Coaching Over Mentoring, Language That Heals, and Leading in the AI Era

What does it really mean to be a leader in today’s complex healthcare world? In this conversation, Jimmy McKay sits down with two long-time friends and leadership pros — JJ and Lucas — to challenge outdated leadership myths and offer a roadmap for leading with empathy, clarity, and impact.

Whether you're a clinic owner, healthcare manager, or a PT looking to step into more responsibility, this episode breaks down the shift from old-school top-down authority to human-centered leadership that actually works.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why mentorship might be holding you back, and how coaching is the unlock for growth
• A powerful story from the FDNY that reshaped Jimmy’s view of leadership
• The real impact of your words in clinical care — and how most PTs are unintentionally digging emotional holes
• Why stealing from other industries (hospitality, venture capital, tech) is crucial for innovation in PT
• How to think about AI as a force multiplier instead of a threat
• What JJ means by: “The future will reward people who are uncomfortable in the right ways”

This episode will leave you thinking differently about how you lead, speak, and grow in your career — and it might just spark the shift you didn’t know you needed.

Guests: J.J. Kuczynski and Lucas VanEtten