DPC Life: Direct Primary Care Podcast

What really happens when a burned‑out family doctor walks away from the RVU treadmill and rebuilds medicine on her own terms?

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Lyndsi Cress, a family medicine physician and founder of Coral Direct Primary Care in Little River, South Carolina, who walked away from high‑volume employed medicine to build a slower, more human practice. After years of rushing through visits, inbox overload, and creeping burnout, she found Direct Primary Care and rebuilt her career around time, autonomy, and actual relationships with patients.

This conversation pulls back the curtain on what it’s really like to leave the system and start a DPC from scratch: the fear, the uncertainty, and the surprising freedoms on the other side.

This episode is for you if:

• You’re a physician quietly wondering, “Is this what medicine is supposed to feel like?”

• You’re DPC‑curious but stuck on where to start or what you’re missing

• You want more control over your schedule, your income, and your patient relationships

  
  

In this episode, you’ll discover:

• Why starting before you feel “ready” is the hardest and most important move

• How the skills that got you through residency are the same ones that make you a capable business owner

• What happens to patient care when you remove time pressure and panel overload

• How schedule freedom reshapes both your practice and your family life

• Why growth in DPC often comes from trusting the model and taking consistent action

If you’ve ever wondered whether medicine could feel slower, more personal, and more sustainable, Dr. Cress’s story is proof that you don’t have to wait for the system to change. You can change your own.

Thanks for joining us for Episode 24 of the DPC Life Podcast. Tune in and see what’s possible on the other side of burnout.

Resources + Links

Website: https://coraldpc.com

Coral Direct Primary Care (Facebook, Instagram)

Next Step: Get Guided Support

The hardest part isn’t just launching the practice. It’s becoming a physician-entrepreneur, often without anyone around you who really gets it.

That’s why I created DPC Women Connect: a small, in-person gathering this February for women physicians navigating the shift from employed to independent.

If you want support, strategy, and women who are walking the same path, DM me CONNECT on Instagram or learn more here:https://connect.harmonyopshealth.com/

What if the worst day in Direct Primary Care is still better than the best day in employed medicine? 

In Episode 23 of DPC Life, I talk with Dr. Wendy Molaska, family physician and founder of Dedicated Family Care in Madison, WI, and the 2025 DPC Physician of the Year. We walk through how she built a diverse, high-trust DPC clinic, expanded her team without losing her identity, and used the freedom of DPC to show up in advocacy and leadership without burning out.

Who it’s for 

• Physicians who want to grow a DPC panel without recreating employed-medicine burnout

• DPC owners thinking about their first (or next) hire and afraid of getting it wrong

• Women physicians who care about advocacy, leadership, and community impact but refuse to sacrifice their sanity again

  
  

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How DPC created margin for Dr. Molaska to lead, advocate, and still know her patients

• The hidden cost of “panic hiring” and how she course-corrected after early missteps

• Why, in DPC, you are the brand – and how that changes who you hire

• How word-of-mouth and community trust filled her panel with diverse and underserved patients

• A practical way to engage in policy and advocacy without needing everyone to agree with you

  
  

If this episode gives you even one idea or one ounce of hope, share it with a physician who’s wondering if DPC is “worth the risk.” Then hit follow so you don’t miss the next conversation.

We’ll see you in the next episode of DPC Life. 

Resources + Links

• Dedicated Family Care Website: https://familydpc.com 

• Dr. Wendy Molaska Email: [email protected] 

• Follow / Connect: LinkedIn + Facebook + Instagram (Dedicated Family Care) 

Next Step: Get Guided Support

The hardest part isn’t just launching the practice. It’s becoming a physician-entrepreneur, often without anyone around you who really gets it.

That’s why I created DPC Women Connect: a small, in-person gathering this February for women physicians navigating the shift from employed to independent.

