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Optometry: The Ultimate O.D.

by Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. Podcast

Welcome to The Ultimate O.D. podcast with host, optometrist and practice owner, Dr. Nick Lillie. Join us weekly as Dr. Lillie brings the real talk with hard won wisdom and levity on all things Optometry such as practice management, practice specialties, business tips, and more all from his own personal experience!

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Episodes

  1. What Your Practice Problems Are Trying to Teach You | E327

    What Your Practice Problems Are Trying to Teach You | E327 Highlights from this episode: What Your Practice Problems Are Trying to Teach You (01:07) Closing Thought: Do More of Fewer Things (21:16) I’ve sat in rooms with incredibly successful practice owners, listened to their frustrations, and...

  2. Why Your Future Practice Doesn’t Need You to Know Everything | E326

    Why Your Future Practice Doesn’t Need You to Know Everything | E326 Highlights from this episode: Why Your Future Practice Doesn’t Need You to Know Everything (00:54) Closing Thought: My Competitive Advantage (24:04) I don’t know how to run the bigger optometry business I want to build today, and...

  3. What Successful Owners Mean By “Be Careful What You Wish For” | E325

    What Successful Owners Mean By “Be Careful What You Wish For” | E325 Highlights from this episode: What Successful Owner s Mean By “Be Careful What You Wish For” (01:03) Closing Thought: The Early Bird & The Second Mouse (20:16) I love talking with owners who have built the kind of optometry...

  4. How to Grow an Optometry Practice Without Owning Every Problem | E324

    How to Grow an Optometry Practice Without Owning Every Problem | E324 Highlights from this episode: How to Grow an Optometry Practice Without Owning Every Problem (00:54) Closing Thought: Fall in love with some activity and do it! (21:00) I used to think that growing my optometry practice would...

  5. The Struggle Your Team Actually Needs | E323

    The Struggle Your Team Actually Needs | E323 Highlights from this episode: The Struggle Your Team Actually Needs (1:14) Closing Thought: Building a Life You Don't Want to Escape (17:19) It's easy to get stuck thinking about change instead of actually making it. And one thing I keep coming back to...

  6. What If Your Greatest Impact Isn’t in the Exam Room? | E322

    What If Your Greatest Impact Isn’t in the Exam Room? | E322 Highlights from this episode: What If Your Greatest Impact Isn’t in the Exam Room? (00:39) Closing Thought: 100 Rejections Away (23:43) I’ve talked a lot about what it means to take your practice to the next level, and I’m realizing that...

  7. The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice | E321

    The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice | E321 Highlights from this episode: The 90-Day Plan That Changed How I Run My Optometry Practice (00:54) Closing Thought: Lazy People vs. Winners (25:37) I’ve always struggled with the temptation to change things too quickly—come up…

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  8. What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? | E320

    What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? | E320 Highlights from this episode: What If Keeping Your Options Open Is Actually Hurting You? (00:52) Closing Thought: One Decision (21:08) It can be very easy to keep every door open as a practice owner—but sometimes having too many...

  9. The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is | E319

    The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is | E319 Highlights from this episode: The CEO Mindset Isn't What You Think It Is (00:51) Closing Thought: Making Intentional Decisions for the Future You Want (25:42) In this episode, I’m talking about the difference between ambition and leadership, why...

  10. The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth | E318

    The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth | E318 Highlights from this episode: The Secret to Getting Your Optometry Team Excited About Growth (00:52) Closing Thought: The real prize of achieving a goal (22:05) I’ve been thinking a lot about what it really means to have a…

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  11. Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before | E317

    Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before | E317 Highlights from this episode: Why Confidence Comes After Action, Not Before (00:41) Closing Thought: Resiliency (27:22) The longer I own a practice, the more I realize that growth has less to do with finding better strategies and more to do…

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  12. Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) | E316

    Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) | E316 Highlights from this episode: Why Your Optometry Practice Feels Stuck (And How to Move Forward) (00:49) Closing Thought: Old Habits vs. New Standards (20:01) One of the hardest lessons I’m learning as a practice owner is…

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  13. Belief Before Ability: The Leadership Secret Every Optometry Practice Owner Needs | E315

    Belief Before Ability: The Leadership Secret Every Optometry Practice Owner Needs | E315 Highlights from this episode: Belief Before Ability: The Leadership Secret Every Optometry Practice Owner Needs (00:42) Closing Thought: Keep the Friction (20:20) One of the biggest breakthroughs I’ve had as…

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  14. How to Create Teams That Believe in the Mission | E314

    How to Create Teams That Believe in the Mission | E314 Highlights from this episode: How to Create Teams That Believe in the Mission (00:36) Closing Thought: Privilege (14:42) One of the biggest leadership lessons I’ve learned is that having a vision isn’t enough—your team has to believe it too.…

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  15. The Identity Crisis Every Growing Practice Owner Faces | E313

    The Identity Crisis Every Growing Practice Owner Faces | E313 Highlights from this episode: The Identity Crisis Every Growing Practice Owner Faces (00:49) Closing Thought: Risk Not, Have Not (19:48) As my practice continues to grow, I’ve realized the hardest part isn’t adding another doctor—it’s...

