Best Roger Whitney Podcasts (2025)

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Why failure can be your friend with Dr. Chris Wolfe, OD 41:30

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15h ago41:30

41:30

Why failure can be your friend with Dr. Chris Wolfe, ODHow can failure be your friend, and why should you embrace failure? On this episode—which is actually me guest-hosting Dr. Chris Wolfe's podcast EyeCode Media—we discuss a journey Chris has been on for awhile, how he failed, and why he considers the failure a positive influence in his life. I s…

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The Toxic Pursuit of Greatness in Chess (w/ Brin-Jonathan Butler) | The Chris Hedges Report 55:02

3d ago55:02

55:02

Achieving greatness requires immense sacrifice. Nobody knows this better than perhaps professional athletes or, as author and journalist Brin-Jonathan Butler reveals, chess players. Butler joins host Chris Hedges to discuss his book, The Grandmaster: Magnus Carlsen and the Match That Made Chess Great Again and how the history of chess’ greatest pla…

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How Palestinian History Is Systemically Forgotten (w/ Micaela Sahhar) | The Chris Hedges Report 40:25

3d ago40:25

40:25

“How do we understand now if we don’t understand 1948 or 1917 or all the things that happened during the British Mandate?” This is a central question Micaela Sahhar, author and educator, asks while dissecting her book, Find Me at the Jaffa Gate. Sahhar reframes these monumental events in Palestinian history through an intimate, granular lens of her…

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Failure and Risk (and why practice owners should embrace them) with Nathan Hayes 1:06:58

8d ago1:06:58

1:06:58

ODs tend to be a pretty risk-averse group, which means failure and risk can be avoided or almost taboo topics. But risk is required for any type of return in life. So how should practice/business owners think about risk? If you're embarking on a new growth goals for your practice—like adding an associate doctor—how do you prepare for that investmen…

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The benefits of shifting your mindset from practice owner to CEO (and the 3 numbers to measure daily) with Dr. Brianna Rhue, OD 57:02

15d ago57:02

57:02

So much of business ownership is about your mindset. So what happens when you take the cognizant approach to shift your mindset from a practice owner to a CEO? What are the necessary strategies you must incorporate into your life if you want accomplish more but yet do it in the same (or less time)? And how does this work when you try and build a te…

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The Palestine Lab: Exporting Occupation Technology (w/ Antony Loewenstein) | The Chris Hedges Report 42:32

19d ago42:32

42:32

Filmmaker, author and journalist Antony Loewenstein documents how Israel has used Gaza as a weapons showcase. Spyware, killer drones, robot dogs and other weapons are debuted in Gaza and field-tested on the civilian population, demonstrating their effectiveness to regimes around the world that await their chance to purchase them. Loewenstein joins …

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If you think "sales" is a dirty word, this episode was made just for you. 34:45

22d ago34:45

34:45

In this episode, Dr. Steve Vargo returns to talk about a topic many ODs quietly struggle with: the role of sales in patient care and practice performance. Inspired by a recent post he shared on LinkedIn, we explore why certain KPIs feel frustrating to improve and how a simple shift in perspective can change the way doctors think about influencing p…

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The Member States Complicit in GENOCIDE (w/ Francesca Albanese) | The Chris Hedges Report 44:25

26d ago44:25

44:25

After two years of genocide, it is no longer possible to hide complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinians. Entire countries and corporations are — according to multiple reports by UN Special Rapporteur on Palestine Francesca Albanese — either directly or indirectly involved in Israel’s economic proliferation. In her latest report, “Gaza …

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From the Exam Room to the Executive Table: A Conversation with Dr. Pete Kehoe on How Managed Vision Care Can Enhance the Provider Experience 59:50

29d ago59:50

59:50

Why has the profession of optometry had such a complicated relationship with VCPs (vision care plans) over the years? Some practice owners love them. Others despise them. Some practices are on all the panels. Some have intentionally jettisoned themselves from every plan and gone out of network entirely. On this episode, which in a way serves as a f…

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How America Left Their Own to Die in the '73 Chilean Coup (w/ John Dinges) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:02:42

