Allied Health Business Brilliance

In this episode of Allied Health Business Brilliance, Cathy Love is joined by Nacre Consulting teammate Regina Jean-Francois, who works across project management, podcast coordination, communications and marketing. Together, they unpack what project management really means in a growing business and why it matters far beyond a simple to-do list. This conversation explores how good project management helps Allied Health Business Owners move ideas out of their heads and into strong actionable steps. Cathy and Regina discuss the systems, tools and team habits that help work get done at Nacre, including Asana, workflows, automation, accountability, and the importance of designing a project properly before jumping into delivery. They also reflect on why project management is a learnable skill, why email is a poor way to run complex work, and how structure creates better outcomes for teams, clients and the business as a whole.Topics covered on project management, systems and business operations: Project management basics – Why project management is the structure that moves ideas out of your head and into action, outcomes and repeatable delivery. Systems and workflow design – How various tools like Asana, SharePoint, ActiveCampaign, Zapier, Planable and Systemhub help Nacre coordinate campaigns, content, communication and team handovers more effectively. Business operations and accountability – Why growing businesses need more than a to-do list, including clearer ownership, stronger team accountability, better visibility across projects, and measures that show whether the work actually achieved something. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business.Midroll Message: Join our Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers Masterclass! Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Cathy Love speaks with Jenny Gribbin, Founding Director of Driving Well Occupational Therapy in Brisbane, about building a specialist occupational therapy business in the driving and vehicle modification space. Jenny reflects on her journey from launching a side hustle at her kitchen table in 2016 to leading a small but mighty team, while staying deeply connected to the core purpose of occupational therapy: helping people return to the activities they need and want to do. Together, Cathy and Jenny explore the clinical depth of driving-related OT, the importance of mentoring, supervision and professional interest groups, and the role innovation has played in Jenny’s work. They also discuss online toolkits, learner driver supports, senior driver preparation, clinical education, revenue diversification, and why Allied Health Business Owners cannot afford to take a “wait and see” approach in a changing sector. Topics covered on occupational therapy innovation, driving assessments, and business resilience:Specialist OT in driving and vehicle modifications – Jenny unpacks the complexity of working with senior drivers, experienced drivers returning after injury or illness, and learner drivers who need tailored preparation and support. Innovation, education and diversified service offers – Cathy and Jenny discuss how real clinical problems led to new tools, short courses, online resources, supervision, training opportunities and broader service development.Professional leadership and business resilience – The conversation highlights Jenny’s contribution to OT interest groups, national driving task force work, conference leadership, and the importance of strong support networks when navigating uncertainty and reform. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Join us in our upcoming Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers Masterclass Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love and Layland Webb unpack the growing pressure, uncertainty, and strategic questions surrounding Thriving Kids and Foundational Supports for Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy shares why she pulled together a Victorian working party of Business Owners to discuss what is known, what is missing, and what action needs to happen next. Together, Cathy and Layland also reflect on the PRECI webinar, the lack of clear communication to the sector, and the frustration many providers are feeling whilst significant reform signals continue to emerge without enough practical guidance. This conversation also explores Nacre’s recent white paper, the risks of waiting too long to respond, and why Business Owners may need to think differently about diversification, decision-making, and future readiness. Topics covered on Thriving Kids, Foundational Supports, sector pressure, and business readiness. The Victorian Thriving Kids working party – Cathy shares how a small group of Allied Health Business Owners came together in Melbourne to discuss what they know, what they do not know, and how a submission is now being shaped for state government. The PRECI webinar and sector frustration – Cathy and Layland reflect on the tension that followed the webinar, including the concerns raised by Business Owners about viability, representation, and the lack of practical answers. What Allied Health Business Owners need to do now – The conversation explores why “wait and see” is not a strategy, the hidden cost of delay, and why diversification and different commercial thinking may now be essential. Resources Mentioned White paper: What the No Child Left Behind report signals for Allied Health Business Owners found in Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers blog Masterclass in April: Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers A 4-day Bootcamp in May for Allied Health Business Owners P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business.Midroll Message: Register for Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers Masterclass Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love speaks with Chris Smith, CEO of Happy HR, about the rapidly evolving HR and Fair Work landscape and what it means for Allied Health Business Owners. With increasing regulatory pressure, shifting compliance expectations, and new attention on psychosocial safety, keeping up is becoming more complex than ever. Chris brings a practical perspective from working across industries, unpacking key changes around record keeping, time tracking, worker classification, and pay transparency. Together, they explore why even well-intentioned business owners can fall out of compliance, and what systems, tools, and thinking are required to stay on track. Topics covered on HR compliance, Fair Work changes, and workforce management: Fair Work & Regulatory Pressure – The growing complexity of workplace laws, increased enforcement, and why directors are carrying more responsibility than ever. Record Keeping & Time Tracking – Why accurate timesheets are no longer optional, how awards and penalties interact, and the risks of getting payroll wrong. Worker Classification & Pay Transparency – The tightening rules around employee vs contractor arrangements and the push for clearer, fairer pay structures. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Register for Foundational Supports for Thriving Providers Masterclass Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love speaks with Vanita Clark, Director of Freedom Plan Management, about the often-misunderstood role of plan managers in the NDIS. Drawing on her experience across disability services, multidisciplinary Allied Health businesses, and plan management, Vanita shares a practical perspective on compliance, invoicing, collaboration, and participant funding oversight.Together, Cathy and Vanita unpack what delays provider payments, why accurate invoicing matters, and how quarterly funding periods have increased operational pressure for both providers and plan managers. They also touch on group invoicing, late cancellations, the in-and-out lists, assistive technology recommendations, and the wider reform environment shaping the NDIS.Topics covered on plan management, NDIS invoicing, and quarterly funding periods:What plan managers actually do – Checking invoice compliance, confirming correct support categories and line items, verifying available funds, and managing financial risk.NDIS invoicing that delays payment – Common provider errors such as incorrect line item numbers, missing bank details, and poorly configured practice management systems.Quarterly funding periods and payment pressure – How funding periods have changed plan management through tighter budgeting oversight, software changes, and the challenge of exhausted funding periods.P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you.Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Join Foundational Support for Thriving Providers Masterclass in April.Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

If “systems” makes your palm sweat, this rerun is for you. Layland Webb (Business Manager at Nacre Consulting) with Marcus Jean-Francois (Systems Champion, Client Concierge, and Coach) cut through the noise and make systems feel practical and doable. You’ll hear what “systems” actually means (hint: Standard Operating Procedures, not software), why you don’t need to document everything to get results, and how to start with one high-impact system that saves time fast. They also unpack the common objections: “I don’t have time” “It’s all in my head” “My team won’t follow them” and “I don’t know where to begin”There are clear ways to build buy-in, reduce risk, and create a culture where systems actually stick. You just need to know how and where to start. Topics covered on time-saving systems, risk & resilience, team buy-in: Time-saving systems – why spending a little time documenting now saves countless hours later. Risk & resilience – moving “all in your head” knowledge into clear processes to avoid gaps and mistakes. Team buy-in – involving staff in writing and testing systems so they actually stick. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Doors are closing. Join our Melbourne in-person workshop on 20th March.Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Joining Cathy Love this week is Sara Gingold, Editor-in-Chief of the Disability Services Consulting (DSC) Resource Hub, to unpack the fast-moving changes shaping the NDIS through an Allied Health Business lens. They explore the shift toward I-CAN (Instrument for the Classification and Assessment of Support Needs) as the foundation for new NDIA-led Support Needs Assessments, and the unanswered questions about how assessment data will translate into individual budgets. They also examine the proposed Foundational Supports framework, including the Thriving Kids program, and what these reforms could mean for children currently receiving NDIS-funded therapy. The episode also addresses mounting provider pressures ranging from therapy operational guideline updates and pricing uncertainty to the real-world disruption caused by quarterly funding periods. Throughout the discussion, Sara brings clear sector perspective, and key reflections for Allied Health Business Owners navigating uncertainty. Topics covered on I-CAN & Support Needs Assessments, Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids, & operational pressure points for providers: I-CAN & Support Needs Assessments – The critical unanswered question remains: how will I-CAN results translate into a participant’s budget? Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids – An overview of the proposed Foundational Supports model, including Thriving Kids for children with mild to moderate developmental delay and autism, and the complexities of state and territory negotiations still underway. Operational pressure points for providers – New therapy operational guidelines, discussions around differentiated pricing, the impact of recent price changes across therapy disciplines. P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: A workshop not to be missed. Join us in-person this March in Melbourne. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love and Layland Webb unpack what “smarter marketing” really means for Allied Health Business Owners—and why it’s inseparable from revenue diversification. They explore how many practices become overly reliant on one narrow niche or one primary funding source, then feel blindsided when conditions shift. The solution isn’t a dramatic pivot overnight—it’s knowing where your revenue actually comes from, widening your thinking, and making deliberate small moves that add up over time. You’ll also hear the marketing principles that matter most right now: understanding what your audience truly needs (not what you want to say), distinguishing between transactional and relational marketing, and why “always on” marketing protects your practice long before someone is ready to enquire. This conversation is practical, candid, and designed to help you replace “wait and see” with a plan. Topics covered on revenue diversification, always-on marketing, transactional vs relational marketing: Revenue diversification – The difference between adding services vs restructuring revenue streams Always-on marketing – Why marketing must be “always on” (and what happens when you leave it too late) Transactional vs relational marketing – The difference between transactional and relational marketing in Allied Health (and why both matter) P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business.Midroll Message: Join us in Melbourne this 20th March for an in-person workshop. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode of Allied Health Business Brilliance, Cathy Love is joined by Angie (Angelina) Saunders, Founding Director of the Online Breathing Academy, for a grounded, science-informed conversation about stress, breathing, and self-regulation. Angie shares her personal journey from fast-paced production life, postnatal depletion, and emotional reactivity into the field of behavioural breathwork. Together, Cathy and Angie unpack why controlling the breath can keep people functioning while still operating at a physiological deficit — and why reflexive regulation, where the body leads, creates more sustainable calm, clarity, and capacity. The conversation also explores how breathing patterns influence leadership decisions, energy management, and recovery for business owners under constant pressure. Topics covered on reflexive regulation, stress breathing, self-regulation, business decision-making: Reflexive breathing vs forced calm – Why “just take a deep breath” can backfire and what works more effectively instead. Stress breathing patterns – How stress shows up through shallow, rapid, irregular breathing, sighing, or yawning — and why it’s highly individual. CO₂ and nervous system regulation – The role of carbon dioxide in oxygen delivery, emotional regulation, and cognitive clarity. Breathing, rest, and leadership capacity – How rest, sleep, hydration, nourishment, and breathing interact to support better business decisions. Resources Mentioned Online Breathing Academy – https://www.onlinebreathingacademy.com/ Podcast: Breathing Edge Podcast page – https://www.breatheme.com/the-breathing-edge-podcast Book – 8 Superhuman Habits P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Join us in-person this March for The Allied Health Business Reset. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

If your Allied Health business is busy — yet still feels heavy — this episode is for you. In this solo conversation, Cathy Love speaks to Allied Health Business Owners who are highly capable, deeply committed, and working incredibly hard — but still feeling stuck. This episode explores why effort alone isn’t creating clarity, confidence, or momentum. Cathy unpacks what happens when Business Owners are too close to the work, making decisions on the fly, carrying the emotional and financial load, and quietly guessing their way forward in an increasingly complex sector. This is not about motivation.It’s about leadership, perspective, and why stepping up and out of your business is essential. Topics covered on capability without clarity, decision fatigue, and stepping up to the challenge: Capability without clarity – Why being skilled and committed isn’t enough when you’re too close to the work Decision fatigue and reactivity – How constant on-the-run decisions quietly drain confidence and momentum Stepping up and out – What changes when you create space to stop guessing and start leading deliberately P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: Learn more about The Allied Health Business Reset in-person workshop! Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

