Podcasts about snippets

The headlines said AI would be cheaper than your team. The receipts say otherwise. If you jumped in fast and are feeling the cost, or you've been holding back wondering if you're already behind, this one is your reset. Lia breaks down how to figure out where AI actually fits on your team — without an arms race, a Chief AI Officer, or a plan to replace the people who make your business run.In this episode you'll learn:- Why AI isn't the wholesale cost savings you were promised — and why that's actually good news- How to tell whether your business really needs a "Chief AI Officer" (most don't)- The tool mindset that separates teams who benefit from AI from teams who just spin their wheels- Where AI genuinely claws back hours — and where a team conversation solves it faster- Why the hard part was never the tech, and the people conversations to have first- How to start with foundations so AI augments your team instead of replacing itResources mentioned:- Grab Lia's free guide with 5 scripts to make any hard conversation easier: liagarvin.com/convo- Send Lia the AI challenge you're wrestling with (she'll cover them on the show): hello@liagarvin.com- Snippets — stay in the know of what your team is working on without having to micromanage: liagarvin.com/snippetsDownload my FREE guide to making hard conversations with your team easier at liagarvin.com/convoLooking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.I transform teams from cost centers to profit centers with practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing EASIER.Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.comContact: liagarvin.com/contactEmail: hello@liagarvin.comFollow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lia.garvinWatch on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Lia.Garvin--© 2026 Lia Garvin / Managing Made Simple

When a stretch of free time opens up, the last thing you want is to waste it staring at your stash, unsure where to begin. In this episode, Sarai and Haley share how to prepare for those precious sewing binges, choose the right projects, stay in the flow, and avoid the crash that sometimes follows an intense creative stretch. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

What if the crisis you are going through right now is the very thing that leads you to what you actually need?In this series, I select my favourite, most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Tom Cronin shares the deeply personal story of his nervous breakdown after years of addiction and burnout, and the unexpected sliding door moment that introduced him to meditation just weeks later. He also reveals the realisation that changed everything: that the problem was never his career, it was his inner state all along.Press play to hear a raw, honest account of crisis, transformation, and the simple truth that fulfilment was never going to come from changing the outside world.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Tom Cronin in episode #336:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/336˚Personal development podcast for midlife professionals, offering actionable insights for personal growth, mindset tips, self mastery and purposeful living.˚Send us a textSupport the showSubscribe to our weekly email: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/email---A personal development podcast for midlife professionals, offering mindset tips and practical tools for personal growth, self mastery, personal mastery, and purposeful living. Discover psychology tips for emotional intelligence and growth mindset, including overcoming impostor syndrome and building self mastery.Personal Development Mastery features personal development interviews and solo episodes empowering professionals, entrepreneurs, and seekers to cultivate self mastery and create a meaningful, fulfilling life aligned with who they truly are.To support the show, click here.

In this episode of EVJ Snippets, we summarise the latest research published in our Equine Veterinary Journal through a quick overview of the paper: Laser neoureterocystostomy to treat ectopic ureters.

This week: Lineups Vs Showups; Prison Activities & Misconduct; Stop & Search Disproportionality? Join the free Police Science Dr email list to have these emailed to you every Tuesday. You'll also get access to the password-protected 'Read' page which houses all video transcripts and all Police Science Snippets www.PoliceScienceDr.com

Most of us wait until the leaves are already turning to think about fall sewing — and then we're scrambling. In this episode, Sarai and Haley make the case for planning your fall wardrobe right now, in the middle of summer. They walk through exactly why this window matters, what you can figure out today that you'll thank yourself for in September, and a simple planning exercise you can do immediately to get started. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

When insurance drives patient conversations, treatment decisions can shift away from health needs and toward coverage limits. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Carlie Einarson, dental practice coach, about changing the way teams discuss insurance, treatment, and patient value. You will learn how insurance-first language affects trust and profitability, which metrics reveal the financial impact of PPO participation, and how to lead with relationships and clinical recommendations instead of benefits. To help patients choose your practice for the care you provide rather than your participation on an insurance list, listen to Episode 1072 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Insurance-centered conversations can cause patients to base treatment decisions on coverage rather than their health needs.Repeatedly mentioning insurance trains patients to view it as the primary decision-maker.PPO adjustments create an effort gap between a practice's full fee and the amount it ultimately collects.Teams should explain the patient's condition, recommended treatment, and value of care before discussing benefits.Insurance should be positioned as a benefit that may contribute toward treatment rather than determine treatment.Practices need to track their adjustment and write-off percentages before making informed decisions about PPO participation.Relationship-based conversations help patients choose a practice because they trust the team and the care it provides.Snippets:00:00 When insurance drives the conversation, value gets lost.01:19 Introduction to Metric Mondays and Carlie Einarson.02:32 Why insurance-centered conversations affect treatment decisions.03:37 How practices unintentionally create insurance-focused patients.04:15 Signs that insurance is driving conversations in the practice.05:43 How PPO write-offs create an effort gap.07:25 A relationship-based response to insurance questions.09:07 What insurance conversations look like when a practice gets them right.10:44 Track adjustments, write-offs, and the practice's effort gap.11:16 Why trust and value should guide patient decisions.13:33 Questions teams can ask to evaluate insurance-focused language.15:09 Create value before discussing price or benefits.15:47 Share the episode with the team and discuss a different approach.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Carlie Einarson is a lead practice coach who has a passion for helping others succeed in the dental field. She loves helping to create a stable foundation for practices so both professionals and patients have a great experience every time they walk in the door!Carlie graduated from Utah College of Dental Hygiene. She has ten years of experience in the dental field, including clinical dental hygiene, front office, and leading teams.In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with loved ones, traveling, skiing, playing volleyball, and golfing.More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

