The Business of Pharmacy Podcast™

Mike Koelzer, Pharmacist
  • 4.8 (57)
  • ENTREPRENEURSHIP
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Message from Mike: Thanks for stopping by. I'm taking a step back from the podcast for now—after six years of weekly episodes, the deadline-driven rhythm of the show began to crowd out the creative side. Please drop me a line at mike@bizofpharmpod.com —I'd love to hear from you. I hope you enjoy the past episodes!

  1. Why Six Figures Isn’t a Financial Plan | Tim Ulbrich, PharmD,  Your Financial Pharmacist, Co-Founder/CEO

    JUN 9

    Why Six Figures Isn’t a Financial Plan | Tim Ulbrich, PharmD,  Your Financial Pharmacist, Co-Founder/CEO

    I sat down with Tim Ulbrich, PharmD, Co-Founder and CEO of Your Financial Pharmacist, to unpack a tough reality: why so many pharmacists earning six figures still feel broke. We dug into crushing student debt, soaring housing costs, wage stagnation—and the mindset shift needed to build real financial freedom. Tim brings clarity, strategy, and hope. This episode is sponsored by Remedichain.

    42 min
  2. The Power of Speaking to 20,000 People About PBMs | Benjamin Jolley, PharmD  Apex Pharmacy Consulting

    JUN 2

    The Power of Speaking to 20,000 People About PBMs | Benjamin Jolley, PharmD  Apex Pharmacy Consulting

    I sat down with Benjamin Jolley, a third-generation pharmacist who recently addressed a crowd of 20,000 about the broken world of PBMs. We dug into the power of that moment, the hidden mechanics of pharmacy monopolies, and what real reform could look like. This one hits where policy meets reality.

    33 min
  3. Great Negotiation Means Everyone Wins | Arun Swaminathan, MM, PhD Pharm. Sci. Coya Therapeutics, CEO, Board Member

    MAY 26

    Great Negotiation Means Everyone Wins | Arun Swaminathan, MM, PhD Pharm. Sci. Coya Therapeutics, CEO, Board Member

    Biotech CEO Arun Swaminathan reveals how true pharmaceutical deals are strategic “marriages”—not transactions. Hear how Coya Therapeutics leverages partnerships, builds trust, and aims to transform ALS care. A candid look at negotiation, leadership, and why win-win deals matter in pharma and beyond. Real insights from the C-suite.

    44 min
  4. From Biotech Startup to Stock Market | Paul Romness, MHA, Health Policy OS Therapies, CEO

    MAY 19

    From Biotech Startup to Stock Market | Paul Romness, MHA, Health Policy OS Therapies, CEO

    Can a small biotech change cancer care—and turn a profit? Paul Romness, CEO of OS Therapies, shares how his five-person team took on one of the deadliest pediatric cancers, went public, and might just shake up the system. From biologics to Wall Street, this one’s got it all. Sponsored by Dae Lee of Buchanan.

    38 min
  5. The Medical Data Behind Everyday Wearables | Marco Benitez, BME ROOK, CEO and Founder

    MAY 12

    The Medical Data Behind Everyday Wearables | Marco Benitez, BME ROOK, CEO and Founder

    Marco Benitez, founder of ROOK, reveals how his company turns chaotic wearable data into clean, actionable insights. From fitness rings to Dexcom integrations, hear how ROOK bridges tech and healthcare, enabling remote monitoring, AI-driven predictions, and more—all without the red tape of FDA regulation. The future of health is wearable. Sponsored by RemediChain.

    40 min
  6. From Early Struggles to Pharmacy Staffing Leader | Autumn-Kyoko Cushman, BS ShiftRx, CEO, Co-Founder

    MAY 5

    From Early Struggles to Pharmacy Staffing Leader | Autumn-Kyoko Cushman, BS ShiftRx, CEO, Co-Founder

    I sat down with Autumn Kyoko Cushman, co-founder of ShiftRx, staffing leader, to hear how she and her team clawed their way back from the edge. From bounced credit cards to nationwide scale—this one’s raw, real, and a must-listen for anyone building in pharmacy.

    45 min
  7. Koelzer Brothers Reminisce: Lessons from the Pharmacy & Dad | Pete, Tom, Tim, & Mike Koelzer Koelzer

    APR 28

    Koelzer Brothers Reminisce: Lessons from the Pharmacy & Dad | Pete, Tom, Tim, & Mike Koelzer Koelzer

    The host and his brothers (Mike Koelzer, along with brothers Pete Koelzer⁠, ⁠Tom Koelzer⁠, ⁠and Tim Koelzer⁠) return to where it all started—the family drugstore. From early paper routes to late nights after close mopping the store, they reflect on the work ethic, values, and business lessons they learned from their dad. It’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at how one small pharmacy helped shape four lives—and four very different careers.

    1h 8m
  8. How Pharmacies Get Penalized for Buying Wrong | Kris Rhea, MBA Pharmacy Marketplace, Dir. of Business. Dev.

    APR 21

    How Pharmacies Get Penalized for Buying Wrong | Kris Rhea, MBA Pharmacy Marketplace, Dir. of Business. Dev.

    I sat down again with Kris Rhea to unpack how pharmacies are silently losing money—just by buying wrong. We talk wholesaler games, misunderstood contracts, and the AI tool trying to fix it all. If you’ve ever felt like your drug spend makes no sense, this one’s for you.

    40 min
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4.8
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57 Ratings

About

Message from Mike: Thanks for stopping by. I'm taking a step back from the podcast for now—after six years of weekly episodes, the deadline-driven rhythm of the show began to crowd out the creative side. Please drop me a line at mike@bizofpharmpod.com —I'd love to hear from you. I hope you enjoy the past episodes!

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