Shows
BiggerPockets Money PodcastWe Paid Off $500K in Debt: Now We’re on Track to Retire (Early) in Our 50sFear that early retirement is out of the question because you have too much debt? It’s not game over. Whether you’re debt-free or still chipping away at your student loans, today’s guests are proof that FIRE is never too far out of reach—even if you’ve got half a million dollars in debt!Welcome back to the BiggerPockets Money podcast! Amirra and Mazi Condelee’s first date was an all-timer. While many consider personal finance a taboo topic, they cut right to the money talk—specifically, debt. And it was a good thing t...2025-04-2558 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 29. How to Be Successful as a New Grad 1099 Contractor with Ashley WrightShow Summary:
The new grad OT journey, there’s nothing quite like it. You’ve graduated, aced your boards, and are ready to dive into the OT world. But then reality hits: so much of what lies ahead is unfamiliar, especially when it comes to settings like home health or early intervention, or deciding to go the independent contracting route as a new grad - all areas of OT we don’t typically cover much while in our programs. In this episode, I’m joined by Ashley Wright, MS, OTR/L, a newly licensed pediatric OT who took the...2024-11-141h 08
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 28. Creating a Strong Plan to Tackle Student Loan Debt with Connor PierceShow Summary:
Student loan debt can feel overwhelming and never-ending, and I know that from personal experience. As therapists, we work so hard to get to the finish line, only to face a pile of debt waiting for us. It’s a reality many of us struggle with—whether you have $20k or $200k in loans, it’s easy to feel stuck or defeated. In this episode, I’m joined by a special guest, Dr. Connor Pierce, DPT who understands exactly what it’s like to graduate with student debt. Instead of letting that burden hold him back, Conno...2024-10-171h 04
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 27. Crafting your Case to Ask for a Pay RaiseShow Summary:
In today’s episode, we’re diving into the all-important topic of asking for a raise as an OT. Should you do it? Absolutely—whether you're a seasoned therapist or fresh out of school, it's time to advocate for your worth. I'll walk you through the specific steps to take before asking for a raise so you can approach the conversation confidently and maximize your chances of success. Plus, if you missed our last episode on job negotiation, I highly recommend giving that a listen too—it’s the perfect lead-in to today’s discussion!
In tod...2024-10-0437 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 26. Building Confidence to Negotiate and Maximize Income with Samantha HayesShow Notes:
You know what the motto is over here: There is nothing wrong with enjoying what you do, loving your profession, helping people, AND wanting to be paid well to do it. In today’s episode, we’re talking all about knowing your worth and getting paid what you need, want, and most importantly - deserve! Our guest shares how she made well over six figures in her first year as an OT—without leaving clinician practice. She’ll explain how negotiating confidently played a key role in making it happen. Plus, we talk about student loans, ti...2024-09-191h 10
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 25. Is Occupational Therapy a Dying Profession!?Show Summary:
Is occupational therapy a dying profession? Depending on who you ask, you might hear it is. Scroll through any OT Facebook group, and you'll find comments about burnout, dissatisfaction, and people leaving the field. But while this may reflect some people’s truth, it doesn’t represent most of us who love what we do and value our profession, even if we wish to see changes. In today’s episode, I’m sharing my take: Why are people saying this? Is there any truth to it? Plus, I’ll give my honest opinion on recommending this field...2024-09-0532 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 24. The Journey to Graduating OT School Debt-Free with Shanmin SultanaShow Notes
Is it possible to graduate OT school debt free? The answer just might surprise you. In a time where it feels like literally all of us are drowning in student loan debt, I’m here to share a very special story of someone who has decided to do things differently and is on track to graduate with absolutely no debt. But just because it’s possible doesn’t mean it’s easy. Our guest shares how she’s overcome obstacles, beliefs, and misconceptions to keep a promise to herself to avoid student loans. We’ll also dive in...2024-08-221h 09
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 23. Life Reflections, Updates, and Biiiiig Surprises!Show Summary:
Happy August! I can't believe we're already halfway through the year. Today is a very special episode because...it's my birthday! If you know me, you know I'm a big birthday person. In this episode, I share some of my life lessons and reflections as I enter a new decade, new season, and new chapter of life - with lots of big surprises along the way. Plus, I also sprinkle in a little personal student loan update and an important reminder to still enjoy your life even while paying back those pesky loans.
