Timothy Blair has spent more than 30 years inside some of the most influential companies in MedTech. But when he was offered a multimillion-dollar deal that could have accelerated everything, he walked away. In this episode, Tim shares why he turned down funding that most founders would have taken. He explains how early-stage deals can quietly dismantle a company’s future and what it takes to grow without losing control. From managing investor pressure to building a high-performance team culture, this is a real look at leadership inside a startup committed to doing things differently. We also talk about why so many startups burn through capital too quickly, how to avoid hiring the wrong people, and what founders often overlook when the stakes get high. 🎧 Founders, operators, and investors will find plenty to take away from this conversation. 00:00 Meet Tim Blair 03:10 The funding offer that could have changed everything 07:42 What startups get wrong about early growth 11:05 Managing pressure from investors and boards 16:30 How VC capital can put a company at risk 21:55 Building a team with a strict culture fit 26:12 Why he only hires people with hunger and resilience 30:40 What investors actually look for in a founding team 34:50 How founders lose control of their own company 38:45 Surviving the early months without a paycheck 45:00 Capital discipline and protecting your original investors 51:10 What’s next for ICHOR Vascular 💡 Who Should Listen This episode is for startup founders, operators, and healthcare entrepreneurs thinking critically about how they raise money, grow a team, and build something that lasts. It is especially relevant for those working in MedTech or highly regulated sectors, and for anyone questioning the conventional path to startup growth. About Tim Blair Tim Blair is the CEO and Co-Founder of ICHOR Vascular Inc., a company developing novel approaches to thrombectomy in the peripheral vascular system. He has more than 33 years of experience in the medical device industry, with leadership roles spanning sales, marketing, executive management, clinical and regulatory strategy, and fundraising. His background includes positions at Smiths Medical, AngioDynamics, and NAMSA, where he helped scale one of the world’s largest medical device testing and evaluation firms. He has also led and supported M&A targeting, private equity and venture capital due diligence, and serves as an advisor to several emerging startups in the cardiovascular space. Connect with Tim 💼 LinkedIn: Timothy Scott Blair 🌐 ICHOR Vascular Inc: https://ichorvascular.com/ Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast If this episode gave you a new perspective, send it to someone building something of their own. Follow the show for more conversations like this.

James Sexton has spent over two decades helping successful, brilliant people untangle their marriages, piece by piece. In this episode, he shares what they all tend to miss, why doctors in particular are some of the most at-risk, and why high-achievers, especially physicians and surgeons, are uniquely vulnerable to relationship breakdown. From emotional burnout to misplaced self-soothing, to careers that slowly start replacing connection with achievement, this is the kind of conversation most professionals wish they’d heard ten years earlier. We also talk about what doctors often miss when they go home from saving lives to just “being a person,” why ambition can erode intimacy, and how Sexton’s most elite clients get stuck in a feedback loop of perfection, pressure, and quiet resentment. 🎧 If you’ve ever asked yourself whether your personal life is keeping up with your professional one, this one’s for you. 00:00 Meet James Sexton 04:20 Why surgeons are built for delayed gratification, and how that helps (and hurts) at home 09:25 What James sees in doctors' divorces over and over again 14:35 The invisible cost of always being “on call” 18:15 Soothing vs numbing, and the habits that quietly kill connection 24:05 The myth of the selfless marriage 27:40 When the baby shifts everything 31:00 “You can be right, or you can be happy” 35:22 How resentment builds between two good people 40:41 Why ambition without presence is a trap 46:25 What Sexton hopes professionals figure out sooner than he did 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for physicians, surgeons, and anyone in high-demand careers where work often comes first, and relationships second. It’s especially for people in leadership, medicine, law, and finance, or anyone navigating the tension between achievement and connection. It’s also for partners of high-performers, and for teams who believe success shouldn’t come at the cost of personal peace. About James Sexton James Sexton is a trial lawyer and author based in New York. Known for representing high-net-worth clients, he’s the author of If You’re in My Office, It’s Already Too Late: A Divorce Lawyer’s Guide to Staying Together. His interviews, including with Lex Fridman and Soft White Underbelly, have reached millions and sparked global conversations about love, commitment, and modern relationships. In his 20+ year career, Sexton has handled thousands of divorces, and now uses what he’s learned to help others avoid his office entirely. Connect with James Sexton 📲 Instagram: @nycdivorcelawyer 💼 LinkedIn: James J Sexton 🐦 X: @nycdivorcelaw Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 If this episode gave you a new perspective, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help keep these conversations flowing.

