Healthy Wealthy & Smart

On today's episode, I am joined by a very ambitious duo, Dr. Dave Kittle who is the CEO of Vinitial and Dr. Annie Abbate who is a physical therapist practicing in Brooklyn, New York. We talk about the evolution of the Vinitial app, which allows healthcare providers to text their patients without exchanging personal phone numbers, and how becoming an entrepreneur impacts your life. In this episode, we discuss: -What led up to Dave and Annie's decision to start a tech company -Dave's lessons from failure and key ingredients for a viable business -Advice for entrepreneurs on managing work life balance -The Vinitial app and how you can use it to improve your healthcare practice -And so much more! Dave and Annie remind us that if you have an idea and entrepreneurial spirit, you need to take action! Failure can be expected and it is necessary for growth and success. Embrace the journey and persevere! If you would like to utilize Vinitial in your practice, you can find more information here! You can connect with Dave and Annie on twitter! Thank you for listening to the podcast! If you would like to support the show, be sure to leave a rating and/or a review on iTunes! Make sure to follow me on twitter to stay updated on all of the latest! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

On this week's episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart podcast, I had the pleasure of speaking with Stephanie Nickolich who is known as the Millionista Mentor. Stephanie left an unfulfilling corporate job to start her own online coaching business which gave her the ability to control her time and achieve financial freedom. We discuss her most important marketing strategies that you can implement to gain rapport with prospective clients and ultimately generate sales. In this episode, we talk about: -How Stephanie overcame adversity in her career and finances to go on to start a thriving business -What sales funnels can do to improve your business -Do's and don'ts of launching a sales funnel -The steps needed to build an efficient team to increase your productivity -And so much more! Stephanie shares nuggets of wisdom from her journey and shows how accountability and self-knowledge fueled her passion and propelled her to reach her goals. You can find more from Stephanie on her website here! If you're interested in becoming a legendary entrepreneur make sure to check out her program which gives you the fundamental building blocks for starting an online business! Thank you for listening to the podcast! If you would like to support the show, be sure to leave a rating and/or a review on iTunes! Connect with me on twitter to stay updated on all of the latest! Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

In today’s episode, I had a very candid conversation with Erin Jackson, who was a member on the patient panel at CSM. She bravely and openly discusses her personal challenges with persistent pain as well as her experiences navigating the healthcare system and being her own best advocate. In this episode, we touch on: -What led up to Erin's years of persistent pain -The challenges of living with persistent pain and how to deal with other people’s perceptions of your journey - Her advice for people who have persistent pain and her experiences with the path to recovery - What clinicians can do to better treat patients with persistent pain - How to deal with the ups and downs of recovery from the patient standpoint - Much more! I greatly appreciate Erin taking the time to come on the podcast and share her journey so that we can have a better understanding of those who are experiencing persistent pain. Hearing direct perspectives from patients allows clinicians to understand what they value, what their goals are, and how we can better treat and support them on their journey. My hope is that this podcast can help people who have persistent pain know that there is hope for recovery. Although the journey is not likely to be quick or easy, the transition to being whole and functional again is rewarding. You can find Erin on twitter and linkedin and if you want to learn more about her practice you can check out her website here! Thank you for being a part of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart family. Make sure to leave a rating and/or a review on iTunes. Connect with me on twitter to stay updated on all of the latest! Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

In this week’s episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart podcast, I speak with Ali Schoos, a private practice outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine physical therapist out of Bellevue, Washington. Ali joins me to discuss why her goal is to change the current PT mindset from episode based care to full lifespan primary care and why this change could be fundamental to your practice. In this episode, we talk about: -What is a primary care physical therapist -Why we should treat every patient like a direct access patient -How to incorporate patient education in your treatment plan -How physical therapists can impact the growing Alzheimer's population -The benefits of exercise on body and brain longevity -And so much more! Currently, about 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's and will ultimately die from the disease because there is no cure. By 2050, it is projected that 13.8 million people age 65 and older will be diagnosed with Alzheimer's and the associated costs are expected to grow to over 1 trillion dollars. Physical therapists are uniquely qualified to help provide the care needed for this patient population through preventative education and exercise-based treatments. Ultimately, we can help reduce future healthcare costs, improve quality of life for our patients, and slow the progression of the disease. For more information, be sure to check out the Alzheimer's Association for great informative resources. You can find more from Ali on twitter and check out her website here! If you would like to learn more about the Graham Sessions, check out this podcast with Steve Anderson! Thank you for listening and subscribing to the show! If you like what you're hearing, I would greatly appreciate you leaving a rating and/or a review on iTunes. Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

Live from CSM, I was fortunate to sit down with Dr. John Childs to discuss the new frontier of DPT education. He is a founder and CEO of Evidence in Motion and a partner in Confluent Health which includes EIM, 75 physical therapy clinics across the States, and Fit for Work which helps employers reduce workers' compensation costs through consultative services. In this episode, we talk about: -How Evidence in Motion bridges the gap between research and clinical practice -Technology's role in facilitating a new blended educational model for entry level DPT programs -Revolutionizing the curriculum for the clinical educational experience -Common criticisms of the blended educational model -And much more! The future of DPT education is evolving toward collaborative learning which helps students grow and come together as a profession. This new model also is able to lower the cost of education and give nontraditional students more opportunities to pursue a career in physical therapy. John welcomes your suggestions by phone ((210) 364-7410) and email ([email protected]). You can find more information about Evidence in Motion here! Thank you for listening and have a great week! If you want to stay updated, make sure to connect with me on twitter! Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

On this week's episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart podcast, Dr. Sarah Haag and Dr. Sandy Hilton join me outside the Disneyland Hotel post CSM to take the taboo out of discussing sex. They are both physical therapists who work with anyone needing to get back to doing what they love and who they love and are making the discussion around sex a little more comfortable and approachable. In this show, we discuss: -What every PT should be asking their patients -Why you shouldn't make assumptions about your patients' sex lives -How to differentiate UTI from DOMS of the pelvic floor -How you can approach your partner who has pain with sex -Guiding principles for pelvic health rehabilitation -How to navigate sex in the nursing home system -And a lot more! Sex is part of normal human function and no other species makes it this complicated. If you are experiencing pain with sex and you want to live a happier and more fulfilled life, there is something you can do about it by seeking help from a pelvic health physical therapist. You can find more on twitter from Sandy (@SandyHiltonPT), Sarah (@SarahHaagPT), and myself (@karenlitzyNYC)! Thank you for following along and listening to the podcast! Xo Karen

