Let’s be honest—if you’ve ever built a business, you’ve likely felt the pull of just one more thing. Just one more late night. One more patient. One more office. In this solo episode, I’m laying it all out: what led me to the edge of burnout, what I’ve learned about healthy limits, and why I’m drawing a line in the sand when it comes to how I lead and live from now on.

This episode isn’t about whining. It’s about waking up. I’ve been running at 100 miles an hour, trying to be everything to everyone, and convincing myself I could do it all. But even dentists who “look like they have it together” hit a wall. And when you do, it doesn’t mean you failed—it means it’s time to build differently.

I talk about the cost of ignoring boundaries, what true partnership looks like (in marriage and business), and how to own your “average” seasons without shame. You’ll also hear why I’m not afraid to change direction, even if it means disappointing a few people in the process.

This one’s real. This one’s raw. And if you’ve ever felt the tension between ambition and actual life, I think it’ll hit home.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why Ryan is doing this solo episode
• 01:40 – When you hit your capacity and keep going anyway
• 04:25 – The personal cost of saying yes too much
• 06:32 – Burnout isn’t about being weak—it’s about not resting
• 08:55 – How Ryan learned to redefine success in this season
• 11:30 – The hardest part about slowing down
• 13:44 – What real growth looks like after the hustle
• 16:05 – Boundaries, bottlenecks, and the blessing of simplicity
• 19:21 – Final thoughts for any dentist trying to do it all

In this episode, Chase puts Ryan in the hot seat to break down the emotional rollercoaster of launching their latest dental startup. From unpredictable days to unexpected wins, this is the raw debrief most practice owners never share out loud.

Starting a new dental office is rarely what you think it’s going to be. Chase takes on the role of interviewer in this week’s episode, asking Ryan to reflect honestly on the chaos, confusion, and surprises of their newest startup.

Ryan opens up about how disjointed the first few weeks felt—even with strong hiring and good systems in place. The hardest part? Leading through the fog. When your team is looking to you for direction and you don’t yet have clarity yourself, it’s a gut-check moment.

They discuss team dynamics, emotional stress, communication breakdowns, and the temptation to avoid hard conversations. Ryan shares how “looking like you have it together” isn’t the same as actually leading, and what it takes to find your rhythm mid-mess. If you're planning a startup or recovering from one, this conversation is both validating and eye-opening.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Chase’s opening question: “What surprised you most about this startup?”
• The emotional tension of unclear direction during the first month
• How a few misaligned hires can create ripple effects across the office
• Ryan’s honest take: “I didn’t show up the way I needed to”
• The danger of avoiding hard conversations when things feel fragile
• Learning how to lead when you don’t have all the answers yet

👉 Want the real story behind the startup glow-up?

Hit play to hear Chase and Ryan pull back the curtain on what those first 90 days really looked like.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Intro: This startup hit different
• 2:10 – Chase: “What did we think would happen... and what actually happened?”
• 4:05 – The first two weeks: chaos, burnout, and doubt
• 6:50 – “I wasn’t the leader I wanted to be”
• 9:15 – When your team feels the tension, but no one says anything
• 12:00 – Missed expectations, no-shows, and schedule gaps
• 14:35 – “We built the house while living in it—and lit it on fire”
• 16:45 – Learning to give grace while still setting standards
• 19:30 – What we’re changing for the next startup
• 22:00 – Final thoughts: You’re not alone in the mess

Quarterly numbers are in… but the real question isn’t what the spreadsheets say—it’s whether your practice actually grew. In this raw and real episode, Chase and Ryan unpack the wins, losses, and loops from Q2 and challenge you to stop repeating the same cycle and finally move the needle.

In this no-fluff, behind-the-scenes episode, Chase and Ryan reflect on Q2's performance across their dental practices. Spoiler: it wasn’t all sunshine and profit margins. From an explosive April to a painful May and a “meh” June, they break down the highs, lows, and what they’ve learned (and didn’t fix) this quarter.

The duo gets honest about the reality of dental leadership: identifying problems is easy—but solving them? That’s the hard part most owners avoid. They share why many dentists are stuck in repeat loops, the sneaky comfort of chaos, and how some offices are quietly crushing goals while others struggle to grow.

