Advertise on podcast: The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

I’ve had hundreds of conversations with orthodontists about DSOs, OSOs, and private equity—and here’s the truth: most of you are making decisions based on incomplete, outdated, or just plain wrong information. In this episode, I sit down with Connor Jorgensen, Director at Tusk Practice Sales, to cut through the noise and talk about what’s actually happening in today’s market. If you’ve ever wondered what your practice is worth, how equity really works, or whether you’re leaving money (or opportunity) on the table… This episode will give you clarity—and probably challenge a few assumptions along the way. Quotes “When someone tells you you’re going to get a 5–7x return on your equity… that’s unrealistic. If you’re making decisions based on that, you need to run for the hills.”  — Connor Jorgensen “If you’re going to count DSO equity as zero, then you have to count your private practice as zero too. You’re just trading one form of equity for another.”  — Connor Jorgensen Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why “just say no to DSOs” is bad advice (00:16) Connor’s background and insider perspective (04:08) OSO vs DSO vs multi-specialty: what actually matters (06:24) How brokers work—and who they really represent (09:09) Equity vs cash: what orthodontists misunderstand (11:19) Why 5–7x equity claims are misleading (13:12) The biggest mistake advisors make about equity value (16:18) Why selling often beats holding long-term (18:07) How OSOs improve profitability overnight (24:55) Cultural myths: what really happens after you sell (28:02) Why education—not opinion—should drive your decision (29:57) Additional Resources Connor and the team at Tusk Practice Sales will walk you through a complimentary orthodontic valuation analysis—no pressure, no obligation, just real numbers and real insight so you can make the right decision for your future. 👉 Reach out directly: Email: [email protected] Website: https://tuskpracticesales.com Phone: 704-302-1043 Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs 

What if I told you the smartest way to approach airway isn’t to become the hero in the room — it’s to become the gatekeeper who knows exactly when, where, and how to refer? In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, I tackle one of the most polarizing conversations in orthodontics: airway and sleep-disordered breathing. There’s so much noise, ego, and misinformation around this topic that a lot of orthodontists either jump in too aggressively or back away completely. My take is simple: neither extreme serves patients well. We don’t need to diagnose everything ourselves — but we do need to know enough to recognize red flags, evaluate the orthodontic pieces we are responsible for, and collaborate with the right interdisciplinary team. Quotes “We are part of a bigger puzzle. We’re just one piece and if we work together with the science and our referral base, we’ll be able to treat people really, really well.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “We need to be gatekeepers and we need to work with ENTs and oral surgeons and myofunctional therapists and pediatric dentists.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00)Why the airway conversation has become so overblown in orthodontics (00:25)Why orthodontists should be gatekeepers — not lone diagnosticians (00:46)The real problem with extreme pro-airway vs. anti-airway positions (02:17)How to use symptoms, occlusion, anatomy, and CBCT responsibly (04:55)When to treat the occlusion and when to refer to the interdisciplinary team (06:11)Why ENTs, oral surgeons, myofunctional therapists, and radiologists matter (06:32)What Dr. Krieger’s Scottsdale airway course will teach orthodontists and teams (06:43)Why collaborative care creates better outcomes than ideology ever will (08:24)A real example of how orthodontic-ENT collaboration changed a child’s life (10:08) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how airway and sleep-disordered breathing can become one of the most rewarding parts of an orthodontic practice — but only when we stay in our lane, know what we’re looking at, and work with the right team.  If you want to learn how to evaluate these cases more thoughtfully, collaborate more effectively, and treat patients with greater confidence, keep an eye out for the upcoming airway and sleep-disordered breathing meeting in Scottsdale. And if you want to learn more about Orthopreneurs RD, message me directly. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

