Ep. 50: Sustainable Practice - Purpose + Profit with Jason Stein
Ep. 50: Sustainable Practice - Purpose + Profit with Jason Stein In this milestone 50th episode of The BRAVE OT Podcast, I sit down with Jason Steināacupuncturist, executive coach, and the cowboy-hat-wearing wellness practitioner who's mastered the art of building a sustainable occupational therapy practice that honors both purpose and profit. If you're an overwhelmed practice owner wondering how to create more vitality in your work and life, this conversation offers wisdom you can actually use. Jason shares his journey from hospital-based integrative medicine to building a wellness center in rural Oregon (population: one person per two square miles), and how he helps founders and leaders find balance between making money and staying human. We explore Key Vitality Indicators (KVIs) instead of KPIs, why befriending money doesn't make you less spiritual, and the simple practices that are often the hardest to maintainābut create the most transformation. Ā In This Episode, We Discuss: Why so many therapy practice owners experience burnout and what Key Vitality Indicators can tell you about your business health How Jason shifted from perseverating about outcomes to surrendering controlāand why ketamine therapy opened a door to deeper presence The practical magic of closing your eyes for half a breath during heated conversations Why making money and being a heart-centered healer aren't mutually exclusive (and how to befriend money like a best friend) Natural rhythms, seasonal cycles, and why we've disrupted our connection to rest through electricity and hustle culture The Kawa Model (Japanese river model) for understanding life flow, obstacles, and opportunities in your practice (See Ep. 31 for the Find Your Flow Kawa Workshop) How to build a values-based business that doesn't require you to abandon your love of nature, family dinners, or making really good ice cream The truth about AI tools: when they help with self-reflection and when you need actual human connection Some good health advice, "You can pay now or you can pay later, but you're gonna pay" Jane's LIFE CHANGING AI Scribe feature. Check out my article on how I used ChatGPT to customize my AI Scribe template Be sure to use the codeĀ VITALITY on your new Jane account for a one month grace period. Ā About Jason Stein Jason Stein is an acupuncturist, executive coach, and storyteller who blends ancient wisdom with modern leadership. With more than 25 years of experience helping hundreds of people heal and thrive, he supports leaders, founders, and communities in finding the balance between purpose and profit. Jason co-owns Wallowa Avenue Wellness in Joseph, Oregon, and hosts the Wellness Renegades Podcast. When not working, he's outdoors with his wife and kids exploring the wilderness and living close to nature. Connect with Jason on LinkedIn Ā Resources Mentioned: - Insight Timer app (meditation timer) - Jon Kabat-Zinn - "Full Catastrophe Living" - Kawa Model (Japanese river model for occupational therapy) - Alan Weiss - "Value-Based Consulting" - Marshall Rosenberg - Nonviolent Communication - Maisie Hill - "Period: The Real Talk You Need About Periods" - Claude AI (for business reflection and planning) Ā Keep the conversation going over inĀ The BRAVE OT Podcast Facebook Group. Ā Work With Carlyn - Time-Sensitive Opportunity: As we enter October, I'll be focusing my time less on marketing and more on deepening the work with practitioners in my community. If you've been waiting for the deadline to explore ACTivate Vitality with me, reach out this week while I'm still actively booking new conversations. Book a Clarity Call The ACTivate Vitality Program is a community of occupational therapy and wellness practitioners who support each other in building sustainable, values-aligned businesses. We have group coaching calls, an online community, an ACT-based framework to build entrepreneurial and psychological flexibility, and 1:1 support. Ā About The BRAVE OT Podcast: The BRAVE OT Podcast features occupational therapists and wellness practitioners doing innovative work and navigating the challenges of building sustainable therapy practices. Host Carlyn Neek provides coaching, mentorship, and community support for practice owners who want to thrive without the hustle.