In this week’s episode, Paul Lagerman, the Naked Physio, and I co-host part Two of live from the San Diego Pain Summit in San Diego, California. The summit is all about applying pain science to clinical practice and we were fortunate to have a few of the summit speakers, who all come from different healthcare backgrounds, join us to discuss how we should be addressing patients with chronic pain. Let me refresh your memory as to this fantastic panel of pain experts: Ravensara Travillian is a massage therapist based in Seattle, Washington specializing in populations of refugees and veterans Sandy Hilton is a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic pain in Chicago, Illinois Greg Lehman is a physical therapist, chiropractor, and a research biomechanist from Toronto, Canada Bronnie Thompson is an occupational therapist and a senior lecturer on pain and pain management at the University of Otago in Christchurch, New Zealand Michael Shacklock is a physical therapist and research academic with interests in neurodynamics from Dunedin, New Zealand In this episode, you will learn: How to manage chronic pain patients' expectations throughout your treatment plan Techniques to get your patients excited about their home exercise program We hear from San Diego Pain Summit organizer Rajam Roose And a whole lot more! Chronic pain is complex and this discussion really benefited from having a multidisciplinary panel provide their diverse insights and experiences. As healthcare clinicians, we can help make sense of chronic pain in our patients' lives but we need to deliver that information to them in meaningful and relevant ways. If you want to hear more from all of us, check us out on twitter! You can find some highlights from the summit with #sdps2016 and #sdpain. Karen Litzy: @KarenLitzyNYC Paul Lagerman: @nakedphysio Greg Lehman: @GregLehman Ravensara Travillian: @RavenTravillian Sandy Hilton: @SandyHiltonPT Bronnie Thompson: @adiemusfree Michael Shacklock: @Neurodynamics Thank you for listening and being a part of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart family! Xo Karen

In this week’s episode, Paul Lagerman, the Naked Physio, and I co-host a panel discussion live from the San Diego Pain Summit in San Diego, California. The summit is all about applying pain science to clinical practice and we were fortunate to have a few of the summit speakers, who all come from different healthcare backgrounds, join us to discuss how we should be addressing patients with chronic pain. Let me introduce you to this fantastic panel of pain experts: Ravensara Travillian is a massage therapist based in Seattle, Washington specializing in populations of refugees and veterans Sandy Hilton is a physical therapist that specializes in pelvic pain in Chicago, Illinois Greg Lehman is a physical therapist, chiropractor, and a research biomechanist from Toronto, Canada Bronnie Thompson is an occupational therapist and a senior lecturer on pain and pain management at the University of Otago in Christchurch, New Zealand Michael Shacklock is a physical therapist and research academic with interests in neurodynamics from Dunedin, New Zealand In this episode, you will learn: How to explain pain to clients without leading them to believe that the pain is all in their head How to guide patients away from biomedical explanations of pain How to manage chronic pain patients' expectations throughout your treatment plan Techniques to get your patients excited about their home exercise program And a whole lot more! Chronic pain is complex and this discussion really benefited from having a multidisciplinary panel provide their diverse insights and experiences. As healthcare clinicians, we can help make sense of chronic pain in our patients' lives but we need to deliver that information to them in meaningful and relevant ways. If you want to hear more from all of us, check us out on twitter! You can find some highlights from the summit with #sdps2016 and #sdpain. Karen Litzy: @KarenLitzyNYC Paul Lagerman: @nakedphysio Greg Lehman: @GregLehman Ravensara Travillian: @RavenTravillian Sandy Hilton: @SandyHiltonPT Bronnie Thompson: @adiemusfree Michael Shacklock: @Neurodynamics Thank you for listening and being a part of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart family! Xo Karen

On this week's episode of the Healthy Wealthy and Smart podcast, we have Dr. Sharon Dunn who is the president of the American Physical Therapy Association joining us to talk about the success of this year's Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California and what to look forward to for next year. In this episode, we discuss: -Her highlights from this year's CSM and how you can get more out of next year's conference -Important insights from our patients and how it added to the CSM experience -What the Free the Yolk movement is all about and ways you can help break a Guinness Book World Record -The human movement system as it relates to physical therapy identity -The important themes that emerged from CSM -The importance of the individual sections within the APTA to the success of CSM -And so much more! It was a pleasure to have Sharon on the podcast again! If you weren't able to attend all of the amazing lectures at this year's CSM, you can find all of the presentations at the APTA website here. Let's continue the high energy level and high attendance rate at next year's CSM in San Antonio, Texas! I’m really looking forward to what is in store for us next year! Make sure to follow me on twitter (@KarenLitzyNYC) and thank you so much for listening! Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

Live from the Combined Sections Meeting in Anaheim, California, we have another great interview with Dr. Karim Khan where we discuss the role physical therapists play in the healthcare team and the importance of daily physical activity on overall health. We are so fortunate to have Dr. Khan on the show. He is a Canadian sports physician, a professor at the University of British Columbia, and the editor of the British Journal of Sports Medicine. In this episode, we talk about: -Can physical therapists detect red flags and does direct access work -Who is leading musculoskeletal research and pushing the evidence forward -Physical therapists as leaders in exercise as medicine -The importance of being physically active role models for our patients -What macro nutrient is driving the obesity epidemic -How you can utilize social media to garner interest in niche fields -A live Q&A with Dr. Khan and Dr. Jill Cook -And so much more! It was great having Dr. Khan on the show! He offers great advice and support for the physical therapy profession and promotes an active lifestyle that can keep you Healthy Wealthy and Smart! You can find Dr. Khan on twitter (@BJSM_BMJ) and make sure to tune into the British Journal of Sports Medicine Podcast! Thank you so much for listening and subscribing! You can find me on twitter (@KarenLitzyNYC) Xo Karen

I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Jill Cook and busting some common tendinopathy myths. This episode with Dr. Jill Cook was recorded live in front of an audience at the Combined Section Meeting in Anaheim, CA about 2 weeks ago. It was a great experience and one of the highlights of my CSM experience. A little more about Dr. Cook: She is a professor in musculoskeletal health in the La Trobe Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre at La Trobe University in Melbourne Australia. Jill’s research areas include sports medicine and tendon injury. After completing her PhD in 2000, she has investigated tendon pathology, treatment options and risk factors for tendon injury. Jill currently supplements her research by conducting a specialist tendon practice and by lecturing and presenting workshops both in Australia and overseas. In this episode we talk about: * Are eccentric exercises are the best and only way to treat a tendinopathy? * Can use the same tendon therapy protocol for every tendon and every person. * A tendinopathy always involves inflammation. * Once you are pain free and back to sport you don't have to worry about the exercises you did in PT. * Why we shouldn't be selling messages we can't deliver. * and much more! Dr. Cook shares so much information about tendinopathy in this episode that I think I learned more in 25 min that I have in the past 10 years! Thank you again to the Private Practice Section of the APTA for all of their help to make this happen and thank you to Jimmy McKay, host of the PT Pintcast for the great intro! Enjoy and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! xo Karen

