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We're breaking into our regular schedule with urgent news that affects everyone in the ketamine therapy space, not just Texas providers. On January 2, 2026, the Texas Medical Board published proposed regulations in the Texas Register that could fundamentally change how ketamine therapy is delivered in the state. These would be the first comprehensive regulatory rules specifically for ketamine therapy clinics in Texas, and honestly, they could set a precedent for nationwide regulation. Why should you care if you're not in Texas? Because Texas is the second most populous state with one of the largest medical communities in the country. When Texas moves on healthcare regulation, other states often follow. These proposed rules cover mandatory clinic registration, onsite physician requirements, enhanced monitoring standards, a complete ban on take home parenteral ketamine, and enforcement mechanisms that would put ketamine clinics under the same scrutiny as pain management clinics. What You'll Learn: 🔹 Mandatory PKT clinic registration requirements: what Texas providers need to know about the new registration process and renewal deadlines🔹 The onsite physician mandate: why remote supervision models would no longer be acceptable under these proposed rules🔹 Enhanced monitoring and training standards: new equipment requirements and airway management training mandates🔹 Complete ban on take home parenteral ketamine: how this would eliminate certain treatment models entirely🔹 National implications: why every ketamine provider should pay attention regardless of location Episode 49 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Remote Supervision Is Over 00:20 Episode Introduction 02:55 Mandatory Registration Requirements 03:51 The Onsite Physician Requirement 04:42 Enhanced Training and Monitoring Standards 05:49 Documentation and Safety Protocols 06:37 Complete Ban on Take-Home Parenteral Ketamine 06:57 Enforcement Framework 07:14 What This Means for Texas Clinics 08:10 The Broader Industry Implications 09:16 The Access vs. Safety Tension 10:01 Who This Favors and Who It Challenges 10:34 Public Comment Opportunity 10:56 What You Should Do Now 11:38 Final Thoughts 12:42 Where To Get Further Information Thanks for listening Links Relevant To The Episode: Is Your Ketamine Clinic Ready? Texas Proposes Mandatory Registration and What It Means for the Industry includes a Quick Reference Table Texas Register January 2, 2026 Volume: 51 Number: 1 Texas Medical Board Rule Changes Chapter 173, Office-Based Anesthesia Services, Subchapter B, concerning Parenteral Ketamine Therapy, §§173.6-173.15. Comments on the proposed rules may be submitted online or via email Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀 Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Welcome back to the Ketamine Startup Podcast! It's great to be back with you for our first new episode of 2026. After sharing a couple episodes from the vault in December, we are excited to dive back into fresh content. In this episode, we tackle the most frequently asked question we get: "Do I need to be present in the room during every ketamine infusion?" This isn't just about regulations. It's about balancing autonomy, patient safety, business scalability, and your personal values as you transition from traditional healthcare to private practice. We explore the complex regulatory landscape across different states, the tension between wanting professional freedom and providing exemplary patient care, and the practical considerations every clinic owner must navigate. We share our own philosophy and approach while acknowledging the legitimate business and personal factors that influence these critical decisions. What You'll Learn: ・The "loved one test" for making staffing decisions: a simple framework to determine your comfort level and standards ・State by state regulatory variations: why Texas, Utah, and California have different requirements and what that means for you ・The business reality of scaling vs. safety: how to balance growth aspirations with quality patient care ・Building reputation in a small community: why integrity matters more than short term profit in the ketamine field Episode 48 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - The most common question… 02:25 The "loved one test": What would you want for your family member receiving treatment? 04:23 Balancing autonomy vs. quality care: The tension clinicians face 06:32 Federal vs. state regulatory landscape: How regulations vary across different states 09:37 Scope of practice considerations and corporate practice of medicine laws 12:01 Philosophy behind practice decisions: What's right for you and your patients 13:28 Sam's approach: Why he's always present and recommends starting that way 16:56 Balancing physician wellbeing with high-quality patient care 19:26 State-specific research requirements: Medical board, legal, and insurance considerations 21:05 Malpractice insurance requirements and how they affect your practice decisions 23:03 Final recommendations: The decision framework based on your values 24:44 Closing thoughts: What would you want for your loved one? Thanks for listening Want to go deeper on some of these topics? Check out these related episodes: Episode 007 - Who Can Open A Ketamine Therapy Clinic? Episode 034 - Ketamine Clinic Insurance: Expert Insights with Canyon Clifton Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀 Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