Cesar Marin spent 25 years as a producer at CNN. He had the job, the security, the routine, and a cannabis dependency that was silently taking over his life. Then came the layoff. And with it, a collapse… and a chance to start again. In this episode, Cesar shares how psychedelics changed everything. What began as recreational curiosity turned into a reset that helped him break free from a toxic pattern, heal his relationship with cannabis, and build something new from scratch. Including his voice, his company, and a whole new path of helping others wake up, too. 🎧 If you’ve ever wondered what it would take to start over later in life, this conversation is for you. 00:00 Meet Cesar Marin 03:23 The layoff that changed everything 04:40 Facing cannabis dependency at 55 05:56 Discovering m!crodosing, and what it unlocked 10:08 A story about psilocybin, food, and healing 14:20 Rock bottom: when you realize you’re chasing numbness 20:15 How m!crodosing helped him reclaim his focus 26:00 Building Cultivating Wisdom, and a new community 31:00 What this means for physicians, first responders, and burnout 40:10 Can plant medicine support optimization, not just recovery? 44:49 The legal gray area... and why education matters 50:15 A bigger message about healing, purpose, and love 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for anyone facing a turning point, or quietly fearing one. If you've ever felt stuck in a life that looks fine on the outside but feels disconnected on the inside, Cesar’s story will hit home. It’s especially relevant for people in midlife, physicians facing burnout, and anyone curious about the emerging science around psychedelics and personal transformation. It’s also for educators, clinical leaders, and anyone trying to build stronger collaboration inside vascular teams. About Cesar Marin Cesar Marin is a former CNN producer turned entrepreneur, speaker, and advocate for responsible psychedelic use, particularly for people over 50. He’s the founder of Cultivating Wisdom, a lifestyle brand and apparel company supporting conscious, stigma-free conversations around plant medicine, and MicrodosingOver50.com, a digital education platform. He also hosts the Love You Wealth podcast, helping men in the second half of life redefine what wealth really means. Connect with Cesar 💼 LinkedIn: Cesar Marin Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 If this episode moved you, share it with someone who needs to hear it. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to help us keep these stories flowing.

Vascular technologist Jill Sommerset and dual-registered cardiac and vascular sonographer, Abigail Mize, join us for a deep, practical conversation about one of the biggest shifts happening in CLI care right now. They break down how a simple but powerful technique, Pedal Acceleration Time (PAT), is helping clinicians move from image-based outcomes to physiology-based decisions. PAT isn’t just another number to collect. It’s changing how teams define success, when they choose to intervene, and how they decide a case is done. We also talk about the team dynamics that PAT helps uncover, the educational gaps that still need to be addressed, and what happens when technologists, physicians, and nurses start speaking the same language again. If you’re unfamiliar with PAT or want to dive deeper, we recommend this overview in Endovascular Today: 📄 Pedal Acceleration Time: Technique for Assessing Revascularization Efficacy 🎧 A must-listen for anyone who believes great outcomes are about more than what you see on a screen. 00:00 Meet Jill and Abby 06:18 What duplex reveals that angio can’t 12:06 IVUS isn't your get-out-of-jail-free card 32:05 When to step out of the case 33:05 What most training still gets wrong 36:00 How PAT is reshaping care, team dynamics, and long-term results 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for physicians, vascular technologists, nurses, and anyone treating patients with critical limb ischemia. It’s for clinicians looking to make smarter decisions, have clearer post-procedure conversations, and rethink what progress actually looks like. It’s also for educators, clinical leaders, and anyone trying to build stronger collaboration inside vascular teams. About Jill Sommerset & Abigail Mize Jill Sommerset is a nationally recognized vascular sonographer, educator, and physiology-first advocate who helped develop and standardize the use of PAT in post-intervention care. Abigail Mize is a nurse practitioner and CLI program director focused on building more thoughtful, patient-first care pathways and improving access to limb salvage across systems. Connect with Jill & Abby 💼 LinkedIn: Jill Sommerset 💼 LinkedIn: Abigail Mize Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 If this episode gave you something to think about, share it with someone in your lab. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to keep these conversations going.

