POPULARITY
Authority isn't just about putting out episodes. True authority comes from strategic leadership and making every piece of your platform work toward your bigger vision in a system and strategy. In this episode, Erik K. Johnson sits down with Paul Etchison, dental coach, successful podcaster, and founder of Dental Practice Heroes, to reveal how creating a podcast intentionally turned his expertise into a thriving coaching business. Together, they unpack the power of warm leads, authentic storytelling strategy, and why niching down can supercharge growth. Important Links: Paul Etchison's Website: http://dentalpracticeheroes.com Subscribe to the podcast: Apple Podcasts: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/apple Spotify: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/spotify Website: http://www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/podcasts Episode Segments: 00:17 How a Podcast Strategy Builds Dental Authority 01:13 Warm Leads vs. Cold Leads, Why Podcasting Changes the Game 02:24 From Dentist to Coach: Unexpected Pathways 03:57 Getting Uncomfortable with Coaching 05:05 Launching the Podcast: Lessons and Emotions 07:11 The Surprising ROI of Podcast-Driven Lead Flow 09:13 The Power of Speaking Engagements 11:06 Auditing the Podcast for Growth 12:58 Tapping Into Authenticity and Letting Personality Shine 14:39 From 1 to 4 Strategy Calls a Week: Real Engagement 15:44 Intentional Craft: Mastering Questions & Storytelling 17:18 Using Coach Collaborations and Roundtables to Grow 18:04 Scaling the Brand with Associate Coaches 21:21 What Paul Would Change if Starting Over 22:22 Narrowing the Niche, Defining Transformation 23:11 The Strategy Behind Content, Guests, and Engagement 25:04 Overcoming Imposter Syndrome With Authentic Value 26:00 The Next Level: Evergreen Coaching, Masterminds, Retreats 26:46 Scaling Revenue Beyond Dentistry; Breaking 7 Figures 28:28 How To Attract High Ticket Clients with a Micro-Niche 28:52 Where To Find Dental Practice Heroes and Free Resources Key Takeaways: - Warm Leads are Everything Paul Etchison shares how his podcast turned nearly every new client into a pre-sold warm lead, bypassing skepticism and building immediate trust. The difference between a cold stage introduction and a podcast referral is night and day. - Be Yourself — That's the Shortcut to Authority Authenticity isn't a cliché. It's the engine behind engagement. Dr. Paul Etchison and Erik discuss letting personality breathe on air, from sharing personal moments to embracing natural strengths on the mic. - From Scattered Content to Strategic Growth Start with a strategy. When Dr. Paul Etchison narrowed his focus and set intentional outcomes for each episode, engagement soared and his coaching roster filled up. His advice for new podcasters: crystallize your audience, your purpose, and never stop refining your craft. - Small Audience, Big Impact You don't need a massive following to command authority and drive six-figure results. The right message, to the right people, at the right time will fill your calendar and fuel your authority engine. Episode Highlights: How to build an ecosystem and strategy of offers, events, and communities directly from your podcast The value of podcast audits to find gaps and supercharge engagement Leveraging multiple show formats (solo, interviews, roundtables) for trust and conversion Real examples of revenue growth and price elasticity in a niche coaching business Connect with Paul Etchison: Website: http://dentalpracticeheroes.com Explore free webinars, his branded app, resources, and details on how he drives transformation for dental practice owners. Next Week: On the next episode, we talk with Jenn Trepeck, host of Salad with a Side of Fries. People are not starving for information. They're starving for someone who understands what it feels like to be stuck. Jenn has built authority in the health and wellness space in a way that cuts through all the noise and truly connects. We'll have that conversation for you next week. Ready to strategically grow your podcast authority? You've published the episodes. You've stayed consistent. You know your content is good. And yet… You're not being seen as the authority in your niche Your podcast isn't creating the level of influence or opportunity you expected People listen—but they don't take action And you sound professional… but not unforgettable The truth? Consistency alone doesn't create authority. Intentional leadership does. Are you ready to turn your podcast into an authority engine and not just more content? Would you like to move from best-kept secret to recognized authority? Let me audit your podcast and find the gaps in your authority strategy. We will uncover your authority positioning problem, develop your plan to succeed, and see how I can help and support you to achieve your podcast goals. Get your podcast audit at www.PodcastTalentCoach.com/coaching.
Build Generosity Initiative - "What Am I Building With My Finances?" - Jayson Etchison
Chris Holman welcomes Brent Forsberg, Developer, Lansing Growth Fund, Lansing, MI. with Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, LAFCU, Lansing, MI. Welcome, Brent, tell us about Lansing Growth Fund? Welcome, Kelli, tell us why you are supporting the Lansing Growth Fund and the project they are working on? Brent, please share more details about the Holmes Pleasant Grove Project for Southwest Lansing? Kelli, what will it mean for that portion of Lansing to have access to a LAFCU branch? Brent, what are the next steps for this project? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Watch MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/
Feeling a rift between your team and struggling on how to address it? Join Dr. Paul Etchison of the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast as he recounts a challenging situation that sparked real change in his practice. Sharing his story of tension between the front desk and clinical teams, Paul opens up about stalling, fumbling, and ultimately succeeding in having a much-needed conversation. He reveals how the magic of validating one's perspective (even without agreeing completely) can bring down walls and pave the way for constructive solutions. Tap into this episode if you want to improve your communication, leadership skills, and overall practice dynamics! You'll learn that difficult conversations are not obstacles but the gateway to better relationships, growth, and success in your dental practice.Check out Paul's Media:Website: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/Podcast: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/podcastListen to Paul's Other Episodes Here:479: Are You on the Road to Effective Dental Leadership? The Blueprint for Teamwork | Dr. Paul Etchison – The Dental Marketer Podcast300: Dr. Paul Etchison | Nelson Ridge Family Dental – The Dental Marketer PodcastMMM [Internal Marketing] Small Details That Make a Big Difference in Team Communication – The Dental Marketer PodcastThe First Episode of 2023 & The Advice and Reflections Some of Our Guests Have Had! – The Dental Marketer Podcast"What is 1 thing You Wish You Knew Before You Opened Your Start-up/ Acquisition?" – The Dental Marketer Podcast455: Dr. Paul Etchison | Achieving Peace of Mind: Embracing Delegation for a Harmonious Dental Team – The Dental Marketer PodcastHost: Michael AriasJoin my newsletter: https://thedentalmarketer.lpages.co/newsletter/Join this podcast's Facebook Group: The Dental Marketer SocietyLove the Podcast? Follow on Your Favorite App! https://lnkfi.re/TDMPod
Good Friday - Jayson Etchison
Kiera joins Dr. Paul Etchison on the Dental Practice Heroes podcast to talk about the infamous front desk and how to finally figure out what levers should be pulled and which should be pushed to get the department in ship-shape. The best part about this episode is that Kiera and Dr. Etchison make the steps to success easy to understand and implement. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: The Dental A Team (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners, this is Kiera. And today we are sharing a guest interview I did on another podcast. And it was too valuable not to bring you guys here. this episode, you're gonna hear this host lead the conversation and then I'll wrap us up at the end. I cannot wait. It was truly one of my most incredible episodes and I truly hope you enjoy. speaker-0 (00:19) Kiera, so glad to have you back on the podcast. It's always a joy having you on here. And I'll tell the listeners, I've worked personally with Kiera a number of occasions, someone I very much trust, someone I respect entirely in the industry and just knows her stuff and always a great guest to have you on. And today we're going to be talking about, you know, front desk stuff where I work with a lot of clients. Do you work with a lot of clients? I don't know if you share the same regard. I would love to hear your opinion on this, but I would say most of the clients that I work with, the front desk tends to be their most chaotic and unorganized department. I mean, do you feel that you share the same sentiment? speaker-1 (00:59) Yeah, Paul super excited to be on the podcast with you. Always enjoy a good chat and I mean, think proof's in the pudding. Do you remember the number one reason you called me to work with you the first time? Oh yeah, I was front office. speaker-0 (01:12) I think it was the second time and the third time. speaker-1 (01:14) It really all those times were and the answer is yes and this is why I created Dental A Team is because like Working in the dental college and seeing so many dental students like you guys learn how to Drop your box on an MO and like how do I have a perfect crown prep? You don't learn how do I do the billing and how do I do the insurance and how do I schedule patients like you learn how to have patient etiquette and great dentistry and so that's why I created Dental A Team like it's dentists and teams like hey dentist let's get you to rock your space and then let's work on the team side because because even myself as a team member, there was no learning. It was like, just do it. And I'm like, well, what do I just do? And so I think the front office just feels so elusive. It feels so scary. And like, Paul, you're in someone's mouth. You're not like, ⁓ how do I do an insurance claim? And so I think there's so many nuances, but also for dentists, the front office is the gatekeeper of your money. Like they're the ones who schedule for you. They're the ones who present your cases for you. They're the ones who collect the money for you. They're the ones who bill for you. So so much of your financial freedom and like, your paycheck is also directed by a department you don't even understand. So I think that that's why there's so much just like, it's not conflict, it's just almost like unknown and it feels daunting. And so you don't even know what levers to push or pull because you don't even understand how the how the engine works. It'd be like, hey, Kiera, my car is making a sound and I'm like, good, I don't know what to do. Like, that's not even my realm. And I think that that's how a lot of dentists feel about the front office. So, yeah, that's why that's why I exist and why I love to be on the podcast and share because it doesn't need to feel daunting or scary, nor do you need to do it all. I think just being aware and knowing what things to look for, what things you can expect and having a hopefully a trusted voice in the industry where like, hey, I'm here, no judgment. Like just ask all the questions and let's help you guys get your team up to par. And also for team members, cause they, lot of times don't even know what they should do either. speaker-0 (03:05) Yeah, absolutely. They're just thrown in there and said, here, figure it out. Do it. Just answer the phone and do all this fun stuff. I mean, like, I think what struggles for dentists as practice owners is we just don't understand, like you mentioned. We don't understand, like, how to send a claim, how to look at an insurance breakdown. But whereas every other element of the practice, we have a deeper understanding on it. Do you think, I mean, I'm sure it would be beneficial, but is it necessary for a dentist to learn everything about claim submission and all these things? front desk related? Or can we get by with some more higher level organizations such as you provide? speaker-1 (03:41) I think, Paul, it depends on who you are. think Paul Etchison, I would say you probably can get by with some high level. You got it, you got it figured out, you can sift through. For some other doctors, they want to at least know. But I would say it's a blanket statement across the board. I think at least having a slight awareness, go up to the front office and just sit there and be like, hey, walk me through how you submit a claim. ⁓ I think you even knowing some of the jargon, the language of what's going on up there. Like, can I see an EOB? ⁓ That's like, and I think it's kind of like, go back Paul, being a business owner, I equate front office to like a PNL and CPA and bookkeeping. We have all learned how to run a business without being a CPA or a bookkeeper, but it's because we're in the language of the PNL. And I think, how can you get into the language of the front office? You know yourself, but. I think abdication and just like delegation, like hands off is probably a dangerous space to be, think for any business owner. Like I don't want to be in sales, but if I don't understand the sales process, that's not going to work. Marketing, like, okay, great. But I need to at least understand the nuances of it. And I think that's the same for front office. So I would say as a simple blip, why not just go up and listen to how your front office schedules? Why not go up and just see how they submit claims or verify insurance? And then, yes, I would talk to and listen to podcasts by the Dental A Team or other trusted individuals in the field. ⁓ We have online courses that we've created for all of these. Not so dentists learn it, but just to like, what's kind of my, I don't know, like front office for dummies, like go back to those books that they had, like, what's my quick overview to where I'm not going to get screwed over, I'm not going to get embezzled from, I'm going to know what to expect of my team. And I'm even happy to share even simple job descriptions of what those roles can and should be doing. I think even that knowledge alone helps doctors just feel more confident and competent of like, ⁓ my office manager should be acting like a COO. My billers should be acting like a CFO or an accountant. Like they should at least know this and be able to bring things in. And my over 90 should be know more than 5 % of my collections. Like knowing just those little pieces, I think ⁓ that's just going to give people more confidence. But again, equated to how you work with your CPA and your bookkeeper. You didn't know that, but you were immersed in the language of it. And I think the more you can just look, know, learn without doing. And I'm talking like this is like a week or a month. Like it's not like years and years. Like you could just quickly get affiliated with it. But I think audits and spot audits once a quarter would really be beneficial. And if you're a hands-on person like myself, literally have your front office have you like submit one claim and submit and put in one payment onto the software, ⁓ do one insurance verification, do one scheduling. It might feel weird, but just like you have your front office come back and watch a crown so they can explain it in a treatment plan, just doing it one time also gives you a lot of familiarity that I think you can catch a lot of things just because you almost know what does A plus B equals C, how does that equation actually work. speaker-0 (06:54) Yeah, and I love that CPA analogy because that makes a lot of sense. Like we don't get deep into the bookkeeping and deep into the profit and loss, but we do know enough that we can use it. You know, and I see with like the front office is that a lot of dental practice owners, just don't see the value and they just don't see like why to provide the training out there. And it's such a large part of the practice. I mean, just like, like if you could like pick just a few, what are some downstream things that happen that us as owners see that is more visual to us? evidence of lack of training upfront. speaker-1 (07:27) Yeah. ⁓ Paul, I don't disagree and I think it's something crazy because it's like hygiene is so important and so we like focus a lot on hygiene and make sure it's there. But your front office is the, I call it like the bookends of the practice. They're the initial ⁓ information for the practice and the first impression