
Grow Your Practice Podcast
Each week, the Grow Your Practice Podcast with Chad Madden of Breakthrough brings you no-nonsense marketing & business growth strategies that deliver new patients and higher profits.
Co-Founder of Breakthrough, Owner of Madden Physical Therapy and Author of "Killer Marketing Secrets for Private Practice PTs", Chad grew his practice 600% in the last five years using direct response marketing strategies. He sees more than 200 new patients each month in his single location Private Practice. Now he's teaching over 800 Practice Owners to do the same.
Latest episodes

Jul 19, 2025 • 38min
How Writing a Book Can Explode Your Practice Growth: Ft. Chandler Bolt
In this episode, Chad Madden interviews Chandler Bolt, founder of SelfPublishing.com, on how private practice owners can use a book to grow their business. Chandler shares how he went from failed startup to publishing over 7,000 books and explains why a book is the best marketing asset for attracting leads, building authority, and generating referrals. If you're a practice owner looking to stand out, this episode is your roadmap.

Jul 14, 2025 • 48min
Burnout, Belonging, and Building a Strong Team: Lessons from Lisa Flexner
Chad Madden sits down with Lisa Flexner, founder of Flex Health Consulting, to talk about her surprising journey from tech and executive coaching to becoming a physical therapist—and how a broken shoulder led to a career transformation.Lisa shares her insights on building people-centered practices, preventing burnout, and why culture—not marketing or operations—is the foundation of every successful clinic. She breaks down why Gen Z isn’t the problem, how to attract and retain great clinicians, and what practice owners can do to create lasting impact.

Jun 27, 2025 • 26min
The Graduation Rate Audit: How One Simple Tool Transformed Our $150K Revenue Leak
Want to improve patient outcomes, increase referrals, and make your marketing way more effective without spending a dime?In this episode, we break down the Graduation Rate Audit — a simple but powerful tool every private practice physical therapist should be using. Learn how one clinician went from a 40% to over 80% graduation rate in just 90 days, and why having your clinicians run this themselves creates lasting behavior change.Download the Audit Sheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1VKS4P1uviyUuDi_to6Pk_CWggxX3-mtg🚀 Want to See the System Behind Scaling to $20M — and the Plan to Hit $100M?Book a free demo call and get a behind-the-scenes look at the exact systems, tools, and frameworks Chad used to grow from a solo PT to a $20M practice — and the blueprint he's using to reach $100M. https://getbreakthrough.com/demo/Time Stamps:0:00 – Intro: Why Clinicians Don’t Buy Into Marketing2:00 – The Graduation Rate Audit Explained5:00 – The "Leaky Bucket" Problem in PT Clinics7:45 – Jan’s Story: From 40% to 80% Graduation Rate10:00 – How to Use the Audit Spreadsheet16:00 – Why Clinicians Must Complete the Audit Themselves20:00 – Long-Term Behavior Change & Practice Growth24:30 – Final Thoughts + Free Tool Access

Jun 24, 2025 • 42min
Building Demand With Content Marketing Ft. Dr. Kevin Christie
In this episode, Chad Madden talks with Dr. Kevin Christie about how chiropractors and physical therapists can grow their practices using content marketing that builds trust, not pressure.Whether you're insurance-based or cash-based, this episode covers how to position yourself as a local expert and turn educational content into consistent patient growth.Book mentioned: Epic Content Marketing🔔 Subscribe for weekly episodes helping you grow your private practice!⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 - Intro00:26 - Meet Dr. Kevin Christie01:30 - How Kevin Uses His Practice as a Test Lab02:30 - What Content Marketing Really Is05:00 - Why Doctors Have the Advantage in Content07:10 - Trust vs. Tactics: Creating Real Value10:15 - The 85/15 Rule: PBS vs. QVC14:00 - High-Ticket Care vs. Insurance-Based Practices18:00 - Why Great Marketing Reduces Sales Pressure22:00 - Framework for Creating Compelling Content26:00 - Where Should You Start with Content?28:30 - Using AI to Repurpose Videos30:00 - Email List = Your Secret Salesforce32:00 - Retargeting with Facebook Ads34:00 - Trends in Add-On Services (Shockwave, Laser, Gym Hybrids)37:00 - Favorite Marketing Book: Epic Content Marketing40:00 - Final Advice: Be the Buffalo

