Under the Influence with Martin Harvey

When Dr Hayden Nadolny lost the ability to move, everything he believed about health was tested. In this conversation, Martin talks with Hayden, a second-generation chiropractor, about how a sudden battle with Guillain-Barré Syndrome shifted his entire view of practice, leadership, and life. From three and a half years of fly-in, fly-out work to taking over his father’s practice, Hayden’s story is...

Some patients test your boundaries. They talk over you. They tell you what they “need.” And suddenly, you feel like the passenger in your own consultation. In this episode, Martin breaks down how to handle power dynamics in practice, especially with dominant, symptom-focused personalities. You’ll learn: Why these patients push back (and what belief drives it) How to keep authority without confront...

“It’s to serve.” That’s how Dr Paul Bergamo explains why he’s running for the ACA Board—and how he’s lived his career for 30 years. In this conversation, Paul unpacks the mindset that’s kept him learning, collaborating, and leading. From his father’s post-war immigrant story to his “brains trust” model of professional growth, his life is a masterclass in purpose and perseverance. In this episode:...

Dr Bernie Nadolny has spent 41 years in the same South Australian practice, adjusting humans, racehorses, dogs, and yes, a paralyzed green tree frog. He helped pioneer animal chiropractic education, lost a court case on a technicality, and still walked out having sparked a national regulatory shift. In this episode: How a racehorse owner became an animal chiropractic educator The court loss that r...

Retention lives or dies in the moments your patient hints at leaving . “I think my health fund’s about to run out.” “When will I be fixed?” Suddenly, months of progress are at risk. In this episode of Under the Influence , Martin Harvey answeres a listeners question and shows you how to turn those fragile moments into loyalty anchors . Learn to spot exit signals early—before they become goodbyes....

What does it take to still love chiropractic after three decades in practice? In this episode, Martin talks with Dr. Kim Jom, who shares the “sliding door moment” that set him on the chiropractic path. You’ll hear about: The pivotal work-experience week that changed his life. The mentors and coaches who influenced each stage of his career. How he built a thriving, multi-generational practice. The...

Patients relapse. It happens. But here’s the kicker: when it does, most chiropractors lose them. Why? Because patients think pain returning means chiropractic didn’t work. They forget their progress. They default to meds. They look for another “cure.” In this episode, Martin breaks down the psychology behind relapses and shows you how to handle them and keep people engaged with chiropractic: Recen...

This week on Under the Influence , Martin talks with Dr Keiran Shanahan . Keiran recently went through open-heart surgery. Nine weeks out of practice. A front-row seat to what medicine does brilliantly, and what chiropractic uniquely adds. We dig into: Contextual effects : how the first hello, visit rhythm, and practitioner certainty change outcomes. Function before feeling : why objective tests b...

200 episodes. Hundreds of conversations. Thousands of hours thinking about communication, influence, and retention. In this milestone episode, Martin shares the 10 biggest lessons chiropractors can apply to grow practices that are more impactful, more sustainable, and more fun to run. Inside: Why chasing shiny new things (neophilia) kills retention The simple formula behind retention that works ev...

Most chiropractors blow it when patients return. They define people by their past choices, make them wrong for dropping out, restart from scratch, or waste all their energy chasing new patients. In this episode, Dr. Martin Harvey shows why those are the 4 biggest mistakes, and how fixing them can turn dropouts into dream clients, increase your PVA, and help people finally see the big picture of pr...

What do you do when a patient nods at your care plan… and then rewrites it in their head? In this episode, Martin unpacks why patients decide they only need once a week when you’ve recommended three. We dive into the psychology behind it, the mistakes that make it more likely, and how to stop it from happening in the first place. You’ll learn: Why telling them “you’re wrong” is the worst move you...

Ever wanted to raise your fees… stop a long-standing discount… or scrap a system that’s no longer working — but feared the fallout? In this episode, Martin breaks down a simple framework for changing anything in your practice without overcomplicating it, overexplaining it, or eroding trust. You’ll learn: Why “kicking the can down the road” makes changes harder, not easier The language templates he...

What happens when a struggling 11-year-old boy walks into a chiropractic office… and walks out breathing easier, smiling more, and living life again? In this episode, Martin chats with Dr. James Cobb, chiropractor, and case study author, about the real-world transformation behind a recently published case. They talk care frequency, the power of early intervention, and why publishing case studies m...