and then they're also the last impression. And I can't tell you how many doctors I'm like, Paul, you're amazing, but your front office is actually destroying your business and you don't even know it. So things that you might not catch or see are sometimes like your front office with billing, like look at your review. because if your billing is having problems, it will pop up in reviews and they'll say like, they charged me wrong or they didn't quote me right. Like that's gonna do some red flag alerts for you just to be able to quickly see. Usually the billing issues downstream are gonna show up in the reviews and patients leaving the practice that you might not even know about. ⁓ Other things that I think you can catch are like, if you have any type of recording of phone calls or have a family member that you trust, just be a random new patient with air quotes on it. and give feedback of how they were treated on the phone. I think that's a really good way to find out because if your front office puts them on hold or they don't have like genuine care and customer service centric, patients are going to leave that you don't even get the opportunity and you're spending all this money on marketing. But then our front office is like, could you please hold? And it's like, great, super happy to be put on hold or I can't get you scheduled in or even like, I think sometimes dentists, you. Kind of like myself, when I go into a practice, I'm like a creepy little hangout behind the scenes. Like, doctors, if you have a little bit of downtime, just go like hang on the wall and listen to how your front office team is answering the phones, how they're presenting treatment plans. You probably like, areas that I see a lot of opportunities that are missed are, how are we converting our phone calls and getting patients on the schedule? How are we scheduling? Like, are my patients saying, I cringe when I go in. I cringe when I hear phone calls. I cringe when I hear another scheduling. I cringe when we're presenting treatment. If a patient's like, I'll just wait. They're like, OK. I'm like, OK. No, like, we should go past this two times. There's ways to do it. Or if a patient calls about a balance and they're like, it's OK. We'll just write it off. And I'm like, we're writing that off? ⁓ You can look at audit trails to see what is being written off on your accounts in billing. ⁓ You also can look at your AR. You could quickly just run the AR report. You don't even have to know. A good benchmark is less than 1 % of your collection, or like one month's worth of collections should be all that's in your AR. So if you're producing 100 grand, we should have no more than 100 grand in total AR. So those are just some downstream of, think, like really making sure our schedule's full and we're treating patients amazing so they're not leaving before we even get that opportunity. Are cases being closed? And like we've got great verbiage to close cases. And then honestly, like there was a practice and I walked in and there was a huge stack of checks and I was like, what are these doing? They're like, I just don't have time to enter those. And I'm like, well, we don't have time to like pay you either. So get those checks in like really truly. I'm not trying to be a jerk, but like you've got to get these in. ⁓ And then looking at the claims and how much AR sitting in there just to see, and then doing a quick audit trail to see I had a practice. had about, gosh, about a million dollars worth of AR. And I was like, is high. And they're like, yeah. Like if we can't get in touch with the patient, we just write it off. And I was like, I'm sorry, what? Like you just write? They're like, yeah, we try. But like, if they don't answer, we just write it off. And I was like, so that's like not allowed. And we need to have the doctor approve those. So I think some of those little pieces, and those can be set up with audit trails or permissions within the software. And I think even just some of those safeguards can really help a practice. Like these are, think, a lot of red hot fires that could be worse than you realize. Dr. Paul, you could be doing amazing dentistry, but if your front office team is not great on the phone, not great with case acceptance, not great with billing, you might accidentally be losing a lot of, like there's just a lot of open holes and you're trying to put in more by diagnosing more and doing more dentistry at the top. But our buckets got quite a few little leaky holes that even if we put like patched a couple, you'd see your practice grow a lot more with minimal effort. speaker-0 (11:47) Yeah, I always like to think of the idea that if we've got like a $1 million practice and typically we see case acceptance in like the one third, like 33 % ish, you know, when we're looking at a fee. So you would think that we're diagnosing $3 million. So most doctors will focus on the things such as like, well, let's work on the way I talk to the patient. Let's work on this. Whereas completely missing the fact that, I mean, just even getting a 5 % increase in case acceptance that would come from training on the front desk end versus stuff that you would do on the back. So it's like, it's a valuable part of the office. But, you know, I'd love to ask you, we've got this part of the office that is a lot of competing demands, a lot of different things to do at once. And what I see is doctors often getting upset at their front desk when they're not filling the schedule because the doctor has a cancellation and now the doctor has time to like say what is going on and they go to the front, they say, well, who's filling the schedule? And everyone's like, well, we're doing this, this, this, and this. How do you, as an owner, like, help a department see these competing demands and have the right sort of priorities. speaker-1 (12:53) Yeah, Paul, there's a great book ⁓ that I am obsessed with this year. We sent it out to a bunch of people and let's see. Hold on. I'm looking it up. You know, I really love it. Clearly. I think it's called Begin with We. Let me just double check myself on it. I'm pretty confident looking it up real quick. ⁓ It's We. Yes, Begin with We and it's by Kyle McDowell. And it was something that I really got obsessed with this year because there was a one of his 10 rules is outcomes over activity. And I realized that I think that that is one of the greatest hiccups in the dental practice is we're so obsessed with activity, but not outcomes. And so in a dental practice, I'm really big on what is the outcome that this position needs to get. I don't want them and I used to do this. Like I used to have end of day checklists that were like front office team needs to make 25 re-care calls. And then I was like, why am I saying that? What I really want from those 25 re-care calls is I want a full schedule and I don't want my team to be perfect, but I do need to make sure that the main outcome. So like one main outcome or KPI or metric per position and they know and like some people are like, Carol, how do get your team to do this? And I'm like, my team knew that if our schedule was not full, they were not going home. like period, like you're gonna, I don't care, you're gonna stay until eight o'clock at night, but like that schedule is expected to be full. And it's not that I'm like driving hard lines. It was, this is the most important thing. So my scheduler, their goal is that they need to have my doctor scheduled to goal 90 % of the time, like we are scheduled to go or it's front office team knows that my hygiene schedule needs to be completely full with all confirmed patients because don't worry, they play games and it's like, well, my schedule is full. And I'm like, yeah, well, half of these weren't confirmed. They're gonna be no shows. So it's a... My schedule is full or we're allowed one hygiene opening with all of our hygienists per day. But like by end of day, this needs to be done in every day that that's our goal. And our goal is to make sure that hygiene is up to goal 90 % of the time. We track it daily. We track it weekly. We make sure they're there. My treatment coordinator, my doctors need to be up to goal, like to their scheduled daily production goal. That's the expectation every day is that they're scheduled to goal. And when I look at the course of a week or a month, my expectation is that 90 % of my days, Paul, you're hitting your daily goal. Well, now that and that's like, that's their main focus. I think so often we're like, we want the schedule full, we want the patient experience, we want this and we want that. But I'm like, if I can simplify it for my team, just like my AR, my AR needs to be less than one month's worth of collections and I need less than these amounts per category. Great. There's so many other things they can do that they can get busy and like, I got to answer the phone. But if I know before I leave, like the way I win and the way I check my day off is. I've got my doctor scheduled to goal, I've got my hygiene schedule full and we've got our months collections done. Those are three of your biggest areas. Of course there's a thousand things, but when we lock and load on that and my doctor needs to diagnose X amount, ⁓ it does also then impact our case acceptance because guess what? Now that treatment coordinator is like, shoot, I have to get Dr. Paul up to, I don't know, 5,000, 8,000, whatever your daily goal is. And I know that that's my expectation and I'm going to be reporting every single week on this. And what happens if I don't hit goal? So some people incentivize with bonuses. Some people, this is just part of your job description. Some people are meeting on weekly one-on-ones and like helping them through it. Some people like treatment coordinators work with their doctors and they review treatment cases every single week. But if you can laser focus each one of them, but it's not a would like to have, it's a must have as a culture. And we are a culture of we hit our outcomes consistently and we don't miss those. We don't have to be perfect, but that's what we track and measure by. That's how you improve at practice. And then all the other noise goes away because me as a team member, I'm not trying to compete for what I think is most important. You've helped me know and we've aligned and we've agreed. And I know what's going to be the outcome if I choose not to. And then everything else kind of falls into place. As a front office team member, there's a lot to do. But I think just giving one or two really helps streamline that. speaker-0 (16:56) So like what I hear you saying is that if it's important to you as the owner, you've got to. make it important to the team as well. And that's by discussing, making it a focus. Yet, I find that a lot of practice owners are very scared, and I don't know if scared is the right word. Maybe fearful of ⁓ pressing too many buttons up there. know, like upsetting people, over-asking, asking too many things. I mean, do you think that practice owners need to have a mindset shift around the leadership that comes with the front office? speaker-1 (17:29) I think it's a... I don't know, like it's almost like a family motto and it's a team motto. Like we all work and contribute and each of us is part of this bigger whole. And so like if Dr. Etch does not diagnose enough dentistry for us, like that's a broken part in our whole like wheel. And I need to be as a team member able to count on Dr. Etch to be on time for our patients and to diagnose enough treatment for us. Like that's his part of our puzzle. And if he doesn't do that, I need to hold him accountable. And so it's not a Dr. Etch's like top dog supervisor, we're all part of this to make a hole and we all need to be able to have like go to five dysfunctions of a team. Like how can we have more healthy debate and call each other out? ⁓ I love thinking of sports analogies where like they want to win. We all know what like win on the scoreboard looks like and I can only imagine like, could you imagine like we'll just use the Chiefs. I like everybody knows the Chiefs like right now. So like could you imagine Patrick Mahomes? Like someone doesn't block for him and he gets completely smashed and he's like, Hey coach Reed, could you please tell the team to tell them to block? It would be ludicrous. Like Paul, you even laugh about it because it's so ridiculous. Instead in the moment he's like dudes block for me. Like I'm not, we're not going to win if you don't do your job. But yet in the dental office, we don't see ourselves in that way of being able to call each other out when we're not, we're not doing our part of the puzzle to win on the team. And so I think doctors, I think that's the mindset. mindset shift of you should be able to hold them accountable just like they should be able to hold you accountable and if we see it, a lot of times I like these KPIs to be up on a board where it's visible and it's either green or red and my name's on it and I know that I've got to contribute and we look at this whole family aka your practice every week and are we green or are we red? Did Dr. Etch hold up his end of the deal? Did I hold up my end of the deal? Did our other person hold up their end of the deal? And when you start to see that, It's like a sports team and we say we have this scoreboard to know if we're getting the W at the end of the day or if we're getting the L and we have to call each other out when we're not. Yes, we're here to help, but we also are a team of outcomes over activity and a team of ownership mindset where I own that and I make sure that I'm blocking for you so you can like go and win the touchdown. But all of us are winning collectively together. We don't just have a superstar all star. It's a collective effort. So I think. Yes, you can be concerned, I think doctors, you push buttons when you come up and you're like, who's filling my schedule? Rather than maybe you hang out and just listen for a minute and hear how things are going, that you could then take that into coaching in the future. ⁓ You are always praising good behavior, but you have a clear scoreboard. It's like you don't have to go up there. But if we're missing the scoreboard, then we have conversations more consistently, so it doesn't feel out of the blue. We're able to coach and counsel more often, and that's just part of it. We call each other out in the moment rather than like, talking around each other, we call each other in the moment. speaker-0 (20:26) I love like just the idea of that it's a culture piece and you make a part of your culture and it's more like macro level. It's like we're looking like, like you mentioned, the outcomes over the activity. ⁓ if, if I'm a doctor and I'm listening to this podcast right now and I'm like, yeah, that sounds great in theory, but that would never work in my office, not with my personnel and not with my team. They wouldn't take that sort of constructivism or that, that feedback and they wouldn't have that, that team attitude. And I deal with this a lot with coaching clients and I'm sure you do as well. It's a culture change that's required, but it could make the owner's life so much easier if we just only had to focus on the outcomes and not so much micro things. How would you suggest a doctor maybe have this conversation with their front office team to say, like, I want it to be more like this. This is what my vision is for this. Help me get to this point. Like, what do you think that would sound like? speaker-1 (21:22) Yeah, and I do love this. This is why we coach like doctors and teams. This is why we come in because sometimes an outside voice is easier than an inside voice, right? Like I get it. It's scary for me. This is why like know yourself and be free. And if you're not the one that's like I'm good at setting a vision, but like holding lines like this is not my jam rock on like you need a good pair to you. That's a great office manager who's really good at communicating this and getting a team on board. So I think like sometimes doctors show they've got to be the producer, the diagnoser, the sales, marketing, all the pieces plus the accountability. I'm like, know what you're really good at. Paul, I look at you, you're an amazing visionary, you're really talented at dentistry, you're great at culture, and your office manager was kick a next to you. She did so good at holding pieces together and you would bring in training to give her support so they could grow to the next level. You are like you're like I'll kind of do it, but like that's not who I am. I'm the same way I've got an operations person next to me and can I do it? Yes, but is that my zone of genius? No, and that doesn't mean we abdicate and we're like, well just because I don't like it don't do it, but I think like if you're really good at