In this episode, Cathy Love is joined by Emma Leckenby, OT and founder of Little Rockets Children’s Clinic, for a grounded conversation about building a paediatric business that stays values-led as it grows.Emma shares what it’s been like moving from sole trader life to a small (and growing) clinic team — including the realities of waitlists, a brand-new clinic fit-out, and why the “little things” (like a kettle and a dedicated kitchen) matter more than you’d think. They also unpack Emma’s passion for community building, not just for families, but for clinicians too — and how strong professional networks reduce isolation, strengthen referrals, and support sustainability in an unpredictable Allied Health landscape.Topics covered on community-led practice growth, sustainable business design, and cinician support networks:Community-led practice growth – How Emma intentionally builds trusted relationships with families, schools, and fellow clinicians to support access, referrals, and long-term care.Sustainable business design – Designing a clinic, team, and pace of growth that protects energy, avoids burnout, and supports high-quality care.Clinician support networks – Why creating local professional communities reduces isolation, strengthens decision-making, and helps practices navigate uncertainty together.P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you.Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: The Allied Health Business Reset – Ready to step back and work on your business? Join us in Melbourne this March.Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Recruitment hasn’t stopped working, but you can’t treat it the way you used to.In this solo episode, Cathy Love unpacks why recruitment feels harder, slower, and more unpredictable for Allied Health Business Owners — and why the traditional “post a job ad and wait” approach no longer cuts through. Drawing on recent work inside Nacre Consulting, Cathy introduces the recruitment ecosystem — a systemised, values-led approach to attracting and engaging the right candidates over time.This episode reframes recruitment as a repeatable business system, not a reactive scramble, and walks through the mindset shifts, foundational assets, and strategic thinking required to consistently attract the right people.If recruitment has felt exhausting, high-pressure, or hit-and-miss, this conversation will help you step back, zoom out, and rebuild your approach entirely.Topics covered on the recruitment ecosystem, Employee Value Proposition (EVP), & marketing-led recruitment:The recruitment ecosystem – Why recruitment now requires a system that works before, during, and after hiringEmployee Value Proposition (EVP) – The anchor that shapes messaging, fit, and candidate decision-makingMarketing-led recruitment – Applying visibility, consistency, and trust to attract the right cliniciansP.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. We can support you.Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Midroll Message: The Allied Health Business Reset – Ready to step back and work on your business? Join us in Melbourne this March.Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

This week, we have Carolyn Weatherby, a Speech Pathologist with 27 years’ experience across disability, private practice, and clinical supervision, to explore what has unfolded for providers during a turbulent year in the NDIS — and what comes next. Carolyn shares her journey from deep frustration and loss of professional pride during the June–July 2025 NDIS cuts, to becoming part of a growing collective that found momentum through union support, Professionals Australia. The conversation unpacks why providers felt unheard, how reputational damage took hold despite “doing nothing to deserve it,” and why being believed again became a turning point. This is an honest conversation about why the union pathway emerged, how it differs from professional bodies and peak organisations, and what a collective, electorate-based campaign is asking the NDIS to do next. Topics covered on NDIS reform, union advocacy, collective voice, provider sustainability: NDIS cuts and sector impact – How funding changes hurt both providers and the people they support, triggering widespread distress and loss of pride in professional work. Professionals Australia Union – Carolyn explains why a union’s mandate to represent members directly made it the right vehicle to be heard, alongside (not instead of) peak bodies. Being heard and believed again – How meeting with MPs, senators, and media changed the tone of the conversation and restored a sense of professional worth. P.S. Need a little extra support on your business journey? Whether you’re navigating challenges or looking to reach new goals, we’re here to support your growth. Book a Complimentary Power Call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Cathy Love is joined by Michelle Oliver, Chief Occupational Therapist at Occupational Therapy Australia, for a grounded conversation about the realities facing occupational therapists and Allied Health professionals across workforce, policy, and business.Michelle shares what OT Australia is seeing on the ground, including mounting pressure on Allied Health businesses, the ongoing challenges of NDIS pricing and access, and why sustained relationship-building with government is critical. The conversation also explores how OT Australia is responding through advocacy, professional practice frameworks, and a significantly expanded approach to learning and development — all under the banner of being Stronger Together.This episode is essential listening for OTs, Allied Health Business Owners, and leaders navigating reform, sustainability concerns, and the need for a clearer, more unified professional voice.Topics covered on workforce pressure, advocacy, NDIS pricing, and professional development::Workforce & sustainabilityThe increasing pressure on occupational therapists, including private practice viability, rapid workforce growth, and the tension between values-driven care and commercial realities.Advocacy & influenceWhy OT Australia is prioritising stronger relationships with ministers and departments, and working collaboratively through ARPA to strengthen allied health’s voice at a national level.NDIS pricing & accessReframing travel and service costs as issues of access rather than waste, and unpacking what provider survey results reveal about sustainability risks.Learning, development & capabilityHow OT Australia’s capability frameworks and flexible CPD offerings are evolving to better support a younger, growing workforce.Related EpisodesEpisode 379: The Bill, the Rules, and the Realities of NDIS in 2026 with