In this episode, Martin lays it all out — the real keys to building a high-retention, high-referral chiropractic practice. Spoiler: it's not about the perfect script or a shiny new tactic. It's about connection. It's about value. It's about doing the basics uncommonly well . He shares what 50+ chiropractors inside Aligned Practice have taught him — what actually moves the needle, and what just sou...

You can’t claim chiropractic is revolutionary… and then expect no resistance. In this episode of Under the Influence , Martin shares two recent curveballs — a graffiti attack and a one-star review from a porta-potty enthusiast — and what they reveal about the misunderstood power of chiropractic. You’ll learn: Why rejection isn’t failure — it’s a sign of impact The mindset shift that turns haters i...

We’re halfway through the year… are you where you wanted to be? If the answer is “kind of” or “not even close,” you’re not alone, and this episode is for you. Dr. Brad Glowaki (aka Dr. Glow) joins Martin to break down how to restart momentum , reignite your retention engine , and make the second half of the year your most impactful yet. Expect a mix of strategy, mindset, and simple takeaways to he...

A cancelled appointment. A polite “Thanks, I’m feeling good now.” And just like that—gone. In this episode, Martin answers a listener’s real-world question: “What do you say when someone cancels and says they’ll come back if it gets bad again… without sounding pushy?” Inside: The psychology behind why people drop out Why it’s not a bug—it’s part of the system What your CA should say (step-by-step)...

Most chiropractors treat branding like a logo. Pacha Hornaday treats it like a relationship . In this episode, branding expert (and chiropractic superfan) Pacha joins Martin to discuss how chiropractors can stop blending in and start standing out by building brands that feel as good as they function. Inside the episode: Why branding is about perception , not persuasion How to translate your philos...

You adjusted. You tested. You saw the change. But if they don’t feel the progress, you lose them. This final episode of the Retention Killer Series is all about re-exams —and why most chiropractors either skip them, botch them, or bury the meaning in too much technical talk. Inside: Why no re-exam = no long-term retention How to preframe expectations so people understand the point Why you need to...

You nailed the consult. You delivered a clear report. They said they were in. But now they’re missing visits. Slipping through the cracks. Quietly dropping off. In this episode of The Retention Killer Series , Martin dives into the daily visit —the overlooked moment where long-term retention is either built… or lost. You’ll learn: Why “how are you feeling?” is the wrong way to start How to rewire...

You nailed the first visit. They liked you. They opened up. Then... the second visit happened. This is the moment where they’re supposed to commit. But instead, they get confused. Overloaded. Detached. And ten visits later, they’re gone — quietly. In this episode, Dr. Martin Harvey breaks down the 3 biggest second-visit mistakes chiropractors make that quietly kill retention: The Timing Trap: Leav...

You’re doing 90% right. So why are people still dropping out? In this kickoff episode of The Retention Killer Series , Martin breaks down the 4 biggest mistakes chiropractors make on a new patient’s first visit —and how small tweaks can lead to big wins in retention. You’ll learn: How to connect before you go clinical The one question that makes patients see the true size of their problem Why test...

Being liked is easy. Being trusted ? That’s what builds a real practice. In this episode, Martin sits down with Dr Dorte Bladt to unpack why so many chiropractors stop at being liked—and how that holds them back. They dive into: The question that gets parents thinking: “Who’s your child’s chiropractor?” How to build trust without sounding pushy or fake. Why the real goal isn’t treating conditions—...

Talking about science can either build your credibility—or blow it up. In this episode, Martin breaks down how chiropractors should (and shouldn’t) communicate about science, especially on social media. You’ll learn: Why social media is a marathon, not a sprint How to use Robert Cialdini’s 3-step framework to build trust Why science is the new currency of authority—and how to spend it wisely The d...

Your client’s getting results. They’re moving better, sleeping better… Then they drop the bomb: “My GP said I shouldn’t see a chiropractor.” What do you say next? In this episode of Under the Influence , Martin walks you through how to handle medical skepticism without getting defensive. Learn how to stay calm, build trust, and use permission-based communication (plus a clever AI trick) to guide y...