Practice owner and dentist Dr. ArNelle Wright joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to acquire and lead a dental practice. Drawing from her firsthand experience, Dr. Wright shares the financial surprises she encountered post-acquisition and why mental preparation is just as important as due diligence.

The discussion explores how thoughtful patient communication can make or break a transition, from personalized outreach to humanizing leadership during times of change. Dr. Wright also reflects on her commitment to mentorship, building strong team culture, and leading with intention in an increasingly corporate dental landscape. Together, they examine how legislative changes, student borrowing caps, and economic pressures are shaping the future of dentistry and why financial literacy is no longer optional for today’s doctors.

What should future dental owners know before taking the leap? And how can leadership, adaptability, and mentorship shape a more sustainable path forward?

Dr. Wright closes with reflections on her non-traditional journey into dentistry, balancing ownership with motherhood, and her vision for empowering the next generation of dental leaders.

Board-certified vascular surgeon and chief medical resource advisor at Locum Tenens Dr. Miechia Esco joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for an in-depth conversation on the realities—and misconceptions—of locum tenens medicine. Drawing from a career that spans academia, military medicine, private practice, and locum work, Dr. Esco offers a firsthand look at how locum physicians adapt across diverse clinical environments and why experience, not transience, defines the field.

The discussion highlights the critical role locum physicians play in underserved rural and urban communities, helping to bridge gaps created by physician shortages and hospital closures. Dr. Esco and Dr. Jerkins explore the growing demand for locum physicians across all specialties, the flexibility and autonomy locum work can provide, and how it compares to traditional employment in today’s evolving healthcare landscape. They also touch on the influence of technology and AI while reinforcing why human judgment, compassion, and trust remain irreplaceable in patient care.

What does it really take to succeed as a locum physician? And how can mission, ethics, and culture shape a more sustainable future for healthcare?

Dr. Esco closes with advice for physicians considering locum work, reflections on legacy and leadership, and a reminder that meaningful impact in medicine often comes from meeting communities where they need you most.

Fourth-year medical student and anesthesiology residency applicant Avery Wooten joins Dr. Michael Jerkins for a candid conversation about navigating medical school on the road to the Match. Avery reflects on her path from UNC Chapel Hill to UCSF, the mentorship that helped shape her journey, and how social media became an unexpected tool for transparency and guidance.

She shares how she balances clinical rotations, content creation, and interview prep, while offering insight into the modern residency application process from virtual interviews to the power of personal storytelling. The discussion also explores the financial pressures facing today’s medical students, shifting priorities around work-life balance, and why authenticity matters more than ever in the Match.

What does it really take to stand out as a residency applicant today? And how can mentorship—both online and offline—help demystify the process for the next generation?

Avery closes with reflections on burnout, humor, and staying human while navigating one of the most demanding seasons of medical training.