Jun 5, 2025 • 44min
Am I Really Making Money in My Practice? Ft. Sean Healy of Accounted4 LLC
Do you ever wonder why your profit says one thing—but your bank account says another?In this episode, Chad Madden sits down with Sean Healy, founder of Accounted4 LLC, to break down:-Why profit isn’t the best way to measure your practice's health-How to understand cash flow (without being an accountant)-The top 2 predictive metrics every PT owner should track-Why your balance sheet is more important than your P&L-What to clean up before selling your practice-Smart ways to use AI and automation to protect your bottom line📈 Whether you’re looking to grow, streamline, or sell your practice, this episode is packed with practical advice you can act on today.👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this helpful!#PhysicalTherapy #PrivatePractice #Cashflow #ExitPlanning #SmallBusinessFinance #GrowYourPractice #AIInHealthcareIf you’re ready to simplify your hiring, boost staff retention, and grow your practice—schedule a free demo of Breakthrough today at https://getbreakthrough.com/demo⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:18 – Meet Sean Healy of Accounted For LLC01:40 – The Question: “Am I Making Money?”03:25 – Profit vs Cashflow05:35 – Step 1 to Understanding Your Finances07:15 – The Power of the Balance Sheet10:10 – 5 Things That Affect Cashflow (Not on P&L)13:15 – Predictive Metrics That Matter18:35 – Why Cashflow Problems Catch Owners Off Guard21:50 – How to Start Saving Strategically24:20 – Using AI, VAs & Automation29:30 – Booking Appointments with AI30:45 – Who Sean Works With & How to Connect32:10 – Preparing for a Practice Exit35:45 – What Buyers Want to See37:50 – EBITDA & Multiples40:20 – Most Influential Books & AI Conversions42:45 – Final Thoughts

May 16, 2025 • 47min
Ben Wobker of Lake Washington PT Shares: Clinician Hiring Draft Board, Building Company Culture, Balancing Burn Out, and How to Utilize AI and Tech in Growing a Practice
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice Podcast, host Chad Madden sits down with physical therapist and Lake Washington PT founder Ben Wobker to talk about one of the hottest issues in private practice: hiring.Ben reveals his data-backed approach to attracting, hiring, and retaining top DPT grads—even during a nationwide staffing shortage. Learn how he uses a “draft board” system to nurture warm leads, mentors PT students years before they graduate, and leverages technology like AI scribes to create a clinic culture that wins the talent war.Whether you’re struggling to recruit your next hire or looking to strengthen retention, this is a must-listen conversation with practical strategies you can implement today.If you’re ready to simplify your hiring, boost staff retention, and grow your practice—schedule a free demo of Breakthrough today at https://getbreakthrough.com/demo⏱️ Episode Timestamps:00:00 – Intro: Wakeboarding and wake-surfing with Ben01:10 – The PT shortage: Why hiring is harder than ever02:00 – How Ben recruits from his own aide pipeline03:45 – Building a “draft board” for DPT students06:30 – Tracking warm leads with a simple Google Sheet07:30 – The warm funnel that led to 14 new PT hires09:15 – The structured (yet casual) interview process10:45 – Building trust with personal emails and CEU invites13:30 – Centralizing hiring to reduce internal competition16:00 – Adapting to Gen Z’s definition of work-life balance20:30 – Leveraging AI scribes to reduce documentation burnout24:00 – Using ChatGPT, Gemini & AI agents in operations32:00 – Creating scroll-stopping social videos with Opus Clip36:45 – How to increase staff retention with autonomy, mastery, and purpose40:00 – Mentorship as a competitive advantage42:00 – Top podcast recommendations outside PT45:00 – Ben’s favorite book: Bo Knows Bo46:30 – Wrap-up and closing thoughts