t...2024-08-0934 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 22. Finding your Financial Footing as a New Graduate with Paige LeiteShow Summary:
The new grad season is such an exciting time, but there’s also a lot to juggle as we enter this new chapter of our lives. Instead of studying for exams and going to class, we’re learning to navigate paying bills, finding a job with benefits, and knowing what to do with our paychecks. In today’s episode, I’m joined by Paige Leite better known online as P the OT to talk all about the importance of building and prioritizing a healthy money mindset even as a new graduate. Paige is an occupational therapist...2024-07-111h 07
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 21. The Unfiltered Truth about OT SchoolShow Summary:
OT school for me was one of the most profound seasons of my life. It’s the season where I can wholeheartedly say I experienced the most tremendous amount of growth as a young adult. And although I may have made many mistakes while in OT school, I truly look back on this time with absolutely nothing but gratitude and happiness. In today’s episode, I’m sharing about my time in OT school in hopes of inspiring those of you who are maybe preparing to begin school or are currently attending school. Of course, I’ll a...2024-06-2844 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 20. Leaping into Travel Therapy as a New Graduate with Paige RickmanShow Summary:
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be a travel occupational therapist? Well, in today’s episode I’m joined by Paige Rickman, OTR/L who is an occupational therapist that took the leap into travel therapy as a new graduate and has been absolutely thriving in her career. In this conversation, Paige shares what sparked her initial interest in travel therapy, how she’s navigated some of the initial challenges she faced, what the more rewarding aspects of being a travel therapist have been, and also gives an abundance of advice, practical tips and...2024-05-161h 07
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 19. The Power of Pivoting to Reignite your OT Passion with Nancy YamoahShow Summary:
It’s officially occupational therapy month! Happy OT month to all of the incredible OT practitioners out there making your mark on our profession, and changing the world. Today on the show we're joined by Nancy Yamoah, OTP who is a light in our profession, and truly embodies what it means to be a fulfilled and happy OT entrepreneur. In this conversation, we dive into how we as clinicians can reignite our passion for OT by pivoting into different areas of our profession, and exploring entrepreneurship, non traditional paths, and so much more. Although OT isn...2024-04-181h 13
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 18. Money Matters in Occupational TherapyShow Summary:
I love OT and I love what we do as OTs but I can’t help but to feel like we’re not spending enough time talking about the real issues in this profession that are impacting so many of us; from burn out to unrealistic productivity expectations to pay stagnation to crippling student loan debt. Every profession has its drawbacks and flaws - but I truly believe a large majority of the issues OTs are facing all tie back to one thing: money. So, in today’s episode we’re getting right to the heart of...2024-03-2835 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 17. Tackling Taxes as an Independent Contractor with Carol AlvarezShow Summary:
Independent Contracting. Two words that might make you raise an eyebrow especially if you’re a student or a fresh new graduate because contracting is just not something covered extensively in our OT programs. But - just because it isn’t covered, doesn’t mean it should be ignored or overlooked. Independent contracting can be an amazing income boosting opportunity especially for OTs looking for ways to maximize your earning potential.
In today’s episode we’re joined by Carol Alvarez, an OTP, tax literacy coach, and founder of Therapy Not Taxes, a tax consulti...2024-03-141h 08
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 16. Lessons in Living Fully: Honoring Emilia Dewi’s LegacyShow Summary
This episode is dedicated in loving memory of my sweet friend, Emilia Dewi. To know Emilia was to know a person who was passionate, kind, a true fighter, an advocate, and beautiful inside and out. She was an absolute gem of a human and a bright spot in the world of OT. Her legacy will leave a tremendous impact on her patients, community, and our profession as a whole.