This week's episode features Laura Roeder who is the founder of LKR Social Media and Edgar, a social media automation tool that prevents your updates from going to waste. Laura was named one of the top 100 entrepreneurs under 35 in 2011, 2013, and 2014 and presented the value of entrepreneurship at the White House. Laura makes technology simple to understand and implement for small business owners. In this episode, Laura and I discuss: How software saves you time so you can do what you love to do. How to utilize social media to bring in new prospects. Why you should specialize your product because less is more to your customers. How she builds and manages a successful remote team from all over the country. The do's and don'ts of social media. Her advice for a budding entrepreneur. And a whole lot more! Laura was a very special guest! She provided great insights on how to utilize tools for running your business and we get into the details about optimizing your social media presence to allow you to spend more time building relationships. To find out more about Edgar, click here and make sure to follow Laura on twitter (@lkr) and facebook. Thank you for listening and subscribing! You can find me on twitter (@karenlitzyNYC). Stay Healthy Wealthy and Smart! Xo Karen

Dr. Tim DiFrancesco, DPT, the lead strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Lakers, joins us again on this week’s Thursday Quickie and we are talking all about the millennial generation. In this episode we discuss: How to engage with millennials to accomplish performance goals The importance of linking your training principles and their primary motivation What candy exercises are and how to use them to your advantage while training millennials How to temper their expectations for immediate results Why this generation needs collaboration during the goal setting process And much more! I had a great time chatting with Tim and I wanted to thank him for sharing great advice on how to engage effectively with millennials as well as helpful tips to apply to our patients, clients, and even fellow PT's. Make sure to check out his blog (tdathletesedge.com) and follow him on twitter (@tdathletesedge) and instagram (@tdathletesedge). Thanks for listening to this week's Thursday Quickie and subscribing to the podcast! You can find me on twitter @karenlitzyNYC. Have a lovely weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! xo Karen

Do you want to train some of the highest performing athletes in the world and keep them at the top of their game? On today's show, I talk with Dr. Tim DiFrancesco who is the lead strength and conditioning coach for the Los Angeles Lakers. In this episode we discuss: How he made the leap into professional sports. How is top strength tips can work on every patient/client regardless of age or experience. Why your workout should focus on time under tension and perfect form. How to stimulate muscle growth by increasing volume of work. Why breaking perfect form effects long term performance. How a PT background sets you up for success in the strength and conditioning world. And so much more! This was a great interview with Tim on how his background as a physical therapist influences his strength and conditioning principles. I learned a great deal from Tim on this episode and I hope you come away with some great insights to use immediately in your clinical or fitness setting! Tim's Top Resources: Kelly Starrett (http://www.mobilitywod.com/) Dan John (http://danjohn.net/) Pavel Tsatsouline (http://www.strongfirst.com/) How to reach Tim: Website: www.tdathletesedge.com/ Twitter: @tdathletesedge Instagram: @tdathletesedge Thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast! And remember you can find me on Twitter: @KarenLitzyNYC Don't forget to tune in for the Thursday Quickie 2/11/16 with Dr. DiFrancesco on working with millennials! Stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

If you are a physical therapist and you have not heard of the Graham Sessions...don't worry you are not alone! The first time I heard about this meeting was last year and even then I had no idea what it was all about. So this year I was able to register for the event which took place at the beautiful Biltmore Resort in Phoenix, AZ in January. Because most PTs have no idea what the Graham Sessions are or they heard about the Graham Sessions on social media and are feeling left out, this podcast with one of the founders of the Graham Sessions, Steve Anderson, PT will hopefully answer all of the questions you might have about this meeting. In this episode we talk about: * What are the Graham Sessions? * How did the Graham Sessions come about? (It involves a late night at a bar) * What were the topics covered in this year's Graham Sessions. * What were Steve's thoughts about the meeting this year. * What are Steve's thoughts on the future of the Graham Sessions. I want to thank Steve Anderson, PT for being on the podcast and for being so generous with his thoughts on this conference and the future of the Graham Sessions. As always thank you for tuning in and subscribing to the podcast! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! xo Karen

This week's Thursday quickie is part two if my conversation with the Latin American Strength and Conditioning Coordinator for the Houston Astros, Rachel Balkovec. In this episode we discuss: * Her strength and conditioning philosophy and how she transfers that to her athletes. * How she individualizes the workouts for each player and position. * The way Rachel establishes respect in the weight room. * Who her mentors are (this is very sweet). * What is next for her in 2016! This was another great talk with Rachel! She shares more stories and great advice for anyone, but especially women who aspire to be in Major League Baseball. A huge thanks to Rachel and to you for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! xo Karen

Are you a strength and conditioning coach or physical therapist interested in working in Major League Baseball? Then this is the episode for you! I talk with the Latin American strength and conditioning coach for the Houston Astros, Rachel Balkovec. In this episode we talk about: * How she found her self worth through strength training. * How hard work, sacrifice and the right attitude got her to where she is today. * What she needed to learn to work in MLB. * The ways in which she goes above and beyond for her players. * What it takes to be a strength and conditioning coach in MLB. * Her biggest challenge so far in her career. * Her advice to women wanting to get into MLB. * and much much more! Rachel is a true inspiration, a hard worker and a great role model for young women coming up in the strength and conditioning world. Thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart, Karen

In this week's Thursday Quickie Dr. Richard Severin and I discuss: The importance of being on social medial for all physical therapists. Why Rich likes to nurture open discussions on social media. Why the "why" matters when it comes to explaining treatments to your patients. Why trust and truth is paramount in patient care. Rich shares his go to resources on social media! This was a fun Thursday Quickie with Dr. Severin and I hope it gets at least one more physical therapist to join the fun on social media! I would even go a step further to say I hope it not only gets physical therapists to join social media, but to engage fully with other therapists from around the world, expand your knowledge base and have fun! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

