Healthy Wealthy & Smart

Dr. Karen Litzy, PT, DPT
  • 4.8 (208)
  • Medicine
  • Updated Weekly

The Healthy Wealthy & Smart podcast with Dr. Karen Litzy is the perfect blend of clinical skills and business skills to help healthcare and fitness professionals uplevel their careers.

  1. 2d ago

    Reena Goodwin: How Healthcare Professionals Can Build Brands without Chasing Algorithms

    Dr. Karen Litzy talks with Reena Goodwin, founder & CEO of FACTEUR PR and host of the Grow Your Wellth podcast, about why brilliant clinicians often stay invisible and how to change that without chasing trends or burning out. They cover the difference between credibility and authority, how earned media compounds into patient trust and speaking opportunities, and why AI tools are reshaping how patients and referral partners find providers. In this episode, Karen and Rena also unpack a practical framework for positioning, proof, press, promotion, and profit, plus specific ways clinicians can adapt their websites and messaging for AI discovery. If you are a healthcare provider trying to grow your practice, this conversation is about building lasting visibility that works beyond social media. Key topics ·       Why many clinicians have strong expertise but weak visibility—and why the gap is often messaging, not skill ·       The difference between credibility and authority ·       Why clinicians should lead with the problem they solve, not just their job title or procedure ·       Rena's authority map: an inverted triangle that moves from a broad category toward a provider's unique "special sauce" ·       How to guide patients from educational content to a specific niche and, eventually, booking ·       Healthcare PR compliance considerations, including HIPAA, testimonial rules, state practice acts, and patient privacy ·       Why patient stories need careful handling and can be paired with studies, research, or less-specific proof points ·       Rena's Path to Prominence framework: positioning, proof, press, promotion, and profit ·       Why national media can build trust for local practices ·       Ways to repurpose a press feature for waiting room screens, social media, blogs, AI discovery, media kits, ads, books, and speaking opportunities ·       How AI is changing search and provider discovery ·       Why FAQs, blogs, and question-based website content can support AI discovery ·       Rena's CRIT prompt framework for clinicians: Context, Role, Interview, Task ·       Why sustainable brand building is about durable authority—not being everywhere or chasing virality ·       How earned media can compound into stronger referrals and credibility over time Timestamps (00:00) Why brilliant clinicians stay invisible (01:59) Credibility versus authority in healthcare (03:17) Why problems sell better than job titles (04:23) Building an authority map for your niche (07:25) Sharing patient stories while navigating compliance (11:40) The Path to Prominence framework (12:08) Positioning: claiming a category of one (14:04) Proof that supports your messaging (14:33) Why national earned media matters (15:51) Turning one press hit into 15 uses (17:41) How authority can lead to profit (18:34) Diversifying beyond your clinical time (20:10) How AI is changing patient and referral discovery (21:05) Why earned media drives AI citations (22:44) FAQs and blogs as AI-friendly content (23:22) The CRIT prompt for building an authority map with AI (25:53) What sustainable brand building looks like (28:06) Why chasing visibility can lead to burnout (29:21) How earned media compounds over time (31:51) Getting started with PR without a big social following (34:26) Dream publications and broadcast targets (35:31) Non-negotiable wellness habits (36:26) Lessons from Columbia Records: be fast and accurate (37:36) Why to stop leading with "technique" (38:27) Healthy, wealthy, and smart in real life (39:28) Where to find Rena Goodwin (40:05) Free webinar and AI discoverability tools More about Reena:    FACTEUR PR was founded in 2016 by Reena Goodwin to bridge a critical gap in the industry, helping women's health, wellness, and aesthetic brands earn the recognition they deserve, not by chasing algorithms but with authority.  With over 17 years of experience in public relations, media relations, and brand strategy, Reena has helped founders, clinicians, and brands secure national media coverage, build authority, and grow their businesses with intention to make an impact.  In addition to FACTEUR PR, she is also the host of the Grow Your Wellth Podcast, supporting entrepreneurs with business and marketing insights to help scale their brands without burnout.  Goodwin has been recognized throughout her career by New York Times bestselling business author Chris Guillebeau and in the New York Times bestselling business book The Freedom-Based Business Method by Natalie Ellis, as well as by Architectural Digest, Inc., Martha Stewart, SavviHer, PR Couture, The PR Net, PRSA, Career Contessa, Carnegie Mellon University, Crain's, and the Dayton Daily News, among others.  Resources from this Episode: Instagram: www.instagram.com/reenasgoodwin and www.instagram.com/facteurpr Website: www.facteurpr.com  Podcast: www.growyourwellthpodcast.com Free Gift   Jane Sponsorship Information:   Book a one-on-one demo here Front Desk @ Jane Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio

  2. Oct 1

    Dr. Natasha Trentacosta: Building a Body That Lasts - The Orthopedic Secrets to Lifelong Strength and Mobility

    Dr. Karen Litzy is joined by Dr. Natasha Trentacosta, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, Angel City FC team physician, and director of the Cedars-Sinai Women's Sports Health and Movement Center. Together, they look beyond skincare and explore how movement, strength training, and injury prevention can help preserve mobility and independence as we age. They discuss progressive strength training, bone health across the lifespan, youth sports specialization, ACL injury prevention, and the need for more research focused on female athletes.   In this episode ·       Why healthy aging means preserving strength, balance, bone density, and mobility—not just living longer ·       How to begin strength training and why progressive loading matters ·       Why bone health is shaped early in life, with peak bone density reached around age 30 ·       How overtraining and inadequate recovery can contribute to stress injuries in young athletes ·       Why year-round single-sport specialization may increase injury risk ·       What is known—and still uncertain—about hormones and ACL injuries ·       How warm-ups and prevention programs can help reduce knee injury risk ·       Why it's a misconception that running causes knee arthritis Timestamps 00:00 — Rethinking anti-aging: joints, bones, and movement 02:23 — Longevity versus quality of life 04:20 — Movement as medicine 05:55 — Starting strength training when you're new to lifting 07:46 — Making the case for exercise 08:43 — Bone strength, fractures, and independence 10:37 — Why bone health starts in childhood 11:25 — Stress fractures, overuse, and recovery in young athletes 12:24 — Building peak bone density before age 30 13:51 — Why recovery days matter 15:51 — Sports specialization and injury risk 17:15 — The benefits of playing multiple sports 18:42 — Looking at the long-term health of young athletes 22:26 — Sports volume and ACL injuries 23:47 — Menstrual cycles and ACL injury risk 25:05 — Hormones and ligament susceptibility 26:13 — Research on oral contraceptives and ACL injuries 27:36 — The gap in sports medicine research on women 28:30 — Why female athletes need research that reflects their needs 30:18 — ACL prevention programs for different sports 31:38 — Making time for injury-prevention exercises 33:43 — Injuries in recreational sports and middle age 34:46 — Strength training as the body changes with age 36:52 — Jumping, jump rope, and bone health 38:29 — Favorite sports to watch and play 39:54 — Does running really harm your knees? 41:00 — Resources on women's health and sports medicine 44:09 — How Dr. Trentacosta stays active 45:27 — Where to find Dr. Trentacosta 48:19 — Final thoughts on prevention and healthy aging More about Dr. Trentacosta Dr. Natasha Trentacosta is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon with dual fellowship training in adult and pediatric sports medicine, Director of the Cedars-Sinai Women's Sports Health and Movement Center, and team physician for Angel City FC. A leading researcher in female athlete health and ACL injury prevention, she is a trusted voice at the intersection of orthopedics, women's health, sports medicine, and longevity. Her prevention-first philosophy drives everything she does, helping people build stronger, more resilient bodies at every stage of life. Resources From this Episode: Dr. Trentacosta Website Dr. Trentacosta on Instagram USA Today Feature Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

  3. Sep 24

    Dr. Erin Kinney: What If Cortisol Isn't the Enemy? Rethinking Stress with the Cortisol Bank Account

