PODCAST · society
Stop F*cking Settling!
by Jacqui Pugh and Erica Vargas
REALationships. REAL Talk. REAL Funny. Whether you like it or not, The REALationship Babes, are your new best friends - saying the shit your friends won’t say…to help you stop f*cking settling when it comes to love, REALationships, and let’s be honest…life! Witty banter, raw honesty, and REAL life experiences will have you hanging onto every word they say. So stop f*cking settling, delete those other podcasts (maybe the dating apps too…again), listen up, and laugh it up!Jacqui Pugh and Erica Vargas are The REALationship Babes, who are not only two Life Coaches that specialize in relationships, but are also REAL basic b*tches too…just kidding! They are REAL women with REAL life experience that have REALized sometimes when it comes to dating, love and life, we just get to laugh!For their serious sh*t and inspiration, follow them on Instagram:Jacqui Pugh @Jacqui_Pughhttps://www.instagram.com/jacqui_pugh/Erica Vargas @EricaO.Vargas https://www.instagram.com/ericaovargas/@TheREALatio
Episodes
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S11 E1 - NDIS Safeguards and Plan Changes: Which Pathway, What Risk?
Requests for essential equipment are becoming more complicated when a plan variation is redirected towards a full NDIS reassessment. For some participants, accessing the support they need now may also expose their existing funding to further changes. Understanding these pathways affects how OTs...
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S10 Bonus Episode - The NDIS Funding Reset Is Here. Now What?
The NDIS funding reset is here, and for OTs the implications go well beyond understanding the percentage reductions. There are questions about who will be affected, what happens when funding is reduced and what evidence may now need to be captured. The new Support Determination, High Support…
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S10 E10 - Who Gets Left Out of the NDIS Safeguard?
From 1 October, new NDIS funding changes will affect how some participants can access funding for social, community and civic participation. The detail OTs have been waiting for around the safeguard for participants with high support needs has now been released. The guidance provides a pathway…
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S10 E9 - Sliding Doors: The Moments That Shape an OT Career
Some moments in your OT career stay with you. A decision, a client or even a comment from someone else can change the direction of your career or the way you think about your role. This week, Sarah, Alyce and Nikki share some of their own ‘sliding doors’ moments, from career decisions that…
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S10 E8 - NDIS Support Lists: Simpler Categories, Bigger Questions
The NDIS support lists have only been in place since October 2024, but another significant change may already be on the horizon. A new consultation is considering how NDIS supports should be defined, including proposals to reduce the number of support categories, simplify their descriptions and...
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S10 E7 - Less Fluff, More Function: Better NDIS OT Reports
NDIS reporting is changing, but one question remains fundamental for Occupational Therapists: why are we including this information? Longer reports and more assessments do not automatically create stronger evidence. A useful NDIS OT report needs to demonstrate a participant’s functional needs,...
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S10 E6 - NDIS Support Determinations: What Are We Actually Dealing With?
Recent NDIS legislative changes are creating new considerations for OTs, particularly around plan reassessments and how participants may be able to use their funding. While some implementation details are still emerging, the potential impact on participants could be significant. For OTs, the...
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S10 E5 - The NDIS Is Changing: Here’s What We Know
The latest NDIS reforms bring another significant period of change for participants, families, OTs and providers. While legislation has progressed, many of the practical details still depend on rules, guidance and implementation processes that are yet to be developed. For OTs, the priority is...
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S10 E4 - The Business of OT: Costs, Recruitment and Sustainability
Running an Occupational Therapy business has always involved more than delivering great clinical care. There are people to employ, systems to manage, invoices to collect and countless decisions about where limited time and money should be spent. For OTs working within the NDIS, those decisions…
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S10 E3 - Building Clinical Confidence Through Reflective Practice
Why great supervision starts with understanding what new OTs don't know Supporting another Occupational Therapist to develop their clinical skills is rewarding, but it isn't always straightforward. Many experienced clinicians have spent years refining their practice, making countless clinical...
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S10 E2 - The Placement Problem: Why Paying Students Isn't the Whole Solution
Paid placements for Occupational Therapy students are finally here. But they're only part of the solution For generations of Occupational Therapists, unpaid placements have simply been accepted as part of the journey into practice. Long days, lost income and months spent balancing study with...
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S10 E1 - Balancing Business, Billing and Burnout
Taking a proper break without your business falling apart For many Occupational Therapists, taking time off is easier said than done. Whether you run a private practice or work as a sole trader, holidays often come with the feeling that work is waiting for you when you return. Without systems or...
