Back in 10

Can leaders be friends with their team?
It’s a question that makes a lot of leaders uncomfortable, especially in small businesses and dental practices where teams are tight-knit and relationships run deep.
In this episode of Back in 10, Jen and Savanah unpack the blurred lines between leadership and friendship. They talk about the challenges of moving from peer to leader, why wanting to be liked can sometimes get in the way of good leadership, and how boundaries actually create safer, healthier teams.
Because leadership does not mean you stop caring about your people. But it does mean making decisions that serve the patients, the practice, and the team as a whole.
If you have ever struggled with balancing friendship and leadership, this conversation will resonate.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
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Unlimited sick time and PTO sounds great in theory. But does it actually work in a dental practice?
In this episode of Back in 10, Jen and Savanah unpack one of the most debated workplace policies in modern leadership: unlimited time off. From state laws and HR considerations to team culture and leadership modeling, they explore what happens when practices try to implement flexible time-off policies in a high-accountability environment like dentistry.
They also talk about something many leaders struggle with themselves. If you offer unlimited PTO, but never take time off as a leader, what message does that send to your team?
This episode dives into the real leadership considerations behind unlimited policies, including culture, cross-training, burnout, and the importance of setting clear expectations.
Because sometimes the policy isn’t the problem. The culture behind it is.
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
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Sometimes the best conversations are the ones that were never planned.
In this episode of Back in 10, Jen and Savanah talk about finding your people in dentistry and in life. What starts as a Valentine’s Day conversation about connection turns into stories about LinkedIn cold messages, peer groups, introducing your favorite humans, and yes, a very unexpected side quest involving Chelsea Clinton’s wedding.
This episode is light, conversational, and full of real moments. But underneath the tangents is an important message. You have to go where your people go. You have to be intentional about building your circle. And sometimes one introduction can change everything.
If you have been feeling isolated in leadership or just craving stronger connection, this episode is your reminder to send the text, make the introduction, and find your people.
 
More ways to stay in touch!
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Leadership decisions do not happen in a vacuum. They impact teams, relationships, and trust.
In this episode of Back in 10, Jen and Savanah have an honest conversation about loyalty, integrity, and what happens when major changes are announced publicly...when it shouldn't have been. They unpack the emotional side of transitions, the ripple effect on teams, and the importance of grace when change feels abrupt or unexpected.
This is not a gossip episode. It is a leadership episode.
They discuss how leaders build loyalty, how it can be damaged, and why integrity matters more than optics. If you have ever been caught off guard by an announcement, felt the tension of transition, or had to lead through uncertainty, this conversation will resonate.
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
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Hiring dental assistants is one of the biggest challenges facing practices right now. Keeping them is even harder.
In this extended episode of Back in 10, Jen and Savanah sit down with Stacey Singleton CDA, EFDA, DAADOM to have a real, unfiltered conversation about what is happening in assistant hiring and retention. From bait and switch job ads to onboarding failures, culture breakdowns, pay transparency, flexibility, and leadership accountability, nothing is off the table.
This is not a quick tips episode. It is a full breakdown of why assistants leave, what they actually want, and how leaders can build environments where great team members choose to stay.
If you are constantly hiring assistants or feeling frustrated by turnover, this episode will challenge your thinking and give you practical insight you can use immediately.
 
Learn more about Stacey Singleton at:https://www.talkteeth2me.com
 
More ways to stay in touch!
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Interviewing well is a leadership skill, and it is one that most teams are never taught.
In this episode of Back in 10, Jen Steadman, owner of the hiring company JenSOS, leads the conversation on how to interview with confidence, clarity, and intention. Drawing from her real-world hiring experience, Jen breaks down why interviews often fail, how unclear processes lead to poor hires, and what leaders should be listening for beyond resumes and technical skills.
Together, Jen and Savanah talk through behavioral based questions, identifying red flags, evaluating soft skills, and creating an interview process that protects both your culture and your time.
If you want to stop guessing in interviews and start hiring with confidence, this episode gives you the framework to do it right.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
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If you are struggling to find the right candidates, the problem may not be the market. It may be your job ad.
In this episode, Jen and Savanah kick off a hiring series by breaking down why job ads are the foundation of every successful hiring strategy. They talk about how language, clarity, and culture show up before a candidate ever applies and why hiring should be intentional, not reactive.
This conversation covers why hiring "starts" long before you have an opening, how job ads reflect leadership and culture, and what great ads actually communicate to the right people.
If your inbox is empty or filled with the wrong candidates, this episode will change how you think about hiring.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
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This episode was recorded live at Unlock the C.O.D.E. dental event in Pennsylvania and we are bringing it back for anyone who could not attend in person.
In this live conversation, Jen and Savanah talk about the real power of networking and why making the first move matters more than waiting for the perfect moment. From hallway conversations to LinkedIn messages, this episode breaks down how authentic connection creates momentum in careers and leadership.
They share why networking is not about collecting contacts, how confidence grows with action, and why the relationships you build often matter more than titles or roles. If networking feels awkward, intimidating, or uncomfortable, this episode will change how you think about it.
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Want to learn more about C.O.D.E.?  Circle of Dental Excellence is offering multiple in-person dental learning events, as well as monthly masterminds.  Check them out at www.circleofdentalexcellence.com.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 

If you feel busy all day but still behind, this episode is for you.
In just ten minutes, Jen and Savanah share practical time management tips for leaders who are juggling too much. They break down where time actually goes, how to identify leaks in your day, and why better systems matter more than longer hours.
This episode covers delegation, protecting focus time, and shifting away from the idea that being busy equals being effective. It is a quick reset designed to help you work smarter, not longer.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 

As we close out the year and look ahead, the question comes up again and again. What does success actually mean?
In this episode, Jen, Savanah, and Chris take a deeply honest look at how their definitions of success have changed. They talk about money, freedom, health, gratitude, grit, kindness, and relationships, and why success is not a one-size-fits-all concept.
This conversation is less about goals and more about values. It is about choosing kindness when life is hard, redefining worth when things shift, and recognizing that success can change season by season.
If you are heading into the new year feeling reflective, uncertain, or ready to define success on your own terms, this episode will meet you right where you are.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media!
 
More ways to stay in touch!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/