Back in 10

AI in dentistry is everywhere right now… and honestly? Some people are spiraling.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re having a real conversation about what AI actually means inside a dental practice and why it should support your team, not replace them.
Because AI is not magic.It’s not a replacement for leadership, empathy, clinical judgment, or human connection.
We talk about:• How to identify where AI can actually help your practice• Why buying technology without a strategy is a mistake• The difference between automation and replacement• Clinical AI, admin AI, and where each one fits• Why your team’s pain points should guide your tech decisions• How to build an AI tech stack that actually works together
And yes… we also talk about the reality that some “all-in-one” solutions don’t actually do everything well.
If AI has felt overwhelming, confusing, or overhyped, this episode will help you think about it differently.
Because the goal isn’t to replace your people.
It’s to support them better.

“I’ll just do it myself.”
We’ve all said it… and it might be the exact reason you feel overwhelmed.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re talking about delegation, time, and the trap so many leaders fall into when they try to do everything on their own.
Because the problem usually isn’t your workload.It’s how you’re leading it.
We break down:• Why “I’ll just do it myself” is actually hurting your team• The difference between building a team and building dependency• A simple framework to decide what to keep, coach, and cut• Why delegation isn’t dumping (and how to do it right)• How to create growth opportunities for your team through delegation
Because if everything depends on you… you don’t really have a team.
You have a bottleneck.

Leader or manager?
The truth is… you don’t get to pick just one.
In this episode of Back in 10, we’re breaking down the real difference between leading and managing — and why the most effective dental leaders know how to do both.
Because managing keeps the practice running.But leadership is what keeps your team engaged, growing, and staying.
We talk about:• The difference between focusing on tasks vs focusing on people• Why managing drives compliance, but leadership drives commitment• How to recognize where you fall on the spectrum• The impact of micromanaging (and why it pushes people out)• Simple ways to shift from managing harder to leading better
Because if you want better results, it’s not about doing more.
It’s about leading differently.

This episode is a little different… and it matters.
Ralf Tomandl of HR for Health joins us as we talk about the HR conversations that go beyond policies and procedures, the ones that require awareness, attention, and leadership.
Because sometimes, what you notice (or don’t) matters more than you think.
In recognition of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we’re highlighting the importance of paying attention to the people in your practice - your team and your patients - and not brushing off what feels off.
Inside this episode:• What HR really means in a leadership role• Why awareness is part of your responsibility• The conversations leaders tend to avoid• How to create a culture where people feel safe speaking up• Why small moments can have a bigger impact than you realize
We’re also proud to spotlight the Saving Faces Foundation and the work they’re doing to support patients and raise awareness around oral and facial cancers.
👉 Learn more: https://savingface.org/
Because leadership isn’t just about doing your job well…it’s about showing up when it matters most.

Stop waiting to feel ready. Here’s how to decide anyway.
In this episode, we’re answering a listener question:What decision-making framework helps leaders make confident choices under pressure?
And here’s the truth…
Most leaders don’t struggle to make decisions.They struggle to trust themselves enough to make one.
So instead of overcomplicating it, we break down a simple way to think through decisions so you can move faster, with more clarity and less second-guessing.
Inside this episode:• How to separate urgency from importance (because they’re not the same)• Why doing nothing is still a decision and often the most expensive one• A simple way to balance decisions between the patient, the practice, and the team• How to stop overthinking and start moving• Why confidence is built in motion, not before it
Because leadership isn’t about making perfect decisions.
It’s about making clear ones… and adjusting as you go.
If you’ve been stuck waiting for certainty, this will help you move.
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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/ 

What does it actually look like to lead other leaders in a dental practice?
Especially when you don’t own the business… and you don’t sign the paychecks… but you’re still responsible for execution, alignment, and results.
In this episode, we’re getting into one of the most delicate dynamics in leadership: leading up and leading alongside other leaders.
We talk about:• Why alignment with your doctor matters more than anything• How to stop your team from “playing the parents”• What it looks like to lead with solutions instead of problems• Why weekly meetings are non-negotiable• How to communicate without emotion, ego, or gossip
Because the truth is… leading other leaders isn’t about control.It’s about clarity, trust, and having the conversations most people avoid.
If you’ve ever felt stuck between your team and your doctor, this episode will give you a better way to lead both.
 
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/ 

Have you ever led while doubting yourself?
Like… really doubting yourself.
In this episode, we’re talking about the kind of leadership no one posts about. The moments where you look confident on the outside, but inside you’re questioning everything. Your decisions. Your tone. Whether you even deserve the seat you’re in.
We get into what self-doubt actually looks like in real life. Over-preparing. Second guessing. Needing validation. Carrying it quietly so your team never sees it.
And then we shift it.
Because self-doubt doesn’t mean you’re not ready. It doesn’t mean you don’t belong. It usually means you care more than most.
We’ll walk through how to stop spiraling and start getting curious, how to tell the difference between a skill gap and growth, and how to keep showing up as a leader even when you don’t feel like one.
If you’ve ever thought, “Do I actually know what I’m doing?”… this one’s for you.
 
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/ 

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!
 
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/ 

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
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 

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!
Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod
Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod
Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/