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Ep. 49: Neurodivergent OTs Discuss Creating a Practice That Actually Works for You With Guest, Breanna James
_*]:min-w-0 !gap-3.5"> This week on The BRAVE OT Podcast:Ā So many neurodivergent OTs like us have spent our careers trying to squeeze ourselves into systems that weren't designed for how our brains work, for our sensory needs, or for how our values need to align deeply with our work. It is a brave move to one day say "I'm going to create something that actually works for me." Join me as I talk with Breanna James, an OT from Alaska who's been part of my ACTivate Vitality program and community for almost a year. Breanna specializes in supporting neurodivergent adults, and what I love about this conversation is how she talks about creating her private practice as her own accommodation - a way to work that honors both her neurodivergent brain and her values around authentic, client-centered care. You'll hear how she moved from traditional settings that didn't quite fit into building something that works for her life as a parent, as a business owner, and as someone who needs flexibility and play in her work. We dive into why neurodivergent adults desperately need our OT services, how to bring play and creativity back into the mundane parts of business, and why you don't need another certification to start helping the people who need you most. This conversation is for any OT who's been feeling like they need to practice differently, who's struggling with the loneliness of solo practice, or who's wondering if they're qualified enough to work with adult populations. If you've ever felt like you're trying to squeeze yourself into a mold that wasn't made for you, this episode will give you permission to create something that actually fits. Key Topics We Discuss: Creating private practice as your own accommodation for neurodivergent needs Permission to practice OT authentically without fitting traditional molds The power of community and connection for solo practitioners Bringing playfulness back into business and clinical work Why neurodivergent adults need OT services (beyond coaches or counselors) Moving from burnout to sustainable, values-driven practice Using AI tools to support clinical work Breaking free from the "shoulds" and finding what actually works Building teams and having vulnerable leadership conversations Who This Episode Is For: OTs feeling stuck in traditional employment settings Solo practitioners experiencing loneliness and isolation Neurodivergent OTs seeking accommodations in their work Anyone questioning whether they're qualified to work with adult populations OTs interested in supporting neurodivergent adults Links Mentioned: Breanna's website: authenticlivingot.com Contact Breanna: [email protected] Free Play (book mentioned by Breanna) Comment with your favourite comfort shows. Here are ours: Schitt's Creek Grey's Anatomy Friends 30 Rock True Crime Shows and Podcasts Keep the conversation going in the The BRAVE OT Facebook group. Download the 2025 ACTivate Vitality Analysis Report to see what we are talking about. We are currently accepting new OT business owners into the program so we'd love to hear from you. Book a Clarity Call today. Ready to meet Jane and try out the AI Scribe? As a listener of The BRAVE OT Podcast, we invite you to check out our favourite EMR, Jane.app and use the code VITALITY on your new Jane account for a one month grace period. Ā Questions OTs Are Asking: How can I create a private practice that works for my neurodivergent brain? What support is available for OT business owners? How can I improve my mindset as a business owner? How do I overcome loneliness as a solo practitioner? What's the difference between OT and coaching for neurodivergent adults? How do I bring more play and creativity into my business? Can occupational therapists help adults with executive functioning? Do I need special certifications to work with autistic adults? How do I start working with neurodivergent adults as an OT? What does occupational therapy look like for adults with ADHD? #OTBusiness #NeurodivergentOT #ADHDTherapist #AutismOT #OccupationalTherapy #BRAVEOTPodcast #OTLife #EntrepreneurOT #ACTivateVitality #SustainableBusiness #OTCommunity #PrivatePracticeOT #BusinessOwnerLife #OTSupport #AuthenticPractice Ā
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Ep. 48: The Mindset Shifts That Move You Through Fear and Into Entrepreneurial Action With Guest, Dr. Lorne Brown
Waiting until you feel ready to make your next move? Convinced you need more training before you can call yourself an expert? Think entrepreneurs are just naturally fearless? Join me as I talk with traditional Chinese medicine doctor, Dr. Lorne Brown, about the mindset shifts we need to make to move through fear and think like an entrepreneur. Lorne shares how he built a thriving practice by flipping conventional wisdom on its head, committing first to a meaningful challenge, then finding courage, building capability, and finally gaining confidence. You'll hear his adaptation of Dan Sullivan's "Four Cs" framework for tackling scary ventures, how he persisted in building trust with referral partners, even when the doors kept closing, and the real story behind building something meaningful when you have no idea what you're doing. We explore how to reframe rejection as valuable feedback, why your niche might need to choose you, and the inner work (cognitive, emotional and spiritual) required to become a clear vessel for inspired action. This conversation is for any practitioner who's been playing it safe, overthinking their next move, or struggling with the gap between wanting to grow and actually taking action. If you've ever felt paralyzed by not knowing enough or not being ready enough, this episode will shift how you think about courage, competence, and what it really takes to build something that matters. Links mentioned: The 4 Cs Challenge, a book by Dan Sullivan Dr. Lorne Brown's website www.lornebrown.com where you'll find his: Clinic - Acubalance Wellness Center Book - "Missing the Point: Why Acupuncturists Fail and What They Need to Know to Succeed"Ā Educational Platform - Healthy SeminarsĀ Ā Ā Join us inĀ The BRAVE OT Facebook group to keep the conversation going! Ā Work with Me: If the gap between you and sustainable action in making your business look like your dream job, reach out. The ACTivate Vitality program is taking new participants in September and we are really good at creating the safe space and accountability you need to implement just what Lorne and I talk about in this podcast.Ā Questions OTs are asking: How do I overcome fear of starting my own practice? What mindset do I need to be a successful healthcare entrepreneur? How do I build confidence in my business abilities? What's the difference between successful and struggling practitioners? How do I know when I'm ready to take the leap? Meet Jane Jane is an EMR with heart and also the sponsor of The BRAVE OT Podcast. I recently wrote a blog article on how I customized Jane's AI Scribe feature to write chart notes that are better quality and more occupationally focused than my notes have every been before. Read the blog here and, if you decide to sign up, be sure to use the code VITALITY for a one month grace period as listender of this podcast. Ā Ā Ā
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Ep 47: The Messy Middle of Multiple Income Streams - My Behind-the-Scenes Business Reality
How do you define success in your business? Is offering a variety of services scattered and unfocused or a wise path to multiple income streams? Or maybe success isn't about money at all for you? I'm pulling back the curtain on my own current business reality, sharing the revenue proportions, time commitments, what energizes me versus what drains me, and the messy truth about having a podcast, online courses, a planner, private practice, and teaching gigs all under one roof. You'll hear about my ACTivate Vitality program that represents a third of my income but takes twice the marketing effort I wish it did, my Practical ACT for OTs course that sells itself, and how my planner and podcast make up less than 5% of my revenue but remain worthwhile. I'm also talking about the unexpected pathways between my offerings, and how I make data-driven decisions for sustainable growth in my business satisfaction, and why I've chosen flexibility over indiscriminate scaling. This episode is for any OT who's wondering whether they need to niche down or scale up in their business and those questioning how to define success in their own work and life. The branches of my business: ACTivate Vitality Personal Development Planner The BRAVE OT Podcast Practical ACT for OTs Course ACTivate Vitality Program Balance Works OT Join us in The BRAVE OT Facebook group to keep the conversation going! Thanks to Jane for supporting the podcast and providing an EMR OTs can trust. Book a Demo and use the code VITALITY at signup for a one month grace period. Questions OTs are asking: How do I create multiple income streams as an OT? What does a successful OT business really look like? How do I balance multiple projects without burning out? Is it better to niche down or diversify? How much money can you make as an entrepreneur OT?