I’ve seen a lot of innovation in this space over the years—but every once in a while, something comes along that makes you stop and think, “Okay… this actually changes things.” In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mehdi Peikar—orthodontist, physicist, and one of the most fascinating minds you’ll ever meet—to talk about where orthodontics is heading and what happens when you combine AI, biomechanics, and true customization. Mehdi walks us through his journey—from studying quantum mechanics and biomechanics at some of the top institutions in the world to building award-winning orthodontic technologies—and now launching Celebrace, a fully customized 3D-printed bracket system that flips traditional orthodontics on its head. We’re not talking about “low, medium, high torque” anymore… we’re talking about precision-built prescriptions for every single tooth, for every single patient. But this episode goes deeper than just a product. We get into the future—AI, robotics, and yes… even the possibility of orthodontics being automated someday. Whether that excites you or terrifies you, one thing is clear: the doctors who understand where things are going are the ones who will thrive. Celebrace is a 100% digital, AI-driven, fully custom metal braces system, designed to bring greater precision and consistency to finishing. If you’re interested in seeing how it works in practice, LEARN MORE and get started. Quotes “Nobody’s really MBT or Roth—every case is unique. Now we finally have the tools to treat patients that way.”  — Dr. Mehdi Peikar “You approve the treatment plan… and we reverse engineer the bracket to match it exactly.”  — Dr. Mehdi Peikar Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Mehdi’s journey: ortho → physics → innovation (01:13) Why quantum mechanics thinking shapes innovation (03:54) AI vs. quantum computing—what’s actually impacting us now (07:12) Will AI replace orthodontists? (09:08) The future: robots, automation, and orthodontics at home (11:54) Why traditional prescriptions (MBT/Roth) are outdated (26:26) What makes Celebrace different from other “custom” systems (33:03) How fully custom brackets improve efficiency and finishing (29:31) Reverse-engineering treatment plans into exact prescriptions (34:16) Digital orthodontics: where braces are heading next (32:48) Additional Resources If you’re even remotely curious about where orthodontics is heading—and how to stay ahead of it—this is one you don’t want to ignore. 👉 Learn more about Celebrace at: https://celebrace.com 👉 Or reach out directly: [email protected] And if you’re heading to AAO, make sure to check them out in person—you’ll want to see this technology up close. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs 

What if I told you your practice could grow to $3M+ without working harder—just by fixing the leaks in your funnel? In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I challenge you to take a hard, honest look at your practice performance. If you’re stuck at $1.6M–$1.9M and grinding four-plus days a week, the problem isn’t effort—it’s efficiency. Somewhere in your marketing, your conversions, your case acceptance, or your systems… you’re leaking. And the good news? You can fix it without adding more hours to your schedule. I break down what a sustainable, profitable orthodontic practice really looks like—and why a $3M, three-day-a-week model is not only realistic, but repeatable. We talk about the real drivers of growth: effective marketing, strong phone and TC systems, leadership, and patient experience. If you’re ready to stop making excuses and start making changes, this episode will give you a clear, practical path forward. Quotes “I can almost guarantee you that no matter where you practice… your practice is not reaching its potential for what you want.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Somewhere along your funnel, you’re leaking—and you can be much more effective with no more work.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00)Why most orthodontists are stuck below their potential (00:30)The $3M practice model: realistic, sustainable, and repeatable (01:00)Why working more days isn’t the solution (02:05)The 4 key growth drivers: marketing, conversion, case acceptance, leadership (03:45)Why most orthodontists don’t know how to “close” cases effectively (04:20)How to build projections and take control of your numbers (04:55)Identifying and fixing leaks in your practice funnel (06:30)Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how small improvements in your funnel can unlock massive growth—without adding more stress or more hours to your week. If you’re serious about building a more efficient, profitable, and scalable practice, join me at the 4M “Make More Money” Meeting in Nashville. We’ll break down your numbers, your systems, and your strategy—from start to finish—so you can finally build the practice you actually want. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

🎙️ What if the biggest thing holding you back in your career… is something you’re too afraid to walk away from? I’ve seen it over and over again—orthodontists staying stuck because of time, money, or the fear of starting over. But what if the real key to long-term success isn’t pushing through… it’s knowing when to pivot? In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Dr. John Graham, and we go deep into one of the most unconventional journeys you’ll ever hear in orthodontics—from walking away from an oral surgery residency just months before finishing… to building a thriving orthodontic career and life on his own terms. Quotes “You either need to get a handle on this—or you need to make a change. Because that’s not how you should be living your life.”  — Dr. John Graham “People are imprisoned by their past… they think they’ve invested too much to change, so they just decide to be miserable.”  — Dr. John Graham Key Takeaways Intro (00:00)John’s unconventional path from oral surgery to orthodontics (00:33)The moment that changed everything (the pager story) (15:44)Why sunk cost fallacy keeps orthodontists stuck (25:57)The power of visiting other practices and mentorship (08:25)Why successful orthodontists are lifelong learners (09:16)Taking risks vs. playing it safe in your career (33:34)Why more orthodontists are partnering earlier (42:17)Inside the decision to join Smile Doctors (34:59)The truth about independence in DSOs/OSOs (49:20)John’s psilocybin retreat experience and mindset shift (50:46)How perspective, connection, and purpose impact your life (01:03:54)Additional Resources If this episode hit home for you—and you’re feeling stuck, burned out, or just questioning your next move—don’t ignore that feeling. 👉 Reach out. Have a conversation. Visit another practice. Explore your options. And if you want to talk through your situation, I’m always happy to help—just connect with me directly. Because at the end of the day, your career shouldn’t feel like a trap…  It should feel like something you chose. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs 