We're continuing our holiday break from regularly scheduled programming to bring you another foundational resource: the patient communication strategies that transform ketamine therapy from a clinical procedure into a truly healing experience. This episode originally came from one of our mastermind sessions with students from our Ketamine Startup 101 course, where we dove deep into patient preparation and emotional safety protocols. It's become one of our most popular episodes.. Whether you're building a ketamine practice, looking to elevate your current patient communication, or trying to understand what separates exceptional clinics from those that simply provide treatment, this episode gives you the complete framework.  This is part of our "Episodes from the Vault" series, bringing back content that continues to serve as the go-to resource for healthcare providers focused on patient experience excellence.  For those who may recall, this was originally released as Episode 33. The mastermind format allowed us to go deep on each communication strategy while keeping everything immediately actionable for real-world implementation. This episode is especially valuable if you're training staff members, standardizing patient communication protocols, or seeking to create the kind of trust and safety that enables true therapeutic transformation. The strategies we share bridge clinical excellence with emotional intelligence which is exactly what ketamine therapy demands. What You'll Learn in This Episode  • The four essential communications every ketamine patient needs before treatment • Specific language and techniques for normalizing anxiety and fostering trust • How to prepare patients for non-ordinary experiences while ensuring emotional safety Episode 47 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Why presence matters 00:49 Episode introduction  01:59 The Patient Communication Framework - The four essential things patients need to know and why therapeutic experience begins before treatment 06:14 #1: Feeling Nervous is Normal - Acknowledging patient anxiety, pre-framing concepts, and diving board metaphor for first treatments 10:59 #2: They May See, Feel, or Realize Big Things - Preparing patients for non-ordinary states of consciousness and ensuring they understand experiences will end 15:08 #3: Physical Sensations May Happen - Managing nausea, dizziness, and physical side effects with proactive medical interventions 17:31 #4: Emotional Releases Are Possible - Creating safe space for tears, anger, and grief while normalizing emotional expression 27:31 Practical Implementation Tips - Team training strategies, consistent language protocols, and creating emotionally safe clinical environments 30:19 Episode wrap-up Selected Links From the Episode: This book link in these show notes is an Amazon affiliate link. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 📗Book mentioned  - Never Split The Difference by Chris Voss  If you’re interested in learning more about creating a healing and therapeutic space definitely check out these other episodes: • Episode 20 - Unlocking Transformation: Exploring Set, Setting, and Integration in Ketamine Therapy • Episode 9 - Healing Journeys: Ayahuasca, Ketamine Therapy, & Spirituality With Dr. Joe Tafur Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist. Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical or business advice. Always consult with qualified professionals for your specific situation.

We're taking a break from our regularly scheduled programming for the holidays to bring you something a bit different: a foundational episode that covers everything you need to know about ketamine therapy in one comprehensive resource. Sam originally delivered this presentation to the UCLA and Betty Ford Addiction Medicine Fellowship, and it's become one of those episodes that medical professionals, curious physicians, and anyone seriously exploring this field have come back to. It covers ketamine's complete story, from its fascinating medical history to current research and real-world implementation protocols. Whether you're considering ketamine therapy for your own practice, trying to understand this rapidly evolving field, or just want a solid clinical foundation, this is your starting point. We bridge the gap between academic research and practical clinical application, breaking down complex pharmacology and patient selection in a way that's actually accessible. This is part of our "Episodes from the Vault" series, bringing back content that continues to serve as a go-to resource for healthcare providers across specialties. For those who may recall, this was originally released as Episode 31. The presentation format lets us go deep on each topic while keeping everything practically relevant for actual clinical decision-making. This episode is especially valuable if you're evaluating ketamine therapy integration, seeking to understand the evidence base, or looking to enhance your patient education and staff training. What You'll Learn in This Episode ・Ketamine's journey from battlefield anesthetic to breakthrough mental health treatment ・Evidence-based mechanisms of action and clinical research findings ・Practical patient selection criteria, dosing protocols, and safety considerations for clinical practice Episode 46 show notes: 00:00 - Teaser - Mental health crisis statistics and ketamine's role 00:27 - Introduction to Episodes from the Vault series 01:19 - Sam's presentation introduction and off-label use disclosure 01:52 - Presentation Overview: Three-part structure: mental health/history, mechanisms/studies, patient selection/protocols 02:19 - Part 1: Current State of