    The Cortisol Cure with Dr. Erin Kinney Dr. Karen Litzy sits down with Dr. Erin Kinney, naturopathic doctor, stress physiology expert, clinic founder, and author of The Cortisol Cure, to reframe how we think about cortisol. This episode explains why cortisol is not the enemy, how the body uses it as an energy and anti-inflammatory hormone, and why burnout is often more about an overdrawn energy system than a hormone that simply needs to be "lowered."They also explore practical ways to recognize cortisol depletion, the role of hidden stressors such as nutrient deficiencies and stealth infections, and how clinicians and high achievers can make small daily "deposits" to support resilience. Key topics ·       Why cortisol is better understood as an energy hormone—not just a stress hormone ·       The "cortisol bank account" framework: sleep and rest are deposits, while daily demands are withdrawals ·       Why chronic stress may show up as low cortisol rather than high cortisol ·       How burnout can lead to wired-but-tired energy, fatigue, brain fog, anxiety, and overwhelm ·       How low cortisol can cause the body to compensate with adrenaline and eventually draw from sex hormones ·       The connection between cortisol, glucose, insulin resistance, and inflammation ·       Why perimenopause symptoms can overlap with burnout ·       Hidden internal stressors, including nutrient deficiencies, food sensitivities, Lyme disease, mold exposure, and suppressed emotions ·       Practical support strategies for clinicians and busy professionals ·       Why building a strong "relax muscle" matters just as much as developing the stress response Timestamps 00:00— Why cortisol is not the enemy 01:25— Cortisol as an energy and anti-inflammatory hormone 02:48— The problem with "manage your stress" advice 03:11— Introducing the cortisol bank account framework 04:37— Daily life as energy deposits and withdrawals 05:34— What happens when the cortisol account gets overdrawn 06:02— How low cortisol can draw from sex hormones 07:17— Why cortisol gets blamed for inflammation and glucose spikes 09:02— Why "lower cortisol" is not always the right goal 10:14— Morning cortisol testing and how to prepare 11:41— How to estimate your energy balance before symptoms appear 12:30— The cortisol debt assessment 13:44— Why clinical business owners are vulnerable to burnout 14:41— Dr. Kinney's time-blocking and recharge strategy 15:52— What an overdrawn cortisol account can look like 17:01— How low-cortisol symptoms differ between men and women 18:59— Perimenopause versus burnout 19:53— When hormone therapy helps—and when burnout may be the deeper issue 21:43— Hidden internal stressors that quietly drain energy 22:38— Lyme disease and other stealth pathogens 24:58— The energy cost of suppressed emotions 26:30— Red flags for people who always push through 28:23— Why symptoms may be the body's way of asking for attention 29:47— Practical ways to make cortisol deposits during the day 31:33— Why skipping meals can increase the stress response 32:37— Breath work, reading, and simple recovery rituals 33:37— The nervous system's "stress muscle" and "relax muscle" 35:21— Why relaxation takes practice 36:54— The core takeaway: healing happens when energy exceeds expenditure 37:35— Lightning round: recovery habits and book recommendations 39:07— Meditation, binaural beats, and daily regulation 40:23— Where to find Dr. Kinney and The Cortisol Cure Dr. Kinney's central model treats cortisol like currency: ·       Sleep and rest are deposits. ·       Work, caregiving, exercise, driving, and emotional strain are withdrawals. ·       Symptoms can appear when withdrawals outpace deposits. ·       Small recovery practices throughout the day can help restore balance. More About Dr. Kinney Dr. Erin Kinney is a naturopathic doctor, author of The Cortisol Cure, and stress physiology expert helping high-functioning men and women overcome fatigue, hormone imbalance, and burnout. She is the creator of the Cortisol Bank Account™ framework and founder of The Kinney Clinic in Annapolis, Maryland.    Resources From this Episode:   Dr. Kinney's Website Dr. Kinney on Instagram Get the Cortisol Cure today Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

  4. Sep 17

    Dr. Osman Ahmed : Para Sport and Concussion: What's Changing and what's on the Horizon?

