The Lifestyle Practice Podcast For Dentists

We're thrilled to welcome our newest partner to The Lifestyle Practice — Dr. Raheel Haider! In this episode, Derek Williams, Matt Vogt, and Steve Van De Graaff sit down with Raheel to talk dental practice ownership, financial freedom for dentists, and the mindset shifts that took him from a burned-out associate with imposter syndrome to a confident practice owner growing his dental practice 50% in...

In just over three months of practice ownership, Dr. Tim Balzen has already produced double the income he made last year as an associate — and he's closing on a second building in a few weeks to keep up with demand. In this episode, Dr. Tim sits down with Steve to walk through the five-year, multi-state journey that led him from a saturated Boise market to a three-op practice in a small Missouri t...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt and Dr. Derek Williams dive deep into what it really takes to succeed as a dental practice owner—whether you're starting from scratch or acquiring an established practice. Are you thinking about starting a dental practice but unsure if it's the right move? In this dental practice startup guide, Matt shares his honest coaching approac...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice, we break down 7 powerful money lessons every dentist and parent should know—covering financial freedom, smart investing, compound interest, and how to teach kids about money the right way. Most people don't learn through advice—they learn through experience and ownership. That single shift changes everything about how you build wealth, raise financially i...

Thinking about buying a dental practice but not sure where to start? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, host Steve Van De Graaff sits down with practice acquisition expert Brian Hanks — founder of Dental Buyer Advocates (DBA) and author of "How to Buy a Dental Practice" — to break down everything new and aspiring dentist owners need to know about dental practice acquisition in 2026...

How does a dentist have his best collections month ever — paying $20,000 extra toward debt and taking home $15,000 more — without doing a single big case or expensive CE course? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr Matt Vogt reveals the three lowest-hanging-fruit needle movers that grow a dental practice from the inside out. If you're a dentist or dental practice owner who wants t...

What separates the most successful dentists from average performers? It's not intelligence, strategy, or opportunity — it's the ability to keep going when it's no longer exciting. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams reveals the #1 rule of long-term success in dentistry, dental practice ownership, and life. Drawing from "The Gap and the Gain" by Dan Sullivan, real...

Is dental practice ownership worth it in 2026? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down the real pros and cons of owning a dental practice — the truth social media gets wrong, the financial risks nobody warns you about, and the mindset shifts every dentist must make before buying a dental practice. Whether you are a new dental school graduate weighing assoc...

The dental hygienist shortage is REAL — and it's hitting practices across the country hard. If you're a dentist struggling with hygienist turnover, rising hygiene pay rates, or difficulty hiring dental hygienists, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt breaks down exactly what's driving the dental hygienist shortage, why hygienist pay rates keep c...

Dental students — this episode is for YOU. The Lifestyle Practice team — Steve Van De Graaff, Derek Williams, and Matt Vogt — officially announce the launch of the TLP Student Academy: an online course built specifically for dental students who want to graduate ready to OWN a dental practice, build wealth, and design a lifestyle practice on their own terms — all for just $20 with lifetime access....

Are you a dentist or dental practice owner feeling stuck working in your business instead of on it? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve reveals the 4 powerful daily questions every dentist needs to ask themselves each morning to build a thriving dental practice — without sacrificing family, health, or freedom. Drawing inspiration from free solo climber Alex Honnold's histo...

What is it really like to be a dental practice owner? In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, we explore the real truth behind dental practice ownership, including the challenges, mindset shifts, and growth strategies required to succeed in today’s competitive healthcare environment. If you are a dentist, practice owner, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode will help you understand wh...

From dental student to dental practice owner in just 14 months — Dr. Mitch Rush breaks down exactly how he did it. In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, host Dr. Derek Williams sits down with TLP coaching client Dr. Mitch Rush to walk through the full journey of buying a dental practice, navigating the chaos of first-year ownership, and growing production from $1.25M to a $135–140K mo...

What does it actually take to go from dental associate to successful practice owner — fast? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van De Graaff shares the real story of a new dental practice owner who bought his practice, rebuilt the team culture from scratch, and matched his entire previous year's associate income in just 2 months of ownership. If you're a dental associate...

Are you a dentist or entrepreneur looking to build a lifestyle practice without burnout? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt sits down with Matt Brown and Dr. Andrew Vallow to break down how to build a high-income dental practice that creates freedom, flexibility, and true work-life balance. Dr. Matt Vogt shares his journey from early startup struggles to building a mu...

Want to know the fastest way to earn $500,000+ as a dental practice owner without working more hours? In this episode, Dr. Derek Williams from The Lifestyle Practice breaks down the exact math and strategy behind building a high-profit dental practice. Most dentists believe they need more patients, more marketing, or more technology to grow their income—but the truth is that the biggest breakthrou...

High-income dentist mindset, dental practice growth strategies, and dentist business success are not about luck—they come from specific habits and skills that top dentists develop. In this episode, we break down the three traits of high-income dentists that separate average dental practices from highly profitable ones. If you're a dentist who wants to increase dental production, grow a dental prac...

Why is your dental marketing not working, even though you're running ads, sending mailers, and spending money every month? In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt breaks down the real reasons dentists aren't getting new patients, why your dental practice isn't growing, and how internal systems—not just ads—determine your success. Most dentists think dental marketing means...

How does a dentist go from student debt to earning their first million in just 18 months? In this episode, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down the exact strategies, mindset shifts, leadership skills, and business systems that helped him scale his dental practice fast — without burnout, gimmicks, or chasing trends. This episode dives deep into dental practice management, case acceptance strategies, lead...

Are you a general dentist wondering how to increase production, improve clinical skills, and grow your dental practice without working longer hours? In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van de Graaff shares powerful insights on specialty procedures for general dentists, including dental implants, endodontics, oral surgery, and advanced treatment planning. Many dentists stru...

Is dentistry still worth it in 2026? With rising interest rates, staffing shortages, shrinking insurance reimbursements, and the polarizing narratives on social media, this question is louder than ever. In this episode, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down the real state of the dental industry today—no fear-mongering, just clarity on the math and the mindset required to win. We dive deep into the specif...

How Dr. Cody Santora Doubled His Dental Practice Revenue in 1 Year. Are you debating whether to buy a dental practice or start one from scratch? In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Matt Vogt sits down with Dr. Cody Santora to reveal the exact blueprint he used to acquire a practice and nearly double its collections—from $840k to $1.6M—in just 12 months. If you are looking for de...

When a key team member resigns, it can be one of the most stressful moments in managing a dental practice. Most owners feel blindsided, and if handled poorly, a single resignation can damage your dental office culture and trigger a wave of dental staff turnover. In this episode, Dr Steve Van De Graaff breaks down exactly how to handle employee resignations with professionalism and strategy. This i...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, host Matt Vogt is joined once again by Zach Lemaster, founder of Rent To Retirement, to explore how dentists and other healthcare professionals can build long-term wealth through turnkey real estate investing—without the stress of being a landlord or losing focus on their practice. You’ll learn exactly how to start or scale a real estate portfolio...

In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van De Graaff shares a powerful and personal story about designing a dental career that supports freedom, family, and meaningful experiences outside the dental office. Dr. Steve reflects on a recent dental humanitarian trip to the Galápagos Islands, where he and his family provided essential dental care to underserved communities in Ecua...