an eye out for, and outlines real-life scenarios and recommendations to facilitate ethical awareness and practice.
In this 65-minute session, you’ll gain insights on:
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How foundational ethical principles such as autonomy, beneficence, non-maleficence, and justice should guide everyday clinical decision-making.
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The importance of ethical courage in challenging situations and how consulting with peers or the Ethics Commission can help resolve dilemmas.
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Handling practical ethics issues like billing discrepancies, appropriately managing group interventions, and the implications of productivity pressures on practice standards.
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Valuable resources such as the AOTA's ethics webpage, which provides access to codes of ethics and advisory opinions, help you navigate ethical challenges effectively.
Whether you're navigating complex clinical decisions or enhancing your professional integrity, this podcast provides helpful guidance and practical tips to help you uphold the highest ethical standards in your work.
2. Billing and Coding for Caregiver Training Services
The Current Procedural Terminology (CPT®) 2024 code set introduced a significant update: three new codes for caregiver training without the patient present. In this episode, AOTA’s incoming Executive Director Katie Jordan breaks down what these codes mean for occupational therapy practitioners, how they were developed, and what it takes to implement them in clinical practice.
During this 35-minute discussion, you’ll learn:
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When and how to use caregiver training codes—whether one-on-one or in groups
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Documentation and medical necessity criteria for coding caregiver training
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Advocacy strategies for getting payers to recognize and reimburse these services
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How caregiver training supports continuity of care and reduces risk of injury or rehospitalization
This episode is a must-listen for any OT practitioner looking to expand their billing toolkit, improve client and caregiver outcomes, and advocate for full scope OT services.
3. Everyday Evidence: 50 Studies Every Occupational Therapist Should Know
This podcast episode features a detailed discussion with Beth Pyatak and Elissa Lee, who co-edited the book "50 Studies Every Occupational Therapist Should Know." Beth and Elissa discuss the seminal research included in the book and provide tips, tricks, and recommendations to help all practitioners find, consume, and apply evidence to their practice. In this 45-minute episode, they discuss:
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The importance of integrating research into daily practice is to provide care that is both scientifically supported and tailored to individual patient needs. This is crucial for OTPs to enhance treatment effectiveness and patient outcomes.
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How understanding and applying seminal studies within your practice settings helps you stay current with developments and innovate within your practice.
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The value of incorporating diverse perspectives, enhancing occupational justice, encouraging OTPs to consider broader social factors affecting their practice, and advocating for inclusivity within the profession.
This episode is particularly valuable for OTPs looking to deepen their understanding of key research that has shaped the field and to apply these insights effectively in their practice.
Advice for New Practitioners
4. Maximizing Your Impact as a New Practitioner with AOTA
We speak with Sue Ram and Krysti Teng, new practitioners and emerging leaders within occupational therapy, who discuss how they've used AOTA resources and connections to transition from students to practitioners. They share strategies for building meaningful relationships that promote best practices, along with ways to tackle common challenges like burnout and boost confidence in your practice. In this 60-minute episode, you’ll hear about:
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How mentorship can guide new practitioners through the transition from education to practice, enhancing professional skills and confidence.
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The crucial role AOTA plays in fostering leadership skills and professional growth from student life to new practitioner stages.
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The benefits and impacts of volunteer leadership and advocacy within professional associations on personal growth and community development.
If you’re a new practitioner, this podcast episode is a great resource for you, giving you insights into how to advance your career and the benefits of getting involved with professional associations.
5. Fostering Intraprofessional Collaboration Between OTs and OTAs
In this episode, guests Jennifer Johnson and Amanda Fonner draw from their extensive experience to explore what makes OT/OTA collaboration successful. You’ll hear real-world examples of effective teamwork, reflections on fieldwork supervision, and insights into how mutual respect, clear communication, and shared goals enhance patient outcomes.
This 51-minute episode covers:
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How intraprofessional collaboration strengthens client-centered care
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Why understanding and honoring each team member’s role is essential
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Challenges and best practices in fieldwork supervision and education
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Strategies for fostering trust and communication between OTs and OTAs
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How modeling collaboration in education supports future practitioners
Whether you’re in clinical practice, education, or just beginning your career, this episode offers valuable takeaways to help you elevate collaboration and build stronger care teams.
Podcasts for OTPs Working in Rehab Practice Settings
6. Everyday Evidence: Post Concussion Syndrome
We speak with Anna Boone and Whitney Henderson from the University of Missouri about occupational therapy’s critical role in addressing post-concussion syndrome (PCS). Although millions of people sustain concussions annually, many go undiagnosed—or never receive follow-up care. Boone and Henderson share findings from their recent AJOT studies on occupational performance challenges and cognitive strategy training for adults with PCS.