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Ep. 46: Multi-Passionate OTs Creating Work They Love, One Layer at a Time with Guests, Ćine O'Dea & Jen Trzeciak
Ever feel like you're the only OT who doesn't have their career path mapped out? Like you should have it more figured out by now or you thought you were on the right path and something's not right? Meet Ćine and Jen, two multi-passionate OTs who've built thriving practices by embracing the messy, non-linear path of figuring it out as they go. From car crashes that changed everything to setting up businesses because "I don't really know what else to do," these two prove that sustainable, fulfilling OT careers don't require having it all planned out. Ā What You'll Learn We explore how clinical supervision works as real professional development (not just another box to tick), practical ways to combat the isolation of solo practice, why starting with one client is enough to begin, and how to work with your ADHD brain instead of against it. Ćine and Jen share the honest reality of career pivots, the power of getting help instead of doing everything yourself, and why the smallest therapeutic moments often create the biggest breakthroughs. This episode is for multi-passionate OTs feeling scattered, anyone considering private practice but overwhelmed by where to start, OTs feeling isolated in their current work, and those ready to stop apologizing for not having a traditional career path. Ā Connect with Our Guests Ćine O'DeaĀ Radiance Consulting Website, LinkedIn and Instagram Jen TrzeciakĀ Way Ahead Therapy Website, LinkedIn and Instagram Listen to the Irish Occupational Therapy Podcast Website and Instagram Private Practitioners Networking Summit: September 20th, Dublin Emails available on their respective social media profiles Ā Join the Conversation Head over to The BRAVE OT Facebook group to continue this conversation about supervision, private practice, and owning our professional worth. We'd love to hear your thoughts! Ā Explore the ACTivate Vitality Planner The personal development planner (made by me!) that blends science and soul to guide you towards a vibrant, authentic, values-driven life. Now is a great time for a new start! Check it out here. Ā Change Your Relationship with Documentation Not only will you get to explore the tool that we have all been wishing for that magically makes great chart notes while you're busy working directly with your client, you can also use my code VITALITY for a one month grace period on your new Jane account. Book a demo today.
About The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers
The BRAVE OT Podcast with Carlyn Neek is all about empowering occupational therapists to step-up, level-up, blaze some trails, and maybe engage in a little conscious rebellion in service of the profession, our clients, our work, our businesses, and living our mission wholeheartedly. We are all about keeping it real, doing hard things, unhuslting, being curious, trying new things, growing through our challenges, and finding joy and fulfilment along the way. Really, we are OTing ourselves and each other.
About This Podcast
The BRAVE OT Podcast features authentic conversations with occupational therapists doing innovative and interesting work, from private practice owners to clinicians pioneering new approaches to OTs, creating entirely new paths for the profession. Through real conversations, we explore the challenges of trailblazing, the reality of navigating uncertainty, and how OTs support each other through it all.
Whether you're an OT practice owner facing uncertainty, a clinician exploring new directions to escape environments that contribute to burnout, or an occupational therapist who's ready to do things differently, these conversations will resonate. We talk about the messy middle of building something meaningful, the isolation that can come with going your own way, and what it really takes to create sustainable work that aligns with your values.
Host Carlyn Neek brings her lived experience as a multipassionate ADHDer, her decads of work with adult mental health with high achievers and her OT mentorship and business coaching to these conversations. Creating space for honest dialogue about the challenges we face as innovators in our profession is her superpower.
The BRAVE OT Podcast is perfect for: Occupational therapists in private practice, OTs exploring entrepreneurship, clinicians seeking inspiration and community, and anyone interested in the evolving landscape of our profession.
We aim for 2 episodes per month.
š An invitation from Carlyn:
If you're an OT who has built a solid private practice but it's time to evolve to make your business work for you in this next phase of life, I'd love to talk to you. I provide coaching for occupational therapists and support for overwhelmed OT practice owners who want to THRIVE without the HUSTLE through my ACTivate Vitality program, an evidence-based approach to building entrepreneurial resilience with a neurodiversity-affirming community where you can find your people as well as the strategy to make intentional, values-led changes in your life and business. https://www.balanceworks.online/avprogram
Let's create clarity together by figuring out what you need to make this important shift away from your business running you toward loving your life with a business to support it.
š¤ Book a Clarity Call: https://www.activatevitality.online/call
š Connect with me: https://www.balanceworks.online/contact-links
Listen to The BRAVE OT Podcast | Real Conversations with Occupational Therapy Trailblazers, Better With Money and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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