    Dr. Karen Litzy speaks with Dr. Osman Ahmed about how concussion care has evolved for paraathletes, why standard tools often fall short, and what the new ParaScat 6 tools aim to fix. They also discuss the Concussion in Parasport Group, the importance of athlete input in research, and why clinicians should think differently about baseline function in athletes with impairments. Key Topics ·       In this episode, Dr. Osman Ahmed explains what paraathletes are and why the term matters when discussing concussion care. ·       We discuss why paraathletes were historically left out of concussion research and how that gap reflected broader patterns in sports medicine. ·       Osman breaks down why standard tools like the SCAT can be difficult to apply to athletes with amputations, visual impairments, spinal cord injuries, or wheelchair use. ·       He shares how baseline symptoms such as blurred vision, headaches, or light sensitivity can be normal for some paraathletes and should not be assumed to indicate concussion without context. ·       We talk about the creation of the Concussion in Parasport Group and the first position statement that helped guide clinicians on assessment, management, and return to play. ·       Osman describes how the position statement used a practical color coding approach for tests: o   green for appropriate o   yellow for use with caution or modification o   red for not appropriate ·       We discuss the research and clinical gaps that led to the development of ParaScat 6 tools for wheelchair users and athletes with visual impairment. ·       Osman shares how athlete lived experience shaped the design, testing, and refinement of the new tools in real time. ·       He explains why the biggest shift for clinicians is to think carefully about baselines before doing post injury concussion assessments. ·       Osman also previews his presentation at the Sixth World Congress of Sports Physiotherapy in Bern and encourages clinicians to engage with paraathletes humbly and proactively. Timestamps: 00:00 - Welcome back and why this concussion conversation matters 01:04 - What counts as a paraathlete 02:34 - Why paraathletes were left behind in concussion research 03:32 - Why SCAT testing often does not fit paraathletes 04:27 - How the first position statement came together during lockdown 05:19 - What changed after the position statement was published 06:53 - Why standard concussion tests can break down for amputees, wheelchair users, and visually impaired athletes 08:42 - Common clinician mistakes when applying standard tools 09:57 - How the Concussion in Parasport Group formed 11:59 - The assessment, management, and return to play domains 13:25 - The position statement's biggest contribution: awareness 14:41 - Why para sports research still struggles with funding and scale 16:34 - Introducing ParaScat 6 WC and ParaScat 6 VI 17:31 - Why athlete lived experience was built into the tool development 18:58 - Preparing the tools for wider use ahead of LA 2028 23:03 - How the tools were developed with wheelchair users and visually impaired athletes 24:56 - Why athlete partnership improves research and clinical tools 25:54 - Expanding the tools beyond the Paralympics 26:50 - The next frontier for other impairment groups in parasport 27:35 - The single biggest shift clinicians should make: think baselines 28:24 - What Osman will present at the World Congress of Sports Physiotherapy 30:01 - Why paraathletes need more clinicians and researchers involved 31:04 - How to overcome imposter syndrome in parasport work 32:28 - What Osman wishes he knew earlier in his career 33:10 - The sports medicine book that shaped his development 34:22 - Advice for physiotherapy students and early career clinicians 35:09 - What he is most looking forward to in Bern 36:03 - Staying healthy after knee surgery with strength and conditioning 36:42 - Where to find Osman Ahmed online 37:40 - Why the World Congress of Sports Physiotherapy is worth attending 38:30 - Closing thoughts and final thanks More about Dr. Ahmed: Dr Osman Ahmed is the Player Health Lead for Para Football at the Football Association (England) and a Physiotherapist at University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust (England). He trained as a Physiotherapist at the University of Nottingham (England), before undertaking his Postgraduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy and subsequently his PhD at the University of Otago (New Zealand) on the topic of concussion in sport. He is an Associate Editor at British Journal of Sports Medicine, Deputy Editor at BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine, Visiting Senior Lecturer at the University of Portsmouth (England), and Co-Chair of the Concussion in Para Sport Group Resources from this Episode: Dr. Ahmed's Website Dr. Ahmed on LinkedIn Para athlete concussion care following the Amsterdam 2022 International Consensus Statement on Concussion in Sport: an urgent need for inclusivity within concussion research Consensus statement on concussion in sport: the 6th International Conference on Concussion in Sport-Amsterdam, October 2022 Concussion in para sport: the first position statement of the Concussion in Para Sport (CIPS) Group Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

