Public career
In a public career spanning 40 years, Dr. Rick Kirschner has offered a powerful approach to dealing with change that unlocks creativity, enhances team communication and increases commitment. He developed his ideas and programs from a palette of essential attitudes, behaviors and skills for successful interactions.
In keynote speeches for association events and conferences, in seminars and training for Fortune 1000 companies, and at executive retreats, he has helped his audience find motivation to do the important work today for a better tomorrow.
Books, film, and work
Dr. Kirschner is a best selling author of numerous books and multimedia programs, including the coauthored international bestseller, now in a fourth completely revised edition, 26 translations, and millions of copies sold, Dealing With People You Can't Stand: How To Bring Out The Best In People At Their Worst, plus Love Thy Customer, Life By Design, How To Click With People, and the comprehensive communication program Insider's Guide To The Art of Persuasion.
His newest book, released in February of 2026, is Stop Making Life SO HARD: A Field Guide to Being a Better Human. In 2015, he premiered his documentary film, How Healthcare Became Sickcare: The True History Of Medicine.
A 1981 graduate of the National University of Natural Medicine, Dr. Kirschner was an Oregon licensed Naturopathic physician until 2020, when he retired his license. He is the Past President of the Naturopathic Medicine Institute, a long-time faculty member with the Institute for Management Studies, and a thought leader with Athena Interactive.
His clients included many of the world's best known organizations, including AT&T, Heineken, Kraft, NASA, Progressive Insurance, the U.S. Army and National Guard, and Starbucks. He currently serves as President of the Naturopathic Medicine Academy, which produces textbooks on Naturopathic Medicine.
Dr. Kirschner delivered his expertise in thousands of radio and television appearances, interviews, newspaper and magazine articles, from CNBC and CBC to FOX, the Wall Street Journal, and USA Today.
Rick lives in the Idaho Panhandle with his wife of 35 years, along with 2 cats and 4 chickens, where he allows inspiration and agitation to move him to write.
Rick is outspoken in his advocacy for medical freedom. In 2019, Rick shut down his Facebook and Twitter accounts in protest over growing censorship. In 2021, LinkedIn de-platformed his main business account, prompting the creation of this website. He remains LockedOut of LinkedIn, and enjoys the irony of it. Back on Facebook now at https://facebook.com/DrKND and on X @IamDrKND.