PT Pintcast - Physical Therapy

Guest: Dave Kittle, DPT

In this episode, Jimmy McKay sits down with podcasting legend Dave Jackson of School of Podcasting to answer a key question for healthcare providers and clinic owners: Is podcasting worth it if your show is small?

Dave shares insights from nearly 20 years of podcasting experience, including:

Heidi Jannenga returns to PT Pintcast to break down the 10th annual State of Rehab Therapy Report. This year’s conversation covers the bright spots—like salary growth and the increased adoption of hybrid care—and the hard truths about burnout, job-hopping, and the pressure on clinic margins. Heidi also shares how AI is already reshaping clinical workflows and why hybrid care will likely become the new standard.

We also spotlight the work of the Rising Tide Foundation, which is helping bring more diverse students into the PT profession with scholarships, networking, and mentorship.

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In this value-packed episode, host Jimmy McKay sits down with Aaron LeBauer, a leading voice in the cash-based physical therapy world, to bust myths, challenge industry assumptions, and unpack what actually works when building a profitable PT business today. They cover the evolution of PT opportunities post-pandemic, how to position your services in a shifting economy, pricing strategies, the reality of insurance limitations, and why creating genuine value always trumps traditional pathways.

Whether you’re a new grad or a seasoned PT, this episode will reshape the way you think about the future of ph...

In this episode, Kayla breaks down how JAG Physical Therapy scaled from 2 locations to over 160 — and the marketing strategy behind it.

We cover:

Episode Highlights:

Aaron Bauer joins the show to unpack the evolution of AI scribes in physical therapy. He explains how ambient AI tools like Athelas AI Scribe are reducing documentation time, increasing note quality, and making patient care more efficient — all while staying HIPAA compliant. Whether you're tech-savvy or hesitant, Aaron breaks down how easy it is to implement AI into your workflow and the surprising benefits you might not expect.

Key Topics:

Aaron Bauer joins the show to unpack the evolution of AI scribes in physical therapy. He explains how ambient AI tools like Athelas AI Scribe are reducing documentation time, increasing note quality, and making patient care more efficient — all while staying HIPAA compliant. Whether you're tech-savvy or hesitant, Aaron breaks down how easy it is to implement AI into your workflow and the surprising benefits you might not expect.

Key Topics:

What if a single Instagram post led to your next top referral partner? In this episode, Jimmy McKay is joined by Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato to break down the power of real patient content, community trust, and creating before you’re “ready.” You’ll hear how a free golden ticket visit turned into a viral story and why content is the gateway to opportunity — even if no one’s watching (yet). Plus, how AI is helping therapists reduce cognitive load and focus more on patient care.

Resources & Links:

What if your clinic could generate an extra $10K–$20K per month—legally and sustainably—without seeing more patients or hiring more staff?

That’s the question today’s guest, Chad O from Thrive Med, is answering for physical therapists and clinic owners looking to break out of the hamster wheel of healthcare. The Thrive Med model helps outpatient rehab clinics integrate ultrasound-guided trigger point therapy, dry needling, and other medically billable services into their existing workflow—even in states like New York where PTs can’t perform them directly. 

Joshua Brieighner, founder of Walk in New York, joins the show to reveal how his neurorehab clinic in Midtown Manhattan is breaking down barriers in access to cutting-edge rehab technology. From robotic exoskeletons to sustainable market access strategies, Joshua explains how tech can drive evidence-based care—not just look impressive.

We dive into:

This episode is essential for PT...

In this no-holds-barred discussion, Jimmy McKay sits down with Tony Maritato and Dave Kittle to ask a question most PTs avoid: is operating like a “mill” really that bad? They break down the realities of modern reimbursement, how patients actually perceive care models, and what savvy clinic owners can do today to thrive — even in a crowded system.

Topics Covered:

What does it take to keep Broadway performers injury-free and on stage? Marissa Schaefer, PT and founder of FlySpace in NYC, joins Jimmy to unpack the challenges of performer rehab and why most PT models aren’t built for this level of demand.

We talk about the “reactive” care systems that dominate the industry, the concept of reconditioning after injury, and how PTs can better serve high-performance artists.

Topics Covered:

In this episode of PT Pintcast, Jimmy McKay talks with Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato about the cutting edge of physical therapy and healthcare delivery:

In this episode, the PT Pintcast crew — Jimmy, Dave Kittle, and Tony Maritato — unpack the difference between what PTs do and what they sell. Spoiler: It’s not shockwave therapy. From leveraging emotional branding to avoiding compliance pitfalls, this is the episode every growth-minded clinic owner needs.

Topics Covered:

Connect wi...

From prototyping with elastic straps to running a multi-product health tech company, Shon Harker is redefining what it means to “build better rehab.”

In this episode, we explore how he creates safer treadmills, gait-retraining tools, and functional resistance systems — all grounded in real-world clinical needs. He breaks down how motorless treadmills reprogram movement, the power of walking in neuroplasticity, and why execution always beats ideas.

Guest: Shon Harker

CEO & Founder, Innovator of multiple rehab and training systems

What can healthcare learn from LEGO?

Original Airdate: Oct. 17, 2022

Will Butler is a physical therapist turned financial advisor on a mission to change healthcare by improving the lives of clinicians through financial education and planning.

Episode Takeaways

Three Questions

Physical therapists, clinic owners, and healthcare innovators—this one’s for you.

In this episode of PT Pintcast, we’re calling out the BS behind long hospital waitlists and helping private practice PTs cut through the noise. If you’ve ever wondered how to build a patient base from scratch, market to people who are actually motivated, or show up on social media with value — this one’s for you.

You’ll learn:

Tony Maritato and Dave Kittle return to PT Pintcast with a deep (and hilarious) dive into the future of physical therapy, AI’s role in care, and how clinicians can thrive by adapting—not resisting.

