The Dr. April Jasper Show

In this episode of The Dr. April Jasper Show, Dr. Jasper welcomes Richard Carver, founder and CEO of Little Mountain, to share the story behind his career, his company, and the creative work that has shaped both over the years. Richard reflects on how he got started, how Little Mountain has evolved, and some of the memorable projects he has worked on throughout his career. He also shares a look at the projects he is involved with today and the experiences that have made his professional journey so unique. Throughout the conversation, Richard offers stories and insights from decades of creative work, ideas, and projects that have defined his career. For business owners, physicians, entrepreneurs, and other professionals, this episode offers an engaging perspective on building a career around creativity, experience, and a willingness to keep taking on interesting new projects.

Recorded at FOA 2026, this special episode of The Dr. April Jasper Show features optometry students from Nova Southeastern University asking the questions that matter as they prepare to enter practice.

Dr. April Jasper, Dr. Amanda Aker, and Dr. Nestor Garcia discuss what it feels like to step into the role of doctor after graduation, the licensure process, building confidence early in practice, communicating difficult news to patients, and the importance of professional involvement and mentorship.

Bringing together perspectives from different stages of the profession, the conversation offers a practical look at what comes after optometry school and how doctors continue to grow throughout their careers.

In this episode, Dr. April Jasper sits down with John C. Li, MD, FACS, a board-certified otolaryngologist and neurotologist, U.S. Air Force Flight Surgeon, and pilot, for an insightful conversation about hearing and the sounds we encounter every day.

Dr. Li shares his journey through medicine and aviation, his experience around fighter aircraft and military flight simulation, and how his work led to a deeper focus on noise-induced and hidden hearing loss.

The conversation explores an important question: How loud is too loud? Dr. Li explains why both sound level and duration of exposure matter, how seemingly ordinary environments can put our hearing at risk, and why hearing protection should begin long before noticeable hearing loss occurs.

He also shares a personal experience that helped shape his passion for hearing health and discusses the mission behind EarAware and the EarAware Sound Exposure app, designed to help people better understand and monitor the sound around them.

Download EarAware Sound Exposure: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/earaware-sound-exposure/id6756061359

Learn more about EarAware: https://www.earaware.com

In this episode of the Dr. April Jasper Show, Dr. Jasper sits down with Dr. Kandace L. Haines, O.D., owner of Ocean Optics in Delray Beach, Florida, for a heartfelt conversation about the many seasons of her journey in optometry. From school and residency to practice ownership, marriage, motherhood, and experiencing life from the other side of the exam room as a patient, Dr. Haines shares the moments that have shaped her both personally and professionally. Along the way, she offers meaningful lessons for optometry students, practicing doctors, and practice owners navigating their own careers and lives.

In this episode, Dr. April Jasper sits down with Dr. Ted McElroy to discuss his career in optometry, private practice, and leadership within the profession. As the owner of Vision Source Tifton, a Vision Source administrator, and a member of the Administrator Advisory Board, Dr. McElroy shares the experiences that have shaped his approach to patient care and practice ownership. He also reflects on the rewarding experience of seeing his son begin his own career in optometry and offers practical insights for doctors looking to grow their practices, strengthen patient relationships, and build successful careers. Join Dr. Jasper and Dr. McElroy for an engaging conversation filled with practical wisdom, professional insights, and a passion for advancing the field of optometry.

Advanced Eyecare Specialists & Optical Boutique is entering an exciting new chapter as the practice prepares to move into its new facility at The Press Building.

In this episode of The Dr. Jasper Show, Dr. April Jasper sits down with her husband, David Jasper, for an honest conversation about what it takes to relocate and grow an established practice while continuing to provide exceptional patient care.

Together, they share the vision behind the new space, the challenges they encountered throughout the process, and the solutions and decisions that helped keep the project moving forward. April and David discuss the uncertainty, concerns, and lessons that come with bringing a big vision to life. This behind-the-scenes conversation offers a candid look at the realities of change—the moments of stress, the questions that arise along the way, and the importance of focusing on solutions rather than letting worry take over.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, business owner, or simply interested in the journey behind a major transition, this episode provides an honest perspective on growth, change, and moving forward through uncertainty.