  16. The CEO's Greatest ROI: Their Thoughts | E312

    The CEO's Greatest ROI: Their Thoughts | E312 Highlights from this episode: The CEO's Greatest ROI: Their Thoughts (01:11) Closing Thought: The story of two monks (24:59) One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned as a practice owner is realizing that my value isn’t measured by how many patients I...

  17. What the Best Mentors Taught Me About Leadership and Life | E311

    What the Best Mentors Taught Me About Leadership and Life | E311 Highlights from this episode: What the Best Mentors Taught Me About Leadership and Life (00:54) Closing Thought: What we're praised for in public, we pay for in private (21:27) Training a new associate has reminded me just how much…

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  18. The First Thing I Teach A New Associate (And It’s Not Clinical) | E310

    The First Thing I Teach A New Associate (And It’s Not Clinical) | E310 Highlights from this episode: The First Thing I Teach A New Associate (And It’s Not Clinical) (00:58) Closing Thought: What Only Time Can Teach (15:21) When I’m training a new associate, I’m not starting with dry eye, myopia…

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  19. The Leadership Test that Nobody Talks About | E309

    The Leadership Test that Nobody Talks About | E309 Highlights from this episode: The Leadership Test that Nobody Talks About (01:00) Closing Thought: Keep it + Multiply it! (28:02) Hiring an associate taught me something I wasn’t expecting: great leadership isn’t about creating copies of...

  20. Excellence vs Success: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything | E308

    Excellence vs Success: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything | E308 Highlights from this episode: Excellence vs Success: The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything (00:56) Closing Thought: Preparing for a Future (21:30) As practice owners, it’s easy to get obsessed with revenue goals, new...

  21. The “Monster” Mindset: Raising Your Standards in Private Practice | E307

    The “Monster” Mindset: Raising Your Standards in Private Practice | E307 Highlights from this episode: The “Monster” Mindset: Raising Your Standards in Private Practice (00:40) Closing Thought: Be Consistent (22:29) I’ve realized one of the fastest ways to level up your optometry practice is to…

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  22. Why Growing Your Optometry Practice Feels So Hard (Even When You’re Winning) | E306

    Why Growing Your Optometry Practice Feels So Hard (Even When You’re Winning) | E306 Highlights from this episode: Why Growing Your Optometry Practice Feels So Hard (Even When You’re Winning) (00:48) Closing Thought: The Cost of Winning (21:00) Growing a private practice rarely feels smooth. It...

  23. The Hidden Ceiling in Your Practice: YOU | E305

    The Hidden Ceiling in Your Practice: YOU | E305 Highlights from this episode: The Hidden Ceiling in Your Practice: YOU (01:27) Closing Thought: The Cost of In-Action (25:29) Adding an associate didn’t just grow my optometry practice—it exposed every weak system I was hiding behind as the…

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  24. You're Not Losing Motivation, You're Losing Chaos: How to Survive the Messy Middle of Practice Gowth | E304

    You're Not Losing Motivation, You're Losing Chaos: How to Survive the Messy Middle of Practice Gowth | E304 Highlights from this episode: You're Not Losing Motivation, You're Losing Chaos: How to Survive the Messy Middle of Practice Growth (00:45) Closing Thought: 3 Characteristics of Great CEOs...

  25. Conviction vs. Push Back: The CEO Test | E303

    Conviction vs. Push Back: The CEO Test | E303 Highlights from this episode: Conviction vs. Push Back: The CEO Test (01:05) Closing Thought: Which kid are you going to feed? (31:11) In this week's episode, we're talking about what it actually looks like to lead in private practice—especially when...

  26. Your Baby Is Ugly: Why Brutally Honest Feedback is a Necessity for Growth | E302

    Your Baby Is Ugly: Why Brutally Honest Feedback is a Necessity for Growth | E302 Highlights from this episode: Your Baby Is Ugly: Why Brutally Honest Feedback is a Necessity for Growth (01:03) Closing Thought: Love where you are (25:29) If I’m being honest, some of my biggest growth hasn’t come...

  27. Strategic Discomfort vs. Boredom Discomfort: Making the Pain Productive | E301

    Strategic Discomfort vs. Boredom Discomfort: Making the Pain Productive | E301 Highlights from this episode: Strategic Discomfort vs. Boredom Discomfort: Making the Pain Productive (00:45) Closing Thought: Conquering the World (21:48) In this episode, I’m working through something that’s been...