May 14, 2025 • 30min
Core Values and How to Hire the Best: The Road to Build a $100M Practice - Ep: 02
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden dives deep into the foundational principles every private practice owner needs to scale sustainably, starting with clearly defined core values. If you’ve struggled with hiring, team alignment, or culture drift, you’ll want to take notes. Chad breaks down the “Planning Pyramid,” showing how to connect your daily accountability to your 10-25 year vision. You’ll learn how to identify and codify core values that attract A-players and repel toxic team members, plus how to build hiring scorecards that get results. Whether you're aiming for your first million or your hundredth, this episode sets the stage for lasting growth.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Part 2 of the $100 Million Practice Series00:30 – Why Core Values Matter More Than Ever02:00 – The Planning Pyramid Explained (Based on Vern Harnish’s work)04:00 – The Real Reason You’re Struggling to Hire (and What to Do Instead)06:30 – What Goes in a Scorecard: Role, Metrics, Competencies, Core Values08:30 – How Core Values Drive Accountability and Retention10:00 – The Danger of Compromising Core Values When You’re Desperate12:30 – Why Good People Can Still Be a Bad Fit (and How to Tell)14:00 – Real Examples from the Clinic: Rewarding Core Value Behavior17:00 – The 3 Core Values That Drive Madden PT21:30 – How to Spot Grit, Growth-Mindset, and Team Players in Interviews24:00 – The “Ocean Questions” and Red Flags in Hiring26:00 – Stories of Impact: From World War II Veterans to Everyday Miracles28:00 – Recap & Why Core Values Outlast You29:00 – What’s Coming in Part 3: Goal Forecasting & Annual Planning

May 13, 2025 • 36min
The Top 10%: What Thriving PT Clinics Do Differently with Neil Trickett
In this episode of the Grow Your Practice podcast, Chad Madden sits down with Neil Trickett—former private practice owner and founder of Practice Promotions—to uncover what the top 10% of physical therapy clinics are doing to thrive in today’s competitive healthcare market. Neil shares his journey from running a seven-figure clinic to building one of the industry’s leading marketing agencies. Together, they dive deep into the common traps practice owners fall into, how to stabilize patient flow, and why marketing is the engine that drives everything from hiring to profitability. You’ll walk away with actionable strategies from Neil’s “Market to Grow” system, insights into what sets high-performing clinics apart, and a renewed focus on leveraging marketing to take control of your clinic’s future.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps0:01 – Introduction: Meet Neil Trickett and his journey from clinic owner to marketing expert1:09 – From PT owner in Florida to founding Practice Promotions2:47 – The early days: Direct mail inspiration from chiropractors4:05 – The big marketing realization: “Marketing solves all problems”6:00 – How Neil’s newsletters became a recruiting magnet6:26 – The philosophy behind “Market to Grow” and the top 10% of clinics9:03 – The three biggest challenges: New patients, hiring, and reimbursement11:13 – How one practice added $120K in cash services in Q1 alone11:41 – The “New Patient Roller Coaster” and how to get off it13:43 – Breaking down the “Market to Grow” system14:59 – Why website conversion rates are a secret weapon17:01 – Real-world example: 8%+ website conversion rates using heatmaps and AI18:50 – “Market to Hire”: Proactive recruiting and why your careers page matters21:04 – Getting found on Google for jobs (and bypassing Indeed)23:05 – Real story: When your marketing attracts top talent away from competitors24:22 – The “Revenue Ratio”: A new way to assess clinic profitability25:33 – Two tactics for attracting better-paying patients and promoting cash services27:08 – Common marketing mistakes practice owners make28:55 – How much should PT clinics really be investing in marketing?30:55 – If you’re overwhelmed, start with this first step32:03 – Where to get Neil’s book, Market to Grow33:00 – Rapid Fire: Marketing myths, overlooked tactics, case studies, and more35:56 – Final thoughts and takeaway from Neil Trickett