You'll hear insights on team culture, case acceptance training, margins, and their controversial idea to cut underperforming insurance plans. And yes, they somehow tie it all together with a custom Nike shoe contest, awkward dad jokes, and a team-wide David Goggins-inspired Q3 rally cry.

💡 Key Takeaways:

• Why recognizing problems isn’t the same as resolving them
• Q2 breakdown: strong April, brutal May, flat June—and what caused it
• How case acceptance training is starting to pay off (and where it still needs work)
• The risks (and rewards) of dropping poor-paying insurance plans
• New Q3 theme: Action. No Excuses.
• How to lead your team out of the repeat loop and into performance-driven culture

👉 Ready to dive deeper?

Hit play now and join us for the full conversation. Let’s break the cycle and make Q3 the turning point.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com/

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome & weather banter from AZ to WA
• 1:30 – Hayden, Idaho isn’t as “free” as they thought
• 2:15 – Q2 recap begins: did we really grow?
• 4:45 – Brutal May: High payroll + low collections
• 6:30 – June: A recovery or just treading water?
• 7:45 – Rising case acceptance—why it matters
• 10:00 – The treatment planning course that's shifting momentum
• 11:45 – What “mid” hygiene numbers reveal about patient retention
• 13:00 – Chandler chaos vs. Cave Creek calm
• 14:45 – Should we drop insurances? (The real math behind it)
• 16:30 – Growth vs. repetition: What kind of leader are you?
• 19:00 – Defining a winning Q3 and the 40% case acceptance goal
• 23:30 – The Nike shoe challenge: competition as culture fuel
• 26:30 – Replacing repeating staff with growing leaders
• 28:00 – Dad jokes, icebreakers & book ideas (yes, seriously)
• 30:00 – Q3 theme: Action. No Excuses.
• 32:00 – Closing thoughts & CTA to reflect on your own Q2

If you're thinking about buying your first dental practice—or already deep in the process—this episode is a must-listen. Chase and Ryan are pulling back the curtain on what really happens when you make that first purchase. Spoiler alert: it’s not all clean numbers and smooth transitions.

From team dynamics to misleading seller promises, they share the gritty, honest truths most brokers won’t tell you. They even bring ChatGPT into the mix to compare AI advice with real-world experience—and spoiler: the guys still come out on top.

You’ll hear stories of team walkouts, overpromised seller support, and the wild variability that comes with every transition. Whether you’re planning to buy soon or just want to hear what goes down behind the scenes, this episode is filled with candid insights and practical tips.

And don’t worry—there are plenty of laughs, Post Malone references, and even some boating mishaps sprinkled in along the way.

What's Inside:

• Numbers can lie—without context: Collections and income might look good on paper, but dig deeper. Look at doctor dependency, write-offs, and team costs.
• The team might not be on your side (at first): Some will love you, some will loathe you. Expect a rocky start and don’t take it personally.
• Sellers rarely follow through on transition promises: Get everything in writing. Most docs mentally check out the moment the check clears.
• Morale is impossible to measure pre-sale: You won't meet the team ahead of time for a reason. Be prepared to deal with culture shifts.
  You’ll feel like you overpaid—and that’s normal: Every buyer thinks they paid too much. Every seller thinks they got too little. It’s just part of the game.
• Create your own culture: Whether the old team stays or goes, you get to build the team that’s right for your practice long-term.

👋 Thinking about buying your first practice?
Don't go it alone. Shoot us a DM on Instagram [@thedentistsshow] or email Chase at chase@thedentistsshow.com with your questions. We’ve been there, we’ve made the mistakes—and we’re happy to help you dodge them.

