This one’s a little different… and a lot more fun.

For the first time ever, The Dentists Show is coming to you LIVE (well, sort of). We sat down in front of a room full of incredible team members and fellow dentists to answer real, unscripted questions about practice ownership, partnerships, leadership, fee-for-service dentistry, and everything in between.

From the unexpected benefits of buying a “run-down” practice… to navigating associate relationships… to how we really feel about scaling too fast—this episode pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build a thriving dental business without losing your mind (or your passion).

If you’re growing a practice, leading a team, or just wondering if this dental thing is supposed to feel this hard… this one’s for you.

🧠 You’ll hear:

• Why fee-for-service isn’t about better margins—it’s about better relationships
• The hard truths about team fit, culture, and letting people go
• What makes a partnership work (and what causes them to crash)
• Why more offices ≠ more happiness (trust us)
• And how to find your passion again—even if it’s not clinical work

🎧 Hit play to listen now—and don’t forget to share it with another dentist who could use some clarity.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to our first live audience episode
• 01:30 – Why we started the show + Spokane love
• 03:00 – What the show is really about: clarity, ownership, impact
• 05:00 – First audience Q: Fee-for-service fears and skillset doubts
• 08:00 – Why building patient relationships is the real secret
• 10:00 – Associates who do less and make more (and how)
• 12:00 – Is it a mindset or a system problem?
• 14:00 – How our partnership started + our failed verbal contract 😂
• 17:00 – Why most partnerships don’t work
• 19:00 – Ryan’s reflections on choosing the right partner
• 21:00 – What we wish we knew: team misalignment and firing too late
• 24:00 – The compounding cost of keeping the wrong person
• 26:00 – Clinical growth + finding your lane
• 27:00 – What brings you passion? It's not always more money
• 29:00 – How we choose new practices (and mistakes we’ve made)
• 33:00 – Why you shouldn’t scale until your first office is maxed out
• 36:00 – Multi-practice mistakes to avoid
• 38:00 – The truth about money, stuff, and happiness
• 39:30 – Wrap-up: Let us know if you liked this format!

In this heartfelt and hilarious episode, Chase and Ryan reflect on the lessons they’ve learned from a humble old-school veterinarian whose simple advice left a lasting impression. The guys explore what it means to lead a values-driven dental practice in a world obsessed with upsells and upgrades. From nostalgic stories about their early days in dentistry to bold commentary on modern business models, this episode is a call back to service, simplicity, and genuine patient care.

They unpack why the best practices might not always be the biggest, why culture still beats convenience, and what it looks like to “make smiles about more than teeth.” Whether you’re growing a multi-location practice or dreaming of a chill one-chair setup with a dog by your side (no cats allowed, sorry), this one is for you.

👉 You’ll hear:

• The hilarious origin story of The Dentist Show
• Why the “vet mindset” might be the future of great dentistry
• Thoughts on nickel-and-dime businesses and how to avoid becoming one
• How growing a practice doesn’t have to mean losing your heart
• A passionate debate on dogs, cats, and why wet noses might make or break your practice 😂

If you’re ready to rethink what success in dentistry really looks like, hit play now—and then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front desk MVP who’s ready to level up. Or better yet, send it to another dentist who needs to hear it.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome back to The Dentist Show
• 1:30 – The show almost had a way worse name
• 3:15 – Chase’s dog Boxer and a testicle story you didn’t expect
• 6:00 – Life during dental school + poor pet parenting
• 8:00 – The OG vet who inspired this episode
• 10:00 – Hamburger + rice and the power of simple care
• 12:15 – Why today's businesses always want more money
• 14:20 – Could the one-man-show model still work today?
• 16:10 – Overhead, profits, and what we owe our team
• 17:40 – Efficiency vs. Connection: Striking a balance
• 19:00 – Painting walls after long days and loving the grind
• 21:30 – “If this all ends, I want a dog in the office”
• 23:00 – Dogs = cool, Cats =...internal resorption?! 😅
• 25:00 – Cat herpes, cat people, and accidental science
• 27:15 – The real message: Be the good. Be like the vet.
• 28:30 – Why memories and experiences matter more than money
• 29:00 – Wrap up: Share the episode, especially if you love dogs 🐶

Quarter 1 is officially in the books, and let’s just say—it didn’t go how we thought it would… but maybe it went how we needed it to.

In this episode, we sit down to unpack the highs, the lows, and the surprising leadership lessons that showed up over the past few months. From celebrating major wins across multiple offices to facing hard truths about our own leadership gaps, we’re pulling back the curtain and giving you the real, unfiltered story.

