Blake Lucas
Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi
Blake Lucas is all about creating great customer experiences and making things easier for both businesses and their clients. As Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi, he helps medical practices offer seamless financing options to their patients.
With a background in training, account management, and leadership, he’s passionate about motivating teams and improving processes. When he’s not working, he’s busy being a proud dad to his twin boys, finding joy in the everyday chaos of fatherhood.
50
Feb. 3, 2026
This One Might Hurt a Little…But Feelings Don't Pay the Bills
Criticism can sting, but it doesn’t have to shake your confidence. Heather Hughes-Hardy opens up about her early struggles with taking feedback personally and how one mentor’s tough-love advice completely shifted her mindset. Her go-to? Radical...
Guests: Heather Hughes Hardy , Blake Lucas
48
Jan. 20, 2026
Calm Down, Karen: What To Do When Patients Pop Off
Handling upset, aggressive, or emotional patients is an art form. When a patient gets heated—even after you’ve done everything right, what should you do? Jenna shares how she stays calm and reminds patients you’re on the same team to turn tension into trust. By identifying what’s really bothering them (like fear of wasted money or treatment doubt), you can calmly redirect the conversation. Find out when it’s okay to walk away and how to protect yourself when emotions run high. GUEST Jenna Hen...
Guests: Jenna Hennig, RN , Blake Lucas
44
Dec. 23, 2025
How to Turn Patient Dissatisfaction Into Pure Devotion
Disappointment happens, but it doesn’t have to derail the relationship. Seasoned injector Jenna Hennig shares how she learned to stop taking patient feedback personally and start turning tough moments into deeper trust. From under-promising and...
Guests: Jenna Hennig, RN , Blake Lucas
42
Dec. 9, 2025
How to Talk About Money Without Killing the Vibe
You know that awkward moment in a consult when it’s time to talk money? If you find yourself dreading the “how are you going to pay?” moment, this one’s your playbook for turning it into a positive, confident part of every consult. PatientFi’s Blake Lucas sits down with Bridgette DeBrino, CEO of Belvara Collective, Sara Amann, patient care coordinator at Zelko Aesthetics, and Eva Sheie, founder of The Axis, for a real-world look at how to make payment conversations feel natural and actually bui...
39
Nov. 18, 2025
The Words That Open Wallets
Talking about money in a consult can make even the most confident coordinator hesitate. But what if that moment didn’t have to feel awkward at all? At La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, one small change in language—using the “EASE” method—led to a 58% jump in financing applications and completely transformed the way the team approached affordability. Blake Lucas brings together Eva Sheie, Bridgette DeBrino, and Janelle Robinson, COO of LJCSC, to share how practices can build a culture that embr...
38
Nov. 11, 2025
When Loyalty Crosses the Line
Some patients are so loyal, they start to feel like friends. But loyalty can have a dark side when personal-professional boundary lines blur. Letting “frequent flyers” bend boundaries only creates chaos for the whole team. Great service doesn’t mean letting patients run the show—it means keeping standards high for everyone. Heather Hughes-Hardy breaks down how to reset expectations without losing a valuable relationship. GUEST Heather Hughes Hardy, RN Aesthetics Sales Specialist Heather’s pa...
Guests: Heather Hughes Hardy , Blake Lucas
37
Nov. 4, 2025
Recession-Proof Revenue: Inside a PCC’s 90% Conversion Rate
You know those times when the phones get quiet and everyone starts to worry? This is the episode you’ll want your whole team to hear before that happens. PatientFi’s Blake Lucas sits down with Heather Hughes-Hardy (CORE IT Method), Eva Sheie (The Axis), and Stephanie Deswert (PCC at Berks Plastic Surgery) for a behind-the-scenes conversation on how top practices are staying profitable when patient flow slows. Heather reframes downtime as your biggest growth window, Stephanie shares how she kee...
