Shows
Outspoken OTEpisode 9: Meaning vs. Medicine: OT’s First Fight (1790-1899)Episode 1: OT Started as Rebellion (1790–1899) In this first episode of the 8-part “Occupation Under Pressure” series, we go back to the days before occupational therapy had a name — when meaning, craft, community, and dignity shaped healing long before healthcare systems tried to reduce it to checkboxes and units. We explore the philosophical and sociopolitical roots of OT from 1790 to 1899, including the Moral Treatment Movement, settlement houses, the arts-and-crafts era, and the rise of graded activity in tuberculosis sanatoria. This episode reveals how occupation originally functioned as identity-building, purpose-restoring, skilled engagement — not “ADL practice.” Then we connect the past to today’s challe...
2025-12-0117 minOutspoken OTEpisode 8: HR1 Exposed Us: The Financial Crisis OT Should’ve Seen Coming“OT Left Off the List: What HR1 Just Exposed About Our Profession” In this extended, no-filter episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle breaks down exactly what is happening with federal student loan reforms — and why the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR1)” is a turning point for occupational therapy. This isn’t just a financial update. This is a profession-wide reality check. You’ll learn: 🔹 What HR1 actually changed Grad PLUS loans eliminated New borrowing caps for graduate vs. professional programs OT placed in the lower-funded “graduate” category 🔹 Why OT was left off the “professional degree” list and how that outdated 1998 list still gov...
2025-11-2320 minOutspoken OTEpisode 7: The Petition that Predicted the Pipeline CrisisIn this episode of Outspoken OT, host Michelle Eliason, MS, OTR/L unpacks the data behind the 2023 OT Petition and National Survey — a grassroots effort that captured thousands of voices from across the profession. Practicing OTs, OTAs, students, educators, and even those who have left the field all said the same thing: the system designed to produce and protect competent occupational therapy practitioners is breaking down. Michelle explains what experts would call a pipeline crisis — when the sequence from education to employment to retention begins to fail. From inconsistent curriculum and unpaid fieldwork to unsafe productivity demands and loss of m...
2025-11-1116 minOutspoken OTEpisode 6: Equality’s Out, Equity’s In — But What Does That Mean for OT?In this episode of Outspoken OT, host Michelle Eliason, MS, OTR/L dives into the American Occupational Therapy Association’s 2025 Code of Ethics and its two major updates: replacing equality with equity and adding advocacy as a core professional value. What sounds like a simple word change actually signals a deeper philosophical shift for occupational therapy — from fair processes to fair outcomes. But what does that mean for clinicians? How do we balance advocacy, neutrality, and scope of practice without drifting into politics or losing clinical clarity? Michelle unpacks the differences between equality and equity, explores what “advocacy” really means in...
2025-10-1818 minOutspoken OTEpisode 5: We Are Giving Our Own Profession AwayToday’s episode dives deep into one of the biggest professional conversations happening right now — the ongoing tension between occupational therapy and physical therapy — and what it reveals about how we’ve been talking about ourselves for decades. We start From the Feed, where Chris Nahrwold’s viral post in the Practical Occupational Therapy Facebook group challenges the old phrases like “PT helps you walk, OT helps you do the things once you get there.” He asks the hard question: Are PTs limiting us, or are we limiting ourselves? Then in My Hard Take, Michelle breaks down some of the most repug...
2025-10-1221 minOutspoken OTEpisode 4: What ACOTE’s 2023 Revisions Mean for the Future of OT EducationIn this episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle Eliason takes a candid, evidence-based look at the recently released ACOTE Interpretive Guide (2025) and how it reframes occupational therapy education—possibly for the worse. She unpacks ten critical changes that may weaken the scientific backbone of the profession, from diluted leadership qualifications and vague “generalist” definitions to the politicization of accreditation language and the quiet erasure of measurable competency standards. This episode isn’t about blame—it’s about foresight and accountability. Michelle calls attention to how these shifts could compromise clinical readiness, faculty credibility, and the neutrality of healthcare education. She also offers...
2025-10-0726 minOutspoken OTEpisode 3: Growing in Number, Shrinking in ValueIn this episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle Eliason takes a hard look at the growing disconnect between occupational therapy’s rising employment numbers and its declining professional worth. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OT employment is projected to increase from 160,000 to 182,100 jobs by 2034—a 13.8% jump that sounds promising on the surface. But when you compare those projections to federal reimbursement trends, a different story emerges: occupational therapists may be growing in number, but each position is worth less per unit of service than ever before. Michelle breaks down where this growth is happening and what it m...