Unless you've been living under a rock, you must have heard about the recent developments in Artificial Intelligence and its capabilities. But have you tried using it in your orthodontic practice to help with some day-to-day tasks? AI is undoubtedly a huge part of our technological future, and we better learn how to use it. I have used it for writing job posts, responding to patients, creating emails, texts, performance reviews, policies and systems, social media posts, and more. One thing to note with AI is that AI is only as intelligent as the person using it, so the more specific you are with what you're looking for, the better the outcomes will be. Wondering how to incorporate AI into your practice? Tune in to learn more. 🔻SUBSCRIBE TO RECEIVE NOTIFICATIONS ON NEW VIDEOS🔻        @orthopreneurs6803   ⏱️ Key Takeaways ⏱️ - Intro (00:00) - Concerns around AI (00:26) - How to use AI in your practice (01:32) - Get better at prompts (02:27) - Artificial intelligence is only as intelligent as you are (04:21) Additional Resources 🔹Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  🔹For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ 🔹 Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/OrthoPreneurs #OrthoPreneurs #DrGlennKrieger  #5minutefriday

In this episode, I sit down with Kara Pfister, a speech-language pathologist and certified orofacial myofunctional therapist, to unpack one of the most misunderstood—and underutilized—areas in orthodontics: function. We break down what myofunctional therapy actually is, when you should be referring (and when you shouldn’t), and why working without a team is one of the biggest mistakes you can make in modern orthodontics. If you’ve ever wondered why some cases relapse, why certain patients struggle with expansion or open bites, or how to actually build a referral network that improves outcomes—not just checkboxes—this episode will give you practical, real-world insight you can apply immediately. More importantly, it might completely change how you view your role as an orthodontist—not just as a tooth mover, but as a gatekeeper for long-term function and health. Quotes “We’re not just fixing speech—we’re often preventing bigger problems before they even start.”  — Kara Pfister “If they release the tongue without addressing function… it’s like doing surgery on a hip and expecting someone to just walk again.”  — Kara Pfister Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why orthodontists must act as “gatekeepers” for function (00:30) What a myofunctional therapist actually does (01:17) Why most speech issues aren’t being caught early enough (02:46) The real causes: airway, tongue tie, and oral habits (14:35) Why school speech screenings often miss these problems (13:04) How to identify when to refer (31:22) The truth about tongue ties—when they matter (29:53) Why releasing a tongue tie without therapy fails (30:58) Expansion vs. tongue tie timing—what comes first (36:17) How improper function leads to relapse (34:49) Building a referral team that actually works (40:51) Where to find qualified myofunctional therapists (44:11) Additional Resources If you’re serious about improving outcomes—not just finishing cases—you need to stop working in isolation. Start by building your team: Find a qualified myofunctional therapist through https://iaom.com (International Association of Orofacial Myology) Connect with specialists (ENTs, oral surgeons, therapists) who share your philosophy And if you want to reach Kara directly: 👉 https://speech4fun.com 👉 Search Kara Pfister (5.0 Google reviews) Because at the end of the day, the best orthodontists aren’t just great clinicians—they’re great connectors. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

