Physical Therapy: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly
Bringing you all things physical therapy. From being successful in school, navigating the PT profession, growing professionally, business development and everything in between.
Episodes
100 episodes
GBU Episode #100!
After countless conversations, controversial topics, unexpected connections, and more reflection than I anticipated, this episode is a look back at the journey of building this podcast — the good, the bad, and the ugly.In this episode, I...
GBU S2-E 47: The $100K Cap Era: How New Federal Student Loan Rules Will Reshape Physical Therapy
For years, becoming a physical therapist followed a predictable script: get into a DPT program, take on the loans, and trust that it would all work out on the back end. That script is changing—fast.In this episode, we break down how new ...
GBU S2-E46: Why Hiring Physical Therapists Has Become a Cluster F (and Nobody’s Explaining It Right).
Hiring physical therapists has become one of the most misunderstood and frustrating parts of the healthcare system—and both sides of the equation are feeling it.In this episode, we break down the real reasons clinics struggle to hire PTs...
GBU S2-E45: 7 Things Physical Therapists Get Wrong—and How to Fix Them
What if some of the most common things physical therapists do every day… are actually holding their patients back?In this episode, we take a hard look at the habits, assumptions, and systems that are quietly limiting outcomes across the ...
GBU S2-E44: Revisiting Student Debt, and actionable steps to pay if off!
Student debt is one of the biggest financial burdens facing physical therapists today—and it doesn’t just disappear after your first job or a few years of payments. In this episode, we take a real, honest look at student loan debt from the pers...
GBU S2-E43 New Grad PT Survival Guide: Avoid Burnout, Build Confidence, Love Your Career
Starting your career in outpatient physical therapy can feel overwhelming—fast-paced schedules, high expectations, and the pressure to prove yourself right away.In this episode, we break down a practical, realistic roadmap for new grad P...
GBU S2-E42 You’re Not a Bad Clinician — You Just Need More Reps
Are you actually struggling as a clinician… or are you just early in the process?In this episode, we break down one of the biggest misconceptions in physical therapy: the idea that you’re “not good enough” when in reality, you...
GBU S2-E41: How to Actually Succeed on Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations are where PT students stop being students… and start being evaluated like clinicians.In this episode, we break down what actually separates average students from the ones who stand out, earn trust quickly, and walk awa...
GBU S2-E40: Is PT School in Crisis: Fewer Students, Falling Pass Rates
Applications to physical therapy school are declining—and at the same time, first-time NPTE pass rates are starting to fall. These two trends raise serious questions about the future of PT education and the profession as a whole.In this ...
GBU S2-E39: The PT School vs. Real Practice Gap
Physical therapy school teaches precision.Clinical practice demands efficiency.In this episode, we break down some of the things PT students spend countless hours stressing over in school that often matter far less once you’re actual...
GBU S2: E38- OutPatient Physical Therapy
Outpatient Physical Therapy: The Dream Setting… or the Burnout Factory?When most people think of physical therapy, they think of outpatient orthopedics — a busy clinic, tables lined up, therabands hanging on the wall, athletes reh...
GBU S2-E37: Skilled Nursing Physical Therapist
Skilled Nursing Facility physical therapy might be the most controversial setting in our profession.Is it a productivity factory?Is it where new grads burn out?Or is it one of the most meaningful places a physical therapist can w...
GBU S2-E36: HHPT
What happens when the clinic walls disappear… and it’s just you and the patient?In this episode, we take a deep dive into home health physical therapy — one of the highest-paying, most autonomous, and most misunderstood settings in the p...
GBU S2-E35: Inpatient Physical Therapy
What is it really like to be a physical therapist inside a hospital?In this episode, we go behind the scenes of acute care physical therapy — where sessions are short, stakes are high, and clinical decisions actually influence whether so...
GBU S2-E34: From New Grad to Respected Clinician: The Skills They Don’t Teach
What actually makes a physical therapist successful in the real world?Not perfect evals. Not fancy Instagram exercises. And definitely not pretending the system isn’t broken.In this episode, we talk about the skills that a...
GBU S2-E 33 Left Out in the Cold? Why Physical Therapists Feel Disconnected—and How We Move Forward
Physical therapists are highly trained, deeply invested in their patients, and essential to modern healthcare—yet many feel disconnected from decision-making, compensation growth, and long-term career stability.In this episode, we explore <...
GBU S2-E32 Vision 2030 what has changed in the past decade since 2020.
Vision statements shape careers — whether we realize it or not.In this episode, I reflect on the APTA’s 2020 Vision: what it accomplished, what fell short, and what lessons we should’ve learned. Then I take a critical look at the 2030 Vi...
GBU S2-E31: What are the three types of patient's we see.... and which one are we failing???
Every physical therapist treats three types of patients.The post-surgical patient who needs structure and milestones.The acute injury patient who needs guidance, reassurance, and a plan.And the patient who is already get...
GBU S2-E30: Things Physical Therapist are afraid to say out loud
The Things Physical Therapists Don’t Say Out LoudPhysical therapists see the gaps in healthcare every day—but most of what we notice never gets said publicly.In this episode, we talk openly about the uncomfortable truths...
GBU S2-E 29 Year in Review and what is to come for 2026
In this episode, we break down what actually mattered in physical therapy in 2025 — the wins, the challenges, and the trends that didn’t get enough attention. We also look ahead to 2026, including what to expect with reimbursement, the growing ...
GBU S2-E28 Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems
Imaging Addiction: When More Scans Mean More Problems”We live in an era where MRIs, X-rays, and scans are only a click away—but are we actually helping patients, or just complicating care?In this episode, we dig into the overus...
GBU S2-E27: Direct Access in Physical Therapy: A Great Idea Patients Still Don’t Use
Direct access to physical therapy is often framed as a win for patients—faster care, lower costs, and fewer unnecessary steps. And in many ways, it is. But only when it’s used the right way.In this episode, we break down what direct acce...
GBU S2-E26: What is it that a PT really fears....
Physical therapists are trained to fix problems, restore movement, and change lives—but there’s a fear most will never say out loud.What if the exercises aren’t working?What if the patient isn’t really getting better?What if, at ...
GBU S2-E25 Why are Patients losing trust in their Medical Doctor?
Why Patients Are Losing Trust in Their DoctorsIn this episode, I breaks down why so many patients today feel disconnected from the traditional medical model. For decades, healthcare has relied on an outdated, provider-centric appr...
GBU S2-E24: Why Every PT needs to be in the gym training
Why Every Physical Therapist Needs to Be in the GymIn this episode, we break down why stepping into the gym isn’t optional for today’s physical therapists—it’s essential. We’ll talk about how training improves clinical skills, enh...