My guest, Ashley Ballou, is someone that I really admire for her deep commitment to enhancing the wellbeing of clients, caregivers, and therapists.

In this conversation, we take a deep dive into the holistic approach of occupational therapy discussing the vital role it plays, not only in daily activities, but also in mental health and spiritual wellbeing.

We explore the importance of servant leadership, the intersection of personal values and professional practice and the different challenges OTs face in Canada and the US, particularly in the area of mental health.

Ashley opens up about her personal journey, sharing compelling experiences from caring for her grandmother to juggling professional life, while being the mother of five.

We also touch upon the essential need for occupational therapists to embody bravery, authenticity, and encourage them to trust their clinical intuition, and to align their actions with their true purposes. This conversation is packed with heartfelt insights, practical advice, and unwavering encouragement to pursue your calling with courage.

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If you are enjoying The BRAVE OT Podcast, I'd love it if you'd rate us, subscribe and share the a meaningful episode with a friend.

Listeners of the podcast are eligible for a 1 month grace period with the EMR, Jane. Visit Jane.app/switch and use the code VITALITY for this perk!

In this episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I’m thrilled to bring you a highly motivating conversation with two trailblazing occupational therapists, Alyson Stover and Karen Jacobs, and their courageous journey in reshaping the landscape of occupational therapy by putting a very important occupational therapy stamp on artificial intelligence.

Alyson is the president of the American Occupational Therapy Association, an associate professor at the University of Pittsburgh in their Department of Occupational Therapy, and is an occupational therapist and clinic owner at Capable Kids in Pennsylvania.

Karen's occupational therapy practice spans over four decades. She is Associate Dean of Digital Learning & Innovation, Program Director of the post-professional doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OT) program, and Clinical Professor at Boston University’s Sargent College of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences.

Through this conversation, Alyson shares her how she is embracing bravery through accountability, advocacy, and self-care, while Karen highlights the pivotal role of intentionality and the exciting intersection of occupational therapy and artificial intelligence. We'll explore the transformative potential of AI in healthcare, including the groundbreaking Korro app, which is revolutionizing therapy for children.

I encourage you to listen through the lens of your own area of practice. How might you hear what they are doing with this technology and consider how you might embrace AI similarly or differently in your work.

OTs have a unique lens, skill set, and collaborative nature that is highly valuable in AI development, which positions us to become leaders in the AI revolution.

Whether you're an experienced practitioner or a student, I know you’ll feel inspired by this discussion of bravery and dedication. We also touch on the importance of setting boundaries, leaning into emotional intelligence, and the invaluable connections forged through global OT networks like OT4OT.

This conversation highlights the power and potential that lies within our profession—whether it’s advocating for ourselves and our clients, embracing new technologies like AI, or simply taking those brave steps to do what matters in our personal lives.

Follow Alyson and Karen through their upcoming blog on the Capable Kids website, where they'll continue empowering the OT community with valuable insights and support. You can also reach out to them here by email or social media.

Alyson Stover - adstover@pitt.edu, LinkedIn

Karen Jacobs - kjacobs@bu.edu, LinkedIn

If you enjoyed today's episode, please consider leaving us a review and sharing the podcast with your friends and colleagues. Together, we can continue to build a brave, informed, and connected occupational therapy community.

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I will be accepting applications for enrolment from OT practitioners for the ACTivate Vitality program until June 15/24, when I pause enrolment. Book a Clarity Call Here

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Be sure to check out the Jane.app and use the code VITALITY to indicate you're a Brave OT Podcast listener and receive a 1 month grace period. Jane is embracing AI as it evolves features that solve problems for the clinicians in their community.

My guest for this episode is a physiotherapist by training who went on to be a Vice President at a national health care company and has recently pivotted to share his knowledge and level the playing field, supporting smaller businesses in maximizing their potential. This conversation with Gary Thorne will get therapy business owners thinking about how they can create transferable value in their business, ultimately converting that business into something that can be sold instead of closed with retirement.

This episode is for any therapy business owner, even if they’re many years away from closing.

Check out Gary’s blog post on creating a maximum value exit plan. If you’re a business owner in any stage of your developpement and don’t know what’s next, book a free consultation with Gary on his website or reach out via his LinkedIn.

If you love The BRAVE OT Podcast, I'd be so grateful if you'd tell a friend, post about it, tag me or leave a review on Apple Podcasts. Thanks for listening!

P.S. I hope you can forgive the sound quality on this one and hear the great info shared!