Finger-pointing is often a sign that team members do not have clear ownership of essential practice responsibilities. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Charlene Marques, an ACT Dental coach, about using a function accountability chart to clarify roles, establish measurable accountability, and prevent important tasks from slipping through the cracks. You will learn how consistent reporting, scorecards, and one-on-one feedback can reduce conflict and help team members understand how to succeed in their roles. To create clearer ownership throughout your practice, listen to Episode 1071 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Finger-pointing is usually a symptom of unclear ownership and accountability.A lack of clarity can cause missed follow-ups, aging insurance claims, unsigned treatment plans, ordering mistakes, and scheduling problems.Leaders often respond to unclear accountability by fixing problems themselves, double-checking work, and micromanaging team members.A function accountability chart defines the practice's major functions, the seats within each function, and the responsibilities assigned to each seat.The responsibilities of each seat should be defined before assigning a person to that seat.Scorecards and key performance indicators help teams identify whether a function is on track or off track.Regular one-on-one conversations provide timely feedback and allow leaders to coach team members throughout the year.Snippets:00:00 Intro02:00 Finger-pointing is a symptom of unclear ownership and accountability.04:17 Common language that reveals an ownership gap.05:00 Operational problems caused by unclear responsibilities.06:10 How practice leaders become fixers and micromanagers.08:21 The purpose of a function accountability chart.09:44 Why the person should be assigned to the seat last.11:00 Creating a consistent rhythm of reporting and feedback.12:00 Using a 90-day scorecard to track functional health.13:47 Tracking insurance aging and outstanding claims.15:24 Why annual performance reviews do not provide enough feedback.16:34 Structuring regular one-on-one check-ins.18:18 How consistent meetings build trust and develop leaders.19:24 Three requirements for reducing finger-pointing.20:21 Function accountability chart and scorecard resources.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:With over 20 years of experience in the administrative side of dentistry, Charlene has become a trusted coach and partner for dental practices looking to reach their full potential. Throughout her career, she has had the privilege of helping many dentists turn their visions into reality, creating streamlined systems and protocols that empower both the practice and its team. There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the success of a practice as it grows and thrives through thoughtful planning and execution.Outside of work, Charlene enjoys quality time with her husband and their two rescue pets - Ruby, a sweet cat and Harley, a loyal dog. She also cherishes visits to sunny Florida where she spends time with her sister and niece, making the most of family moments whenever possible.With a passion for helping others achieve their goals, Charlene is dedicated to providing exceptional guidance and support to dental practices, ensuring their success for years to come.More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.comgina@actdental.comFree resources: https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/

In this episode of EVJ Snippets, we summarise the latest research published in our Equine Veterinary Journal through a quick overview of the paper: Age, embryo donor status, and insemination with chilled semen all predispose to persistent breeding-induced endometritis in warmblood mares.

Moving away from insurance can create fear for dentists who worry patients will leave, the team will resist, or production will suffer. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Troy Schmedding, a private practice dentist in Walnut Creek, California, to explain how he transitioned out of insurance participation, rebuilt his practice around quality and communication, and created more control over how he practices. You will learn why team alignment matters, how to communicate insurance changes with patients, and why quality and customer service are essential for an out-of-network model. To learn how one dentist reclaimed control by ditching insurance and prioritizing quality, listen to Episode 1070 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Dentists often struggle to leave insurance because of fear and self-limiting beliefs about whether their patients will stay.A practice can become less busy but more productive when it is well-managed and focused on quality care.Going out-of-network requires strong communication with the team and with patients.Patients respond better when the conversation focuses on quality of care rather than complaints about insurance companies.Billing insurance on behalf of patients remains an important customer service step after leaving insurance networks.Patient referrals can become stronger when existing patients value quality, service, and the practice model.A successful out-of-network practice depends on having a team that supports the doctor's vision and communicates well with patients.Snippets:00:00 Introduction to Dr. Troy Schmedding and the topic of moving away from insurance.01:09 Kirk introduces Dr. Schmedding and the Best Practices Show.04:15 Dr. Schmedding explains how insurance reimbursement cuts influenced his decision-making.06:51 Fear and self-limiting beliefs keep dentists from changing their insurance model.10:49 Team alignment is necessary before making major insurance changes.13:54 Referrals shift when patients understand and value the practice model.15:06 Dr. Schmedding shares his perspective on dentists' frustration with Delta Dental.17:54 Kirk and Dr. Schmedding discuss the future of out-of-network private practice.21:28 Dr. Schmedding explains what dentists often misunderstand about his practice model.23:00 Dr. Schmedding discusses his upcoming Smile Source Exchange presentation.24:54 Final thoughts & ClosingGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Dr. Troy Schmedding is a honors graduate of the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry in San Francisco, California. He maintains a private practice in Walnut Creek, Ca. where he focuses on aesthetic and functional dentistry. An Accredited member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, he lectures both nationally and internationally on aesthetics and restorative materials. He has also written and published numerous articles on restorative materials and protocols in numerous dental magazines. Dr Schmedding also serves as a Key Opinion Leader for numerous manufacturers helping develop and bring new products to market.Resources mentioned in this episode:Dr. Troy Schmedding on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/troyschmeddingdds/Smile Source Exchange: https://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

This week: Victim Reporting; Police & Black Youth Relations; Women's Empowerment & Violence; Join the free Police Science Dr email list to have these emailed to you every Tuesday. You'll also get access to the password-protected 'Read' page which houses all video transcripts and all Police Science Snippets www.PoliceScienceDr.com

We're pushing back on the idea that you need a beautiful, perfectly organized sewing room to do your best creative work. Sarai and Haley talk about what actually matters in a sewing space — and what really doesn't — so you can stop feeling guilty about the mess and start sewing more. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Sharing numbers with the team can feel difficult for dentists who worry that data will seem cold, corporate, or disconnected from patient care. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, dental hygienist and coach, to explain why sharing metrics feels so hard and how to make those conversations productive, consistent, and patient-centered.You will learn how to connect KPIs to patient outcomes, reduce defensiveness around data, and help your team understand how their roles affect the health of the practice and the patients you serve. To learn how to make metrics a healthier part of your leadership, listen to Episode 1069 of The Best Practices Show!Main TakeawaysDentists often struggle more with managing and leading people than with the clinical side of dentistry.Data conversations become difficult when the team only hears about numbers during problems or emergencies.Metrics feel cold when leaders discuss production and collections without connecting them to patient care.Reappointment percentage reflects whether patients are staying on track with preventive care.Treatment acceptance shows whether patients understand the value of recommended care and are moving forward with treatment they want or need.Perio visit percentage helps teams see whether they are proactively addressing periodontal disease.Leaders can make data easier to discuss by explaining what each metric measures, what systems affect it, and how improvement benefits the patient experience.Snippets:00:00 Intro01:13 Meet Miranda Beeson02:27 Miranda explains why many practice owners hesitate to share data.05:27 What happens when practices do not review numbers with the team.06:52 Why KPI reporting can feel like it is only about making more money.10:22 What it looks like when leaders introduce KPIs well.11:10 KPI Examples That Matter14:34 Kirk discusses the compounding effect of stronger perio visit percentages.15:56 Miranda explains why leaders must set the tone around data.16:14 Miranda introduces resources for connecting metrics to patient experience.19:06 Kirk closes by encouraging leaders to share numbers in a way that helps the team and patients.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.Resources mentioned in this episode:To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt/ACT Dental resources: https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/For more information about the community, contact gina@actdental.comKPI Mastery: https://www.actdental.com/127More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