2025-10-0616 minOutspoken OTEpisode 2: The Ethics No One Wants To Talk AboutIn this episode of Outspoken OT, we dive into the uncomfortable truth behind ethical distress in occupational therapy. From productivity pressures in SNFs to federal whistle-blower cases and the global fight against healthcare fraud, Michelle unpacks how systemic incentives erode integrity—and why leadership accountability matters more than ever. Drawing from the AOTA Ethics Commission Advisory Opinion (2019) and the 2025 Global Scoping Review on Medical Fraud and Abuse (Najar et al.), this conversation connects real-world cases, data-driven fraud detection, and technology’s emerging role in protecting ethical clinicians. Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned rehab leader, this episod...
2025-10-0520 minOutspoken OTEpisode 1: Scope Creep, Ego, and the OT Identity CrisisIn this episode of Outspoken OT, Michelle Eliason dives into one of the most misunderstood topics in rehabilitation—scope of practice. What began as a debate about “who’s doing what” has turned into a culture of professional policing, leaving occupational therapy caught in the middle. Michelle challenges that mindset by reframing scope through the Occupational Therapy Practice Framework (OTPF), showing that our identity is rooted in reasoning and occupation—not task ownership. In This Episode You’ll Learn: 1. Why “scope creep” is misunderstood and how it distracts us from deeper issues 2. How the OTPF defines OT’s true identity as a scie...
2025-10-0518 min
Private Practice Success StoriesFrom Her Kitchen Table to Two Locations with Michelle Eliason [Start Your Private Practice Mentor]Are you holding back from starting your private practice because you’re worried that you don’t have enough money saved up? This is what I hear from many SLPs and OTs, but you don’t actually have to have a bunch of money saved up! You can keep your costs very low at the start and grow as your practice grows. In today’s episode of Private Practice Success stories, I sat down with Michelle Eliason who didn’t let the investment scare her. She started her private practice debt-free from her kitchen...
2022-09-1926 min
2022-06-1435 min
BOT PodcastAdvice For Occupational Therapy PractitionersJoin the OT conversation in the clinical realm immediately.Read the ACOTE standards listed at the front of your course syllabi and know the difference between what the school “interprets” as meeting this requirement and what ACOTE actually “requires”Read your textbooks to actually understand the information and how it applies to the occupational therapy processCreate Systems, Structure, and Organization from Day 1Developing effective study habits https://www.buffalooccupationaltherapy.com/blog/advice-for-occupational-therapy-students/
2022-01-3027 minBOT PodcastExecutive Function In Occupational Therapy - Rethink OTAre you curious about executive function applied to occupational therapy? Where does OT fit in the mix? How can you address cognitive deficits and executive function in occupational therapy? Find out more in this episode on executive Function in Occupational Therapy! Don't forget to check out the BOT Portal at buffalooccupationaltherapy.com
2021-12-1644 min
BOT PodcastFine Motor Activities For Adults In Occupational Therapy - Rethink OTFine Motor Activities for Adults in Occupational TherapyLearn more by reading the full blog article:https://www.buffalooccupationaltherapy.com/ot-training/techniques/fine-motor-activities-occupational-therapy/
2021-11-2720 min
reTHINK OTCerebral Vascular Accident Occupational Therapy Overview - ReTHINK OTCerebral Vascular Accident Occupational Therapy Overview - ReTHINK OT by Michelle Eliason
2021-11-2242 minBOT PodcastCerebral Vascular Accident Occupational Therapy Overview - ReTHINK OTCerebral Vascular Accident Occupational Therapy Overview - ReTHINK OT by Michelle Eliason
2021-11-2242 minBOT PodcastA Day In The Life Of An Outpatient Occupational TherapistA Day In The Life Of An Outpatient Occupational Therapist
2021-11-1821 min
2021-06-2418 min
BOT PodcastEpisode 2 - Evaluation of TBI in Outpatient OTEpisode 2 of the Traumatic Brain Injury Mini Series! Do you find yourself wondering how you treat a client after a traumatic brain injury in outpatient OT? What do you do with someone in OT if they are independent with ADLs?? Well, I have news for you! You can do EVERYTHING!!! Listen to this episode to learn how to prepare for you evaluation of a client after a TBI in outpatient OT!
