PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy

Do It Differently or Die: A Wake-Up Call for PT Owners Live from CSM, Jimmy talks with Eric Fernandez from Hyperice about the uncomfortable realities facing outpatient physical therapy. What We Cover: The three-year journey behind the Nike x Hyperice recovery shoe Why AI and efficiency won’t save a broken business model Why PTs must start thinking like consumer brands The importance of lifecycle c...

Physical therapy research may feel invisible — but it protects reimbursement, strengthens professional credibility, and ensures long-term growth. In this episode, Jimmy talks with Becky Craik about: The mission of the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research How a $10,000 seed grant can turn into millions in federal funding Why funding interruptions damage entire research teams The importance of c...

Milica McDowell, DPT — clinic owner, professor, and now AVP of Education at USPH — joins Jimmy live from APTA CSM to make a bold claim: Most PTs are recommending the wrong shoes. In this episode: Why 10,000 steps is marketing, not medicine The real step counts tied to longevity and mental health Why tapered toe boxes weaken feet The concept of the “24-hour shoe clock” Why cushioned shoes in clinic...

Mastery Before Marketing In this episode of PT Pintcast, Jimmy talks with Lewis Lupowitz, sports physical therapist and founder of Longevity Physical Therapy & Performance. Lewis brings a strong perspective: There’s a mentorship problem in physical therapy — and it’s being disguised as an entrepreneurship movement. Key Topics Covered: Why new grads shouldn’t rush to open a clinic The differenc...

A Decade Under the Influence Faith Stokes takes over the mic at CSM and interviews Jimmy McKay about 10 years of PT Pintcast. This episode covers: Why reimbursement is the profession’s defining issue How students may drive the next innovation wave The Costa Rica wheelchair fundraiser story What APTA could do differently Why PT must embrace visibility and communication The difference between commun...

Stop Being the “Nice PT” Live from CSM in Anaheim, Eric Bellm joins PT Pintcast to challenge one of the most uncomfortable truths in physical therapy: Are we too focused on being liked? This episode tackles: The difference between support and accountability When to have the “coming to Jesus” conversation with a patient Why labeling someone “noncompliant” is often lazy How to introduce accountabili...

Circus Is Sport — So Why Aren’t We Treating It That Way? Performing artists train like elite athletes — but they’re rarely treated like them in healthcare. In this episode, Emily Scherb (The Circus Doc) shares: How she transitioned from professional circus performer to PT Why circus participation is exploding across the U.S. What “adult-onset circus” means Why pole dancers avoid seeking care The s...

At CSM 2026, Jimmy sits down with Devon Morris to discuss generational differences in physical therapy — and why clinic culture may matter more than compensation for retaining Gen Z clinicians. Key themes include: The impact of growing up in a “phone-based world” The Zoom communication shift Why stereotypes about “kids today” miss the point Burnout and student debt realities Why some therapists le...

From CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ben Lindaman to discuss one of the biggest identity tensions in physical therapy: Generalist vs. Specialist. Healthcare rewards depth. Marketing rewards niche positioning. But patient care often demands integration. Ben argues that: Early over-specialization can stunt development Generalist thinking is critical in rural and primary care settings Most...

Recorded LIVE from CSM 2026 in Anaheim, Jimmy sits down with Ami Faria from the APTA Board of Directors to discuss: The honest conversation happening around PT student debt Why the Department of Education’s proposed rule could create bottlenecks How APTA prepares PTs for real advocacy on Capitol Hill Why AI in healthcare needs guardrails — not avoidance The strategic push toward Remote Therapeutic...

Guest: Dr. Rachel Zoffness – Pain Psychologist | UCSF + Stanford Faculty | Author of Tell Me Where It Hurts Topic: Revolutionizing Pain Education and Treatment What You’ll Learn in This Episode: Why the brain—not the body—is the control center for pain How chronic pain can be managed and treated (not just medicated) Real case study: “Sam” and the power of biopsychosocial care Why PTs, MDs, and psy...

Physical therapy isn’t just about movement anymore — it’s about models, messaging, and mindset. In this episode, Jimmy interviews Ryan Sharkey and Jonathan Ide-Don, co-founders of Full Stack Healthcare, a platform and newsletter helping clinicians think beyond fee-for-service. They break down the differences between RTM and telehealth, how asynchronous care changes outcomes, and why communication...

