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