Burnout is not always caused by the amount of work someone is doing. It can also result from spending too much time performing work that creates frustration and drains energy. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Heather Crockett, ACT Dental coach, about applying the Working Genius model to burnout, leadership, team responsibilities, and patient care. You will learn how to recognize frustration-based burnout, delegate work according to energy and natural strengths, and use all six working geniuses to improve the patient experience. To create a healthier team and find more joy at work, listen to Episode 1068 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Burnout can result from the type of work someone performs, not only the amount of work assigned.High performers may burn out faster because they try to complete all six types of work at a consistently high level.Promotions can place capable team members into roles that rely heavily on their areas of frustration.Leaders should consider a team member's energy and working geniuses instead of delegating solely according to available capacity.Each of the six working geniuses contributes differently to treatment planning, communication, follow-through, and patient trust.Team members become more effective in their geniuses when they receive regular opportunities to use and develop them.A fulfilled and energized dental team communicates more effectively and creates a stronger patient experience.Snippets:00:00 Applying Working Genius to burnout, leadership, and patient care.02:43 A review of the six working geniuses.03:43 How working frustrations drain energy.05:18 Why the type of work can cause burnout.06:35 How promotions can move high performers into frustrating work.08:26 What burnout looks like on dental teams.09:40 Why high performers may burn out faster.11:22 Leadership mistakes related to Working Genius.13:31 Delegating according to energy instead of capacity.16:12 How each working genius supports patient care.18:27 Why fulfilled teams create better patient experiences.20:20 Final lessons about burnout, team roles, and contribution.21:42 Taking the assessment and starting a team conversation.22:48 Working Genius education at the Exchange.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Heather Crockett is a Lead Practice Coach who finds joy in not only improving practices but improving the lives of those she coaches as well. With over 20 years of combined experience in assisting, office management, and clinical dental hygiene, her awareness supports many aspects of the practice setting.Heather received her dental hygiene degree from the Utah College of Dental Hygiene in 2008. Networking in the dental community comes easy to her, and she loves to connect with like-minded colleagues on social media. Heather enjoys both attending and presenting continuing education to expand her knowledge and learn from her friends and colleagues.She enjoys hanging out with her husband, three sons, and their dog, Moki, scrolling through social media, watching football, and traveling.Resources mentioned on the episode:Working Genius Assessment: https://www.workinggenius.com/The 6 Types of Working Genius by Patrick Lencioni: https://www.amazon.com/Types-Working-Genius-Understand-Frustrations/dp/1637743297Smile Source Exchange: https://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if the adversity you are facing right now is not happening to you, but for you?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Matt O'Neill, a leading expert in happiness education, shares a profound and deeply personal teaching on how to maintain inner happiness when life is at its hardest. Matt makes the case that the only true suffering comes from the story we tell ourselves, and that compassion is always the path back to peace.Press play for one of the most honest and moving conversations about happiness, adversity and the choice to see life differently.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Matt O'Neill in episode #424:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/424˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

A clicking jaw joint may not hurt, but pain alone does not reveal whether the joint is healthy, stable, or affecting growth and occlusion. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Dr. Jim McKee, a restorative dentist and educator, about evaluating clicking joints from a structural and orthopedic perspective. You will learn how the articular disc supports condylar position, mandibular and maxillary growth, vertical dimension, bone protection, and load distribution, as well as why patient age, malocclusion, and joint anatomy should guide diagnosis. To understand why dentists need to ask better questions about clicking joints, listen to Episode 1067 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:The articular disc acts like a gasket that positions the condyle three-dimensionally and supports a repeatable bite.A displaced disc can affect mandibular and maxillary growth even when the patient does not report pain.Malocclusion can be an early clinical indicator of structurally altered temporomandibular joints.Changes in vertical dimension at the joint level can contribute to excessive loading and breakdown of terminal posterior teeth.MRI and CBCT provide information about soft-tissue and hard-tissue joint anatomy that cannot be determined from symptoms alone.Appliances can redistribute load and support adaptation, but they cannot guarantee that every structurally altered joint will adapt.An asymptomatic clicking joint in a stable adult should be evaluated differently from an asymptomatic clicking joint in a growing patient with malocclusion.Snippets:00:00 Intro02:28 Why pain may be a late-stage indicator of a joint problem.04:31 What a clicking disc may be unable to do compared with a normal disc.08:12 Why teeth are only one part of the occlusal system.10:27 How the disc supports mandibular growth.15:12 How disc displacement may affect maxillary growth.19:35 Why joint diagnosis matters before orthodontic treatment.22:54 Understanding vertical dimension at the joint level.26:44 How the disc protects bone and distributes load.29:42 Using malocclusion to identify patients who may need joint evaluation.36:05 How patient age and occlusal stability change the clinical significance of clicking.38:19 Educational resources for learning joint diagnosis and restorative treatment planning.44:27 Final Takeaways Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Dr. Jim McKee is a restorative dentist and educator focused on occlusion, TMD, and restorative diagnosis. He is a member of the Spear Resident Faculty. He has maintained a private practice since 1984 in Downers Grove, Illinois, where he treats a wide variety of cases with a focus on predictable restorative dentistry. He is a member of the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and former president of the American Equilibration Society. He has lectured both nationally and internationally for over 25 years and directs several study clubs. Dr. McKee graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1980 and earned his dental degree from the University of Illinois College of Dentistry in 1984.Resources mentioned in this episode:Stephen Phelan's online program featuring Dr. Jim McKee's:https://courses.phelandentalseminars.com/tmd-webinar-wjAdvanced Occlusion Workshop at Spear Education : https://app.speareducation.com/events/workshops/advanced-occlusionEP779: The Restorative Diagnostic Practice:https://www.actdental.com/blog/779-mckeeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

In this episode of EVJ Snippets, we summarise the latest research published in our Equine Veterinary Journal through a quick overview of the paper: Development of a prognostic scoring system for systemic inflammatory response syndrome in donkeys.