this then rock on and do it. But doctors, we need a vision of where you're going. And that's your main thing that we need from you of like, what does this look like? Where are we headed and why? Like what's the lighthouse on the hill that we can all rally behind? And then we need a really good like leadership team or office manager next to us. And every time I talk to doctors about joining us in consulting, my first question is like, great, what are your issues, problems? Like tell me about your practice and who's your implementer next to you. And if they don't have a strong OM next to them, I know that that's 90 % of their problems. So we need to fill that seat next to them because a good yin and yang, Paul you know this just like I do, they need to be that accountability person. You're drilling and filling, but then that becomes part of our culture and I think if you've never been this way, a good way to take this into action is like let's have a team like state of the company or like next vision or whatever you want to call it, but like this is how we've been operating. And this is where we're moving to and this is why and this is how it's going to make all of our lives easier. And I understand that it's going to be a little jostly and hey, so maybe you hire a coach or consultant that's going to help with that. Maybe you and your office manager rally. But I have found and I have seen that a lot of times having somebody outside can help. Like Paul, that's why you hired us is because like we needed an outside voice even though we were saying the same thing. to come and I love all of our consultants, we've been team members, we've been in the front office, like we've been there, done that, done it successfully to really empathize and understand. But I think it's gotta be a, is where we've been, this is where we're going, this is why. And if a doctor were to say, that's not my team, they won't relate to that, I would say, look at you first and say, like, choose your heart. If your team's that way, like, do you really wanna move into this next layer? Like, how bad is that pain? Because if you're not willing to do this, your team's not going to follow you either. But you are the culture setter of your practice. So what you tolerate, it's not what you say, it's what you tolerate. And so that is truly your standards of the practice. So I would say it's also a, you got to have like a little like conversation with you in the mirror of, I really willing to change my culture? Am I really willing to go through the like, there is a chasm you've got to cross. But the other side is truly beauty and it does work and teams do actually thrive if they know how do I get my win? What does my doctor truly want from me? And teams genuinely do want their doctor to thrive. Like that's why they're there. So I think you have to be committed to holding that line, to driving that vision, to having the uncomfortable conversations and making them comfortable and having a really good person next to you. It can be a DA, it can be an OM, it can be a hygienist. But I think a lot of times having two voices that move it forward oftentimes are easier. But doctors, you've got to be a really strong lighthouse on the hill. And you've got to be committed. And you're willing to go through the effort to change a culture. ⁓ Culture doesn't happen overnight. Culture is a slow burn that takes a while to turn. ⁓ But I think it's like the Titanic. You don't think it's moving. But then when you look up, it has made progress, even though it didn't feel like it. And I think that that's the same with culture. speaker-0 (25:35) Do you feel that, I mean, it's almost like, and I see this with my clients, is that they're focusing on the wrong area. Like, we're looking at, someone might reach out to you and say, hey, my front desk, I want them to do this, they're not doing this. I want them to do this other thing. They dig their feet in, they say no. I mean, can you tell the story of a recent client that you worked with that maybe came in and was pointing a lot of fingers, but really, it just needed to look in the mirror? speaker-1 (26:01) Yes, this happens often. And I think it's like a whack-a-mole. And I think that that's why people do reach out for coaching. I think that they recognize that I'm spinning all these tops and I just don't know where I need to go. And it's like, great. So a recent client that I would say they were so obsessed about their hygiene department and they were trying to run around. They're like, we need to fix this, we need to fix that. And I was like, actually what you're saying with all these words that you don't realize is you just want more profitability. You're stressed out of your mind. So you're going after all these different things when we just need to get your profitability dialed in. We need to figure out like where are we cash bleeding and fix that issue because your hygiene department probably only needs like a small uptick, but you're after that. You're after this person, you're after this, but your real main problem is your cashflow low. Like that's it. And that's a you thing. That's a you not knowing business. That's a we need to fix that. And then we look at which systems do we need to implement or which department do we need to go attack that's going to actually fix that problem for you. And so I think so many times people want to, like we hear podcasts, right? So it's like, okay, I'm taking notes today. I'm going to go check in on all these KPIs. But sometimes like something I love about how we consult is a lot of consulting companies like ABCD, you got to do that. And for me, I look at, all right, what are we already doing really well? what is the true pain point of the practice and what's the one, two or three things that are very easy changes that are going to exponentially get you out of the problem you're in and move you forward. I might have a set way that I want you to say a phone script. I might have a set way that I want your case acceptance to go but those might not be the root issue and the root issue might be you as a leader need to get us a vision. I will tell you Paul, we had a mastermind in person and people were like complaining like my team's not bought in, my team's not bought in and I was like all right guys, I just have a quick question. If I were to walk into your practice today, how many of you like talk to your team, you're not allowed to give them influence. How many of them could tell me where we're going and like where we're headed in the next five to 10 years? They did not raise their hands. And I was like, that's your problem right there. You have not given this team where we're going, why we're going. And so they're just rowing their own little boats over here thinking they're doing the most important thing versus I'm headed towards this. This is my number. This is how I win. And you gave them that clarity. and you looked in the mirror first and got the vision. So I say, this is twofold. There was one of, you need to give the vision to your team. You need to have the clarity of where you're going. And second, instead of playing whack-a-mole and like trying to fix every little thing, what's our true root problem that we need to solve? And if things are going good or like mostly good, let's go after the fastest, easiest levers. Like people are like, I need more profit or production. I'm like, okay, what are the easiest, fastest ways? Increase our production, increase our collections, decrease our spending. Production. diagnose more, close more cases, look at our block scheduling and look at our hygiene. Like those are like your simplest easiest ways and make sure like our schedules fill to goal. Like that's really there's not a lot that we have to do that I think we sometimes over complicate when we could simplify and make it a lot easier. And I think that that's probably the whole message of this of there. I think it's actually a lot easier to get to where you're trying to go. I just think like go all the way back to the beginning. It's like my car is making this sound and I don't know how to fix it. So I'm going to try the spark plugs. I'm going to try the brakes. I'm going to try the da da da. When really all you needed to do was just like fill it up with gas. So just finding that simple piece I think is where people, it's hard because they don't know. So they're going to play whack-a-mole rather than give me the vision, get the numbers dialed in and let your team thrive in those departments. speaker-0 (29:39) I couldn't agree more. I love that you said that. I think that's going to be so useful for so many people to hear. Talk about what the Dental A Team is up to this spring and how people can reach out to you if they want to learn more. speaker-1 (29:51) Yeah, we are always like, we're just here to help. So we do doctor and team training, we do virtual and in-person. We have in-person masterminds, which are super fun for doctors to get connected. And I didn't like to be the owner that like, I go get rallied and then my team doesn't. So I'm really big on like, let's rally you and your team so you don't have to try this. Like, got super pumped on the podcast, but like, hey, OM, could you go listen to this podcast and do your job better? So we do a good job of blending for people. so, yeah, in February we're in person and then in April we're doing our master, our summit. So we always do a summit. And if you guys tell us that you heard about it ⁓ on Pulse, definitely you will get ⁓ a VIP ticket, but that's going to be on April 24th. It's a four hour CE. It's our amazing summit. Head on over to TheDentalATeam.com or you can email us Hello@TheDentalATeam.com I'd love to have you there. But yeah, if you're like, gosh, I just need help. We do like a full practice like autopsy with you and like, hey, let me just give you some free advice. Let us help you out. But yeah, anyway, we can help you and your team streamline. So doctors can be amazing doctors and CEOs. Teams can level up to their highest potential and we do it together. Conjecture like Paul, Paul's an amazing doctor. Like talk to him about like doctor mindset. I don't know how to tell you how to do a fill. Like that's Paul's world, but how to get your team on board and how to rally with you and support you in the life you deserve. That's what deadly teams about. And I would say doctors, be selfish. You're CEOs. You should be the dentist. You should be the CEO. You don't need to be the everything. You don't need to know all the front office. are people that can help you and support you. ⁓ But learning that and getting your team the tools, that is your job to do. And I would encourage you to reach out if we can help in any way. And always, always a huge fan of Paul and his group. And listen to Paul. He's got brilliant ideas. He's one of my favorite dentists that I've ever coached. And he's an amazing person at culture and. of being able to drive people to results. And I think I'm just a good jelly to his peanut butter. We do the team side. do the helping your doctors get to the life they want through team execution. speaker-0 (31:50) Awesome, Kiera. Thank you so much for coming on the podcast. I always enjoy having you on, love connecting with you and listeners. Go check out Kiera's stuff. She's brilliant. She is a brilliant person and she knows how to get your team on board and to do the things that you want them to do. So thank you so much, Kiera. speaker-1 (32:06) Thank you. I appreciate it so much, Paul. Thank you so much. The Dental A Team (32:09) All right, Dental A Team listeners, that was the guest interview that I absolutely loved. And I hope that if there was one idea that stood out to you, don't just agree with it, but actually go implement it this week. And if you need help setting this up in your practice or you need help just navigating or need a friend, head on over to TheDentalATeam.com and I'll be able to help you guys out. Click on the book of call or any way that we can support and serve you. That's what we're here for. That's what we're obsessed with. And as always, thanks for listening and I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team podcast.
"I think we're reaching a breaking point where people are starting to reflect and say, 'Man, I don't know if the juice is worth the squeeze anymore.'" — Dr. Paul Etchison Recorded live at Voices of Dentistry 2026 in sunny Gilbert, Arizona, Alan sits down with a VOD favorite, Dr. Paul Etchison of the Dental Practice Heroes podcast. They dive deep into the staggering reality of modern dental school debt, the "juice vs. the squeeze" of ownership, and why dentists should probably stay away from the restaurant business. The Debt Wall The financial landscape for new dentists has shifted dramatically. Alan and Paul compare the "then vs. now" of education costs: The 1997 Reality: Alan graduated with roughly $85,000 in debt. The 2009 Reality: Paul finished with around $235,000. The 2026 Reality: In-state tuition at schools like the University of Michigan can exceed $400,000 before living expenses, often resulting in $4,000–$5,000 monthly loan payments right out of the gate. Ownership: The Only Way Out? While ownership comes with "headaches," Paul argues it remains the most viable path to outrun massive debt. The Associate Cap: Even high-producing associates (doing $2M/year) are limited by their percentage. An owner doing the same production sees a significantly higher return. Value Creation: To be a top-tier associate or a successful owner, you must move beyond "bread and butter" dentistry and master communication and case presentation. Building Skills and Getting "Reps" Deep Dive vs. Scattershot: Instead of taking random weekend courses, find a specialty you enjoy (Endo, Ortho, etc.) and commit to it. The Endo Struggle: Paul and Alan discuss the importance of "reps" and why waiting for the "perfect" case often prevents you from ever getting good at the procedure. The Microscope Factor: Using a scope can find the MB2, but it doesn't necessarily make you faster without the volume of experience. The "Curated" Business Model If dentistry vanished tomorrow, what would these guys do? The Sausage and Bread Theory: Alan highlights small businesses in Northern Michigan that succeed through curation rather than volume. The Bourdain Warning: A nod to Anthony Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential, which famously warns dentists against buying restaurants just because they "throw a good party." Some links from the show: Paul's 3-Day Freedom Practice Workshop The Dental Practice Heroes Podcast Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
Life On Mission - Part 2 - Week 4 - "Built For A Life On Mission" - Jayson Etchison