Mental Health - Depression, PTSD, anxiety statistics and the need for ketamine therapy 04:07 - The Need for More Treatment Options: Healthcare arsenal expansion with ketamine 04:20 - A Brief History of Ketamine: From phencyclidine to FDA approval and Vietnam War battlefield use 09:36 - Part 2: How Ketamine Works - NMDA receptor mechanisms and neuroplasticity effects 12:11 - Types of Patient Ketamine Experiences: Four levels of non-ordinary states of consciousness 14:49 - A Review of Scientific Studies: Yale study through recent research and meta-analyses 22:43 - Part 3: Ideal Patient Selection, Dosing & Scheduling: Contraindications, protocols, and safety considerations 32:33 - Episode wrap-up with YouTube resources, and more Thanks for listening Selected Related Links: ・For original Youtube version featuring slides during the presentation, go to https://youtu.be/u9XOQ2xnwsg ・For references and studies mentioned in this episode, go to www.ketaminestartup.com/podcast/episode-046 Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Dr. Randy Frederick isn't your typical ketamine provider. As a former military flight surgeon and EM physician, he's spent nearly several years developing a "psychospiritual" approach to ketamine therapy. And his perspective challenges a lot of the conventional thinking in this field. In this conversation, Randy shares his evolution from following traditional clinical protocols to building something completely different. He talks openly about viewing ketamine as a catalyst rather than a cure, and why that distinction fundamentally changes how he works with patients. What makes this episode different? Randy doesn't just talk theory. He shares his own transformation journey. From losing his spiritual connection in college to rediscovering it through his own healing work, he's transparent about how his personal growth directly shapes the way he cares for patients. His focus on mind-body-spirit integration and helping patients reconfigure their relationship with their own minds comes from lived experience, not just clinical training. What You'll Learn in This Episode ・ Why ketamine should be viewed as a catalyst, not a cure and how that philosophy changes everything about treatment ・ The real challenges and rewards of transitioning from physician employee to clinic owner ・ How meditation and awareness practices actually complement ketamine therapy Episode 45 show notes: 00:00 - Teaser - Ketamine is not a cure… 00:28 - Episode introduction 01:43 - Welcome Dr. Frederick to the show 02:30 - Dr. Frederick’s background: ER medicine, social media discovery moment, initial research phase 05:20 - The stories that convinced Dr. Frederick: patient transformations and life-saving impact 08:00 - Dr. Frederick’s evolution from clinical to psychospiritual approach over the years 12:00 - Why ketamine is a facilitator/catalyst, not a cure - the consciousness perspective 16:30 - Dr. Frederick’s personal spiritual journey: losing faith in college, rediscovering spirituality 19:30 - Military background: Navy flight surgeon, Iraq deployment, veteran mental health insights 22:30 - The broader psychedelic landscape: psilocybin, MDMA, stakeholder challenges 26:30 - Harvard Law School psychedelic summit and Zero L course experience 29:30 - Reality of clinic ownership: wearing many hats, constant challenges, HR difficulties 34:30 - The five types of wealth: choosing time and lifestyle over maximum income 37:30 - Bombing story discussion, perspective shifts, and choosing growth over victimhood 42:00 - Mind-body-spirit integration: ego dissolution, mindfulness practice, meditation 49:00 - Advice for aspiring clinic owners: having your why, mentorship, team building 50:30 - Rapid fire questions: desert island choices, relaxation rituals, hidden talents 57:00 - Contact information and closing remarks Thanks for listening Connect with Dr. Frederick at: Website Instagram Meta Selected Links From the Episode:  These book links in these show notes are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 📗 The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life by Sahil Bloom    📘 Being Ram Dass by Ram Dass Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

What happens when an ER physician and a psychologist both hit burnout at the same time? In Dr. Jack Hay and Dr. Harry Pepper's case, they decided to build something different together. In this episode, Dr. Hay and Dr. Pepper share the real story behind opening Oberlin Ketamine Clinic in Ohio. Including their unique physician-psychologist partnership model, how they've made personalized music a core part of their ketamine therapy approach, and why they're so intentional about trauma-informed care. This isn't a polished success story. They walk us through their first-year challenges, the difference between integration coaching and traditional therapy (and why that distinction matters), and their philosophy of empowering patients to choose their own music playlists instead of prescribing one-size-fits-all soundtracks. What really stood out? How they've built their practice around their core values instead of just copying what other clinics are doing. What you’ll gain 🔹 How to maintain passion, patience, and perseverance through inevitable obstacles 🔹 Simple techniques that create profound patient experiences (whiteboard intentions, personalized playlists) 🔹 How to distinguish between coaching and therapy in integration work  Episode 44 show notes: 00:00 - Teaser - A shamanic transfer of energy 00:26 - Episode Introduction 02:30 - Dr. Hay's background: Emergency medicine to ketamine therapy