1M ago1:02:42

1:02:42

The meddling and infiltration of governments in Latin America by the United States is a huge chapter of its 20th century history. One of the most egregious and blatant examples of intervention was in Chile, where the democratically elected socialist president Salvador Allende was overthrown by the CIA-backed military coup in 1973. The ensuing years…

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Solving for optionality and the importance of community up to and through retirement with Roger Whitney 57:17

1M ago57:17

57:17

On this episode, we explore the unique intersection of financial planning and personal growth, discussing the importance of thinking on our thinking, the paradigm shift from accumulating to decumulating assets, and the role of community in achieving financial confidence. Roger shares insights from his Rock Retirement Club, emphasizing the value of …

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Is Israel 'On the Brink?' (w/ Ilan Pappé) 48:00

1M ago48:00

48:00

Despite the demoralization and destruction produced by Israel’s two-year-long genocidal campaign on the Palestinians, Israel potentially finds itself at its weakest point in its short history. In his new book, Israel on the Brink, renowned Israeli historian Ilan Pappé makes the case that Israel’s current path forward is unsustainable. With a combin…

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Educate & inform, don't sell: a patient experience conversation with Tim Merrigan from Acquios Advisors 52:09

1M ago52:09

52:09

There are few episodes where I tell you to rewind and listen again to something that a guest has says. This is one of those episodes. From the importance of using the patient's name to offering appointment options without directly asking if they want to schedule, this conversation with Tim is a great example of why words matter in all aspects of th…

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The Rise of the Thielverse and the Construction of the Surveillance State (w/ Whitney Webb) | The Chris Hedges Report 44:20

2M ago44:20

44:20

The descent into a new, mutated and technology-focused form of American fascism is already here. Those who have kept track of the rise of the Thielverse, which includes figures such as Peter Thiel, Elon Musk and JD Vance, have understood that an agenda to usher in a unique form of authoritarianism has been slowly introduced into the mainstream poli…

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Where's my money?! with Sharon Carter 1:24:19

2M ago1:24:19

1:24:19

Ever wonder where all your money's going in your practice? Sharon's here to share the "usual suspects" of practice (mis)management that's costing practice owners tens (sometimes hundreds) of thousands of dollars. We also highlight the importance of goal setting and creating a positive workplace culture to retain staff and drive practice growth. Las…

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Drug Trafficking and Murder In the Special Forces (w/ Seth Harp) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:00:19

2M ago1:00:19

1:00:19

For decades, clandestine foreign military and intelligence operations have been the deadly, destabilizing engine of American foreign policy. Today, as exposed by investigative journalist Seth Harp in his new book The Fort Bragg Cartel, 21st-century Special Forces operations have become their brutal, logical successor. Harp joins host Chris Hedges o…

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Finding the right buyer: a PE sale built on trust, not just numbers, with Dr. Adam Bryan 1:15:58

2M ago1:15:58

1:15:58

Dr. Adam Bryan shares his journey of transitioning his optometry practice through a private equity sale. He discusses the evolving landscape of optometry ownership, the challenges and opportunities presented by private equity, and the importance of maintaining practice culture during the transition. Dr. Bryan reflects on the decision-making process…

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Inside America's Academic Gulags (w/ Rashid Khalidi) | The Chris Hedges Report 40:04

2M ago40:04

40:04

Historian Rashid Khalidi, author of The Hundred Years’ War on Palestine, joins host Chris Hedges to detail the dwindling academic freedom in American universities and society at large as Donald Trump’s grip on free speech tightens. Khalidi notes that while the conflation of anti-Zionism with antisemitism is an old tactic to stifle academic scrutiny…

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Embracing vision plans to profitably grow your practice 50:39

2M ago50:39

50:39

Dr. Chris Smiley offers a contrarian—but experience-backed—perspective on one of the most divisive topics in optometry today: vision plans. While many private practice ODs are dropping them entirely, Dr. Smiley makes the case that with the right strategy, vision plans can actually be a powerful engine for growth, profitability, and sustainability. …

