Practice Growth Episodes

Episodes on running and growing a podiatry practice: starting out, pricing, your team, mindset, and the business decisions behind the marketing.
251
Oct. 12, 2026

Creativity is Just Connecting Dots

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss the idea that creativity is simply connecting existing “dots,” not inventing something from nothing, and challenge podiatrists to combine podiatry with another industry concept to generate new business ideas. Tyson shares examples of successful dot-connecting from other industries, including Capital One Café (bank + café), a coffee shop that becomes a wine bar in the afternoon, drive-through ATMs, blended cuisi...
241
Aug. 3, 2026

Culture is Your Best Marketing Strategy (Lessons from Recent FIFA World Cup)

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss how culture can be a practice’s best marketing strategy, using widely shared World Cup stories of Japanese fans cleaning stadiums and Japanese players leaving spotless dressing rooms. They outline five lessons: marketing is what happens when nobody is watching (patients judge cleanliness, smells, staff behavior, and details like parking); consistency creates trust (predictable experiences build brands and inco...
237
July 6, 2026

Dig the Well Before You Need the Water

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss why podiatrists should “dig the well before you need the water” by building referral relationships long before a slowdown hits. They explain that many clinics network too late, that referrals are a byproduct of trust and consistent visibility, and that seasonality, weather, and economic shifts can create dry spells. Key strategies include networking most when you’re busy to avoid desperation, diversifying refe...
228
May 4, 2026

The Five Decisions That Set Up a New Practice for Success

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss five key business decisions that shape whether a new podiatry practice succeeds before it ever opens. Prompted by a resident preparing to start a practice without a lease or patients, they outline an order of operations: research the market before choosing a location using free data like census trends, income levels, and competitor presence; decide what type of practice and payer mix you want rather than “trea...
227
April 27, 2026

The Happiness Advantage: The Marketing Strategy You’re Not Using

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss why happiness is a powerful, overlooked marketing strategy in podiatry, arguing that patients decide emotionally and justify logically, so the in-clinic experience often matters more than ads, websites, or equipment. They explain that small moments—warm greetings, feeling heard, confidence in outcomes, and an encouraging close—create emotional memories that drive trusted word-of-mouth, reviews, loyalty, better...
226
April 20, 2026

The Revenue Already Sitting in Your EMR

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss how podiatry practices can recover “lost” revenue already sitting in their EMR by improving patient recall and follow-up on incomplete treatments. They explain common examples of overdue patients (heel pain, diabetic foot checks, orthotic pickup, shockwave treatment sequences) and why manual recall fails due to front-desk workloads being overwhelmed and inconsistent outreach. Jim outlines how to calculate miss...
224
April 6, 2026

You're Not Behind — The Uncertainty Is the Hard Part

Many podiatrists feel stuck after leaving the structured path of school and training. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss how uncertainty, not a lack of tactics, keeps them from improving marketing or changing their practice. They explore the “busy but broke” paradox of full schedules with thin margins, the compounding costs of inaction (such as outdated websites and poor patient mix), and the value of making fears specific by attaching real numbers to decisions, such as running Googl...
221
March 16, 2026

5 Tips for Small Podiatry Clinics to Look Bigger from Day One

A small podiatry clinic can look larger and more professional from day one. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss how. They share personal stories and provide five actionable tips: 1) Look like a system, not a solo act, 2) Control the first 30 seconds of patient interaction, 3) Borrow credibility from trusted partners, 4) Design the overall patient experience, not just the room, and 5) Sound confident online before patients meet you. These tips aim to help small clinics establish trust...
214
Jan. 26, 2026

Essentialism for Podiatrists: Do Less, Accomplish More

Greg McKeown's book Essentialism has lessons for how you run a podiatry practice. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, explore how its principles apply. Learn about the importance of designing your practice intentionally, understanding trade-offs, finding your niche, creating space to think, and the power of saying 'No.' Perfect for podiatrists looking to streamline their practice and focus on what truly matters. Don't miss out on actionable tips and strategies to build a fulfilling, sustaina...
210
Dec. 29, 2025

What Private Podiatry Practices Can Do That Big Systems Can't

Private podiatry practices can compete against larger hospital systems and multi-specialty groups. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss how. They explore the growing trend of hospitals incorporating podiatry departments and private equity forming mega groups, and address the fears that many private practitioners have about competing with these larger entities. The episode outlines five key advantages that private practices have over hospital systems, including personal branding, speed...
207
Dec. 8, 2025

The One Thing Every NEW Podiatry Business Owner Should Do

Track every number from day one. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss why this is the one strategy every new podiatry business owner should put in place to save years of frustration. They dive into the importance of monitoring data, such as new patient numbers, referral sources, average patient spend, rebooking rates, revenue per hour, and Google reviews. They also share practical tips for building relationships with referral sources and making smart marketing decisions based on accur...
200
Oct. 20, 2025

Celebrating 200 Episodes with Don Pelto, DPM

Welcome to the 200th episode of Podiatry Marketing! In this special edition, hosts Jim and Tyson are joined by Dr. Don Pelto, an actual practicing podiatrist with a keen interest in marketing. Dr. Pelto shares his journey into the world of podiatry marketing, influenced early on by classic business and psychology books, and honed through years of practice and innovation. The conversation touches on his impactful strategies, including dominating online reviews, utilizing principles of urgent car...
170
March 24, 2025

