Slice of Piefer

What kind of mark do we leave behind—both physically and professionally? In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylar dive into the realities of surgical scars, modern closure techniques (from staples to new silicone options), and the emotional memories tied to trauma and injury. Plus, they touch on high-security narcotic scripts, Little Cayman scuba trips, and a lighthearted callback to the ultimate endurance racing mishaps.

What do broken bones and workplace culture have in common? In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylar explore the fascinating parallels between orthopedic bone healing—from anatomic unions and malunions to hypertrophic and atrophic nonunions—and how teams, organizations, and leadership structures fail or heal under pressure.
In this episode, we discuss:
The different types of bone healing and surgical alignment (reductions and fixation)
What a "malunion" teaches us about suboptimal compromises in organizations
Hypertrophic nonunions: when you have the right people/biology, but lack stability and leadership support
Atrophic nonunions: why stability doesn't fix a lack of foundational building blocks
A healthy dose of clinic humor, triplane fractures, and running late in Houston

From the high-stakes endurance of marathons and the infamous Hyrox race incident to the psychology of youth sports and teaching children grit, Dr. Jason Pyfer and Taylar are diving deep into the world of extreme athletics. Why do we push our bodies to the absolute limit, and where do you draw the line between mental toughness and sheer recklessness?
In this episode, we discuss:
The physiological reality of endurance racing and splanchnic ischemia
High-level athletic mental blocks, the "yips," and the twisties
The hidden costs of overtraining young athletes in year-round sports
Teaching kids resilience, discipline, and the value of finishing what you start
Why the real work happens when nobody is watching

It's football season in Texas! In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylar dive into the nostalgia and energy of Friday Night Lights. From small-town high school football memories and legendary state championship runs to college traditions at Texas A&M and Drew Brees, they share how football shaped their lives, work ethic, and love for teamwork.
In this episode, we discuss:
High school football memories and small-town team spirit
Dr. Piefer’s freshman femur fracture and how it shaped his path to orthopedics
Winning the Texas state championship with Westlake High School
Taylar’s days as a high school cheerleader and matching 76 backhandsprings
College football culture, the 12th Man at Texas A&M, and game day traditions

How do you stop letting negative comments, critics, or difficult situations consume your mental space? In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylar explore what it means to let people live "rent-free" in your mind—and why learning to clear out that mental noise is essential for being present at work, in surgery, and with your family.
In this episode, we discuss:
What it really means when someone lives "rent-free" in your head
Handling negative criticism, haters, and online comments
Maintaining hyper-focus and a "flow state" in high-pressure environments like the operating room
The importance of leaving work at work to be fully present with your family
Making hard decisions with the core purpose of "willing the good" for others

What does a $25 velvet jacket from Amazon have to do with being a better healthcare provider? In this episode of Slice of Piefor, Dr. Piefer and Taylar dive into why taking your job seriously—without taking yourself too seriously—is the secret to creating better patient outcomes and stronger team culture.
In this episode, we discuss:
The origin of Dr. Piefer’s famous velvet jacket collection
Remembering Dolly Parton and her positive spirit
Why authenticity in the operating room builds trust and safety
Dealing with negative comments and social media judgment
Why being yourself is the only way to show up
Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more conversations from Dr. Piefer and the team!

Ever wondered where the name "PB&J" came from? In this episode of Rapid Fire Questions, Dr. Jason Piefer sits down with Taylar Hayden to clear up the confusion behind the brand name Piefer Bone & Joint, why he loves making funny videos for social media, and what drives his approach to life and parenting.

Dr. Piefer and Taylor dive into the reality of managing a high-volume orthopedic surgical schedule while balancing on-call demands. From handling back-to-back hip fracture surgeries to maintaining team focus during 12-hour days in the OR, they break down the mindset and practical strategies needed to stay sharp under pressure.
The duo also explores key takeaways from Mel Robbins’ book The Let Them Theory, discussing how reframing perspectives, building empathy, and managing emotional reactions apply directly to patient care, leadership, and daily life. Stick around to hear what alternative careers they’d pursue outside of medicine!

In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylar sit down for a candid, rapid-fire Q&A session. From sharing the medical advice they struggle to follow themselves to unpacking the reality of balancing full-time clinical work with family life, they dive deep into the human side of medicine.
In this episode, we discuss:
The medical advice providers struggle to follow in their own lives
Mindset shifts, presence, and life lessons learned over time
Morning routine hacks and habit stacking for busy workweeks
Defining leadership, purpose, and leaving a lasting legacy
Common misconceptions about being a healthcare provider and a parent
What surgical teams go through before, during, and after surgery

In this episode of Slice of Piefer, Dr. Piefer and Taylor dive into the core mindset driving high-stakes environments: the foundational rule of "willing the good of the other."
They discuss:
The 'Will the Good' Philosophy: Defining love and leadership through Saint Thomas Aquinas’s definition of selflessly willing the good for patients, teammates, and neighbors.
Overcoming Burnout & the Victim Mindset: Why losing sight of purpose turns every responsibility into a burden, and how shifting perspective turns late-night calls and daily friction into opportunities for service.
Leadership Beyond the O.R.: Dr. Piefer brainstorms potential book titles focused on high-stakes leadership, dissecting how surgical principles—pre-op planning, team time-outs, and precise execution—translate to leadership in any field.
Life, Family & Studio Banter: Back-to-school season routines, lighthearted parenting moments, and dealing with unexpected household chaos