In this 5 Minute Friday, I’m breaking down the uncomfortable truth: we obsess over the science of brackets and wires, but most orthodontists have no scientific approach to the part of the practice that actually creates growth—how patients move from interest to “yes.” I’ll walk you through the funnel leaks I see everywhere: weak phone conversions, untrained trial closes, TCs who aren’t coached on objections, and doctors who accidentally tank conversions by staying in the room too long or saying the wrong thing. And because I’m tired of watching practices bleed opportunity, I’m building something different: a focused event designed specifically to help doctors and key team members master every step of the funnel. If you want to grow ethically, confidently, and with a repeatable system (not “hope”), this episode will light a fire under you—in the best way. Quotes “Sales has science behind it. There are people who’ve studied this top to bottom and know exactly what gets people to say yes.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Do you have a scientific approach from A to Z—from the way you market, to how the phone is answered, to how the exam is handled, to how your TC closes? Or are you just hoping it works?”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) The “A–Z” scientific sales funnel (marketing → phone → lead handling → exam → close) (00:00) Sales has science—proven triggers like scarcity and positioning (01:35) Where orthodontic practices leak: phone scripts, trial closes, consult flow, objection handling (03:24) Doctor behavior that can hurt conversions—and what to rethink (04:08) Why most TCs aren’t trained to overcome objections scientifically (04:42) The “Make More Money Meeting” concept + who should attend (05:08) Instant implementation tip: TC sits next to patient when presenting fees (08:00) If “sales” offends you, this isn’t your meeting—and that’s okay (09:03) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how a scientific sales system can change a practice faster than any new bracket or marketing trend. If you’re ready to stop guessing and start building a funnel that converts—from the first call to the signed contract—go check out the meeting I created for this exact purpose at ortho4m.com. Bring the people who touch your funnel (office manager, TC, key front desk). If spots are still open, grab them—because not everyone is going to fit in that room. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Most orthodontists think they need a better system, better marketing, or better scripting. What they actually need is clarity. In this episode, I sit down with someone I deeply respect — Dr. Lou Chmura — and we go far beyond brackets, aligners, and production numbers. Lou has decades of clinical experience, but what makes him different is his deliberate, principle-driven thinking about life and practice. We talk about why so many orthodontists are more stressed than ever… despite practicing in one of the greatest professions in the world. If you’ve ever found yourself chasing growth, comparing yourself to others, or wondering why success doesn’t feel as fulfilling as you expected — this conversation will hit home. Quotes “The practice is just a vehicle. If you don’t know what kind of life you want, you’ll build the wrong vehicle.”  — Dr. Lou Chmura “If you can figure out your one thing — the thing that really matters to you — everything else organizes around it.”  — Dr. Lou Chmura Key Takeaways Why orthodontists are asking the wrong questions about success Your school pedigree doesn’t matter — what you did yesterday does (02:05) Revenue vs. take-home: Why production numbers can be misleading (04:30) Why defining your life comes before defining your practice (12:00) The danger of chasing someone else’s version of success (20:00) The STEAR framework: How your thoughts create stress (42:00) Why social comparison is sabotaging modern orthodontists (49:00) Finding your “one thing” — and building everything around it (52:00) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for orthodontists to drift — to chase growth, add locations, increase production — without ever stopping to ask, “Is this actually the life I want?” If you’re feeling pressure, burnout, or just a sense that something’s off… don’t fix your systems yet. Fix your clarity. Reach out to Lou at [email protected] or visit eggheadortho.com and start the conversation. Even one hour of honest reflection can change the trajectory of your career. You worked too hard to get here to build the wrong life. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

