The Care2Grow Show

Dr. Larry Arbeitman

The Care2Grow Show is a podcast where real conversations with purpose-driven practitioners reveal what it truly means to lead with care. What to expect: Candid interviews with successful chiropractors and healthcare providers to learn how they incorporate "care" into their patient care. Insights into the mindset shifts and pivotal moments that changed their careers Practical tools for building trust, growing sustainably, and staying aligned. A deeper look at the care-first philosophy in real-world practice: Whether you're looking for inspiration, tactical strategies, or a reminder of why you started, this podcast is designed to nourish your mind, align your mission, and reignite your passion for practice.

  1. 1h ago

    Sense, Sway, Sync: Tilly Lawrence, BSN, RN, on the Vagus Nerve, Co-Regulation & Learning to Be Human

    On this episode of The Care2Grow Show®, Dr. Larry Arbeitman welcomes Tilly Lawrence, BSN, RN — a scientist, futurist, and former PICU/NICU nurse who led a federally funded virtual interventional trial using vagal nerve modulation and sound augmentation technology to help alleviate symptoms of long COVID. She's the creator of Vagal Intelligence and the Sense. Sway. Sync. methodology, and will share her journey on the TEDx Bessies Creek stage this summer under the theme "Be Human." In this episode, they discuss: Tilly's decade in PICU and NICU nursing, the burnout that came from repeatedly running codes on critically ill children with no time to process, and why she eventually moved into clinical research. The personal crisis that changed everything: her daughter's years-long battle with cyclic vomiting episodes, and how Tilly's own PICU-trained "emergency mode" nervous system was unintentionally being transferred to her daughter during care. How learning the polyvagal theory and consciously shifting her own nervous system state cut her daughter's six-day episodes down to a day and a half — a real-world example of how a caregiver's physiological state shapes the person they're caring for. A clear breakdown of the three states of the polyvagal theory: ventral vagal (safe, open, able to heal), fight-or-flight activation, and dorsal vagal shutdown (freeze, numbness, disassociation) — and why so many patients arrive already stuck in one of the latter two. Her Sense. Sway. Sync. framework: how providers can regulate their own nervous system first (sense), use presence and body language to help shift a patient's physiology (sway), and ultimately reach a state of true co-regulation with the patient (sync). Why provider self-regulation isn't a soft skill but a clinical tool — backed by research from Compassionomics showing a 40-second compassionate statement measurably reduced anxiety in oncology patients. A real example of disconnected, rushed care in action, and why "fast food healthcare" leaves both patients and staff dysregulated. Her upcoming TEDx Bessies Creek talk (July 18) on the theme "Be Human," and her vision for bringing Vagal Intelligence to practitioners, educators, and school systems. A lightning round covering her care philosophy in one word (believing), the person who's shaped how she cares (her father), and finishing the sentence: "Care is... believing." About Tilly Lawrence, BSN, RN Tilly Lawrence, BSN, RN, is a scientist, futurist, and former PICU nurse who successfully led a federally funded decentralized/virtual interventional trial using vagal nerve modulation and sound augmentation technology to help alleviate some of the 200+ symptoms of long COVID. She is the creator of Vagal Intelligence, a framework for the science of human co-regulation, and the Sense. Sway. Sync. methodology that puts it into daily practice. She is also a mother of three, whose own experience has shaped and reframed how she understands care, resonance, and what it truly means to be human. Tilly will share her journey to Vagal Intelligence on the TEDx Bessies Creek stage this summer, under the theme "Be Human." Connect with Tilly Lawrence Website: vagalintelligence.com Instagram: @tillylawrence LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/tillylawrence Email: tillylawrence818@gmail.com If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — that's how we put the care back into healthcare, one conversation at a time.

    Sense, Sway, Sync: Tilly Lawrence, BSN, RN, on the Vagus Nerve, Co-Regulation & Learning to Be Human
  2. 6d ago

    Take Off the Doctor Mask: Dr. Melissa Longo, DC, on Authenticity, Self-Care & Building a Practice That's Actually Yours

