Choosing a specialty in orthopedics seems straightforward when you're in training. In reality, it's rarely that simple.

In this episode of Healthcare Unscripted, Dr. Hunter Greene steps into his new role as host, sitting down with sports medicine surgeon Dr. Dustin Richter to talk about fellowship training, building a practice, and what life actually looks like once residency is over.

The conversation explores how surgeons find their niche, whether subspecialization is always necessary, and why the first few years in practice often look very different from what new graduates expect. Dr. Richter shares how mentorship shaped his career, the realities of building referral networks, and why most young surgeons spend years developing the practice they ultimately want.

They also discuss academic versus private practice careers, the growing trend toward fellowship training, and how advances in technology, robotics, and artificial intelligence may influence the future of orthopedic surgery.

Perhaps most importantly, the episode focuses on the lessons that aren't taught during training. From managing complications and leaning on mentors to understanding scheduling, referrals, patient selection, and long-term career growth, Dr. Richter offers practical advice for residents, fellows, and early-career surgeons navigating the transition into practice.

Whether you're still deciding on a specialty or already building your career, this episode offers an honest look at what comes after training and how to create a practice that's both successful and sustainable.

In this episode of Healthcare Unscripted, Dr. Chris Leslie sits down with Dr. Brian Polsky for a candid conversation on the realities of building and operating within modern orthopedic systems. From launching programs in hospitals with little existing infrastructure to navigating the complexities of large, multi-site groups, the discussion highlights what it actually takes to deliver consistent care in environments that are often far from standardized.

The conversation also explores the operational challenges that come with scale, including the regulatory friction and internal processes that can slow down the adoption of new technologies, even when there is strong clinical interest. Dr. Polsky shares his perspective on working within a large group setting, the role of physician assistants in improving workflow and patient experience, and why alignment across teams is critical to delivering better outcomes.

This episode offers a grounded look at the gap between clinical potential and operational reality, and what it takes to move new ideas from concept to implementation in today’s healthcare environment.

This conversation with Dr. Hunter Greene offers a practical look at how orthopedic care continues to evolve across technique, technology, and training. From being part of the early adoption of hip arthroscopy to refining modern approaches in ACL reconstruction and shoulder arthroplasty, he shares how experience and repetition shape better outcomes over time.

The discussion goes beyond procedures and into the realities of clinical practice. Dr. Greene breaks down how he approaches patient selection, rehabilitation, and recovery, including the nuances of working with high-level athletes where timelines, expectations, and performance demands are very different. He also shares simple but effective ways to improve patient compliance, reinforcing that outcomes are just as dependent on what happens after surgery as they are on the procedure itself.

A major theme throughout is mentorship and growth. From early career challenges to guiding younger surgeons, the conversation highlights how shared experience, collaboration, and continuous learning play a critical role in building stronger practices and better care environments. It also touches on where the field is heading next, including the growing role of AI and emerging technologies in shaping the future of orthopedics.

This is a thoughtful, experience-driven conversation on what it takes to deliver high-quality care while continuously adapting in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

Orthopedic surgeon Dr. Mark Schultzel joins Dr. Chris Leslie for a wide ranging conversation about modern surgical practice, training the next generation of physicians, and building a thriving private practice in today’s healthcare environment. Drawing from his experience leading orthopedic services within one of Southern California’s largest physician run groups, Dr. Schultzel shares insights on balancing high volume clinical work with teaching, innovation, and practice leadership.

The discussion explores practical topics that many physicians face but rarely talk about openly. Topics include improving injection accuracy through better training methods, mentoring medical students and residents, the role of technology and robotics in orthopedic surgery, and the realities of building a culture driven private practice. The conversation also dives into physician entrepreneurship, navigating contracts and partnerships, and why strong teams and mentorship can shape both surgical outcomes and the future of medicine.

This new episode offers an honest look at the intersection of clinical care, education, and business in medicine through the perspective of surgeons working on the front lines.

In this episode of the Healthcare Unscripted Podcast, Dr. Chris Leslie sits down with Joe Bingold, CEO of XO Armor Technology, to unpack how a sideline innovation at Auburn University evolved into a scalable healthcare solution.

What started with a 3D printed hand guard for a college football player has grown into an on-site, same-day orthotic platform that is changing how clinics think about workflow, reimbursement, and patient compliance. Joe walks through the transition from athletics to healthcare, the realities of integrating 3D printing into medical practices, and how XO Armor aligned with Medicare and commercial reimbursement pathways to remove one of the biggest barriers for providers.

The conversation dives into what truly moves the needle in clinical adoption: speed, fit, customization, and financial viability. From real-time production to improved patient compliance and scalable software that empowers practitioners instead of engineers, this episode explores what it actually takes to bring innovation from the lab to the exam room.