Intimacy coach, Stephanie Ganowski, joins Life of Flow for a powerful and honest conversation about intimacy, connection, and why so many men today are silently struggling in the bedroom. As a clinical hypnotherapist, Stephanie shares what’s really going on beneath the surface. She speaks to the pressure men feel to perform, the shame that often comes with it, and the disconnect that builds when no one is talking about it. This episode isn’t about blame or quick fixes. It’s about understanding where those struggles come from, how they show up in relationships, and how both men and women can start having better conversations around s*x and intimacy. 🎧 If you’ve ever felt disconnected from your partner or unsure how to navigate intimacy, this conversation offers insight, compassion, and a way forward. 00:00 Meet Stephanie Ganowski 05:12 Why so many men feel disconnected from their own bodies 11:35 How performance anxiety starts and what it really means 18:20 Why foreplay is more than physical 24:40 Intimacy as energy, not just action 31:10 How life stress and kids shift the dynamic 35:50 The role of shame and silent expectations 42:00 What women often don’t see or understand 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for men who feel like something is off in their s*x life or relationships but aren’t sure how to talk about it. It’s also for women who want to better understand the emotional and psychological pressure men carry when it comes to intimacy. If you’re in a relationship, navigating a long-term connection, or want to feel more seen and understood in the bedroom, this one is for you. About Stephanie Ganowski Stephanie Ganowski is a clinical hypnotherapist and intimacy coach who helps men overcome performance anxiety and build more connected, confident relationships. Her work blends subconscious reprogramming with emotional awareness and practical tools to help people create lasting intimacy and trust. Connect with Stephanie 📲 Instagram: @stephganowsk 💼 LinkedIn: Stephanie Ganowski 🎙️ YouTube: Stephanie Ganowski Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 Subscribe and leave a review to support more conversations like this.

Dr. George Adams joins us for a powerful conversation on leadership, resilience, and what it really looks like to push a field forward when most people are still holding back. In this episode, George shares what it felt like to be criticized for doing things "too early" and why those same critics eventually came to him privately for advice. He reflects on the experiences that shaped his mindset long before medicine, including the work ethic he learned from his father and the losses that gave him clarity on what really matters. We talk about how he approaches innovation, the decisions behind treating intermittent claudication, and why he believes progress in medicine is messy but necessary. If you’ve ever felt resistance for doing things differently, this one will resonate. 🎧 A real conversation about leading with integrity, learning from pushback, and staying grounded in the middle of it all. 00:00 Meet Dr. George Adams 03:42 What happens when you move faster than your field 10:12 Why some doctors stay silent 18:05 Personal loss and the power of showing up 30:41 Quality of life in the IC conversation 42:20 When the data is there but the system isn’t ready 51:44 What it means to lead from the inside 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for physicians, interventionists, and anyone building something new in healthcare. If you’ve ever been told you were moving too fast or coloring outside the lines, this conversation is for you. It’s also for leaders who believe patient care comes first, even when the system says otherwise. About Dr. George Adams Dr. George Adams is an interventional cardiologist, educator, and the Chief Medical Officer at Cordis. He’s known for his leadership in limb preservation and for building strong outpatient networks across the country. George brings clinical experience, strategy, and heart to everything he does. Connect with George 🌐 UNC Health Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 Subscribe and leave a review to support more conversations like this.

