Over the last few years, podcasts have made a huge impact on the physical therapy profession. From hosts waxing philosophical about issues in health care, to fellow therapists providing useful clinical tips and information about managing debt, it seems there’s a podcast on just about every relevant topic out there.
When we published the original version of this article, there weren’t many podcasts specifically created by physical therapists for physical therapists. But plenty have emerged in the last year or two, so we thought it was time to tune up this post!
Because there are so many more options now, it was difficult for us to pick our top ten. We tried to select ones that are relevant to a broad audience of listeners. But, we also curated several lists of category-specific podcasts, which you’ll find at the end of this post.
Without further ado, and in no particular order, here are the top 10 podcasts for physical therapists in 2018:
1. Healthy Wealthy & Smart
This podcast has been around for a while, and it continues to be one of the best options for pretty much any physical therapist out there. With well over 300 episodes, hosts Karen Litzy PT, DPT, Jenna Kantor, PT, DPT, and Shannon Sepulveda, DPT, M.Ed., CSCS, WCS cover a wide range of topics relevant to physical therapy practice, wellness, and entrepreneurship. Whether you’re clinical or non-clinical—and whatever setting you’re in—this one is worth a listen. It fulfills its mission of helping therapists listen, learn, and live their best lives!
2. Talus Media Podcasts
Talus Media is somewhat new to the podcast game, but they have a secret sauce that’s undeniable: relevancy. Founded by Rachel Jermann, PT, DPT, OCS, Talus Media offers two podcasts: Talus Media News and Talus Media Talks. What makes these podcasts special is that they’re focused solely on news that affects our profession. Until now, there really wasn’t a podcast that folks in our industry could rely on for the latest news. Talus Media has done a great job of filling a true need and niche in our industry.
3. PT Tech Talk
Physical therapists often fall on two extreme ends of the tech spectrum: technophiles or technophobes. Rob Vining, PT, MSPT, and Dave Kittle, PT, DPT, certainly count themselves among the former. In their podcast, PT Tech Talk, they interview guests and anti-gurus, ask lots of questions, and “make the PT world a more tech-cozy place.” Podcast topics range from HEP software to tips for Instagram success, making this podcast a must-listen for PT entrepreneurs and tech enthusiasts alike.
4. Pain Reframed Podcast
Hosted by Tim Flynn, PT, DPT, and Jeff Moore, PT, DPT, Pain Reframed Podcast covers the extremely relevant topic of pain management and how we, as healthcare professionals, can minimize patient suffering. Airing every Thursday, this podcast is sponsored by International Spine and Pain Institute and Evidence in Motion. Whether or not you’re in clinical practice, this information is highly relevant.
5. Senior Rehab Project
This podcast aims to serve rehab clinicians working with older adults, something that most of us do—or have done—in our careers. Additionally, the podcast seeks to dispel two common misconceptions: old does not equal weak, and SNFs are not where “therapists go to slack off.” The team at Senior Rehab Project strives to keep us all from falling into stereotypes that have plagued our profession for years—by providing thought-provoking interviews with industry leaders and action items we can immediately bring to our job roles.
6. Evidence in Motion
This weekly podcast toggles between clinical topics and leadership topics. You’ll find news and research galore presented by physical therapy leaders Daphne Scott, PT, DPT, Jeff Moore, PT, DPT, and John Childs, PT, DPT. Daphne Scott’s series on leadership is especially helpful for physical therapists looking to level up and move into managerial or director roles.
7. Move Forward
One of the longest-running PT podcasts out there, Move Forward—produced by the APTA—offers interviews with PTs and other healthcare experts who provide tips on the treatment and prevention of injury and disease, along with commentary on general news and other noteworthy topics. Its wide scope of coverage makes it an excellent pick for new grads and generalists alike, as well as those interested in following the APTA’s advocacy efforts.
8. The Knowbodies
Therapists Will Boyd, PT, DPT, and Nick Bracciante, PT, DPT, created The Knowbodies podcast to bridge the gap between the healthcare system and the general public. It has since evolved into a captivating mishmash of broaching clinical topics, talking shop about healthcare at large, and discussing fear, mentorship, and the overall job market. The down-to-earth tone and wide range of topics make this podcast a top pick for any PT or non-PT!
9. PT Pintcast
Hosted by former radio DJ and non-clinical PT Jimmy McKay, PT, DPT, PT Pintcast blends the talents of an experienced radio personality with those of a physical therapist. McKay works in a non-clinical physical therapy role, and his wide breadth of experience shows in his choice of content, which includes everything from discussions on the PT license compact and its effects on travel therapy, to interviews with prominent PT entrepreneurs. The tone is generally pretty light—perfect for listening with your colleagues during happy hour!
10. Therapy Insiders
UpDoc Media’s main podcast, Therapy Insiders, is hosted by Gene Shirokobrod, Erson Religioso, and Joe Palmer. This podcast comprises a wide range of topics, including job market insights, career advice, and clinical tips. Guests are typically industry entrepreneurs and thought leaders, including WebPT’s own Heidi Jannenga, PT, DPT, ATC.
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Honorable Mentions:
As noted in the intro, narrowing this list down to ten was no easy feat, and there are plenty of other PT podcasts out there that are very much worth the listen! Here they are, sorted by topic:
Education and Burnout Prevention
Healthcare Education Transformation Podcast
Students and New Grads
FreshPT Podcast
Pre-PT Grind Podcast
Cash-Based PT
The Cash-Based Practice Podcast
The Physical Therapy Business School Podcast
Business
Gearing Up with Body Gears PT Podcast
Debt Management
Debt Free Physical Therapy Podcast
The New Medical Nomads Podcast (Travel)
Non-Clinical Careers and Telehealth
PTBC Podcast (PT Business Corner)
Sports and Performance
Better Faster Podcast
Physiotherapy Performance Perspectives
The British Journal of Sports Medicine Podcast
Clinical Knowledge
Pediatric Physical Therapy Podcast
Cardiopulmonary PT Journal Podcast
MisUnderstanding Dementia Podcast
Evidence and Pain Science
Pain Science & Sensibility Podcast
What do you think? Did we get the main players? Make an egregious omission? Let us know in the comments below!