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!

We’re back for Part 2 of our conversation with the one and only Dr. Brady Smith—dentist, social media star, and all-around hilarious guy. If you thought Part 1 was good, buckle up, because we dive even deeper into the world of dentistry, content creation, and building a brand that actually makes a difference.

In this episode, Brady shares:
✅ How he went from making funny parody videos to performing stand-up at dental events
✅ What it was like opening for Sebastian Maniscalco (yes, really)
✅ The insane nerves he had before going on stage for the first time
✅ Why he avoids brand deals and instead focuses on growing his influence his way
✅ The power of storytelling and how it’s shaped his success in both dentistry and comedy
✅ The launch of his “Oral Fixation” stand-up comedy tour—yes, a dentist is going on tour!
✅ Why he believes sponsorships and dental conferences are broken, and how he’s found a way to do it differently

Brady also drops golden advice on personal branding, building relationships, and why he’s hesitant to fully embrace the influencer title.

🚨 If you’re a dentist looking to expand your reach and make an impact beyond the chair, this episode is a must-listen.

And don’t forget—Brady’s stand-up comedy tour is coming soon! Check out his website at DrBradySmith.com for tickets and tour dates.

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 - Welcome back to The Dentists Show!
• 02:00 - From viral dentist to stand-up comedian—how Brady got into comedy
• 06:45 - Performing at Thrive Live and opening for Sebastian Maniscalco
• 10:30 - Why nerves are good and how Brady got past his fear of public speaking
• 14:00 - Building a brand: How to stand out in a crowded industry
• 18:30 - Why Brady avoids brand deals (and what he does instead)
• 23:00 - The Oral Fixation Tour—bringing comedy to dentistry
• 27:15 - Sponsorships, conferences, and why traditional dentistry is broken
• 32:00 - Final thoughts: How dentists can start thinking bigger

🔥 PS: If you’re a dentist (or just a fan of hilarious content), go follow Dr. Brady Smith on TikTok and Instagram (@DrBradySmith)—and don’t forget to grab your comedy tour tickets before they sell out!

For the first time on The Dentists Show, we’ve got a guest—and he’s not just any guest. Dr. Brady Smith is a TikTok and Instagram sensation, known for his hilarious and relatable content about the wild world of dentistry. But behind the laughs, Brady is also a successful dentist, practice owner, and the founder of the Halo Dental Network, a nonprofit focused on providing free dental care to those in need.

In Part 1 of this two-part interview, Chase and Ryan sit down with Brady to talk about:
✅ How he blew up on social media and built a massive following
✅ The crazy stories from his early dental career (some you won’t believe)
✅ How dentists can use humor to connect with patients
✅ The challenges of running multiple practices while balancing content creation
✅ The infamous controversy with hygienists and how it led to board complaints 🤯
✅ His biggest mistakes and biggest wins in the business of dentistry

Brady also shares his mentorship experience with Patrick Bet-David, how that changed his entire approach to branding, and why he believes every dentist needs to start thinking like a content creator.

🚨 This is just Part 1! Be sure to come back for Part 2, where we dive even deeper into social media, patient trust, and the future of dentistry.

👉 If you’ve ever wondered how a dentist can go viral—and still run a successful practice—this episode is a must-listen!

Episode Minute By Minute:

00:00 - Welcome to our first guest, Dr. Brady Smith!
02:30 - From dentist to TikTok star: How Brady built his audience
06:45 - The tooth fairy practice idea (and why it’s hilarious)
09:20 - Social media and dentistry: Why content matters
12:00 - The infamous hygienist controversy and board complaints 😬
16:30 - Running multiple practices while being a viral creator
20:15 - The real reason dentists struggle with patient trust
24:40 - Lessons from Patrick Bet-David: Why dentists should build brands
28:50 - Halo Dental Network: Giving back through free dentistry

Come back for Part 2—don’t miss the rest of this conversation!

🎧 And don’t forget to share this episode with another dentist who needs to hear it!

🔥 PS: If you’re a dentist wondering how to use social media to grow your practice, this episode is packed with real talk, practical advice, and plenty of laughs. Be sure to hit subscribe so you don’t miss Part 2!