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It's Time to Fight Back Against Trump's Fascist Regime (w/ Ralph Nader) | The Chris Hedges Report 38:35

2M ago38:35

38:35

"Are you a worker? Yes. Are you a consumer shopper? Yes. Are you a taxpayer? Yes. Voter? Well, sometimes. Are you a parent? Yes. Are you a veteran? Sometimes. Well, how can you say you're a nobody? You know things about those roles. You've experienced them. You've been frustrated. If you lie to yourself to be a nobody, you're going to be treated li…

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The legal side of selling to PE: setting expectations the right way 1:01:32

2M ago1:01:32

1:01:32

Let's discuss the legal intricacies of exiting a practice, particularly in the context of private equity transactions. On this episode, David Cohen and I explore the importance of managing expectations for sellers, understanding the valuation process, and the implications of debt and real estate ownership in practice sales. Our conversation emphasi…

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Trump's Crackdown on Anti-War Activists (w/ CODEPINK's Medea Benjamin) 38:12

3M ago38:12

38:12

Medea Benjamin and CODEPINK, the organization she cofounded, are synonymous with accosting power in the United States. Their fearless confrontations with the nation’s most prominent and powerful politicians in the halls of Congress, often seen through viral videos, are a stark embodiment of the First Amendment. Despite over 20 years of activism and…

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Selling with integrity: Dr. John Abbondaza's journey of ownership up to and through a sale to private equity 1:00:23

3M ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Selling to PE can be conflicting for some owners. On this episode, Dr. John Abbondanza discusses the decision-making process, the importance of understanding one's values, and the impact of the sale on his team and patients. The conversation delves into the nuances of private equity in optometry, the significance of communication during transitions…

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Israel, Charlie Kirk, and the Weaponization of Murder (w/ Max Blumenthal) | The Chris Hedges Report 45:59

3M ago45:59

45:59

By Chris Hedges

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Hidden financial compression squeezing optometry practices in 2025 (guest appearance on Power Hour) 59:23

3M ago59:23

59:23

In this eye-opening episode of The Power Hour, host Eugene Shatsman welcomes back Adam Cmejla, Certified Financial Planner, Founder and Owner of Integrated Planning & Wealth Management, and Host of 20/20 Money Podcast — to pull back the curtain on the relentless "compression" squeezing optometry practices right now. As a reminder, you can get all t…

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The Death of Holocaust Studies (w/ Raz Segal) | The Chris Hedges Report 47:24

3M ago47:24

47:24

Raz Segal, an Israeli historian and an associate professor of Holocaust and Genocide Studies at Stockton University, analyzes how the weaponization and distortion of the Holocaust, in the midst of the genocide in Gaza, has been used to serve the narrative of Zionists and the Israeli government. He tells host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chri…

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Is an 8x multiple on a $1M EBIDTA a good deal? A transition convo with Nathan Hayes 1:05:47

3M ago1:05:47

1:05:47

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. In this episode, we discuss the complexities of business valuation and exit planning for optometry practices. We explore the importance of understanding cash flow, market multiples, and the necessity of being exit ready at all times. The conversation delves into the f…

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GHF Contractor Tells All On Genocidal Israeli 'Aid' Plan (w/ Anthony Aguilar) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:09:04

3M ago1:09:04

1:09:04

“I've witnessed a lot of war and in that there is nothing that compares to the level of destruction, the level of [dis]proportionality, the absolute disregard for Geneva Convention and international humanitarian law and considerations of the laws of armed conflict. [Nowhere] in my career… have I witnessed anything close to the absolute escalation o…

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How OD practice owners should think about long term care insurance with Bryan Langdon, CLU 1:05:12

3M ago1:05:12

1:05:12

Long term care (LTC) is a complicated, misunderstood, and emotional topic for any family to discuss. Even if you're a younger listener and think "Oh, this episode isn't applicable to me," I'd still encourage you to give it a listen as the topic of LTC is generational. On today's episode, Bryan and I discuss the basics of what LTC is and what it's n…

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Reporting on War (w/ Ben Anderson) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:07:43

