Contrary to Ordinary, Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys

Welcome to a very special holiday episode of Contrary to Ordinary. Today, we’re taking a look back over some extraordinary conversations from across 2023. The mission of this podcast has been to figure out what makes a person extraordinary. Are they born with it? Can it be taught? Is work/life balance even possible for people who have made extraordinary strides in their careers?  Extraordinary peo...

People who show grace and poise during stressful times are often compared to a swan drifting across the water. You might not see it, but a lot is going on under the surface to maintain that calm exterior. They rehearse, they plan, and they still get the jitters, even if they are very experienced and talented. Today's guest is Dr. Amanda Seay, an accomplished and accredited dentist and private prac...

In the last episode, we began speaking with Dr. Simon McDonald, CEO and co-founder of Rhondium. Simon is a "serial inventor and entrepreneur" , who has brought a number of groundbreaking inventions into the field of dentistry. You might be familiar with the V-Ring and the Tri-Clip, but his other notable inventions include the One Visit Crown and the Grip Tab.  In part 1, Simon talked us through hi...

Today’s guest is Dr. Simon McDonald. He's been described as a "serial inventor and entrepreneur" , who has brought a number of groundbreaking inventions into the field of dentistry. You might be familiar with the V-Ring and the Tri-Clip, but his other notable inventions include the One Visit Crown and the Grip Tab.  Simon studied dentistry in the UK at King's College in London but moved to New Zea...

Today’s guest Dr. Bobby Birdi is unique in many ways. However, many people know him for being one of North America’s very few Certified Dual Specialists in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. He is an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Minnesota, where he is involved in multiple dental implant research projects and clinical trials. He also actively...

In this episode we're speaking to someone who "helps guide high achieving women to write their own permission slip and live the life of their dreams". Carmen Ohling, a keynote speaker, Flow Academy founder, and holistic life Coach. After 16 years in the corporate world, Carmen made the decision to follow her passion to help others be their best selves. Everyone who meets Carmen is inspired by her...

In this episode, we're going to be talking to a person who helps people who are nice for a living thrive - Stephanie Staples. Stephanie is a prolific motivational speaker and coach who shares her positive message with busy professionals. She has a background in nursing, but after a moment of extreme burnout, she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to helping other people realize their full pot...

The first working laser was operated by Theodore Maiman on May 16 1960 at the Hughes Research Laboratory in California. Maiman may have been the first person to operate a laser, but the theory behind them dates back to Einstein in the early 20th century. He was already thinking about a way to amplify light and its source before we had the means to do it. After their pioneering use in the 60s, it d...

What do Albert Einstein, Coco Channel, and Thomas Edison have in common? During their studies, they were all seen as 'difficult students'. They looked at the rigid systems that they were part of and rejected them. Now we see them as innovators and pioneers whose achievements ring through history. Questioning education paradigms is something that Dr. Graeme Milicich is all too familiar with. He’s p...

Pets are, in many ways, a mirror to ourselves. If we care for and invest time in them, you're going to see that reflected back at you ten-fold. And today's guest certainly understands the complex world of animals and how to keep them happy. Dr. Rick Cambell, the owner of Willow Creek Pet Center, the largest veterinary group practice in the United States. In the world of veterinary medicine, Rick i...

"We all know that art has monetary value but its true value is much deeper. Art transcends race, religion, wealth, status and age. It is connected to us at a soul level. The need for artful expression has always been and will always be. It is for everyone, by everyone." These are the words of today's guest Colt Idol, a painter who is described as the “ new face of the Old West ”. Colt uses dazzlin...

In his 1841 essay Self-Reliance , philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us to “trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string” . In other words, we should all trust in the sacredness of ourselves and our own path, and not try to imitate the road others are destined to travel. Emerson wrote extensively about individuality, self-reliance, and non-conformism, and it makes sense...

In the last episode, we introduced Professor Philip D. Marsh, Professor Emeritus of Oral Microbiology at the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds in the UK. Across his incredible career, he's published over 300 research papers and review articles and is co-author of a leading textbook on oral microbiology.  In Part 1, Phil walked us through his early experiences as a penniless Ph. D. stu...

If you're going to be a trailblazer, then you're going to have to take down a few trees along the way. You have to be willing to follow your nose and believe in what you're doing enough to embrace your critics with open arms. Today’s guest is Philip Marsh, Professor Emeritus of Oral Microbiology at the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds in the UK. In his impressive career, he's publish...

In the last episode, we introduced Rella Christensen of TRAC Research, a nonprofit institute dedicated to in-depth long-term clinical studies of restorative materials, preventive dentistry, and dental caries. Rella took us on a journey through her incredibly busy life - raising three children and pursuing her career as the director of the Clinical Research Associates Foundation. We also heard abou...

Sometimes to forge the path ahead, you need to create the tools to do so from scratch. Having the courage to blaze a trail using your own resources and time is something that only genuinely extraordinary people will attempt. Today's guest, Rella Christensen, has taken on that risk and has come out on the other side with fresh ideas and strategies to help the dental industry better care for its pra...

Breaking away from tradition and challenging the status quo are the hallmarks of an extraordinary person.  Today’s guest is Angus Walls, who, across his forty years in the field, has excelled at finding better ways to care for his patients. Since 2013, Angus has worked as the Director of the Edinburgh Dental Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.  Between 2017 - 2018, Angus served a...

Having a patient's best interests at heart is critical to the work that dentists do. This means training every single member of the dental team, empowering them to feel compassion for and respond to their patient’s needs holistically.   This is a philosophy that Machell Hudson practices, not only in her work as a hygienist but in everything she does.   Machell is a trusted and effective hygienist...

You can't have a healthy body if you don't have a healthy mouth. After all, it is the gateway into the body. Dr. Susan Maples is a leader in the area of total health with over 30 years of experience in dentistry. As a child, Susan was exposed to large quantities of secondhand smoke and suffered from severe allergies. Through mentorship and guidance from a few key medical professionals early on in...

Tooth decay, or dental caries, is the number one disease dentists treat. Yet, the common practice of drilling teeth does not cure the disease. Dr. Doug Young was one of the first to ask a seemingly simple question: If drilling does not cure the disease, why does it remain the first, and often only, option? Finding the answer led him to establish one of the pillars of modern dentistry. Dr. Young de...

It may be hard to believe today, but opinion was the root of most dental practice in years past. Not in evidence-based research. When the Kois Center opened in 1994, it ushered in a revolutionary approach to dental care. It was the first center to provide a graduate program for practicing dentists that implemented a structured science-based curriculum. The center remains a flagship for science-bas...

Welcome to "Contrary to Ordinary," where Dr. Kim Kutsch showcases thought leaders in the dental industry - and beyond - who push the boundaries of what's possible. Hear conversations with innovators who blend art and technology, chase curiosity, and create the truly extraordinary. From cutting-edge tech to creative approaches to game-changing innovation, learn from the best in the business and dis...