From Krispy Kreme to AI: Rethinking Physical Therapy, Healthcare, and Career Identity

What do Krispy Kreme donuts, AI, and fax machines have to do with the future of physical therapy?

In this fast-paced conversation, Jimmy McKay, Dave Kittle, and Tony Maritato dissect what’s holding healthcare providers back, from outdated technology and broken incentives to career identity traps that limit clinicians’ growth. They explore how marketing, community-building, and long-form content can liberate PTs from burnout and redefine success on their terms.

They cover everything from burnout and career ceilings to leveraging content creation, education, and social proof as vehicles for personal and professional freedom.

Watch more from PT Pintcast →https://www.youtube.com/@PTPintcast

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EPISODE BREAKDOWN

[01:08] – The Krispy Kreme analogy: why patients line up for sugar, not care

[03:12] – What healthcare can learn from fast food marketing

[05:22] – Group fitness vs. traditional PT: who builds more community?

[10:37] – What exactly is a “PT mill” and how can we break the model?

[20:52] – Telehealth, hybrid care, and building new systems from scratch

[26:31] – Paper Referrals in a Digital World

[30:03] – How AI could transform physical therapy (if we let it)

[31:11] – The irony of high-tech AI vs. outdated tools

[34:08] – Paperwork madness: what we can automate right now

[39:48] – Generational divides, economic realities, and burnout

[47:02] – Passion vs. practicality: how to build a sustainable career

[56:36] – Parting Shots: reinvention, technology, and letting go of the old

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Want to Connect with Dave?

Book a strategy call:

https://clarity.fm/davekittle/expertise/physical-therapy-merger-acquisitions-valuations-healthcare-marketing-sales

Thinking of selling your practice or partnering?

https://www.fieldmakergroup.com

Connect with Dave:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @davekittle https://www.instagram.com/davekittle/

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why PT Clinics Might Start Serving Beer, Showers, Cruises | Patient Experience x Content Marketing

- How can the physical therapy industry adopt entertainment and experiential marketing models like the Savannah Bananas?

- What if physical therapy clinics offered weed or wine during treatment — would patients actually heal faster?

- Can physical therapy become an experience patients actually look forward to*?

In this idea packed crossover with PT Pintcast, Jimmy McKay, Dave Kittle and Tony Maritato unpack how clinics can create unforgettable patient journeys, attract better clinicians, and scale their brand using bold storytelling, immersive care models, and strategic content.

From rehab cruises and "happy hour therapy" to "shower based treatments" and Netflix style content drops, this episode pushes the boundaries of what's possible in modern rehab.

Watch more from PT Pintcast →https://www.youtube.com/@PTPintcast

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EPISODE BREAKDOWN

[02:25] – What clinics can learn from the Savannah Bananas

[04:56] – The Hero’s Journey applied to PT

[07:35] – Destination rehab: Cruises, fun, and transformation

[15:17] – High-ticket PT offers & self-pay success

[21:07] – Chive TV + out-of-the-box clinic content

[27:57] – Shower Therapy Concept

[32:47] – Should PT clinics serve beer or host happy hour?

[37:10] – Content strategies that actually work

[41:04] – Recruiting PTs with “Day in the Life” video

[56:54] – Parting Shots: Simplicity scales

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Want to Connect with Dave?

Book a strategy call:

https://clarity.fm/davekittle/expertise/physical-therapy-merger-acquisitions-valuations-healthcare-marketing-sales

Thinking of selling your practice or partnering?

https://www.fieldmakergroup.com

Connect with Dave:

Email: [email protected]

Instagram: @davekittle https://www.instagram.com/davekittle/

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If a $90 billion diamond industry was built on emotion and marketing, why isn’t physical therapy doing the same with movement and health?

What if your physical therapy clinic treated patients like influencers—would your outcomes or your business grow faster?

How can physical therapy practices generate high-quality leads without relying on paid ads?

Join us for a special crossover session, "The Breakfast Club," originally recorded on PT Pintcast. I'm your host, Dave Kittle, alongside Jimmy McKay, Director of Communications at Mount Sinai Hospital and Anthony (Tony Maritato) Maritato, a seasoned physical therapist, private practice owner, and online business entrepreneur.

Tune in to PT Pintcast on YouTube for Physical Therapy Conversations connecting busy PTs to their profession here.

In this episode, we cover:

[01:57] The Golden Ticket Marketing Strategy

[04:22] Leveraging Social Media and Word of Mouth

[07:01] Executing the Golden Ticket Strategy

[12:12] Engaging with Potential Clients

[15:49] Leveraging AI for Marketing

[17:19] Creating Unique Content

[23:10] Partnering with Influencers

[23:30] Expanding the Golden Ticket Concept

[28:58] Understanding Avatars in Physical Therapy

[29:24] Leveraging Social Media for Organic Reach

[30:24] The Fractional Role Concept

[32:12] The Power of Emotional Marketing

[34:46] Creating a Diamond Belief for Your Practice

[36:50] Challenges in Healthcare Marketing

[37:45] The Role of Cultural Shifts in PT

[40:13] Ethical Marketing Strategies

[43:42] Emotional Engagement in Healthcare

[46:01] Selling Emotions, Not Just Treatments

[48:05] Focusing on a Smaller Audience

[50:27] The Role of Business Development

[54:52] The Risk of Violating Healthcare Laws

[56:18] Balancing Creativity and Compliance

[57:54] Parting Shots

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many physical therapy clinics shut down within 5 years?

Is social media ruining physical therapy careers or saving them?

Is 'small and profitable' smarter than scaling to 10 clinics?

Join us for a special crossover session, "The Breakfast Club," originally recorded on PT Pintcast. I'm your host, Dave Kittle, alongside Jimmy McKay, Director of Communications at Mount Sinai Hospital and online business entrepreneur.

Tune in to PT Pintcast on YouTube for Physical Therapy Conversations connecting busy PTs to their profession here.

In this episode, we cover:

[01:00] A Night in Chicago: Health to Tech Event

[02:11] The Power of In-Person Networking

[08:11] The Future of Telehealth: Alex's Innovative Device

[12:50] Challenges in Scaling Health Tech Innovations

[13:40] Greg Todd's Perspective on PT Salaries

[33:40] The Jerry McGuire Approach to Partnerships

[33:58] Building Deeper Connections with Fewer Partners

[34:38] The Importance of Mutual Success in Partnerships

[35:13] The Role of Clinicians in Facilitating Partnerships

[37:44] Exploring Innovative Neuro Rehabilitation Practices

[40:23] Challenges and Business Models in Neuro Rehab

[44:52] The Role of Trainers in Neuro Rehabilitation

[48:43] Effective Messaging in Physical Therapy Marketing

[53:38] Raising the Bar in Healthcare Standards

[57:47] Parting Shots

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is growing a clinic to 10+ locations actually worth it anymore or is small the smarter play?

If Instagram followers don’t pay your bills, should PTs stop trying to build personal brands?

Join us for a special crossover session, "The Breakfast Club," originally recorded on PT Pintcast. I'm your host, Dave Kittle, alongside Jimmy McKay, Director of Communications at Mount Sinai Hospital and online business entrepreneur.

Tune in to PT Pintcast on YouTube for Physical Therapy Conversations connecting busy PTs to their profession here.

In this episode, we cover:

[01:12] The Shift Towards Boutique Practices

[01:35] Challenges in Hiring Physical Therapists

[02:15] The Rise of Micro Practices

[04:01] Debating the Viability of Micro Practices

[05:00] The Importance of Business Structure in Healthcare

[07:11] The Role of Social Media in Modern Healthcare

[11:55] Monetizing Your Audience

[17:33] The Importance of Company Culture

[23:48] Regional Expansion and Business Growth

[24:38] Challenges of Scaling and Maintaining Quality

[26:04] The Role of Social Media in Business Growth

[27:58] Success Stories in Physical Therapy

[32:50] The Shift from Virtual to In Person Events

[33:33] Steal This Strategy: Curated Micro Events

[38:18] Networking and Building Valuable Connections

[40:56] Legal and Ethical Considerations in Clinics

[42:36] Parting Shots

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can healthcare tenants create leverage during lease negotiations or renewals?

Would you sign a lease that keeps you financially liable after you sell your practice?

How much money are healthcare providers leaving on the table by not negotiating their lease terms?

In this episode of The Dave Kittle Show, Dave talks with Elliot Dennis of Dennis Healthcare about real estate strategies for healthcare practices. He shares insights on NYC market trends, the value of tenant representation, and how providers can use market data to negotiate better leases or relocate with confidence.

[00:55] Meet Elliot Dennis from Dennis Healthcare

[01:33] Elliot's Expertise in Healthcare Real Estate

[02:51] Founding of Dennis Healthcare

[03:36] The Importance of Tenant Advocacy

[04:30] Elliot's Cold Outreach Success

[07:31] The Role of Information in Brokerage

[10:49] Challenges in Lease Agreements

[14:21] Personal Guarantees in Lease Agreements

[15:44] Negotiating Lease Terms

[20:20] Market Trends and Office Leasing in New York City

[22:52] Creating Leverage in Lease Renewals

[25:39] Understanding Landlord-Tenant Relationships

[29:35] Evaluating Building Suitability

[32:47] The Importance of Building Management

[39:30] Final Thoughts and Wrap-Up

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is insurance killing the value of your physical therapy practice?

Would you rather earn $125 quickly or $500 slowly? Which business model wins?