As physical therapists we are now front line healthcare professionals. Because of direct access (this means you can go to a physical therapist without a doctor referral) clients may be coming to us as an entry point into the healthcare system. As a result of this we need to treat every client with a holistic view. We need to at the very least screen the cardiopulmonary system within the overall human movement system. This is where Dr. Richard Severin comes in! He is a passionate proponent of taking vital signs and screen the cardiopulmonary system for every client in every setting. In this episode we talk about: His background and interest in cardiopulmonary branch of physical therapy The importance of getting baseline measurements for every client in every setting Why it is important to take vital signs in all physical therapy settings. His response to “I have to see so many patients in my outpatient clinic I don’t have time to take vital signs” Risks of not taking vital signs. His talk at CSM And much more! This is such an important topic for all healthcare professionals and taking vitals is something we should all be doing…..regardless of our work setting! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

This episode was literally recorded while Lenny Macrina and I were having lunch a the Titleist Performance Institute's Level 1 certification course in Rhode Island. This was Lenny's first podcast, although you would think he has done this his whole life. We had a great conversation and it was super fun! In this episode we talk about: * The TPI Level 1 Certification * Lenny's approach to evaluating and treating and shoulder injury. * What might be missing the CrossFit athlete’s shoulder complex that may lead to injury. * What is the Red Zone and Green Zone and how does it relate to your patient's injury. * How to get a patient (specifically a CrossFit athlete) to buy in to your treatment plan. * How to sell as a physical therapist. * How Lenny harnesses the positive to continue to empower and motivate his clients. * and much more! A huge thanks to Lenny for this great conversation and to you for subscribing and listening tot he podcast! Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

Welcome to 2016! The Healthy Wealthy & Smart podcast is back with new album art, new intro music (thanks to Candlebox) and a fantastic line up of amazing guests! I could not think of a better way to kick off the New Year than with a revealing interview with Ms. Gloria Steinem. Ms. Steinem is a writer, lecturer, political activist, and feminist organizer. She travels in this and other countries as an organizer and lecturer and is a frequent media spokeswoman on issues of equality. She is particularly interested in the shared origins of sex and race caste systems, gender roles and child abuse as roots of violence, non-violent conflict resolution, the cultures of indigenous peoples, and organizing across boundaries for peace and justice. She lives in New York City, and just published her first book in over twenty years. During this interview we talk about that new book, My Life on the Road. It is a wonderful book full of history and nuggets of wisdom from Gloria. In this interview we talk about: How the nomadic nature of her childhood shaped her life as an adult. The concept of talking circles and how that concept guided her throughout her life. What were her more memorable moments from her life on the road. One of her biggest fears and how she continues to overcome it. The biggest challenge for women today. What her thoughts are on being the "face of a movement". Her advice on how to identify an issue and start a movement (it is easier than you think). And so much more! I can't thank Gloria enough for her generosity of time, words and thoughts. She is truly a remarkable woman who continues to live an extraordinary life. For more information on Gloria Steinem and see her speak in person click here. Enjoy the conversation and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

This is the last podcast of 2015 and I am so happy to end the year on such a high note with my interview with Dr. Chris Powers, PT, PhD, FAPTA. He is Professor in the Division of Biokinesiology and Physical Therapy and Co-Director of the Musculoskeletal Biomechanics Laboratory at the University of Southern California. Dr. Powers' research and teaching interests relate to the biomechanical aspects of human movement. More specifically, his research focuses on how altered kinematics, kinetics, and muscular actions contribute to lower extremity injury. He is particularly interested in the pathomechanics underlying knee and patellofemoral joint dysfunction. Dr. Powers is an active researcher, and has published over 150 peer-reviewed articles. He frequently lectures both nationally and internationally on topics related to lower limb biomechanics and the pathomechanics of orthopaedic disorders. Dr. Powers is the current President of the California Chapter of the APTA In this episode we talk about: * The definition of the human movement system. * Why physical therapists are uniquely qualified to lead the human movement system paradigm. * The identity crisis of the PT profession and how the human movement system should be the thread that binds our profession together. * What are the biggest barriers to adopting and implementing the human movement system? * What should the PT professions unifying message be? * In the words of Dr. Anthony Delitto "What is the hold up?" * And much more! What Dr. Powers and I would like for you to think about is: how would you describe what you do (as physical therapist) in only 5 words? Have a great holidays season and Happy New Year! See you in 2016 and as always stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In this week's Thursday Quickie Jennifer and I continue our conversation from Monday about leadership. But this week we focus our attention on the female leadership in physical therapy. In this episode we talk about: * The lack of female leadership in the PT profession. * How our mindset needs to shift. * How we need to support each other to better our profession. * Peer to peer "bullying". * How to authentically lead and adapt to the current culture. * How to be your best self advocate! Jennifer and I also issued a challenge to all of the listeners: We would like you to tweet to either of us who your pick would be for a great female keynote speaker for the PPS conference in Las Vegas in 2016! I can't wait to reach your choices! @KarenLitzyNYC @JGDubs Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

What qualities make a good leader? Can those qualities be taught? Should leadership be taught in entry-level healthcare education programs? In this episode my guest, Jennifer Green-Wilson and I tackle these big questions. We talk about: * The 4 qualities that are essential for a good leader. * How does Jennifer go about cultivating these qualities in her clients and students? * What needs to happen in entry-level education to make leadership skills part of the curriculum. * Her dissertation on leadership and practice management in entry-level education. * Who is the first person you must lead in order to be an effective leader. * and much more! Jennifer is high energy and her passion for leadership is contagious! Don't forget to tune in to the Thursday Quickie where Jennifer and I talk about female leadership in the physical therapy world...or lack there of! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In keeping with the Thursday Quickie theme I am going to keep this short and sweet. In this episode Win and I talk about: Her writing process from thought to finished book. How she self published her books (she gives specific websites!). The timeline from idea to finished product And much more! Again, to find out more about Win and her podcast Win’s Women of Wisdom go to: Her website Twitter iTunes Win’s co-CEO of Win’s Women of Wisdom Danielle Coulter Thanks for tuning in to this week's Thursday Quickie with Win Charles! Have a great weekend and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In this episode I was honored to speak with best selling author, artist and podcast host of Win's Women of Wisdom, Win Kelly Charles. Win is all too familiar with physical therapy as she was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at a very young age. From MoveForwardPT.com, "Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a general term used to describe a group of disorders that affect the normal development of movement and posture. CP is caused by an injury to the brain—such as infection, stroke, trauma, or the loss of oxygen to the brain—that occur before, during, or after birth or within the first 2 years of life. The injury to the brain is "nonprogressive," meaning that it does not get worse after the initial injury. However, the day-to-day activities that can be affected by the injury during an individual's childhood can worsen throughout the individual's life." Believe me, Win does let CP stop her. She is one of the busiest people I know (she makes me look like a total slacker)! She has written several books, is an accomplished artist, teaches part time, is in school working towards a degree in education, snowboards regularly, and is the host of the podcast Win's Women of Wisdom. Like that is not enough she plans on launching a new podcast next year! In this episode we talk about: * Win's experience with physical therapy. * How her physical therapy care has changed as she has gotten older. * Her best advice for physical therapists working with children with disabilities (it is always great to get the patient's point of view). * The most challenging aspect of her current physical therapy plan of care. * How important the rapport is between the patients and therapist. * How Win keeps in shape outside of PT. * The importance of a strong support team. * Her book I Win. * And much more! This was a great conversation and I think it gives us all a better idea of what it is like to not only live with cerebral palsy but to live well with cerebral palsy! A big thanks to Win for being so open and honest during our conversation. Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

