Back in 10

Are you skipping the small talks that could solve big problems? In this episode, Savanah and Jen unpack the power of micro-conversations - those quick, intentional check-ins that shape team culture, prevent burnout, and build trust. From tone and timing to documentation and delivery, they share real-life examples of what works (and what doesn’t) in leading a dental team, one conversation at a time.
Spoiler: culture isn’t created in team meetings, it’s built in the in-between.
 
 
Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!
 
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/

When you're short-staffed, it's tempting to hire fast—but at what cost? In this episode, Savanah and Jen get real about why hiring with culture in mind isn't optional anymore. They break down how the wrong hire can turn your team into a revolving door, what your job ad might be doing wrong, and how to tell your practice’s story in a way that attracts the right people (and repels the wrong ones). This one’s a must-listen for dental leaders tired of turnover.
 
Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!
 
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/🌐 Need Jen's hiring expertise? https://www.jensos.com/ 

In this episode of Back in 10, co-host Jen Steadman - dental leader and founder of Steadman Onboarding Solutions - joins Savanah in a deep dive into the hiring missteps that cost practices their best candidates. Jen's expertise in the hiring scope sheds light on job ads that miss the mark to culture cues that send the wrong message.  Learn how to unpack how to attract the right fit before someone else does.
Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!
 
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/🌐 Need Jen's hiring expertise? https://www.jensos.com/ 

Your new hire’s first day shouldn’t feel like a survival show. In this episode, Jen and Savanah break down what real onboarding looks like - SOPs, safety plans, learning styles, desk décor debates, and why a little drawer organizer goes a long way. If you think your onboarding is fine, this might be your wake-up call.
 
Tune in, laugh a little, and walk away with tips that actually work.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "The Wizard" Stone, of Rock Solid Media!

Let’s be real. Most morning huddles are either rushed, redundant, or downright boring. But what if they didn’t have to be? In this episode, Jen and Savannah spill their go-to strategies for turning “just another meeting” into a powerhouse opportunity to boost morale, productivity, and team connection. From redefining the huddle as an "opportunity meeting" to adding a dash of organized fun (yes, memes are encouraged), this one’s packed with tips to help you lead your team like a rockstar before 8AM.
💡 Plus:– Why same-day treatment starts at the huddle– How to get your team truly involved (and not just physically present)– What cowbells, focaccia, and lipstick have to do with leadership
Hit play and reimagine your mornings.
 
Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media for being our recording partner!

When the office manager and the owner dentist are in sync, the practice thrives. But what happens when they’re not? In this candid episode, Savanah and Jen dive into the essential (and sometimes awkward) dynamics between practice managers and owner dentists. From communication breakdowns and forgotten birthdays to setting boundaries and standing united in front of the team, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical leadership gems.
Whether you’re leading the charge or caught in the middle, this episode will help you feel seen and remind you that you're not alone in navigating this delicate relationship.
Highlights:
How to create true alignment with your dentist
The daily check-in topics no one talks about
What to do when you're not getting support from the top
Boundaries: Why they matter and how to set them (even if it’s your birthday)
 
Ready to clock out with us?
Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, so you never miss a minute of Back in 10.
Follow us on Instagram @backin10pod for behind-the-scenes chaos, leadership laughs, and bite-sized wisdom.
Shoot us an email at brb@backin10pod.com if you'd like to share some wisdom with us!
We’ll be back in 10.
 
Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media.

In this episode of Back in 10, Savanah shines the spotlight on her co-host and partner-in-leadership-chaos, Jen Steadman. From middle school dental assisting to VP of Operations overseeing 17 practices, Jen shares her winding, wild journey through dentistry—full of grit, growth, and a few clogged toilets.
You’ll hear:
How Jen went from hygienist to managing multiple practices (at once!)
The moment she caught an employee stealing in her first week as a front desk lead
Why she once sledgehammered a wall down in a dental office (with her boss’s blessing)
The quirky communication exercise that turned into a team-building win
The mindset that kept her going—even when she didn’t think she could
This one’s packed with leadership truth, poop emergencies, and a whole lot of heart. Plus, Jen shares what she hopes listeners take away from Back in 10 and drops one of the best mic-drop definitions of leadership we’ve ever heard.
 
BONUS CONTENT at the end of the episode!
 
Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "Wizard" Stone, of Rock Solid Media!

In this episode, Jen puts the spotlight on Savanah - her co-host, longtime friend, and accidental dental lifer. From loathing the dentist to becoming a dental leader, Savanah shares the surprising path that led her from theater and Harry Potter exhibits to managing busy practices and building dental teams. Expect leadership gems, real talk about burnout, and why answering one phone call changed everything. Also, a yellow blazer makes a cameo.
Take your break. You’ve earned it.
 
Special thanks to Chris Stone of Rock Solid Media!

In this episode, Savanah and Jen take you back to where it all began - the headshots, the yellow blazer, and the moment they realized they weren’t just peers, they were partners in leadership (and laughter). From study club strangers to co-hosting a podcast, they dive into the kind of friendship that’s built on brutal honesty, big feelings, and showing up messy but real. Plus, they share what nearly a decade of knowing each other has taught them about grace, transparency, and why leadership is always better with a friend.
 
Special shout out to Chris Stone of Rock Solid Media!

Welcome to the very first episode of Back in 10, the podcast for dental leaders who do it all and just need 10 minutes to themselves.
In this kickoff episode, Savanah Carlson and Jen Steadman pull back the curtain on why they started this show, how their friendship (and mutual fangirling) began, and what it really looks like to lead in dentistry when you're off the clock. Expect laughter, real talk, a few tangents, and maybe even a tear or two.
This isn’t another polished leadership podcast. It’s a conversation between two women who’ve lived the chaos, climbed the ladder, and are still figuring it out—just like you.
So grab your coffee, close the office door, or hide in the supply closet. We’ll be back in 10.