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Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy (OT) Podcast

Michele Alaniz & Lacy Wright
Occupational Therapy
Pediatric Occupational Therapy
Autism Spectrum Disorder
Autism
Evidence-Based Practice
Play
Pediatric Therapy
Mental Health
Cerebral Palsy
Zones Of Regulation
Emotional Regulation
Executive Function
Sensory Processing
Ayres Sensory Integration
Attunement
Movement Play
Motor Learning Theory
Imposter Syndrome
Imaginative Play
Play Theories

Welcome to Ideas at Play, the go-to podcast for busy pediatric occupational therapy professionals! Whether you're in school-based settings, early intervention, or outpatient practice, we bring you evidence-based strategies, practical tips, and engaging discussions to support your OT practice with children, teens, and young adults.

Each episode features:

A deep dive into recent pediatric OT resea... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes74Foundeda year ago
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Latest Episodes

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This summer, Michele and Lacy are switching things up with a six-episode series sharing programs or topics they genuinely love. The research articles may not always be front and center, but the same clinical reasoning is.... more

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What do early career occupational therapists really prioritize when choosing their first OT job? Spoiler alert: salary ranks 9th out of 16 factors. In this episode, we break down a fascinating Canadian study that surveyed... more

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When you think of therapy in the swimming pool, swim lessons probably come to mind. However, occupational therapy practitioners use water for so many life skills! This week, Michele dives into research from Spain that rev... more

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Episode 70 calls for something special!  We tackle your real-world pediatric OT questions, from the buzzwords worth knowing to the advice that actually sticks. Thank you for being the heart of this podcast. Here's to 70 m... more

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Recent Guests

Heather Kuhaneck
A leader in research on play and autism, Professor and Program Director of the OT Master's Program at Southern Connecticut State University
Southern Connecticut State University
Episode: Ep. 40 Let's Talk Ayres SI, Autism, & Play with Dr. Heather Kuhaneck
Dr. Anita Bundy
Professor and head of the OT department at Colorado State University, internationally recognized occupational therapist and researcher
Colorado State University
Episode: Ep. 33 Play as Occupation with guest Dr. Anita Bundy
Dr. Iona Nowak
Expert in goal writing in OT
Episode: Ep. 32 Sydney Playground Project
Iona Novak
World-renowned researcher and occupational therapist specializing in pediatric interventions
Episode: Ep. 20 Do What Works! (with guest Dr. Iona Novak)
Yovana Harris
Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant specializing in feeding medically fragile children
Outpatient Clinic, Santa Ana College
Episode: Ep. 10 Tubes & Tables: Supporting Mealtime with Medically Fragile Kids (special guest episode)

Hosts

Michele Alaniz
Host and pediatric OT clinician; Director of Pediatrics at a rehab hospital in Southern California; involved in Ideas at Play.
Lacy Wright
Co-host; Occupational Therapy Professor in Kansas City; OT educator and clinician contributing research insights and practical context.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 46 ratings
  • Aging Student

    I am an aging student switching careers and often it’s difficult to connect what I’m leaning in class to the real world. Michele and Lacy make all things OT accessible and easy to digest. I LOVE them!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    New OT On The Block
    United Statesa month ago
  • The best CPD on the run!

    I just love this podcast so much. I’ve only just stumbled across it but have already covered so many topics that really interest me. I am a UK based private OT working across various schools but also with clients in their own homes. Many of those common themes that come up when chatting with my OT colleagues are tackled in depth, mixing the hosts own personal experiences with reviews of recent literature and evidence in a really fun and engaging way! I listen in the car on my way to see clients ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    brighton rox
    United Kingdom8 months ago
  • Research made practical, and fun to listen to!

    I used to work with both Michele and Lacy many years ago, and hearing them banter back and forth took me back in time! I listened to the first three episodes back to back and had a smile on my face the whole time. You guys have a great format, it’s well thought out and each section is so helpful. I’ll definitely be recommending your podcast to my staff and to other clinic owners I know.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Thisisina
    United Statesa year ago
  • Fieldwork coordinator

    As a fieldwork coordinator and professor, it has been up to me on how to develop these behaviors. At almost two years in we find it only can do so much without student self led motivation and discipline. We use a textbook throughout fieldwork and develop assignments throughout.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sflot
    United Statesa year ago
  • A MUST listen!

    Michele and Lacy do any amazing job with real life scenarios and using evidence based practice on how to enhance your OT sessions. Really love listening to these podcast they are not only informative but also fun to listen to! Thank you both for this podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    sarahm27283
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners praise practical, evidence-based OT insights that translate to real-world practice.
Audience finds the format engaging and accessible for continuing education.
Conversations feel relatable and collaborative, with useful takeaways for clinical and school settings.
The show's mix of research reviews and practical segments helps busy clinicians stay current.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 70 Listener Questions: Pediatric OT in the Real World (Round 2)
Q: What buzzwords are you hearing and how do you see them evolving in pediatric OT?
Trauma-informed care and neurodiversity affirming care are prominent; there's interest but a need for stronger, more concrete frameworks and evidence to guide practice.
Ep 68 CIMT Summer Camp
Q: I'm in Chicago. A few years ago everyone was talking about interoception. Is there any buzzwords we are hearing more of that we could talk about on the podcast?
The hosts acknowledge listener questions and invite more questions via voicemail or email, signaling they plan to cover topics like interoception in future episodes.
Ep. 71 Aquatic Therapy: Using the Pool for More Than Swim Lessons (Encore)
Q: Tell us again about the population.
The study involved six children aged six to twelve with autism, focusing on an aquatic therapy program within a group setting that included parents in the sessions.
Ep. 67 Polyvagal Theory and Listening Programs
Q: What is the main takeaway from the systematic review of sound-based listening programs?
The main takeaway is that while many programs are built on Polyvagal Theory and show some positive outcomes, the overall evidence is slim, with most studies being small or uncontrolled; the music itself may be the active component, but it is not clear that the special filters or branded protocols provide added benefit.
Ep. 58 Zippers: An OT + Speech Approach
Q: What is the mechanism of action?
The intervention leverages motor learning concepts such as schema development, use-dependent learning, attention anchoring, and perceptual cognitive skill training to support the zippering task.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy

What is Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Busy pediatric OT pros get research-grounded, practical guidance across topics like handwriting motor learning, autism transition, responsive feeding, and classroom strategies. Episodes balance evidence reviews with real-world coaching, parent interactions, and actionable takeaways, plus recurring “Nailed It or Failed It” segments that spotlight what actually works in clinic or school settings. A standout feature is translating complex studies into concrete tools and routines (e.g., motor-learning-based handwriting, sensory activity schedules, and interdisciplinary collaborations) while keeping the tone approachable and relatable for practitioners, educators, and families alike.

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How many listeners does Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy get?

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What are the audience demographics for Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy?

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How many subscribers and views does Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy:

1. All Things Sensory by Harkla
2. Born to Be Free: Supporting Neurodivergent Clients to Learn, Play, & Thrive
3. Neurodiversity Podcast
4. IMO with Michelle Obama and Craig Robinson
5. OT Potential Podcast | Occupational Therapy CEUs

How many episodes of Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy are there?

Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy launched a year ago and published 74 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy?

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What guests have appeared on Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy?

Recent guests on Ideas at Play: An Occupational Therapy include:

1. Heather Kuhaneck
2. Dr. Anita Bundy
3. Dr. Iona Nowak
4. Iona Novak
5. Yovana Harris

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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