This week's Thursday Quickie is a continuation of the podcast from Monday about the PPS (Private Practice Section) Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. On Monday we heard from many attendee of the conference and today you will get my take! In this episode I talk about: * What being a media company first and PT company second means. * Gary's thoughts on the biggest social media marketing platform. * Creating curiosity in the profession through social media. * Why Instagram is important to you and your brand and how to use it. * What are Daniel Pink's ABCs of selling. * What the heck is an ambivert? * Neil Ihde's 10 Mistakes Leaders Make * Where are my ladies at?? * Much more! Thanks for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

A few weeks ago I attended the PPS (Private Practice Section) annual conference in Orlando, FL. I was lucky enough to team up with Dr. Sandy Hilton during the conference to ask attendees what they thought of the keynote speeches from Gary Vaynerchuk and Daniel Pink, the break out sessions and the overall vibe of the conference. In this episode you will hear from many attendees and get real opinions and thoughts from the conference. What you will hear: * The big takeaways from Gary Vaynerchuk's keynote speech from the first night of the conference. * The big takeaways from Daniel Pink's keynote speech from day two of the conference * How people will take what they learned at the conference and apply it immediately to their practices. * Thoughts on some of the break out sessions throughout the conference. This was my first time attending the PPS annual conference and I think it was well worth the price of admission. Not only were the session and speeches very good, the "behind the scenes" conversation with other attendees was stellar. It is great to connect with your fellow PTs doing such great and inspiring work! Thank you for listening to this podcast and if you were at the PPS conference and want to add more about your experience find me on Twitter @KarenLitzyNYC have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

Happy Thanksgiving to all of the listeners in the United States! I was lucky enough to spend my holiday with family and friends. As a result I have a special guest co-host for the intro to this podcast! In this week's Thursday Quickie (I know it is Friday but I have to take Thanksgiving off) I am happy to continue my conversation with Rom JB about writing effective copy that sells. In this episode we talk about: * As physical therapists who are our biggest competitors? * Rom gives a specific example of writing great copy. * What should be on the home page of your website. * Why your "About me/us" page is so important and what should be on it! * And much more! As always thank you for listening and have a great weekend! Stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

Let's face it, writing good copy is not easy. This is something I struggle with and I am sure many of you struggle with as well. As a result I set out to find a guest to help clear up this whole copy writing thing. I was thrilled to interview Rom JB. Rom JB is a special educator, entrepreneur, copywriter and small business mentor based in New York City. In 2010, Rom founded RJB Educational Services, Inc., an in-home tutoring business. He has been able to grow his business by focusing on creating systems that decrease cost while increasing revenues and profits. Rom is also a copywriter that works with entrepreneurs and small businesses to better market and sell to their ideal clients. In this episode we talk about: * The formula of how to write effective copy that sells. * Copy that presents you as an authority in your field. * Why should physical therapists and other health care professions know and understand the power of effective copy. * How can physical therapists and other healthcare professionals tap into the language of their ideal client. * And so much more! Like I say in the intro get out your pen and paper be prepared to take notes....lots of notes! Rom's insights into the copy that PTs need and should be using is amazing! To find out ore about Rom and get in touch him go to: LinkedIn Facebook Instagram As always thank you for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart!

In this Thursday's quickie episode Justin, Morgan and I talk about: * More of the REAL PT experience in Haiti * The bug situation in Haiti (this is kind of a sticking point for me) * The accommodations and food you will have if you decide to volunteer w/ Stand: Haiti * A very quick Twitter advertising tutorial The first part of this quickie, where we are talking more about Haiti we all knew it was being recorded. The second part of the quickie, where we are talking about advertising on Twitter, we had no idea it was being recorded. My big cat Benson jumped up on my computer when we were talking and he hit the record button. I decided to add it to the interview because it is all good stuff! Enjoy this week's Thursday Quickie and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

In this episode I speak to physical therapists Dr. Justin Dunaway and Dr. Morgan Denny co-founders of STAND: Haiti. STAND was founded in late 2014 in order to create a growing system of rehabilitative medicine in northwest Haiti. With a focus on education and creating local clinicians, STAND brings medical practitioners, including PTs, prosthetists, orthotists, and general medical practitioners, to Port-de-Paix, Haiti to provide treatment for the people in this region. STAND is currently in the process of creating a curriculum specific to the needs of NW Haiti that will become part of the local nursing schools’ educational programming. These lectures on orthopedic rehab medicine will be based on STAND director’ five years of experience treating patients in the country and created in conjunction with Youngstown State University’s PT faculty. In this episode we talk about: *Their latest trip to Haiti. *Their successful Kickstarter campaign to create a short film about the STAND experience in Haiti. *The history of STAND. *What the volunteer experience is like. *Some really extreme patient stories and what the patients sometimes have to do to get to the STAND clinic. *What they need in the form of donations and volunteers. As you will see in this episode their passion for physical therapy and their work in Haiti is infectious! If you are in the medical field I hope this interview will inspire you to volunteer with STAND. If you can't volunteer please consider making a donation. Thank you for listening and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