Many PTs expect APTA membership to deliver immediate, visible ROI — discounts, perks, and fast results. In this conversation, Rebekah Griffith explains why that mindset misses the real value of professional advocacy. This episode covers: Why advocacy work happens whether you’re paying attention or not The “sprinkles vs cake” analogy for APTA benefits Why some PTs feel disappointed — and how to rea...

How do you build confident pediatric PTs and decode complex diagnoses like dyspraxia or EDS? Cheri Woodson has spent 45+ years treating children, educating families, and mentoring therapists. In this episode, she shares how physical therapists can better support kids with executive function and motor planning challenges — even without a formal diagnosis. ✅ Why motor delays often go undiagnosed ✅...

Most PT marketing fails because it chases moments instead of relationships. In this episode, Jimmy McKay breaks down: Why conference booths don’t create trust How familiarity actually drives hiring and patient decisions Why copying trends kills credibility The difference between storytelling and telling stories Why frequency beats perfection every time If you’re a clinic owner, healthcare exec, or...

What if leadership in physical therapy wasn’t about titles — but about how you show up? In this episode, three powerhouse PTs share how they stepped up in their careers — not by chasing roles, but by owning their value, raising their hand, and realizing that leadership is a behavior, not a job description. Whether you’re a new grad, a PTA, or a 10-year vet, this one hits home. Featuring: Todd Norw...

COVID changed everything — and for many PTs, it left emotional wounds that haven't healed. Kristin Walls and Lisa Kohler join us to unpack “moral injury” — how it’s different from burnout, how it showed up in outpatient and acute care settings, and why it matters for the future of physical therapy. They preview their CSM talk, highlight new research on provider wellness, and share initiatives like...

Dawn Magnusson & Rachel Prusynski – PTJ Editorial Team EPISODE SUMMARY: Is peer review really that scary? This special CSM 2026 preview pulls back the curtain on academic publishing with two editors from PTJ. Whether you're a clinician, student, or early-career researcher, you'll learn how to start writing, reviewing, and contributing to the scholarly conversation in physical therapy. Topics...

What happens when the immune system turns into a weapon against cancer — and PTs aren’t sure what to expect? Join Jimmy McKay as he interviews three leaders in oncology rehab at CSM 2026. Scott Capozza, Amanda Giarratano, and Stephen Wechsler break down what immunotherapy means for PTs — and how to prepare for the tidal wave of patients already coming. You’ll learn: The real differences between im...

Pickleball is the fastest-growing sport in America — especially with older adults. But with its explosive popularity comes a wave of injuries. PTs Diane Fleming and Kristin Walls join the show to share insights from their CSM 2026 session, covering: Why pickleball matters in geriatrics AND sports Common injury patterns PTs should be ready for The SAFE exam and its use in screening athletic older a...

Rob Panariello has done it all — from strength coach at St. John's to Director of Health & Performance for the Carolina Panthers, to co-founding one of the largest PT practices in the country. In this episode, he shares: The real difference between routine and commitment What new grads consistently get wrong The value of strength (and when to add RFD) How to build a clinic-wide ROI mindset Why...

Hear from the storytellers behind LAMP’s TED-style leadership session at CSM 2026. These PTs aren’t just talking about leadership—they’re living it through deeply personal stories of rediscovery, burnout recovery, and professional pivots. ????️ Hear from: Jennifer Green-Wilson on how passion fuels transformation Sean Bagbey on mental health and leadership John Corcoran on finding influence outside...

Healthcare has this adorable belief… “If we just explain our value clearly enough, people will understand.” No. The internet doesn’t reward explanations. It rewards proof. In this episode, we break down the legendary Will It Blend? strategy and why a blender destroying iPhones generated hundreds of millions of views — and what that teaches healthcare, PT clinics, associations, and tech companies a...

In this PT Breakfast Club livestream, Jimmy McKay sits down with Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato to unpack what’s actually working for clinic owners and PT creators right now: why posting volume wins, how to build repeatable content formats, a DM strategy that leads to real-world referral relationships, and how to stop letting the fear of “PT internet criticism” keep you quiet. Key Takeaways Frequen...

What happens when physical therapists decide the clinic isn’t the finish line — it’s the starting point? In this roundtable discussion, Lindsay, Kelly, and Todd dive into how PTs can lead from any position — whether you’re a student, a staff clinician, or in the C-suite. They get real about imposter syndrome, leadership guilt, CSM session picks, and why bringing your own chair to the table might b...