The Ketamine StartUp Podcast

Welcome to the Ketamine StartUp Podcast! This is the FIRST podcast dedicated to entrepreneurial medical professionals who want to learn more about providing ketamine therapy, run a business, marketing, and more. We are Sam and Kim Ko, two board certified physicians who have ventured into the ketamine therapy world. We’ve learned a lot of lessons, taught many clinicians like yourself, and luckily made a few friends along the way. In this podcast we share our experience and knowledge, plus that of the ketamine industry pioneers and leaders in our interviews. If you’re ready to boldly go where a few medical professionals have gone before, download and listen to our podcast today

63 episodes

13d ago latest

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Episodes 63

Episode 63 - Opening a Ketamine Clinic: An Unconventional Path for Emergency Physicians (Episode From The Vault)
13d ago · 21:17
In this Episode from The Vault, Sam Ko presents the clinical case for IV ketamine therapy across depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain, and makes a compelling argument for why emergency physicians are uniquely positioned to lead in this space. He also shares the honest realities of running a clinic and why knowing your why matters most.
Episode 62 - What It Takes to Be the First: Building a Ketamine Practice in a Resistant Healthcare System with Dr. Lowan Stewart
27d ago · 1:05:17
Dr. Lowan Stewart, emergency physician and ketamine pioneer, shares the journey from co-founding the first ketamine clinic in New Mexico to establishing the first public ketamine treatment unit in Scandinavia. He covers institutional resistance, the landmark Norway reimbursement approval, why ketamine is the infrastructure for all psychedelic medicine to come, and what it really takes to be first.
Episode 61 – Is Your Clinic Asystolic? The Marketing Framework Every Ketamine Provider Needs (Soundbites from the Vault)
1mo ago · 14:55
In this Soundbite from the Vault, Kim and Sam revisit a clip from their live conference presentation walking through the ACC marketing funnel framework, what organic content actually is, how to create it sustainably, and why your clinic's online presence may be one of its most telling vital signs.
Episode 60 – Why Music Is More Than Background Noise in Ketamine Therapy (Soundbites from the Vault)
1mo ago · 16:37
In this Soundbite from the Vault, Sam revisits a standout clip from Episode 32 with Steve Gelberg, author of Tuning In: Experiencing Music in Psychedelic States. Steve breaks down why music does far more than fill the silence during a ketamine session, how it interacts with the ego's defenses, and practical guidance on music selection for providers.
Episode 59 - Rethinking Set and Setting: Dr. Roberto Malinow's Revolutionary Hypothesis on How Ketamine Actually Works
2mo ago · 59:36
Dr. Roberto Malinow discusses how one of the ways ketamine works is by targeting hyperactive brain circuits - but only when those circuits are actively firing. His hypothesis challenges current set and setting practices, proposing that activating negative thoughts or pain during treatment could enhance therapeutic outcomes.
Episode 58 - From Finance to Purpose: Why Dr. Marc Smith Chose Healing Over Hedge Fund Trading
2mo ago · 1:05:19
Former finance professional Dr. Marc Smith reveals how he transitioned from hedge fund trading to ketamine psychiatry, building Clear Ketamine + Psychiatry with an integrated model. Learn about ethical practice building, setting intentions versus goals, and why choosing purpose over profit creates better patient outcomes.
Episode 57 - Beyond the Physical: Why Treating Chronic Pain Requires Healing the Whole Person with Dr. Michelle Weiner
3mo ago · 58:27
Dr. Michelle Weiner discusses her transformation from interventional pain physician to integrative practitioner using ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for chronic pain. Learn about treating central sensitization, the biopsychosocial-spiritual model, building multidisciplinary teams, and why addressing the whole person creates lasting change beyond traditional procedures.
Episode 56 - Breaking: Four Major Developments Reshaping Ketamine and Psychedelic Therapy
3mo ago · 14:01
Host Kim Ko delivers breaking news coverage of four recent developments reshaping the field: final sentencing in the Matthew Perry case, France becoming the first country to authorize IV racemic ketamine, Texas Medical Board regulation updates, and Trump's executive order accelerating psychedelic research access.
Episode 55 - Career Reinvention Success: Why Going Backwards Made Dr. Ruchir Gupta Advance
4mo ago · 1:03:47
After 10 years as an anesthesiologist, Dr. Ruchir Gupta returned to fellowship training and built a multi-location practice. Learn why physicians create artificial barriers around entrepreneurship, his specialized fibromyalgia protocols, monitoring standards insights, and practical business advice for going from zero to one.
Episode 54 -The Public Perception Reality Check: Psychedelic Culture and Ketamine Therapy with Shane Mauss
4mo ago · 1:21:48
Comedian Shane Mauss shares cultural insider perspectives from touring psychedelic shows since 2016. Learn about the evolution of the public’s view on psychedelic therapy, the importance of maintaining scientific rigor against wellness industry hype, and the cultural context your patients navigate when considering treatment.
Episode 53 - The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 2): MSKIT Protocol and the Future of Ketamine Therapy
5mo ago · 44:27
In Part 2, Charles Miller gets practical with his MSKIT protocol recommendations, explains when therapy integration should actually happen, and shares his vision for improving ketamine therapy through rigorous science rather than experiential approaches. We also explore the pharmacology behind ketamine's addiction potential and the crucial role of sleep in neuroplasticity.
Episode 52 -The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 1): Why the Experience Isn't the Treatment
5mo ago · 35:52
Anesthesia provider Charles Miller presents controversial research arguing that ketamine therapy's emphasis on experiences actually reduces success rates. He explains the NMDA-glutamate-BDNF pathway, critiques popular research methodologies, and makes the case for focusing on post-treatment neuroplasticity rather than psychedelic insights during treatment.
Episode 51 - The 4 Ketamine Clinic Business Stages: How to Know Where You Are and What to Do Next
6mo ago · 47:27
Every ketamine clinic goes through predictable life cycle stages from startup survival to potential exit. Sam and Kim reveal how to identify your current stage, understand what challenges might be normal for that phase, and make strategic decisions aligned with your values rather than reactive choices that could derail your practice's growth.
Episode 50 - Beyond Cookie-Cutter Protocols: Inna Zelikman's Comprehensive Approach to Ketamine and Psilocybin Therapy
6mo ago · 1:06:57
Inna Zelikman, psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner and MAPS-certified practitioner, discusses her evolution from cookie-cutter protocols to individualized "organic" treatment approaches. She reveals hidden medication categories that block healing, shares her comprehensive patient assessment process, and explains how her own psychedelic journey transformed her clinical practice across ketamine and psilocybin therapies.
Episode 49 - Texas Medical Board Proposes Comprehensive Ketamine Therapy Regulations - What It Means for the Industry
7mo ago · 13:45
The Texas Medical Board has proposed the first comprehensive regulatory framework for ketamine therapy clinics, requiring mandatory registration, onsite physicians, enhanced monitoring, and banning take-home parenteral ketamine. Kim breaks down these proposed rules, their impact on Texas providers, and why this could set a precedent for nationwide regulation changes.
Episode 48 - Does a Physician Need to Be Present During Ketamine Infusions?
7mo ago · 26:37
Discover the real answer to physician presence requirements during ketamine infusions. Learn about the current regulatory landscape, scope of practice issues for different healthcare providers, various staffing models clinics use, and balancing risk management with patient care.
Episode 47 - What You Should Tell Your Ketamine Patients: 4 Things To Expect During Their Infusion (Episodes from the Vault)
8mo ago · 32:01
From our vault: The patient communication masterclass originally from our Ketamine Startup 101 mastermind session. This essential episode covers four critical patient preparation strategies, team training protocols, and emotional safety frameworks—the definitive guide for creating exceptional ketamine therapy experiences.
Episode 46 - The Clinician's Guide to Ketamine Therapy (Episodes from the Vault)
8mo ago · 34:36
From our vault: Sam's complete clinical overview originally presented to UCLA and Betty Ford Fellowship. This foundational episode covers ketamine's 50-year history, NMDA receptor mechanism, patient selection criteria, dosing protocols, and safety considerations—the essential reference guide for medical professionals entering ketamine therapy.
Episode 45 - From Emergency Medicine to Psychospiritual Healing: Dr. Randy Frederick's Ketamine Clinic Journey
9mo ago · 1:02:10
Dr. Randy Frederick, former military flight surgeon and EM physician, discusses his transformation from traditional clinical ketamine protocols to psychospiritual healing approaches. Learn why he views ketamine as a catalyst rather than cure, his insights on consciousness work, business ownership challenges, and the future of psychedelic medicine
Episode 44- Building a Trauma-Informed Ketamine Practice with Dr. Jack Hay & Dr. Harry Pepper
9mo ago · 1:07:26
ER physician Dr. Jack Hay and psychologist Dr. Harry Pepper share their unique partnership approach to ketamine therapy at Oberlin Ketamine Clinic. Topics include patient-chosen music playlists, trauma-informed care principles, integration coaching versus traditional therapy, practicing from values, and lessons from their first year opening a clinic in Ohio.
Episode 43- What Licenses Do You Need to Open a Ketamine Clinic?
10mo ago · 21:32
Learn which licenses you need to legally open a ketamine infusion clinic. This episode covers essential medical licenses like DEA and NPI, unfamiliar business permits including FNP and DBA, and why requirements vary significantly by state and county.
Episode 42 - Essential Risk Management: DEA Compliance & Insurance for Ketamine Clinics
10mo ago · 26:43
Learn what triggers DEA audits and how to protect your ketamine clinic with proper insurance coverage. Dennis Wichern, retired DEA Special Agent, explains the three main compliance red flags, while Canyon Clifton, insurance expert, reveals common coverage assumptions that leave clinics vulnerable. Essential risk management for ketamine therapy providers.
Episode 41 - Pioneers Who Challenged Medical Orthodoxy: Howard Kornfeld, Joe Tafur & Mel Herbert
11mo ago · 31:01
Learn from three medical pioneers who refused to accept "no" as an answer. Dr. Howard Kornfeld revolutionized addiction treatment, Dr. Joe Tafur bridges traditional and modern healing, and Dr. Mel Herbert transformed global medical education. Their stories prove individual practitioners can create lasting systemic change.
Episode 40 - Scaling Ketamine Clinics: From Pilot to Five Locations with Dr. Nico Grundmann
11mo ago · 1:03:36
Learn how Dr. Nico Grundmann scaled his ketamine practice from a single pilot site to five NYC locations. Discover his evidence-based protocols, team hiring strategies, insurance reimbursement work, and systems approach to multi-location clinic management for emergency medicine physicians entering ketamine therapy.
Episode 39 - Pain, Addiction, and Medical Practice with Dr. Howard Kornfeld
1y ago · 1:34:17
Triple board-certified physician Dr. Howard Kornfeld recounts his journey from 1970s medical school through Esalen Institute, nuclear war prevention, and pioneering work in pain and addiction medicine. Learn from his experiences building Recovery Without Walls and integrating psychedelic-assisted therapy into clinical practice.

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The Ketamine StartUp Podcast

Episodes 63

Episode 63 - Opening a Ketamine Clinic: An Unconventional Path for Emergency Physicians (Episode From The Vault)

Episode 62 - What It Takes to Be the First: Building a Ketamine Practice in a Resistant Healthcare System with Dr. Lowan Stewart

Episode 61 – Is Your Clinic Asystolic? The Marketing Framework Every Ketamine Provider Needs (Soundbites from the Vault)

Episode 60 – Why Music Is More Than Background Noise in Ketamine Therapy (Soundbites from the Vault)

Episode 59 - Rethinking Set and Setting: Dr. Roberto Malinow's Revolutionary Hypothesis on How Ketamine Actually Works

Episode 58 - From Finance to Purpose: Why Dr. Marc Smith Chose Healing Over Hedge Fund Trading

Episode 57 - Beyond the Physical: Why Treating Chronic Pain Requires Healing the Whole Person with Dr. Michelle Weiner

Episode 56 - Breaking: Four Major Developments Reshaping Ketamine and Psychedelic Therapy

Episode 55 - Career Reinvention Success: Why Going Backwards Made Dr. Ruchir Gupta Advance

Episode 54 -The Public Perception Reality Check: Psychedelic Culture and Ketamine Therapy with Shane Mauss

Episode 53 - The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 2): MSKIT Protocol and the Future of Ketamine Therapy

Episode 52 -The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 1): Why the Experience Isn't the Treatment

Episode 51 - The 4 Ketamine Clinic Business Stages: How to Know Where You Are and What to Do Next

Episode 50 - Beyond Cookie-Cutter Protocols: Inna Zelikman's Comprehensive Approach to Ketamine and Psilocybin Therapy

Episode 49 - Texas Medical Board Proposes Comprehensive Ketamine Therapy Regulations - What It Means for the Industry

Episode 48 - Does a Physician Need to Be Present During Ketamine Infusions?

Episode 47 - What You Should Tell Your Ketamine Patients: 4 Things To Expect During Their Infusion (Episodes from the Vault)

Episode 46 - The Clinician's Guide to Ketamine Therapy (Episodes from the Vault)

Episode 45 - From Emergency Medicine to Psychospiritual Healing: Dr. Randy Frederick's Ketamine Clinic Journey

Episode 44- Building a Trauma-Informed Ketamine Practice with Dr. Jack Hay & Dr. Harry Pepper

Episode 43- What Licenses Do You Need to Open a Ketamine Clinic?

Episode 42 - Essential Risk Management: DEA Compliance & Insurance for Ketamine Clinics

Episode 41 - Pioneers Who Challenged Medical Orthodoxy: Howard Kornfeld, Joe Tafur & Mel Herbert

Episode 40 - Scaling Ketamine Clinics: From Pilot to Five Locations with Dr. Nico Grundmann

Episode 39 - Pain, Addiction, and Medical Practice with Dr. Howard Kornfeld

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Episodes 63

Episode 63 - Opening a Ketamine Clinic: An Unconventional Path for Emergency Physicians (Episode From The Vault)

Episode 62 - What It Takes to Be the First: Building a Ketamine Practice in a Resistant Healthcare System with Dr. Lowan Stewart

Episode 61 – Is Your Clinic Asystolic? The Marketing Framework Every Ketamine Provider Needs (Soundbites from the Vault)

Episode 60 – Why Music Is More Than Background Noise in Ketamine Therapy (Soundbites from the Vault)

Episode 59 - Rethinking Set and Setting: Dr. Roberto Malinow's Revolutionary Hypothesis on How Ketamine Actually Works

Episode 58 - From Finance to Purpose: Why Dr. Marc Smith Chose Healing Over Hedge Fund Trading

Episode 57 - Beyond the Physical: Why Treating Chronic Pain Requires Healing the Whole Person with Dr. Michelle Weiner

Episode 56 - Breaking: Four Major Developments Reshaping Ketamine and Psychedelic Therapy

Episode 55 - Career Reinvention Success: Why Going Backwards Made Dr. Ruchir Gupta Advance

Episode 54 -The Public Perception Reality Check: Psychedelic Culture and Ketamine Therapy with Shane Mauss

Episode 53 - The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 2): MSKIT Protocol and the Future of Ketamine Therapy

Episode 52 -The Collective Lie in Ketamine Therapy (Part 1): Why the Experience Isn't the Treatment

Episode 51 - The 4 Ketamine Clinic Business Stages: How to Know Where You Are and What to Do Next

Episode 50 - Beyond Cookie-Cutter Protocols: Inna Zelikman's Comprehensive Approach to Ketamine and Psilocybin Therapy

Episode 49 - Texas Medical Board Proposes Comprehensive Ketamine Therapy Regulations - What It Means for the Industry

Episode 48 - Does a Physician Need to Be Present During Ketamine Infusions?

Episode 47 - What You Should Tell Your Ketamine Patients: 4 Things To Expect During Their Infusion (Episodes from the Vault)

Episode 46 - The Clinician's Guide to Ketamine Therapy (Episodes from the Vault)

Episode 45 - From Emergency Medicine to Psychospiritual Healing: Dr. Randy Frederick's Ketamine Clinic Journey

Episode 44- Building a Trauma-Informed Ketamine Practice with Dr. Jack Hay & Dr. Harry Pepper

Episode 43- What Licenses Do You Need to Open a Ketamine Clinic?

Episode 42 - Essential Risk Management: DEA Compliance & Insurance for Ketamine Clinics

Episode 41 - Pioneers Who Challenged Medical Orthodoxy: Howard Kornfeld, Joe Tafur & Mel Herbert

Episode 40 - Scaling Ketamine Clinics: From Pilot to Five Locations with Dr. Nico Grundmann

Episode 39 - Pain, Addiction, and Medical Practice with Dr. Howard Kornfeld

Podcast 森辺一樹のグローバル・マーケティング〜すべてはアジアで売るために〜