Almost every time I interview a guest for the podcast we end up chatting after the formal interview is over...sometimes for an extra hour! A lot of that content is really good stuff, so I decided to record it and send it out to the world! I suppose you can think of these "quickie" episodes as an after hours conversation. In this week's quickie Jimmy and I talk about: * Why he decided to become a physical therapist * Who was his favorite musician to interview back in his radio days * What was his (and my) favorite concert * and finally what to call these after interview episodes. I did not take Jimmy's suggestion but I am pretty sure he will be using it on his podcast very soon! Thanks for listening and I hope you enjoy this Thursday quickie! Karen

In this episode I chat with DPT student and the host of the PT Pintcast Jimmy McKay. This was a super fun interview as I love hearing from students and getting their perspective on the world of physical therapy. It was also nice to get Jimmy on the other side of the interview...although I pretty sure at one point he started interviewing me! In this episode we talk about: * A recap of the national Student Conclave * How he is preparing himself for the transition from DPT student to working PT * The PT Pintcast * His biggest challenges (or as Dr. Sharon Dunn calls it opportunities) as a DPT student * How hosting his podcast has changed him as a student and a person. * and much much more! I also make up for the fact that I think I was the only person who has been on the PT Pintcast that did not share a beer with Jimmy....this time I made sure I did. I also have a "quickie" interview with Jimmy that will come out later on this week. That interview is a little more personal and little less PT talk. So be sure to be on the look out for that! As always thank you for listening and subscribing to the podcast! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

The month of November is National CRPS (Chronic Regional Pain Syndrome) Awareness month. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines CRPS as “a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs (arms, legs, hands, or feet), usually after an injury or trauma to that limb. CRPS is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems. The central nervous system is composed of the brain and spinal cord, and the peripheral nervous system involves nerve signaling from the brain and spinal cord to the rest of the body. CRPS is characterized by prolonged or excessive pain and mild or dramatic changes in skin color, temperature, and/or swelling in the affected area." In honor of this awareness month I was thrilled to interview Joey Aquilino. He is living with CRPS and has become an outspoken advocate for those living with CRPS. It was so refreshing to hear an honest and very real account of what it is like to navigate the healthcare system when you have "something" wrong and you are in pain. In this episode we talk about: * Joey's journey from initial injury to diagnosis of CRPS (it took a long time!). * How CRPS affected him emotionally as well as physically. * The steps and techniques he used to reduce depression and get moving. * Why he became an advocate for those living with CRPS * How his ordeal resulted in him finding himself and his passion. * The #JGF family and his Blogtalkradio shows * Plus much, much more! I loved this episode because I think it is so important to get the patient perspective, especially with complex diagnoses like CRPS. A diagnosis like this goes so far beyond the time we spend with the patient during our sessions. Joey gives such an open and honest account of what he has gone through over the past several years and it is a great reminder for all healthcare providers who work with people in pain that you need to take the time to listen to the whole story! A big thank you to Joey for sharing and to you for listening! Have a great week and stay healthy, wealthy and smart! Karen

When was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and took a chance on something new? If it has been a while I highly suggest you do something, even if it is small, at least once a week that challenges you and makes you just a bit uncomfortable. That is exactly what my guest on the podcast has done for years and as a result she is a Doctor of Physical Therapy, an assistant professor in the physical therapy department at Hampton University and the most recent Miss Virginia USA. Dr. Desiree Williams has accomplished so much in her life already because she takes those chances, works hard, is super organized, and is proactive about her life and her goals. This was such an inspiring conversation and my huge takeaway is to have more confidence in myself and believe in my values and my decisions. In this episode we talk about: * Why she decided to become a PT. * How she got started in the pageant world and how she has been so successful. * Her top tips for managing your time efficiently (I thought I was organized but this girl puts me to shame). * Her platform as Miss Virginia USA and how she incorporates her education and passion for health and wellness into that platform. * How she is able to keep the negativity that can be associated with the pageant world out of her head. * Her best advice for students thinking of going into the world of academia * And much, much more! Dr. Williams' confidence and positive attitude is clear and she gives so many nuggets of advice in this interview on how to stay positive, grounded and most importantly yourself. Enjoy this wonderful talk and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

This is the continuation of the interview with Dr. Bronnie Thompson from last week about living well with chronic pain. In this episode we answer listener questions! In this episode we go through the following questions: * What she would say to give confidence to someone who is afraid that no matter what they do, they will always hurt? * Is there value in a pain diary? * Any tips on instituting an exercise program in widespread pain syndromes such as fibromyalgia? * Any helpful strategies to get a reluctant patient on board with exercise? * How does Dr. Thompson's research in pain apply to the manual therapy profession? * And much much more! I want to send lots of love and thank yous to Dr. Bronnie Thompson for an amazing interview experience and sticking around for this very important part two of our conversation. Thank you for all of the positive comments and kind words from last week's interview and I know you will find the same value in this episode! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen

I know what you are thinking...living well with chronic pain?!? Some thoughts that went through my head were: "Are you kidding me...that sounds impossible" "Sounds like an oxymoron to me." "Does that mean take lots of pain meds to feel better?" And I am sure you can think of lots of other things to say! But after you listen to this incredible interview with Dr. Bronnie Thompson, your thoughts will be challenged! You will start to see that yes...you can live well with chronic pain. You can find value and fun in your life doing the things you love despite pain. In this episode we talk about: Values based pain management Dr. Thompson gives some amazing examples of motivational interviewing (I am talking really great so be ready to take notes!). The process your patients can follow to reoccupy their self-concept in the face of chronic pain. How to be a real human with all of your patient interactions. Making the patient the center of your practice. And so much more! This is the first part of a two-part interview with Dr. Thompson. The second part will air next week! Thanks for listening and if you like what you are hearing please share it and leave a rating here! Have a great week and stay Healthy Wealthy & Smart! Karen ***PS....You will also listen to what made me totally break down and cry for the first time on air! Get the tissues ready!