We’re sharing the moments where we got it right, the moments we hesitated too long, and the conversations that changed everything. Plus, why stepping into leadership—even when it's uncomfortable—is the difference between flatlining and real growth.

This isn’t just a Q1 recap—it’s a blueprint for anyone trying to lead a dental practice (or any business) with more clarity, more courage, and a heck of a lot more intentionality.

You'll hear:

✅ Why strong culture without strong performance isn't enough
✅ The hard but freeing conversations that moved our team forward
✅ How hiring—and firing—with clarity changes everything
✅ Ryan’s breakthrough in leadership (and why he's blocking off every future school break 😂)
✅ And our plan to build the highest-performing, highest-paid dental teams possible

If you’re growing a practice—or thinking about it—this is your sign to tighten up your culture, step into stronger leadership, and get your team rowing in the same direction.

🎧 Hit play now and let's dive into everything Q1 taught us (the good, the bad, and the hilarious).

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome back + rollerblading jokes and bull skull tattoos 😂
• 02:30 – Spring break chaos and chasing family time
• 04:00 – How Q1 stacked up vs. the end of 2024
• 06:00 – Getting every office profitable (and why that's rare)
• 07:30 – Spokane office turnaround + associate wins
• 09:00 – The power of founder energy in new locations
• 10:00 – Leadership mistakes: waiting too long for hard conversations
• 12:00 – When you know someone’s not a fit—and what to do about it
• 14:30 – Firing the "nicest" people and what it teaches you
• 16:00 – Building leaders who lead better than us 🙌
• 17:00 – Why culture is strong—but performance is the next frontier
• 19:00 – How to balance high culture AND high performance
• 20:30 – Recruiting sixes and sevens—and leveling up fours and fives
• 22:00 – The real goal: building the highest-paid, highest-performing teams
• 24:00 – KPI talk: leading indicators vs. lagging indicators
• 25:00 – Wrapping it up: new patients don't fix everything—systems do

Let’s be real—most don’t into dentistry thinking, “I can’t wait to be the CEO of a fast-growing business.” But then it happens.

In this episode, we talk about what it actually feels like to wear the CEO hat inside your practice. From making hard calls on insurance and team culture to the weight of leadership and wondering if being “the guy” is all it’s cracked up to be—this one's honest, raw, and hilarious (per usual).

We also break down:

• Why Chase was rethinking the whole CEO thing mid-book read 😬
• How Ryan’s been stepping into leadership by still showing up in the operatory
• The tension between scaling and simplifying
• And how different types of dentists need different types of leadership paths (yes, we made ourselves into video game characters...again)

If you're feeling the pressure of running a business and practicing full time, this episode will make you laugh and maybe cry (or at least feel seen). Whether you're solo with one op or overseeing 7+ practices, there’s gold here for anyone trying to lead well without losing it.

👉 Hit play to listen now—then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front desk MVP who’s ready to level up. Or send it to that other dentist you know needs to hear this.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome to the chaos: voices, video, and Mickey Mouse
• 01:45 – Getting called back into the chair: Chase returns to clinical work
• 03:00 – Turning around an office through treatment planning
• 04:20 – What makes a good CEO? Looking 5 years ahead
• 06:10 – The loneliness of leadership (according to a book we can’t remember)
• 08:00 – Org charts, awkward titles, and the "CEO weight"
• 10:15 – The Chandler insurance debate: drop or double down?
• 12:30 – Are insurance companies helping or hurting?
• 14:30 – The "good stress" that comes with growth
• 16:00 – Chase’s all-star clinical day (root canals and humble brags)
• 18:00 – Wild detour: glow worms, Mickey Mouse accents, and Australia stories
• 23:30 – From hands-on to hands-off: how your role evolves with growth
• 25:00 – Would you ever go back to a tiny practice and no insurance?
• 27:00 – CEO mindset: seeing your practice like a business
• 29:00 – Wrapping it up: be the leader your team needs, whatever your size

We just got back from a full day at the Closing Institute Bootcamp in Dallas—and let’s just say, we’ve got thoughts.

In this episode, we’re unpacking everything from training your front desk team to why your treatment plans are probably overwhelming your patients. You’ll hear our honest takeaways from TCI, some hilarious behind-the-scenes moments from the trip, and why simplifying the plan might be the key to increasing case acceptance.