🎯 And hey—if you got any value from today’s episode, do us a favor: like, subscribe, and share this with a friend who’s thinking about buying their first practice. It helps more than you know.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Welcome Back & Why We’re Saying This Up Front
• 1:30 – Ryan’s Beef with the 4th of July
• 3:00 – Patriotic Boat Parade Fail
• 4:40 – Cabin Life, Tattoos & Summer Catch-Up
• 7:00 – Post Malone, Face Tats & Country Vibes
• 9:15 – Introducing Today’s Topic: What They Don’t Tell You About Buying a Practice
• 10:20 – ChatGPT vs. Real-Life Experience: Numbers Without Context
• 13:00 – Reading Between the Lines of the P&L
• 14:40 – Ask Better Questions—Don’t Rely on the Broker
• 16:00 – Expect Chaos: No Practice is Perfect
• 17:30 – Team Loyalty: The Wildcard in Any Transition
• 19:00 – Our Experience with Resistant Teams
• 21:15 – When to Let Toxic Team Members Go
• 23:00 – Why You Never Meet the Team Before Buying
• 25:00 – The Myth of the Seller Staying On
• 27:00 – Soft Promises & Quick Exits
• 29:00 – The Real “Goodwill” Transfer: Just Shake Hands
• 30:30 – Final Thoughts + Why We Still Do It
• 32:00 – DMs, Contact Info & What's Coming Next

In this raw and relatable episode of The Dentists Show, Ryan opens up about one of the most stressful sedation cases he’s ever faced—a situation that pushed him to his edge as a dentist and leader. What started as a routine All-On-X procedure under IV sedation turned into a chaotic and dangerous experience when the patient became combative mid-surgery.

Ryan walks us through the moment-by-moment decisions he had to make—balancing patient safety, team confidence, and the legal and emotional weight of it all. Chase jumps in with his own stories, and together they unpack the wild world of sedation dentistry, sharing lessons on teamwork, emotional resilience, and knowing when to laugh so you don’t cry.

If you've ever thought, Why do I do this? — this episode is for you.

🎧 Loved this episode? If you’ve ever had a day where everything went sideways in the operatory, you’re not alone. Share this episode with a fellow dentist who could use a laugh (or a therapy session), and don’t forget to subscribe so you never miss these real, unfiltered convos from the trenches of dentistry.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 0:00 – Sweaty backs, gas station food, and Scottsdale heat
• 2:00 – Team outings and fine dining in surprising places
• 3:00 – Burnt wood decor and the irony of fire
• 3:40 – Ryan’s no-good, very bad sedation day begins
• 5:00 – When a patient goes from peaceful to combative
• 6:20 – The mental chaos of making high-stakes calls fast
• 7:30 – Giving reversal meds and hoping for the best
• 9:00 – How flumazenil saved the day—after a quick Google
• 10:30 – Was she over-sedated? Or just hit fight-or-flight?
• 12:00 – Redheads, weed, and sedation unpredictability
• 13:40 – When dentistry feels like a combat sport
• 15:00 – Why sedation stress hits differently
• 16:20 – Ryan’s go-to coping mantra on bad days
• 17:30 – The moment you walk past your family and just need a minute
• 18:30 – Chase’s sedation fails and why weed smokers are the worst
• 20:00 – Rookie assistants, real-time chaos, and how to train on the fly
• 21:20 – PSA: Your worst day isn’t your last one
• 22:15 – Dark dentist humor and the stress of “almost”
• 23:00 – Pulse ox tricks and unexpected saves
• 24:30 – What stress actually means for your growth
• 25:00 – Learning from the frustration and doing it better next time
• 26:00 – Keep calm, finish the case, and go home at 3

Welcome back to another episode of The Dentists Show!

In this candid and strategy-packed conversation, Chase and Ryan sit down to talk about what it really takes to scale a dental practice without losing your mind (or your margins). From understanding the key metrics that actually move the needle to challenging outdated beliefs about marketing spend, the guys dive deep into what it means to be growth-minded and numbers-driven in today’s world.

Whether you’re just getting started, prepping for expansion, or feeling stuck in the middle of a plateau, this episode will help you zoom out, refocus, and take smart, strategic steps forward. (Spoiler: It’s not about chasing every new patient—it’s about building systems that retain and multiply them.)

