Podcast
The Business of Pharmacy Podcast™
Hosted by Mike Koelzer, Pharmacist · EN
Message from Mike: Thanks for stopping by. I'm taking a step back from the podcast for now—after six years of weekly episodes, the deadline-driven rhythm of the show began to crowd out the creative side. Please drop me a line at mike@bizofpharmpod.com —I'd love to hear from you. I hope you enjoy the past episodes!
11episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Why Six Figures Isn’t a Financial Plan | Tim Ulbrich, PharmD, Your Financial Pharmacist, Co-Founder/CEO
Jun 9, 202500:41:30Tap to summarizeI sat down with Tim Ulbrich, PharmD, Co-Founder and CEO of Your Financial Pharmacist, to unpack a tough reality: why so many pharmacists earning six figures still feel broke. We dug into crushing student debt, soaring housing costs, wage stagnation—and the mindset shift needed to build real financial freedom. Tim brings clarity, strategy, and hope. This episode is sponsored by Remedichain.
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The Power of Speaking to 20,000 People About PBMs | Benjamin Jolley, PharmD Apex Pharmacy Consulting
Jun 2, 202500:32:49Tap to summarizeI sat down with Benjamin Jolley, a third-generation pharmacist who recently addressed a crowd of 20,000 about the broken world of PBMs. We dug into the power of that moment, the hidden mechanics of pharmacy monopolies, and what real reform could look like. This one hits where policy meets reality.
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Great Negotiation Means Everyone Wins | Arun Swaminathan, MM, PhD Pharm. Sci. Coya Therapeutics, CEO, Board Member
May 26, 202500:43:46Tap to summarizeBiotech CEO Arun Swaminathan reveals how true pharmaceutical deals are strategic “marriages”—not transactions. Hear how Coya Therapeutics leverages partnerships, builds trust, and aims to transform ALS care. A candid look at negotiation, leadership, and why win-win deals matter in pharma and beyond. Real insights from the C-suite.
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From Biotech Startup to Stock Market | Paul Romness, MHA, Health Policy OS Therapies, CEO
May 19, 202500:38:16Tap to summarizeCan a small biotech change cancer care—and turn a profit? Paul Romness, CEO of OS Therapies, shares how his five-person team took on one of the deadliest pediatric cancers, went public, and might just shake up the system. From biologics to Wall Street, this one’s got it all. Sponsored by Dae Lee of Buchanan.
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The Medical Data Behind Everyday Wearables | Marco Benitez, BME ROOK, CEO and Founder
May 12, 202500:40:20Tap to summarizeMarco Benitez, founder of ROOK, reveals how his company turns chaotic wearable data into clean, actionable insights. From fitness rings to Dexcom integrations, hear how ROOK bridges tech and healthcare, enabling remote monitoring, AI-driven predictions, and more—all without the red tape of FDA regulation. The future of health is wearable. Sponsored by RemediChain.
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From Early Struggles to Pharmacy Staffing Leader | Autumn-Kyoko Cushman, BS ShiftRx, CEO, Co-Founder
May 5, 202500:45:14Tap to summarizeI sat down with Autumn Kyoko Cushman, co-founder of ShiftRx, staffing leader, to hear how she and her team clawed their way back from the edge. From bounced credit cards to nationwide scale—this one’s raw, real, and a must-listen for anyone building in pharmacy.
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Koelzer Brothers Reminisce: Lessons from the Pharmacy & Dad | Pete, Tom, Tim, & Mike Koelzer Koelzer
Apr 28, 202501:08:21Tap to summarizeThe host and his brothers (Mike Koelzer, along with brothers Pete Koelzer, Tom Koelzer, and Tim Koelzer) return to where it all started—the family drugstore. From early paper routes to late nights after close mopping the store, they reflect on the work ethic, values, and business lessons they learned from their dad. It’s a heartfelt, behind-the-scenes look at how one small pharmacy helped shape four lives—and four very different careers.
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How Pharmacies Get Penalized for Buying Wrong | Kris Rhea, MBA Pharmacy Marketplace, Dir. of Business. Dev.
Apr 21, 202500:39:54Tap to summarizeI sat down again with Kris Rhea to unpack how pharmacies are silently losing money—just by buying wrong. We talk wholesaler games, misunderstood contracts, and the AI tool trying to fix it all. If you’ve ever felt like your drug spend makes no sense, this one’s for you.
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Redefining Pharmacy Benefits Without the Gimmicks | Joey Dizenhouse, FSA, MAAA SlateRx, President & CEO
Apr 14, 202500:49:45Tap to summarizeI sat down with Joey Dizenhouse, CEO of SlateRx, to talk about redefining pharmacy benefits—minus the gimmicks. We dug into transparency, real fiduciary alignment, and how SlateRx is tackling PBM dysfunction head-on. If you're tired of smoke and mirrors in the benefits space, this episode is for you. Sponsored by WaypointRx.
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Navigating Legal Minefields for Independent Pharmacies | Dae Lee, PharmD & Adam Farkas, Attys Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC
Apr 7, 202500:42:31Tap to summarizeI sat down with attorneys Dae Lee and Adam Farkas to dig into the legal mess surrounding GLP-1 compounding, PBM overreach, and the brutal reality facing independent pharmacies. Dae’s a pharmacist-attorney, Adam’s a legal powerhouse, and together they’re helping pharmacies fight back in a system stacked against them.
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