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S09E11 - Innovation and Change in OT: OTX, WikiQuip and NDIS Updates
A profession in transition The OT profession is in a period of significant change. On one hand, events like OTX 2026 are showcasing innovation, collaboration and exciting solutions to longstanding challenges. On the other, many clinicians and business owners are navigating major operational...
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S09E10 - NDIS Price Guide - What OTs really need to know
What Occupational Therapists Need to Know About the 2026–27 NDIS Pricing Update The 2026–27 NDIS Pricing Schedule and Annual Pricing Review have now been released. For Occupational Therapists, the immediate headline is relatively positive. OT rates remain unchanged, avoiding the cuts seen across...
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S09E09 - Beyond Self-Report: Building Stronger Functional Capacity Evidence
Occupational Therapists are frequently asked to provide ‘robust evidence’ for NDIS funding decisions, but what does that really mean? Explore why observation, clinical reasoning and context matter when assessing functional capacity. When Occupational Therapists write reports for the NDIS, one...
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S9E08 - The Year of Uncertainty Continues
Pricing uncertainty continues to affect providers For many providers, annual pricing updates remain a significant source of uncertainty. Business owners are often required to make decisions about staffing and service delivery without knowing exactly what future funding arrangements will look…
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S9E07 - Award Changes Are Coming. Is Your Practice Ready?
Award changes are reshaping workforce planning One of the most significant developments for allied health businesses is the recent review of the Health Professionals and Support Services (HPSS) Award. Although much of the attention has focused on wage increases, the bigger story may be the…
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S9E06 – Beyond Clinical Work: The Evolution of OT Careers
Occupational Therapy careers rarely follow a straight line. Many OTs begin with a clear idea of where they’re heading, only to find themselves moving into completely different spaces years later. Clinical work evolves, industries shift and new opportunities emerge. Alongside this, many therapists...
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S9E05 - Breaking Down the New NDIS Bill
A significant period of change The disability sector is facing another major round of NDIS reform. The proposed legislation has sparked widespread discussion among Occupational Therapists, participants and advocacy groups, with many working to understand what the changes could mean in practice....
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S9E04 - Unpacking Thriving Kids NSW
A major shift in early childhood supports The long-anticipated Thriving Kids rollout is beginning to take shape in New South Wales, offering the clearest indication yet of how early childhood supports may operate from October 2026. Children already on the NDIS are not expected to be removed...
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S9E03 - NDIS Registration Confusion, Worker Screening and What Happens Next
The Occupational Therapy sector is moving through another period of uncertainty, with ongoing discussions around NDIS pricing, registration and funding changes continuing to dominate conversations across the profession. At the same time, conference and expo season is underway, giving OTs a…
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S9E02 - Living Through NDIS Change: The OT Perspective
The current NDIS landscape is shifting quickly, and many Occupational Therapists are being asked to make decisions without having all the information. Between proposed funding changes, evolving reporting expectations and ongoing uncertainty around registration, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.…
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S9E01 - NDIS Reset Explained: Breaking Down The Biggest Changes To The Scheme
The National Disability Insurance Scheme is entering a major reform phase, with sweeping changes designed to improve long-term sustainability. These updates will reshape how people access the scheme, how funding is allocated and how services are delivered. While some reforms aim to strengthen...
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S8E10 - Leave, Leadership and Letting Go
Taking time away from work sounds simple in theory. In practice, many OT business owners know it can feel anything but simple. Whether it’s a short holiday, a family trip or parental leave, stepping away often raises the same questions. Who makes decisions while you’re gone? What happens to…
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S8E09 - Supporting New Grad OTs in Today’s NDIS Landscape
Starting out as an Occupational Therapist is both exciting and overwhelming. The transition from university into practice brings a steep learning curve, shifting expectations and uncertainty about what good support should actually look like. Across the profession, there is a growing concern that...
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S8E08 - Fuel, Funding and Future Risk: Navigating Cost Pressure in OT Practice
Why rising fuel costs are changing service delivery... Fuel costs directly impact how Occupational Therapy is delivered. Home, school and community visits all rely on travel, and when those costs increase quickly, the effect is immediate. This is particularly significant in regional areas where...
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S8E07 - The Hidden Load Many OTs Carry
The Occupational Therapy sector is navigating a period of significant change. Reforms to the NDIS planning system, growing uncertainty around early childhood supports and the proposed Thriving Kids framework are creating questions for therapists, service providers and families alike. At the same...