2021-03-1112 minBOT PodcastEpisode 1 - Traumatic Brain Injury In Outpatient OT PracticeEpisode 1 of a 5 Episode series on treating Traumatic Brain Injuries in Outpatient Occupational Therapy practice.The point of view of an outpatient occupational therapy practitioners in the treatment of Traumatic Brain Injuries is different than inpatient settings. Many times we are not addressing ADLs and IADLs. This series will be great for a student of occupational therapy or practitioner wanting an inside scoop of how an outpatient OT addresses TBI needs!www.buffalooccupationaltherapy.com#occupatoinaltherapy #OT #rethinkOT
2021-03-0415 min
BOT PodcastTop Down Vs Bottom Up Explain for Occupational TherapySince occupational therapy began its plight to fit into the medical model, occupational therapy practitioners have struggled with identity. Is occupational therapy top-down or bottom-up? In school, OTPs are taught one thing -- TOP DOWN TOP DOWN TOP DOWN! I mean, that's what AOTA and NBCOT need us to know...But then you get out into practice and quickly realize that what we were taught in school is VERY different than what the working clinician is doing! What are we seeing? Are we seeing bottom-up? Are we seeing top down? Is it both?? Is that okay?? Where is the balance...
2021-02-1805 min
reTHINK OTTop Down Vs Bottom Up Explain for Occupational TherapySince occupational therapy began its plight to fit into the medical model, occupational therapy practitioners have struggled with identity. Is occupational therapy top-down or bottom-up? In school, OTPs are taught one thing -- TOP DOWN TOP DOWN TOP DOWN! I mean, that's what AOTA and NBCOT need us to know...But then you get out into practice and quickly realize that what we were taught in school is VERY different than what the working clinician is doing! What are we seeing? Are we seeing bottom-up? Are we seeing top down? Is it both?? Is that okay??
2021-02-1805 min2021-02-1220 minreTHINK OTSTOP Dynamic Reaching Activities! Learn Why!Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1113 minreTHINK OTEvery Occupational Therapist Should Be Checking Perception In OT EvaluationsEvery Occupational Therapist Should Be Checking Perception In OT Evaluations by Michelle Eliason
2021-02-1107 minreTHINK OTFavorite Outpatient OT Treatment ToolsFavorite Outpatient OT Treatment Tools by Michelle Eliason
2021-02-1114 min2021-02-1120 min
reTHINK OTPsychosocial And Psychological Motor Framework in Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1105 minreTHINK OTHow to Educate your Patients on the Falling CycleFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1004 minBOT PodcastPsychosocial And Psychological Motor Framework in Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1005 minBOT PodcastSTOP Dynamic Reaching Activities! Learn Why!Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1013 minBOT PodcastFavorite Outpatient OT Treatment ToolsFavorite Outpatient OT Treatment Tools by Michelle Eliason
2021-02-1014 minBOT PodcastEvery Occupational Therapist Should Be Checking Perception In OT EvaluationsEvery Occupational Therapist Should Be Checking Perception In OT Evaluations by Michelle Eliason
2021-02-1007 minreTHINK OTTop 3 Considerations to apply to EVERY new OT patientFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1017 minreTHINK OTTreatment Planning for an Occupational Therapy PractitionerFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1005 minreTHINK OTHow to use Masking Tape in EVERY Occupational Therapy TreatmentFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1005 minreTHINK OTBut how do you ACTUALLY advocate for occupational therapy?Why aren't we, as OT practitioners adequately prepared for what the 'temperature of the room' is toward occupational therapy. It's frigid. The temperature of the room [the culture] is COLD! We talk about advocacy at the macro level (government), but what about to the people around us, medical professionals, and future referring partners?? We need to raise awareness at ALL LEVELS of public! Learn three ways you can advocate for occupational therapy in this episode! Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal at...
2021-02-1005 minreTHINK OTDeciding if your treatment plan is 'OT' enoughFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1019 minreTHINK OTHow to do Group Therapy in Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1005 minreTHINK OTRange Of Motion And Manual Muscle Testing Applied In Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-1028 minBOT PodcastTreatment Planning for an Occupational Therapy PractitionerFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0905 minBOT PodcastHow to Educate your Patients on the Falling CycleFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0904 minBOT PodcastHow to do Group Therapy in Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0905 minBOT PodcastHow to use Masking Tape in EVERY Occupational Therapy TreatmentFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0905 minBOT PodcastRange Of Motion And Manual Muscle Testing Applied In Occupational TherapyFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0928 minBOT PodcastTop 3 Considerations to apply to EVERY new OT patientFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0917 minBOT PodcastDeciding if your treatment plan is 'OT' enoughFollow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal @ BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0919 minBOT PodcastBut how do you ACTUALLY advocate for occupational therapy?Why aren't we, as OT practitioners adequately prepared for what the 'temperature of the room' is toward occupational therapy. It's frigid. The temperature of the room [the culture] is COLD! We talk about advocacy at the macro level (government), but what about to the people around us, medical professionals, and future referring partners?? We need to raise awareness at ALL LEVELS of public! Learn three ways you can advocate for occupational therapy in this episode! Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook! Join the BOT Portal at BuffaloOccupationalTherapy.com #OccupationalTherapy #reTHINKOT #nextGenOT #OTlove #excellenceinpractice #elevate
2021-02-0905 min
Hustlapreneur PodcastChit Chat With Cherice and Angela Gardner Of 100 Coffee Virtual CafeWelcome to the Virtual Cafe!