Kiera is joined by Dr. Paul Etchison to talk about changing the mindset of turnover = failure. This transition is part of the evolution of leadership. Both Kiera and Dr. Etchison share their own experiences in remaining true to core values, and keeping their definitions of success separate from whether a team member stuck around or not. Episode resources: Subscribe to The Dental A-Team podcast Schedule a Practice Assessment Leave us a review Transcript: Kiera Dent (00:00) Hello, Dental A Team listeners. This is Kiera and today is an extra special day. I have one of my faves and every time we podcast, people say, you two just seem like you love each other so much. And I really do. I've been to this man's practice. We've been friends in the industry for I don't even know how many years pre-COVID. That's a long time. And we've been on each other's podcasts a lot. He has an incredible podcast. He's an incredible human, incredible friend, incredible mentor. I got the one and only Paul Etchison on the podcast today. Welcome. How are you today, Paul? Paul Etchison (00:28) Hey, I'm good. And I was just thinking about how you mentioned like the pre-COVID thing. You texted me a picture of when you came into my practice for two days. And it was like before COVID. And what was funny about it, and I don't know if it's funny or not, but like I looked at it and half of my team has turned over. They're all new people. So I know. ⁓ Kiera Dent (00:36) cute. Mm-hmm. It's real life, Paul. That's real life. It is funny and isn't because I go back and I used to be embarrassed about that. So let's just kind of highlight on that. I used to actually be very embarrassed of like, my gosh, I don't have senior team members. And like, I hate the question. There was a hot minute. The Dental A Team felt like I was Johnny Depp in the middle of the ocean and my boat was full blown on fire. And I was like, I just hope another one shows up soon. Like I hope something comes. ⁓ And then I realized that's business ownership. Like that's real life. And yes, we built these great cultures, but you outgrow team members and team members outgrow you in life circumstances. And I'd rather be honest and real rather than perfect. And so the fact that like teams shift in a lot, mean, shoot, I used to have this vision board, Paul, you want to hear how ridiculous this was? And I took the team and I put them in the one year, the three year, the 10, and I just had this like same team follow with me. That lasted me for like six months. And I was like, rip this thing up. Paul Etchison (01:31) Yes. You Kiera Dent (01:40) It's gotten better, it's stabilized, but I think that that's real life. So thanks for talking about it. Paul Etchison (01:44) It's hard, yeah, I mean, we look at it and I think like the beginning of my practice career, I had very little turnover, but it was, I had to put so much into keeping that. Like it was such a hard thing to keep going. there was a lot of team members that I kept and I was able to make them happy and I was able to have it be a productive relationship and they were good at the practice. But sometimes I look back on it I'm like, man, it was just, that was a lot of energy I put into one person. I should have just moved on. So that's how I practice now. It's different. There's a little bit more turnover and I think that's normal and that's part of business ownership. So we're okay. Kiera Dent (02:16) What changed in your mindset for that? I have so many questions for you today. You guys, Paul and I, when we get on the podcast, it really is just like a free for all. And Paul has no clue. I have a full plan of what I'm asking you today, ⁓ but it's going to be a free for all rift of business ownership of teams. How did you change that perspective? Because I think so many people chalk that up to, I'm a failure of a boss if I've got turnover. Like I had a doctor the other day on a coaching call and she's like, Kiera, Paul Etchison (02:19) Yeah. Kiera Dent (02:42) What am I going to do for PR? Like I've got people turning over and how do I PR this? So anything is twofold. One, how did you get like mentally change that mindset? Cause I think it's a big mental game. Paul Etchison (02:54) Yeah, for me, was everything that I've done in my career as far as like leadership growth and stuff, I think has always stemmed from some period of just struggle and burnout to some extent. It was like, I got to the point where I was taking everything that happened at the practice personally, every upset person at upset employees, they're bothered about something. They're they always, I mean, they're telling you how you should be doing things that not realizing that there's very complicated solutions. And sometimes there's not perfect solutions. A lot of times there's perfect solutions. So I think what changed for me is I started looking at it from a point of my mental sanity saying I can't attribute my feelings on the happiness of all these team members anymore. And all I need to do is just be very clear on what I want, be very consistent with the way that I treat them and hold them to that standard. But ultimately, I'm putting the ball in their court. It's up to them. And if they want to play ball, cool. If they don't, that's cool too. We can still be friends and you can go to some other office where it's more to your liking. But the biggest change for me was just realizing I can't be everything to everybody. And I did it for a long time and it was really exhausting. And I worked through that and I feel a lot better it. I think my team is better for it. Kiera Dent (04:08) Yeah, no, I don't disagree. And I'm glad you talked about that. It's been fun. think Paul, you felt like, I don't know, a big brother to me when we met and I came out to your practice and the fun things we've been able to do together and just the differences. ⁓ I think as we've grown up in the industry together, but I, I admired that because I always thought you had this amazing team. And I think to hear your version and then my version at the same time was very similar. I just realized like, We got a killer team. Like this is an amazing company. And I think when I evolved to you're so lucky to work here, you're so like not in an egotistical way, but I think in a confidence way of like, this is a great place and we're going to attract people. I started realizing like I had confidence to make offers of what we actually wanted to pay versus what I felt like I had to chase to get people to be here. ⁓ we pivoted and I used to like chase all the time and try to be everything for everybody. And then I'm like, Why am I doing this? Kiera, like you have built a company and a culture and a space that people love. And yes, there are changes and I will continue on forever evolve. I don't think that we're a perfectly set company, but I think that we're a pretty great, awesome place to work. And I think when I became centered, confident in me and what I was providing in the culture without having to be everything, I noticed I actually attracted a way different type of employee. I attracted somebody who wanted that same style. They, it, It was like no more like games. think in like compensation and all this, it was more just centered. It was like, this is what we do and this is who we are and I want great people. And I also think it was very much attributed to like, got dialed in on core values. And I was like, I'm sticking to these. These are like rock solid. do not deviate from that. And if you don't fit. Fantastic. There is another opportunity, like go find your dream place and we're going to find our dream team member. And I say that in a very like confident, hopefully not egotistical. And I think you, sounds like you did a similar thing, but I. I will say, I think you go through a space of realizing you're not a failure. It's an evolution. I think of, of leadership. It's almost like going from, I don't want to say immature. It's more like children and how's they grow. Like, I don't think a little baby is a failure for having that knowledge and that mindset. And I think some of us, are toddler baby owners. Like we've never done this before. We don't know. So we're going to have a different mindset. And then you just start to morph and evolve just like Children grow up and they morph and evolve into these teenagers, into these college students, into like the prime of their life. To me, that also feels like a maturity of leadership as well to being confident with that. Paul Etchison (06:42) Yeah, I love that you point that out too, because we do, we hear a lot of complaints from our team members and then we start to, it starts to add up and then we start to really doubt. Did we really create a great work environment? I mean, we just had an all day meeting maybe about two months ago, maybe six weeks ago, like that. And one of the questions I asked, we use this thing called Slido. It's just in real time, you put on a PowerPoint slide and everybody can vote on their phone. There's a million like programs that do this. But I asked the whole team anonymously on a scale of one to 10, how fun is it to work at Nelson Ridge Family Dental? And I was terrified to throw that Kiera Dent (07:03) Thank Paul Etchison (07:19) there. I had no idea what people were going to say. Kiera Dent (07:20) I don't blame you. Paul Etchison (07:22) It was everybody was like eight, nine. There was like three or four sixes. Now I have 30 something team members. So the Kiera Dent (07:29) Yeah. Paul Etchison (07:30) of it was very good, but it was, it was scary. if you would have asked me what I thought it was going to Kiera Dent (07:35) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (07:37) I did not think it was going to be that good because the squeaky wheel gets the grease. This, you know, that's what we hear. That's what we focus on. And it reminds me of this one coaching client I had, cause I coached dentists as well. had a coach coaching client named Isaac and he did very similar to you. choir practice, he really got deep into the foundational core values of this is what the practice is. And turned over his entire team and he said, I feel like such a failure. I feel like everybody's leaving. I feel like I'm just turning everybody off. Patients are coming in and asking where everybody is. I just don't think my leadership's good. And I told him, just hang through, Hang, you'll find your people. And then six months later, he was like, I cannot tell you how much I love my team. And so I think the message of what you and I are saying, Kiera, is that no matter Kiera Dent (08:12) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Right. Paul Etchison (08:22) what you want to do with what kind of vision you have for your practice, your team's out there. They are there. They are waiting for someone to take charge and just make it a big deal that that's the type of people we have at this practice. Kiera Dent (08:26) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (08:33) So if anyone's listening thinking like, have this issue at my office, get those core values out, talk to the team about it. Don't just like leave it on a document, bring it up with ⁓ a meeting and say, guys, this is what I truly want. And sometimes apologize. I'm I haven't been holding everyone to the highest regard or the highest standard, but I'm ready to do it and I need your help. So I love that you brought up those two points. Those are amazing things and I think everybody struggles with that. Kiera Dent (08:55) Yeah. I think, and I think that that's something that I feel you and I both strive to do is tell people feel like they're not alone. I think so many doctors feel like I'm the only one out there. I'm the only one who can't keep my team there. I'm the only one who has team turnover. And like, this is not the path that we were even on my radar to head, but I think it's obviously the most important path for people to hear. ⁓ I think Paul, it's the no judgment. It's the hang through it. It's, ⁓ having a guide, a mentor who's been there, done that, done that successfully. I mean, you and I can both like, Gosh, you like grit through that and it's painful. But I also believe that while yes, painful, I feel it's an evolution of soul that you actually internally are craving. I don't believe that we rise to the call until we're ready. Like Kieran 2020, when I'm sitting on Johnny Depp like boat in the ocean, it was on fire. I was not ready for the call and the evolution that came in 2024 for me. Like I just, wasn't ready for it, but come 2024. And I think it's a, it's a shedding, it's a shifting. It's a, like, I call it like the skin sloughing. Like it's like a snake, like you're leaving it behind. It's, I watched penguins when I was in Antarctica, like small flex there, Paul. Like the Antarctica trip was pretty rad. And we watched it. Right? We went to Antarctica. Penguins are so cute and they smell terrible. Like they're like little ketchup bottles that just squirt poop all day long. And it's disgusting. Paul Etchison (10:11) I was just going to follow up on that. Whoa. Kiera Dent (10:25) but they were molting when we were there and they just looked absolutely miserable. Like they sat there and they told us like, please don't touch the penguins. like, these look just, they're like, it's very painful for them. They're having to completely molt off all of these feathers. And I think that that's how I feel a lot of business owners are like, are you going through that molting process? But again, just like those penguins, just like us, I really do believe that when we're ready to be called to that higher level, one, you're not alone, two, you don't have to go through it alone. Three, it's normal and it's part of growth, but like, there's also, you don't have to grow until you actually want to. Like, it sounds like Isaac was just ready. Like, I'm ready, I'm done. Like, I've hit my limit. I was ready, I was done. I was like, we are having a complete culture shift. Like, we're done and like, it needs to evolve. Sounds like you had it. But I also feel, and I don't know how you feel, Kieran 2020, Kieran 2024, even into 2025, leadership culture company. keeps evolving. don't feel like I have as many of those like huge molting in 2020, huge molting in 2024, 2025. It's more of a shift in a refinement rather than a full molt. But that's, think how, at least for me, that's how I think I view leadership is. Paul Etchison (11:37) Yeah, totally agree. It's like we go through these stages of leadership growth. And I remember for me, like leadership all the way up to COVID was like system, system, systems, consistency with team. And my team grew to like 35, 40 people and it got really unmanageable. And then when we came back from COVID from being shut down, I really wanted to try to do something different. And I wanted to keep that. ⁓ I just loved when we were shut down for COVID. I loved how it felt. It felt easy. And I said, I want that, but I don't want that craziness when we open up again. And when I did, I started to feel that same craziness. And I was going to therapy at the time. And like the therapist will tell you, just change your expectations. Don't take everything personally. And what I learned through that is there's no amount of therapy that can broken leadership Is that I had systems, I had consistency, but my team had outgrown those systems. We needed more systems of leadership. So the next stage in my leadership was learning how to lead leaders and truly delegate and truly give them the autonomy to do everything. And when we did that, everything got so much better. there was parts of me that was like, I'm not the right person for this level of organization. not the right person for this size of a dental office. I'm just too anxious. I take Kiera Dent (12:41) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (12:59) too personally. And ultimately, I think it was just I Kiera Dent (12:59) you Paul Etchison (13:02) set up, I didn't set up my organization the proper way. So that was the next level up for me. And I think that's me shedding my skin finally once and for all to learn how to lead leaders. And who knows what's Kiera Dent (13:14) Paul, I think that you are actually a really good example of letting go of control. How do you do that? Like, I remember talking to you one day, this is offline, hopefully I'm not oversharing. And you're like, a lot of people say, like, what are you going to do if you retire? And I know you sold your practice to a DSO and you're like, I've never looked back. Like it was great. Um, you're like, I'm actually the person who's okay to just like sleep in and do nothing. Like I really am okay with that. Like, how did you let go of that control with your team? Um, knowing that they weren't going to do it exactly like you, like, I think people have this in theory. They try to do it, but. Paul Etchison (13:23) No, of course not. Kiera Dent (13:49) Like that's another molting. That's another really hard gap to go from full control. You're in charge of everything to I'm stressed out. Now I'm going to let team members take over and maybe you're, maybe you're an anomaly, maybe you're a unicorn, but how did you do it? Paul Etchison (13:59) Yeah. I think it's like we talked about the growth, but I think where we screw up as practice owners when we do this is we get upset that the team members are not doing exactly the way that we would do it. And there needs to be some wiggle room. There needs to be a lot of forgiveness. But ultimately, there's got to be clarity. And not enough practice owners are having the conversations with their team members. Like I always say, like, I'm coaching dentists all the time, and they're telling me about these issues they're having at their practice. And I'm saying, well, why do you think that is? And the answer is like, well, it might be this. kind of think it's this and it's like, well, get curious, ask, ask your team. So for me, it was about telling my team what's expected and when Kiera Dent (14:36) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (14:42) didn't meet expectations, instead of like dancing around it, just going right at the getting curious, what is going on with this? What is, why is this not happening? And then always like, you know, if you ask the right questions, the next step for any leadership, any leader is to validate their perspective. no matter what it is and that will go so far. If you take one thing out of this podcast, do that. When your team members share something with you or if you're getting curious, asking them why things are happening, how they're feeling about something, validate their experience and watch how much they open up and they're. open to behavior change and other options. And then that allows you the opportunity to then ask and invite participation in the solutions. What do you think we should do? I noticed our cancellations are getting