If you care about practical healthcare innovation that improves both patient outcomes and practice performance, this is a conversation worth listening to.

In this episode of Healthcare Unscripted, hosts Dr. Chris Leslie, MD and Rob Nathan sit down with Kerem Mavituncalilar for a wide-ranging conversation on what it really takes to build, scale, and sustain innovation in healthcare.

From early-stage MedTech investing to the realities of commercialization, Kerem shares insights on how capital, clinical insight, and execution intersect and where things most often break down. The discussion explores the evolving role of surgeons in innovation, how outcomes and data are shaping decision-making, and why the full patient journey matters more than ever.

This episode goes beyond the pitch deck. It is a candid look at how healthcare companies are built in the real world, the tradeoffs leaders face, and what separates ideas that move the needle from those that never make it to patients.

Whether you are a surgeon, founder, investor, or healthcare leader, this conversation offers practical perspective on navigating complexity, aligning incentives, and driving meaningful impact across care delivery.

In this episode of Healthcare Unscripted, Dr. Chris Leslie sits down with Rob Nathan, Co-Founder and Chairman of Fair Winds Medical, to explore the real drivers behind MedTech success. Rob breaks down the origin of Fair Winds, how disruptive technologies are identified, and why leadership, strategic distribution, and multistage expertise are essential for long-term growth.

He offers a clear look at how investors evaluate early-stage companies, why realistic valuations matter, and the common pitfalls that lead many promising devices to fail. Rob also shares practical guidance for surgeon-investors, from understanding capital structure to assessing team experience and commercialization readiness.

This episode provides an accessible, insider perspective on how innovation moves from concept to market and what it takes to build a MedTech company that truly lasts.

Healthcare Unscripted is proudly sponsored by Fair Winds Medical, the global partner turning breakthrough medical technologies into real patient care. From helping innovative devices navigate regulation to building distribution networks across 74+ global partners, Fair Winds helps bring tomorrow’s healthcare solutions to hospitals today. Visit fairwindsmedical.com to learn more.

In this episode, former spine surgeon Ben Carr, MD opens up about the diagnosis that changed everything. After discovering a massive pelvic tumor and later losing proprioception in both hands following a bone-marrow transplant, Ben stepped away from a career he spent decades building. He walks through the physical and emotional aftermath, the four-year fight to survive, and his reinvention from orthopedic attending to orthopedic sales consultant. Ben shares what surgeons wish reps understood, what pressure really looks like in the OR, and how humility and leadership shaped his second career.

Chapters:
• Early career and surgical training
• The injury that revealed a hidden cancer
• Living with multiple myeloma
• Losing proprioception and stepping away from surgery
• Starting over in retail, then medical sales
• What makes a great sales rep in the OR
• Advice for surgeons, reps, and anyone navigating reinvention

Subscribe for more real-world conversations on healthcare, medtech, and the people behind innovation.

Healthcare Unscripted is proudly sponsored by Fair Winds Medical, the global partner turning breakthrough medical technologies into real patient care. From helping innovative devices navigate regulation to building distribution networks across 74+ global partners, Fair Winds helps bring tomorrow’s healthcare solutions to hospitals today. Visit fairwindsmedical.com to learn more.

In the premiere episode of Healthcare Unscripted, Dr. Chris Leslie sits down with Raja Sundaram, Co-Founder and CEO of Plethy, to explore how patient engagement and connected technology are reshaping the future of musculoskeletal care.

From orthopedic surgery to workers’ compensation, recovery often depends less on what happens in the clinic and more on what happens at home. That’s where Plethy’s Recupe platform comes in; empowering patients with real-time guidance, personalized coaching, and data-driven accountability that drives measurable results.

Dr. Leslie and Raja dive into:

• The role of patient engagement in accelerating recovery and reducing claim durations
• How Recupe’s wearable sensors and coaching model enhance compliance and outcomes
• Why data transparency between patients, clinicians, and payors is the key to value-based care
• The difference between engagement in healthcare vs. workers’ comp environments
• How empathy, not just innovation, will shape the next generation of connected health

This conversation sets the tone for Healthcare Unscripted, an honest, in-depth look at how technology, strategy, and human connection are converging to build a smarter, more compassionate healthcare system.

Healthcare Unscripted is proudly sponsored by Fair Winds Medical, the global partner turning breakthrough medical technologies into real patient care. From helping innovative devices navigate regulation to building distribution networks across 74+ global partners, Fair Winds helps bring tomorrow’s healthcare solutions to hospitals today. Visit fairwindsmedical.com to learn more.