Breakthrough Pt Marketing Podcast With Chad Madden

In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down the real playbook for rolling out cash pay services inside a private practice. He shares how his team 6x’d cash pay revenue, the three-step promotion strategy that works, and why clinician confidence matters more than most owners realize. You’ll also hear real numbers from laser, HBOT, and reactivation campaigns so you can see what successful implementation looks like. If you’re trying to grow profitability, help more patients, and reduce dependence on insurance reimbursement, this episode gives you a practical roadmap.Time Stamps 00:00 - Welcome and Why Cash Pay Matters Now 00:24 - The Shift from “Should We?” to “How Do We Do It?” 01:34 - The 3 Ways to Promote Cash Pay Services 02:15 - How Existing Patients Drive Early Cash Pay Success 04:31 - Reactivating Past Patients with Offers and Promotions 07:54 - Using Paid Ads for Cash Pay Services the Right Way 11:36 - Case Studies, Evidence, and Clinician Buy-In 17:06 - Hiring for Cash Pay Confidence and Sales Competency 20

In this episode, Chad Madden gives a preview of the upcoming Breakthrough Virtual Summit: State of PT: The New Rules of Private Practice Growth in 2026. He shares what practice owners can expect, from reimbursement challenges and AI to cash-based services, compliance, team building, and practice valuation. If you own or lead a private practice, this free event is designed to help you navigate industry changes and grow with confidence. Check the show notes for the registration link and save your spot.Register now: https://getbreakthrough.com/2026-virtual-summit/Time Stamps00:00 - Welcome to Grow Your Practice00:21 - Free virtual summit announcement for PT owners01:15 - State of PT: reimbursement, hiring, AI, and automation01:33 - Paul Welk on practice exits and valuation playbooks03:02 - Systems, scaling, and operations with Tim Dwire03:23 - Cash service sales and packaging with Doug Adams04:20 - Compliance and uncovered billing with Mary DaLong04:59 - Team building, mindset, front desk, and growth strategies0

In this episode, Chad Madden shares the behind-the-scenes origin story of Breakthrough—starting with a cold email in 2012 and a call with Carl Mattiola (then at Tesla). You’ll hear how private practice marketing evolved as physician referrals declined, and why direct-to-consumer strategy became essential. Chad breaks down the shift from courses and newsletters to a unified, three-channel marketing system built for private practice growth. Subscribe for weekly best practices to help you grow your clinic with more time and financial freedom. If marketing feels complicated and your schedule isn’t as full as it should be, Breakthrough gives you a simple, proven system to attract and follow up with new patients automatically—book a demo here: https://getbreakthrough.com/demo 00:00 - Welcome to Grow Your Practice 00:21 - Why this episode: the Breakthrough origin story 01:02 - 2008–2013: physician referrals decline & the push to DTC marketing 03:44 - The cold email that started it all (November 2012) 05:41 - Car

Private practice owners: feeling stuck in the clinic and stretched thin? In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, host Chad Madden interviews Jamey Schrier on moving from burned-out clinician to true business owner. You’ll hear the pivotal moments (including a literal clinic fire), the mindset shifts around identity and ego, and a practical first step to reclaim your time. If you want a self-sustaining PT practice that doesn’t require you every day, this one’s for you.If marketing feels complicated and your schedule isn’t as full as it should be, Breakthrough gives you a simple, proven system to attract and follow up with new patients automatically—book a demo here: https://getbreakthrough.com/demo00:00 - Welcome & guest intro02:30 - The fire that forced a reset05:45 - Personal low points: stress, family, and wake-up calls12:10 - Stages of a practice: clinician → operator → entrepreneur14:50 - First step out of the trap: the “activity organizer”17:45 - Ego, identity & letting go of control29