    On this episode of The Care2Grow Show®, Dr. Larry Arbeitman welcomes Dr. Melissa Longo — a family chiropractor since 2002, sought-after mentor and coach, and host of the top-rated podcast Rock Star Doctor Life. Dr. Longo has spent her career serving patients directly while also empowering doctors to build practices — and lives — that actually fit who they are. In this episode, they discuss: Dr. Longo's origin story — a tingling hand and a single conversation that sent her straight to chiropractic college before she'd even left the appointment. How she defines care: compassion, empathy, and genuinely listening to the human in front of you, not just treating them as a number or a means to grow the practice. Why trust has to be built before healing can happen, and how small moments — eye contact, open body language, a 30-second recap of what a patient just told you — build that trust faster than any script. The research behind it: patients' anxiety drops significantly when a doctor lets them talk for just 40 seconds, yet most doctors cut patients off after only 17. Why she coaches with frameworks instead of scripts, and how she helps doctors build practices around their own personality, family life, and values instead of a one-size-fits-all model. Provider self-care and energy protection — her "vending machine" and "colander, not container" metaphors for staying full enough to keep giving, including her own practice of smudging the office to clear heavy energy between patients. The moment her own practice broke through a plateau: a colleague's simple observation that she was hiding behind a "doctor mask," and what happened once she started showing up authentically instead. A patient story about John, a 71-year-old farmer who regained his strength and confidence after Dr. Longo simply listened and encouraged him to return to something he loved — weightlifting. The origin of the Rock Star Doctor Life podcast, and why she believes today's doctors need permission to build a practice — and a life — that doesn't look like anyone else's. A lightning round covering her care philosophy in one word (fun), the person who's shaped how she cares (Danielle LaPorte), and finishing the sentence: "Care is... integral to building a practice that is prosperous." About Dr. Melissa Longo Since starting a successful private practice in 2002, Dr. Melissa Longo has made it her business to empower other doctors in their lives and careers — literally. A fearless entrepreneur and sought-after mentor and coach, Dr. Melissa hosts the top-rated podcast Rock Star Doctor Life and has been a featured speaker on stages and within programs for healthcare professionals. A relentless creator, she has learned the ins and outs of branding for success and used that knowledge to empower doctors to build brands and businesses that last. Her work with doctors one-on-one and in group formats has given her a unique view across the landscape of health professionals looking to build their practices, expand online, and stay healthy in the process. Connect with Dr. Melissa Longo Website: www.drmelissalongo.com Podcast: www.rockstardoctorlife.com Instagram: @drmelissalongo YouTube: youtube.com/@drmelissalongo Email: drm@drmelissalongo.com If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — that's how we put the care back into healthcare, one conversation at a time.

    Take Off the Doctor Mask: Dr. Melissa Longo, DC, on Authenticity, Self-Care & Building a Practice That's Actually Yours
  3. Sep 20

    Profits with Purpose: Bob Quintana on Enlightened Entrepreneurship, Culture & Curing Burnout

    On this episode of The Care2Grow Show®, Dr. Larry Arbeitman welcomes a dear friend — and the show's first non-healthcare guest — Bob Quintana. A veteran entrepreneur and business advisor with over 35 years helping Fortune 500 leaders and startup CEOs, Bob has led a green energy company from startup to a $100 million IPO and a $500+ million exit, advised billion-dollar companies including JP Morgan, Ford, and Cisco, and is the author of the upcoming book Enlightened Entrepreneurship. In this episode, they discuss: Why care and compassion aren't "soft skills" — Bob makes the case that they're the actual foundation of every high-performing, high-impact organization, in healthcare and far beyond it. The real story behind Bob's biggest success and the disillusionment that followed — leading a green energy company to a nine-figure exit, only to find himself unfulfilled and searching for answers once it was over. What happened to that company's culture once it went public and became beholden to quarterly numbers — and the contrasting example of Barry-Wehmiller, a $3.6 billion company built almost entirely on a culture of care. Bob's "core guiding principles" framework — core purpose, core vision, core mission, and core values — and why most organizations end up with these by accident instead of by design. The idea behind "Enlightened Entrepreneurship" — bridging higher consciousness with high performance, and why Bob believes purpose and profit aren't in competition, they're multipliers of each other. How Dr. Larry brought this framework to life in his own practice, including a daily team affirmation of purpose, mission, and values that's now displayed for patients — and the surprising reaction patients had when they finally saw it. Why younger generations, especially Gen Z, are turning down jobs that don't align with their personal values — and what that means for the future of leadership in every industry. A lightning round covering Bob's care philosophy in one word (enlightenment), the spiritual teacher who's shaped how he leads (Paramahansa Yogananda), and finishing the sentence: "Care is... foundational." About Bob Quintana Bob Quintana is a seasoned entrepreneur, business advisor, and thought leader who has spent over 35 years helping Fortune 500 leaders, startup CEOs, and their organizations achieve extraordinary results by aligning profits with purpose. A former #1 global franchise partner with Tony Robbins, he led a green-energy company that scaled from startup to a $100 million IPO and over a $500 million exit, and has served as a founding advisor to billion-dollar tech companies. Through his Enlightened Entrepreneurship principles, programs, book, and podcast, Bob teaches leaders how to build businesses that generate massive positive impact for all stakeholders while simultaneously creating exponential profits, freedom, and fulfillment. Connect with Bob Quintana Website: bobquintana.com Podcast: The Enlightened Entrepreneurship Podcast LinkedIn: Bob Quintana Book: Enlightened Entrepreneurship (available soon) If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — that's how we put the care back into healthcare, and business, one conversation at a time.