What does it really take to build a $100M MedTech company from scratch? In this episode, Scott Addonizio gets raw about the journey. From packing up his life and moving to China with a one-way ticket, to running one of the most successful balloon and stent manufacturers in Asia, Scott shares what no pitch deck or press release will tell you. Now back in the U.S. as COO of BrosMed, he's taking on one of the hardest markets in the world, and doing it without a bloated salesforce, shady lease deals, or corporate fluff. Just relationships, innovation, and a whole lot of grit. This conversation is a must-listen if you’ve ever tried to build something meaningful in medtech. Scott doesn’t just share what worked. He breaks down what didn’t, what nearly broke him, and what he believes every founder and physician needs to know before stepping into this space. 🎧 You’ll leave this one thinking bigger, braver, and definitely more prepared. 00:00 Meet Scott Addonizio 07:17 From Boston Scientific intern to building a global device company 20:15 What 15 years in China taught him about leadership and survival 38:19 Why most U.S. MedTech launches fail, and how to avoid it 48:02 Building BrosMed in the U.S. with zero fluff 53:38 Exposing predatory lease deals and broken systems 56:30 A call to action for doctors: stop letting the system play you 💡 Who Should Listen? If you're a founder, a physician, or someone trying to bring new tech into an old system... this episode is for you. You’ll hear hard-won lessons for anyone trying to commercialize a product in medtech, scale a business without selling out, or just figure out how to make an impact without burning out. This one’s especially for the people in the trenches: those balancing vision with viability, and wondering if there’s a better way to grow. About Scott Addonizio Scott Addonizio is the Chief Operating Officer of BrosMed and the former COO of Orbus Neich. He spent 15 years in China building one of the most successful MedTech operations in the world—before bringing that same energy to the U.S. market. Known for his transparency, tenacity, and relentless focus on what matters, Scott is a true builder in every sense of the word. Connect with Scott 🌐 usa.brosmed.com 💼 LinkedIn: Scott Addonizio Follow Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 If this episode moved you, share it with someone building something. And don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to keep conversations like this going.

Renee Murphy never planned on becoming a scientist. But after years of building a career in fashion and marketing, something shifted. She made the leap into environmental science, research, and a whole new version of herself. In this episode, Renee joins us for a candid conversation about what reinvention really looks like. Not just the career change, but the identity shift, the doubt, the rebuilding. She opens up about the moment she realized she was no longer connected to the work she once loved, how she handled going back to school later in life, and what it’s meant to find a deeper purpose on the other side. We also talk about the realities of being a woman in male-dominated spaces, the power of saying "I don’t know," and why it’s okay if your life no longer fits the version you once worked so hard to build. 🎧 Listen in for a refreshing and grounded conversation on personal growth, career pivots, and the courage it takes to start over. Especially when it would have been easier not to. 00:00 – Meet Renee Murphy and her path from fashion to science 06:42 – What led her to walk away from a stable career 12:10 – Going back to school in her 30s and starting from scratch 19:03 – The mental hurdles of reinvention and doing hard things later in life 24:47 – Making peace with uncertainty and feeling behind 32:15 – How identity, ego, and purpose shift through reinvention 41:02 – The unexpected joy of finally doing something that feels right 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for anyone standing at a crossroads. Whether you're questioning your career path, craving more meaning, or just wondering if it’s too late to pivot. If you're in medicine, science, or any high-pressure field and feel disconnected from the version of yourself you’ve been chasing, Renee’s story will speak directly to you. Whether you’re exploring something new or just thinking about it, this is the reminder that reinvention is not only possible, it’s powerful. About Renee Murphy Renee Murphy is a scientist and environmental researcher with a background that started in fashion and marketing. After years in the industry, she transitioned into science through grit, curiosity, and a willingness to start over. Her work today focuses on sustainability and public health, and her story is proof that it’s never too late to change everything. Connect with Renee Murphy 💼 LinkedIn: Renee Murphy Connect with Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 Subscribe and leave a review to support real conversations about growth, identity, and reinvention in medicine and beyond.

Isa Rizk, CEO and co-founder of Reflow Medical, joins Life of Flow to share how he and his team built one of the most talked-about vascular device companies, without following the usual playbook. In this episode, Isa walks us through the evolution of Reflow Medical, from its earliest days to the development of the Spur stent: a mechanical innovation designed for tibial disease. He breaks down what led them to shift from a single-product mindset to building a full-scale company, why reimbursement planning is just as important as engineering, and what it’s like to scale a team while staying independent. 🎧 Tune in for a transparent conversation about innovation, growth, and long-term thinking in the world of vascular technology. 00:00 – Meet Isa Rizk & how Reflow started 04:45 – From engineer to CEO: lessons learned early on 10:25 – How the Spur stent came to life 16:40 – Feedback from physicians and the impact on design 20:29 – What patency really means in clinical practice 26:15 – Why reimbursement strategy is essential in medtech 34:00 – Scaling beyond 100 employees, and staying the course 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is for vascular surgeons, interventional cardiologists, cath lab teams, and professionals working in or alongside medtech. If you’re interested in device development, clinical translation, or building a company in healthcare, you’ll take away valuable insights from Isa’s experience. It’s also helpful for founders, engineers, and anyone involved in innovation who’s thinking long-term, not just about building a product, but building something that can grow and support real change in patient care. About Isa Rizk Isa Rizk is the CEO and co-founder of Reflow Medical, the company behind the Spur stent. A temporary, mechanical scaffold designed to support vessel healing in below-the-knee interventions. He began his career in mechanical engineering before moving into medtech at Baxter and Edwards Lifesciences, later co-founding Reflow to focus on collaborative device development with physicians. Today, Reflow has grown into a team of more than 100 people with a strong pipeline of innovations aimed at improving outcomes in complex vascular disease. Connect with Isa Rizk and Reflow Medical 🌐 Website: reflowmedical.com 💼 LinkedIn: Isa R Connect with Life of Flow 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 Subscribe and leave a review to support thoughtful conversations in vascular innovation.

Dr. Anthony Back, MD, a renowned oncologist, communication pioneer, and leader in psychedelic therapy research, joins the Life of Flow Podcast to discuss one of the most urgent issues in medicine today: physician burnout and the unconventional tools that may help heal it. As a co-founder of the Center for Psychedelic Medicine at UW and an internationally respected palliative care expert, Dr. Back brings a special and unique perspective to the conversation on psilocybin therapy. In this episode, he shares what he’s seeing in physicians suffering from emotional exhaustion, the limitations of traditional wellness models, and how psychedelics, when used safely and intentionally, are offering a radical new approach to healing in the profession. He also reflects on the personal toll of practicing medicine during COVID-19, the cultural resistance to psychedelic therapies in healthcare, and the importance of setting, guidance, and reintegration for physicians navigating these experiences. 🎧 Listen now for a powerful conversation that blends science, experience, and hope for a system in need of healing. 00:00 – Meet Dr. Anthony Back: Oncologist, researcher, and co-founder of the Center for Psychedelic Medicine 08:45 – What burnout really looks like in physicians, and why current tools aren't enough 17:30 – Why Dr. Back turned to psilocybin as a possible treatment for emotional exhaustion 24:12 – Can psychedelics help doctors reconnect with purpose? 31:05 – The role of guidance, setting, and integration in medical psychedelic therapy 39:40 – What the future of healing could look like for physicians and the patients they serve 💡 Who Should Listen? This episode is a must-listen for physicians, researchers, and healthcare professionals confronting the realities of burnout, emotional disconnection, and the limits of conventional wellness strategies. If you're a clinician, medical educator, or health system leader looking for real conversations about mental health in medicine, this is the one to hear. Medical students, residents, and early-career doctors will gain insight into the emotional side of clinical practice, while those exploring the intersection of psychedelics and healthcare will find a grounded, research-driven discussion on what’s possible and what’s next. About Dr. Anthony Back Dr. Anthony Back, MD, is a Professor of Medicine at the University of Washington, co-founder of VitalTalk, and a national leader in physician communication and palliative care. He co-directs the Center for Psychedelic Medicine, where he researches the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy to support clinician well-being. His work focuses on bridging clinical practice, emotional health, and the potential of psychedelic therapy in healing burnout and restoring connection in healthcare. Connect with Dr. Anthony Back 💼 LinkedIn: Anthony Back, MD 🔗 UW Faculty Profile: Center for Psychedelic Medicine – UW Connect with Life of Flow: 📲 Instagram: @LifeofFlowPodcast 👍 Facebook: Life of Flow Podcast 💼 LinkedIn: Life of Flow Podcast 🐦 X: @VascularPodcast 🔔 Don’t forget to subscribe and leave a review to support our mission of bringing transformative healthcare conversations to the forefront.