Chad breaks down the 2026 state of private practice across four pillars: people, finance, operations, and marketing. You’ll hear hard numbers on the DPT shortage and debt, why reimbursement + inflation equals a ~29% hit since 2019, and how cash-pay services are stabilizing margins and improving outcomes. He also shares systems to streamline ops and a playbook for always-on marketing—even when you’ve got a waitlist. Subscribe for weekly strategies to grow a resilient, patient-first practice.Timestamps00:00 - Welcome & why this matters00:44 - The four pillars of private practice03:00 - People: DPT shortage, debt & salaries09:05 - Finance: fee schedule declines & the 29% squeeze15:04 - Cash-pay services: what works and real numbers20:55 - Team buy-in & rollout pitfalls22:36 - Systems/ops: EMR, integrations & AI24:28 - Marketing evolution, reactivations & waitlist trap30:50 - Key takeaways & next steps

Most PT owners outgrow word-of-mouth long before they build a true demand engine. In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down the five levels of marketing awareness—from “I don’t need marketing” to running a predictable patient pipeline—and shows how to pick the right next step for your stage. You’ll learn where most clinics stall, how to avoid the DIY trap, and what a unified system looks like when it’s working.

Chad Madden sits down with Dr. Ben England, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, to break down why adding treatment technology (laser, shockwave, direct current, dry needling, HBOT) isn’t a fad—it’s what today’s patients expect. We cover how to roll out cash-pay services, pricing, ROI, and the mindset shift clinicians need to recommend ethically and confidently. Ben also shares a turnaround story and how mentorship/accountability accelerate growth. Value-packed for private practice owners and clinicians who want better outcomes and better business.YouTube Timestamps00:00 - Intro & Ben’s PT origin story03:00 - From hospital to private practice to all-cash05:20 - Why patients want tech now (AI, biohacking, expectations)07:45 - Rolling out cash-pay tech: training, pitfalls, integrity selling10:50 - Evidence behind direct current, lasers & e-stim (Ben’s paper)14:30 - Overcoming “sales prevention” and dosing mistakes17:25 - ROI math, scheduling devices, and first-visit trials23:40 - Mentorship, accountability, and building t

Private practice builder Ryan Christoff joins Chad Madden to unpack how he grew from one clinic to 26 in Western PA. He shares the two books that shaped his mindset, the sub-$500 tool that moved the needle, and the painful expansion mistake that became a turning point. You’ll hear practical hiring and retention tactics, why “foot on the gas” matters, and how AI will reshape scheduling, authorizations, and collections. Watch if you want battle-tested strategies to grow your PT practice and protect your time.Timestamps00:00 - Intro & why Ryan’s a special guest01:18 - From one clinic to 26: Ryan’s background02:52 - Game-changing books: The Strangest Secret & Rich Dad Poor Dad04:24 - Best sub-$500 tool: two-way texting for D2C & reactivations05:48 - Biggest mistake opening a clinic—and the turnaround08:30 - Mantra: “Keep your foot on the gas”09:32 - Best investment: time to think, partner smart, win-win deals10:46 - Unconventional review process: staff self-assess wins & teamwork12:18 - New mindse

Chad Madden and Dr. Ben Fung break down the behaviors that keep schedules full and graduation rates near 100%—from “left/right-brain” patient communication to always ending each visit on a win. They unpack UpDoc’s Corporate Quality Index (CQI), including intention-to-stay thresholds that predict retention, and why soft skills and on-stage presence matter. You’ll hear practical cues you can deploy tomorrow, plus a book rec that reframes patient experience through behavioral science.If this helped, subscribe for more PT business and leadership insights.Timestamps00:00 – Why engaged patients graduate (and refer)03:12 – Production goals vs. visits/units: keeping the schedule full07:45 – Left- vs. right-brained patient communication (numbers vs. function)12:10 – “End on a win”: structuring sessions for momentum18:20 – What is the Corporate Quality Index (CQI)?23:05 – Intention-to-stay thresholds & spotting flight risk28:40 – Soft skills, stage presence & micro-behaviors that matter33:15 – Resources, contac