    Profits with Purpose: Bob Quintana on Enlightened Entrepreneurship, Culture & Curing Burnout
  4. Sep 16

    The I Care Call: Dr. George Gertner, DC, on Service, Provider Burnout & Building a 7-Figure Cash-Based Practice

    On this episode of The Care2Grow Show®, Dr. Larry Arbeitman welcomes a dear friend of over 25 years, Dr. George Gertner — founder of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York in White Plains. Since meeting as students in the late '90s, the two have mentored, coached, and grown alongside each other, and Dr. Gertner has gone on to build one of the largest upper cervical practices in the world, collecting seven figures annually on a fully cash-based model for over two decades. In this episode, they discuss: Dr. Gertner's origin story — a severe low back injury that led him to upper cervical care, and how a single visit with a mentor changed the entire trajectory of his career. Why he leads with the word "service" instead of "helping" or "fixing" — and how that single shift in language changes the entire power dynamic between provider and patient. How he builds a care-first culture with his team, including starting every day with a group huddle and reciting their three-paragraph mission statement out loud, by memory. The "I Care Call" — his practice of personally following up with every new patient the next day, and why handing out his personal cell number after 20+ years has never been abused, only appreciated. How intentional patient appreciation events like "Turkey Tuesday" (100 free turkeys before Thanksgiving) and "Chiro de Mayo" build community, generate word-of-mouth referrals, and lower the barrier for new patients to walk through the door. Why he believes the antidote to provider burnout isn't stepping back — it's leaning further into purpose and reconnecting with why you started in the first place. His personal self-care routine — a 4:30am wake-up, meditation, scripture, and a workout, every single day — that has sustained his energy and passion for 24+ years without burning out. A lightning round covering his care philosophy in one word (service), the mentor's line that shaped his career ("nobody cares how much you know until they know how much you care"), and finishing the sentence: "Care is... understanding." About Dr. George Gertner Dr. George Gertner is the founder and owner of Upper Cervical Chiropractic of New York in White Plains, NY. A graduate of Hofstra University and Life University, he has spent more than two decades building one of the largest upper cervical chiropractic practices in the world on a fully cash-based, care-first model. Known for his deep commitment to service, team culture, and patient connection, Dr. Gertner is a respected mentor in the chiropractic profession and a longtime friend and collaborator of Dr. Larry Arbeitman. If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — that's how we put the care back into healthcare, one conversation at a time.

    The I Care Call: Dr. George Gertner, DC, on Service, Provider Burnout & Building a 7-Figure Cash-Based Practice
  5. Sep 7

    You Are Not a Disc Walking Around: Dr. Leisa Grgula, DC, on Regenerative Medicine, Whole-Body Healing & the Art of Giving Your Chi