Sarai and Haley tackle sewing perfectionism head-on, discussing five common things that sewists stress about that genuinely don't affect the quality or wearability of a finished garment. They help you tell the difference between details worth fixing and the ones that only the maker ever notices—so you can spend your energy where it counts. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Patients may seem uninterested in their oral health, but the real issue may be that they have not been given a clear reason to participate in their care. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Melissa Obrotka, a dental hygienist and oral-systemic health educator, about helping patients understand what is happening in their mouths and why it matters to their overall health. You will learn how to create patient buy-in, use visual evidence and open-ended questions, calibrate your team, and transition from task-based hygiene to a healthcare-focused approach. To improve communication and help patients take action, listen to Episode 1065 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Dental professionals must help patients understand how oral inflammation and bacteria can affect systemic health.Team calibration requires dedicated non-patient time to establish shared clinical standards, protocols, and expectations.Disclosing biofilm gives patients visual evidence that helps them understand disease, inflammation, and areas of risk.Open-ended questions and motivational interviewing can uncover the fear or previous experiences behind patient resistance.Providers can challenge patients directly while acknowledging their choices and asking permission to explain clinical concerns.Hygienists earn healthcare-level compensation by consistently delivering comprehensive healthcare rather than limited task-based services.Dentists and hygienists should learn and implement an oral-systemic approach together so patients receive consistent care.Snippets:00:00 Intro01:00 Why patients may appear not to care about their oral health.02:20 Melissa's background in dental hygiene and oral-systemic education.03:45 The relationship between oral inflammation, bacteria, and systemic health.06:05 How hygienists inherit task-based systems and schedules.09:05 Why dental hygienists may be the most important healthcare providers patients see all year.10:55 The need to schedule non-patient time for team calibration.12:00 How disclosing biofilm creates patient buy-in.13:45 Connecting periodontal charting, radiographs, bleeding, and visible bacteria.16:00 The expanding research on oral and systemic health.18:35 Using questions and motivational interviewing with resistant patients.22:00 How to care deeply while challenging patients directly.24:20 Melissa's perspective on dental hygiene as a career.28:45 Melissa's courses at The Exchange.31:10 Final thoughts on helping patients care and take action.32:00 Why dentists and hygienists should attend training together.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Melissa A Obrotka, BA, RDH, holds over 25 years of experience in the dental field and concentrated clinical experience with the dental implant patient population. Melissa's core objectives for her patients in specialty perio/prosthodontics are focused on a “whole-listic” approach to dental prevention, disease remission, and therapies that encompass total body health and wellness. Her approach to patient care is focused on biofilm disruption strategies for periodontal and peri-implant health and longevity while providing healthcare advocacy to patients. In addition, Obrotka is a dental hygiene motivator, educator, podcast host, change agent, influencer, and industry thought leader. Obrotka serves as a clinical adjunct professor at her alma mater, Bergen Community College in Paramus, New Jersey, where she elevated clinical education by instructing students on the oral microbiome, biofilm disruption and introduced the Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT) methodology. Obrotka was nationally recognized in 2016 as a Master Clinician for her outstanding clinical expertise. In 2017, Obrotka was named one of the “Six Dental Hygienists You Want to Know'' in the clinincal practice category by Dimensions of Dental Hygiene.Resources mentioned in the episode:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsthebadasshygienist/Website: https://itsthebadasshygienist.comMentioned Programs:No More Ignored Advice &The Biology Led Hygiene Appointment: https://www.itsthebadasshygienist.com/speaking-the-badass-hygienist-melissa-obrotka-rdhOPSM Framework: Oral Prevention is Systemic Medicine: https://www.itsthebadasshygienist.com/opsm-framework-courseMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if happiness is not something that happens to you, but something you practise every single day?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Andrew Matthews, a globally celebrated author and international speaker whose books on happiness and resilience have sold over 8 million copies, shares three simple but powerful daily practices that happy people do consistently.Press play to discover what genuinely happy people do differently, and how you can start doing the same today.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Andrew Matthews in episode #472:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/472˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

In this episode of EVJ Snippets, we summarise the latest research published in our Equine Veterinary Journal through a quick overview of the paper: Radiographic identification and description of the equine middle conchal sinus (ethmoidal sinus): Implications for diagnosing middle conchal sinusitis. 

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with Craig McLellan, CEO of ThinkOn, to discuss what it takes to build a company that lasts through multiple technology cycles.Craig reflects on one of the most difficult transitions leaders face: evolving from founder to CEO. He shares lessons learned scaling a business from a close-knit startup culture to a high-performing organization, why the people who help you reach one stage may not be the people who take you to the next, and how leaders can navigate those decisions thoughtfully.The conversation also explores why leaders should approach AI with discipline rather than hype, how organizations can drive meaningful adoption, and what Canadian business leaders should be thinking about when it comes to sovereignty, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.Listen in for a candid conversation on leadership, resilience, and the realities of building a lasting organization.

We're answering YOUR questions today! From choosing the right summer fabrics to staying on track with your seasonal sewing plan, we tackle the real challenges our community is facing right now. Plus, we share some honest advice about what to do when a project isn't going the way you hoped. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Production gaps are often blamed on low case acceptance or insufficient diagnosis, but the real issue may begin with how the schedule is structured, protected, and maintained. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt talks with dental practice coach Ariel Siegel about identifying whether lost production begins in the schedule or the operatory. You will learn how reappointment systems, downtime monitoring, intentional scheduling, and future schedule protection can create more consistent production and smoother clinical days. To understand where production gaps begin and what your team can do about them, listen to Episode 1063 of The Best Practices Show!Main TakeawaysProduction problems may result from scheduling systems even when diagnosis and treatment acceptance remain strong.Constantly filling last-minute openings prevents administrative team members from completing other production-building activities.Filling schedule gaps with unsuitable appointments can disrupt the intended flow and energy of the clinical day.Strong reappointment systems help patients understand why they are returning and reduce future cancellations.Protecting the future schedule allows the team to maintain production goals and minimize bottlenecks.Monitoring doctor and hygiene downtime reveals both large openings and smaller gaps that accumulate throughout the day.Designing the schedule around provider energy and appointment type supports more consistent monthly production and revenue.Snippets:00:00 Metric Mondays Intro01:19 Schedule vs Operatory02:20 Why Gaps Happen03:28 When It Goes Wrong04:26 Scramble Fill Trap06:51 Getting It Right07:57 Protect Future Schedule09:17 Design Around Energy10:07 Action Steps Today11:17 Resources and Wrap Up11:57 Final Thanks and OutroGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Ariel has a master's in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process!Guest Resources:https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

In this Snippets episode, Leon Goren sits down with John Preiditsch, Managing Partner at Six S Partners, to discuss what it takes to successfully lead business transformation in a rapidly changing environment.Drawing on nearly four decades of experience working with growing mid-market companies, John shares why transformation initiatives often fall short of expectations and why leadership, communication, and change management matter just as much as the technology itself. He explains why organizations should focus on outcomes rather than implementation timelines, and why creating a clear vision for employees is critical when introducing new systems and processes.The conversation also explores the growing role of AI in business, including why trusted data and consistent processes remain the foundation for getting meaningful value from new technologies. John offers practical perspectives on leadership, organizational readiness, and the importance of investing in people throughout periods of change.Listen in for a thoughtful discussion on business transformation, leadership, and preparing organizations to take advantage of the opportunities created by AI.