PT owner Chad Madden sits down with industry veteran Bob Kowalick to unpack what it really takes to scale beyond yourself. They cover the #1 book that shaped Bob’s approach, painful (and expensive) lessons on “trust but verify,” and why data. not opinions, must drive your systems. You’ll hear how to invest in yourself, innovate through experimentation, and the coming shift to PTs owning musculoskeletal health management. If you find this valuable, subscribe for more practice-growth playbooks.Time Stamps00:00 - Intro & guest setup01:21 - The #1 book for scaling: Scale (Hoffman & Finkel)06:11 - Biggest failure: trust—but verify (billing & IP lessons)12:25 - Best investment: invest in yourself13:12 - Unconventional edge: innovate & experiment15:31 - What changed most in 5 years: data as foundation16:43 - Advice to new PT owners (2024 realities)24:28 - Bonus trend: PTs owning musculoskeletal healthBook a free demo call and get a behind-the-scenes look at the exact systems, tools, and frameworks Ch

Thinking about buying or merging with another private practice? In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down an 8-step checklist to value a practice correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and de-risk your acquisition. You’ll learn how to assess owner dependency, calculate value using EBITDA × a fair multiple, run airtight due diligence, and spot red flags before you sign. Plus: when opening de novo beats buying, and how to plan for integration and diversified referrals. Grab the free checklist in the show notes and apply it to your next deal.Time Stamps00:00 - Intro & why acquisitions matter02:01 - Step 1: Seller transition plan & owner dependency04:36 - Step 2: Valuation the right way—EBITDA × multiple (not revenue)10:02 - Step 3: Due diligence & legal compliance essentials11:55 - Step 4: Referral source concentration risk14:17 - Step 5: Equipment, space & lease terms15:00 - Step 6–7: Don’t pay for your own advantages + bring experts17:13 - Step 8: Deal framework, ROI targets & key red flagsBook a

Learn the four levels of private practice owners using AI—from “minor leaguer” to “hall of famer”—and see exactly how PT leaders are hiring faster, filling schedules, and building smarter systems. We cover real examples (hiring ads that 200× results, cash-based promos with RunDNA, payer rate negotiations, and RCM wins) plus a simple path to level up. If shrinking margins and rising costs are squeezing you, this breakdown shows where you are now and what to do next.Free Virtual Summit: Automate Your Practice with AI on October 21, 2025 https://offer.getbreakthrough.com/2025-ai-summitTimestamps00:00 - Why AI levels matter for PT owners01:05 - The 4-level framework (Minor → Major → All-Star → Hall of Famer)02:18 - Level 1: Minor Leaguer—AI as “fancy search” & box-checking05:26 - Level 2: Major Leaguer—fear, time scarcity & the profit squeeze10:42 - Case studies: 200× hiring ads, RunDNA email lift14:40 - Level 3: All-Star—weekly practice, team adoption & 30-minute funnels18:54 - Level 4: Hall of Famer

Private practice owner Justin Pezick of Orthopedics Plus shares how he went from “nice-sounding” job posts to high-converting, principle-driven ads using AI—boosting applicants from 2–3/week to 4–5/day. We cover purpose → principles → process, translating work-life balance into concrete policies, and smart prompt engineering to avoid fluff and hallucinations. You’ll also hear how leadership work (Table Group, Sinek/Lencioni) shaped their culture and retention.Grab Justin’s 73-page hiring playbook https://drive.google.com/file/d/14Uv8CT_XdP8tRwyG3lpFNxXcJ7emIuEb/view?usp=sharingTimestamps00:00 – Intro: Justin + Orthopedics Plus02:28 – From “nice” ads to data-backed job posts04:18 – What candidates actually want (WebPT insights)09:54 – Purpose → Principles → Process (start with WHY)12:27 – Operationalizing work-life balance (real policies)15:35 – Results: 2–3/week → 4–5/day applicants19:33 – Investing in leadership; breaking silos (Table Group)33:35 – How to contact Justin + where to get the PDFBook a free demo

Chad Madden sits down with DPTs Brenna Strawser & Christian Grove to unpack the simple, repeatable systems behind 500+ Google reviews and months of 100% graduation rates. You’ll hear the exact “ask” script, how to use QR codes at discharge, proactive scheduling to keep caseloads full, and empathy-driven communication that boosts outcomes. Perfect for private practice owners and clinical leaders who want full schedules and raving fans.Time Stamps02:22 - Why Google reviews matter + monthly clinic challenge03:59 - The step-by-step review “ask” (QR codes, standing beside, troubleshooting)08:50 - Balancing production & relationships; graduation rate as a quality metric10:25 - “End strong” & future pacing: shaping patient memory between visits13:55 - Proactive scheduling to prevent doubles/triples and keep care high-quality15:48 - Empathy & adaptability: numbers vs. narratives; revamping on plateaus20:07 - Lessons from travel/SNF and mentoring new grads; book recs & close