In this episode:

• The vision behind the new Advanced Eyecare Specialists facility

• Challenges encountered during the construction and relocation process

• Solutions and key decisions that helped move the project forward

• Lessons learned throughout the journey

• Preparing for the next chapter of Advanced Eyecare Specialists

Join Dr. April Jasper and David Jasper as they share the challenges, solutions, and personal reflections behind this important milestone for Advanced Eyecare Specialists.

In this For Students, By Students episode of The Dr. April Jasper Show, Dr. April Jasper is joined by her daughter, Allison Jasper, for a practical conversation on one of the most important decisions in eye care: choosing the right contact lenses for each patient.

With more lens technologies available than ever before, prescribing the right lenses requires more than just a prescription. Dr. April and Allison discuss how lifestyle, visual demands, ocular health, and patient expectations all play a role in successful contact lens wear.

In this episode, you'll learn: • How to evaluate a patient's lifestyle and visual needs • The differences between today's contact lens options • Common mistakes to avoid during the prescribing process • How to improve patient satisfaction and long-term success • Why communication is just as important as the prescription

Whether you're an optometry student, eye care professional, or simply curious about contact lenses, this conversation offers practical insights that can help create better outcomes and happier patients.

What does it take to be a surgeon, a business owner, AND a harpist? Dr. Jill Rodila is living proof that women in medicine don't have to choose between ambition and artistry. In this inspiring episode, Dr. April Jasper sits down with Dr. Rodila — an ophthalmologist who recently opened her own practice in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida — to talk about the leap into practice ownership, the surprising parallels between surgery and musicianship, and what it really means to build a full, purposeful life in medicine. Whether you're a healthcare professional, an aspiring physician, or simply someone who loves a story about a woman doing it all on her own terms — this one is for you.

In this special For Students, By Students episode of The Dr. April Jasper Show, Dr. April Jasper is joined by her daughter, Allison Jasper, for an important conversation about women's eye health and the unique vision challenges women face throughout their lives.

Did you know that two-thirds of all blindness and visual impairment occurs in women? Women are also at greater risk for conditions such as age-related macular degeneration, cataracts, dry eye disease, glaucoma, refractive error, and thyroid eye disease.

Together, Dr. April and Allison explore:

• Why women face a higher risk of vision loss • Common eye conditions that disproportionately affect women • The role hormones can play in eye health • Why routine eye exams are critical • Prevention strategies every woman should know • How future healthcare providers can better educate patients

Most women are unaware they are at greater risk for permanent vision loss, making education and early detection more important than ever.

As Dr. Jasper often says, "You cannot treat what you don't know you have." This conversation highlights why awareness, prevention, and regular eye care are essential for protecting vision at every stage of life.

Whether you're a student, healthcare professional, or simply want to better understand your own eye health, this episode offers practical insights and valuable takeaways for women of all ages.

What happens when a fine artist’s eyes begin to change — and how does it show up on the canvas? In this episode, Dr. April Jasper travels to the stunning Big Island of Kona, Hawaii, to sit down with fine artist, illustrator, and writer Mark Martel. Known for his breathtaking Hawaiian landscapes, wildlife paintings, and the beloved series “If the Masters Painted Hawai’i,” Mark brings a unique perspective to the intersection of vision and creative expression.

Together, Dr. Jasper and Mark explore a commissioned painting, unpack the visual shifts that emerge in an artist’s work as ocular health changes over time, and reflect on what it truly means to see — and to create — when vision is no longer taken for granted. From the science of how the eye processes color, contrast, and detail, to the deeply human experience of an artist adapting to change, this conversation is a beautiful reminder of why vision matters in ways that go far beyond the exam room.

Whether you’re a clinician, a patient, an art lover, or simply someone who has ever paused to appreciate the world around you, this episode will leave you looking at both art and eyecare through a whole new lens.

🎨 Learn more about Mark Martel and his work at markmartel.com