Missed calls, staffing shortages, and phone fatigue can create a front office bottleneck that affects both the patient experience and practice production. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt speaks with Richard May of Mango Voice about how modern VoIP systems and AI receptionists can help dental practices answer more calls, streamline scheduling, document patient conversations, and reduce administrative workload without eliminating the human relationships patients need.Learn where AI is most useful, which conversations should remain with team members, and how practices can evaluate these tools responsibly. To improve your phone workflow and reduce pressure on your front office, listen to Episode 1062 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Front office bottlenecks occur when team members must manage ringing phones, arriving patients, scheduling requests, insurance questions, and payments at the same time.Missed calls can represent lost new-patient opportunities and make it difficult for practices to measure the production they are losing.An AI receptionist can answer simultaneous calls, schedule selected appointments, respond to common questions, and filter spam or irrelevant calls.AI tools should be customized with accurate practice information and used as an extension of the team rather than a replacement for every human interaction.Phone integrations with practice management software can identify callers, open patient profiles, create conversation summaries, and reduce manual documentation.Payment disputes, detailed insurance questions, sensitive family concerns, and treatment conversations still require human judgment and empathy.Modern VoIP systems can use mobile applications and cellular data to keep business calls operating during an internet outage.Snippets:00:00 The front office bottleneck in dental practices.01:27 Meet Richard May04:18 How competing front office demands create workflow bottlenecks.06:21 Phone fatigue and the impact of missed calls.08:33 How an AI receptionist handles simultaneous and after-hours calls.10:09 Addressing concerns about AI representing the practice.15:09 Why dentists underestimate the importance of their phone systems.16:39 How patient expectations influence which dental practice they choose.19:10 Using transcripts, keyword searches, and automated patient notes.21:21 The staffing crisis and AI-supported administrative work.23:26 Which tasks should remain human.26:40 How AI can triage after-hours and emergency calls.29:20 How VoIP reliability and mobile applications have improved.31:32 Final considerations for adopting AI in the dental practice.34:24 How to test Margo and schedule a Mango Voice demonstration.Guest Bio/Guest ResourcesRichard has had a fulfilling career in public health, where he spent a decade dedicated to improving community wellness, health education, and preventive care. His work in public health allowed him to make a tangible difference, positively impacting lives and communities, a passion that continues to drive him.Following his public health career, Richard joined Mango, bringing his dedication to health and wellness into a new professional chapter. His role at Mango is a perfect fit, aligning with his values of teamwork, community engagement, and continuous improvement.Mango Voice: https://www.mangovoice.com/More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if the love you received growing up was real, but expressed in a language that left you chasing perfection instead of feeling accepted?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Rohene Bouajram, international speaker and leadership coach, shares why self-love is not a nice addition to inner work, but it is its foundation.Press play to hear one of the most moving reflections on inner work, self-love and generational healing I have ever shared on this podcast.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Rohene Bouajram in episode #432:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/432˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

Building, growing, and owning an independent dental practice can feel isolating, especially when decisions, team challenges, and long-term vision fall on the practice owner. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT coach and dental practice leader, to explain why community matters in practice ownership and how the right support system can help dentists and their teams make better decisions, avoid unnecessary mistakes, build confidence, and grow with greater clarity. To learn how to find the right people in your corner, listen to Episode 1061 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Independent practice owners do not have to solve every challenge alone.A strong professional community provides shared learning, support, accountability, and practical perspective.The right community helps dentists shorten the learning curve by learning from others' real-world experiences.Community should align with the practice owner's values and avoid judgment, toxicity, or hidden agendas.Team members also need community and role-specific support to grow in confidence and leadership.The Community Hub provides forums, study clubs, clinical education, resources, and vendor connections for dentists and their teams.Community is a strategic advantage because it helps practice owners think better, lead better, and grow faster.Snippets:00:00 Who Is In Your Corner01:19 Meet Miranda Beeson02:15 Why Dentists Feel Alone04:09 Tribe Stories And Patterns07:41 Isolation And Negative Self Talk08:34 What Community Really Means10:59 Avoid Toxic Communities13:31 Real Benefits For Owners15:25 Belief And Accountability18:15 Community For The Whole Team23:20 Inside The Community Hub26:43 Forum Wins And AI Examples32:19 More Questions Solved Fast37:56 Final Takeaways And Invite40:33 How To Get Started42:32 Closing And Call To ActionGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.Resources mentioned in this episode:To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt/ ACT Dental resources: https://www.actdental.com/free-resources/For more information about the community, contact gina@actdental.comMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

Snippets of conversations picked up on microphones at the annual Group of 7 summit in France offered a glimpse behind the scenes, as leaders chatted about issues great and small. This deal is essentially a pause and reset: it stops the war and stabilizes oil markets, but gives Iran significant immediate benefits while pushing the most critical issue—its nuclear program—into future negotiations. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Snippets of conversations picked up on microphones at the annual Group of 7 summit in France offered a glimpse behind the scenes, as leaders chatted about issues great and small. This deal is essentially a pause and reset: it stops the war and stabilizes oil markets, but gives Iran significant immediate benefits while pushing the most critical issue—its nuclear program—into future negotiations. Please Like, Comment and Follow 'Philip Teresi on KMJ' on all platforms: --- Philip Teresi on KMJ is available on the KMJNOW app, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever else you listen to podcasts. -- Philip Teresi on KMJ Weekdays 2-6 PM Pacific on News/Talk 580 AM & 105.9 FM KMJ | Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Podcast | Amazon | - Everything KMJ KMJNOW App | Podcasts | Facebook | X | Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of EVJ Snippets, we summarise the latest research published in our Equine Veterinary Journal through a quick overview of the paper: Cheek tooth extraction in geriatric versus non-geriatric horses. 

We all have handmade garments sitting in our closets that never get worn. In this episode, Sarai and Haley explore what those pieces can teach you about your fit preferences, style evolution, and sewing decisions—and how to turn those insights into a wardrobe you actually reach for every day. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Most dentists believe they need more new patients, but the real problem may be how well they are using the patients, providers, and chair time they already have. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Ariel Siegel, ACT Dental coach, to explain why active patient count, pre-appointment percentage, capacity utilization, and annual patient value matter before investing in new patient growth. Learn how to identify whether your practice has a patient problem or a utilization problem, and how to start improving schedule efficiency with the data you already have. To grow more predictably with the patients already in your practice, listen to Episode 1060 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Practices should evaluate utilization of current patients and provider capacity before pursuing more new patients.New patients can add pressure because phone calls, relationship building, and appointments require more time and energy.A healthy active patient count is often around 1,200 to 1,500 patients per provider.Unscheduled active patients and low pre-appointment rates reveal opportunities within the existing patient base.Chair time utilization around 90% to 95% creates productive schedules while leaving some flexibility.Annual patient value helps determine whether a practice needs more patients or better production per patient.Capacity tracking should be reviewed consistently so each provider column has accountability.Snippets:00:00 Metric Mondays Intro01:50 Meet Ariel Siegel02:14 More Patients Myth04:18 Active Patient Benchmarks08:07 When Utilization Fails10:33 Redefining Growth11:56 Capacity Utilization Targets14:36 Action Plan With APV18:06 Vision And Wrap Up18:33 Final GoodbyeGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Ariel has a master's in healthcare administration and several years of dental experience in all aspects of the administrative roles within the dental office. Her passion is to work with dental teams to empower team members to realize their full potential in order to better serve patients, improve office systems to ensure a well-functioning team/office, and to help everyone have fun in the process!More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