If you want support, strategy, and women who are walking the same path, DM me CONNECT on Instagram or learn more here: https://connect.harmonyopshealth.com/

What happens when a pediatrician decides she’d rather rebuild her career than lose herself to the system?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Noemi Adame, pediatrician and founder of Culver Pediatrics Center, who walked away from corporate pediatrics and rebuilt on her own terms. Known as the “Veggies Over Pills” doctor, she combines evidence-based pediatrics, lifestyle medicine, and integrative care for some of the most complex pediatric cases, including PANS/PANDAS.

We talk about what DPC really restores to physicians: time and the ability to practice in alignment with your values again.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• Why DPC doesn’t magically fix everything, but does put you back in control

• How longer visits and fewer admin demands change outcomes for complex kids

• The difference between access and 24/7 availability (and why “minutes response time” is a trap)

• How clear boundaries actually protect both patients and physicians

• How Dr. Adame practices deeply evidence-based medicine without abandoning her values or her patients’ preferences

  
  

This episode is for you if:

• You feel morally injured, rushed, or boxed in by the current healthcare system

• You’re DPC-curious, especially in pediatrics or lifestyle-focused care

• You’re craving autonomy, deeper patient relationships, and sustainable boundaries

  
  

If you’ve ever felt torn between caring for patients and protecting yourself, this conversation will feel like permission and a push. It’s a reminder that medicine doesn’t have to cost you your identity.

Resources mentioned

• PANDAS Physician Network (PPN) – treatment algorithm

• American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM) – nutrition / lifestyle medicine training

• Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine – integrative training (ADHD/autism)

• Peds DPC Facebook Group – pediatric DPC community

• Pediatric DPC Mastermind – where she deepened her PANDAS knowledge

Guest

• Culver Pediatrics Center: https://culverpediatrics.com/

The hardest part isn’t just launching the practice. It’s becoming a physician-entrepreneur, often without anyone around you who really gets it.

That’s why I created DPC Women Connect: a small, in‑person gathering this February for women physicians navigating the shift from employed to independent.

Next Step: Get Guided Support

If you want support, strategy, and women who are walking the same path, DM me CONNECT on Instagram or learn more here: https://connect.harmonyopshealth.com/

What do you do when medicine starts taking more than it gives back? For Internal Medicine physician Dr. Sandra Koehn, the breaking point became a turning point. In this episode, she shares how she went from exhausted and resentful in employed medicine to building Planted DPC in Rochester, New York around her family, her values, and her patients.

If you’re a physician who keeps thinking “there has to be a better way,” you’ll hear exactly what changed for Dr. Koehn, the boundaries she set from day one, and how Direct Primary Care gave her a path out that didn’t require sacrificing her family or her calling.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The exact moment Dr. Koehn knew she couldn’t stay in employed medicine any longer

• How she defined her non‑negotiables for family, schedule, and patient care before launching DPC

• Why time and access (not procedures) are the real value drivers in a DPC practice

• How she thought through her ideal patient and why it often mirrors your own life stage

• Practical examples of boundaries she’s setting now to prevent future burnout

This episode is for you if:

• You’re a burned‑out physician who wants more autonomy, time, and meaning in your work

• You’re considering Direct Primary Care but feel stuck in fear, guilt, or “what ifs”

• You want a values‑aligned practice that supports being a parent, partner, or caregiver in real life

  
  

Dr. Koehn’s story is a grounded, honest look at what it actually takes to leave the system and build something sustainable. If you’re standing at the edge, wondering whether to jump, this conversation will give you language, clarity, and next steps for your own DPC path.

Resources & Links

• Planted DPC (Dr. Sandra Koehn), Rochester, NY: https://www.planteddpc.com

  
  

Next Step: Get Guided Support

What often gets missed is the internal shift required to make this sustainable — moving from employed physician to entrepreneur, often without many people around you who truly understand it.

That’s exactly why DPC Women Connect exists — a small, in-person gathering this February for women navigating that transition.