  5. Sep 10

    Melanie Warner: Turning Pain Into Purpose

    In this episode, Dr. Karen Litzy speaks with Melanie Warner about how clinicians and healthcare professionals can turn years of hard-won expertise into a tangible business asset. Melanie explains how writing a book, building a personal brand, and crafting a purposeful message can help experts stand out, reach more people, and create new revenue streams. They also explore the mindset shifts that hold people back, the biggest mistakes experts make when writing a book, and why it's essential to focus on the reader, not just the author. Melanie walks Karen through her Purpose Method and shows how to uncover a message that can be turned into a book, course, talk, or business. What we cover in this episode: Why expertise alone is no longer enough How to turn your knowledge into intellectual property The role of books, podcasts, and speaking in building authority How to shift from self-doubt to service Melanie's Purpose Method: Pain, Uniqueness, Results, Passion, Opportunity, Service, and Execution Common mistakes people make when writing a book Why marketing matters just as much as writing How to measure book success beyond bestseller list TimeStamps: 00:01 Karen introduces the topic: turning clinical expertise into a business asset 00:25 Melanie Warner introduced 01:07 Why expertise needs to be packaged to stand out 04:08 Shifting your mindset around books and personal brand 06:04 Writing for patients instead of other clinicians 09:08 Using your process or method as the framework for a book 11:43 Introduction to the Purpose Method 12:28 Pain: identifying the problem you solve 12:56 Uniqueness and results 13:53 Passion and service 15:23 The idea that keeping knowledge to yourself is selfish 20:52 Melanie's purpose work and global impact 23:15 Live purpose exercise begins 23:43 Question 1: What comes easily to you that's hard for others? 25:22 Question 2: What would you do if money weren't an issue? 25:48 Question 3: How do you give back? 27:18 Karen's answers reveal her purpose around chronic pain 29:13 How clarity leads to monetization 31:20 Biggest mistake: writing for yourself instead of the reader 32:44 Oprah's approach to audience intention 34:35 Why audience-centered speaking matters 37:37 Creating value beyond the stage or book 40:22 Why your book and speech are income-generating assets 42:24 How to define success with a book 43:56 Why self-published authors still need marketing 50:11 Why a book funnel matters more than only selling on Amazon 51:48 Lightning round begins 52:11 Myth about self-publishing cover design 52:48 Fastest way to test a book idea 53:26 Advice Melanie would give her younger self 54:11 Melanie's health and wellness routine 55:59 Where to find Melanie online 56:28 Free gift: Melanie's playbook for rebuilding life and business 58:01 Final takeaway: if your knowledge is trapped inside you, it isn't serving anyone  More About Melanie:  Melanie Warner is a business writer for Forbes, bestselling author, television producer, and the founder of Defining Moments, a platform that helps experts turn their knowledge into books, media visibility, and global influence.  After experiencing profound personal loss and facing more than $3.6 million in debt, Melanie rebuilt her life and business using a powerful strategy for monetizing expertise and storytelling. Within 18 months, she had rebuilt her company and scaled her income into the millions.  Today she works with entrepreneurs, authors, and thought leaders around the world to help them expand their platforms, reach more people, and turn their message into meaningful impact.  She is also the executive producer of PBS television programs reaching more than 240 million households and the host of the upcoming show Defining Moments, launching globally in 2026.  Resources from this Episode: Melanie on LinkedIn Melanie on Instagram My Defining Moments Website 7 Figure Book Method Free Gift: Purpose to Platform Playbook   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Front Desk @ Jane Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio

  6. Sep 3

    Luke Bongiorno, PT: A Pain Science Informed Approach for Healthcare Professionals