In today’s episode, I’m reflecting on what Emilia brought to this world and the lessons I’ve learned by being a part of her w...2024-02-2928 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 15. Learning Grace in The New Grad Season with Domonique GholsonShow Summary:
OT is not all rainbows and butterflies and unicorns and fairy dust. The fact is that there are a lot of things we would love to see changed about our profession so that it can actually rise to the potential that we all know it has. As a student, new graduate (or soon to be), it can be extremely discouraging, overwhelming, and downright scary to hear us practicing clinicians sharing the realities of what it’s like to be an OT because the truth is nothing can really prepare you until you’re actually in the...2024-02-1559 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 14. No One Goes Into OT to Become Rich...Right?Show Summary:
No one goes into OT to become rich, right? I mean certainly there’s careers and fields out there that when people pursue them, it’s known that they’re going to be financially comfortable, on some level. So maybe they aren’t going into those professions to become rich but they do know okay I’m going to make a good living. But - is OT one of those professions? Do people look at our career and say to themselves “that’s definitely a path that will lead me to be where I want to be financia...2024-01-3134 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 13. The Occupation of Motherhood with Ally OwenShow Summary:
Becoming a mama is arguably the biggest role change someone will ever experience. The occupation of motherhood is beautiful, exhausting, chaotic, but so amazing. It’s life changing in so many ways - mental, emotional, physical, spiritual, and of course financially. But how exactly does becoming a mama change us an OT? And what happens when we decide we want to pause our career as an OT to pursue motherhood full time? What do those sacrifices look like? Today on the show I’m joined by my very sweet friend, Ally Owen, who is an occup...2024-01-061h 00
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 12. A Mirracle Wrapped 2023!Wow. I can't believe we're here. It's the final days of December and 2024 is right around the corner. Where in the world did this year go? I didn't pick a word of the year but if I could pick one now, it would be "transformative" because this has been a life changing year on so many levels. I became a mama, my family moved (a lot!), and I formed some of the most beautiful friendships and relationships of my life. So today's episode is a little different - it's less action packed, more chit chat. I really just wanted to...2023-12-2928 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 11. It's Okay for OTs to Talk About Money with Sarah PuttIs it okay for occupational therapy practitioners to talk about money? I mean after all, we didn’t go into this career for the money, right? So is it really necessary for us to have these conversations? These are the questions that inspired today’s episode where we have a very special guest that I cannot wait for you to hear from. Joining me on the podcast is my dear friend, my EI bestie, and of course the amazing podcast guru, Sarah Putt, better known online as OT 4 Lyfe and we're chatting all about why occupational therapists need to be h...2023-12-1157 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 10. Is the OTD worth the price tag?What exactly is the occupational therapy doctorate degree (OTD)? Do you really need a doctorate degree to become an OT? Will it be mandatory to have in order to practice one day? Is it a requirement to go into academia? Is it worth getting into even more debt? These are the questions that come up frequently when pre-OT students are considering becoming an OT. The masters vs doctorate debate is a hot topic in our profession and has been for quite some time. Depending on who you ask, the answer will be different. But of course, it’s me, so...2023-11-1330 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 9. Is the Degree Worth the Debt?Is the degree worth the debt? That’s the instagram message that inspired me to grab my mic and start recording. So on today’s episode, I’m sharing my answer to this question and as always I promise to keep it real. No fluff. No sugarcoating. No beating around the bush. I’m going to tell you exactly the max amount of student loan debt I advise going into to become an OT and give you step-by-step instructions for pursuing OT on the cheapest path possible. And because this topic can sometimes be clouded with negativity, I’m also going...2023-08-2832 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 8. Birthday, Birth Story, and BillsThis is a very special episode for a whole lot of reasons. First, it’s my birthday! So I figured what better way to kick off my birthday than sharing about my own baby’s birth day! That’s right, today on the podcast I’m finally sharing my birth story. I personally love to hear other mama’s birth stories because they’re all so incredibly unique and different and I just find it fascinating to hear about. So, if you’re a mama and love hearing birth stories, this one’s for you. But even if you’re not, I think yo...2023-08-1033 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 7. Confessions of an OT Money CoachThey say there’s power in confession right? Well today I want to confess a few things. The things I struggled with, and some that I still struggle with, my financial fears, the money anxieties that creep in. And in sharing, my hope is that you can see yourself in my story so that you know if I can get it together, you can too. But I promise this episode isn’t all doom and gloom, I’m also sharing how I’ve been able to face my fears, confront my anxieties and struggles head on, and ultimately how you, reg...2023-07-3132 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 6. Navigating the New Grad SeasonIt’s officially #NewGrad season! The new grad season is an exciting time, but it can also be intimidating, and overwhelming. You’ve spent all this time learning and preparing to become an OT practitioner (or whatever career you’re in) but now it’s time to learn about your career, and your workplace, your finances, and honestly, yourself. So today on the show I’m sharing my biggest tips, tricks, and advice for navigating the new grad season in hopes that it’ll help make this transition just a little bit easier and a little bit smoother for you.