If this resonates, DM me CONNECT on Instagram

link here: https://connect.harmonyopshealth.com/

If doing your QuickBooks every weekend feels like pulling teeth, this episode is your novocaine. We sit down with Nate Goodman, a CPA who built his firm specifically for Direct Primary Care doctors. As a DPC patient himself who requires his staff to have DPC memberships, Nate lives in the same world you do. His team helps doctors turn “dark hole” finances into clear, predictable profit so you can stop guessing and get back to medicine.

Who Is This For? 

• Doctors who are tired of wrestling with bookkeeping and just want clean numbers and clear guidance.

• Future DPC owners who want a financial “Launchpad” 6+ months before opening.

• Established clinics ready to scale using simple weekly scorecards instead of gut feelings.

Key Lessons

• Start Early: Begin your accounting relationship at least six months before opening so entity choice, payroll, and pricing are right from day one.

• Let Data Find Hidden Profit: One DPC kept over $80,000 in year one just by restructuring pricing and tax strategy.

• Pick DPC-Specific Partners: Work with vendors (CPA, CRM, legal) who are actively investing in and serving the DPC space.

• Run on Rhythms: Use a weekly scorecard for non-financial KPIs like leads, patient count, churn, and reviews so you’re never flying blind.

• Design Your Life First: Decide what you want your life and panel to look like in ten years, then build the practice to match it.

  
  

Running a DPC shouldn’t feel like a financial black box. With the right partner, you can see exactly where you are, where you’re going, and what to fix next.

Guest Links

• Website: goodmancpa.com

• Email: [email protected]

• Book Mentioned: Traction by Gino Wickman (scorecard concept)

  
  

If you’re planning your own off-ramp, don’t build your tech stack from scratch.

Search “Harmony Ops for DPC” – your CRM, website, and automation setup to launch without tech overwhelm.

Visit: harmonyopsfordpc.com

How to talk about Direct Primary Care, find your people, and let go of the guilt.

Feeling burned out in corporate healthcare and obsessing over DPC, but stuck on how to explain it to patients or make the leap?

In this coaching-style episode, Dr. Alisa Awtry, a family physician in Newberg, Oregon and founder of Rooted Direct Primary Care, walks through her real fears, questions, and messaging as she prepares to open her clinic. You’ll hear exactly how we refine her elevator pitch, simplify how she explains DPC, and deal with the emotional weight of leaving the system.

Who this is for

• Physicians exploring Direct Primary Care

• Docs burned out in corporate / employed settings

• New and soon-to-launch DPC owners who feel stuck on messaging, onboarding, and “who am I leaving behind?”

What you’ll learn

• How to explain Direct Primary Care without a 20‑minute lecture

• A simple way to define and attract your ideal DPC patient

• How to handle the guilt of leaving patients behind

• Practical tips for managing high pre-enrollment interest and onboarding cleanly

• How to build a community-centered practice without recreating corporate chaos.

  
  

Guest:

Dr. Alisa Awtry is a family physician in Newberg, Oregon and the founder of Rooted Direct Primary Care. She’s building a deeply community-centered DPC practice focused on proactive, relationship-based care.

Resources & Links

• Rooted DPC Website: rooteddirectprimarycare.com

• Instagram: @rooteddirectprimarycare

• Facebook: Rooted Direct Primary Care

Planning your own dream DPC?

Don’t build your tech stack from scratch. Harmony Ops for DPC gives you a CRM, website, and automation setup built specifically for new DPC clinics so you can launch without tech overwhelm.

Learn more: harmonyopsfordpc.com

This episode is a fan favorite and one of the most popular from the DPC Life Podcast. We hope it brings you meaningful insights and inspiration during this holiday season. Enjoy this replay and let it spark new ideas . Thank you for being a part of our community!

If you're an employed physician feeling dissatisfied, a DPC dreamer preparing to leap, or a mom balancing family and a new practice, this episode is your guide to embracing the required entrepreneurial transformation.