    In this episode, Dr. Karen Litzy speaks with Luke Bongiorno, PT, Director of NOIGroup, about what it really looks like to bring pain science into the treatment room. Karen and Luke dig into how he blends manual therapy, breath work, movement, and even music into a pain-science-informed approach and why consent, communication, and simply being human with patients matter as much as any technique. They also talk about leading a global education company, protecting a "care at the forefront" culture as the business scales, and staying grounded as a clinician wearing a dozen different hats. What we cover in this episode: Luke's path from PT school in Australia to 30 years in private practice in New York How manual therapy, breath work, movement, and music combine in a pain-science-informed session DIMs and SIMs: an inside look at the Protectometer (danger-in-me / safety-in-me) Consent, "no-go zones," and reading a patient's comfort in the moment The shift from trigger-point/dry-needling training to a pain-science lens — and how hard that shift was Balancing leading a patient with empowering them The Resolve Trial and how changing beliefs about pain changes outcomes Staying human and vulnerable as a clinician and business owner Protecting a "care at the forefront" culture while leading a global team at Noi Group Luke's HOPE (Hands-on Pain Education) course and upcoming NY and San Francisco dates Timestamps: 00:31 Karen welcomes Luke Bongiorno, recording live from Gotham Production Studios 03:23 Luke's background: PT school in Australia, moving to the US, landing in New York 04:53 Discovering David Butler's work and the path to Noi Group 06:21 Blending manual therapy, breath work, movement, and music in a session 08:37 Bringing awareness back to a body part that's been "ignored" in pain 09:28 Karen's own experience with touch sensitivity and neck pain 10:59 Why communication and consent change everything in manual therapy 11:24 Moving away from trigger-point/dry-needling explanations toward pain science 12:33 How Luke decides which "tool" to use in the moment 13:03 Explaining DIMs and SIMs (the Protectometer) 15:05 Identifying "no-go zones" and respecting patient boundaries 16:36 Consent culture: teaching in Australia vs. the US, then and now 18:31 The tension between leading a patient and empowering them 19:44 Being a person first — an empowerment story from a workers' comp patient 22:14 Why Luke still sees patients after 30 years 22:54 The power of simply listening and validating pain 25:48 The Resolve Trial: how changing beliefs about pain improves outcomes 27:43 Karen's own "carrying a loaf of bread" story from working with David Butler 29:42 Staying human while running a business, teaching, and traveling 31:16 Small grounding practices you can use between patients 32:01 Advice for clinicians who feel too busy to take their own advice 33:34 Vulnerability in practice — and why clinicians aren't trained for it 36:58 Wearing every hat in a small practice, and learning to leave gaps in the schedule 38:09 Leading Noi Group remotely and learning to trust a team 39:12 Protecting a "care at the forefront" culture as a business scales 41:09 Key takeaways: value your human skills, reframe your role, use music when talking isn't working 44:31 Lightning round: book recommendations, favorite tool, best business advice, non-negotiable habits 47:37 Where to find Luke, his HOPE course, and NY/San Francisco course dates More About Luke: Luke Bongiorno is the Owner and Director of the pain education company, The Neuro Orthopaedic Institute, also known as Noigroup. At the heart of Luke's work is a simple belief: good clinical care starts with listening, understanding, and helping people make sense of their pain and injury. Luke's physiotherapy journey began with a degree from the University of Melbourne, Australia, followed by a move into clinical practice in New York. In NYC, Luke co-founded New York Sports Medicine, a company later acquired by United Healthcare. Still one of New York City's most prominent physical therapists, Luke's extensive experience in managing acute and chronic pain and sports injuries means he travels frequently to work with professional and Olympic athletes, as well as members of touring performing arts and dance companies. He currently serves as a consultant to the NBA League and European professional soccer teams. Luke is also affiliated with the clinical education programs of Columbia University and Touro College. Luke takes a hands-on approach to care, combining his advanced manual therapy skills with exercise and education. He genuinely cares about helping people understand their pain, build confidence in their bodies, and achieve the best possible recovery and performance. He strongly believes that education is fundamental to optimising patient recovery and performance. Luke has taught advanced skills courses in Manual Therapy internationally since 2004 and has been part of the Noigroup faculty since 2015. His years of clinical experience, combined with his practical and thoughtful approach to patient care, make him a highly respected clinician and educator. Visit the Noigroup course platform to explore courses with Luke Bongiorno. Resources from this Episode: NOIGroup Website Luke on Instagram NOIGroup Instagram NOIGroup on LinkedIn NOIGroup on Facebook HOPE Course (Hands-On Pain Education) — New York, October 2026 and San Francisco, September 2026 Discount Code: HWS10 — good on any Noi Group product, valid through October 25, 2026 Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

  7. Aug 27

    Jennifer Burnham-Grubbs: How Healthy People Can Stop Subsidizing the Sickness System