Muriel CumminsP.S. Need a little extra support on your business journey? Whether you’re navigating challenges or looking to reach new goals, we’re here to support your growth. Book a Complimentary Power Call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Kicking off 2026, Cathy Love is joined by Muriel Cummins for a grounded, timely conversation on what is moving fast and what remains unresolved across NDIS reform. With consultation windows opening and decisions being shaped quickly, this episode focuses on what Allied Health providers need to be paying close attention to right now. Designed for Allied Health Business Owners, leaders, and clinicians, the discussion breaks down the two major levers shaping early 2026: the NDIS Bill and the new Rules. Muriel outlines emerging changes to support needs assessments, explains why the detail matters, and highlights the importance of informed, collective advocacy during this critical period. Muriel Cummins works across disability, mental health, and the NDIS, and in this episode speaks from her role with OTSi (OT Society Inc for Invisible Disability / OT Society for Hidden and Invisible Disabilities) — a national society supporting Occupational Therapists working alongside people with invisible and hidden disabilities, with a strong focus on systemic advocacy, policy direction, and protecting access to occupational therapy. Topics covered include NDIS Bill 2.0, NDIS Rules & Planning Framework, Support Needs Assessments, Foundational Supports: NDIS Bill 2.0: What’s in the fine print Why Allied Health must look beyond safeguarding, including concerns around Section 45A and expanded NDIA powers to request participant information before claims are paid. NDIS Rules & Framework Planning: Where decisions will be made How the upcoming Rules will shape assessments, budgets, appeal rights, and possible Section 10 changes, making them the most critical lever in early 2026. Support Needs Assessments & I-CAN: Key risks Concerns about adapting the I-CAN tool, including assessor qualifications, validity, budget-setting processes, and limited appeal pathways. Foundational Supports & Thriving Kids: Unresolved questions How Thriving Kids fits within foundational supports, with ongoing uncertainty around funding, state agreement, and access for people with psychosocial disability and Allied Health services. Resources Mentioned Attend for free: OT Community Town Hall Meeting on the NDIS Bill and New Framework Planning Rules Related Episodes Episode 378: 2025 – A Shapeshifter Year for Allied Health Business OwnersEpisode 373: 2026 on the Horizon – Thriving Kids, Pricing & Allied Health Business Change P.S. If this episode is hitting on pain points you’re facing, let’s chat. Book a 20-minute complimentary call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting: Let’s connect on Instagram Follow us on Facebook Let’s connect on LinkedIn Join our Facebook Group online community More about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast: The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike. We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.

Cathy Love dubbed Alice Ayliffe as the Queen of Change. She is carving a new path for neurodivergent clinicians and the clients they support.Alice shares what it’s really been like to relocate, rebuild a referral base in a smaller market, and stay clinically grounded while also creating new revenue streams. Together, they explore what neuroaffirming practice can look like in adult ADHD support—especially when the goal is practical, skill-based help, not perfection.You’ll also hear why Alice created a Facebook community for OTs working in ADHD, what she’s building through her program “The Shift”, and the core message she wants clinicians to take with them: you don’t have to build your business (or your workday) around the “shoulds”.Topics covered on business realities, neuroaffirming OT, adult ADHD support, diversifying beyond NDIS, and clinician sustainability:Hobart vs Melbourne Allied Health business realitiesWhat changed when Alice moved states—network-driven referrals, educating the market, and finding (and losing) local OT community.Adult ADHD support through an OT lensWhy GPs responded to practical executive function support, and what OT can offer beyond reports and one-off recommendations.The Shift program and neuroaffirming practiceValues, ADHD neuroscience, trauma-aware work, inner critic patterns, and designing systems that work with the brain—not against it.Building a business that fits real lifeDelegation, creative energy, burnout recovery, and choosing a model that supports flexibility, family, and sustainable clinical work.P.S. Need a little extra support on your business journey? Whether you’re navigating challenges or looking to reach new goals, we’re here to support your growth. Book a Complimentary Power Call with us, and let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your vision for your Allied Health business. Connect with Nacre Consulting:Let’s connect on InstagramFollow us on FacebookLet’s connect on LinkedInJoin our Facebook Group online communityMore about The Allied Health Business Brilliance Podcast:The Allied Health Business Brilliance podcast (previously known as Private Practice Made Perfect) powered by Nacre Consulting features authentic conversations that offer real-life stories and expert perspectives for Australian Allied Health Business Owners. Cathy Love, our engaging host, gathers wisdom from Allied Health professionals and industry supporters alike.We dive into the real experiences of running and growing Allied Health businesses in Australia, revealing both the rewards and the inevitable challenges along the way. It’s raw, sometimes vulnerable, but always valuable. Join us and stay tuned to keep up with every inspiring story and lesson shared.