In this Five Minute Friday, I break down one of the most misunderstood conversations in orthodontics: real return on investment and equity value in private equity-backed organizations. After hosting bankers, CPAs, venture capital leaders, real estate experts, and private equity professionals at Vanguard, I walked away with one very clear realization: far too many orthodontists are being modeled at 6–8% annual returns — and that thinking alone can completely distort whether selling, affiliating, or holding makes financial sense. This episode is not about convincing you to join an OSO or DSO. It’s about education. It’s about understanding equity, multiples, long-term capital gains, private equity performance benchmarks, and — most importantly — transparency. If someone refers you to a broker, a CPA, or an investment opportunity, you need to know what questions to ask. Because if you don’t understand how money truly compounds, you’re making decisions in the dark. Quotes “If my financial planner told me to plan on 8% per year for the rest of my life, I would fire them.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Always ask questions of people and find out — are there any relationships that you should be aware of?”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Rethinking “Acceptable” Returns (01:20) How Wealthy Investors Think (02:05) Understanding Private Equity Multiples (05:10) Capital Gains vs. Practice Income (08:30) Transparency & Conflicts of Interest (10:40) Additional Resources If you’re even remotely considering selling, affiliating, recapitalizing, or exploring private equity — do not make a decision without understanding the math. 🟦 If you want to have an honest, no-pressure conversation about your situation, DM me directly. I’ve had hundreds of these conversations, and sometimes the right answer is “wait.” Sometimes it’s “grow more.” Sometimes it’s “move now.” But it should always be informed. And if this episode opened your eyes, share it with another orthodontist who deserves to understand how their money can truly work for them. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Most orthodontists are worried about OSOs, GP competition, or clear aligner companies. But what if the real disruption is AI, automation, staffing shortages, and the fact that our traditional practice model may not survive the next 10–15 years unchanged? In this episode, I sit down with my longtime friend and St. Louis orthodontist Dr. Jackie Demko — a third-generation orthodontist, EOS implementer, AI early adopter, and longevity enthusiast. Jackie brings a rare mix of loyalty, operational discipline, and future-focused thinking. We talk about building culture that actually works, why core values aren’t fluff, how AI can completely reshape the orthodontic practice model, and what we should be doing right now to stay ahead. This is not a doom-and-gloom episode. It’s a wake-up call — and a roadmap. If you care about protecting your practice, building something sustainable, and staying energized for the long haul, you’ll walk away with both practical ideas and a broader perspective. Quotes “If big corporations are running on core values and systems, why wouldn’t we? Why would we think we’re smarter than that?”  — Dr. Jackie Demko “Anything that’s repeatable in your practice should be automated. If you’re still doing it manually, you’re already behind.”  — Dr. Jackie Demko Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Three-generation orthodontics & the $100K practice mindset (02:05) Why core values aren’t optional (06:32) Culture as your operational blueprint (07:30) AI in the orthodontic practice — right now (16:05) The Holy Grail: the fully automated ortho practice (18:17) The real existential threat to orthodontics (25:30) Why every orthodontist needs an exit strategy (28:20) Longevity & performance optimization (30:52) Additional Resources What if I told you your biggest opportunity right now isn’t increasing production — it’s increasing clarity? If you haven’t defined your core values… if you aren’t experimenting with AI… if you don’t have a future-proof strategy for staffing and automation… you’re not behind — but you are exposed. Start small: Define your 3–5 core values. Explore EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System). Experiment with AI in your new patient workflow. Think seriously about automation before staffing becomes your bottleneck. And if this episode resonated, share it with a colleague who’s thinking about the future — not just next month’s collections. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I’m challenging you to look in the mirror and ask a hard question: Are you truly investing in your professional growth — or are you coasting? After hosting Ortho Vanguard and launching the Make More Money (R4M) meeting, I noticed something powerful: the most successful orthodontists are the ones who keep showing up. They travel. They join groups. They seek mentorship. They shorten the learning curve instead of waiting 15 years to “figure it out.” I share some tough love in this episode — about CE requirements, about prioritizing growth, and about the uncomfortable reality that many of us are putting more intentional time into parenting than into leadership, management, and marriage. This isn’t about guilt. It’s about awareness. If you want elite results, you have to do what the elite are doing. Growth doesn’t happen by accident — it happens by exposure, implementation, and relentless commitment. Quotes “If your practice isn’t where you want it to be, you have to look in the mirror and ask yourself what’s more important — growing your practice or being home at 5:15 for soccer practice.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger “If you want to get to a place where nobody’s been, you’ve got to do what nobody else is doing.”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why the same successful doctors keep showing up (00:30) The CE wake-up call (04:09) Balancing practice, parenting, and marriage (05:00) The spouse support conversation (06:20) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how consistent exposure to high-level rooms changes practices — and lives. The doctors attending Vanguard and R4M aren’t the ones struggling most. They’re the ones already doing well — and refusing to slow down. If you’re serious about shortening your learning curve, scaling your practice, and living with intentional balance, join us at the Make More Money (R4M) Meeting in Nashville. And here’s your homework: book at least one out-of-town CE event for next year. Put it on the calendar. Then have the conversation with your spouse. Elite results require elite commitment. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Most orthodontists think the only path to freedom is scale. Bigger practice. More chairs. More locations. More production. Dr. Luis Gutierrez proves that’s simply not true. Luis isn’t running a $20M operation. He doesn’t work five days a week. He doesn’t grind 60-hour weeks. Instead, he planted intentional seeds early — paid off nearly $800,000 in student debt aggressively, invested relentlessly in CE, chose a smaller community, kept overhead disciplined, and built systems that support the life he wanted. And now? He’s harvesting. In this episode, Luis shares how he went from dental school in Peru to rebuilding his career in the U.S., opening a startup in a small New Mexico town, and creating a lifestyle most orthodontists only talk about. This isn’t about hype. It’s about planning. It’s about discipline. And it’s about designing your practice around your life — not the other way around. If you’re early in your career… overwhelmed by debt… or wondering whether private practice is still worth it — this episode will reset your mindset. Quotes “Failure to plan is planning to fail.”  — Dr. Luis Gutierrez “It’s so much fun to harvest what you planted years ago.”  — Dr. Luis Gutierrez Key Takeaways Why lifestyle design — not production numbers — is the real goal.Moving to a small town and “owning it” (13:04)Paying off $800,000 in student loans aggressively (10:43)Why living like a resident for a few years changes everything (10:43)Working only three clinical days per week (18:20)Taking 14 vacations in one year — with intention (18:29)Investing in 10 CE courses per year for 10 straight years (25:10)Building systems to eliminate blind spots (26:54)Why private practice is still absolutely viable (24:17)The planting vs. harvesting mindset (30:10) Additional Resources If you’re feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or unsure how to build the life you actually want — start by asking yourself: What seeds am I planting right now? Am I investing in myself? Am I designing my practice… or just reacting to it? If this episode resonated with you, share it with another orthodontist who needs to hear it. And if you want help building your plan — reach out. You don’t have to figure it out alone. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