journey, COVID burnout experience 05:20 - Dr. Pepper's background: 30 years in psychology, psychedelic therapy insights 08:45 - Pivotal moments: Dr. Pepper's continuing education revelation and personal experience with long COVID 12:15 - Dr. Hay's decision point: Leaving ED directorship, timing with Harry's proposal 15:30 - Major obstacles faced: Timeline underestimation, patient education challenges, Midwest ketamine awareness 21:40 - Safety protocols and patient process: First contact approach, trauma-informed care, continuous monitoring 26:50 - Integration coaching philosophy: Present-moment forward orientation vs traditional therapy 32:20 - Music curation innovation: Challenging conventional wisdom, personalized playlists, patient choice 40:30 - Intention setting technique: Colored whiteboard process, embodiment practices 44:15 - Advice for new clinicians: Dr. Hay's "Three P's" - passion, patience, perseverance 47:30 - Dr. Pepper's advice: Don't give up, staying connected to values during challenges 50:45 - Personal questions begin: Desert island books/movies/food 56:20 - Hidden talents: Dr. Pepper's music performance background, Dr. Hay's artistic abilities 1:00:30 - Time travel question: Future space exploration vs MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech 1:02:45 - Contact information and closing remarks Thanks for listening Connect with Dr. Hay and Dr. Pepper at: Oberlin Ketamine Website Instagram Meta Infinite Leadership Selected Links From the Episode: These book links in these show notes are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. 📕The Elevated Leader: Level Up Your Leadership Through Vertical Development by Ryan Gottfredson 📗The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk 📘You Are Enough: Revealing the Soul to Discover Your Power, Potential, and Possibility by Panache Desai 🎶Explore more about music in Episode 032 - Music & Psychedelic Therapy: A Conversation with Author Steve Gelberg Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Remember when you were a hospital employee and licensing was just... someone else's problem? Yeah, those days are over. When you open a ketamine clinic, you're suddenly responsible for every license, permit, and regulatory checkbox that used to magically get handled by administrators. And here's the thing, get this stuff wrong and you can expect delays. In this episode, we break down the exact licenses and permits you need to open a ketamine clinic, the specific order to tackle them (yes, order matters), and why trying to DIY this process is a terrible idea. We share what we learned opening Reset Ketamine in Southern California plus insights from helping dozens of physicians navigate licensing requirements across different states. Because here's what we've learned: every state is different, and the details matter more than you think. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ・The medical licenses you probably already have - and why you might need a second DEA license ・Business permits that confuse physicians - FNP vs DBA and when you can skip them ・The order of operations - 10 sequential steps that prevent costly delays ・Why AI and Google aren't enough - the critical role of state-specific professional guidance Episode 43 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - The DEA License Address Rule 00:30 Episode Introduction 01:42 Why You Need Professional Guidance 03:48 Active Medical License & NPI 04:50 DEA License: The Tricky One 07:03 Order of Operation - The Foundation: Entity & Location 09:11 City Business License 10:22 Fictitious Name Permit (FNP) 12:33 DBA (Doing Business As) 15:27 EIN (Employer Identification Number) 16:39 Summary: The Complete Order of Operations 17:28 Key Takeaways & Closing Advice 18:30 The Medical Consult Analogy 20:50 Closing & Resources Thanks for listening Selected Links From the Episode: Get your DEA related questions answered in Episode 023 - Mastering Clinic Compliance: Insights from Retired DEA Agent Dennis Wichern Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀 Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Running a ketamine clinic? Clinical skills alone won't cut it. You also need to protect your practice from regulatory and financial landmines. In this compilation episode, two experts break down the complex world of DEA compliance and insurance coverage for ketamine clinics. Whether you're about to open your doors or already treating patients, understanding what triggers regulatory scrutiny and how to properly protect your practice isn't optional - it's critical. Our guests reveal the most common mistakes clinics make and share practical strategies to keep your practice safe, compliant, and protected. We've combined insights from two full-length episodes to give you concentrated wisdom on the business foundations every ketamine clinic needs. DISCLAIMER:  This episode is for educational and informational purposes only. The views expressed by our guests do not constitute legal, regulatory, or professional insurance advice for your specific practice. Insurance and compliance requirements vary significantly by state and individual circumstances. Always consult with qualified professionals before making decisions for your business or medical practice. Featured Experts Dennis Wichern - Retired DEA Special Agent in Charge and founder of Prescription Drug Consulting. Dennis spent over three decades with the DEA, including ten years focused specifically on pharmaceutical controlled substance compliance. He now helps healthcare providers understand DEA regulations and maintain proper compliance. Canyon Clifton - CEO of Clifton Insurance Agency, a professional liability and high-risk niche market insurance corporation founded in 1982. Canyon has spent over two decades designing elaborate professional liability and medical malpractice policies for healthcare providers across the US. What You'll Learn in This Episode: ・The 3 red flags that trigger DEA audits and how to avoid them ・The #1 insurance mistake ketamine clinics make (and how to verify coverage) ・Real claims data: What actually happens when things go wrong Episode 42 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - The DEA are Humans too. 00:20 Introduction & Episode Overview 01:51 Dennis Wichern 02:01 The 3 Red Flags That Trigger DEA Audits 05:16 State-Level DEA Enforcement Differences 08:37 Biannual Inventory Requirements & What to Do If You Missed Them 09:39 The DEA's Human Side 10:48 Witnessing Requirements for Small Clinics 13:47 Canyon Clifton 13:57 The #1 Insurance Mistake Ketamine Clinics Make 14:59 Where to Find Coverage Details in Your Policy 17:03 Why Insurance Applications Matter (They Become Part of Your Policy) 18:39 How the Insurance Landscape Has Changed for Ketamine Therapy 20:00 Admitted vs. Non-Admitted Insurance Carriers Explained 23:29 The Top Insurances Your Ketamine Clinic Needs 25:54 Ending & Resources Thanks for listening Listen to each of their full conversations: Episode 023 - Mastering Clinic Compliance: Insights from Retired DEA Agent Dennis Wichern Episode 034 - Ketamine Clinic Insurance: Expert Insights with Canyon Clifton Connect with the experts: Prescription Drug Consulting Website LinkedIn Email: [email protected] Phone: (312) 859-2430 Clifton Insurance Agency Website - Mention “Ketamine StartUp” and receive FREE quotes & exclusive policy discounts. Phone: 877-212-4368 Clifton Insurance Agency | LinkedIn Clifton Insurance Agency | Instagram  Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Starting a ketamine clinic can mean challenging the status quo - and that can feel isolating when colleagues question your vision or patients don't understand the treatment. But here's what's reassuring: every major breakthrough in medicine started with physicians who were willing to stand alone and persist through doubt. In this compilation episode, we're featuring three remarkable doctors who faced the exact same resistance you might be experiencing. Each was told their ideas wouldn't work. Each had colleagues who doubted them. And each proved that individual practitioners can create massive change when they refuse to take "no" for an answer. Dr. Howard Kornfeld revolutionized addiction medicine by advocating for buprenorphine years before anyone believed in it. Dr. Joe Tafur bridges traditional healing with modern ketamine therapy despite skepticism from both sides. And Dr. Mel Herbert transformed global medical education from a single idea that everyone initially dismissed. These aren't just inspiring stories - they're road maps for how to navigate the challenges in the medical space. If you're building a practice or considering taking the leap, their experiences will show you that the resistance you face isn't a sign you're wrong - it's often a sign you're onto something important. What You'll Learn in This Episode ・ How medical pioneers overcome institutional resistance and persist through years of colleagues doubting their vision ・  Revolutionary approaches to addiction medicine including Dr. Kornfeld's early advocacy for buprenorphine treatment ・ Bridging traditional and modern healing through Dr. Tafur's integration of ceremonial medicine with ketamine therapy ・ Global medical education transformation and how Dr. Herbert built a company impacting training in 160+ countries despite never wanting to be an entrepreneur Episode 41 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - “I didn’t want to be an entrepreneur…” 00:23 Welcome To The Podcast 01:36 Dr. Howard Kornfeld: The Power of Small Groups & Early Mentorship 02:37 Buprenorphine Breakthrough & Early Adoption 13:09 Dr. Joe Tafur: His perspective on colleague resistance 21:11 Bridging Worlds: First Ketamine Ceremony 21:34 Dr. Mel Herbert: The Birth of EM:RAP Vision 22:51 Overcoming Initial Rejections 23:21 Building Global Impact 30:01 Finding Meaning in Simple Medicine 30:23 Ending & Resources Thanks for listening Listen to each of their full conversations: 🛡️Episode 039 - Pain, Addiction, and Medical Practice with Dr. Howard Kornfeld 🌿Episode 009 - Healing Journeys: Ayahuasca, Ketamine Therapy, & Spirituality With Dr. Joe Tafur 🎓Episode 025 - Breaking the Stigma: Ketamine, Forgiveness, & Mental Health with Dr. Mel Herbert Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube ✅ Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Most doctors dream about leaving the ER grind, but here's what's remarkable: Dr. Nico Grundmann didn't just escape - he built something that's actually changing how we think about mental healthcare at scale. In this conversation, Sam sits down with Dr. Grundmann, an emergency physician who took his systems-thinking background and created something unprecedented: a five-location ketamine practice that's generating the kind of data insurance companies actually pay attention to. We're talking about going from solo practitioner to managing 30 team members while maintaining the clinical rigor that makes this work sustainable. What makes this conversation essential listening? Dr. Grundmann's approach shows exactly how individual practices can drive policy-level change - but it requires thinking beyond your patient panel to the broader healthcare system. His story proves that