up there. Like, what are we doing about this? What do you see happening? Getting curious. And they're saying, well, I don't know. Like, I got to ask some more OK. And then validate their experience. I totally see how maybe you got busy with your other things and you haven't been asking your team. But we've got to ask the team and find out just so many little things. For me, was getting out of the way, being clear with expectations. But then instead of trying to go around my leads and my leaders, my practice and go around them and deal with the other other teams myself, I let them do it and I let them fail and I help them and I support them. And I think I know there's a lot of like team members that listen to your podcast, Kiera. I would hope if you're listening to this and you're team member, I would hope you understand how valuable you are to an owner. If you can take things, find solutions and hold your, your team members, your fellow coworkers to a certain standard, like you would be so valuable. Everyone's like, well, how can I get a raise? How can I contribute more value? I would people on my team, my leaders that do this for me, they are so valuable to me and every owner. is just waiting for somebody to step in and fill that role. I mean, every practice could use Kiera Dent (16:38) team members, their number one objective is to make their doctor happy. every day, all day. That's like what my job is. That's what I want to do. That's how I want to serve. That's how I want to help out. ⁓ And I think as owners, I think it can be easy to see all the problems in your team. But I think it's what pair of sunglasses do I want to put on? Do I want to put on the one where I see like, what's wrong is just as available as what's right. Both are always available in every single scenario, every single situation. And so what are we bringing to the table and how are we looking at these different things? How are we guiding our teams? How are we guiding our leaders? How are we showing up as leaders? How are we like, what is the filter I'm putting on every single day? Like those, those two sunglasses are right there as you walk out the door and which pair are you choosing to put on? Cause you're going to influence impact and create a team. No matter what we see what we want to see. And I believe that we create our own realities. I believe that reality is what we believe it is. And so, ⁓ I think shifting that seeing that, and I think having just a bigger plan, a bigger vision. know when I got very crystal clear of where am I headed? What is my role? Like, this is gonna sound funny, Paul. I literally Googled like, what does a CEO do? I think doctors come out of school, like you're a doctor, like you do the dentistry, like that's what I'm supposed to do. And I remember one day I was sitting there and I'm like, what is the CEO even supposed to do? Like, I don't even know, like, like really, like where is a CEO, like dictionary, like job description, I realized, got it. It's profit, vision, and culture. Like those are really my main things. Stay out of the weeds and like go for it. And... Paul Etchison (17:43) you Kiera Dent (18:04) That's what I'm bred to do. Bring the great ideas, bring those different pieces. That's my job. That's my responsibility. I think dentists also have the second tier of you do dentistry too. So you are a clinician in there and then you have those pieces. But driving culture, driving a culture of accountability of fail, fail forward. like, gosh, I just read this really awesome book and they said, we measure it by outcomes, not activity. Like just stuff like that. Like you start to become this person who wants to evolve your culture, evolve who your team is, evolve who you are as a person. And I think Paul, even in just knowing you, I think there's been an evolution of who you are as well. ⁓ I think that is just, and hopefully I've evolved too, like fingers crossed there's been an evolution and I'm not as quite, I don't know. I think we keep the best of ourselves. And then I think just evolve into our 2.0, 3.0, 4.0 levels. I guess I just asked the questions of Paul Etchison (18:42) Absolutely. Kiera Dent (18:58) I think you've got a fascinating story. You were full, full practice owner. You were in there. You sold out to a DSO. You're still in your practice. You still train. You, you've evolved. If you were sitting back when I met you, what would you tell that Paul of what you know today that would have made that whole experience, whether you're selling, whether you're growing, evolving. I mean, you have a very large practice. It's been real fun to watch you and your practice and everything. What would you have told that Paul? Paul Etchison (19:27) Yeah, and this comes up a lot with my coaching clients. A lot of people ask me that. And one of the things, if we're looking at our practice, and I'm going back to the beginning, is if we want to sell our practice, if we want to cut back our days, if we want to have the most profitable practice ever, a lot of the times the strategy is identical. We're just trying to go through and create more freedom for ourselves as practice owners by empowering our team, getting them to do a lot of the responsibility. Kiera Dent (19:48) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (19:57) to be accountable for a lot of the stuff. So I think if I could go back and tell myself again, man, first of all, just stop taking everything so personal. And you come in and you look at it with these different lens of leadership and maturity and all these leadership skills. It's not just at the practice. It shows up in your relationships with your spouse, with your friends, with your kids, like all these things. Like it's all intertwined. But I would have much earlier got the leaders going in my practice because one of the things Kiera Dent (20:16) Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (20:27) happen through my practice sale is I just like I mentioned I felt like it wasn't I'm not cut out for this I'm sick of being miserable I'm sick of being stressed I'm sick of taking it home and I'm sick of taking it out on people that I love and so when I sold it I said okay I'm on my three-year exit plan I'm getting out of here I'm moving on I don't know what I'm gonna do but I'm gonna move on so I said you know my associate partner Dr. Kathy she owns part of the practice too I'm gonna pass it to her and maybe she won't be able to do it as well as me. But I need to set this up so she is just, I wanna bless her with this amazing practice that runs on its own. And in the process of setting that up with my leaders, I realized, dang, I don't know if I would have sold. And I'm still happy I sold, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying I would have, but that's what I would have tried to do early in my career. I would have went, who are the leaders? ⁓ The whole thing with like the Dan Kennedy of the who, not how. Not how do we do it, but who's gonna do this? Kiera Dent (21:11) Mm-hmm, mm-hmm, mm-hmm. Right. Paul Etchison (21:25) And I would have leaned into that a lot more because I think I would have been a lot happier. I would have been able to enjoy the journey more. But at the same time, it's like we learn from our mistakes and you got to make the mistakes to learn from. So it's like, so that whole Catch-22, would I change anything? I don't think so because I wouldn't be, if I didn't have the same experience, I wouldn't be the person I am today. But man, I wish I had learned it earlier. That's for sure. Kiera Dent (21:45) Sure. It's fair. And I'm actually happy to hear that because I feel like this is like the DSO conundrum and like the cell. And I'm happy to hear you say that because it validates what we try to coach on to. So many doctors are like, I'm just going to sell. And I'm like, well, let's just look at this. If you sell, let's look at what your life will look like on the other side of it. Let's look to see where you are today. And really, let's get to the root of why do you want to sell? And I think, Paula, if we would have asked you that same question. Why did you wanna sell? My hunch is it was all these problems, all these issues. It was just like, I'm sick of it. Like, let's just pass this on. Let's move on. When a great leader, a great office manager, a CEO, a CFO could have easily come in, taken over for you. You could have had the exact same scenario. You just would have owned it and had more options on the table. Like you said, it's not right, it's not wrong. But I think like for everybody listening, I think today is a good reflection of one, are you going through a molt? Like, are we molting anywhere? ⁓ and do we, or do we need to molt? Like, is there something we need to shed, let go of identity wise? And then two, I like to do this reflection a lot. And I encourage a lot of people to do it. It sounds like Paul, you do it. Like when we're in these issues in these problems, are we stopping and pausing and asking like, what is the root? Not the symptom, the top line symptom is like, I'm so stressed. And I got this and this and this, but like, do we ever stop and pause to dig to that route and find out what is really at the root. For me, I often have many journals that are like this, this, this, and I just like list it all out of all these things are frustrating me. But what I'm trying to do is find what is a thread? What is the piece in that that's causing the chaos because then we go fix that. And that's what I love in practices because 99 % of the time what people tell you on the top line, so coaching offices, coaching doctors, coaching teams, like Paul, you know this, I know this. What people tell you at the top is not really what's the problem. It's the bottom layered, there's something rooted, there's something under there. These are just symptoms on the top. Same thing with patients and case acceptance, right? It's the up at the top, what they're telling you is not really what they're feeling. And all you gotta do is just dig under, find out what that root is and stress and that will go away. And so Paul, thank you for, I just am curious. I've always been curious, like, would you have done something differently? Of course we never can, like, no, we're not going to. But if I could go back and tell that younger self things, like, Kyri, get rid of your ego, honey. Like trust your team, trust that team to do amazing, trust them to do better than you are, trust them to be better than you, trust them to make better decisions than you do, because I want to create that kind of a team and me believing that is going to ultimately turn my team into that. They have the whole study about teachers with kids and IQs and like if they believe that they have a stronger IQ without doing anything different, that child actually ends up with a higher IQ. Well, why don't we take that same principle and apply it to our teams and see what happens. Paul Etchison (24:23) Yeah. It's so true. And I love that you say like the reflection that you did, because I noticed this with my coaching is that there's a lot of, there's a lot of how, how do we do this? How do we fix this? But I think anyone listening, if you just sat down in a dark room, maybe not dark room, but you're sitting down in a quiet room for 30 minutes and you reflect it, what do I really, you know, I do this with my coaching clients. We call it a practice clarity and frustration exercise. What do we, what really bothers you with the practice? What is it that really just, you know, grind your gears, it down and it sounds simple but once you write it down you can like visually see it and start to brainstorm for solutions and you start to make this progress that not only affects the way your practice runs but the way that you're the way that you feel and I think ultimately as practice owners we need to realize that the CEO hat you mentioned what does a CEO do we need time for that and we don't have time for that when you're doing four or five days of dentistry that's why when I'm working with clients the first thing I'm gonna do with a practice owner is I'm gonna get them down to three days clinic Kiera Dent (25:10) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (25:27) And it always works. so inefficient. There's so many things we can do with scheduling and efficiency and production that we can get you down to three days clinical. But now you've got that extra day to put on that CEO hat, to reflect on the things, to write down and figure out what your plan of attack is. I mean, that's what I've got a workshop coming up in February that that's focused on that. How do we get you down to three days? And that's all I want to do in this three day workshop. We're, of course, doing these reflection activities. But I think this is over the course of my career and working Kiera Dent (25:27) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (25:57) with people, that's what I've seen moves the needle the most. We need time and we need to give the energy where it's due. And it's not, we be 100 % clinician. It just doesn't work that way. Kiera Dent (26:09) Yeah, no, Paul, I love that. And think that's such a fun thing. I think dentists need this. Dentists need to have their vision, have their clarity. But I think from today, the wrap is it started out with a photo, unexpectedly, of this is what we're ⁓ kicking the day off of, going from where we were to where we want to be, ⁓ looking at that, reflecting back, seeing. Because Paul Etchison (26:23) Yeah. How do we get here? Kiera Dent (26:34) There's a client that you and I both know. They're pretty well known ⁓ that we work with. whenever I work with, gosh, it's so many practices. I think there's like 300 employees and I'm like, gosh, I remember all their names every time. ⁓ But they talk about how sometimes the best learning is just remembering. Remembering where we've been, remembering where we're going to go, remembering things that we've learned looking there. So it's like remembering where I've been so that way I can kickstart and project into where I need to go. using your team to get there. Your team wants to be your best asset for that. So Paul, those are kind of my wrap thoughts. I know today has just been a real fun day. Always enjoy a good podcast with you. Any last thoughts you have? Paul Etchison (27:15) No, you know, I would just close it off with having the listener just believe, just believe in the possibility of what's going, what is possible with your practice. ⁓ There was a point where we talked about reflection. I reflected and I said, I wrote down everything I do at the practice and I wrote down how many of these activities bring me joy and how many of them I hate. And I believe it was something like 80 % of them I hated. So that's no way to live your practice life. You spend a lot of time at work. So why not do the reflection and put the time and energy into Kiera Dent (27:38) Mm-hmm. Paul Etchison (27:45) Making your practice a better place to be at it's not just gonna affect you. It's gonna affect your family. It's gonna affect your team ⁓ There's big your ripples that come from this little thing So I would say sit down find a coach find a mentor read some books it is possible believe in yourself and It all starts with the planning so sit down and write down some things journal love it Kiera Dent (28:09) Journal it up. Well, Paul, I appreciate you so much. I ⁓ just love what you're doing for our community. I love the things that we're able to accomplish together. ⁓ And yeah, guys, check him out in Dental Practice Heroes podcast. He's got some great stuff over there as well. ⁓ Paul, so good to have you on the podcast. I think you mentioned the event in February. If people want to know more about that, how do they connect with you on that? Paul Etchison (28:35) Yeah, go to DentalPracticeHeroes.com slash freedom. So that's where the information on the three day workshop, it's going to awesome. And I'm doing a money back guarantee. If you don't think you liked it, if you don't like what you signed up for, I'll give you all your money back. I believe in it that much. And I know from me coaching for the past six years, I know this is what produces results. So go check that out, more about the courses, check out the podcast. And I'm always happy to talk to any listeners if they want some help or they just want to find out what we're more about. Please just go to the website, DentalPracticeHeroes.com. dot com. Kiera Dent (29:06) Amazing. Paul, thank you so much for being on the podcast. For all of you listening, I hope you do take the time to reflect. I do hope you think about where you want to go and what you want with your life. And just appreciate you guys all being here. And as always, thanks for listening. I'll catch you next time on the Dental A Team Podcast.
