Sydology 101

What does boating, home renovation projects, leadership, insurance billing, and personal growth all have in common? More than you’d think. In this episode, Sydney is joined by Kendra Glacken from Wisdom for a conversation that starts with revenue cycle management and evolves into something much bigger. Together, they explore what it means to lead through uncertainty, adapt to change, trust y...

If your systems live in your head… You don’t actually have a systems. Too many dental practices are running on memory, sticky notes, and “we usually just figure it out.” In this episode of Sydology 101 , Sydney sits down with Laura Johnston to talk about why Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are the secret weapon behind calm, productive, and high-performing teams. Together they break down why s...

What actually makes a baller team, and how do you build one that supports growth, accountability, and good vibes? In Part 1 of this conversation, Sydney breaks down what it really means to move from a “me” mindset to a true “we” culture. From hiring the right people, to empowering your team with tools and trust, this episode dives into leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and why cur...

Show Notes Welcome back to another episode of Sydology 101 , where we talk honestly about what’s actually happening inside dental practices. This episode started as a conversation about building a front office that “runs itself”… and quickly turned into something much deeper: leadership, ownership, communication breakdowns, and why so many leaders feel exhausted, interrupted, and stuck repeating t...

Welcome back to another episode of Sydology 101, where we talk honestly, openly, and with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Today’s conversation is a real-life peek behind the curtain as Syd sits down with Whitney Bishop to talk about what it’s actually like being married to a serial entrepreneur and dentist—aka, a full-blown dentalpreneur. Whitney shares what their life looks like in...

Welcome back to another episode of Sydology 101 , where we talk honestly, openly, and with just enough spice to keep things interesting. Today’s conversation is extra special because Syd is joined by someone who has lived this dynamic, understands it from the inside, and is willing to talk about it in the most real, refreshing way: Whitney Bishop . She brings both the humor and the honesty as we b...

In this episode of Sydology 101 , Syd is joined by Kendall and Estie for a “we listen and we judge” session pulled straight from the wild world of dental Facebook groups and Reddit. From feeling like a “powerless” office manager to getting demoted two days into a regional role, this one is all about gut checks, leadership fails, and what healthy offices do differently. Syd, Kendall, and Estie reac...

Summary In this episode of Sydology 101, the host discusses the upcoming case acceptance workshop in Omaha, Nebraska, and introduces Flex Dental Solutions , a dental software company. The conversation covers the mission of Flex, barriers to patient treatment acceptance, and how Flex’s tools can help dental practices improve communication, streamline workflows, and enhance patient experiences...

In part two of this live Women in DSO ® 2025 panel, Dr. Mark Costes turns the conversation toward growth—how to connect the dots between marketing, operations, and leadership in ways that actually move the needle. Sydney joins Ashlee Hirschfeld, Kay Lang, and Mary Lafferty once again to unpack the real mechanics of DSO success: clear data, aligned teams, and authentic leadership. What You’ll Hear...

This episode was a special one. We recorded live at Women in DSO® 2025 , and Sydney joined an amazing panel led by Dr. Mark Costes . Mark turned the spotlight toward the incredible women who make companies like Dental Success Network, Dental Success Institute, and CMO Share run. Sydney joined the panel alongside Ashlee Hirschfeld , Kay Lang , and Mary Lafferty — four leaders who’ve helped shape th...

In Part 2, Sydney and Ashlee pick up right where they left off, moving from hiring strategy into the heart of leadership and personal growth. You’ll hear: The importance of inner work and how unresolved triggers show up in leadership Ashlee’s turning point from being a “boss hole” to leading with empathy How vulnerability (like Sydney sharing her dyslexia) changes teams for the better Practical wa...

In this episode of Sydology 101 , Sydney sits down with her longtime mentor and the GSD Queen herself, Ashlee Hirschfeld . From her start as Dr. Mark Costes’ personal assistant to becoming COO of Dental Success Network, Ashlee knows firsthand the game-changing power of the right hire. Together, Sydney and Ashlee dive into: How Ashlee went from Googling on the fly to building entire companies &#160...

From practice culture to personal wellness, Sydney welcomes back repeat guest Dr. Peter Dinh in this thoughtful and energizing conversation. They talk about what it means to lead without being a bosshole, weaving in themes of sleep, team culture, functional medicine, and the power of vulnerability. Sydney brings her signature humor and curiosity to the mic as they explore how true leadership comes...