May 12, 2025 • 43min
Big Hairy Audacious Goals: The Road to Build a $100M Practice - Ep: 01
In this powerful solo episode, Chad dives deep into the concept of the Big Hairy Audacious Goal (BHAG)—a strategic visioning tool popularized by Jim Collins. Whether you're a solo practice owner or leading multiple locations, Chad explains why setting a bold, long-term goal can transform your business, align your team, and reignite your purpose. He shares personal stories from building his $20M+ practice, his challenges, and the exact framework you can use to craft your own BHAG. Plus, hear the pivotal moment that shaped the future of Breakthrough.If you’re ready to stop playing small and start building a practice with real impact, this episode is for you.If you're ready to grow your practice with clarity and purpose, schedule a free strategy demo at https://getbreakthrough.com/strategy/ to see how our platform can help you attract new patients, increase profitability, and stay focused on your long-term vision.⏱️ Timestamps:0:00 – IntroWhy we’re talking about BHAGs—and what makes them so powerful.1:17 – What Is a BHAG?Definition, key attributes, and why it's more than just a lofty goal.2:33 – Vision-Driven LeadershipHow BHAGs connect to core company vision and direction.4:18 – From Theory to PracticeChad shares his clinic’s BHAG and the competitive landscape in Central PA.6:45 – How a BHAG Creates AlignmentUsing a BHAG to guide hiring, marketing, operations, and focus.8:14 – Beyond Survival: Inspiring a Mission-Driven TeamThe power of getting your team aligned behind a bigger purpose.10:12 – Filtering Out Shiny ObjectsUsing your BHAG as a North Star for strategic decisions.11:32 – “Too Small to Think Big”? Think AgainDebunking the myth that BHAGs are only for big companies.13:00 – Real-Life Example from Early PracticeChad’s first vision as a 27-year-old and how it came true.14:38 – The Fear of Failure & UncertaintyWhy you don’t need to know every step to think long-term.16:45 – Building a Vision-Driven TeamTips for attracting and retaining people aligned with your mission.18:22 – Common Challenges with BHAGsFrom team buy-in to feeling undeserving of success.20:27 – The Framework to Craft Your Own BHAGStep-by-step process to define purpose, impact, and time horizon.25:45 – Business Math vs. RelationshipsWhy your BHAG should inspire people—not just hit revenue goals.28:00 – The 20-Mile MarchJim Collins’ rule for sustainable long-term growth.30:00 – Sharing and Aligning the VisionHow to make your BHAG part of everyday conversations and culture.31:15 – Myths and Pitfalls to AvoidAvoiding vague, boring, or unbalanced goals.33:00 – A Personal Story That Changed EverythingThe moment Chad decided to build something bigger than himself.40:00 – Recap & Action StepsDraft your BHAG, share it with your team, and start filtering decisions through it.

Apr 29, 2025 • 34min
The 12 Reasons You Can't Ignore Reactivations
In this episode, Chad Madden breaks down the 12 hidden benefits of reactivating past patients in your physical therapy, chiropractic, or healthcare clinic. From boosting revenue during slow seasons to improving staff morale and patient outcomes, reactivations are the easiest, most overlooked growth channel for private practices.Chad shares personal stories (including losing $98K in one quarter), walks through real math on lifetime patient value, and explains why your patient list is your biggest business advantage.Whether you're a practice owner looking to grow, stabilize revenue, or eventually sell your clinic, this episode will show you exactly why reactivations should be your #1 priority.00:00 - Intro: What is a Reactivation?01:15 - Why Reactivations Are Underrated02:20 - Losing $100K in Q4 (and how it changed everything)03:45 - Why Cold Traffic & Referrals Failed During Holidays05:20 - The Breakthrough: Free Exam Day = 70+ Reactivations07:09 - Benefit #1: Revenue Stability08:00 - Benefit #2: Higher Lifetime Patient Value09:32 - Benefit #3: More Efficient Operations11:10 - Benefit #4: Better Clinical Outcomes12:40 - Benefit #5: Stronger Community Reputation14:20 - Benefit #6: Happier Staff, Easier Workflows16:45 - Real Story: Seeing Past Patients in Costco19:15 - Benefit #7: More Predictable Scheduling21:35 - Benefit #8: Lower Marketing Costs22:45 - Benefit #9: Better Patient Compliance23:50 - Benefit #10: Higher Practice Valuation26:25 - Why Buyers Care About Reactivation Systems27:50 - Benefit #11: Data-Driven Decisions30:00 - Benefit #12: Competitive Advantage (Blue Ocean Strategy)32:20 - Final Recap: All 12 Benefits of Reactivations33:30 - What’s Next: 4 Levels of Reactivation Skill & Action Plan