This crossover episode of CashPT Headquarters features Ben Bagge and Dave Kittle from the Dave Kittle Show. They break down the differences between out-of-network billing and cash pay models in physical therapy. Dave shares how his team delivers home and on-demand care in New York City, as well as the challenges and benefits of managing insurance billing. They also cover patient expectations, denied claims, admin workload, and how to build trust while growing revenue.

You can connect with Ben Bagge and learn how to grow your cash-based physical therapy practice at https://clinicalmarketer.com

In this episode, we cover:

[03:05] Understanding Out-of-Network vs. Cash Pay

[07:22] Billing and Documentation Insights

[10:17] Initial Phone Call Strategies

[16:33] The Financial Impact of Insurance

[20:50] Insurance Billing Strategies

[22:10] Out-of-Network Billing Success Stories

[22:40] Ethical Considerations in Billing

[23:28] Patient Payment Plans and Cash Flow

[24:47] Out-of-Network Billing Challenges

[25:36] Patient Communication and Consent

[27:52] Concierge and Membership Models

[29:51] Dealing with Negative Reviews

[31:22] Handling Insurance Denials

[37:21] Final Thoughts

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can debt be used strategically to grow or acquire a physical therapy business?

Is going into debt for a DPT degree still worth it in 2025?

Join us for a special crossover session, "The Breakfast Club," originally recorded on PT Pintcast. I'm your host, Dave Kittle, alongside Jimmy McKay, Director of Communications at Mount Sinai Hospital and Anthony (Tony Maritato) Maritato, a seasoned physical therapist, private practice owner, and online business entrepreneur.

Tune in to PT Pintcast on YouTube for Physical Therapy Conversations connecting busy PTs to their profession here.

In this episode, we cover:

[01:01] The Power of Debt in Business

[03:55] Good Debt vs. Bad Debt

[09:46] Education as an Investment

[16:27] Entrepreneurial Mindset and Personal Stories

[22:26] Financing Strategies and Accounts Receivable

[30:31] Revolutionizing Clinic Intake with AI

[31:15] Personalization in Patient Care

[31:35] AI in Advertising and Healthcare

[32:14] Psychological Benefits of Personalization

[33:29] Practical Implementation of AI in Clinics

[37:51] Challenges and Considerations

[40:18] Future of AI in Healthcare

[49:05] Leveraging AI for Better Patient Outcomes

[56:12] Parting shots

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Would you give up 25% of your business if it meant guaranteed success?

Is it time for physical therapists to stop relying on insurance forever?

On this episode of The Dave Kittle Show, Dave talks with Eric Broadworth of Fuel Physical Therapy about growing a PT practice. They cover one-on-one care, pay models, and the challenges of opening new locations. Eric shares his goal of becoming the largest out-of-network provider and talks through possible partnerships and consulting-for-equity ideas. They also discuss how private equity and insurance changes are pushing clinics to rethink their approach.

In this episode, we cover:

[0:55] Introducting Eric Broadworth

[01:22] Reflecting on Coaching and Business Equity

[03:10] Expansion Plans and Goals

[06:59] Red Light Therapy and Services

[10:23] Challenges and Opportunities in Physical Therapy

[17:21] Compensation Models and Growth Strategies

[23:23] Jeff Moore's Onward Health Business Model

[26:14] Exploring Cash Flow and Real Estate Investments

[35:16] The Role of Marketing and Patient Acquisition

[36:38] Therapist Compensation Models

[38:23] Therapist Workload and Services

[40:07] Collaborative Growth and Equity Models

[45:55] Private Equity and Rollover Equity Explained

[48:58] Consulting for Equity

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Why do so many private practice owners struggle to let go of roles like billing, even when their business is growing?

What should a practice owner do after a bad experience with a billing company?

Join us for a special crossover session, "The Breakfast Club," originally recorded on PT Pintcast. I'm your host, Dave Kittle, alongside Anthony (Tony Maritato) Maritato, a seasoned physical therapist, private practice owner, and online business entrepreneur.

Tune in to PT Pintcast on YouTube for Physical Therapy Conversations connecting busy PTs to their profession here.

In this episode, we cover:

[00:58] Billing Challenges in Private Practices

[02:32] The Importance of Treating Your Practice Like a Business

[03:17] The Need for Delegation and Outsourcing

[04:42] Personal Experiences with Billing Companies

[08:56] Mindset and Money Management in Business

[16:58] Effective Recruitment and Hiring Strategies

[17:50] Creating Effective Job Ads

[25:12] The Rise of a Social Media Influencer

[26:11] Linking Social Media to Business

[28:13] Steal This Strategy for Physical Therapists

[29:11] The Value of Personal Branding

[33:01] Medicare Plan of Care Certification Changes

[34:13] Challenges with Physician Signatures

[40:09] The Future of Physical Therapy Licensing

[48:15] Parting Shots

Connect with Dave on:

Email: [email protected] 

Instagram: @davekittle

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

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

or

Call (646)-781-8884

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.