In this episode of Five Minute Friday,  I dive deep into one of the most overlooked growth levers in orthodontics: tracking your marketing ROI with precision. After three flat or down years in the industry, many practices are feeling stuck. I challenge you to look inward. Are you truly tracking where patients come from? Are you deploying capital intentionally? Or are you just “doing marketing” without a measurable strategy? Quotes “Again, you need to track everything… The key will be deploying your capital in an effective way to get a consistent return on investment.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger “Hi, I’m Glenn Krieger. Nice to meet you. By the way — how did you find us?”  — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Intro (00:00) Why Flat Growth Is Happening (01:30) The Marketing Deployment Problem (02:05) The One Question Every Doctor Should Ask (03:00) Tracking ROI Like a Real Business (04:30) Stop Wasting Capital (05:30) Leadership Alignment Matters (06:15) Additional Resources I’ve seen firsthand how intentional tracking and disciplined marketing deployment can transform a stagnant practice into a growth machine. If you’re serious about increasing revenue while maintaining peace of mind, you need systems — not guesses. That’s exactly why the Make More Money Meeting in Nashville this October exists. This isn’t fluff. It’s marketing, sales, and ROI strategy you’ve never seen before — and it’s limited to 250 doctors and key team members. If registration is open, grab your seat. If you’re unsure how to find it, DM me directly. Stop hoping marketing works. Start knowing it works. Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

I know this episode may ruffle feathers. That’s okay. If you’ve ever felt skeptical about sleep and airway, overwhelmed by the noise online, or frustrated by sensational claims from bad actors — this conversation is for you. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Anil Rama — neurologist and Stanford-trained sleep medicine physician — to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Not from an orthodontic silo. Not from a social media debate. But from a multidisciplinary, science-based lens. Quotes “Sleep apnea isn’t the disease — it’s often the symptom of something bigger.” — Dr. Anil Rama “If orthodontists don’t step into this space responsibly, someone else will — and they may not understand craniofacial growth the way we do.” — Dr. Glenn Krieger Key Takeaways Why this conversation requires an open mindSleep apnea as a symptom — not just a diagnosis (07:01)The orthodontist’s role: quarterback or team member? (09:26)Why expansion alone is never the whole answer (14:19)The danger of practicing in silos (24:35)How a WatchPAT test can transform your diagnostic awareness (41:19)Why many ENTs still miss airway-driven sleep issues (44:51)The brain impact of sleep-disordered breathing (34:03)Why humility — not ego — moves this field forward (59:14) Additional Resources 🛌 WatchPAT Home Sleep Apnea Test WatchPAT — Home Sleep Study Device (ZOLL Itamar) 👉 https://www.itamar-medical.com/patients/watchpat-home-sleep-testing/ 📌 Dr. Anil Rama & Sleep Medicine Sleep and Brain — Anil Rama, MD bio 👉 https://www.sleepandbrain.com/anil-rama-md Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home  - For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/ - Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/