Curious about occupational therapy? My name is Jordan and I am a new grad occupational therapist (OT) excited to share my occupational therapy journey.
Whether you are pre-OT, applying to OT school, a current OT student, or a new grad OT like myself ...this is for you!
Welcome to the Once Upon OT Podcast, where we talk about becoming the best OT we can be through interviews, reflections, and stories. After all, we can’t spell story, without OT
In this episode, I am joined by Annalou who shares in depth her occupational therapy journey and how she decided to tackle her student loan debt following completion of her occupational therapy program. Annalou also shares about her travel sabbatical and her long-term goals as an occupational therapist
https://www.instagram.com/annalouexplores/ (https://www.instagram.com/annalouexplores/)
TIMESTAMPS:
(0:57) Annalou ... what is your occupational therapy story?
(4:12) Occupational Therapy School experience
(7:17) Helpful experiences that enhanced your learning during the didactic portion of your program
(9:36) Overall experience with cohort, grad school
(12:15) Reflecting on Fieldwork 2 clinical experiences — Outpatient Pediatric clinic/School-based OT + adapting during COVID times
(18:33) If a current OT student is listening right now and is having a difficult/challenging time during their fieldwork 2 clinical rotation — what might be something you share with them at this time?
(19:36) Entering the field as a new grad OT— mindset starting out your career
(28:39) Any piece(s) of advice for new grad occupational therapists starting out their career?
(30:18) Favorite/least favorite aspects as a skilled-nursing facility (SNF) OT
(33:22) Memorable moments as an occupational therapist in a skilled-nursing facility
(36:25) Talking student loans — tackling debt + managing finances from Annalou’s perspective
(51:35) the day you finally made your final payment —> what was that feeling like?
(53:44) What’s next for you Annalou? Any long-term goals as an OT?
9 Oct 2026
Josh Digao OTR/L : Occupational Therapy School in the Philippines & Life as a SNF OT
In this episode, I am joined by Josh - an occupational therapist currently working in a skilled nursing facility (SNF) setting.
He shares in further depth his educational journey through OT school in the Philippines. He highlights the sweet wins but also the low points and personal struggles along the way.
TIMESTAMPS:
(1:00) Josh, what is your occupational therapy st ory?
(4:02) What was Occupational Therapy School like in the Philippines? - classes, academic rigor, likes/dislikes, handling failure
(19:43) Reflecting on clinical experiences as an OT student — the “ups and downs”
(24:54) Favorite moment/story as an OT student
(29:10) Least favorite “lowest lows” as an OT student
(30:59) If an OT student is listening to this podcast right now and they are having a difficult time with OT school - what piece of advice might you share with them at this time
(34:31) Fast forward to your current day role as an occupational therapist in the SNF setting
(38:46) Favorite intervention in the SNF
(41:01) Range of caseload typically // how does it feel for you?
(43:35) Any long-term goals as an occupational therapist? — lifestyle redesign + home care ?
(50:52) Reflecting on your OT journey — any thoughts you’d like to share with someone listening that might be THINKING about pursuing OT? (FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE)
follow us on insta:
@joshrendi
@once_upon_ot
14 Sept 2026
Mary Nicole Aldaba (CF-SLP) : the journey to becoming a Speech Language Pathologist
In this episode, I am joined by Mary who shares her journey to becoming a speech language pathologist “SLP”. She walks through her early discovery of the profession, the graduate school experience, and current experience starting out as a new grad SLP
** If you are curious about the perspective of speech language pathologists , then this episode is for you!
TIMESTAMPS:
(0:44) What is your SLP story?
(5:51) Mary’s SLP Graduate Program Experience
(7:54) SLP classes that stuck out for you — favorite/least favorite?
(10:17) highlighting various SLP externship experiences and important lessons learned
(14:08) Balancing externship, coursework, and life - how did you handle it personally?
(15:40) Talking about social life during SLP program
(17:57) If a current SLP student is listening to this episode right now and is having a difficult/challenging time during their SLP program — what might be something that you share with them?
(20:52) Applying for jobs as a new graduate SLP
(25:33) What might an SLP treatment session look like? Favorite interventions?
(29:01) Mary’s future goals or aspirations as an SLP?
(32:40) breaking down SLP credentials
(34:49) typical caseload or what it might look like?
(36:47) Any encounters or interactions with an occupational therapist (OT) on your SLP journey?
(39:26) SLP insta — @maryspeech (motivation, purpose, inspiration for starting the account)
(42:03) FINAL piece of advice for —
a) ...a prospective student considering SLP as a profession
b) ...an SLP student starting their graduate program tomorrow
~follow us on insta~
@maryspeechy
https://www.instagram.com/maryspeechy/?__d=dist (https://www.instagram.com/maryspeechy/?__d=dist)
@once_upon_ot
https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/ (https://www.instagram.com/once_upon_ot/)
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
10 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 39 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
33
Social presence
91
YouTube
0
Engagement
68
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