    Dr. Karen Litzy sits down with Jennifer Burnham Grubbs, founder of Ionava, to unpack why traditional health insurance often penalizes healthy people instead of rewarding them. Jennifer draws on 21 years in the insurance industry to explain what she saw, why she built a new financial category, and how Ionava is designed to reward health-conscious behavior with greater flexibility and less friction. We discuss why healthy people often get poor value from insurance, how Ionava differs from HSAs, FSAs, and health sharing ministries, and how its wallet-based model is meant to make health financial preparedness more practical.   Key topics   Jennifer explains why she built Ionava after two decades as an insurance broker and consultant, including seeing denied coverage, surprise billing, and confusing utilization patterns firsthand. The episode explores the idea that healthy people often subsidize the system without getting a meaningful return, even when they follow preventive care recommendations. Karen and Jennifer compare traditional insurance with a "good driver discount" model, highlighting how insurance rarely rewards healthier behavior. Jennifer explains why Ionava is not health insurance or an HSA, but a new financial category built around health, financial preparedness, and wellness spending. The conversation covers how Ionava's wallet works, including how users can spend on qualifying health and wellness expenses, from gym memberships to supplements and cosmetic wellness categories. Jennifer contrasts Ionava with HSAs and FSAs, emphasizing that Ionava is funded through the subscription and is designed to roll over rather than expire. They also discuss health sharing ministries and why Ionava was built to be secular and broadly accessible rather than tied to religious attestation. Jennifer explains the health score quiz, how it helps price vaults, and why Ionava currently starts with the healthiest applicants to maintain actuarial discipline. The episode dives into pre-existing conditions, how current health status affects eligibility, and why some people may be asked to wait as the pool expands. Karen and Jennifer unpack how Ionava avoids the network and contracted-rate limitations that shape traditional insurance, including why cash-based purchasing offers more flexibility across states and even internationally.   Timestamps   00:00 - Why healthy people feel punished by the insurance system 01:13 - Jennifer's 21 years inside insurance and what she saw 02:40 - Denials, surprise bills, and the pain points that shaped Ionava 03:30 - Why there is no "good driver discount" for health 05:01 - Why most people never get their money's worth from insurance 06:18 - Preventive care that still triggers hidden costs 07:16 - The problem with opaque medical pricing 08:38 - Why innovation often falls outside traditional coverage 09:27 - Why Jennifer first tried to fix insurance from the inside 11:43 - The limits of claims help and out-of-network gaps 13:42 - Why the private sector had to build a new answer 14:15 - What "health financial preparedness" means 15:39 - Health as physical, mental, and financial readiness 16:41 - Why people still buy insurance even when they hate it 17:12 - Ionava as an alternative or layered financial strategy 18:28 - How Ionava differs from HSAs 20:20 - Why Ionava is more like a funded debit wallet 21:46 - What counts as a qualified spend 22:10 - Why FSAs can feel like a use-it-or-lose-it trap 23:34 - Why Ionava rolls over and rewards healthy behavior 24:17 - How Ionava differs from health sharing ministries 26:36 - Why the health score exists 27:34 - How vault pricing works and why rates are locked for life 29:01 - Optional biometrics and earning more on your wallet balance 30:29 - How Ionava thinks about pre-existing conditions 31:57 - Why some applicants may be asked to come back later 33:11 - Beauty, fitness, and wellness spending inside the wallet 34:37 - The support system for new users 36:15 - Why Ionava is different from reimbursement-based models 37:37 - How insurance networks and contracted rates really work 41:04 - Why Ionava uses cash pricing worldwide 42:39 - Jennifer's weekly wellness spend: supplements 43:18 - The biggest myth healthy people believe about insurance 43:47 - Why she wants HSAs to fund Ionava vaults 44:18 - Books that shaped her thinking: The Go Giver and Give and Take 46:10 - Gardening, herbs, and staying grounded while building a company 47:18 - Where to learn more about Ionava and reserve a vault   More About Jennifer:   Jennifer (Azar) Burnham-Grubbs, is the Founder and CEO of Quantum Insurance Services and the Founder of ionava. She's spent 21 years inside the insurance industry as a fiduciary broker, managing over $100 million in insurance products for clients ranging from professional athletes and C-suite executives to everyday families. She's also the co-founder of Womxn of Wealth, a nonprofit dedicated to building women's financial acumen. After more than two decades inside the system, she launched ionava — a new financial category built for the healthy consumers the insurance system overcharges and underserves. She's a Princeton grad, based in Los Angeles   Resources from this Episode: Ionava Website Jennifer on LinkedIn The Go Giver (book)   Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Front Desk @ Jane Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month   Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Twitter Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn   Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify Stitcher iHeart Radio

  8. Aug 20

    Dr. Pedro Teixeira: Thoughtful AI: The Honest Conversation Healthcare Isn't Having