This week on Sydology 101 , Sydney, Estie, and Kendall ditch the serious coaching talk and dive headfirst into the hilariously awkward side of dentistry. From patients licking their dentist’s fingers, to unintentional “that’s what she said” moments, to CPR training gone way off the rails, nothing is off-limits in this unfiltered episode. We swap the most cringe-worthy, laugh-till-you-cry stories f...

This one’s for the overthinkers, the overachievers, and anyone who’s ever slapped diaper rash cream on their face and called it “skincare.”  Syd and Estie go totally unscripted and a little unhinged (in the best way) for a conversation that’s as hilarious as it is heartfelt. From vacation-induced breakthroughs to drowning in calendar invites, this episode dives into the messy reality of lead...

Broadcasting from the Thrive event in Las Vegas, Sydney chats with the incomparable Dr. Mark Costes in an insightful conversation about the evolution of leadership, operations, and coaching in the dental space. Sydney brings her signature humor, authenticity, and expertise to the mic as they reminisce on their history and dive into the impactful work happening at the Dental Success Network, Front...

Originally presented at the Office Manager Workshop – San Diego, March In Part 2 of this episode, Sydney dives deeper into Key Performance Indicators and operational metrics, sharing that numbers are not your enemy. She shares practical tools, tracking strategies, and coaching advice to help your team better understand the why behind your numbers, and how to use them to create momentum and account...

Episode Summary: Today we’re breaking down KPIs—yes, those intimidating numbers—and showing you how they actually make your life easier. Whether you’re an office manager, treatment coordinator, or dental assistant, understanding KPIs like production, collections, and case acceptance helps your whole team work smarter, not harder. We’ll talk about how to read the numbers, what they really mea...

In this episode of Sydology 101 , Sydney and the Clarity crew—Kendall and Estie—dive into a whirlwind of real-life chaos that starts with a near-scam and spirals into wild workplace stories from the dental world. Buckle up. Sydney kicks things off by recounting a nerve-racking phone call that had her almost hopping in the car to turn herself in—allegedly wanted by the Feds. But thanks to Estie cha...

In This Episode: Hold onto your headsets, fam — this episode is pure gold with a side of sass. We finally wrangled the one and only Brittany Rogars onto the mic, and trust us, it’s worth the wait. From accidentally falling into dentistry (like so many of us do) to building a thriving business out of Open Dental training and revenue cycle management, Brittany’s story is gritty, funny, painfully rel...

In this episode of Sydology 101, Sydney and Kendall discuss a topic many leaders talk about — but few actually master: building a real, lasting team culture. They dive into why flashy perks like pizza parties and casual Fridays aren’t enough to create genuine engagement or loyalty among your team. Instead, they challenge leaders to reflect on whether their actions truly align with the values...

Episode Summary In this deeply personal and inspiring episode of Sydology 101 , host Sydney opens up about her own experiences navigating the workplace as a neurodivergent leader, revealing her journey with ADHD and dyslexia. She’s joined by Emily Kircher-Morris , licensed mental health counselor and host of the Neurodiversity Podcast , for a dynamic and heartfelt conversation about what it really...

What happens when a dentist, business owner, and dad of (almost) three joins forces with a recovering background troll-turned-host? Pure magic. In this episode of Sydology 101 , Sydney chats with Dr. Peter Dinh—practice owner, performance coach, and self-proclaimed future “Girl Dad”—to connect about the real stuff: balancing family, business, and your own sanity. From navigating parenthood with an...

Scheduling Without the Stress In this episode, Sydney sits down with Julia, Dental Success Network’s Member Relations Manager, to dive into one of the most critical aspects of running a thriving dental practice—mastering scheduling. They break down the challenges and strategies behind keeping a productive schedule while maintaining team harmony and patient satisfaction. Julia shares her journey fr...

In this final installment of the Chaos Coordinator series, Sydney Robinson breaks down the art of building the ideal tribe —not just a team, but a group of like-minded, mission-driven people who work well together and fit the practice’s culture. Sydney explains that a successful dental practice isn’t just about skillset—it’s about mindset and alignment. She walks through the key elements of findin...