    On this episode of The Care2Grow Show, Dr. Larry Arbeitman sits down with Dr. Leisa Grgula, DC — a Scottsdale, Arizona chiropractor with nearly 30 years of experience who doesn't just teach healing, she's lived it. While still in chiropractic school, Dr. Lisa faced a severe diagnosis of ulcerative colitis that required surgery and extensive medical treatment. That experience reshaped how she thinks about the body, care, and what it really means to heal — and she's been medication-free since 2000. Today, Dr. Lisa integrates chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutrition, and regenerative medicine to help patients treat the whole person, not just the symptom in front of them. In this episode, they discuss: Dr. Lisa's winding path into chiropractic care, including a health scare that pulled her out of pharmacy school and led her to Chicago's National University of Health Sciences for her doctorate. Her own diagnosis of ulcerative colitis during chiropractic school, and how healing herself naturally — rather than staying on medication indefinitely — became the foundation of her philosophy of care. Why she refuses to call herself a "healer," and instead sees herself as a tool for the body's own innate ability to heal. The concept of "throwing your chi" — the energetic exchange that happens any time one human being lays hands on another, and why she sometimes has to cancel acupuncture for the day when she's too depleted to give it safely. Her whole-body philosophy of care: "You are not a disc walking around" — and why she looks at a patient's full history, medications, and even psychological blocks before treating the presenting complaint. How she designed her office as a healing environment on purpose — aromatherapy, sound frequency music matched to each patient's emotional state, moss walls, lighting, and a strict "phones off" policy during treatment. Provider burnout and self-care: her strategies for "refilling the vending machine," including fully shutting down her practice on depleted days rather than pushing through. An inside look at regenerative medicine — stem cells (Wharton's jelly/HCT), PRP (platelet-rich plasma), and ozone therapy — how each works, how they're combined with chiropractic and acupuncture, and how she used stem cell therapy to heal her own torn rotator cuff without surgery. Medical tourism to her Scottsdale, Arizona practice, and why patients travel from out of state and even other countries for care. A lightning round covering her care philosophy in one word (empathy), her biggest influence (Dr. John Amaro), and what she wishes every patient knew about her. About Dr. Leisa Grgula Dr. Leisa Grgula is a Doctor of Chiropractic based in North Scottsdale, Arizona, with nearly three decades of experience helping patients restore their health through a holistic, patient-centered approach. She earned her Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National University of Health Sciences in 1995, where she also became certified in Cox Decompression Manipulative Therapy, and later studied acupuncture under Chinese Orthopedic Surgeon Dr. Chih-Wei Rei. Her philosophy is rooted in her own healing journey with ulcerative colitis, and she has been medication-free since 2000. She integrates chiropractic care, acupuncture, nutrition, and regenerative medicine to help patients heal from the inside out, and is an active educator, speaker, and community advocate for compassionate, individualized healthcare. Connect with Dr. Leisa Grgula Website: www.CaringPainRelief.com Facebook: facebook.com/AccurateCare Instagram: instagram.com/accuratecaremedicalwellness YouTube: youtube.com/channel/UCEMXfXOJnEI9OkC1VE051_Q If this conversation resonated with you, share it with someone who needs to hear it — that's how we put the care back into healthcare, one conversation at a time.

    You Are Not a Disc Walking Around: Dr. Leisa Grgula, DC, on Regenerative Medicine, Whole-Body Healing & the Art of Giving Your Chi
  6. Aug 24

    Holding Space for Healing: Nicole Wegweiser, LCSW, on Trauma Therapy, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & the Inner Child

    Nicole Wegweiser, LCSW — owner and founder of Mindful Therapy of Monmouth County — joins Dr. Larry Arbeitman for a deep, honest conversation about what real compassionate care looks like in mental health. Nicole shares her own path into therapy (sparked by finding the right therapist herself during a difficult relationship in her 20s), why she believes providers can't fully help clients go deeper than they've gone in their own healing, and the difference between fixing, helping, and serving a client — a distinction that reframes the entire provider-patient relationship. The conversation goes deep into Nicole's specialized modalities: EMDR, psychodrama, Imago Relationship Therapy, and ketamine-assisted psychotherapy (KAP) — including the difference between psychedelic and psycholytic uses of ketamine, how it creates new neural pathways ("like fresh powder on a ski slope"), and why the integration process after a journey is where the real transformation happens. She also unpacks inner child work, nervous system regulation, and what "holding space" really means for any provider — not just therapists. This episode is essential listening for any healthcare provider who wants to understand what root-cause, whole-person care looks like from the mental health side of the room. In this episode, you'll hear about: Nicole's origin story and why she believes therapists must be in their own therapy The difference between fixing, helping, and serving a client Why self-care isn't optional for providers — it's the foundation of good care Inner child work and how childhood attachment wounds show up in adult relationships What ketamine-assisted psychotherapy is, and the difference between psychedelic and psycholytic use How group "medicine work" creates collective healing Why the integration process after a session matters more than the session itself What "holding space" means for providers in any healthcare specialty — not just therapy A few standout lines from this episode: "Fixing basically says you're broken and you need me to fix you. Serving says we're in this together." "The issues are in our tissues." "You have to fall in love with your clients." Listen to the full conversation — link in bio. Connect with Nicole Wegweiser, LCSW: Website: www.nicolewegweiser.com Instagram: instagram.com/mindful_therapy_of_mc Facebook: facebook.com/nicolewegweiserlcsw LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/nicole-wegweiser-lcsw-7211337

    Holding Space for Healing: Nicole Wegweiser, LCSW, on Trauma Therapy, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy & the Inner Child
  7. Aug 10

    Nervous System Regulation, HRV & the Return to Compassionate Care with Dr. Josh Shields, DC, C.F.M.P.