Digital workflows are changing how dentists select, plan, monitor, and communicate clear aligner treatment. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis, private practice dentist and clear aligner educator, to discuss how digital workflow innovations are transforming aligner treatment in 2026.You will learn how to evaluate aligner case complexity, monitor tracking and compliance, use auxiliary techniques, manage retention protocols, and think about aligners as part of a broader functional and preventive approach to dentistry. To understand how to make aligner workflows more predictable and practical in your practice, listen to Episode 1059 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Clear aligners have expanded from simple aesthetic cases to more complex Class II, Class III, surgical, and multidisciplinary treatment plans.Case selection should include evaluation of occlusion, arch form, profile, crossbites, growth status, recession, and bone support.CBCT, STL files, and complete diagnostic records give doctors better control and confidence when planning aligner treatment.Monitoring appointments should focus on aligner fit, attachment integrity, tracking gaps, programmed IPR, and occlusal contacts.Patient compliance remains essential because aligners generally require 22 hours of daily wear.Auxiliary techniques such as buttons, elastics, TADs, and bootstrap mechanics can improve movement predictability in moderate and severe cases.Retention protocols should account for occlusal stability and patient compliance, especially when deciding between clear retainers and lingual wires.Snippets:00:00 Welcome And Guest Intro02:11 Meet Dr Mari Jose03:14 Aligners In 202605:24 Case Selection Basics06:55 Monitoring And Tracking10:37 Doctor Coaching Support11:13 Micronutrients And Compliance13:03 Retainers And Stability14:45 Aux Techniques And Elastics16:32 Posterior Open Bite Causes18:24 Retainer Wear Schedule19:52 Future Of Aligner Care22:20 Final Tips And Records23:14 Contact Info And Spark24:28 The Exchange Event Preview25:00 Final thoughts on case selection, auxiliary techniques, and live case alignment.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Dr. Maria Jose Blanco Solis is a dentist in private practice in San Jose, Costa Rica. She has worked with clear aligner therapy through Invisalign and Spark and focuses on digital dentistry, aligner workflow, case selection, clinical monitoring, and doctor education.In this episode, she discusses Spark, Vista aligners, TruGen XR material, one-on-one clinical support, and her upcoming presentation at Smile Exchange on case selection, clinical complexity, auxiliary techniques, and live case review.Resources mentioned:mariajose.blanco@envistaco.comDiscount code for the smile exchange: JOSEBLANCO26https://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if most of your emotional suffering comes not from what's happening around you, but from the energy you're spending trying to control it?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest, spiritual coach Reverend Rachel Harrison, shares a profound and practical teaching on emotional well-being: that we give our power away every time we attach our inner state to something outside ourselves, and exactly what to do the moment you catch yourself doing it.Press play to discover a simple but transformative mantra that brings your energy back to where it belongs: to you.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Rachel Harrison in episode #438:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/438˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

Hiring and keeping an associate sounds simple until the interview process, compensation questions, and culture-fit issues start to derail everything. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings on Cassie Tallon, an operations expert and founder of The Fractional Match, to explain why most dental practices fail when hiring associates and what to do differently. You'll learn how to evaluate fit beyond clinical skills, how to set compensation expectations with transparency, why paying on collections matters, and how to prepare your practice so an associate can actually succeed and stay. Listen to Episode 1058 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Decide whether you want an associate purely for production or someone you will develop into a leader and potential legacy successor.Use a recruitment service instead of posting a job yourself without understanding today's compensation models and contract pitfalls.Evaluate relational and empathetic patient-care philosophy early, not just clinical procedure capability.Confirm the associate is coachable and willing to be led during onboarding, not just eager to produce immediately.Start onboarding with financial clarity—how the P&L works and how pay is calculated—to prevent distrust and turnover.Pay associates on collections to tie compensation to real revenue and reinforce documentation, billing, and follow-through habits.Fix patient mix, services, and marketing before hiring an associate instead of expecting the associate to solve a broken model.Snippets:00:00 Hiring Associates Is Hard01:06 Meet Cassie Tallon03:41 Associate or Partner Choice05:30 Recruiting Landscape Today06:56 Fit Over Clinical Skills10:40 Pay Models That Work12:35 Equity and Autonomy14:31 Fix Patient Mix First19:10 Develop Associates Skills22:00 Retention and Transparency24:02 Work Life Satisfaction27:47 XChange Soft Skills Talk30:01 Final Advice and Wrap UpGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Cassie Tallon is a dental operations leader with 20 years of experience spanning multi-doctor practices and DSOs, including supporting growth and operational efficiency across multiple locations. She is an author focused on dental operations and has dedicated her current work to helping dentists improve efficiency, navigate growth decisions, and strengthen systems without adding unnecessary overhead.Resources mentioned:The Fractional Match: thefractionalmatch.comBook: Permission to DreamBook (upcoming): Permission to ScaleMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if getting dressed this summer felt effortless? In this episode, Sarai and Haley explore the power of a personal outfit "uniform" — a repeatable formula built around the silhouettes, fabrics, and combinations you love most. They share how to identify the formulas already hiding in your closet, build in variety without starting from scratch, and plan your summer sewing to fill the gaps. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Why can your practice feel busier than ever, show higher production, and still not see more money in the bank? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Miranda Beeson, ACT Dental's Director of Education, to explain why gross production is often a misleading proxy for profitability and what to measure instead. You'll learn the difference between gross and net production, how write-offs and overhead quietly erase gains, and the first steps to protect margins so profit can follow production. Listen to Episode 1057 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Gross production can be a “gross misrepresentation” of what a practice can actually collect, while net production reflects what is realistically collectible.Higher production does not automatically create higher profit when write-offs grow and overhead rises at the same time.Practices get it wrong when they celebrate production without tracking what gets adjusted away and what it costs to deliver the care.Large write-offs (insurance, membership plan discounts, elective courtesies, and untracked adjustments) can create an “effort gap” where work is done but revenue is not collectible.Adding hours, days, team members, and equipment to chase production can increase expenses and compound the profitability problem.Practices get it right by tracking adjustments by category (and often by individual insurance carriers) and by regularly reviewing the P&L to confirm expenses are aligned with revenue-producing needs.The first action steps are to clarify write-offs in the practice management system and to understand where overhead dollars are going before pushing for more production.Snippets:00:00 Why production can be up while profit doesn't follow.02:10 Gross vs. net production and why the distinction matters for doctors and teams.06:10 What it looks like when practices get it wrong and the bank account doesn't grow.07:05 Write-offs and the “effort gap” between delivered care and collectible revenue.08:35 How chasing more production can quietly drive overhead higher.10:05 Why the real issue is often strategy, not production.14:15 The mindset shift for fee-for-service: being okay with downtime and using it well.17:10 The first thing to do tomorrow: get clarity on write-offs and adjustments.19:05 The next step: review the P&L and understand overhead buckets.Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What do you do when a failure, setback, or “detour” hits your practice or life and you can't see the point of it yet? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt interviews Dr. Timothy Bizga, private practice dentist and educator, about the mindset shifts behind his book Timeless Tidbits of Wisdom and how to find perspective when dentistry feels heavy.You'll learn why “life happens for you,” how boundaries prevent burnout, and how community changes your trajectory. Listen to Episode 1056 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Dr. Bizga wrote his book to serve readers with practical wisdom drawn from patient stories and his own experiences.Writing a book requires commitment and support systems, not isolation or “doing it alone.”A misgraded writing exam in eighth grade became a long-term gift by sparking Dr. Bizga's love of writing.The chapter “The Gift Inside the Detour” centers on changing mindset from “this is happening to me” to “this is happening for me.”Perspective often comes later, and progress in hard seasons can mean simply continuing to move forward.“Even Enamel Has Limits” is a reminder that caregivers and clinicians need boundaries to avoid burnout and breakdown.Smile Source Exchange is positioned as a community-driven learning environment where relationships and mentorship accelerate growth.Snippets:00:00 Welcome01:22 Meet Dr Tim Bizga03:04 Why Dr. Bizga wrote Timeless Tidbits of Wisdom and how patient stories shaped it.04:50 “Writing a book is the hardest thing ever” and why Dr. Bizga disagrees.06:09 “My hope is not to impress you, but to serve you” and the goal of 31 short chapters.07:50 The story behind “The Gift Inside the Detour”14:09 Applying detours to dentistry: procedures, team issues, health crises, and mindset.17:42 “Even Enamel Has Limits” and why boundaries matter for dentists and caregivers.21:39 Where to Get the Book22:26 Why Attend The Exchange 202625:09 Final thoughts on dentistry as a profession Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Dr. Timothy Bizga is a 2006 DDS graduate of the School of Dentistry! Along with having a successful practice, Dr. Bizga is an Adjunct Clinical Assistant Professor of Dentistry at the School of Dentistry and the Director of Education for Smile Source, a network of more than 1,000 independent dentists who benefit from group buying, collective education and peer-sharing programs. Dr. Bizga has lectured nationally for more than 16 years and recently authored Timeless Tidbits of Wisdom.Guest resources mentioned in the episode:Timeless Tidbits of Wisdom: https://a.co/d/0aFvJ3MsThe Exchange 2026: https://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if the biggest obstacle to your meditation practice is the way you've been taught to do it?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.My guest Earle Birney, a meditation teacher and spiritual guide with over 27 years of experience, reveals the two most common mistakes people make when meditating, and what to do instead. If you have ever sat down to meditate and walked away feeling like you failed, this one is for you.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Earle Birney in episode #466:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/466˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

