300th episode "What we have learned from over 300 interviews!"
Welcome to this special episode celebrating the 300th installment of Dean’s Chat! Join Drs. Jensen and Richey as they reflect on the insights, lessons, and recurring themes that have emerged from conversations with more than 300 individuals across the podiatric profession.
This episode is sponsored by the American Podiatric Medical Association! Throughout these discussions, several powerful messages have consistently risen to the surface. One of the most common is that no career path is truly linear. While medical training often follows a structured and predictable framework, many guests emphasized the importance of recognizing opportunities, embracing change, and leaning into the aspects of practice that bring genuine joy. It has been especially inspiring to hear the wide range of ways podiatrists have found fulfillment—across medicine, surgery, education, leadership, and life beyond the clinic—by sharing their unique talents and expertise.
Another clear theme has been the exceptional quality of our students. Today’s podiatric students are highly motivated, deeply engaged, and purpose driven, and they are helping to shape and advance the future of the profession.
We are also continually reminded that our profession is rich with talent. From clinicians and educators to innovators and advocates, podiatry thrives because of the collective strength of its people. Our sponsors play a vital role in this ecosystem as well—supporting advocacy efforts, workshops, leadership development, and continuing medical education. No one succeeds alone, and together we are stronger.
Finally, leadership has emerged as a central topic, defined by courage, integrity, and passion. We highlight the diverse ways our guests have demonstrated leadership and made meaningful contributions to the profession.
We are grateful for this journey and deeply appreciative of you—our audience—for your time, enthusiasm, and thoughtful feedback. The future of podiatry is bright, and we’re excited for what lies ahead.