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S8E06 - When Illness Disrupts the Diary: How OTs Manage Sick Leave in Practice
When sickness hits, how OTs and business owners keep care moving Nasty bugs, surprise migraines, sick kids, even the occasional adult case of chickenpox – illness has a way of arriving exactly when the diary is full. For Occupational Therapists, being unwell rarely affects just one person. It...
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S8E05 - Assessing Need Or Navigating Policy? The Reality of OT Practice in the NDIS
When assessment tools and NDIS policy don’t line up As NDIS reforms gather pace, OTs are being pulled in two directions at once. On one side, we’re being told to simplify, reduce “extra” evidence and focus on structured assessment pathways. On the other, the tools we’re expected to use still rely...
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S8E04 - When OT practice ownership gets real
In this week’s episode, Sarah and Alyce go off-script (in the best way) and unpack the realities of practice ownership and employment in OT - from unexpected knock-backs and “rejection” moments, to the high-stakes responsibilities that come with employing staff. They explore psychosocial hazards,...
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S8E03 - Building a Calmer OT Practice: Delegation, Hiring and Reducing Cognitive Load
When the work piles up, your brain does the weirdest things There’s a particular kind of overload that shows up after a big push. You sit down, finally pause, and realise your brain hasn’t caught up with your body. You misplace simple things. You forget obvious tasks. You feel scattered, even...
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S8 E02 – When Policy Shifts Hit Practice: An OT Perspective On What’s Next
Featuring honorary member: Muriel Cummins! The disability landscape is changing fast Across the NDIS, early childhood and broader disability policy, reform is moving quickly and in multiple directions at once. For Occupational Therapists, these changes aren’t theoretical – they shape who can…
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S8E01 – New Year, New Pressures: What the Pricing Consultation Means for OTs
Many OT teams are feeling the same mix right now – strong referral demand alongside shifting rules and inconsistent NDIA decision making. It’s hard to plan services, hard to train early career clinicians and hard to give participants confidence when the system keeps changing. At the same time,...
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S7E10 - Sarah, Nikki & Alyce signing off for 2025
The “slow crawl” quite a few of us are feeling End-of-year fatigue looks different depending on your role. For some clinicians, cancellations start rolling in and caseloads thin out. For others, it’s the opposite – back-to-back sessions, “just one more appointment”, families trying to squeeze...
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S7E09 - Fairness at Risk: How New Planning Reforms Could Reshape Everyday OT Practice
As the year winds down, many OTs are crawling toward the finish line rather than gliding over it. Last-minute calls for urgent functional assessments, section 100 reports and crisis planning keep landing on already full caseloads. The expectation that we can simply “bump it to the top” ignores…
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S7E08 - Inconsistency, Delays and Risk: The NDIS Reality Check
As the year comes to a close, many OTs are feeling stretched. Illness, client demand, school schedules and end-of-year fatigue all shape the workload long before the NDIS is even factored in. When you add shifting guidelines, slow processes and decisions that seem to change without warning, it’s...
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S7E07 - Crunch Time Again: Inside the New Pricing Analysis and Disability Sector Report
Navigating sector uncertainty and what OTs need to know right now The disability sector continues to shift rapidly, with new reports, pricing discussions and workforce pressures influencing how providers operate. For many OTs, the mix of policy noise, business demands and day-to-day practice...
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S7E06 - The Year End Squeeze: Protecting Your Energy as NDIS Changes Accelerate
The emotional load of the festive season As the year winds down many OTs are running on empty. December brings concerts, Secret Santas, toy drives and family events but it also brings rushed reports, urgent NDIS requests and long mental lists of what needs to be bought, wrapped or organised. Even...
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S7E05 - Wrapping Up the Year While the NDIS Ramps Up
As the year closes, many OTs are juggling exhaustion, rising referrals, shifting NDIS rules and pressure from both paediatric and adult caseloads. The overlapping demands can feel chaotic, yet they share common themes that help explain why so many clinicians are feeling stretched. When recovery...
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S7E04 - From Knowledge to Practice: Making OT Conferences Matter
Conferences are more than name badges and slides. Done well, they sharpen clinical judgement, build community and turn tricky ideas into steps you can use right away at work. Fresh from Rotorua during the Oceania Seating Symposium, plus a packed OT Week at home, here’s a practical round-up for...