Heaven And Nature Sing - Week 3 - "Peace Of Christmas" Jayson Etchison
Life On Mission - Week 3 - "How Do I Live Out MY MISSION?" - Jayson Etchison
Originally uploaded September 19, reloaded October 4th. Chris Holman welcomes back Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, LAFCU, Lansing, MI. Welcome back, Kelli, remind the Michigan business community about LAFCU? What does your election to the AACUC (African American Credit Union Coalition) national board mean for LAFCU and for Michigan's role in shaping the future of credit unions? How do you see AACUC's work influencing diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts across the financial services industry? What lessons from your work at LAFCU will you bring to your role on the AACUC board? How can credit unions strengthen their impact on underserved communities through initiatives like those you've led at LAFCU? Looking ahead, what opportunities or challenges do you see for credit unions in advancing financial empowerment nationwide? » Visit MBN website: www.michiganbusinessnetwork.com/ » Subscribe to MBN's YouTube: www.youtube.com/@MichiganbusinessnetworkMBN » Like MBN: www.facebook.com/mibiznetwork » Follow MBN: twitter.com/MIBizNetwork/ » MBN Instagram: www.instagram.com/mibiznetwork/ Michigan executive to help shape the future of credit unions nationwide through AACUC leadership LANSING, Mich. — The African-American Credit Union Coalition (AACUC) has elected Kelli Ellsworth Etchison to its national board of directors for a three-year term. Ellsworth Etchison is the chief marketing officer and chief diversity officer for LAFCU. She also serves as CEO of the StableCommunities Foundation powered by LAFCU. Her election elevates Michigan's role in the national credit union movement and underscores LAFCU's leadership in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion across the financial services industry. Ellsworth Etchison will join peers from across the country in helping guide strategies that shape the future of credit unions and their ability to serve African Americans and other underrepresented communities. Founded in 1999, the AACUC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to increasing diversity within the credit union industry through advocacy, mentorship, and professional development. Its board provides strategic direction for industry-wide conversations on equity, opportunity, and access. “I am deeply honored to join the AACUC Board of Directors,” Ellsworth Etchison said. “The AACUC community is bold, mindful, and brave in advancing equity and opportunity. This role is about more than professional leadership — it's about ensuring that credit unions remain strong advocates for financial empowerment and inclusion. I'm proud to bring LAFCU's voice to this important work.” At LAFCU, Ellsworth Etchison has spearheaded initiatives ranging from multicultural engagement to financial literacy programs for youth, seniors, and underserved groups. The AACUC announced its 2025-2026 Executive Committee and newly elected directors on Sept. 3. About LAFCU Founded in 1936, LAFCU (pronounced laugh-cue) is a not-for-profit, member-owned credit union open to all who live, work, worship or attend school in Michigan, and to Michigan businesses. LAFCU serves more than 74,000 members and holds over $1 billion in assets. With a particular focus on serving people of modest means, LAFCU is committed to enhancing its members' financial well-being and creating long-lasting positive change across generations. Awarded the prestigious Dora Maxwell Social Responsibility Community Service Award, LAFCU is known for its people-helping-people mission, which has led to award-winning financial literacy programs for all ages. A three-time honoree as a national ‘Best Credit Union to Work For' and recognized globally for its diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, LAFCU stands out for its commitment to creating an inclusive workplace. Learn more at www.lafcu.com. # # #
We The Church - Week 2 - "Conform or Transform" - Jayson Etchison
Most dentists grind themselves into the ground, believing freedom only comes after a big sale. After scaling a $6 million practice, selling to a DSO, and nearly torching his relationships in the process, Dr. Paul Etchison discovered that real freedom isn't about early retirement. Now the bestselling author of Dental Practice Heroes, a coach, and a podcast host, he shows how any dentist—whether solo or scaling—can build a business that thrives without their constant presence. If you like this episode, here are more episodes we think you'll enjoy: Ep #554 – From Clinician to Executive: The Playbook for Scaling Dental Practices - Emmet Scott Ep #549 - Lessons on Ownership, Mindset & Money For Practice Owners and New Dental Grads – Mike Abernathy Check out the show notes for more information! P.S. Whenever you're ready, here are some other ways I can help fast track you to your Freedom goal (you're closer than you think): 1. Schedule a Call with My Team: If you'd like to replace your active practice income with passive investment income within 2-3 years, and you have at least 1M in available capital (can include residential/practice equity or practice sale), then schedule a call with my team. If it looks like there is a mutual fit, you'll have the opportunity to attend one of our upcoming member events as a guest. 2. Get Your Dentist Retirement Survival Guide: The winds of economic change are here, and now is the time to move to higher ground. This guide gives you the steps to protect your retirement, your family, and your peace of mind. Get the 25-point checklist here. 3. Get Your Free Retirement Scorecard: Benchmark your retirement and wealth-building against hundreds of other practice professionals, and get personalized feedback on your biggest opportunities and leverage points. Click here to take the 3 minute assessment and get your scorecard.
School Of Hard Knocks - Week 11 - "Church In The Park" - Jayson Etchison
School Of Hard Knocks - Week 6 - "Don't Quit Before The Breakthrough" - Jayson Etchison
School Of Hard Knocks - Week 5 - "Worry Doesn't Work" - Jayson Etchison
Alan welcomes back friend, dentist, and coach Dr. Paul Etchison to talk about his unique career journey. Paul shares how he went from working in a high-volume clinic to building a startup practice that grew so quickly he was forced to bring on associates. He details the specific strategies he used, like prioritizing new patients and intentionally creating capacity, to scale his single office into a five-doctor, 9,000-patient practice. Paul also opens up about his battle with burnout, the decision to sell to a DSO with the intent to exit, and the surprising realization that led him to stay. This conversation is packed with actionable insights on creating systems, delegating, and building a practice that grants you the freedom to work less and live more. Key insights: From High-Volume to High-Value: Paul's journey began in a busy HMO/Medicaid clinic, which taught him speed and what he didn't want in a practice. Forced Growth: His startup became so busy through organic referrals that he was "forced" to hire an associate to handle the capacity. The New Patient Engine: Intentionally holding schedule blocks for new patients is a key strategy to drive growth and justify adding hygienists and doctors. The Magic of Two (Plus) Associates: While one associate adds profitability, Dr. Etchison believes the second associate is when the magic happens, making the owner's personal production less critical. The Path to Less Clinical: Paul now works only a few half-days per month by successfully transitioning his practice to be associate-driven. Burnout and the DSO Sale: Feeling overwhelmed, he sold his practice to a DSO at age 39, planning to exit dentistry. Why He Stayed: After the sale, he successfully delegated leadership duties, which rekindled his passion and led him to stay on after his contract ended. Delegate What You Dread: Tasks you hate are often tasks another team member will enjoy; learn to delegate effectively. Design Your Ideal Work Week: Consciously identify what brings you joy versus what drains you, and restructure your role accordingly. Build a Practice That Runs Without You: The ultimate goal is to create systems and a leadership team that allow the practice to thrive, whether you are there or not. Some links from the show: Paul's "Practice Clarity and Frustration Exercise" Paul's website (with details about his upcoming Mastermind!) Join the Very Dental Facebook group using the password "Gary," "Timmerman," Hornbrook" or "McWethy," "Papa Randy" or "Lipscomb!" The Very Dental Podcast network is and will remain free to download. If you'd like to support the shows you love at Very Dental then show a little love to the people that support us! -- Crazy Dental has everything you need from cotton rolls to equipment and everything in between and the best prices you'll find anywhere! If you head over to verydentalpodcast.com/crazy and use coupon code “VERYDENTAL10” you'll get another 10% off your order! Go save yourself some money and support the show all at the same time! -- The Wonderist Agency is basically a one stop shop for marketing your practice and your brand. From logo redesign to a full service marketing plan, the folks at Wonderist have you covered! Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/wonderist! -- Enova Illumination makes the very best in loupes and headlights, including their new ergonomic angled prism loupes! They also distribute loupe mounted cameras and even the amazing line of Zumax microscopes! If you want to help out the podcast while upping your magnification and headlight game, you need to head over to verydentalpodcast.com/enova to see their whole line of products! -- CAD-Ray offers the best service on a wide variety of digital scanners, printers, mills and even their very own browser based design software, Clinux! CAD-Ray has been a huge supporter of the Very Dental Podcast Network and I can tell you that you'll get no better service on everything digital dentistry than the folks from CAD-Ray. Go check them out at verydentalpodcast.com/CADRay!
Spring Cleaning - Week 5 - "Inviting Jesus Into My Joy" - Jayson Etchison
This week, Preston sits down with the North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission's Dr. Luke Etchison. They discuss the recently described Sicklefin Redhorse and the impacts that Hurricane Helene had on restoration projects in western North Carolina. They also discuss the creation of the Blue Ridge Snorkel Trail and ways that conservation projects can be aided by getting support from public stakeholder groups. We hope that you enjoy this episode! Main point: "Remember to be interactive with the public to help build support for your projects." Luke's email: luke.etchison@ncwildlife.gov Luke's Instagram: @dope_fishes Get in touch with us! The Fisheries Podcast is on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Threads, and Bluesky: @FisheriesPod Become a Patron of the show: https://www.patreon.com/FisheriesPodcast Buy podcast shirts, hoodies, stickers, and more: https://teespring.com/stores/the-fisheries-podcast-fan-shop Thanks as always to Andrew Gialanella for the fantastic intro/outro music. The Fisheries Podcast is a completely independent podcast, not affiliated with a larger organization or entity. Reference to any specific product or entity does not constitute an endorsement or recommendation by the podcast. The views expressed by guests are their own and their appearance on the program does not imply an endorsement of them or any entity they represent. Views and opinions expressed by the hosts are those of that individual and do not necessarily reflect the view of any entity with those individuals are affiliated in other capacities (such as employers).
Dusty - Week 2 - "Does Doubt Ruin Faith?" - Jayson Etchison
Originally uploaded February 6, re-edited March 17th. Chris Holman welcomes Kelli Ellsworth Etchison, Chief Marketing Officer, and Chief Diversity Officer, LAFCU, Lansing, MI. Welcome back Kelli, first remind the Michigan business community about LAFCU? What were your highlights for 2024? Recent headlines from LAFCU have included a dramatic reduction of Overdraft and Non-Sufficient Funds Fees, tell us about that? You continue to be with the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Commission of Mid-Michigan, can you share some about LAFCU's support of the group and their annual celebration? We often hear about staff promotion at LAFCU, how impactful is the talent issue at your credit union?
Are your front desk team members constantly asking for more help? In this revealing episode, I tackle the challenging question every dental practice owner faces: when should you hire more administrative staff versus improving your systems?I walk through practical solutions I implemented during COVID when my team was drowning in new protocols and administrative burdens. Rather than immediately hiring additional staff, we automated patient check-ins, digitized forms, and streamlined communication processes. The results were transformative - not only did we handle the increased workload without adding headcount, but we created a less stressful environment for our existing team.Ready to transform your front desk operations? This episode delivers actionable insights to help you build a more efficient, profitable practice without unnecessarily expanding your payroll. Your administrative team - and your bottom line - will thank you.Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel)) Take Control of Your Practice and Your Life I help dentists take more time off while making more money through systematization, team empowerment, and creating leadership teams. Join the DPH Hero Collective and get the tools, training, and support you need to transform your practice: Team and Doctor Training for every aspect of Practice Management Comprehensive Training: Boost profit, efficiency, and team engagement. Live Q&A Sessions: Get personalized help when you need it most. Supportive Community: Connect with practice owners on the same journey. Editable Systems & Protocols: Standardize your operations effortlessly. Ready to build a practice that works for you? Visit www.DentalPracticeHeroes.com to learn more.
On this week's episode, host Tim Boyum reconnects with Shelane Etchison. She was North Carolina's first ever Congressional unaffiliated candidate to make it on the ballot. Independents aren't a party, they aren't a third party, they're exactly as they sound — independent. Although she lost the election, she significantly outperformed all other non-major party candidates, exceeding expectations. “The burden for unaffiliated candidates to get on the ballot, I believe, is too high right now. The bar is too high right now,” Etchison told Boyum. “The amount of money I had to allocate to that, the time and effort, it just already puts you at an impasse.” So, how does she feel now after running? Can an unaffiliated candidate ever win, and what's next for her? Listen to find out her experience.
One, Two, We - Week 3 - "Build Your Legacy" - Jayson Etchison
Shelane is a military policewoman and special operator who ran her congressional campaign in 2024.
Unlock the secrets to transforming those seemingly mundane non-clinical days into powerful opportunities for growth with insights from Dr. Paul Etchison. Ever feel like you're endlessly busy but not making real progress in your dental practice? Dr. Etchison shares his journey and highlights the top three non-clinical activities that can propel your practice forward, starting with the critical examination of key performance indicators like accounts receivable and case acceptance rates. Text us your feedback! (please note: we cannot respond through this channel))Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch. Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!the DPH Hero Collective will teach you how to work less days, make more money, and achieve the life/work balance you've always wanted by giving you a scaleble business, instead of a job.You will get: ✓Comprehensive Training to level up your team and practice✓Live Monthly Webinars to make sure you are moving forward✓Live Question and Answer Sessions to get you help when you need it✓A Community of practice owners to support and cheer you on✓System and Protocol Documents to Edit, to standardize your operations And Remember, we are actual dentists! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more.
Paul Etchison, D.D.S. is the author of two books on dental practice management, a dental coach, the owner of a $6 million group practice in the south suburbs of Chicago, and the host of the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast. This week, the Dental Amigos host Dr. Etchison and they discuss strategies for growing and expanding your practice. Through creative planning and scheduling, a practice owner can increase new patient flow and spend less time doing practical dentistry and more time running the business. Dr. Etchison offers strategies for building a team that an owner can trust to run his/her practice in the same way that the owner would run the practice. From bringing on the first associate dentist to delegating responsibilities to empower owners to focus on elements of practice ownership that they enjoy, Dr. Etchison coaches his clients to grow professionally, financially, and personally. Listeners who are interested in Dr. Etchison's coaching can schedule a call with his team at dentalpracticeheroes.com. Stream the Dental Practice Heroes Podcast on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Check out his books, Dental Practice Hero: From Ordinary Practice to Extraordinary Experience and Dental Practice Hero II: The Sequel: How a 3 Day Work Week Can Give You the Life You Want. You can connect with Dr. Etchison on Instagram at @dr.pauletchison, Facebook, or LinkedIn. Listeners who want to reach out to Paul can do so at Paul@DentalNachos.com and those who want to reach out to Rob can do so at Rob@RMontgomery-Law.com.