We dive into:
✅ The difference between a sales script and a patient-centered conversation
✅ Why presenting one clear treatment plan leads to better results (and happier patients)
✅ How to anchor consults so you don’t get lost in small talk
✅ What restaurants, cruise ships, and Costco have to do with dentistry
✅ Plus: The “car analogy” you can steal to help patients actually get the value of your treatment options

This episode is packed with laughs, takeaways, and real talk about growing your practice by getting clear on what your patients actually want.

🎧 Hit play now to hear our full breakdown of Day 1 at TCI—and forward this to a dentist you know who’s stuck giving 4 treatment options and watching patients walk out confused.

LINKS:

• https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome from Dallas + Alligators and Ironman flashbacks
• 02:30 – Why we're at the Closing Institute Bootcamp (TCI)
• 04:00 – Are new patient problems actually front desk problems?
• 06:15 – The training problem no one talks about in dentistry
• 08:00 – Restaurant training vs. dental onboarding: what gives?
• 09:30 – What stuck out most from the first day of TCI
• 11:00 – Anchoring conversations so consults don’t go off the rails
• 12:30 – Case acceptance: rapport vs. efficiency
• 14:00 – Stop explaining implants—sell the outcome
• 16:30 – Why we need to focus more on aesthetics and function
• 18:00 – The Cadillac vs. Chevy analogy for case presentation
• 21:00 – The partial denture rant + what patients really want
• 23:00 – Only present one plan—here’s why it matters
• 25:00 – The Costco vacuum lesson: help people decide
• 26:30 – Pricing psychology + how we nudge toward better care
• 28:00 – Final takeaways: clarity wins, one plan converts, and patients want outcomes

Let’s be honest—training your team to answer the phones, present treatment, or greet new patients shouldn’t be optional. It’s the foundation of your practice... and one of the biggest make-or-break points for growth.

In this episode, Chase and Ryan dive into how great leadership starts with great onboarding—not just for your team, but for your systems, your culture, and your patients. They talk about how empowering your staff to think like owners instead of order-takers transforms your practice from the inside out.

We cover:

⚓ Why onboarding is the “captain’s wheel” of your dental office
⚓ How front desk phone calls shape patient trust in seconds
⚓ The real reason cruise ships and dental offices have more in common than you think
⚓ Why you need to sell your care—because if you believe in it, you should be able to communicate it
⚓ How to shift your team from “I’m just here for a paycheck” to ownership and buy-in
⚓ And the one small tweak that can instantly boost case acceptance

This episode is for every dentist who’s tired of feeling like they’re the only one rowing the boat—and ready to build a crew that’s aligned, trained, and steering toward the same mission.

🎧 Hit play to listen now. Then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, that front desk MVP who’s ready to level up—or another dentist you know who needs to hear this.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Welcome back + Chase’s airline upgrade hack 😂
• 02:15 – How onboarding is like steering a cruise ship
• 04:30 – Why your front desk experience is your real first impression
• 06:45 – What cruise ships taught us about leadership and delegation
• 09:00 – Empowering team leads to make decisions and own outcomes
• 10:30 – Phone calls that cost you new patients before they even arrive
• 13:00 – Training your team: scripts vs. stewardship
• 15:45 – Sales in dentistry: why it’s not a dirty word
• 17:30 – Case acceptance and the heart of ethical persuasion
• 20:00 – If you believe in your treatment, you should want to close it
• 21:45 – Why your systems reflect what you tolerate
• 23:30 – Teaching your team to anticipate problems and solve them
• 25:00 – Getting buy-in without micromanaging
• 27:00 – Final thoughts: You don’t have to row alone
• 00:00 – Welcome back + Chase’s airline upgrade hack 😂
• 02:15 – How onboarding is like steering a cruise ship
• 04:30 – Why your front desk experience is your real first impression
• 06:45 – What cruise ships taught us about leadership and delegation
• 09:00 – Empowering team leads to make decisions and own outcomes
• 10:30 – Phone calls that cost you new patients before they even arrive
• 13:00 – Training your team: scripts vs. stewardship
• 15:45 – Sales in dentistry: why it’s not a dirty word
• 17:30 – Case acceptance and the heart of ethical persuasion
• 20:00 – If you believe in your treatment, you should want to close it
• 21:45 – Why your systems reflect what you tolerate
• 23:30 – Teaching your team to anticipate problems and solve them
• 25:00 – Getting buy-in without micromanaging
• 27:00 – Final thoughts: You don’t have to row alone

In this episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on something real—those moments when life feels heavy, and you feel totally “off.” Even if everything is actually going well on paper.