In this episode, we're thrilled to have the insightful Paul Gowder, CEO of powwows.com, and a passionate advocate for email marketing. Join Jen as she and Paul delve into the often-overlooked power of email automation, and its potential to create meaningful connections with audiences.Paul shares his expertise on building effective email sequences, emphasizing the importance of storytelling and personalization. He shares how to start with simple automated email sequences that nurture relationships and provide value, rather than overwhelming recipients with information.The conversation highlights practical strategies for using snippets in email campaigns to keep content fresh and relevant, as well as the significance of segmenting your audience for tailored communication. Paul's insights on creating a welcoming experience for subscribers and maintaining engagement through automation will inspire marketers to rethink their email strategies.Key takeaways...- Start with Sequences: Begin with a few automated emails that tell your story and answer common questions from your audience.- Personalization Matters: Use your unique voice and personalize emails to foster a sense of community and connection.- Snippets for Efficiency: Implement snippets in your email to update content across campaigns, without the need for constant manual changes.- Segment Your Audience: Identify how to divide your audience and tailor your messages to meet their specific interests and needs.Listen in on this engaging discussion with Jen (solo!) and Paul. Email marketing is alive and well -- and a way to can grow the relationship you have with your audience.Our guest...Paul Gowder is an online marketer, educator, and storyteller dedicated to creating real connections at scale. As the CEO of powwows.com, he has built a thriving digital community focused on Native American culture through thoughtful content and smart strategies. With a diverse background in social media, marketing, and project management, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to the table, inspiring others to embrace the power of email marketingIf you'd like to take advantage of Paul's KIT affiliate link for email management and sequencing, it's HERE.~._.*._.~Making a Marketer is brought to you by Powers of Marketing - providing exceptional podcast experiences & online and in-person events since 2013. Check out episode 190, and if our show moves you, please share it and let us know your thoughts!Take our LISTENER Community Survey!!! HERE** Our editor Avri makes amazing music! Check out his music on Spotify ! **

Documentation, charting, and insurance narratives are taking time away from patient care, and many teams are already stretched thin. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Rushi Ganmukhi, founder of Bola AI and former MIT AI/NLP researcher, and Cassie Tallon, a dental operations leader and author, to explain how voice-enabled AI can reduce clinical documentation burden, improve note quality, and help practices get paid faster. You'll learn where voice tech fits best (perio, restorative charting, and clinical notes), what it changes operationally, and how to identify the friction points in your own workflow. Listen to Episode 1055 of The Best Practices Show!Main Takeaways:Voice technology can reduce the time and disruption of perio charting by allowing hands-free entry during hygiene visits.Faster perio charting supports more comprehensive perio exams, which can improve identification and treatment of periodontal disease.Delayed or incomplete notes can delay insurance submission and cash flow, creating a backlog of unsent claims.Templated, generic notes and late documentation can weaken clinical records for both insurance review and legal defensibility.Insurers are increasingly requiring more documentation, including perio charting for restorative claims, to support medical necessity.Effective adoption of AI tools depends on fast implementation, flexibility in workflows, and customization to an office's documentation preferences.Practices can start by tracking daily workflow “sticking points” for a week and mapping which issues could be reduced with voice-driven documentation.Snippets:00:00 Voice tech as the “hidden power” of AI for practice efficiency.01:00 The documentation burden: perio charts, restorative docs, and insurance narratives.02:10 Rushi's background in AI/NLP and MIT research, and why he entered dentistry.04:35 Why voice tech fits clinical environments better than consumer voice assistants.06:00 Bola AI's early focus on voice perio charting and expansion to notes and restorative charting.07:05 Why integrations with practice management systems matter (Dentrix, Open Dental, Curve, Patterson, Henry Schein).08:00 The time cost of manual charting and its impact on hygiene workflows.10:00 How delays and backdating notes can hold up insurance submission and revenue.11:20 The risks of cut-and-paste templates for insurance and legal documentation.13:00 Insurance requiring more documentation, including perio charting for restorative claims.14:00 Why “decay” alone is not a sufficient clinical reason in a narrative.15:00 How dental-specific logic and terminology improve accuracy over general dictation tools.16:35 What “plug-and-play” adoption should look like in the operatory.18:10 Handling variation across practices (sleep/airway, medical billing, pediatrics, customization).19:00 Current curiosity vs. adoption: workforce shortages and the cash-flow case for AI.22:00 Overview of Bola's three core products: Voice Perio, Voice Restorative, and AI Scribe.26:00 A practical challenge: measure how long perio charting takes and identify workflow friction points.29:00 Final guidance: start small, solve specific problems, and choose tools proven in clinics.30:10 Where to learn more and request a demo (bola.ai).Guest Bio/Guest Resources:Rushi Ganmukhi is the founder of Bola AI and has a professional background in artificial intelligence and natural language processing, including research experience at MIT focused on helping computers understand human speech and language. He leads Bola AI's work applying voice technology to dental workflows, including perio charting, restorative charting, and AI-assisted clinical documentation.Cassie Tallon is a dental operations leader with 20 years of experience spanning multi-doctor practices and DSOs, including supporting growth and operational efficiency across multiple locations. She is an author focused on dental operations and has dedicated her current work to helping dentists improve efficiency, navigate growth decisions, and strengthen systems without adding unnecessary overhead.Resources mentioned in the episode:Bola AI (demos and product information): www.bola.aihttps://smilesource.com/exchangeMore Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