The Halloweenies continue a new October tradition! Last year, Michael Roffman and Dan Caffrey ventured to the Haddonfield Public Library to read Curtis Richards' excellent 1979 screen-to-page adaptation of the John Carpenter original Halloween. Fortunately for them, for us, for you, there are several more novelizations, and they're going through 'em all. This year sees the two dust off Dennis Etchison/Jack Martin's 1981 novelization for Halloween II. Together, they discuss Etchison's writing style, the additional scenes, the dreams of Laurie Strode, and more. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. This week, we're bringing back a powerhouse and fan favorite, Shelane Etchison (@ShelaneEtchison). She's running for Congress in North Carolina's 9th District while pregnant and at the same time dealing with the same devastation the rest of her state is experiencing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.But she's ready. As a combat veteran that used to jump out of planes into battlefields for a living, she's ready. And she's bringing the grit and independent spirit that drives this show and the growing independent movement to the campaign and making history while doing it becoming North Carolina's first independent candidate to qualify for a federal race. It's a massive accomplishment and it's thanks to supporters like you, the real independent Americans. If you're interested in independent politics—or American politics in general—this is a can't miss. If you're an independent, you've found your home. And an inspiring one at that. And your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) goes deep on all of it in this all new episode of Independent Americans. From the Presidential race to Jill Stein's propensity for lying, he's hitting it all — hard. And reflecting on the last year and what the anniversary of 10/7 means here and in Israel. Plus updates on Mayor Disaster's growing scandal in NYC, the latest from Ukraine, and the thwarted ISIS election day attack the FBI announced yesterday that seems to have been missed by most (all?) of the mainstream media.And that's why every episode of Independent Americans is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. This is your home for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. -Learn more about Shelane Etchison and her race on her campaign website. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -WATCH video of Paul and Shelane's conversation.-Check out the first time Shelane joined us back in May for Episode 279. -Hear Dorin Cohen's harrowing story of her October 7th experience.-Paul's column from 10/7 on what Israel can learn from our mistakes after 9/11.-Support Team Rubicon's vital hurricane response efforts. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.Ways to listen:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXeApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoffTuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/Ways to watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/Social channels:X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americansBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. This week, we're bringing back a powerhouse and fan favorite, Shelane Etchison (@ShelaneEtchison). She's running for Congress in North Carolina's 9th District while pregnant and at the same time dealing with the same devastation the rest of her state is experiencing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. But she's ready. As a combat veteran that used to jump out of planes into battlefields for a living, she's ready. And she's bringing the grit and independent spirit that drives this show and the growing independent movement to the campaign and making history while doing it becoming North Carolina's first independent candidate to qualify for a federal race. It's a massive accomplishment and it's thanks to supporters like you, the real independent Americans. If you're interested in independent politics—or American politics in general—this is a can't miss. If you're an independent, you've found your home. And an inspiring one at that. And your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) goes deep on all of it in this all new episode of Independent Americans. From the Presidential race to Jill Stein's propensity for lying, he's hitting it all — hard. And reflecting on the last year and what the anniversary of 10/7 means here and in Israel. Plus updates on Mayor Disaster's growing scandal in NYC, the latest from Ukraine, and the thwarted ISIS election day attack the FBI announced yesterday that seems to have been missed by most (all?) of the mainstream media. And that's why every episode of Independent Americans is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. This is your home for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. -Learn more about Shelane Etchison and her race on her campaign website. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -WATCH video of Paul and Shelane's conversation. -Check out the first time Shelane joined us back in May for Episode 279. -Hear Dorin Cohen's harrowing story of her October 7th experience. -Paul's column from 10/7 on what Israel can learn from our mistakes after 9/11. -Support Team Rubicon's vital hurricane response efforts. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
788: The Story Behind the Dental Heroes Podcast – Dr. Paul EtchisonDo you want to make $1 million a year or more working three days a week or less? To find out how it's possible, keep listening! Kirk Behrendt brings in Dr. Paul Etchison, creator and host of the Dental Practice Heroes podcast, to share how he found balance between his work and home life while earning more and stressing less. To learn more about Dr. Etchison's books, podcast, and strategies to build your dream practice, listen to Episode 788 of The Best Practices Show!Learn More About Dr. Etchison:Follow Dr. Etchison on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.pauletchisonSchedule a call with Dental Practice Heroes: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.comListen to the Dental Practice Heroes podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1OZg46P8MLsyQoIYYSbc3WLearn more about Dental Business Mentor: https://www.dentalbusinessmentor.comMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listenJoin The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaJoin ACT's To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/tttSee the ACT Dental/BPA Live Event Schedule: https://www.actdental.com/eventGet The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazinePlease leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218Episode Resources:Watch the video version of Episode 788: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videosRead Dental Practice Hero and Dental Practice Hero II by Dr. Paul Etchison: https://www.dentalpracticeheroes.com/books-1Read Traction by Gino Wickman: https://benbellabooks.com/shop/tractionMain Takeaways:Develop your core values — and actually communicate them to your team.Emphasize to your team that they make a difference in your patients' lives.No matter the size of your practice, you need to have a leadership team.Let your leadership team handle more of the things you don't like doing.Being understaffed is often better than dealing with underperformers.An office manager is not equivalent to an admin team member.Retirement probably isn't what you want — it's balance.Snippets:0:00 Introduction.1:36...
In this episode, Paul Etchison of Dental Practice Heroes shares his journey of reducing clinical days to focus on the procedures he loves while growing his dental practice. He discusses the significance of hiring associates and hygienists, setting intentional growth targets, and establishing a strong online presence to enhance patient experience and encourage referrals. Additionally, Paul emphasizes the importance of reappointments, building a leadership team, and finding fulfillment beyond financial goals, all while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
Ever wondered how to pivot from general dentistry to a specialized practice that truly excites you? Join us on this episode of Dental Practice Heroes as Dr. Paul Etchison chats with Dr. Dan Briskie and Dr. Taher Dhoon from the Colorado Surgical Institute. We share our personal journeys and insights on transitioning from routine procedures like Class II fillings to focusing on more complex and fulfilling work, such as orthodontics and veneers. Dr. Dune reveals his fascinating path from corporate dentistry to owning his practice, highlighting the significance of continuous education and the integration of specialized services like single implants and full arch surgeries. We also discuss strategies for maintaining patient trust and ensuring smooth team dynamics during this transformative journey.Text us your feedback!Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
What if your entire dental team could be your secret weapon to boost case acceptance and patient care? We share why every team member's belief in the value of dental treatments is crucial and how understanding the risks of untreated cavities can turn every patient interaction into an opportunity for improved health outcomes. Gain practical insights on structuring your meetings to maximize productivity and impact, ensuring every staff member grasps their vital role in patient care.EPISODE BONUS: Download the PPT and Verbiage Document HereText us your feedback!Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
In this powerhouse episode of "The Making Of," Dr. Ashley Joves sits down with the incredible Dr. Paul Etchison, a renowned dentist, coach, author, and podcast host. They dive deep into the realities of practice ownership, from building a $6 million dental practice to achieving work-life balance and everything in between. Paul shares his journey, the challenges he faced, and the lessons learned along the way. Whether you're a dentist, entrepreneur, or just someone looking for inspiration, this episode is packed with valuable insights and candid conversations.What You'll Learn:- Building a High-Performing Practice* Paul shares his experience in growing his practice from a five-op startup to an 11-op powerhouse, bringing in $6 million annually.- New Patient Acquisition Strategies: Learn about the importance of SEO, Google reviews, and strategic marketing to consistently attract new patients and maintain growth.- Optimizing Operations: Discover how Paul maximized efficiency through block scheduling, smart use of assistants, and maintaining a high standard of care.- Leadership and Team Management: Paul talks about building a strong leadership team, the importance of training and calibration, and how to handle staff turnover effectively.- Life After Selling the Practice: Paul reflects on his transition out of daily practice ownership, focusing on his passion for coaching and how he's found fulfillment beyond the dental chair.- Real Talk on the Challenges of Practice Ownership: Both Ashley and Paul get real about the emotional and psychological toll of being a business owner and the importance of finding balance and joy in the journey.Key Quotes:- "Growth isn't just about hitting numbers; it's about finding what lights you up and focusing on what truly brings you joy."- "You can maximize your practice by keeping as much in-house as possible, but you also have to recognize when it's time to let go of the tasks that don't fulfill you."- "Building a great team isn't just about hiring; it's about consistently training, calibrating, and creating a culture where people feel valued and supported."Connect with Dr. Paul Etchison:- Website: www.dentalpracticeheroes.com - Discover more about Paul's coaching services, books, and resources for dentists.- Podcast: [Dental Practice Heroes Podcast](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dental-practice-heroes-with-dr-paul-etchison/id1271051104) - Tune in for more insights and tips on growing a successful dental practice.- Facebook: [Paul Etchison](https://www.facebook.com/paul.etchison) - Reach out to Paul for more personal connections and updates.Mentioned in the Episode:- Books: Check out Paul's books, *Dental Practice Hero* and *Dental Practice Hero 2*, available on Amazon.- Voices of Dentistry* Reflect on Paul's impactful presentation at this renowned dental conference.- Upcoming Retreats: Hear about the possibility of Paul speaking at future dental retreats hosted by Ashley—stay tuned!Don't Miss Out:Be sure to subscribe to our podcast and YouTube channel for more inspiring interviews and actionable insights. If you enjoyed this episode, please leave a review and share it with your network to spread the wisdom!---Follow Us:- **Instagram**: [@TheMakingOfPodcast](https://www.instagram.com/themaking.of)- **Twitter**: [@MakingOfPod](https://twitter.com/makingofpod)- **Facebook**: [The Making Of Podcast](https://www.facebook.com/themakingofpodcast)Join us next time for more candid conversations and valuable insights from Ashley, Brian, and their incredible guests!