with the right framework, you can build something that's both profitable and positioned to influence national coverage decisions. If you've ever wondered how to scale beyond a single clinic without losing clinical quality, or if you're curious about what it really takes to collect data that insurance companies respect, this conversation will give you the roadmap you need. What You'll Learn in This Episode 🔹 The mindset shifts required when moving from ER medicine to longitudinal ketamine therapy practice 🔹 Clinical evidence behind protocol decisions including the 4 vs 6 infusion debate and IV superiority data  🔹 Systematic approach to scaling from single pilot site to five-location practice with team management insights 🔹 Insurance advocacy through data collection and the long-term strategy for coverage expansion Episode 40 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Ketamine isn’t Treat-And-Release 00:22 Welcome to the Ketamine Startup Podcast 00:29 Interview with Dr. Nico Gruman 01:42 Dr. Gruman's Background and Journey 04:28 Founding Ember Health 05:50 Scaling the Practice 06:29 Challenges and Strategies 07:24 Building a Collaborative Care Model 09:10 Pilot Site and Early Days 16:45 Navigating Insurance and Policy 19:10 Advice for Aspiring Clinic Owners 27:01 Longitudinal Care and Patient Relationships 32:35 Hands-On Training and Patient Care 33:47 The Importance of Patient Trust 35:14 Patient Onboarding Process 36:54 Treatment Protocols and Success Rates 38:12 Long-Term Care and Maintenance 40:17 The 4 vs 6 Treatment Debate 43:07 Mechanisms of Ketamine 47:10 Route of Administration and Safety 51:59 Advice for New Practitioners 54:07 Personal Insights and Hobbies 01:00:02 Final Thoughts and Contact Information Thanks for listening Listen to the episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Overcast, or on your favorite podcast platform. Watch the discussion on YouTube here. Connect with Dr. Grudmann at: Ember Health Website Linkedin Instagram Selected Links From the Episode: McIntyre RS, Rodrigues NB, Lee Y, Lipsitz O, Subramaniapillai M, Gill H, Nasri F, Majeed A, Lui LMW, Senyk O, Phan L, Carvalho IP, Siegel A, Mansur RB, Brietzke E, Kratiuk K, Arekapudi AK, Abrishami A, Chau EH, Szpejda W, Rosenblat JD. The effectiveness of repeated intravenous ketamine on depressive symptoms, suicidal ideation and functional disability in adults with major depressive disorder and bipolar disorder: Results from the Canadian Rapid Treatment Center of Excellence. J Affect Disord. 2020 Sep 1;274:903-910. doi: 10.1016/j.jad.2020.05.088. Epub 2020 May 26. PMID: 32664031. Wilkinson ST, Rhee TG, Joormann J, Webler R, Ortiz Lopez M, Kitay B, Fasula M, Elder C, Fenton L, Sanacora G. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy to Sustain the Antidepressant Effects of Ketamine in Treatment-Resistant Depression: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Psychother Psychosom. 2021;90(5):318-327. doi: 10.1159/000517074. Epub 2021 Jun 29. PMID: 34186531. 🤖 OpenEvidence 📗 Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube ✅ Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Medicine has come a long way in the past 50 years, but here's what's fascinating: many of the breakthrough treatments we use today for pain, addiction, and mental health started with a handful of doctors who were willing to go against the grain. In this conversation, Sam sits down with Dr. Howard Kornfeld, a triple board-certified physician whose career reads like a roadmap of medical innovation. We're talking five decades of pushing boundaries - from emergency medicine to nuclear war prevention to being at the ground floor of psychedelic research. Dr. Kornfeld doesn't just share stories (though he has plenty). He walks us through his transformative experiences at Esalen Institute, his pioneering work with buprenorphine treatment, and his connections to the key figures who literally shaped modern psychedelic medicine as we know it. What makes this conversation essential listening? Dr. Kornfeld's journey shows exactly how questioning established medical practices - while still maintaining rigorous, evidence-based standards - can lead to treatments that actually change lives. His story proves that individual physicians can drive real systemic change, but it requires persistence, innovation, and the willingness to work outside conventional healthcare systems. If you've ever wondered how breakthrough treatments actually make it from "experimental" to mainstream, or if you're curious about what it really takes to challenge medical orthodoxy, this conversation will give you the historical context you need. What You'll Learn in This Episode ・How questioning medical orthodoxy led to breakthrough treatments and career-defining insights・The evolution of pain medicine from the 1920s through today and lessons for modern practice・Dr. Kornfeld's journey from emergency medicine through nuclear activism to integrative practice・Historical context for psychedelic medicine's current renaissance and key pioneering figures Episode 39 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Physicians as Shamans of Our Culture 00:34 Welcome Back To the Podcast  03:04 Challenging Medical Orthodoxy: The Mastectomy Story  07:04 Triple Board Certification Journey  09:41 Cook County Hospital vs Prestigious Academics  12:55 Esalen Institute: A Medical Education Like No Other  17:37 Three Mile Island and Nuclear War Prevention  31:08 Meeting Sasha Shulgin and Early MDMA Research  35:32 Entering Addiction Medicine 36:43 The Esalen Psychedelic Research Conference  49:05 From Nuclear