In this podcast I am joined by Rick Gawenda, PT and he answers your burning questions about ICD 10. Some of the topics we covered in this podcast are: * The 7th character...what is it and when do you have to use it? * How many ICD 10 codes need to be on a claim form? Can you ever have too many? * What are the documentation requirements in the patient's medical records? * Are the diagnosis codes the same as the treatment codes? * What are external cause codes for injuries? * Rick takes us through a few tutorials on how to code based on some diagnoses. This was a super informative episode! Rick literally knows most of this stuff off the top of his head (which I was very impressed with) and he shares with us a very comprehensive look at the major aspects of the ICD 10 coding system. Thank you all for listening and please feel free to share with friends and family! And if you like what you are hearing I would be ever so grateful for a review on iTunes! Have a great week and stay healthy wealthy and smart! Karen

As any medical professional will tell you, navigating the Medicare system is challenging. Add to that a cash physical therapy business and things can get really confusing! To help get us through this sea of confusion that is Medicare, Dr. Jarod Carter has written a fabulous book entitled Medicare and Cash Pay Physical Therapy. It is a comprehensive guide based on all he has learned from over five years of owning a cash-based clinic and many hours of working with different attorneys and authorities on this subject. Dr. Carter has also been teaching about the private pay business model for a number of years and often consults for in-network practices participating with Medicare. So this book is not only focused solely on the rules as they apply to cash-based practices. It is written for any practice owner wondering how she/he can accept private payment for the variety of services a PT business may provide to beneficiaries. In this episode we talk about: * Why Jarod decided to become a physical therapist * Why and how he started his cash-based PT practice * What is the difference between participating, non-participating, and no relationship w/ Medicare * Can a PT opt out of Medicare * What is an ABN and when is it necessary to use it vs. a private contract with your patients. * Is there a "loophole" to see Medicare patients in a cash PT model * And much more! One thing to remember...if you have any questions about your practice and how it fits in to the Medicare system always contact a healthcare lawyer to help with your specific situation. Enjoy the podcast and thanks for listening! Karen

Are you a DPT student or new graduate thinking about opening your own cash based PT clinic one day? if the answer to that questions is yes, then this is the episode for you! In this episode I sit down with Dr. Kevin Prue, the president and director of Prue Physical Therapy and Sports Performance in Cary, NC. While I am not a huge fan of new graduates opening their own clinic straight out of college Dr. Prue may have caused my thinking to take some baby steps in that direction. In this episode Dr. Prue and I discuss: * His process of creating his business and when he started that process (hint it was not after he graduated!). * The biggest successes he has had since opening the doors to his clinic. * The biggest challenges in his business and the steps he has taken to overcome them. * We go through a quick exercise to find his ideal client to help sharpen his marketing plan. This is something EVERYONE should do before they open a business. * How he differentiates his clinic from the others in his area. * His best advice for DPT students thinking about opening a PT business. * And much, much more! Dr. Prue's business is about to hit the one year mark and this interview is an honest look at what it takes to be a business owner with all of the highs and lows. Don't forget, it is hard work to own your own business, so if this is something you are thinking about doing at some point in your life be prepared to WORK! I would love to hear your thoughts on the pros and cons of starting a #CashPT business right out of school. Please leave a comment or tell me about on twitter here.

"We are still the same people we just have more equipment." - Kiel Eigen In honor of September being National Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month I was thrilled to interview Kiel Eigen. Kiel became paralyzed during a football game when he was in eighth grade, but like he says it does not stop him from living his life. I interviewed Kiel, along with his physical therapist Dr. Gina Tomassoni a few years ago after he completed a major milestone in his recovery. In this episode Kiel and I talk about: * His relationship with his physical and occupational therapists and how important that was for his recovery * The major milestone he accomplished while still in high school * How his life has changed since using a new wheelchair from Quantum Rehab * How the new wheelchair differs from others on the market * What Kiel does to keep in shape (you might be surprised) * What his plans are for the future As a physical therapist it is so important to know your client's point of view and life outside of their PT sessions. If you are not taking that into account I think you are definitely missing the boat and not doing your clients justice. The major takeaways from this podcast are to ask more questions, go beyond the traditional "goals" for your clients and understand their values. Once you know the values that mean the most to your client's only then can you make a comprehensive plan of care and make a major impact in their life.

The American Physical Therapy Association's vision statement is: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. This is an ambitious vision statement and I for one am OK with ambitious. Now comes the question: How do we do it? In today's episode I speak with Dr. Matthew Taylor about fostering creativity in rehabilitation and how incorporating creativity and compassion into our practice will help to transform our profession. It is important to transform the profession of physical therapy to move towards the vision statement of transforming society. In this episode we talk about: * How yoga has transformed Matthew's PT career. * What is yoga therapy and how does it differ from regular yoga. * The concept of creativity and how it fits into the practice of PT and wellness. * How can we transform society. * The 6 exercises for priming compassion. * And much more! This is a great conversation and I feel Matthew gives some concrete steps to help to transform you, the profession and finally society as a whole. So, please enjoy this episode and have a great week! Karen

In this episode I am thrilled to interview celebrity chef, author and filmmaker Charles Mattocks. Also known as "The Poor Chef" he has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Talk, CNN, Dr. Oz and Martha Stewart. He has also been recently featured at the TEDx conference in San Francisco. In this episode we talk about his newest project Trail By Fire, a movie about CRPS (chronic regional pain syndrome). CRPS is a very difficult diagnosis for the patient, family and caregivers and hopefully this film will bring more national/international attention to this diagnosis. In this interview we talk about: * His motivation behind making the movie. * What he learned from interviewing people living with CRPS. * His hope for Trial by Fire * Why he is so passionate about helping people living with CRPS (and diabetes). * What it is like to be a caregiver to someone living with CRPS. Charles is so passionate about getting the word out about CRPS and Trial by Fire is a powerful film from the patient's point of view. Often times as healthcare professionals we see the patient for short snippets of time in their lives. As a result we sometimes don’t get the "whole picture" of our patient and that is what I think Charles is doing with this film. I look forward to seeing the finished product!

In this episode I had the distinct pleasure to interview physical therapist, author and mentor Paul Potter. He is genuine, real, and truly wants the best for everyone in the profession of physical therapy. His new book On Fire: Ignite your Passion with a Cash Therapy Practice will be available on Tuesday September 8, 2015. If you are looking for honest, actionable advice on creating the right mindset for a cash based practice and then implementing a roadmap to your ideal business then this is the book for you! In this podcast Paul and I discuss: * Why there is a growing interest in the cash PT model. * Why Paul feels that being a physical therapist is a noble calling (of course I agree!). * What is the important link between your mindset and starting a practice. *The main reasons therapists are opting to start a cash PT model. * How running a successful cash PT business is like competing in a triathlon. * The 4 essential stages for business success...this is the roadmap! After listening to this episode I hope that you find your "why" for starting a cash PT business, begin to change your mindset, be firm in your calling as a physical therapist and finally start to plan out your roadmap for success! Do you want to get your hands on Paul's book On Fire? Check out the links below: Paul's website http://paulpotterpt.com Book landing page: http://paulpotterpt.com/onfirebook Amazon: On Fire:Ignite Your Passion with a Cash Therapy Practice Amazon: Cash Therapy Practice: Professional Freedom in the New Healthcare Economy Have a great week and thanks for listening. And remember if you like what you are hearing I would love for you to share this episode with friends/family and please leave a comment below to keep the conversation going! Also, please do leave a rating and/or review on iTunes! Thanks! Karen