This is an ACTIVE, ENGAGED community, so set your Group Notifications according to your comfort level (how often do you want to be notified)
You can find everything about the Village at this link:
Linktr.ee/100coffeesvirtualcafe
Sign up for our Membership Portal to ensure we stay connected at: 100coffeesvirtualcafe.com/100coffeesvirtualcafe
Tips for Connecting Right Away:
1. Check the calendar for upcoming events
2. Set Notifications so you don't miss anything.
3. Watch MorningShift and NightShift Lives (even on replay)
2020-12-2140 min
Alternative Healthcare CareersHow to Start Your Own OT/OTA Business With Michelle Eliason, OTR, CDSHow to Start Your Own OT/OTA Business with Michelle Eliason, OTR, CDS
Are you still doubting yourself that you can leverage your practice into becoming your own business?
Michelle Eliason shares her journey on how she leveraged her Occupational Therapist practice into her own business – OTPreneur.
In this episode:
01:30 – Food for thought: Whenever you feel like giving up, think of all the people that would love to see you fail.
05:50 – Introduction of Michelle Eliason.
10:00 – Now is the time to get out of your comfort zone.
12:45 – How to leverage your OT sc...
2020-11-021h 14Alternative Healthcare CareersInterview With Michelle Eliason Of Aging With Purpose LLCInterview with Michelle Eliason Of Aging with Purpose LLC
Michelle Eliason established Aging with Purpose LLC in 2016 as a consulting company promoting livable environments, health and wellness through aging, and aging in place.
With her 8+ years of experience in the eldercare industry along with her experience as a Director of Rehab in skilled nursing, Michelle saw a need in the community and decided to be a solution.
She is currently the founder and owner of an outpatient clinic, Buffalo Occupational Therapy, Adjunct Faculty in an OTA program, Strategic Development Chairperson for NYS Occupational...
2020-09-141h 05
MisUnderstanding Dementia PodcastQ and A with Michelle Eliason, OTR on Alzheimer's and DementiaQ and A with Michelle Eliason, OTR on Alzheimer's and Dementia
How to help your patients decide where to stay?
Michelle Eliason talks about her mission on how to help patients be able to make the choice where they live throughout their lifespan.
In This Podcast:
01:37 – Introducing Michelle
02:10 – What can we learn from her?
03:53 – What is ‘aging in place’?
10:28 – How does taking a weak camping trip affect your loved ones?
20:02 – Learning and identifying which part of the brain is affected are very important.
21:16 – Three tips that we can learn on how...
2020-08-2245 min
The Women with FireEpisode 102: Brooke Eliason of Female FoodieShow Notes:
On this episode of the Women with Fire Podcast, Michelle interview Brooke Eliason of Female Foodie. She talks about her passion for food, and how her business gained traction through social media and her blog. She talks about how her and her husband decided to travel, despite the fact that it was an unconventional path especially with their newest addition to their family, their son.
Brooke shares her experience as a new mom and some of the struggles she faced, and some practical tips for those who may be experiencing the same, and what helped her through the...
2019-04-2335 min
Robins on the WireMilan Djuric latest plus pre-season gabbleIn episode 33 of our Bristol City podcast Sky Sports' Michelle Owen and Bristol City reporter Gregor MacGregor discuss the Robins pre-season.Which players have impressed already and have we seen some clues as to City's first-team for next season?Plus, there's the latest from the transfer market. Gregor reveals another imminent Bristol City deal has been agreed that will see another starlet head out on loan, while there is further discussion of the latest transfer rumours and gossip.City's chase for a goalkeeper is explained while the pair also discuss which players could have a good pre-season a...
2018-07-1229 min