    Dr. Karen Litzy is joined by Dr. Pedro Teixeira, Vice President of AI Engineering at Prompt Health and former co-founder and CEO of Prediction Health, for a practical conversation about how AI fits into healthcare workflows. Pedro breaks down the differences among automation, AI, and agentic systems and explains why the best tools support clinicians rather than replace their judgment. This episode focuses on what clinic owners and clinicians should look for when evaluating AI tools: workflow fit, safety, latency, cost, and whether the system improves over time. If you want a grounded, non-hype conversation about AI in healthcare, this is a useful one. Key topics ·       In this episode, Karen and Pedro compare thoughtful AI vs powerful AI and why workflow fit matters as much as model capability. ·       Pedro explains latency in practical terms, including why perceived delay matters and how feedback like loading states can make AI feel faster. ·       They unpack tokens, model size, and cost, including why input and output usage can change pricing so quickly. ·       Pedro shares how AI can work in the background across notes, codes, compliance checks, and analytics for clinic owners. ·       The conversation covers HIPAA, PHI, encryption, sandboxing, and limited tool access as essential safeguards for healthcare AI. ·       Pedro distinguishes automation, AI, and agentic systems, with examples of when rules are enough and when messy data really does call for AI. ·       They compare predictive vs generative models and explain why generating plausible text is not the same as forecasting a clinical outcome. ·       Karen and Pedro discuss how some clinics are using AI as a decision support tool, while still keeping humans in control of final decisions. ·       Pedro emphasizes that clinic owners should think in terms of systems, including what happens when AI works well and when it fails. ·       He closes with a simple evaluation question for any AI pitch: How does this system get better over time? Timestamps 00:00 - Introduction and why Pedro Teixeira is a grounded voice on AI in healthcare 01:24 - Why thoughtful AI matters more than powerful AI 03:57 - What latency means and why perceived speed changes the user experience 05:16 - How models work with transcripts, prompts, and tokens 07:24 - What tokens are and why AI bills can rise fast 09:13 - The real cost of large models, GPUs, and background processing 11:23 - How AI can quietly support clinic analytics and business coaching 13:13 - Why healthcare AI must stay closed loop and HIPAA safe 15:13 - Automation vs AI vs agentic systems 18:59 - Predictive vs generative models explained for clinic owners 21:45 - When AI can predict patterns from clinician notes and when it cannot 24:03 - How power user clinics are using AI tools in practice 25:56 - Why AI should do what clinicians decide, not decide for them 28:37 - Designing AI around systems, workflows, and failure states 30:22 - Using SOPs and training docs to think through AI implementation 31:57 - How clinic owners should evaluate whether to bring AI into the practice 35:53 - The one question to ask any AI vendor: how does it improve over time? 37:00 - Final takeaways and encouraging clinics to experiment 38:02 - Lightning round: overhyped AI tools in healthcare 39:20 - What clinicians should understand about how AI really works 40:50 - What Pedro would do if he were not building healthcare AI 41:41 - Real world learning, messy data, and why experience matters 42:59 - Pedro's health habits and the AI built tracker on his watch 44:15 - Where to find Pedro and Prompt Health Notable quotes "Thoughtful AI is really taking into account where are people using it, how does it fit into their day to day?" "The best systems are the ones where you are deciding." "How does this system get better?" Resources & Links: ·      Prompt Health ·      Pedro on LinkedIn More About Dr. Pedro Teixeira: Pedro Teixeira, MD, PhD, is Vice President of AI Engineering at Prompt Health and previously served as Co-Founder and CEO of PredictionHealth, now a Prompt Health company. With nearly two decades of experience across AI and healthcare and PhD-level training in biomedical informatics from Harvard and Vanderbilt, Pedro is one of the most grounded voices on AI in healthcare. He believes healthcare's biggest challenges are systems problems, not technology problems, and that the real promise of AI is creating leverage so clinicians can spend more time on what matters most: their patients. Jane Sponsorship Information: Book a one-on-one demo here Mention the code LITZY1MO for a free month Follow Dr. Karen Litzy on Social Media: Karen's Instagram Karen's LinkedIn Subscribe to Healthy, Wealthy & Smart: YouTube Website Apple Podcast Spotify SoundCloud Stitcher iHeart Radio

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About

The Healthy Wealthy & Smart podcast with Dr. Karen Litzy is the perfect blend of clinical skills and business skills to help healthcare and fitness professionals uplevel their careers.

Information

  • Creator
    Dr. Karen Litzy, PT, DPT
  • Years Active
    2012 - 2026
  • Episodes
    729
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2010 - 2026 Karen Litzy
  • Show Website
    Healthy Wealthy & Smart

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