"The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others." - Ghandi This great quote from Ghandi is perfect for this week's episode. Often times we find ourselves so entrenched in our own lives that we forget there is a whole world out there that can benefit from the unique skills we have to give. That is why I am so thankful for my quests in this week’s episode! Dr. Josh D’Angelo and Dr. Efosa Guobadia are physical therapists and the co-founders of the Global PT Day of Service. They are a breathe of fresh air and after listening to this podcast you are going to want them as your new BFFs! In this episode you will learn: · What inspired them to create the Global PT Day of Service (and it is a good one). · How their mutual friendship and respect for each other is a great example of how to live your life. · Their take on why PTs should be giving back to their communities and how it can help move your business forward. · Some examples of what they will be doing for the Global PT Day of Service. · Their vision for the future of the Global PT Day of Service. · How easy it is for you to get involved in the Global PT Day of Service. This was such an inspiring interview and I hope that after listening you head over to the Global PT Day of Service, sign up and get ready to be of service to the people in your community. I hear so often that people in our communities don’t know what physical therapy is and what we do for our clients/patients. Getting out there in the community and using our unique set of skills, meeting people in the community and being of service to others sounds like a great way to spread the word about physical therapy! “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth.” – Mohammed Ali

How can we bring life, liberty and the pursuit of independence to society? The American Physical Therapy Association's vision statement is: Transforming society by optimizing movement to improve the human experience. Dr. Cole Galloway and his team at the University of Delaware are taking this vision statement and making it into reality for children and adults with movement restrictions. His love for learning and helping is infectious! Developmental Psychologist and Pediatric researcher James “Cole” Galloway thinks differently about the role of self-motivated mobility in shaping who we are in early life. As Co-Director of the Pediatric Mobility Lab and Design Studio and Professor at the University of Delaware, he invents assistive devices for children with motor impairments. His approach of combining high tech and low tech—or “go tech”—to restore physical independence and its neurodevelopmental consequences for disabled children has garnered the interest and funding of the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, the Dept of Education, the assistive technology industry and the toy industry. I first saw Dr. Galloway speak at the TEDMED conference in 2014 where I was introduced to Go Baby Go. To watch his TEDMED talk click here: In this episode you will learn: · Dr. Galloway’s journey from PT to Phd to his remarkable work at the University of Delaware. · The importance of clear communication for researchers and clinicians when it comes to complex concepts. · How do you communicate in writing these complex concepts: get a step-by-step guide based on the work of Esther Thelen. · Why you need to step out of your comfort zone and your profession to succeed in innovation. · What is Go Baby Go, how was the program created, and where is it going? · How can body weight harnesses be used for work and home for patients with movement disorders? · Why it so important for physical therapists to lead the charge to help society move! This was a fun and inspiring interview that if nothing else will have you up and moving….and maybe get you to think outside of the box on ways help others to move as well. Thank you for listening and have a great week! Karen

As many of you know one of the biggest downsides of secondary education is the staggering amount of student loan debt. This rate of student loan debt has increased substantially over the years so many millennials are especially mired in debt before they even start their first job. I know first hand this can feel very overwhelming and quite frankly a little depressing. I asked you (the audience) what questions you had for Bridget and I am so excited to bring you all the answers in this episode. Bridget Casey is the author and creator of the financial blog Money After Graduation. She has an undergraduate degree in Chemistry and an MBA in finance. She is a passionate millennial on a mission to help others pay down their student debt and start investing the right way! Bridget is also offering a FREE eCourse called the Debt Crusher eCourse that you can enroll in here. In this episode Bridget and I discuss: * When should you consolidate your student loan debt * What is her best advice for someone graduating with close to $100,000 in debt and starting with a job that pays around $60,000-$70,000 per year. * The difference between having a personal finance advisor vs. online companies (like Learn Vest) for meeting your financial goals. * Should your income go to paying off your student loan debt or investing (such a common question) * Should you start paying off your student debt while still in school * Strategies for paying off student loan debt fast. Thank you all for the great questions! This episode is sure to answer those questions and get you on the right path for investing and a plan for paying off those student loans! Thanks for listening and have a great week! Karen

Pain is an epidemic in so many countries around the world and physical therapists are uniquely qualified to be front line practitioners to help to quell this epidemic. This episode will give you more information about how you as a healthcare worker can begin to tackle pain and create a safe place for your patients to excel. In this episode I sit down with physical therapy and Phd candidate Dr. Eric Kruger. Eric and I have known each for a few years and it was great to sit down and talk with him about his decision to go back to school for his Phd and all things pain and psychology. In this episode you will hear: * How his studies in applied experimental psychology changed his personal perception of pain. * How has his coursework changed the way he would treat his patients in future. * The importance of motivational interviewing. * The importance of our expressions and behaviors as clinicians and how they may influence our patient's pain (positive or negative). * How can we change the narrative around pain for our patients. * How can we as practitioners help our patients plot a course through the uncertainty of pain. * What is valued living for the patient. What is the difference between a value and a goal. * How can we properly build a solid foundation to treat our patients in pain. * The importance of collaboration with mental health practitioners in the PT world. * Why being like Ray Donovan or Olivia Pope might not be the best way to practice PT. Eric is so relaxed and thoughtful with his responses it makes it very easy to learn from him and stay engaged with his thought process. This was a fun interview so I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! Have a great week, Karen

I get a lot of questions from physical therapists and PT students from around the country about creating and ultimately running a successful cash PT business. I thought I would use a couple of podcast episodes to answer some of those questions. In this first part of the cash PT series I discuss how to set yourself up for success in the cash PT model. In this episode you will learn: * How to create a solid foundation for a successful business. * What are the three P's and how can they direct your business. * The importance of your business website. * What questions should you or your client ask to the insurance company. * What information needs to be on your superbill. * How to determine your fees. * Tips for working in a home health model. Like I said above this is the first part in a series of podcasts about the cash PT model. Be sure to stay tuned for more practical information on running a successful cash PT business. If you like what you are hearing then be sure to leave a good rating and a review on iTunes and share with your friends and family! Have a great week! Karen