3M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

It is rare to find war correspondents who are willing to break the rules of access and safety imposed by dominant powers. Only by challenging these structures and facing the dangers of war can journalists begin a true effort to report the truth and, if they are lucky, materially alter the course of conflict. Journalist, author and documentary filmm…

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Hidden gems in retirement planning: what practice owners might be missing after the sale with Taylor Schulte, CFP® 50:33

4M ago50:33

50:33

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Taylor Schulte, CFP®, host of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show Podcast. In this episode, we discuss the often-overlooked aspects of retirement planning, focusing on the importance of understanding blind spots, the need for purpose in retirement, and the role of community. We explor…

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To Destroy Gaza, Israel Must Destroy UNRWA (w/ Mara Kronenfeld) | The Chris Hedges Report 43:11

4M ago43:11

43:11

By Chris Hedges

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A simple strategy to make the pain of quarterly estimates less (emotionally) stressful for optometry practice owners 38:48

4M ago38:48

38:48

If you've ever wondered how to take some of the emotional sting out of estimated tax payments, this episode is for you. I share a simple yet impactful way to manage your cash flow, a simple formula to help you better estimate your estimated payments, and how to segregate your savings to give you a clearer picture of your cash-on-hand to make your q…

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When Religious Mafia & Rightwing Extremists Take Over (w/ Rollo Romig) | The Chris Hedges Report 48:03

4M ago48:03

48:03

One of the most stark examples of the expanding tide of authoritarianism worldwide was the 2017 murder of Gauri Lankesh, an Indian journalist and activist, allegedly assassinated by a far-right religious group in India for her fearless journalism. Joining host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report is Rollo Romig, a journalist whos…

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Lessons from the (former) President of TSO: cooperative strategies to counter PE disruption and empower private practice ownership with John Marvin 1:14:45

4M ago1:14:45

1:14:45

My guest today is John Marvin, former President of TSO (Texas State Optical). John joins me to talk about two intertwined issues reshaping private-practice optometry: the accelerating influence of private equity and the growing challenge of recruiting—and retaining—enough ODs to meet patient demand. We explore the cultural and financial trade-offs …

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'The Silent Holocaust' — The Israeli and CIA Sponsored Guatemalan Genocide (w/ Jennifer Harbury) | The Chris Hedges Report 54:34

4M ago54:34

54:34

Known as the “Silent Holocaust,” the genocide in Guatemala is seldom mentioned in modern history. The United States, with support from Israel, backed yet another violent crusade against an indigenous population as well as against communism. The Guatemalan genocide — preceded by a CIA-instigated coup d’état of the Guatemalen government in 1954 and t…

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2024 Books & Benchmarks Report Discussion with Nathan Hayes 1:06:58

4M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Nathan Hayes. Nathan joins me on the show to do a deep dive into 2024's Books & Benchmark's annual report. He shares ranges of the numbers that practice owners should really care about and should be tracking: COGS, non-OD staff expense, Associate OD comp ranges, occupancy costs, an…

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This Is Not a Drill (w/ Roger Waters) | The Chris Hedges Report 46:50

4M ago46:50

46:50

Fame and fortune are often corrupting forces, ones that beget power and comfort. To stand with the afflicted requires sacrificing this privilege and few embody that sacrifice more profoundly than the legendary musician of Pink Floyd Roger Waters. For years, through his music and political action, Waters has amplified the voices of the oppressed. He…

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Libyan Arab Force 57:01

4M ago57:01

57:01

Join Zane and Chris for another Inter-Season Episode discussing the Libyan Arab Force. In this episode they discuss the LAF with Liz Gardner whose research focuses on the Libyan Arab Force. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Are Opportunity Zones really an opportunity or is the tax tail wagging the investment dog with Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP® 46:11

4M ago46:11

46:11

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Peter Lazaroff, CFA, CFP®. Peter joins me to examine whether the much-touted tax benefits of opportunity zones (OZs) justify the risks required, or if investors are letting the "tax tail" wag the investment dog. We cover how OZs work, what the new One BBB Act means for the program'…

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The End of Academic Freedom (w/ Maura Finkelstein) | The Chris Hedges Report 49:29

