The Direct Care Podcast For Specialists

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Sushrusha Arjyal shares her journey from board-certified psychiatrist and sleep specialist to founder of Bliss Sleep and Psychiatry in Cary, NC. She discusses the challenges and rewards of transitioning to private practice, including financial decisions, patient communication, and key mindset shifts for success.  Dr. Arjyal emphasizes curiosity, networking, coaching, and teach...

Send us Fan Mail 1. The Direct Care Movement Is Mainstream Now 2026 is the year specialists can no longer ignore the shift—direct care is making headlines and attracting advocates like Mark Cuban, who’s cutting out middlemen and championing patient-centered care. The time to act is now. 2. You Have More Power (and Options) Than You Think The old insurance model is broken, but you don’t have to pla...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. R. Michelle Koolaee is a board-certified rheumatologist with over 12 years of experience in academic and multi-specialty practices across Los Angeles. In 2025, she opened a direct care rheumatology practice in Pasadena to move beyond the constraints of 15-minute visits and provide patients with more time, access, and personalized care. She now shares her journey to help other...

Send us Fan Mail I want to share some unexpected lessons that have sprouted from my garden—and from my perimenopause journey. From plants that refuse to grow to learning when to let go, I’ve realized the importance of focusing on what truly thrives in our lives and businesses.  This episode is about protecting your energy, sorting out what really matters, and making space for the things that bring...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Brian Dixon, is an award-winning psychiatrist, author, and speaker who believes adaptive mental health is the foundation of a life well lived.  In this episode, he shares his journey from facing “ moral injury ” in insurance-based medicine to building a thriving direct-pay psychiatry practice rooted in autonomy, authenticity, and sustainable patient care.  Dr. Dixon explains h...

Send us Fan Mail Struggling to attract patients who pay cash? In this episode, we break down 7 practical steps to help you engage patients, build trust, and confidently set prices. Learn how to package services, handle insurance objections transparently, and leverage word of mouth to grow your practice. We also cover essentials for launching a minimal viable practice and identifying patients who b...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Demetrio J. Aguila III, a world-renowned peripheral nerve surgeon and former Air Force flight surgeon treating patients from 50 states and 32 countries. He’s the only surgeon in Nebraska, Iowa, Colorado, and South Dakota performing micro-invasive carpal tunnel surgery with same-day recovery.  Beyond surgery, he’s a medical acupuncturist, theologian, and founder of Healing Hand...

Send us Fan Mail Direct Care is hard but staying the same is harder. I am so grateful that you're lending me your ears. Give yourself the gift of grace this season and all year long.  Happy Thanksgiving. I'll check in with you next week. Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive addi...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Jennifer Dilts, DO, is a pediatrician at Bloom Pediatrics in Kansas City, KS, caring for kids and teens with ADHD, migraines, anxiety, and depression. She shares how she transformed pediatric care through the direct care model, making care more accessible while building a sustainable practice. Dr. Dilts co-hosts the ADHD Mom Docs Podcast with Dr. Nerissa Bauer and teaches virt...

Send us Fan Mail Thinking about transitioning your practice to direct care? I break down 3 essential shifts that can save you time, cut administrative costs, and give you more control over your practice. Hear how I successfully made the switch in 2022 and the lessons I learned along the way. Whether you’re looking to reduce insurance headaches or improve patient care, this episode is full of actio...

Send us Fan Mail "I was so burnt out in the system that it was either do direct care or leave medicine.  I already knew that I was good at what I did so leaving medicine because the system is broken didn't make sense--so I fixed it.  As someone who has an $8000 deductible, I also wanted to make healthcare more affordable and the cost of care transparent." Dr. Becky Mullin takes us b...

Send us Fan Mail We became physicians to helps as many people as we could and often feel guilty when it falls short. The thing is, this is the fastest road to burnout. If you catch yourself saying "Do I self sacrifice to help my patient or focus on my mental health?" then this episode is for you.  Let's normalize prioritizing our mental health.  Support the show Direct Care Launch C...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Shawn Johnson did not choose Direct Care, it chose her! When she found employment was no longer sustainable, she took a leap of faith to become a business owner of a multifaceted orthopedic business that works for her. She is accepting patients at Austin County Orthopedics Connect with her at info@drshawnmdortho.com Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided cou...

Send us Fan Mail This is my favorite story, the 7 benefits patients get when they choose a Direct Care doctor AND the 7 benefits Direct Care doctors get in return. A mutually beneficial relationship where no insurance is required.  Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive additional 6 live gr...

Send us Fan Mail Dr. Vanessa Rodriguez is a Board-Certified Adult Endocrinologist with 20+ years of experience in the areas of Diabetes, Metabolism, and other endocrine conditions with a Direct Specialty Care practice in Delray Beach, Florida. She shares insights on  planning for Direct Specialty Care after starting an insurance practice saving overhead expenses with co-working spaces the benefits...

Send us Fan Mail What if your next best referral is hidden in plain sight? That it’s not another doctor but other service business? These are the hidden networking opportunities you might be missing out on. Hear how you can find these goldmines right in your community.  Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special...

Send us Fan Mail Comparison is a joy killer. Here are 4 lessons to learn right away in business ownership to reach your destination of success without losing yourself. Hustle smarter, not harder, even in Direct Care. MASTERING PRIVATE PRACTICE CONFERENCE by Doctors On Social Media. #SoMeDocsPP Live Sept 25-27, 2025. Recording available . Use my affiliate link to attend, here Support the show Direc...

Send us Fan Mail Is it worth buying an insurance-based practice and anticipate opting out of insurance later on? I have the intellectual answers...and the real answers. Here are the pros and cons. Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive additional 6 live group coaching support (value $3600)....

Send us Fan Mail I'm answering common questions you've asked on https://www.speakpipe.com/teadpm How to answer the fears doctors have about leaving insurance What are the must have equipments to start off (for podiatry, and most specialties) Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive...

Send us Fan Mail The missing link in business ownership is not about knowing more medicine, it's developing the mindset of an entrepreneur. Key Takeaways Awareness is the first step. Most sabotage is unconscious—whether it’s perfectionism, avoidance of money conversations, or overcommitting. Once you can name the pattern, you can interrupt it. Mindset shapes results. Running a business isn’t...

Send us Fan Mail Easily one of the most controversial topic, opting out of Medicare especially when your specialty relies so heavily on it for revenue. I glued this together just for you.  Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive additional 6 live group coaching support (value $3600). Get sta...

Send us Fan Mail Free, accessible tools to manage your mind so that you can become the CEO of your dream practice.  Resources (not sponsored): psychologytoday.com betterhelp.com positiveintelligence.com Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive additional 6 live group coaching support (value $...

Send us Fan Mail It's back to school season here, so I'm bringing to you the 3 essential things to master as we head back to Direct Care School! Know these things to avoid getting stuck. Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summer Special: You will receive additional 6 live group coaching support (value $3600)....

Send us Fan Mail I'm taking you behind the scene to the evolution of my Direct Specialty Care practice, Pacific Point Podiatry. I just wrapped up a free webinar on how my course is the very thing my people need to protect their feet and avoid unnecessary leg amputations.  I share with you why a course is perfect for expanding your reach as a Direct Care practice how doctors are in the positio...

Send us Fan Mail  “I want to serve the underserved. But I feel guilty stepping away from insurance because that’s how most of my patients access care.” I got 7 different ways you can continue to serve the underserved even as a Direct Specialty Care practice. Let's dive in.  Support the show Direct Care Launch Course: A self-guided course to your Direct Care practice now available here . Summe...