Listen

Episode Highlights: Referral Insights: Clinicians share why asking outright—or subtly—for referrals is crucial, and how patient follow-up (calls/emails) prompts results. Role-playing helps staff find comfortable scripts. Therapist Conviction: Healing effectiveness increases when clinicians genuinely believe in interventions—conviction influences patient decisions. GPT‑Generated Scripts: Leverage AI tools (like ChatGPT) using persuasive frameworks (Hormozi, Cialdini) to generate patient-friendl...

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: The difference between ChatGPT and true ambient AI W...

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: The difference between ChatGPT and true ambient AI W...

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 & Lin...

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 ...

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: What neuroplasticity-first technology looks like How PTs can align tech adoption with hospital KPIs Why underutilized tools are your best starti...

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: Clinic scheduling & reimbursement challenges Perception vs. reality: What “mill” clinics get right (and wrong) The power of telehea...

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: A day in the life of a Broadway performer The biggest gaps in perform...

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: What Apple’s new AI coaching platform means for PTs How behavioral science is changing patient engagement Why some of the most forward-thinking PT clinics don’t take students What defines a PT mill, and why the profession needs a clearer answer How remote monitoring and storytelling can shape better outcomes

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: How De Beers built billion-dollar meaning — and what PTs can learn from it Why “primary care PT” might be a branding trap How clinics like Rehab 2 Perform show (not tell) the...

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 o...

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 A story of football and financial planning Types of disability insurance A financial instrument reviews for perspective and confidence Money matters to all adults Three Questions Who is someone the audience should follow to learn more about today’s topic? Instagram ac...

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: How to create patient-focused content before you even treat your first client The psychology of pain, urgency, and price in physical therapy Why direct access and s...

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: How to structure content seasons that actually drive business Why “day-in-the-life” videos may be the best recruiting tool no one is using The psychology behind clinic ...

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: Why most PTs are do...

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: Debt as leverage vs debt as risk Buying vs building a PT practice Should students still go $100K+ into debt for a DPT? Why “clipboard intake” needs to die Using AI to person...

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: Why quality beats quantity in modern marketing How to win with patient reactivation campaigns Why "referrals" are marketing How ...

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: The top skills for healthcare professionals by 2030 Why “manual dexterity” is losing importance How to build career resilience starting NOW Using AI like ChatGPT as a clinical ally One unforgettable quote: "You're the boat. Start swimming."

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: How sports psychology shaped Justin’s leadership philosophy What lessons from baseball helped him scale quickly Why buying real estate can be a game-changer for practice owners How to know when it's time to open a seco...

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: