Best sandboxstories Podcasts (2025)

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Masoud Nafey 44:11

6d ago44:11

44:11

Dr. Masoud Nafey is a technology expert who brings a wide array of views about how Optometry might utilize the tools at their discretion to best connect with the 21st century health and eye care consumer. He provides an excellent insight to how we might advance as a profession while the patients advance toward more of a consumerist approach to cons…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Scott Harris Shapiro 39:24

4M ago39:24

39:24

Scott Harris Shapiro is a leader in the US optical business, as owner and CEO of Europa Eyewear. His parents started the business, which his father spoke of as a “people business,” and grew it from the ground up. Scott has a history of being in the public eye - spending time in his early years as a stand-up comedian and radio personality, from whic…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Sherrol Reynolds 51:56

6M ago51:56

51:56

Dr. Sherrol Reynolds is full professor at NOVA Southeastern University College of Optometry. Her perspective about the power of mentorship and its influence on her, and how she now mentors others, is powerful. Her family emigrated from Jamaica and she grew up in Florida, where she considered becoming a physician but turned toward Optometry partly d…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Dori Carlson 54:41

9M ago54:41

54:41

Dr. Dori Carlson’s accomplishments in Optometry are stupendous, including a decade-plus of service to the American Optometric Association which culminated with her serving as the first female President of the AOA. Dr. Carlson has leveraged the values of her early days along with a commitment to continual personal and professional improvement to bec…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Steven Lee 1:11:59

10M ago1:11:59

1:11:59

Dr. Steven Lee grew up in Toronto, studied at the University of Waterloo, and attended the Illinois College of Optometry. A self-described “nerdy gadget guy,” he quickly became interested in disruptive technology that might support patients. He co-founded the company, Opternative, that eventually became quite controversial for its direct-to-patient…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Linda Casser 1:01:34

12M ago1:01:34

1:01:34

Dr. Linda Casser has had a career of service — to three Colleges of Optometry, the National Board of Examiners in Optometry, the American Academy of Optometry, the American Optometric Association, and the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Her career concluded with being granted Professor Emerita status in August 2022 from Salus Univ…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Alan Glazier 56:07

1y ago56:07

56:07

A 1993 graduate of NECO, Dr. Alan Glazier has spent a career in Optometry as an entrepreneur. He worked in his dad’s practice in his early days along with many other roles that found him starting businesses. He learned business insights along the way, and credits his height for his accomplishments. He self-taught to become a marketing expert, which…

1
Sandbox Stories - Interview of Ed Buffington 45:59

1y ago45:59

45:59

Raised on a rural farm in Maryland, Ed Buffington learned the lessons of hard work. These lessons translated into a tremendous career in the eye care industry, where he was the founder of OfficeMate software and today serves as CEO of GPN Technologies, the company that brings the EDGEPro data dashboard to eye care professionals. In March 2024, he w…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Ann Hoscheit 55:32

1+ y ago55:32

55:32

Dr. Ann Hoscheit is owner of EyeBridge Consulting Associates, after a long career in which she built two separate iconic eye care practices. She’s a graduate of the University of Houston College of Optometry. Dr. Hoscheit has been a trailblazer in women’s leadership in Optometry. She finds true joy and prosperity in Optometry, and through these man…

1
Sandbox Stories - Interview of Dr. Rick Weisbarth 57:33

1+ y ago57:33

57:33

An Ohio guy who thought he would remain there forever, Dr. Rick Weisbarth became an internationally respected Doctor of Optometry who supported the profession through his role in professional relations for Alcon Laboratories (and formerly CIBA VISION) as well as a lecturer on a variety of contact lens topics. He graduated from The Ohio State Univer…

1
Sandbox Stories Perspective - Building a Life Well-Lived 5:20

2y ago5:20

5:20

Scott shares four pearls to building and enjoying a life well-lived, which is aspirational and to which we will be judged by others some day in the futureBy sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. John Potter 1:17:44

2y ago1:17:44

1:17:44

Dr. John Potter is a true treasure to the profession. A graduate of the Indiana University School of Optometry, he has been at the forefront of every major evolutionary step in Optometry over the last fifty years. After all of his time in Optometry, he used his intellectual basis to move into an entirely different career as an educator - now servin…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Vince Brandys 39:26

2y ago39:26

39:26

Dr. Vince Brandys has translated a Chicago upbringing in a family that served the community into a career in Optometry that has included deep involvement in professional advocacy. His words of encouragement to his colleagues to step up their support of the profession are to be heard by all.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Perspective on Similarities between Optometry and Building a Spec Home 7:50

2y ago7:50

7:50

In semi-retirement, I built a spec home in Orlando to get away from Wisconsin's winters. In this Sandbox Story, you'll get perspective of how my experiences taught me something about how optometry might better manage its business to focus on the expectations of its customers. Run time: 7 min 30 secBy sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Araba Otoo 54:40

2+ y ago54:40

54:40

Dr. Araba Otoo received the 2022 Student of the Year Award from the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA.) She has started her practice career in a residency in the VA system, and is motivated to drive a global ocular wellness mindset into the profession. As a child in Ghana, she malingered to get glasses when she was very young. Her impre…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview with Jay Binkowitz 34:58

2+ y ago34:58

34:58

Jay Binkowitz has used deep business acumen to drive a number of differentiated businesses into the eye care industry. His path into the optical business led to building the most powerful data dashboard in the industry, EDGEPro. The Stories within the Story include: 1:01 The Upbringing Story 5:45 The Hustle Story 8:30 The Optical Story 14:28 The So…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Lynn Lawrence 34:45

3y ago34:45

34:45

Lynn Lawrence is a career Optometric Technician, starting that role as part of a thirty-plus year career in the Air Force, and has built a consulting business for the eye care industry which teaches leadership. His commitment to the profession is to drive advancement through learning, certification, and thoughtful leadership. The Stories within the…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Bob Layman 28:23

3y ago28:23

28:23

Dr. Bob Layman has been the AOA President from June 2021 through June 2022. This interview is the first one done with a sitting President of the AOA, and some of his best views are shared about how optometry must be politically thoughtful and mindful to stay successful. Most importantly, Bob’s true humility and drive toward service shines through. …

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. NateLighthizer 26:55

3y ago26:55

26:55

A North Dakotan, Dr. Nate Lighthizer has an incredible story about how he grew up doing fishing trips with his family, as well as participating in sports as a kid. After graduating from Pacific University College of Optometry, he advanced his career to his current position on faculty at Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tallequa…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Lex Hendrix 43:27

3y ago43:27

43:27

Simply put, Lex is a deeply caring human being. I've never met anyone, young or old, who is as able to connect with others as Lex does. He's autistic, transgender, and loving. This Sandbox Story has life lessons in it for every one of us. The Stories within the Story include: 1:11 The Disney College Program Story 3:33 The Kentucky Upbringing Story …

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Sue Cotter 30:47

3+ y ago30:47

30:47

Dr. Sue Cotter is faculty at the Southern California College of Optometry, on the Board of the American Academy of Optometry, and co-chair of the Pediatric Eye Disease Investigator Group of the NIH. This Sandbox Story covers her views on optometric education as well as gives insights on her life's joys. The Stories Within the Story Include: 0:58 Th…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Laura Periman 45:17

3+ y ago45:17

45:17

From humble beginnings in Montana, to becoming a preeminent ophthalmologist on the new frontier of dry eye management, Dr. Laura Periman’s many stories are incredibly motivational. And as a human, rarely will you hear someone who is has as much empathy for others. The Stories within the Story include: 1:24 The Montana Story 3:50 The Motivation Stor…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Optical Women‘s Association 44:34

3+ y ago44:34

44:34

This Sandbox Story is an interview of some of the leaders of the Optical Women’s Association, OWA. Guests include Deb Bulken, Janelle Pauli, and Dr. Lorie Lippiatt. Despite their long-standing history, they are a “best-kept secret” in the industry, and they deserve to be well-known and supported because of their powerful impact. To join OWA: https:…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Janene Sims 27:12

3+ y ago27:12

27:12

Dr. Janene Sims is on Faculty at the University of Alabama-Birmingham School of Optometry. She works with the Community Eyecare Initiative, an outreach service of the School, and has a tremendous commitment to humanity. The Stories within the Story include: 1:00 The Farming Story 8:22 The Eyecare Motivation Story 10:00 The Advanced Education Story …

1
Sandbox Story - Thanks for Inspirations 3:28

3+ y ago3:28

3:28

This short Sandbox Story sends a message of thanks for life's many inspirations. Included is a wish for us to take control of our lives from the negative effects of social media. Happy Thanksgiving!By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Perspective on Sleep 7:49

3+ y ago7:49

7:49

In this Sandbox Story perspective piece, I review the key takeaways from the book, “Why We Sleep”, by Matthew Walker, PhD.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Kelly Nichols 29:12

3+ y ago29:12

29:12

Dr. Kelly Nichols is Dean of the School of Optometry at the University of Alabama-Birmingham and the current President of the Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry. Hear her many stories including advice for ODs to implement management of dry eye disease care in their practices.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Dr. Richard Mangan, on the topic of Provider Burnout 18:07

3+ y ago18:07

18:07

Richard Mangan, OD, FAAO, is a 30-year industry clinician who now does medical liaison work for Sun Pharma, and is also on the editorial board of ModernOD. As someone who has studied the research on physician burnout, Dr. Mangan gives insights on his experiences with burnout, as well as potential methods to deal with it. As October winds down the r…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Moes Nasser 48:17

3+ y ago48:17

48:17

Dr. Moes Nasser is a philanthropic, globally-minded Optometrist. From his family history, starting in India and then in Africa, to his successful practice in Houston, to his contributions to Optometry Giving Sight, Dr. Nasser’s stories are sure to inspire. The Stories within the Story include: 1:04 The Tanzania Story 6:04 The Childhood Vision Story…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Pierre Bertrand 41:49

3+ y ago41:49

41:49

Pierre Bertrand is an industry veteran and has an incredible ability to tell meaningful stories. His current role is with Neurolens. Learn about his upbringing in Montreal, as well as what his grasp of fear has taught him.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Brittany Ammerman 58:05

4y ago58:05

58:05

This Sandbox Story features Brittany Ammerman, a fourth year student at the Penn State College of Medicine. Her story is shared to show my Optometry colleagues the path of an enterprising young woman who was influenced to pursue medicine. Brittany’s stories are compelling - some are very relatable - and others are simply fascinating, including the …

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Howard Purcell 46:23

4y ago46:23

46:23

One word describes Dr. Howard Purcell - passionate. In this Sandbox Story, you will learn about his passion for optometry, fellow optometrists, music, and family. I caught up with Dr. Purcell earlier in the summer when his schedule at the College became lighter, and we covered a variety of his views on optometric education, as well as his efforts i…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Justin Bazan 44:37

4y ago44:37

44:37

Dr. Justin Bazan is a recognized optometry leader on topics of disruptive, insightful business operations and social media strategies for eye care businesses. In this Sandbox Story, he shares insights about his life experiences that have led him to where he is today, and also pearls of advice about how to contemplate the future of practice. The Sto…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown 48:45

4y ago48:45

48:45

Dr. Stephanie Johnson-Brown practices in Chicago, IL. She joined the practice of her late father, who had the foresight to build a clinic that not only served the community through primary eye care services, but also via a not-for-profit entity that assured that all children could be given the opportunity to vision therapy. She talks about her time…

1
Sandbox Story - EHR Thoughts from an EHR Guy 14:08

4y ago14:08

14:08

EHR vendors are not eager to more deeply integrate with important third-parties that eye care businesses want to utilize. That is shameful, and it's time for it to change. Here are my thoughts, along with a little history of how I got involved in EHR during my career.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Brianna Rhue 54:02

4y ago54:02

54:02

Dr. Brianna Rhue is the Co-founder and CEO of DrContactLens, an emerging practice performance software system. Her commentary includes a review of her practice of myopia management, as well as personal stories including how yoga has transformed her. Dr. Rhue and Sandbox Stories host, Dr. Scott Jens, take turns pointing out the critical need for EHR…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of 2021 Graduates 32:01

4y ago32:01

32:01

Remember the first time you were called “Doctor”? This Sandbox Story kicks off with the pure joy of a new grad being called “Doctor” for the first time, and then wanders through a variety of topics that help highlight the rigor of today’s Optometric education, as well as the preparation that new graduates make as they begin their careers as a Docto…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Nikki Iravani 40:25

4y ago40:25

40:25

This is a Sandbox Story Interview of tech entrepreneur, Dr. Nikki Iravani. She developed the Eyexam app and continues to be on the cutting edge of eye care service. She is also on the Board of "Women in Optometry", and has an incredible set of family stories. The Stories within the Story: 1:08 The Iran Story 6:04 The Influence Story 11:17 The OD Wo…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Marge Axelrad 41:04

4y ago41:04

41:04

Marge Axelrad is a true journalistic leader in the eye care industry. As Senior Vice President and Editorial Director of Vision Monday, VMAIL, and 20/20, she has had a special perspective on the stories in eye care for over thirty years. Learn about her psychology background, her appreciation for rock ’n roll, and deep love of her family and friend…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Andrea Thau 50:10

4y ago50:10

50:10

Dr. Andrea Thau is a committed optometry volunteer - having served as AOA President, as well as driving a new leadership concept. She has also promoted the value of regular eye care services in her work with the American Public Health Association. She is a compassionate, caring person who constantly cares about the wellness of others. The Stories w…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy 43:33

4y ago43:33

43:33

A residency-trained optometrist, Dr. Nwamaka Ngoddy practices in retail optometry locations in Atlanta. Dr. Ngoddy created the Anwuli Eyewear line of frames and is making strong headway, despite it being the hardest thing she has ever done. As a first generation Nigerian-American, she cares deeply for the community that her family has been a part o…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Richard Castillo 49:40

4y ago49:40

49:40

Dr. Richard Castillo has committed his career to Optometry - he is an educator at Northeastern State University College of Optometry in Tallequah, OK, and many in his family have gone down the optometry path. He expanded his professional abilities by also getting an MD and doing a residency in ophthalmology. Learn about his perspective on the advan…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Ken Lawenda 44:46

4y ago44:46

44:46

Dr. Ken Lawenda is a lifelong optometry volunteer, and brings a unique perspective having served on a number of optometry regulatory boards. From his Bronx upbringing, to his work in photography, his many stories are quite enjoyable. (Apologies for slight audio imperfection in the first 45 seconds!) The Stories within the Story include: 1:10 The Mo…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Millicent Knight 52:53

4y ago52:53

52:53

Dr. Millicent Knight was born and raised and Optometry trained in Chicago. After running an incredibly successful private eye care practice, she today serves as SVP of the Customer Development Group at Essilor. These many Stories cover her upbringing, her commitment to strong parenting, and many insights that an Optometrist will appreciate. The Sto…

1
Sandbox Story - My Most Impactful Patient 36:11

4y ago36:11

36:11

Mr. Erwin Deutsch was born in Germany, where in his teen years his Jewish family endured the awful impact of Nazi rule. He entered the concentration camp at Buchenwald, yet made it out after a month of despairing experiences. As a patient, he shared his time as we discussed his many experiences, for which I am forever grateful. He was a positive, p…

1
Sandbox Story 10 - Eye Care in a FedEx Store 6:05

4y ago6:05

6:05

This Sandbox Story brings the perspective that I gained when I recently visited a FedEx store. Not only did I get a very strong experience in customer service, but I also was leaned upon for some eye advice. Every Eye Care Professional should take in opportunities to be in support of their neighbors, but also must always be on the lookout for great…

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Mr. Dave Brown 44:29

4y ago44:29

44:29

Mr. Dave Brown is the President and CEO of the doctor-alliance group, IDOC. Learn about his efforts to develop a leadership mentality through a trusting, listening approach, as well as his use of mindfulness to become the best leader he can be. And be sure to watch for video of his participation in an 1980 television commercial! The Stories within …

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Jacobi Cleaver 52:13

4y ago52:13

52:13

Dr. Jacobi Cleaver is an inspiring Doctor of Optometry - an identical twin with a tremendous number of family stories, as well as an eye doctor in Baylor's community health center system. Learn about his commitment to increasing participation in Optometry by Black high school and college students through Black EyeCare Perspective. The Stories withi…

1
Sandbox Story "Short" - Self-Promotion 4:27

4y ago4:27

4:27

This "Short" Sandbox Story speaks to the want to achieve a broader audience, with recognizing and appreciating those who have supported Sandbox Stories distribution to date.By sandboxstories

1
Sandbox Story - Interview of Dr. Kenji Hamada 40:57

4y ago40:57

40:57

Dr. Kenji Hamada has served Optometry, the United States of America, and his communities with the greatest of commitments. This Sandbox Story tells his many stories of business and personal success. The Stories within the Story include: 1:05 The Sharing Story 3:17 The Helen Keller Camp Story 7:43 The Music Recording Story 8:50 The Japan to Californ…

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