In this episode of MasterMined, our hosts Mark Scrivner, Jeff Skillen, and Lee Pepper break down one of the industry's most persistent—and least discussed—challenges: the holiday slump. They unpack why programs are often caught off guard, how seasonality trends repeat every year, and what proactive leaders can do to stabilize census, strengthen admissions performance, and support teams during a naturally stressful season. From strategic marketing allocation to admissions talk tracks, business development adjustments, and operational readiness, this episode delivers a practical, multidimensional plan to mitigate dips and keep momentum strong through year-end.

Key Moments

• 01:16 Why leaders treat the holiday slump like a surprise—even though it happens every year

• 02:34 Predictable seasonal cycles and why programs must plan early

• 04:37 Rethinking marketing allocation: avoid the instinct to "cut when it's tight"

• 05:27 "Lean in when it feels tight": the Warren Buffett analogy for marketing strategy

• 06:06 How business development teams can shift tactics when referrers are on vacation

• 08:42 Why admissions talk tracks must adapt for holiday objections

• 10:41 Showcasing holiday programming to reduce family hesitation about sending loved ones to treatment

• 16:08 The two must-haves for leaders: documentation and emotional steadiness during census dips

Learn More & Connect

Show Notes + Resources: https://snapshotinteractive.com/mastermined Connect with Mark Scrivner: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markscrivner | https://snapshotinteractive.com Connect with Jeff Skillen: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeffskillen | https://www.skillsetenterprises.com Connect with Lee Pepper: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leepepper | https://www.neveroutmatched.com Our Sponsor - Snapshot: https://snapshotinteractive.com