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How they track numbers across multiple practices without getting overwhelmed
• Why high-performing teams need more than financial targets—they need ownership and clarity
• The surprising insight that not all marketing spend is created equal—and how to know what’s working
• When to pivot from patient acquisition to patient retention—and how to measure that success
• Why 1% improvements in daily systems are often more valuable than chasing shiny new tools
  
  

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Success doesn’t happen by accident—it happens by intention, structure, and a team that knows what winning looks like. This episode is a powerful reminder that data isn’t boring—it’s your roadmap to growth.

📊 Ready to make your numbers actually work for you? Hit play and let Chase and Ryan show you how to bring more clarity, consistency, and cash flow to your practice.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: Why Tracking Matters More Than Ever
• 02:16 – Chase breaks down how they track production by provider and team
• 04:45 – From reactive to proactive: how dashboards create momentum
• 07:12 – Why they stopped chasing “more new patients”
• 09:58 – Marketing spend check: what’s actually driving results?
• 12:20 – Ryan’s reminder: “Retention > Acquisition”
• 14:35 – The new game plan for retention and reactivation
• 16:02 – Helping your team own the goal without micromanaging
• 18:44 – What’s next: staying aligned as you scale

Welcome back to The Dentists Show! In this episode, Chase and Ryan dive into one of the most overlooked yet powerful drivers of practice success: culture. They don’t hold back, sharing real stories from their offices and peeling back what truly motivates a team—and what happens when perks take center stage instead.

Together, they explore why some teams thrive on camaraderie and service, while others seem to lose their edge even when showered with freebies. From potlucks that bring people together to the downsides of catered meals that feel more like obligations, Chase and Ryan talk about what really binds a team: shared goals, contribution, and purpose.

Ryan reflects on the deeper impact of “serving one another,” suggesting that when leaders model generosity (think home-cooked meals over take-out) it breeds a sense of pride and teamwork that money can’t buy. Chase agrees, noting that perks may feel good in the moment, but they rarely build the kind of enduring loyalty that drives long-term results.

By the end of this candid conversation, you’ll see why leaning into team culture and creating real connections will always matter more than free food or short-term incentives—and you’ll probably feel inspired to look at your own leadership through a new lens.

Key takeaways you’ll hear in this episode:

• Why offices with the most perks often have the highest turnover
• The power of potlucks and shared meals for team bonding
• Why perks can backfire without a strong underlying culture
• How serving each other raises morale and builds commitment
• How to recognize when your team feels more “entitled” than “engaged”

🎧 Hit play to listen to the full conversation, and then forward it to your team lead, your ops manager, or that front-desk MVP who’s ready to level up. Let’s grow better cultures together!

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why perks don’t build culture
• 02:45 – The power of shared meals and potlucks
• 05:30 – What happens when free food feels like an obligation
• 07:50 – Serving one another as the secret sauce
• 10:15 – Why perks often backfire without real connection
• 12:35 – Creating a culture of contribution over entitlement
• 15:00 – How home-cooked meals show you care
• 17:20 – Leaders must model generosity first
• 19:45 – Turning perks into meaningful moments that last
• 22:10 – Final thoughts: Real culture drives long-term success

Let’s face it—talking numbers in dentistry can feel uncomfortable. But if you want to grow a practice that’s both impactful and profitable, the numbers matter. In this episode, Chase and Ryan get real about the financial habits, benchmarks, and mindset shifts that helped them scale to where they are today.

From understanding monthly production goals to identifying how much each provider should bring in, they pull back the curtain on how top-performing practices think about money. But it’s not all spreadsheets and production charts—this conversation also dives into how money can be used as a tool to fuel purpose, freedom, and growth for the entire team.

If you’ve ever felt stuck between wanting to serve and needing to earn, this is the episode that will reframe it all.

LINKS:

https://www.thedentistsshow.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Why money conversations matter (and why most dentists avoid them)
• 02:15 – The difference between production goals and personal goals
• 06:30 – How to calculate what each dentist should be producing monthly
• 10:05 – When “hitting numbers” becomes a team culture
• 13:45 – What to do when a team member isn’t pulling their weight
• 17:20 – Chase’s story of learning the hard way about financial expectations
• 21:00 – How to turn money into purpose-driven growth
• 25:55 – Why these financial conversations build more than just profit