    What if healing isn't only about what you take, what you eat, or what treatment you receive? What if the way a patient thinks, feels, trusts, and experiences care is part of the healing process itself? In this episode of The Care2Grow Show, Dr. Larry Arbeitman sits down with longtime friend Dr. Josh Shields, DC, C.F.M.P., author of Revitalize 360 and a respected functional medicine practitioner. Their friendship goes back more than 25 years to chiropractic school, but Dr. Shields' professional journey has taken him far beyond where he started. After years of exploring functional medicine, naturopathy, holistic health, human physiology, and cognitive neuroscience, Josh found himself coming full circle—back to the nervous system. As he explains during the conversation: "You can't fight your way to health." For patients struggling with chronic health challenges, Dr. Shields believes biology is only part of the picture. Fear, stress, beliefs, nervous system dysregulation, and the relationship patients develop with their own symptoms can profoundly influence their experience of healing. Larry and Josh explore what it means to create an environment where patients feel heard, understood, safe, and genuinely cared for. They also discuss why some patients are leaving conventional healthcare encounters feeling confused and disconnected, and why follow-up, communication, reassurance, and human connection remain essential parts of patient care. IN THIS EPISODE Dr. Shields and Dr. Arbeitman discuss: Josh's journey from growing up in a chiropractic family to functional medicine Why his understanding of health eventually came full circle back to the nervous system The role of cumulative stress and allostatic load Why trust and a sense of safety matter in the patient experience Treating patients like you would treat your own family Why you can teach skills—but you can't simply train someone to genuinely care How Josh intentionally hires compassionate people for his team The importance of actually listening to patients Why a patient's relationship with their symptoms matters Nervous system regulation and its relationship to healing Heart rate variability (HRV) and adaptability to stress Resonance breathing, mindfulness, and nervous system regulation How Josh approaches burnout and reconnects with purpose Why understanding a patient's deeper "why" can change the doctor-patient relationship The importance of self-care for healthcare providers Josh's upcoming work, including Unlock Your Healing Brain Why great care sometimes means doing what is right for the patient even when it isn't what's best for the business A POWERFUL TAKEAWAY Near the end of the conversation, Larry asks Josh to finish one sentence: "Care is…" Josh's answer captures the heart of the entire episode: Doing the right thing for the other person—even when it may be difficult or may not benefit your practice. That is exactly the kind of conversation The Care2Grow Show was created to have. Healthcare is filled with good people who entered the profession because they wanted to help. Our mission is to keep that purpose alive—and put CARE back into healthcare, one conversation at a time. LISTEN & FOLLOW THE CARE2GROW SHOW Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6DChMMsiKHU3RGxyPET2K8 Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/the-care2grow-show/id1862210422 Care2Grow Podcast: https://www.care2growconsulting.com/podcast Libsyn: https://sites.libsyn.com/600625 If this conversation resonates with you, please follow, rate, review, and share The Care2Grow Show. Every share helps us bring more care-centered conversations to healthcare professionals. Hosted by Dr. Larry Arbeitman Care2Grow Consulting When we care, we grow.

    Nervous System Regulation, HRV & the Return to Compassionate Care with Dr. Josh Shields, DC, C.F.M.P.

About

The Care2Grow Show is a podcast where real conversations with purpose-driven practitioners reveal what it truly means to lead with care. What to expect: Candid interviews with successful chiropractors and healthcare providers to learn how they incorporate "care" into their patient care. Insights into the mindset shifts and pivotal moments that changed their careers Practical tools for building trust, growing sustainably, and staying aligned. A deeper look at the care-first philosophy in real-world practice: Whether you're looking for inspiration, tactical strategies, or a reminder of why you started, this podcast is designed to nourish your mind, align your mission, and reignite your passion for practice.