In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with neuroscientist Dr. Tali Sharot about the fascinating science of the optimism bias—our brain’s natural tendency to expect the future to be better than the present. Together, they explore how optimism can motivate us, improve health, and build resilience, while also considering its downsides, like underestimating risks. Dr. Sharot shares how optimism can be developed over time, even by those who lean pessimistic, and offers practical advice for private practitioners on using emotions effectively in the therapy room.

The post How Playful Questions Can Heal Families: Beliza Perez on Creating Connection Through Famgabs | POP 1252 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with Dr. Courtney Tracy, also known as The Truth Doctor, about the reality of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Dr. Tracy explains what BPD is, how it affects the brain, and why it can feel like “emotions on steroids” for those who live with it. She outlines the key criteria of BPD, including fear of abandonment, difficulty experiencing joy, and an overwhelming negative inner narrative.

The post Is It Borderline Personality Disorder? Recognizing the Signs and Finding Help with Dr. Courtney Tracy | POP 1251 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

What role does an interdisciplinary approach play in healing trauma and stress? How can medical systems unintentionally cause harm, and what can therapists do to help? Why do you become a better leader when you do your own work first? 

In this podcast episode, Brandon Shurn speaks about treating medical trauma and stress with Dr. Christen Mullane. 

The post Treating Medical Trauma and Stress with Dr. Christen Mullane | GP 290 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with neuroscientist Dr. Tali Sharot about the fascinating science of the optimism bias—our brain’s natural tendency to expect the future to be better than the present. Together, they explore how optimism can motivate us, improve health, and build resilience, while also considering its downsides, like underestimating risks. Dr. Sharot shares how optimism can be developed over time, even by those who lean pessimistic, and offers practical advice for private practitioners on using emotions effectively in the therapy room.

The post Optimism Bias Explained: The Science of Hope and Resilience with Dr. Tali Sharot | POP 1250 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

Joe Sanok talks with Tory Krone and Madeline Larsen about the few practice metrics that actually matter—retention, completed sessions, churn, and revenue per session—and how a simple dashboard turns guesswork into clear decisions about hiring, coaching, and marketing. Practical, no-fluff advice on using data to improve client care, reduce churn, and stabilize revenue.

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In this episode, Joe Sanok talks with world-record marathoner and animal advocate Fiona Oakes about how passion and purpose fuel resilience. Fiona shares how she overcame major physical setbacks to become the fastest woman to run a marathon on all seven continents and the North Pole, all while running to raise awareness for animal welfare. She discusses the connection between her running and her lifelong commitment to compassion, how training in “dark zones” builds mental toughness, and why keeping purpose at the core of your actions sustains both career and life. Fiona also offers advice for private practitioners on staying adaptable, compassionate, and open to change.

The post Fiona Oakes Holds the Guinness World Record for Being the Fastest Woman to Run a Marathon on All 7 Continents | POP 1248 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

What does the U.S. get wrong about wellness? Dr. Megan Lyons argues that real health isn’t about more—it’s about less. In this episode, she explores how modern culture’s obsession with instant gratification pulls us away from true well-being, and why simplicity—of food, lifestyle, and mindset—is often the key. She shares the core pillars of wellness, how to help kids build a healthy relationship with food, and what every private practitioner should keep in mind when navigating tough days. Whether you're a parent, a clinician, or just trying to feel better, this episode offers clear, practical ways to reclaim your health.

The post Why Instant Gratification Is Undermining Your Health – with Dr. Megan Lyon | POP 1247 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

In this episode, Joe Sanok speaks with NYT bestselling author Lawrence Armstrong about Layered Leadership and the role of creativity in effective leadership. Lawrence shares how drawing inspiration from the world around you, staying curious, and thinking in “synthesized layers” can lead to innovative strategies and solutions.

He introduces the concept of “whole-brain thinking,” encouraging leaders to strengthen not only their natural abilities but also areas where they’re less skilled—engaging in continuous learning to become more adaptable. Lawrence stresses the importance of creating collaborative environments where ideas can be freely shared, built upon, and refined, and advises hiring people with expertise beyond your own to strengthen the team’s collective problem-solving power.

For private practitioners and business owners, his key message is simple: you’re already a leader—so keep learning, embrace creativity, and apply whole-brain thinking to drive growth and inspire others.

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In this episode, Joe Sanok interviews Kevin Evers, senior editor at Harvard Business Review and author of There’s Nothing Like This: The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift. Evers unpacks how Swift’s career offers lessons for therapists—chief among them the value of having a clear vision, maintaining consistency, building trust, and staying fan-focused. Drawing from her early decision to leave a major record label that didn’t share her vision, to her bold switch from country to pop at the height of her success, Swift’s story illustrates the power of strategic risk-taking. Evers encourages private practitioners to apply these principles in their own work: stay aligned with your mission, know your audience, adapt when the time is right, and above all—keep going.

The post The Strategic Genius of Taylor Swift with HBR Senior Editor Kevin Evers | POP 1245 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.

Meet Joe Sanok Joe Sanok helps counselors to create thriving practices that are the envy of other counselors. He has helped counselors to grow their businesses by 50-500% and is […]

The post Ketamine, AI, and Brain Health: What Practitioners Need to Know with Dustin Robinson, Esq. CPA | POP 1244 appeared first on How to Start, Grow, and Scale a Private Practice | Practice of the Practice.