2023-07-1733 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 5. Did I just waste $275,000?When I shared on social media that I’d had my baby, one of the first questions I received was: how am I planning to juggle work and being a mom and the answer was: I had no idea.The truth was, I wasn’t sure I wanted to go back to practicing because a [not so] tiny part of me wanted to be a stay at home mommy and chill with my baby all day. But another part of me felt like by not going back to work, I would be essentially wasting all the money I spent on my...2023-06-2037 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 4. The First Steps to Getting Your Finances on TrackThe first few months after graduation is THE critical time to establish good money practices but how do you do this when you were never taught how? Despite being in the educational system for 10+ years. In today’s show I’m sharing exactly the steps to take if you have the desire to just feel like you know what you’re doing with your money, and you have the very basics covered. If I was starting all over again today, right now, this is step by step what I’d do. This is gonna be a take action packed episode...2023-06-0532 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 3. Making Six Figures as a New Grad OTWere you led to believe 80k was the average salary for an OT only to have a rude awakening when you actually started your job hunt? Are you worried about being able to make enough money to pay off your student loans in a reasonable amount of time? Do you feel frustrated not knowing how you can earn more money as an OT? If the answer is yes, yes, and yes, then this is the episode for you. No one goes into OT for the money and of course pay isn't everything, but it is a big piece of t...2023-05-1934 min
OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs#55: OT, Plagiocephaly, and Cognitive Outcomes with Amirra CondeleePlagiocephaly has historically been thought of as a benign, cosmetic issue. But, the seminal study we are looking at during this 1-hour course indicates that severe to moderate skull deformity may be best understood as a biomarker for developmental vulnerability. As we’ll see, moderate to severe skull deformity was linked with lower cognitive and academic outcomes, when the children reached school age. It is critical to understand that this does not mean that plagiocephaly causes developmental delay. But, given the results of this study, developmental assessment, monitoring, and intervention is recommended for chil...2023-05-011h 01
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 1. Navigating the Weight of Student Loan DebtNearly $2 trillion dollars. That’s how much student loan debt Americans are in collectively. And while the majority of Americans only owe roughly $30,000, there is a small percentage that owe six figures or more. Unfortunately, I’m in that small percentage, and chances are if you’re an occupational therapist, you’re in that small percentage, too. Or at least, pretty darn close. So, if we’re in that boat together, this episode is for you. In today’s show I’m sharing exactly how I ended up in multiple six figures of student loan debt…and how I’m slowly crawling...2023-05-0132 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyEp 2. Having Fun While Paying Off Student Loans
My student loan philosophy is simple. I don't believe you need to 100% sacrifice all the things that bring you joy just because you're in student loan debt. I believe you should enjoy the money you're finally making - responsibly of course. You’ve worked hard to get here and you deserve to enjoy the fruits of your labor - but I’m not saying neglect your student loans entirely. So, you may be thinking okay Amirra, so then how do I still enjoy my life even with the weight of six figure student loan debt?! One answer: you need a...2023-05-0126 min
Money Matters in Occupational TherapyThe Money Matters in OT Podcast Trailer
Welcome to the Money Matters in Occupational Therapy podcast, a space dedicated to having the real, open, and honest conversations about money & finance that we never had in OT school - but we should’ve. I’m your host, Amirra Condelee. I’m a pediatric occupational therapist turned personal finance enthusiast and I’m here to help you use money as a tool to create, live, and enjoy your best life so that you can stop feeling stuck and start building wealth from your very first paycheck.
Just think of me as your new money coachin’ b...2023-04-3001 min
All Things Physical Therapy PodcastS1 Ep17 - Early Intervention OT & Fiscal Responsibilities as a Healthcare WorkerIn this episode, we chat with Amirra about early intervention OT and navigating finances post-graduation. Dr. Amirra Condelee OTD, OTR/L is an Arizona-based healthcare blogger, content creator, and pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping fellow OTs grow in OT, faith, and finance. Amirra is passionate about two areas: financial empowerment for healthcare professionals & helping little mirracles fulfill big dreams. Amirra has been practicing as an OT in the Early Intervention setting since graduating from MGH Institute of Health Professions in May 2019. She is the proud owner of Marvelous Mirracles Pediatric Therapy, LLC providing p...2021-12-0633 min
SpeechGoodsEpisode 27: The Goods on Forgiving Yourself for Student Loans with Amirra Condelee OTD, OTR/LIn this episode, we have Amirra Condelee OTD, OTR/L. Dr. Amirra Condelee OTD, OTR/L is an Arizona-based healthcare blogger, content creator, and pediatric occupational therapist dedicated to helping fellow OTs grow in OT, faith, and finance. Amirra is passionate about two areas: financial empowerment for healthcare professionals & helping little mirracles fulfill big dreams. Amirra has been practicing as an OT in the Early Intervention setting since graduating from MGH Institute of Health Professions in May 2019. She is the proud owner of Marvelous Mirracles Pediatric Therapy, LLC providing pediatric home health services and th...2021-10-111h 09
The OT Schoolhouse Podcast for School-Based OT PractitionersBudgeting & Tackling Student Loans With Amirra Condelee, OTD, OTR/LWelcome to the show notes for Episode 79 of the OT School House Podcast.Money makes the world go round. It's that simple... Okay, well, maybe it's not that simple. But even if you don't believe that money makes the world go around, as an occupational therapist or occupational therapy assistant who has graduated in the past 10 years, you know that money does pay your student loans. That is one thing for sure. So on this episode of the OT School House podcast, we have Amirra Condelee, OTR/L, who you may kno...2021-07-261h 04