In this episode, we dismantle the traditional content grind and replace it with a Netflix-inspired approach to content creation for clinics. Jimmy, Tony Maritato, and Dave Kittle riff on wild ideas — from pirate therapy and PT on oil rigs, to BYOB group therapy and recruiting with Casey Neistat-style vlogs.

What You’ll Learn:

Burnout, billing chaos, and low reimbursement are crushing PT clinics — but it doesn’t have to be that way. In this episode, Jimmy is joined by Aaron Bauer and Averil Sutcharfrom Athelas, a tech-first company tackling healthcare’s toughest problems using real-time data, automation, and AI.

They share their journeys from practicing PTs to clinic advisors, and how they’re helping teams reclaim time, improve margins, and actually enjoy patient care again.

In This Episode:

In this bold and future-focused PT Breakfast Club, Jimmy, Dave, and Tony tackle debt, growth, AI, and intake innovation in physical therapy. From how to buy a practice using only $50K, to why patient forms need a serious AI upgrade, this episode hits hard on what matters now — and what’s coming next.

In This Episode:

In this episode, Jeremy DuPont from Patch System shares why blasting your email list is a fast track to losing trust — and what to do instead. We discuss reactivation campaigns, the importance of showing up in the inbox with value, and why today's clinic owners have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build practices with real enterprise value.

Topics Covered:

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This week’s conversation pulls no punches: it’s time to stop waiting for someone to save your PT career. If you’re not embracing change, building tech literacy, and developing self-awareness, you’re falling behind.

We cover:

Former professional pitcher Justin Stiver shares his journey from the minor leagues to physical therapy entrepreneurship — scaling from 1 to 7 clinics, developing a mobile therapy team, and building a powerful real estate portfolio along the way.

In this episode, you'll hear:

Guest Resources:

Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato go all in on the real issues PTs face in 2025: burnout, bureaucracy, and whether your license is actually worth it anymore. This is a raw, transparent conversation for clinicians fed up with “check-the-box” education and broken billing expectations.

In this jam-packed episode, the trio of Jimmy, Dave, and Tony break down key financial, operational, and strategic considerations for PT clinic owners. Whether you're hiring, optimizing, or acquiring — you'll walk away smarter.

Featured Guests:

Cody, a physical therapist turned business development lead at a rehab tech startup, shares his winding and inspirational path through full-time clinical care, entrepreneurship, concierge PT, and global service work. From launching the Rise & Walk—a game-changing neuro rehab tool—to surfing and treating patients in El Salvador, Cody embodies the spirit of "helping without the table."

Feeling stuck or burned out in your physical therapy career? You're not alone — and you're not without options. In this episode, we talk with Cody about how service trips, career pivots, and blending clinical skills with entrepreneurship helped him design a career that reignited his passion for PT. If you're wondering if you can love being a PT again — or if you can change without quitting — this one's for you.

This week on PT Pintcast, Jimmy McKay sits down with Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato to tackle one of the biggest questions facing physical therapists today: Should you go big, go solo, or go home?

We explore the real differences between working in corporate PT chains vs. independent practices. Plus, we highlight how organizations like Fox Rehab scaled without losing their culture — and why that’s the key to long-term retention and success.

Topics covered:

Many physical therapists and PTAs hit a career crossroads—burnout, stagnation, or the itch to try something new. In this episode, Jimmy and Katie Sutton from PTA+ podcast walk through a 4-question framework inspired by James Clear to help you rethink your next move.

If you’ve ever asked yourself: "What else can I do with my skills?" or "Am I stuck in this role forever?" — this episode is for you.

Will Humphreys shares how PTs and clinic owners can grow sustainably by embracing virtual assistants and redefining leadership as service. From avoiding hiring mistakes to leveraging social media and podcasting for recruiting, this episode is packed with practical advice, personal stories, and business insights that speak directly to the PT profession’s evolving landscape.

Links & Resources:

NASA PT Danielle Anderson and strength coach Corey Twine give us an inside look at how they train and protect astronauts before, during, and after missions. From heart rate monitoring to resistance training in space, they break down the science behind keeping the human body strong when gravity is gone.

Topics Covered:

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In this episode, real estate expert Colin Carr joins the show to share hard-won insights from helping over 5,500 healthcare providers negotiate their real estate deals.

If you think you can DIY your next lease or purchase, this episode will change your mind.

What You’ll Learn:

Connect with Colin Carr:

In this episode of PT Pintcast, Jimmy McKay is joined by Dave Kittle to talk about rethinking how physical therapy clinics market, grow, and make financial decisions. From building community “challenge” events to uncovering hidden financial inefficiencies, this episode is a tactical roadmap for clinic owners.

We cover:

Tools & resources mentioned:

Steve Anderson returns to share his 10 favorite leadership lessons from over 230 episodes of his Profiles in Leadership podcast. From Navy SEALs to musicians, these stories show how the best leaders think, serve, and grow. You’ll hear what separates good from great, how ego gets in the way, and what it really means to build culture — in clinics, companies, and teams.

Topics Covered:

If you're a physical therapist, clinic owner, or healthcare leader looking for fresh mindset shifts, this Star Wars-inspired episode will hit you harder than a Wookiee hug. Jimmy and Dr. Rebecca Griffith break down seven iconic Star Wars quotes and translate them into practical leadership, mindset, and patient care strategies — all through a PT lens.

In this inspiring 10-year reunion episode, Ben Fung returns to reflect on the evolution of the PT profession — and what physical therapists and healthcare professionals MUST prioritize to thrive in 2025 and beyond. From wage literacy and career versatility to boardroom insights and the importance of work-life balance, this episode delivers clear, actionable advice for any PT looking to grow a rewarding career.

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