35
Oct. 21, 2025
When Patients Assume I Have No Experience Because I Look Too Young
Every day, Jenna Hennig is asked about her age. She used to get nervous when patients questioned her age or experience. Over time, she’s learned how to respond with confidence and ease by reframing the conversation around expertise, emphasizing that it’s not just about years in the industry—it’s about skill, results, and volume of practice. GUEST Jenna Hennig, RN, Aesthetic Injector Austin Plastic Surgeon Now a seasoned aesthetic injector, Jenna’s career started in women's health as an L&D nu...
Guests: Jenna Hennig, RN , Blake Lucas
32
Sept. 30, 2025
The Real Reasons Behind Price Objections
When you reach the end of a consultation and someone declines your pitch because of the price, it’s almost never about the price. Understanding emotional drivers is key to closing the sale, and it’s your job to handle objections with confidence and empathy. Heather Hughes Hardy and Jenna Hennig share what questions to ask to uncover what’s really holding them back and get the real reasons behind price objections. GUESTS Heather Hughes Hardy Aesthetics Sales Specialist Heather’s passion for ma...
29
Sept. 9, 2025
Navigating the 100-Question Patient
Some patients have one or two questions. Others have a hundred… Heather Hughes Hardy and Jenna Hennig help us understand why someone might be a “100-question patient” and navigate these challenging consultations with grace. Learn how to bring structure and emotional pacing into your conversations, pre-handle common objections, and keep the conversation on track without making the patient feel rushed or dismissed. GUESTS Heather Hughes Hardy Aesthetics Sales Specialist Heather’s passion for m...
25
Aug. 12, 2025
Patient Body Language Signals You’re Missing
Patients don’t always say what they’re feeling, but their body language gives it away. Heather Hughes Hardy and Jenna Hennig break down how to spot the silent signals of hesitation, confusion, or discomfort, like fidgeting, shifting eyes, or sudden...
23
July 29, 2025
Your Dumbest Money Questions Answered
Most of us were never taught how financing actually works. We nod along when APR or compound interest comes up, hoping no one asks follow-up questions. Blake answers all the “dumb” questions we’re secretly asking, from how traditional medical credit cards come with hidden fees and high interest, frustrating both patients and providers. PatientFi was built to offer a friendlier, more transparent way to pay, helping patients say yes to the care they want. Monthly payments can shift everything. W...
Guests: Eva Sheie , Blake Lucas
22
July 22, 2025
When To Walk Away From a Toxic Job
If your job is draining the life out of you, but you keep telling yourself to just “push through,” Kelcy Heringer was there too. Five years went by before she realized she was stuck in a cycle of burnout, self-doubt, and career stagnation. Years went by in this toxic workplace, while Kelcy held on and hoped things would get better. But with constant micromanagement, gossip, and turnover, it only got worse. Fear and guilt kept her from walking away as the red flags piled up. With Blake Lucas, K...
Guests: Kelcy Heringer , Blake Lucas
21
July 15, 2025
Turning Angry Patients Into Opportunities
Angry patients aren’t just upset for no reason. They’re feeling unheard, disrespected, or scared, and how you respond in those first few moments can make or break the relationship. Heather Hughes Hardy and Jenna Hennig share real-world stories and proven strategies for turning tense moments into trust-building opportunities. Role-playing tough scenarios and creating clear escalation protocols can help your whole team feel more confident and prepared when things get heated. Learn how to valida...
19
July 1, 2025
Sugarcoating Is Sabotaging Your Career (and Your Team)
Think being nice and avoiding conflict makes you a better leader? Think again. Kelcy Heringer played nice until she saw that real respect comes from honesty, not people-pleasing. Now she’s all about leveling the playing field and speaking up even...
Guests: Kelcy Heringer , Blake Lucas
18
June 24, 2025
The Secret Language of Patient Trust
Active listening is more than nodding along. It’s about tuning into the words, tone, and emotions behind what patients are saying (and not saying). When you pick up on those cues and mirror their language, trust starts to form, and that’s when the real connection happens. Heather Hughes Hardy and Jenna Hennig share how to hear what patients are really telling you, even if they’re not saying it directly. Learn how to create a safe space for honest conversations, why your note-taking matters mor...
16
June 10, 2025
If You’re Waiting for Someone to Give You a Raise, You’re Doing It Wrong
Going above and beyond at work but still not moving up? The unpleasant truth is that hard work alone won’t get you promoted these days. You have to own your career growth. No one else will do it for you. What actually moves the needle is speaking up, getting visible, and going after what you want. Kelcy Heringer returns to Practiceland to share how to shift your mindset and craft a confident, honest way to start the conversation. GUEST Kelcy Heringer Business & Exec Accelerator Kelcy helps hi...
Guests: Kelcy Heringer , Blake Lucas
15
June 3, 2025
Meet Blake Lucas, Practiceland Co-Host & PatientFi Sr. Director of Customer Experience
As the Senior Director of Customer Experience at PatientFi, Blake Lucas thrives on solving problems, calming chaos, and turning challenges into wins. Leading the team that supports practices and their patients, Blake’s career in customer service shapes his approach to every situation, helping busy staff get their jobs done and ensuring patients feel confident and cared for throughout the aesthetic journey. Links Learn more about PatientFi Connect with Blake on LinkedIn SHE DID WHAT? Got a wi...
Guests: Andrea Watkins , Blake Lucas
13
May 20, 2025
Overworked, Underpaid, and Stuck?
High performers, especially women, can find themselves overworked and underpaid when they’ve built a reputation as a “doer.” Doing too much can keep you from being promoted, and the key is to shift into thinking and acting like a strategic leader who sets boundaries and drives impactful results. Kelcy Heringer explains why this happens and how to be seen as the leader you really are, starting with not saying yes to every request that lands in your inbox at 11 PM. GUEST Kelcy Heringer Business...
Guests: Kelcy Heringer , Blake Lucas
6
April 1, 2025
Meet Andrea Watkins, Practiceland Co-Host & Conversion Coach
Andrea Watkins loves fast-tracking practices to success — teaching what works, sharing the best tools, and helping people thrive in their roles. Hear how she made the leap from leading a successful plastic surgery practice to now coaching teams across the nation through the LeadLoop platform as the VP of Practice Growth at Studio III Marketing. Links Learn more about LeadLoop and Studio III Marketing Connect with Andrea on LinkedIn SHE DID WHAT? Got a wild customer service story or a sticky p...
Guests: Andrea Watkins , Blake Lucas
4
March 18, 2025
Secrets to Managing Up That Nobody is Telling You
Kelcy Heringer asks us to change the way we think about giving direct feedback, especially to those “above” you and even the boss. Sure, that sounds really scary. But you’ll find out why you shouldn’t be afraid of it and how to do it in a way that doesn't make anyone think you’re a jerk. After all, it’s called giving feedback because it’s a gift. Hear Kelcy, Blake, and Andrea’s takes on when and how to ask for a raise (and when NOT to), how to make the tricky shift from employee to manager, an...
3
March 11, 2025
The Silver Lining of Getting Fired
… And other lessons learned growing from a tiny 700 sq. ft. Pepto-Bismol-pink office with three employees to three locations and a team of 90 (with 60 hired in just 14 months!) This week we flip the script as Andrea Watkins sits down with Austin plastic surgeon Dr. Johnny Franco to hear the doctor’s side of the story following our previous episode with two key members of his leadership team. From his unconventional interview tactics to the thinking behind his “champion” system, Dr. Franco lets...
1
Feb. 25, 2025
From Awkward to Cha-Ching: The Ultimate Guide to Talking About Money in Aesthetic Practices
Talking about money is awkward, right? It’s taboo, it’s uncomfortable, and everyone has unspoken baggage around it. But success in aesthetics requires confidently discussing costs with patients, and being great at it helps you advance your own career. To help you get over it fast, we’ve invited Janelle Robinson, COO of La Jolla Cosmetic Surgery Centre, to confront the when, where, and how of talking about money. Find out how Janelle and her team navigate pricing conversations, build trust, and ...