EYE OWN A BUSINESS

You’re Always on Stage: How to Speak So Patients Say Yes

In this episode, you’ll discover why the most powerful tool in your practice isn’t your OCT or your EHR—it’s your voice.

Dr. Steve Vargo shares a personal story of the time he bombed his first big presentation. Months of preparation, flawless slides, and bullet-point perfection… and yet, the audience checked out. That failure became the turning point that taught him one truth every doctor needs to know: information doesn’t inspire action—connection does.

You’ll learn how the same techniques great speakers use on stage—clarity, storytelling, and confidence—can transform the way you communicate in the exam room. Because every patient encounter is a performance, and the way you deliver your message determines whether patients tune out or take action.

 

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Stop Guessing: How ODs Can Plan Smarter Marketing for 2026

In this episode, you’ll step into a conversation that challenges the way most ODs think about marketing.

It’s easy to see marketing as an expense, a line item on a budget that you either cut or dabble in when things slow down. But what if you looked at it differently? What if your marketing wasn’t about spending more—but about finally getting clear on who you are, who you serve, and how you want to grow?

Jeremy Bono from IDOC Marketing Services joins me to share why the last three months of the year are the perfect time to reset, reflect, and get intentional about 2026. Together, we unpack how successful practices approach marketing not as guesswork, but as a system—one built on consistency, differentiation, and alignment with the practice’s bigger vision.

If you’ve ever felt like your marketing dollars weren’t pulling their weight, or you’ve wondered how to stand out in a crowded market, this episode will give you the clarity and direction to turn uncertainty into a strategy—and marketing into momentum.

 

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What Top ODs Revealed About Contact Lens Success—and What’s Holding Them Back

In this episode, you’ll hear what happens when a group of forward-thinking ODs come together, not just to share clinical tips, but to challenge the way we think about contact lenses.

We didn’t sit around talking about products. We dug into something bigger—the opportunities hiding in plain sight. The moments when patients walk out the door because we never asked the right question. The silent objections that keep them from trying contacts. The staff conversations that either build excitement or quietly kill momentum.

Dr. Tara Vaz joins me to bring you inside that Puerto Rico roundtable, where successful doctors admitted they still face the same barriers we all do—but also revealed how they’re turning those barriers into growth.

If you’ve ever wondered why more of your patients don’t say yes to contacts—or how to stop the dropouts before they happen—this conversation will give you practical ways to make contact lenses a true growth engine in your practice.

 

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Innovation, AI, and the Patient Experience: A Conversation with Newton’s CEO

In this episode, you’ll discover what reinvention really looks like when innovation isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a mindset.

Davis Corley, CEO of Newton (formerly Neurolens), didn’t just announce a rebrand. He revealed a bold new vision for the future of eyecare—one that challenges us to rethink how we lead, how we innovate, and how we meet the expectations of a new generation of patients.

We talk about why “innovation” is really just change with purpose, why lagging behind is riskier than ever, and how practices can future-proof themselves by embracing the tools and technologies that patients already expect. From AI-powered staff training to breakthrough lens designs for today’s screen-heavy lifestyles, this conversation isn’t about products—it’s about the future of your practice.

If you’ve ever felt hesitant about change, this episode will show you how leaning into innovation can unlock growth, loyalty, and a patient experience that truly stands out.

 

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The Myopia Growth Engine: How Two ODs Turned a Niche into a Practice Driver

In this episode, you step into the exam room with two ODs who turned “maybe someday” into a thriving myopia management program—without waiting to have it all figured out.

Dr. Alecia Barnes and Dr. Jenn Lyerly share how they moved from dabbling to discipline: simple scripts that spark parent buy-in, a clean consult flow that saves time, pricing built on chair cost (not guesswork), and team training that keeps the message consistent.

No hype. No heroics. Just a clear path from “interested” to “implemented”—so more kids get better outcomes, your team has a plan, and your practice gains a specialty that compounds over time.

 

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Reimagining Eyecare: The Impact of AI on Optometry’s Next Decade

In this episode, you step into a future that’s already knocking on your door—and learn how to meet it with confidence.

Dr. Scot Morris doesn’t talk about artificial intelligence; he tells the story of a profession on the edge of reinvention. If you’ve ever felt buried by admin, boxed in by EHRs, or frustrated by 3rd-party red tape, this conversation reframes what’s possible when you pair human care with technology.

Because the future won’t replace you. The future will reward you—if you learn to lead it.

 

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From Amazon to Eye Exams: Preparing Your Practice for Tomorrow’s Patients

In this episode, you’ll step into the shoes of tomorrow’s patient—and see how their expectations are already reshaping the way you need to run your practice today.

The healthcare world isn’t changing slowly anymore. It’s being redefined by the same forces that transformed shopping, travel, and entertainment. Amazon taught us convenience. Netflix taught us personalization. Uber taught us immediacy. And now, your patients are quietly expecting the same from you.

Through research, stories, and real-world examples, we’ll explore how the “patient of the future” is more than just a phrase—it’s your next appointment. They want transparency in pricing, digital convenience, personalized options, and the human connection that builds trust. They’re not comparing you to the OD down the street. They’re comparing you to every consumer experience they’ve had this week.

If you’ve been running your practice the same way for the past five or ten years, this episode may feel like a wake-up call. But it’s also an opportunity. Because if you understand these shifts and act on them now, you won’t just meet expectations—you’ll exceed them, build loyalty, and future-proof your practice.

The future isn’t five years away. It’s already here. The only question is: are you ready?

 

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Proven Strategies from the Top 5 Downloaded Episodes

To celebrate 100 episodes, we're bringing you the best insights from our top 5 most downloaded shows. From team building and leadership to optical strategy and staff training, this episode pulls the key takeaways that have helped practices scale fast and smart.

You'll hear highlights from:

• Sharon Carter on leadership development and executing what matters most
• Susan Daly on designing an optical that sells for you
• Dr. Joel Tuite on growing a cold-start practice to seven figures in 5 years
• Kayla Ashlee on turning staff training into a growth engine

These are the actionable nuggets that have resonated most with our audience and could be game changers for your practice.

🎧 Listen in, take notes, and revisit the full episodes linked below if you want to go deeper!

 

Full Podcast Episodes:

Structure Your Optical so the Selling is Done for You:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-nn4ga-14280fd

Staff Training: A Recipe for Success: 

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-jqyyy-1402173

Team Building: The Magic to Creating a Multi-Million Dollar Practice:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-76rqk-13b6557

Becoming a Multi-Million Dollar Practice in 5 Years:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-whmh6-143e978

Take Your Practice to the Next Level:

https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-e9xkt-159e1a5

 

Additional Links:

Sharon is the owner of ECOC Optometric Consulting. Learn more about her company here: https://ecoc.biz/

Click here to access Kayla’s New Hire Training Checklist