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S7E02 - What’s Changing Now: NDIS Therapy and Respite Updates Explained
Recent NDIS updates are reshaping how therapy supports and respite services are delivered and justified. Two new documents – the Therapy Support Guideline and the Short-Term Respite Guideline – mark a significant shift in expectations for evidence-based practice, outcome measurement and funding...
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S7E01 - It’s Not the Tool, It’s the Process: The ICAN Conversation
The recent announcement confirming the ICAN tool as the foundation for future NDIS support needs assessments has sparked serious discussion across the Occupational Therapy community. While many clinicians recognise the need for a more consistent national approach, the way ICAN is being positioned...
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S6E10 - Reports on Trial: OT Documentation and the NDIS
A recent case before the Administrative Review Tribunal has reignited a conversation many Occupational Therapists are already having: what does defensible documentation look like in 2025? Anything you write can travel far beyond its original purpose. A brief letter to a GP, internal…
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S6E09 - Keeping Supports Steady: Psychosocial Disability and NDIS Changes
Keeping Supports Steady: Psychosocial Disability and NDIS Changes The NDIS is changing quickly and it can be hard to keep up. Many people with disability aren’t seeing the updates, yet the impacts are real. Here's a recap on what’s shifting and how OTs can respond. Psychosocial disability needs...
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S06E08 - NDIS reform round-up: What OTs need to know in 2025
NDIS reform round-up: what OTs need to know now NDIS reforms are moving, but not always in straight lines. Here’s a clear, practice-first update based entirely on the issues raised in your discussion: consultation fatigue, the Evidence Advisory Committee, delays to the planning framework and...
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S6E07 - NDIS Oversight is Broken — Here’s What That Means for Providers
Navigating complaints, compliance and safeguarding in the NDIS Working within the NDIS can be rewarding but it also comes with complex responsibilities. For allied health providers, support coordinators and practice owners, ensuring participant safety isn’t always straightforward. Even when the...
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S6E06 - So… What Would You Do Next? OT Futures and NDIS Realities
In this episode, we dive into two big conversations every occupational therapist, and anyone in the disability space, needs to hear. First, we reflect on the reality of career uncertainty in OT. Whether you're in private practice, working for yourself, or exploring other sectors, we talk about…
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S6E05 - When Policy Shifts Come via the Newsfeed
This week on OT Unplugged, Sarah, Nikki, and Alyce swap Oodie stories (pandas vs. champagne avocados), laugh about missing wine bottles and Lego office décor, and then get serious about something far less cozy — the way NDIS policy shifts often reach providers first through the media rather than...
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S06E04 - Christmas Parties, Sharks in the Lake, and the NDIS Delay Game
This week on OT Unplugged, Sarah, Nikki and Alyce take you from heartwarming wheelchair wins to head-scratching NDIS decisions and everything in between. We share a six-year success story that proves sometimes you don’t have to reinvent the wheel… while also diving into a “Dick Decision of the...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
REALationships. REAL Talk. REAL Funny. Whether you like it or not, The REALationship Babes, are your new best friends - saying the shit your friends won’t say…to help you stop f*cking settling when it comes to love, REALationships, and let’s be honest…life! Witty banter, raw honesty, and REAL life experiences will have you hanging onto every word they say. So stop f*cking settling, delete those other podcasts (maybe the dating apps too…again), listen up, and laugh it up!Jacqui Pugh and Erica Vargas are The REALationship Babes, who are not only two Life Coaches that specialize in relationships, but are also REAL basic b*tches too…just kidding! They are REAL women with REAL life experience that have REALized sometimes when it comes to dating, love and life, we just get to laugh!For their serious sh*t and inspiration, follow them on Instagram:Jacqui Pugh @Jacqui_Pughhttps://www.instagram.com/jacqui_pugh/Erica Vargas @EricaO.Vargas https://www.instagram.com/ericaovargas/@TheREALatio
HOSTED BY
Jacqui Pugh and Erica Vargas
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How many episodes does Stop F*cking Settling! have?
Stop F*cking Settling! currently has 50 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Stop F*cking Settling! about?
REALationships. REAL Talk. REAL Funny. Whether you like it or not, The REALationship Babes, are your new best friends - saying the shit your friends won’t say…to help you stop f*cking settling when it comes to love, REALationships, and let’s be honest…life! Witty banter, raw honesty, and REAL life...
How often does Stop F*cking Settling! release new episodes?
Stop F*cking Settling! has 50 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
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You can listen to Stop F*cking Settling! on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Stop F*cking Settling!?
Stop F*cking Settling! is created and hosted by Jacqui Pugh and Erica Vargas.
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