Can keeping an underperforming employee really harm your dental practice more than having an empty seat? Join me, Paul Etchison, as we confront this critical question in today's episode. We'll draw parallels to a rowing team to discuss the tough decisions you face when dealing with underperforming staff. Explore the immediate and long-term impacts on team morale and performance, the importance of understanding the risks involved, and the significance of transparent communication. Learn how to give employees a fair chance to improve by addressing the root causes of their underperformance, whether it's timeliness, training, or personality issues. Arm yourself with the knowledge to make well-informed decisions that balance short-term staffing needs with maintaining high standards and fostering a positive team culture..Text us your feedback!Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Discover the secrets to creating a thriving dental hygiene department with Rachel Wall, founder and CEO of Inspired Hygiene. Learn how to attract and retain skilled hygienists, boost departmental productivity, and enhance patient care and profitability. We tackle the pressing issue of hygienist shortages and the shift towards flexible roles, offering strategies to make your practice an attractive workplace. Rachel's insights on continuous recruitment and investing in team education will transform your approach to managing staffing changes.check out Rachel's Programs at www.inspiredhygiene.comText us your feedback!Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch. Mention DPH and get your first month FREE! Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Unlock the secrets to boosting your dental practice's case acceptance with expert insights from Dr. Henry Ernst and Dr. Steven Markowitz. Discover how even the smallest improvements in this area can have profound effects on both your financial success and the quality of patient care. This episode of Dental Practice Heroes is packed with practical tips, including creating a warm office atmosphere and mastering patient conversations to ensure prompt, effective treatment. We delve into the importance of refining treatment planning data and patient interactions to elevate acceptance rates and overall practice health.day!Text us your feedback!Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch. Mention DPH and get your first month FREE!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
What if you could slash your dental practice's supply budget to under 5% of collections without compromising quality? This episode unpacks essential strategies to help you achieve this goal. We discuss how increasing production and collections, rather than just cutting expenses, can effectively lower your overhead. We explore six key reasons why supply budgets often exceed targets and provide actionable steps to address them. From accurate expense categorization to centralizing supply orders and educating your team on cost-saving measures, we cover the ground comprehensively. Text us your feedback! Click here to get access to 11 free OmniPractice Videos, a Webinar on creating a team driven practice, the Big Book of Dental Analogies, The Brand Book for New Hires, and the Essential Membership Documents you need!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Can you really afford to wait to implement new clinical skills? Discover how immediate action can skyrocket your confidence in dental practice! In this episode of Dental Practice Heroes, we break down the barriers to achieving both external and internal confidence essential for providing exceptional patient care. Learn from our personal experiences and observations with associates and students, and uncover effective strategies for practicing new skills, like partnering with local specialists or mentors. We guarantee by the end of this episode, you'll have actionable insights to overcome those initial hurdles and boost your clinical prowess.Mention DPH and get 10% off of courses at www.ColoradoSurgicalInstitute.comText us your feedback! Click here to get access to 11 free OmniPractice Videos, a Webinar on creating a team driven practice, the Big Book of Dental Analogies, The Brand Book for New Hires, and the Essential Membership Documents you need!Join the DPH Hero Collective and take your practice and your life to the next level! Access to over 37 hours of training videos for you and your team. Access to every document, checklist, protocol, and system that Dr. Etchison uses in his practice. Weekly live content, live webinars, office hours, hotseats, group coaching sessions Access to a community of like minded Dental Practice Owners helping each other succeed! At DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Welcome back, America. Welcome back to the hottest summer on record. Literally and figuratively. The planet is on fire, our politics are on fire and we're only getting started. And because of that reason, we're going to do something we haven't done since we started Righteous Media and all of the offshoot projects we've created along the way. We're going to take a break. We're going to shut it down for one week so we can recharge our batteries, clear our heads, and prepare ourselves for the shitshow that will be this fall. But before we take a break, we've got one more pod to help you get through the dog days of summer. Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. So far in the series we've met Dan Osborn, Shelane Etchison, Jared Young, Marcus Carter, Kodi Sawin and Tyrell Hicks. They all represent the true independent spirit. And this episode we're bringing you a remix. The best of the Meet the Independent Candidates Series.Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 51% of Americans that now call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -If you're an Independent VETERAN especially, check out Independent Veterans of America. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us.-Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America's new independent and veteran-owned media company.Ways to listen:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXeApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoffTuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/Ways to watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/Social channels:X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americansBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Welcome back, America. Welcome back to the hottest summer on record. Literally and figuratively. The planet is on fire, our politics are on fire and we're only getting started. And because of that reason, we're going to do something we haven't done since we started Righteous Media and all of the offshoot projects we've created along the way. We're going to take a break. We're going to shut it down for one week so we can recharge our batteries, clear our heads, and prepare ourselves for the shitshow that will be this fall. But before we take a break, we've got one more pod to help you get through the dog days of summer. Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. So far in the series we've met Dan Osborn, Shelane Etchison, Jared Young, Marcus Carter, Kodi Sawin and Tyrell Hicks. They all represent the true independent spirit. And this episode we're bringing you a remix. The best of the Meet the Independent Candidates Series. Every episode of Independent Americans is independent light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 51% of Americans that now call themselves independent. Always with a unique focus on national security, foreign affairs and military and vets issues. This is another pod to help you stay vigilant. Because vigilance is the price of democracy. In these trying times especially, Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics and inspiration. -Get extra content, connect with guests, events, merch discounts and support this show that speaks truth to power by joining us on Patreon. -Check #LookForTheHelpers on Twitter. And share yours. -If you're an Independent VETERAN especially, check out Independent Veterans of America. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. -Hear other Righteous pods like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by Righteous Media. America's new independent and veteran-owned media company. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
On this episode of Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different we have an in-depth conversation with Shelane Etchison, a veteran who is currently running for office in the US government. This episode is a compelling exploration of Shelane's remarkable journey from a non-military background to serving in the Army, her experiences in combat, and her motivations for running for political office. You're listening to Christopher Lochhead: Follow Your Different. We are the real dialogue podcast for people with a different mind. So get your mind in a different place, and hey ho, let's go. Shelane Etchison on her Journey of Overcoming Challenges Shelane begins by recounting her early life, noting that she did not come from a military family. Growing up in a dual-citizen household with her mother from British Columbia, Canada, she developed a deep sense of gratitude for the opportunities available in the United States. The events of September 11, 2001 profoundly impacted her, sparking her interest in the military and leading her to join ROTC during her undergraduate studies. Initially, Shelane faced significant challenges in ROTC, feeling out of place and unsure of herself. After a brief withdrawal, she explored Air Force ROTC but ultimately returned to Army ROTC, where she found her footing. Her determination to serve was fueled by a sense of duty and a desire to prevent future attacks on American soil. She reflects on the internal dialogue that motivated her: "Someone has to go and bear the burdens of defending this nation." - Shelane Etchison Shelane Etchison on her Views on Military Service and Leadership Shelane articulates her views on the significance of military service in shaping effective leaders. She believes that the skills and values learned in the military—such as discipline, teamwork, and strategic thinking—are essential for political leaders. Her perspective challenges the conventional notion of leadership, advocating for a model that prioritizes service and accountability. Throughout the conversation, Shelane emphasizes the need for political reform, particularly in how veterans are treated and represented in government. She shares her vision for a more inclusive political landscape, where diverse voices, especially those of veterans, are heard and valued. This vision is rooted in her belief that true leadership involves listening to the needs of the community and acting in their best interests. Motivations for Running for Congress Shelane expresses deep concern about the current polarization in American politics, which she believes is detrimental to the country. She argues that there is a significant crisis of genuine leadership, and she feels compelled to step up and represent the values she believes in. Drawing from her military experience, she emphasizes the importance of leaders who prioritize the needs of the people over party interests. Shelane's decision to run as an independent candidate is rooted in her desire to challenge the two-party system, which she views as increasingly out of touch with the electorate. She points out that a majority of Americans are registered as independents, yet they often lack viable candidates on the ballot. By running as an independent, Shelane aims to provide a new choice for voters who are frustrated with the current political landscape. To hear more from Shelane Etchison and her views on how to change the government from within, download and listen to this episode. Bio Shelane Etchison is a former Army officer and aspiring congressional candidate. Raised in Florida, she became the first in her family to join the military after the events on September 11. She served in Iraq and was part of a Special Operations program in Afghanistan. After 11 years of service, she earned an MBA and MPP from Harvard. Shelane has worked on economic development and security consultancy projects and is committed to bringing principled leadership to North Carolina,
Ever wondered how a simple change in mindset and the right tools can skyrocket your dental practice's success? Join me, as I share a compelling story about a coaching client who's ready to transition from clinician to business leader. Text us your feedback!Don't miss out on the New Online Mastermind. Lock in Pre Launch Pricing today. click here to take advantage! Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!DPH CoachingAt DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
This special episode, hosted by Dr. David Maconi, peels back the layers of my journey (Paul Etchison) in a candid discussion about the ups and downs of the dental profession. Our conversation dives into the financial maze new doctors face, tackling everything from hefty student loans to the pros and cons of joining DSOs versus group practices. We break down the risks and rewards inherent in different practice models, emphasizing the importance of sustainable partnerships and doctor retention for long-term success.Text us your feedback!Don't miss out on the New Online Mastermind. Lock in Pre Launch Pricing today. click here to take advantage! Check out www.relevanceonlinemarketing.com if you want to get the same great marketing results as Dr. Etch. Mention DPH and get your first month FREE! Please leave a review on whatever app you are listening on! It only take a moment and would make such a difference to our growth!DPH CoachingAt DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Discover the secrets to running a thriving dental practice with effective team meetings as Dr. Paul Etchison, Dr. Stephen Markowitz, and Dr. Henry Ernst reveal their strategies for maintaining a cohesive and high-performing team. Tune in and learn about the power of consistent meeting cadences, the transition from morning huddles to structured weekly L10 meetings, and the creation of pod meetings to address both patient-specific details and broader office themes. This episode promises to equip you with the insights needed to foster a culture of continuous improvement within your practice.Our guests share their journey of transforming team meetings from casual morning gatherings to carefully structured, agenda-driven sessions that have significantly boosted their practice's efficiency. Hear firsthand how the EOS model and its customized implementations like pod meetings have helped tackle issues promptly and drive the team's ongoing development. We also discuss the financial and team-building benefits of investing in all-day meetings quarterly or tri-annually, despite their initial costs.Learn how to cultivate a positive meeting atmosphere using practical tools like Trello for task management and creative appreciation systems such as the "jar of awesome" and token-based gratitude programs. Our experts provide valuable tips on starting meetings with a positive mindset and managing negativity effectively. Dr. Etchison, Dr. Markowitz, and Dr. Ernst offer actionable advice on keeping meetings focused, efficient, and conducive to team morale, ensuring your practice operates at its peak performance.Are you ready to completely systematize and document the way you do things at the practice. The DPH OmniPractice Total Team Success Program is just that. Online Instruction, one on one sessions, sample documents, and worksheets...We take your office through 7 phases of practice transformation and teach you how to manage it all with your team. If you want a team driven systematized practice, go to dentalpracticeheroes.comDPH CoachingAt DPH, we don't coach you on anything we haven't personally accomplished ourselves. We provide: One on One Coaching for Doctors, or Doctors and Teams Group Coaching Programs for Teams Minicourses on every practice management topic you need to know Team Coaching for your Front Desk Exactly what you need to level up, whatever level of practice you are at. Visit www.dentalpracticeheroes.com to Learn more, and check out our new 7 Phase OmniPractice Total Team Success Program to learn how to systematize your office, all while creating a leadership team to help you manage it all.
Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. In our second episode in the series, following independent Jared Young running for Senate in Missouri, we have our first independent VETERAN candidate. Meet inspiring combat veteran, Shelane Etchison (@ShelaneEtchison). She's running for Congress in North Carolina's 9th District against a career politician who's never served in uniform and likes to vote against veterans benefits named Richard Hudson. Shelane is an independent and Army Special Operations combat veteran that used to jump out of planes into battlefields for a living. She's got a tough race ahead of her against an entrenched, incumbent, extreme GOP Rep who has raised millions. But as Shelane says, she's not afraid to do bold things and lead. She's got the grit and independent spirit that drives this show and the growing independent movement. You'll hear about her harrowing time in the military, why she is running for Congress, why she thinks she can overcome the odds and beat an incumbent in a deeply red district, how she defines independent, and whether or not she'll endorse RFK Jr, Trump or Biden. If you're interested in independent politics—or American politics in general—this is a can't miss. If you're an independent, you've found your home. And an inspiring one at that. And your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) rips into all of it in this all new episode of Independent Americans. And, he tears into the college campus protests spreading across America, RFK Jr's latest “big” announcement and why Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson might have a career in politics when he's done with basketball. Because on Independent Americans, we're focused on not just what's happening now, but also on what's happening next. Every episode is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. -Learn more about Shelane Etchison and her race on her campaign website. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -WATCH video of Paul and Shelane's conversation. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Welcome back to our groundbreaking “Meet The 2024 Independent Candidates” series—highlighting independent candidates of all kinds, for all levels of office, from all across America. In our second episode in the series, following independent Jared Young running for Senate in Missouri, we have our first independent VETERAN candidate. Meet inspiring combat veteran, Shelane Etchison (@ShelaneEtchison). She's running for Congress in North Carolina's 9th District against a career politician who's never served in uniform and likes to vote against veterans benefits named Richard Hudson. Shelane is an independent and Army Special Operations combat veteran that used to jump out of planes into battlefields for a living. She's got a tough race ahead of her against an entrenched, incumbent, extreme GOP Rep who has raised millions. But as Shelane says, she's not afraid to do bold things and lead. She's got the grit and independent spirit that drives this show and the growing independent movement. You'll hear about her harrowing time in the military, why she is running for Congress, why she thinks she can overcome the odds and beat an incumbent in a deeply red district, how she defines independent, and whether or not she'll endorse RFK Jr, Trump or Biden. If you're interested in independent politics—or American politics in general—this is a can't miss. If you're an independent, you've found your home. And an inspiring one at that. And your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) rips into all of it in this all new episode of Independent Americans. And, he tears into the college campus protests spreading across America, RFK Jr's latest “big” announcement and why Knicks superstar Jalen Brunson might have a career in politics when he's done with basketball. Because on Independent Americans, we're focused on not just what's happening now, but also on what's happening next.Every episode is the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's content for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent. And delivers the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. -Learn more about Shelane Etchison and her race on her campaign website. -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power. -WATCH video of Paul and Shelane's conversation.-Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours. -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch. -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm. Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media.Ways to listen:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0F1lzdRbTB0XYen8kyEqXeApple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoff/id1457899667Amazon Podcasts: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/49a684c3-68e1-4a85-8d93-d95027a8ec64/independent-americans-with-paul-rieckhoffTuneIn Radio: https://tunein.com/podcasts/News--Politics-Podcasts/Independent-Americans-p1214607/Ways to watch:YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@independentamericansInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/IndependentAmericansUS/Social channels:X/Twitter: https://x.com/indy_americansBlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/indyamericans.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndependentAmericansUS/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
In today's flashback, an outtake from Episode 29, my conversation with author Ben Loory. It first aired on December 25, 2011. Loory is the author of the story collections Tales of Falling and Flying and Stories for Nighttime and Some for the Day, and a picture book for children, The Baseball Player and the Walrus. His stories have appeared in The New Yorker, Tin House, READ Magazine, and Fairy Tale Review; been heard on This American Life and Selected Shorts; performed live at WordTheatre in Los Angeles and London; and translated into many languages, including Japanese, Farsi, Arabic, and Indonesian. A graduate of Harvard and the American Film Institute, Loory lives in Los Angeles, where he is an Instructor for the UCLA Extension Writers' Program. *** Otherppl with Brad Listi is a weekly literary podcast featuring in-depth interviews with today's leading writers. Available where podcasts are available: Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, etc. Subscribe to Brad Listi's email newsletter. Support the show on Patreon Merch @otherppl Instagram TikTok Email the show: letters [at] otherppl [dot] com The podcast is a proud affiliate partner of Bookshop, working to support local, independent bookstores. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices