Breakthrough Pt Marketing Podcast With Chad Madden

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

In this episode, Chad Madden talks with Dr. Kevin Christie about how chiropractors and physical therapists can grow their practices using content marketing that builds trust, not pressure.Whether you're insurance-based or cash-based, this episode covers how to position yourself as a local expert and turn educational content into consistent patient growth.Book mentioned: Epic Content Marketing

Do you ever wonder why your profit says one thing—but your bank account says another?In this episode, Chad Madden sits down with Sean Healy, founder of Accounted4 LLC, to break down:-Why profit isn’t the best way to measure your practice's health-How to understand cash flow (without being an accountant)-The top 2 predictive metrics every PT owner should track-Why your balance sheet is more important than your P&L-What to clean up before selling your practice-Smart ways to use AI and automation to protect your bottom line

In this episode of the Grow Your Practice Podcast, host Chad Madden sits down with physical therapist and Lake Washington PT founder Ben Wobker to talk about one of the hottest issues in private practice: hiring.Ben reveals his data-backed approach to attracting, hiring, and retaining top DPT grads—even during a nationwide staffing shortage. Learn how he uses a “draft board” system to nurture warm leads, mentors PT students years before they graduate, and leverages technology like AI scribes to create a clinic culture that wins the talent war.Whether you’re struggling to recruit your next hire or looking to strengthen retention, this is a must-listen conversation with practical strategies you can implement today.If you’re ready to simplify your hiring, boost staff retention, and grow your practice—schedule a free demo of Breakthrough today at https://getbreakthrough.com/demo⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Wakeboarding and wake-surfing with Ben01:10 – The PT shortage: Why hiring is harder than ever02:00 –

In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden dives deep into the foundational principles every private practice owner needs to scale sustainably, starting with clearly defined core values. If you’ve struggled with hiring, team alignment, or culture drift, you’ll want to take notes. Chad breaks down the “Planning Pyramid,” showing how to connect your daily accountability to your 10-25 year vision. You’ll learn how to identify and codify core values that attract A-players and repel toxic team members, plus how to build hiring scorecards that get results. Whether you're aiming for your first million or your hundredth, this episode sets the stage for lasting growth.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Part 2 of the $100 Million Practice Series00:30

In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden sits down with Neil Trickett—former private practice owner and founder of Practice Promotions—to uncover what the top 10% of physical therapy clinics are doing to thrive in today’s competitive healthcare market. Neil shares his journey from running a seven-figure clinic to building one of the industry’s leading marketing agencies. Together, they dive deep into the common traps practice owners fall into, how to stabilize patient flow, and why marketing is the engine that drives everything from hiring to profitability. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies from Neil’s “Market to Grow” system, insights into what sets high-performing clinics apart, and a renewed focus on leveraging marketing to take control of your clinic’s future.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability,

In this powerful solo episode, Chad dives deep into the concept of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)—a strategic visioning tool popularized by Jim Collins. Whether you're a solo practice owner or leading multiple locations, Chad explains why setting a bold, long-term goal can transform your business, align your team, and reignite your purpose. He shares personal stories from building his $20M+ practice, his challenges, and the exact framework you can use to craft your own BHAG. Plus, hear the pivotal moment that shaped the future of Breakthrough.If you’re ready to stop playing small and start building a practice with real impact, this episode is for you.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – IntroWhy we’re talking about BHAGs—and what makes them so powerful.1:17 – What

In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down the 12 hidden benefits of reactivating past patients in your physical therapy, chiropractic, or healthcare clinic. From boosting revenue during slow seasons to improving staff morale and patient outcomes, reactivations are the easiest, most overlooked growth channel for private practices.Chad shares personal stories (including losing $98K in one quarter), walks through real math on lifetime patient value, and explains why your patient list is your biggest business advantage.Whether you're a practice owner looking to grow, stabilize revenue, or eventually sell your clinic, this episode will show you exactly why reactivations should be your #1 priority.00:00 - Intro: What is a Reactivation?01:15 - Why Reactivations Are Underrated02:20 - Losing $100K in Q4 (and how it changed everything)03:45 - Why Cold Traffic & Referrals Failed During Holidays05:20 - The Breakthrough: Free Exam Day = 70+ Reactivations07:09 - Benefit #1: Revenue Stability08:00 - Benefit #2: Higher Li