Business Name Strategy and Protection

The right business name matters for your podiatry practice. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, delve into its strategic importance. Learn about the impact a name can have on your business identity, patient perception, and branding efforts. The hosts share valuable insights on avoiding common pitfalls such as overly complex or generic names, ensuring your name can grow with your business, and the crucial steps for protecting your name through trademarks and domain registrations. They also pr...
164
Feb. 10, 2025

Priming Your RAS: Reticular Activating System

Join Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, in this episode of Podiatry Marketing as they discuss the reticular activating system (RAS) and its impact on awareness and marketing strategies. Tyson shares personal stories and examples of how recognizing patterns and marketing tactics in everyday situations can improve focus on attracting the ideal patients for a podiatry practice. The episode explores how to harness the power of RAS to make effective marketing and business decisions, offering act...
163
Feb. 3, 2025

Jim's Word of The Year

Join Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, in this episode of Podiatry Marketing as they discuss the importance of consistency in both personal and professional life. Jim reveals his word of the year, 'consistency,' and shares insights on how small, incremental efforts can lead to significant achievements over time. The conversation covers various topics, including health, goal-setting, and maintaining balanced personal and professional relationships. Tune in for practical advice and motivatio...
160
Jan. 13, 2025

Tyson's Word for the Year & Why You Need One

In this episode of the Podiatry Marketing Podcast, hosts Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, dive into the concept of choosing a 'word of the year' for 2025. Tyson reveals his word of the year, 'contentment,' and discusses its significance in setting intentions and goals for the year. The conversation covers how a single word can guide daily actions, inform decision-making, and keep one aligned with their objectives. Tune in to learn more about the importance of having a word of the year and...
134
July 15, 2024

What is Your WORD for the Year?

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, hosts Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss the concept of choosing a 'word for the year' to guide both personal and professional growth. They delve into how selecting a single word can simplify and align goals, and Tyson shares his personal experience with using words like 'evolve,' 'abundance,' 'simplicity,' and 'discovery.' The duo explores how this practice can enhance a podiatry business and encourage continuous improvement. They also inspir...
123
April 29, 2024

Reflect, Align, and Thrive: A Podiatrist's Guide to Fulfilling Practice

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, hosts Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss strategies for podiatrists to build a fulfilling, financially sustainable practice. We emphasize the importance of reflecting on personal satisfaction within one's practice, aligning the services offered with passion areas such as biomechanics or sports medicine, and thriving by attracting the right patient demographic. The conversation covers practical tips for taking deliberate steps toward personal fu...
120
April 8, 2024

Demand-Based Pricing in Podiatry

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, hosts Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin explore the concept of demand-based pricing, comparing it to strategies like Uber's surge pricing. They discuss how prices should adapt to consumer demand levels, emphasizing the importance of pricing strategies for podiatry clinics. Through personal anecdotes, including a humorous story about a motel's dynamic pricing during a storm surge, they illustrate supply-and-demand principles in action. The podcast also...
118
March 25, 2024

The Difference Between Sunk Costs and Opportunity Costs

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, hosts Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin guide listeners through the differences between sunk costs and opportunity costs. Tyson highlights the importance of recognizing when to pivot or stop a task, project, or person. The use of resources and time should be a critical consideration in all decisions. They also discuss the danger of investing too much effort into tactics that are not yielding results. They emphasize the value of taking calculated risks...
117
March 18, 2024

Leveraging Your Electronic Medical Record Software for Practice Growth

In this episode of Podiatry Marketing, hosts Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss how podiatrists can better leverage their Electronic Medical Record (EMR) systems for marketing purposes. They delve into integrations with other platforms, automating patient reminders, creating targeted recall campaigns, patient education, and gathering valuable patient feedback. They also explore the potential of EMRs to generate reviews and make the most of what EMRs can offer to improve the efficienc...
114
Feb. 26, 2024

What's the Best, Not the Cheapest

In this podcast episode from Podiatry Marketing, Jim McDannald, DPM, and Tyson Franklin discuss the importance of investing in quality rather than pinching pennies in a professional setting, specifically for podiatrists. Topics broadly covered include evaluating software programs not by their cost but by the value they provide to the practice, making investments to amplify one's online presence and representation, the perceived stigma associated with 'cheap' mindsets, and the significance of un...
104
Dec. 18, 2023

Your Pricing (FEES) Should Be Part of Your Marketing Strategy

Your fees are part of your marketing strategy. Tyson Franklin and Jim McDannald, DPM, discuss why podiatrists should see them that way. They explore reasons behind fee hesitations and how to overcome them. They also cover the importance of price setting, taking into account competitor fees, patient demographics, and future business expenses. Lastly, they discuss the potential impact of inflation and the mindset practitioners need to ensure their fees reflect their value and services. ✉️ CONTAC...
102
Dec. 4, 2023

Chase the Money

In the insightful episode, Tyson and Jim provide a guide to optimizing financial strategies for podiatry clinics during the crucial early December period. Here are the main takeaways: Timing is Key: Capitalize on patient spending habits in December, as January might present financial challenges for them. Proactive Patient Outreach: Follow up with patients who've delayed appointments or are due for annual check-ups, such as orthotic reviews or diabetic foot checks. Effective Communication: Use...