Dr. Una shares her personal journey from pediatrician to seven-figure business owner and provides the mindset shifts and concrete strategies necessary to thrive in your practice and your life.

Who it's for:

Physicians feeling the "nudge" toward something more than the employed status quo.

DPC founders who are struggling with marketing, sales, or work-life balance.

Moms in medicine who feel pressure to "do it all alone".

You’ll learn:

The profound mindset shift required to see all business skills - including marketing and selling - as learnable skills, not innate personality traits.

• How to use introversion as a superpower and manage your social energy by defining it as recharging in solitude.

• Why the "gravitational pull of your former self is real" and how to intentionally fight the habit of reverting to old behaviors.

• The critical necessity of defining your business goals to clearly identify distractions, making it easy to say no to non-aligned opportunities.

• How to build a "home team" to take care of household demands, understanding that there is "no award category for mom that did it alone".

• Why focusing on the right discomfort (like marketing) is essential, as your comfort zone is where the status quo lives.

• The danger of having a "safety net" job and how your backup plan can become your real plan, hindering your growth and commitment.

Guest:

Dr. Una, founder of EntreMD, host of The EntreMD Podcast, two-time best-selling author, and pediatrician who helps physicians build profitable businesses.

Want help taking the first steps?

Dr. Una encourages physicians to remember their proven capacity for dramatic transformation and to find the next step and start taking it. Stop waiting and let your future 90-year-old self be your motivation.

DM me “DPC” on Instagram and I’ll send you my Dr. Una companion workbook + the 5-Day DPC Confidence Course: short, residency-friendly emails with concrete daily actions to move you toward opening.

Guest links:

Website: https://entremd.com/

IG: https://www.instagram.com/entremds/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/DrUnachukwu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/druna/ 

Happy Holidays! This episode is one of the most listened-to episodes of the DPC Life Podcast, and we believe it will bring you valuable insights during this holiday season. It might be just what you need to hear as you reflect on the year. We hope you enjoy this replay and find inspiration in it. Thank you for tuning in!

In this episode, we’re joined by my awesome partner, Dr. Rachel Kelly, to take you behind the scenes of building our DPC practice, without a business plan, without a roadmap, and with plenty of trial and error. Together, we share the lessons we’ve learned in resilience and the realization that valuing our time might be the most important shift of all.

We talk about…

• Why “90% of what we’ve done has not worked, and 10% has been successful”

• The challenges of opening a DPC without a business plan

• How aesthetics fit into (and sometimes complicate) the DPC model

• The mindset shift of realizing our time is worth something

This conversation is honest, unpolished, and packed with wisdom from our real experience. It’s a reminder that the DPC journey isn’t about perfection; it’s about staying committed, learning along the way, and building a practice that truly serves our patients, our families, and ourselves.

Resources & Mentions

• Kickstart Accounting - bookkeeping and accounting support for small practices and businesses

  
  

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast, leave a review, and share it with a friend. Reviews help more doctors discover these conversations.

Have an idea for a future topic or guest? Email us at [email protected]. We’d love to hear from you.

Building your own DPC practice? We've got you covered with tools built by a DPC doc (me!), for DPC docs:

• ⁠⁠⁠⁠Harmony Ops Health ⁠⁠⁠⁠helps you streamline operations and automate the tasks that eat up your time.

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Internal medicine and lifestyle medicine physician Dr. Kashiti Long (Long Health and Wellness, Charlotte, NC) shares the unfiltered reality of leaving corporate medicine and launching a Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice in just six months.

She walks through the exact steps she took, what actually worked for marketing, and the painful surprises that almost derailed her launch.

This is a grounded, behind‑the‑scenes look at what it really takes to go from employed to independent in DPC, with practical takeaways you can apply before you resign.

What You Will Learn

• Why She Left Sooner Than Planned: The administrative pressure and patient volume that forced her to accelerate a “3‑year plan” into a six‑month exit.