Chad Madden is joined by five-time guest Doug Adams (Omega Project & RunDNA). Doug shares the books, systems, and mindset shifts that helped him avoid burnout, build high-value care, and scale through people and processes. You’ll learn a clever $200 marketing play, why specialization wins, and how to run a weekly “board meeting” at home to keep life and practice aligned.Enjoy the episode? Subscribe, drop a comment with your biggest takeaway, and share with a fellow practice owner!Timestamps00:00 – Welcome & Titans series setup02:18 – Books: Atomic Habits, Start with Why, StoryBrand05:32 – $200 business cards → discovery sessions & ROI09:08 – Burnout to breakthrough: systems & boundaries15:06 – Mantra: “Fail to plan, plan to fail”16:16 – Best investment: developing your team17:19 – Weekly home “board meeting” planning system32:51 – Trends: AI, consolidation & the case for specialization

In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden welcomes back Doug Adams from RunDNA and the Omega Project to discuss how gait and running analysis is revolutionizing physical therapy clinics. Discover how incorporating cutting-edge gait analysis can enhance patient outcomes, differentiate your clinic, and increase revenue through cash-based services. Learn from real-world success stories, marketing strategies, and the mindset shifts clinicians need to embrace value-based care.Learn more: https://www.rundna.comTimestamps:00:00 - Introduction and success story02:11 - What is RunDNA and how it started04:50 - Real-life example of immediate results using gait analysis06:28 - The need for gait analysis in today's PT landscape08:43 - Chili's analogy and value-based services11:27 - First steps for adding cash-based services14:07 - The mindset shift: Want vs Should17:53 - Revenue impact and champion clinicians20:29 - Market alignment and misalignment24:05 - Strategic partnerships with running stores27:

Feeling stuck with low margins—even when your clinic is full? You’re not alone. In this video, Chad Madden walks through why most private practice owners feel powerless to improve their payer mix and how small strategic changes can add $60K+ in monthly profit without adding more patients or staff.You’ll learn the Quantity → Quality → Viability framework, real examples from clinics across the country, and five specific ways to start attracting better payers today.00:00 – The most common profitability problem for busy practices01:15 – Why improving your payer mix matters more than you think03:00 – The power of adding just $5 per visit05:00 – Breaking the myth: Higher revenue ≠ higher costs06:45 – National trends: declining reimbursements, rising costs08:00 – The framework: Quantity → Quality → Viability10:00 – How to identify your best payers11:30 – 5 Patient Pathways to influence your payer mix  • 11:45 – Reactivations (target your best payers)  • 13:10 – Word of mouth & physician referrals  • 13:50 – Empl

In this episode, Chad Madden interviews Chandler Bolt, founder of SelfPublishing.com, on how private practice owners can use a book to grow their business. Chandler shares how he went from failed startup to publishing over 7,000 books and explains why a book is the best marketing asset for attracting leads, building authority, and generating referrals. If you're a practice owner looking to stand out, this episode is your roadmap.

Chad Madden sits down with Lisa Flexner, founder of Flex Health Consulting, to talk about her surprising journey from tech and executive coaching to becoming a physical therapist—and how a broken shoulder led to a career transformation.Lisa shares her insights on building people-centered practices, preventing burnout, and why culture—not marketing or operations—is the foundation of every successful clinic. She breaks down why Gen Z isn’t the problem, how to attract and retain great clinicians, and what practice owners can do to create lasting impact.

Want to improve patient outcomes, increase referrals, and make your marketing way more effective without spending a dime?In this episode, we break down the Graduation Rate Audit — a simple but powerful tool every private practice physical therapist should be using. Learn how one clinician went from a 40% to over 80% graduation rate in just 90 days, and why having your clinicians run this themselves creates lasting behavior change.Download the Audit Sheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VKS4P1uviyUuDi_to6Pk_CWggxX3-mtg