Ryan opens up about hitting one of the lowest mental points he’s faced in a long time—while still running a thriving dental practice and showing up for his family. Chase shares how easy it is to fall into habits that numb us instead of helping us grow (cereal, anyone?), and how the smallest mindset shifts can bring you back to life.

This isn’t a “tough it out” episode. This is about recognizing when you’re stuck, admitting you need a reset, and actually doing something about it.

We cover:

• What it feels like to be “on” all day and still feel empty
• Why burnout shows up quietly—and how it messes with your habits
• How Ryan reconnected with his purpose through a dusty old manifesto
• The power of one positive interaction (even a single LinkedIn like!)
• Why personal development beats business goals every time
• And the truth: no amount of money or success can fix misalignment
  
  

This episode is for any dentist (or human) who feels like they’re giving their best to everyone else—but forgetting how to take care of themselves.

🎧 Tune in now and hear the exact steps Ryan took to start climbing out—and how you can too.

LINKS:

Connect with us: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Kicking off with cereal, kids, and motivational podcast dad jokes
• 01:00 – Why our teams often get the best of us—and our families get what’s left
• 02:30 – Coming home exhausted after a long day of dentistry
• 03:30 – The cereal spiral: how snacking became a metaphor for burnout 😂
• 05:00 – Ryan opens up about hitting a mental low point this year
• 06:15 – Realizing how mindset and routine affect your mental health
• 07:30 – Rediscovering a forgotten manifesto and reconnecting with purpose
• 08:45 – The turning point: deleting social apps, reconnecting with a coach
• 10:00 – How one LinkedIn like changed the entire week
• 11:00 – Finding hope again through coaching and new habits
• 12:30 – Why dentistry can leave you feeling like a “loser” if you let it
• 13:30 – “Make the choice”—simple steps to reset when you're in a funk
• 14:30 – Personal development > practice growth
• 16:00 – The truth about money, success, and why hitting goals won’t heal you
• 18:00 – Living in alignment: Ryan’s take on happiness and fulfillment
• 20:30 – Why we compare ourselves and how that breeds guilt/shame
• 22:00 – The money trap: making more but still feeling empty
• 24:00 – What to do when you’re out of integrity with who you want to be

Let’s get real—buying your first dental office (or your next one) is nothing like they teach you in school. There’s no class on how to win over a team who just found out that the doctor they love sold the practice... and you’re now the new boss.

In this episode, we talk about the real, raw, and sometimes hilarious moments that come with buying a practice. From awkward first meetings and team resistance to why chocolates and Hydro Flasks are our secret weapon, we’re breaking down the emotional rollercoaster of acquisitions.

We even go off on a few bunny trails that could help you nail your first or next acquisition—yes, we compare buying a practice to Trump’s election, Elon Musk cleaning house and what we can all learn, and the weird politics of scrubs and phone scripts. 😂

You’ll hear:

• What it’s actually like walking into a brand-new team that didn’t choose to work for you
• How to handle the “he didn’t tell us he was selling” energy from long-time employees
  Funny IV sedation stories that remind us all we’re human (and that YouTube really is a tool)
• Why the phrase “I deserve this” is a major red flag when building team culture
• And how to lead with humility when stepping into someone else’s legacy
  
  

👉 If you’re thinking about buying a practice—or already in the middle of an acquisition—this episode is a must-listen. Learn what works, what doesn’t, and why leading with gratitude always wins.

LINKS: https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Snow in Spokane vs. Arizona heat
• 02:30 – Patient says: “No one learns on my mouth” 😂
• 04:00 – Ryan’s wild IV story + Googling procedures mid-case
• 07:30 – IV tips, tricks, and why Chase struggles with hands
• 10:30 – Sedation cases: wins, fails, and rodeo days
• 13:00 – Trump, Musk, and buying your first practice??
• 14:15 – Walking into a team that didn’t choose you
• 15:40 – Why gifts (and lunch) go a long way with new teams
• 17:00 – “Can we paint the walls?” + unexpected first-day requests
• 18:15 – Phone call battles: marketing problems or mindset problems?
• 20:00 – Team change resistance: “I’ll take the swag, but not the script”
• 22:00 – Cutting costs ≠ being the villain
• 24:00 – Don’t forget: your team didn’t choose you
• 25:00 – What to do when they’d rather quit than adapt
• 27:00 – The real reason patients ask questions (hint: it’s about trust)
• 28:10 – You get what you create—period
• 30:00 – The gratitude test: who says thank you and who bounces
• 31:00 – Serve your team first. Lead by example.

🎧 PS! Don’t forget to share this with a dentist friend who’s about to buy their first practice!