5M ago49:29

49:29

The gutting of public funding for higher education in the United States has led to the takeover of universities by private donors, many of whom are Zionist entities and billionaires. As a result, universities have become, as guest Dr. Maura Finkelstein calls them, “banks and real estate development companies that offer classes.” As demonstrated by …

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Building my ideal "Frankenstein" practice discourse, 3 important practice metric numbers to focus on, and examples of AI use in practice with Dr. Dodge Perry, OD 1:03:15

5M ago1:03:15

1:03:15

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guest on today's show is Dr. Dodge Perry, OD. Dodge joins me on the show to have an open discussion after listening to my "Frankenstein" episode, which was inspired by him asking me the question "If I could create an ideal private practice, what would go into that decision making process?" We discuss the i…

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Jeffrey Epstein, Donald Trump and Sexual Blackmail Networks (w/ Nick Bryant) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:01:46

5M ago1:01:46

1:01:46

Perhaps the biggest elephant in the room of American politics is the existence of a pedophilic blackmail network that involves some of the most powerful people in the country and the world. Despite efforts to get to the bottom of the Jeffrey Epstein case, which saw the trafficking and sexual exploitation of thousands of children, justice continues …

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What the One Big Beautiful Bill Act means for optometry private practice owners & their financial planning 1:01:59

5M ago1:01:59

1:01:59

In this episode of 20/20 Money, I break down some of the most impactful tax and planning changes introduced in the recently passed Big Beautiful Bill Act—Congress's sweeping update to the tax code that makes many TCJA provisions permanent while adding new wrinkles that matter to private practice owners. Whether you're thinking about how to reduce y…

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Everything You Need To Know About War With Iran (w/ Alastair Crooke) | The Chris Hedges Report 57:44

5M ago57:44

57:44

Following attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States, the world held its breath as the prospect of World War III loomed on the horizon. After 12 days of conflict, a ceasefire has brought about new uncertainty for the future. Former British diplomat Alastair Crooke joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to make sense…

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5 common decisions that prevent ODs from achieving financial independence 39:30

5M ago39:30

39:30

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. In the spirit of Independence Day, today's episode explores a different kind of freedom—financial independence—and the common decisions that often stand in the way of achieving it. I walk through five recurring mistakes I see optometric practice owners make that limit their long-term financial freedom, both p…

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Will Zohran Mamdani Empower or Betray the Working Class? (w/ Kshama Sawant) | The Chris Hedges Report 1:00:39

5M ago1:00:39

1:00:39

Zohran Mamdani’s emphatic victory in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary has shaken the core of American politics. A self-described democratic socialist, Mamdani ran a campaign centered around affordability as well as relentless denunciation of the genocide in Gaza. Mamdani drew the ire of Zionists, right-wingers and the billionaire class …

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ANOTHER 20/20 Takeover: Your favorite KPIs (and why?!) w/ Drs. Jennifer Stewart, OD & Jeremy Ciano, OD 51:15

5M ago51:15

51:15

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money! My guests on today's show are my two good friends—and successful practice owners—Drs. Jeremy Ciano and Jennifer Stewart, OD. This is another takeover episode, so I'm honestly not sure where they'll take the conversation. The only direction I gave them was the title of the episode, so I'm just as curious as yo…

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Starvation and Profiteering in Gaza (w/ Francesca Albanese) | The Chris Hedges Report 40:21

6M ago40:21

40:21

There is not much more that can be said about the unfathomable levels of devastation the genocide in Gaza has reached. Francesca Albanese, the United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories, has been chronicling the genocide and joins host Chris Hedges on this episode of The Chris Hedges Report to shed light on the curren…

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The delegation journey...and why every practice owner should be on it! with Dr. Michael Neal, OD 49:32

6M ago49:32

49:32

Welcome to this episode of 20/20 Money. My guest on today's show is Dr. Michael Neal, OD. Mike joins me on the show to talk about the evolution of delegation as a practice owner—specifically, the journey of learning to trust your team with everything outside of your core revenue-producing activities. We share our own experiences with delegation, wh…