In this 42-minute discussion, you’ll learn:
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How OT interventions target high-impact areas like education, IADLs, and social participation.
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Why tools like the COPM and guided interviews offer greater insight than fixed-item questionnaires.
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The role of metacognitive strategy training—like CO-OP—in improving performance and quality of life.
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Practical, occupation-based assessment and intervention strategies for clinicians.
This episode is a must-listen for occupational therapy practitioners, students, and educators seeking actionable insights to better support clients experiencing post-concussion syndrome.
7. Everyday Evidence: TBI Practice Guidelines
In this episode, we explore the Occupational Therapy Practice Guidelines for Adults with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), discussing the research conducted by Steven Wheeler and Amanda Acord-Vira at West Virginia University. They provide an in-depth look at the latest occupational therapy practices tailored for adults with TBI, emphasizing evidence-based strategies and personalized care approaches.
In this 63-minute episode, you’ll gain insights into:
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The importance of using evidence-based practices to justify treatment methods to various stakeholders in the clinical setting.
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The unique, non-recipe-driven approach required for TBI due to its complex and varied nature across individuals.
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Specific interventions that are evidence-supported for improving alertness, cognitive functions, and motor skills among TBI patients.
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The value of client-centered care, which tailors interventions based on individual patient needs, environmental supports, and personal goals.
This episode is particularly insightful for OTPs looking to deepen their understanding of TBI treatment and improve their application of evidence-based interventions.
8. Everyday Evidence: Occupation-Based Treatment in Orthopedic Settings
We speak with Renee Causey-Upton, Associate Chair and Graduate Program Coordinator at Eastern Kentucky University, about the role of occupational therapy in orthopedic settings—particularly for individuals undergoing total knee replacement (TKR) surgery.
Renee shares evidence-based recommendations for occupation-based interventions that support recovery and discharge readiness. Drawing from her clinical experience and research, she discusses strategies for preoperative education, post-surgical care, and the importance of individualized treatment grounded in functional goals.
In this 47-minute episode, you'll learn:
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Why focusing on function and meaningful activity is critical in orthopedic OT care
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Common risks and complications after TKR and how OT can address them
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How environmental and social supports influence discharge planning
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Practical examples of IADL-based interventions in acute and post-acute settings
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Approaches to enhancing pre-op education and perioperative health literacy
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How doctoral students are exploring the OT role in orthopedic rehab through research and mentorship
If you’re an OT practitioner working in acute or rehab settings, an educator developing pre/post-surgical programming, or a student seeking to understand occupation-based orthopedic care—this episode is for you.
Episodes For OTPs Who Work in Children & Youth Practice Settings
9. Everyday Evidence: Ready to Learn and Play Sensory Regulation Framework
We speak with Amanda Newchok and Erin O'Hara about the Ready to Learn and Play sensory regulation framework. They discuss their innovative approach to sensory regulation for individuals with neurodiversity and how they developed this framework to make sensory regulation accessible and understandable to clients and caregivers.
In this 41-minute episode, you’ll learn:
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How this framework encourages clients to take ownership of their sensory regulation, enhancing their independence and occupational performance.
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Practical strategies and tips to effectively implement this framework in various settings, helping clients apply sensory regulation techniques in their daily lives.
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How this framework can be adapted across different care settings and educational environments.
This episode is crucial for OTPs seeking to deepen their understanding of sensory regulation and looking to apply these concepts in a more client-centered and effective way.
10. Toxic Stress in Children and Youth
In this episode, we speak with Maribeth Clifton, an occupational therapist and professor at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She discusses her work on the impact of toxic stress on children's occupational performance and overall well-being and shares her recommendations on how to address mental health and community health as a practitioner.
During this 36-minute discussion, you’ll learn about:
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The physiological stress responses in children and how adverse experiences shape their development and health.
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Effective strategies and interventions that can help mitigate the effects of toxic stress.
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The broader systemic issues that contribute to toxic stress, such as poverty and discrimination, and how they lead to occupational deprivation.
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Ways to foster resilience in children through supportive relationships and therapeutic interventions.
If you’re an OTP who works with children and are interested in enhancing your practice with a deeper understanding of how to address and alleviate the impacts of toxic stress, this episode is a must-listen.
The AOTA Podcast is a great resource for OTPs looking to enhance their professional skills and stay updated on the latest trends and practices. Whether you're just starting out or looking to deepen your expertise, there are plenty of podcast episodes to inspire and guide you. For even more insights and tools to support your practice, don’t forget to check out the wealth of resources available at AOTA’s Practice Improvement Page. It's your one-stop-shop for continuous learning and professional growth.