Activism to Addiction Medicine  53:037 Buprenorphine: Years Ahead of Everyone Else  1:00:14 The Pendulum Swings of Pain Medicine  1:14:15 Recovery Without Walls Clinic Model  1:17:37 Ketamine's Paradoxical Nature in Addiction  1:20:38 Treating Ketamine Use Disorder  1:22:20 Starting Your Own Practice: Practical Advice  1:28:21 Advice from Your 100-Year-Old Self  1:31:52 Contact Information and Closing Thanks for listening Connect with Dr. Howard Kornfeld at: Recovery Without Walls 👉 Disclosure: Some of the links in these show notes are affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase through them, we may earn a small commission—at no additional cost to you. Thanks for supporting the podcast! Selected Links From the Episode: Esalen Institute Stanislav Grof UC Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) Elisabeth Kübler-Ross 📕Tripping on Utopia: Margaret Mead, the Cold War, and the Troubled Birth of Psychedelic Science by Benjamin Breen 📗Person/Planet: The Creative Disintegration of Industrial Society By Theodore Roszak Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Making the jump from hospital employment to opening your own practice? We've been there, and we know it's terrifying. When we first started talking about leaving our stable salaried hospital jobs to open a ketamine clinic back in 2018, everyone thought we were crazy. And honestly? Some days we wondered if they were right. In this episode, we're sharing the real story behind Reset Ketamine and how Ketamine StartUp came to be. This isn't the polished version you see on LinkedIn - we're talking about the sleepless nights, the family members who didn't understand, the financial fears, and all the messy details that actually go into building something from scratch. We'll walk you through our complete journey: why we left secure hospital positions, how we navigated the skepticism around ketamine therapy when it was still "experimental," the mistakes we made (there were many), and the strategic decisions that actually moved the needle. If you're feeling stuck in traditional employment, curious about what it really takes to open a ketamine practice, or just wondering if entrepreneurship in healthcare is actually possible, this one's for you. Fair warning: we're not holding anything back! What You'll Learn in This Episode: ・The Breaking Point: Sam's realization that he was "climbing a ladder against the wrong building" when offered a medical director promotion ・The Five Types of Wealth: Why financial wealth alone wasn't enough to justify staying in traditional hospital employment ・Social Pressure Paradox: Why colleagues asking "When will you open?" created both motivation and resistance ・The Lean Launch Strategy: Starting with only four treatments while maintaining sustainability through minimal overhead ・Strategic Risk Management: How they maintained safety nets while taking calculated entrepreneurial risks 👉Note: Some links in these show notes are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Episode 36 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Climbing the Wrong Ladder 00:23 Introduction 05:29 Why Leave and Start A Clinic 10:18 The Random Article That Sparked Everything 18:13 Breaking Out of the Shell 23:38 The Physician Safety Net 25:55 When Social Pressure Helps 40:35 From One Patient to Thousands 41:54 "You're Creating Competition!" 45:23 Skills That Transfer Everywhere Thanks for listening Selected Links From the Episode: 📙 The 5 Types of Wealth: A Transformative Guide to Design Your Dream Life by Sahil Bloom    📗 The 4-Hour Workweek by Tim Ferriss  🍎 Co-Active Training Institute (CTI) 🎙️ Archetypes episode - Episode 5: Three Types Of People Who Open Up A Ketamine Clinic  📖 Blog Post - Why You Need A Strong Why To Start A Ketamine Clinic  Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀 Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Running a private practice is challenging, but ketamine clinics face unique complexities that amplify every difficulty. Navigating regulatory hurdles, staffing challenges, supply chain disruptions, and shifting public perception about ketamine are just a few of the obstacles you'll encounter. These aren't anomalies - they're the norm. The question isn't whether you'll face difficulties, but how you'll respond when they inevitably arise. In this episode from one of our mastermind sessions in the Ketamine Startup 101 course, Kim and Sam share four powerful mindset mnemonics that have guided them through everything from social media account shutdowns to a bomb explosion that damaged their clinic. These tools aren't theoretical concepts from business books; they're battle-tested strategies from practitioners who've faced the same challenges you're experiencing. What You’ll Gain: ・Four essential mindset mnemonics that help you navigate delays, staff turnover, and unexpected setbacks  ・How to reframe challenges as competitive advantages that eliminate weaker competitors  ・Practical tools for maintaining resilience when building your ketamine practice feels overwhelming Episode 37 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Overcoming Challenges in Business 00:38 Welcome to the Ketamine Startup Podcast 01:18 Navigating Clinic Challenges 04:26 Mindset Mnemonics for Success 05:08 FMA: Focus, Meaning, Action 08:54 MIT: Most Important Thing 11:33 WIN: What's Important Now 14:26 ANT: Automatic Negative Thoughts 17:13 The Power of Your Why 20:13 Conclusion and Recap Thanks for listening Disclosure: Some book links are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. If you enjoyed today's episode, here are some books you may want to explore: "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl - Finding purpose and meaning in the face of adversity "The Power of Now" by Eckhart Tolle - Developing present-moment awareness and mindfulness "The Obstacle Is the Way" by Ryan Holiday - Learning to turn trials and challenges into triumphs Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube ✅ Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

While your ketamine therapy practice may be transformative for individual patients, it represents only one piece of a larger healing puzzle. When mental health conditions appear ubiquitously across a culture, it signals systemic-level problems that require community-based solutions alongside your individual treatment approach. In this conversation, Sam Ko interviews Mike Margolies, co-founder of the Global Psychedelic Society and a decade-long veteran of psychedelic community building. Mike shares insights about moving beyond the medical model's individual focus to create healing communities that address root causes of widespread trauma, depression, and addiction. This discussion challenges you as a ketamine provider to think beyond individual patient care toward fostering therapeutic communities that support long-term healing and societal transformation. What You'll Learn in This Episode • Why widespread mental health conditions require community-level healing approaches, not just individual treatment • The ethical responsibility that comes with facilitating consciousness-altering experiences and why personal experience matters • Practical frameworks for building healing communities around your ketamine practice using existing psychedelic societies Episode 36 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - The Experience as The Medicine 00:44 Welcome to the Ketamine Startup Podcast 01:51 Interview with Mike Margolies: Community Healing 03:05 The Importance of Community in Psychedelic Therapy 04:58 The Bio-Psychosocial Model of Medicine 07:44 Integral Theory and Holistic Healing 09:37 The Global Psychedelic Society: Origins and Evolution 16:01 The Psychedelic Renaissance: Conferences and Trends 19:56 Challenges and Ethical Considerations in Psychedelic Therapy 28:32 The Rise of Ketamine Clinics 31:27 Ethical Considerations in Ketamine Clinics 32:19 Philosophy and Responsible Use of Ketamine 34:52 Integration and Therapy Approaches 37:33 Building a Psychedelic Community 39:53 Vision for a Post-Prohibition World 47:35 Advice for Aspiring Ketamine Clinic Owners 50:40 Fun and Personal Insights 56:06 Conclusion and Contact Information Thanks for listening Connect with Mike at: Mike’s website  Mike’s Instagram Global Psychedelic Society 📣 Support The Global Psychedelic Society Psychedelic Seminars Lajolla The Band Youtube Lajolla The Band Instagram 👉Note: Some links in these show notes are Amazon affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Selected Links From the Episode: Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) The Psychonaut’s Dilemma By Albert Garcia-Romeu  PEACH—Psychedelic Education and Community Healing (Double Blind) by Mike Margolies  📕The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know Is Possible (Sacred Activism) by Charles Eisenstein  📗Sacred Economics by Charles Eisenstein 📘Reinventing Organizations: A Guide to Creating Organizations Inspired by the Next Stage of Human Consciousness by Frédéric Laloux 📙A Brief History of Everything by Ken Wilber Follow us on Linkedin Ketamine StartUp Website YouTube 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.

Marketing a ketamine clinic presents unique challenges that traditional medical practices simply don't encounter. High advertising costs, frequent platform bans for ketamine-related content, and the need to build trust around an innovative treatment create significant barriers that demand a strategic approach. In this episode, Kim and Sam share the exact marketing framework they presented at the 2025 American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists & Practitioners conference in Austin - the same strategies that helped their clinic (Reset Ketamine) dominate "ketamine near me" searches and build a thriving practice since 2018.  This isn't theoretical marketing advice pulled from generic healthcare playbooks. These are proven, field-tested strategies from clinician business owners like you - who've navigated the same platform restrictions, skeptical patients, and marketing obstacles that ketamine clinic owners face daily. What You’ll Gain In This Episode: ・The ACC funnel framework (Awareness, Consideration, Conversion) that transforms patient acquisition ・How to create organic content that acts as your clinic's "vital sign" for trust and credibility ・Why newsletters are the highest ROI marketing tool for ketamine practices and how to create them Episode 35 show notes: 00:00 Teaser - Organic content as your clinic's pulse 00:32 Welcome to the Ketamine Startup Podcast 01:25 Understanding the Medical Marketing Funnel (ACC) 04:31 Awareness: The First Layer of the Funnel 06:34 Consideration: Comparing Options 07:15 Conversion: Turning Interest into Action 09:23 What Is Organic Content? 09:57 Push vs Pull 10:44 The “What To Create” Venn Diagram 12:49 The Content Creation Process 14:55 How Organic Content Is A Clinic’s Vital Sign 17:20 The Power of Newsletters 26:34 Conclusion and Key Takeaways Thanks for listening Watch the YouTube Version with Visual Slides Follow us on Linkedin YouTube Ketamine StartUp Website 🚀Want to fast track launching your ketamine clinic? If so, download our free checklist.