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Occupied

Occupied

By: Brock Cook
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A podcast about Occupational Therapy for Occupational Therapists.Brock Cook Hygiene & Healthy Living Physical Illness & Disease Psychology Psychology & Mental Health
Episodes
  • 191 – Leadership, Inclusion & Impact ft Angus Buchanan
    Apr 22 2026
    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 evolved over time, particularly in the areas of social inclusion and working alongside people with intellectual disability. Angus reflected on his career turns and what has shaped him to be the occupational therapist he is today. Together, we unpack what inclusion really looks like in practice, the gaps that still exist within our systems, and the role occupational therapists play in shaping more meaningful participation and belonging. Angus shares some exciting work he is currently doing with inclusion of people with intellectual impairment at university. This conversation moves beyond theory, highlighting the realities of practice, the influence of leadership in education, and the importance of staying grounded in the core values of occupational therapy across a career. Angus discusses his newly appointed role as Editor of the Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy and the challenges of AI use in article submissions. Key Takeaways Inclusion is more than access—it’s about meaningful participation and belonging Small, everyday changes can have a significant impact on a person’s sense of inclusion There is often a disconnect between systems, education, and lived experience Leadership in OT requires staying connected to the core philosophy of the profession Reflective practice across a career is essential for growth and impact Instagram: @OccupiedPodcastFacebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Jess Levick Subscribe now and never miss an episode!
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    41 mins
  • 190 – Born to be a Pediatric OT ft. Greg Santucci
    Mar 30 2026
    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 Model of Child Engagement. Paediatrics is not my area of practice so I was incredibly keen to learn more and see just how different it could be from other practice areas. Instagram: @OccupiedPodcastFacebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Brock Cook Subscribe now and never miss an episode! FROM OT AUSTRALIA: GREG SANTUCCI TOUR OTA is thrilled to bring Greg to Australia for their 2026 International Speaker Tour. He’ll be running full-day workshops in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth – highly interactive sessions with strategies you can use immediately. 🎧 Special offer for our podcast listeners. Use the code OCCUPIED70 to get $70 off your ticket if you book before 30 April 2026, when Early Bird pricing ends. https://otaus.com.au/international-speaker-tour-2026-greg-santucci Greg’s workshop dates: Brisbane – 22 June Sydney – 26 June Melbourne – 29 June Perth – 2 July Don’t miss this chance to learn directly from Greg and supercharge your OT practice!
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • 189 – From PhD to Practice: Evidence, Occupation & Knowledge Translation
    Mar 20 2026
    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 translating knowledge into real-world care? Drawing from her experience as a mental health occupational therapist and researcher, Jessica discusses: The identity shift from clinician to researcher The realities of academic publishing What evidence-based practice actually involves (beyond “just using research”) Why she chose to undertake a PhD The gap between research and implementation This episode challenges the idea that research belongs only in academia. Instead, it reframes evidence-based practice as an ethical responsibility shared by all clinicians. You don’t need a PhD to be evidence-informed — but you do need curiosity. If you’ve ever questioned whether what we say about occupation aligns with what we fund, measure, or prioritise in health systems, this episode is for you. Instagram: @OccupiedPodcastFacebook: Occupied Podcast Host: Dr Jessica Levick Subscribe now and never miss an episode!
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    22 mins
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