• The 6‑Month Sprint to Opening: How DPC conferences reshaped her timeline and what she focused on first.

• Hidden Delays: The six‑month North Carolina license wait, malpractice shopping, and other slow, boring bottlenecks that cost real time.

• Finding Patients in Real Life: What actually moved the needle: networking, consistent social content, and defining her avatar “Motivated Monica.”

• Audience‑Building Before You Quit: Why she now tells every doctor to start capturing emails and followers the moment DPC is on their mind.

• Financial Contingency Planning: How she handled months with 0–4 signups and why a part‑time telehealth job can be your safety net, not a failure.

🔗 Guest Links

Practice Name: Long Health and Wellness 

Website: longhealthandwellness.com 

Social Media: Kashiti Long MD (on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok)

If this episode hits home and you’re “DPC curious,” get my free 5-Day DPC Confidence Course: short daily emails with specific actions to go from “maybe someday” to a concrete plan. 

👉 DM me “COURSE” on Instagram or go to https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course to enroll.

Stay Connected & Support the Podcast! Follow & Leave Us a Review on the DPC Life Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpclife/

Harmony Ops Health for DPC: https://harmonyopshealth.com/home

This is a transparent, real‑world coaching session with Dr. Chelsea Johnson, founder of Kidz MD Pediatric DPC in Liberty, Missouri. After years in academic medicine, ER/urgent care, and consulting, she decided the only way she’d practice primary care was inside DPC. She calls it her “off‑ramp” to keep kids out of the ER and stay in medicine on her terms.

We walk through the unsexy but critical pieces of launching a pediatric DPC: solving the vaccine purchasing maze, marketing on a tight budget, and building operations that don’t collapse the minute you open. You’ll hear how she targets her ideal suburban mom, and how to think about systems (EMR + CRM + website) so you’re not duct‑taping your practice together.

What You’ll Learn:

• The “Off‑Ramp” to DPCHow Dr. Johnson went from a high‑mobility, consultant/ER career to launching Kidz MD as the only primary care model that made sense for her life and her patients.

• Solving the Vaccine ChallengeHow she used a Group Purchasing Organization (GPO) to bridge vaccine access until she qualifies for direct contracts, so she could open without waiting years.

• Marketing on a BudgetHow she uses the local Chamber, community events, and social media to reach busy suburban moms without spending agency money.

• Defining Your Ideal FamilyWhy she built around the “busy suburban mom with multiple kids” who wants a pediatrician that can handle more in‑office so they can avoid unnecessary ER visits.

• Why Your Tech Stack MattersThe hidden cost of trying to launch on spreadsheets, generic CRMs, and 7 disconnected tools instead of a DPC‑specific system from day one.

Who This Is For:

Pediatricians and family docs who love patient care but are exhausted by RVUs, inboxes, and charting after kid bedtime. If you’re pre‑launch or newly launched in DPC and feel stuck on operations, vaccines, and marketing, this episode gives you a practical blueprint.

Guest Links

Guest: Dr. Chelsea Johnson

Website: https://kidzmd.com/

Email:  [email protected]

Next Step: See the CRM Built for DPC Launches

If this episode hits home and you’re serious about launching or growing your DPC in the next 12 months, go look at Harmony Ops for DPC - the CRM + website + automations platform I built specifically for DPC clinics so you don’t drown in tech.

Search “Harmony Ops for DPC” and book a demo to see how your practice could be live in about 10 business days with AI chat, patient funnels, and launch‑ready automations installed for you. 

You can still grab my free 5‑Day DPC Confidence Course if you’re earlier and just want the plan: short daily emails to move from “maybe someday” to a concrete launch path.

👉 DM me “COURSE” on Instagram or go to https://harmonyopshealth.com/dpc-confidence-course to enroll.

Stay Connected & Support the Podcast! Follow & Leave Us a Review on the DPC Life Podcast

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dpclife/

Harmony Ops Health for DPC: https://harmonyopshealth.com/home