Your best team member just told you they might be making a move in six to twelve months. The gut-drop is real. And the instinct to stop investing, to start the mental transition, to quietly begin the handoff, is completely understandable. It's also one of the most expensive moves a leader can make. In this episode, Lia breaks down why advance notice is actually a gift, what to say, and how to handle everything from the re-engagement conversation to the raise conversation that feels like an ultimatum.In this episode you will learn:Why writing someone off the moment they give you advance notice often makes them leave sooner, not laterThe Sit-Down: what this re-engagement conversation looks like and how to have itHow to respond when you suspect the conversation is really about wanting more money or a promotionWhat team systems need to be in place so no single person's exit ever creates a crisisHow to handle a raise or promotion offer that comes with conditions without agreeing to something you'll resentResources mentioned:Snippets web app for team visibility: liagarvin.com/snippetsWork with Lia: liagarvin.com/contactLooking for support for yourself of your team? I've got you covered.Explore manager training, leaders keynotes & offsites, and 1:1 advisory, or my 90-Day-COO program for business owners who want simple systems that actually work.I help teams build clarity, accountability, and momentum through practical tools and research-backed strategies that make managing easier.Get all the details at: www.liagarvin.comor reach out at hello@liagarvin.com

Zippers have a reputation as one of the scariest techniques in sewing, but they don't have to be. In this episode, Sarai and Haley talk about why zippers feel so intimidating, the common mistakes that actually cause the frustration, and the mindset shifts and practical tips that will help you approach any zipper with confidence. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Tracking every KPI can feel productive, but it often creates noise and diffuses accountability. In this episode, Kirk Behrendt sits down with Miranda Beeson, ACT's co-host and practice coach, to explain why “tracking everything is the fastest way to improve nothing.”You'll learn how to narrow your focus to a small set of metrics that match your top quarterly priority, how to separate leadership-level monitoring from team-level focus, and what to do when a metric is off-track so it actually improves. Listen to Episode 1054 of The Best Practices Show!Main TakeawaysTrack data because feelings are not reliable indicators of what is happening in the practice.Too many KPIs create overwhelm, dilute accountability, and make it harder to prioritize action.Choose three to seven “main” KPIs each quarter that directly correlate to the practice's current priority.Leadership can monitor a broader scorecard, but the team should stay focused on the quarter's priority metrics.Practices that track everything often bounce between problems week to week without making measurable progress.When a focus metric is off-track, the team must issue-discuss-solve instead of only reporting the number.Assign clear ownership for collecting and reporting each KPI so the numbers stay visible and actionable.Snippets:00:00 Metric Mondays Kickoff01:22 Meet Miranda Beeson02:00 Why Tracking Everything Fails03:20 Pick Few KPIs for Traction05:51 Data Rich Direction Poor07:52 What It Looks Like Done Right08:42 Choose Focus Metrics This Quarter10:47 Action Steps and Accountability13:17 Solve Off Track Metrics14:43 Wrap Up and Get HelpGuest Bio/Guest Resources:Miranda Beeson has over 25 years of clinical dental hygiene, front office, practice administration, and speaking experience. She is enthusiastic about communication and loves helping others find the power that words can bring to their patient interactions and practice dynamics. As a Lead Practice Coach, she is driven to create opportunities to find value in experiences and cultivate new approaches.Miranda graduated from Old Dominion University, and enjoys spending time with her husband, Chuck, and her children, Trent, Mallory, and Cassidy. Family time is the best time, and is often spent on a golf course, a volleyball court, or spending the day boating at the beach.More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:The Best Practices Show: https://www.actdental.com/podcast/Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpaUpcoming Events & Workshops: https://www.actdental.com/events/Smile Source: https://www.smilesource.com/Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.comSubscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com

What if your emotional triggers weren't the enemy, but the access point to your deepest healing?In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Rebeccah Silence, an author and coach specialising in emotional healing, shares her three-step process for taking back control when a trigger takes over, and explains why the trigger itself is not something to fear, but something to follow.Press play to learn a practical, compassionate framework for turning your emotional triggers into a doorway to freedom.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Rebeccah Silence in episode #446:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/446˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

Rayon, lawn, voile — summer's prettiest fabrics can also be the most frustrating to sew. In this episode, Sarai and Haley share 5 practical tricks for handling lightweight fabrics with confidence, from cutting to hemming. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

What if the moments that upset you the most are actually pointing you towards your deepest healing?Snippet of wisdom 107.In this series, I select my favourite and most insightful moments from previous episodes of the podcast.Today, my guest Tammy Cox, a transformational coach specialising in inner child healing, talks about how to identify the hidden beliefs that are quietly driving your emotional reactions, and what to do when you notice them.Press play to learn a simple, practical process for investigating your triggers without judgement, and why that is the first step to transforming your relationships and your life.˚VALUABLE RESOURCES:Listen to the full conversation with Tammy Cox in episode #442:https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/442˚Coaching with Agi: https://personaldevelopmentmasterypodcast.com/mentor˚

Feeling guilty about sewing simple projects? In this episode, Sarai and Haley make the case that basic patterns are actually your smartest summer sewing strategy. They share 7 ways to make simple patterns feel exciting through intentional fabric choices, clever details, and strategic wardrobe thinking. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!

Why do our fabric stashes keep growing even when we already have more than we can sew? In this episode, Sarai and Haley explore the emotional side of stash-building — from the scarcity mindset that drives impulse buys to the guilt that keeps us avoiding our own fabric drawers. They share practical strategies for auditing your stash, letting go of what no longer serves you, and turning what remains into a curated resource you're genuinely excited to sew from. Join Seamwork to create your wardrobe with us each month. Get our free sewing planner and start designing. Get our free Snippets newsletter Download our free fitting journal Watch our tutorials and see what Sarai's making on YouTube Follow us on Instagram Find us on TikTok Seamwork is the online sewing community that supports the whole sewing process, from design to closet. We help you uncover your style, what matters to you, and how to express yourself through sewing. Join us on this creative journey!