  28. Sprint vs Sustain: How Smart ODs Scale Without Burning Out | E300

    Sprint vs Sustain: How Smart ODs Scale Without Burning Out | E300 Highlights from this episode: Sprint vs Sustain: How Smart ODs Scale Without Burning Out (00:58) Closing Thought: The courage of leadership (25:35) In this episode, I challenge you to take a hard look at where you’re at as a…

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  29. Private Practice Growth: Turning a Specialty Into a Revenue Driver| E299

    Private Practice Growth: Turning a Specialty Into a Revenue Driver | E299 Highlights from this episode: Private Practice Growth: Turning a Specialty Into a Revenue Driver (00:50) Closing Thought: Learning to Swim (25:55) I’ve been on this journey of focusing purely on clinical care to really...

  30. The Secret to Growing Your Optometry Practice: Empower Your Team | E298

    The Secret to Growing Your Optometry Practice: Empower Your Team | E298 Highlights from this episode: The Secret to Growing Your Optometry Practice: Empower Your Team (00:50) Closing Thought: 5 Magnetic Affirmations (20:44) In this week's episode, we're diving into the real shift that has to…

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  31. Amazing vs. Extraordinary Doctors: The Mindset That Builds a Thriving Practice | E297

    Amazing vs. Extraordinary Doctors: The Mindset That Builds a Thriving Practice | E297 Highlights from this episode: Amazing vs. Extraordinary Doctors: The Mindset That Builds a Thriving Practice (1:00) Closing Thought: The life you want (21:34) In this week's episode, we dive into the difference...

  32. Stop Being the Hero Doctor: Build a Practice That Runs Without You | E296

    Stop Being the Hero Doctor: Build a Practice That Runs Without You | E296 Highlights from this episode: Stop Being the Hero Doctor: Build a Practice That Runs Without You (00:37) Closing Thought: When the medicine shows up (23:09) In this episode, I’m sharing the mindset shift that’s pushing me...

  33. Why Talent Isn’t Enough: The CEO Mentality That Builds Profitable Eye Care Practices | E295

    Why Talent Isn’t Enough: The CEO Mentality That Builds Profitable Eye Care Practices | E295 Highlights from this episode: Why Talent Isn’t Enough: The CEO Mentality That Builds Profitable Eye Care Practices (00:53) Closing Thought: If Today Were Your Last Day... (30:11) In this week's episode, we...

  34. How to Differentiate Your Optometry Practice in a Crowded Market | E294

    How to Differentiate Your Optometry Practice in a Crowded Market | E294 Highlights from this episode: How to Differentiate Your Optometry Practice in a Crowded Market (00:46) Closing Thought: Living in the Present (24:04) In this episode, I dive deeper into why your elevator pitch matters and how...

  35. The Power of the Elevator Pitch | E293

    The Power of the Elevator Pitch | E293 Highlights from this episode: The Power of the Elevator Pitch (00:38) Closing Thought: Calm during the storm (28:48) In this episode, we are breaking down why every private practice owner needs a clear CEO elevator pitch if they truly want to grow and scale...

  36. Failure, Fear, and Growth: A New Way to Think About Running Your Practice | E292

    Failure, Fear, and Growth: A New Way to Think About Running Your Practice | E292 Highlights from this episode: Failure, Fear, and Growth: A New Way to Think About Running Your Practice (01:01) Closing Thought: 4 Life Lessons In this week's episode, I dive into why most “failure” in optometry…

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  37. Rest Isn’t a Reward: The Secret to Sustainable Practice Growth | E291

    Rest Isn’t a Reward: The Secret to Sustainable Practice Growth | E291 Highlights from this episode: Rest Isn’t a Reward: The Secret to Sustainable Practice Growth (01:01) Closing Thought: Embracing Everything (21:20) In this episode, I share the mindset shift that completely changed how I run my...

  38. Spotlight vs Floodlight: Mastering Focus as an Optometry Practice Owner | E290

    Spotlight vs Floodlight: Mastering Focus as an Optometry Practice Owner | E290 Highlights from this episode: Spotlight vs Floodlight: Mastering Focus as an Optometry Practice Owner (00:46) Closing Thought: The Blind Man's Stick In this week's episode, we are breaking down why your attention is…

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  39. Specialty Clinics in Optometry: Lessons from Building a Successful Dry Eye Practice | E289

    Specialty Clinics in Optometry: Lessons from Building a Successful Dry Eye Practice | E289 Highlights from this episode: Specialty Clinics in Optometry: Lessons from Building a Successful Dry Eye Practice (01:09) Closing Thought: Multi-Practice Insights from The Power Hour (24:40) If you’re...

  40. Operator vs CEO: The Mindset Shift Every Practice Owner Must Make | E288

    Operator vs CEO: The Mindset Shift Every Practice Owner Must Make | E288 Highlights from this episode: Operator vs CEO: The Mindset Shift Every Practice Owner Must Make (00:53) Closing Thought: Intentionality (24:06) When I started my practice as a cold start, I was the business and for a long…

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  41. Your Goals Are Garbage: A CEO-Level Strategy for Private Practice Optometry | E287

    Your Goals Are Garbage: A CEO-Level Strategy for Private Practice Optometry | E287 Highlights from this episode: Your Goals Are Garbage: A CEO-Level Strategy for Private Practice Optometry (00:38) Closing Thought: The problem with hard workers (27:59) In this week's episode, I’m calling it like…

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  42. The Power of Specialization in Optometry: Stop Doing More to Grow Faster | E286

    The Power of Specialization in Optometry: Stop Doing More to Grow Faster | E286 Highlights from this episode: The Power of Specialization in Optometry: Stop Doing More to Grow Faster (00:50) Closing Thought: The Hawthorne Effect (28:25) In this week's episode, I’m talking straight to private...

  43. How I’m Setting Goals for 2026 as an Optometry Practice Owner | E285

    How I’m Setting Goals for 2026 as an Optometry Practice Owner | E285 Highlights from this episode: How I’m Setting Goals for 2026 as an Optometry Practice Owner (00:47) Closing Thought: Results of a Great Staff Experience (19:34) In this week's episode, we are breaking down how I’m setting my…

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  44. What “Scaling” Really Means for Private Practice Optometrists | E284

    What “Scaling” Really Means for Private Practice Optometrists | E284 Highlights from this episode: What “Scaling” Really Means for Private Practice Optometrists (01:03) Closing Thought: Being the "BEST" vs. Being "BETTER" (22:37) In this week's episode I’m breaking down what scaling really means...

  45. The 2026 CEO Mindset: Vision, Systems, and Strategy for Optometrists | E283

    The 2026 CEO Mindset: Vision, Systems, and Strategy for Optometrists | E283 Highlights from this episode: The 2026 CEO Mindset: Vision, Systems, and Strategy for Optometrists (00:54) Closing Thought: Keeping Your Conviction (31:07) In this episode, we are diving into what it really means to step...

  46. From Recall to Reels: The Marketing Strategy Behind My Fastest Practice Growth Yet | E282

    From Recall to Reels: The Marketing Strategy Behind My Fastest Practice Growth Yet | E282 Highlights from this episode: From Recall to Reels: The Marketing Strategy Behind My Fastest Practice Growth Yet (00:47) Closing Thought: Blueprint for Success (12:05) In this episode, I’m sharing the exact...

  47. Small Tweaks, Big Returns: Lessons From My Fifth P3 Meeting | E281

    Small Tweaks, Big Returns: Lessons From My Fifth P3 Meeting | E281 Highlights from this episode: Small Tweaks, Big Returns: Lessons From My Fifth P3 Meeting (00:53) Closing Thought: The work begins when the motivation ends (20:34) In this episode, I break down my biggest takeaways from my latest…

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  48. The #1 Mistake Holding Private Practice ODs Back | E280

    The #1 Mistake Holding Private Practice ODs Back | E280 Highlights from this episode: The #1 Mistake Holding Private Practice ODs Back (00:49) Closing Thought: Facing the Pain (13:55) In this episode we are talking about the biggest mistake I believe most ODs make when trying to grow a private...

  49. 5 Game-Changing Questions to Transform Your Optometry Practice | E279

    5 Game-Changing Questions to Transform Your Optometry Practice | E279 Highlights from this episode: 5 Game-Changing Questions to Transform Your Optometry Practice (00:49) Closing Thought: What is the cost of staying right where you are? (22:06) In this episode, I share the five key questions…

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  50. The Business of Optometry: Culture, Systems, and the Freedom to Step Back | E278

    The Business of Optometry: Culture, Systems, and the Freedom to Step Back | E278 Highlights from this episode: The Business of Optometry: Culture, Systems, and the Freedom to Step Back (00:44) Closing Thought: Finding your passion (16:57) In this episode, we are talking about what it really means...

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Welcome to The Ultimate O.D. podcast with host, optometrist and practice owner, Dr. Nick Lillie. Join us weekly as Dr. Lillie brings the real talk with hard won wisdom and levity on all things Optometry such as practice management, practice specialties, business tips, and more all from his own personal experience!

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Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. Podcast

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business

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. have?

Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. currently has 465 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. about?

Welcome to The Ultimate O.D. podcast with host, optometrist and practice owner, Dr. Nick Lillie. Join us weekly as Dr. Lillie brings the real talk with hard won wisdom and levity on all things Optometry such as practice management, practice specialties, business tips, and more all from his own...

How often does Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. release new episodes?

Optometry: The Ultimate O.D. publishes regularly with 465 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.

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