The Lifestyle Practice Podcast For Dentists

Dentists are taught to equate success with production, income, and constant growth. But many high-achieving practice owners still feel stressed, restless, or burned out. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams sits down with repeat guest Dr. Talon Davis to explore a better framework for wealth, ambition, and fulfillment through the lens of Morgan Housel’s book The Art...

Is 2025 the year you finally buy a dental practice? If you’re a recent dental school graduate, GPR resident, or an associate who’s been waiting for the right moment — this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast is the wake-up call you need. Dr. Steve Van De Graaff makes a powerful case for dental practice ownership and challenges you to stop waiting and take action. Through real-world financial...

Thinking about buying a second dental practice? You’re not alone. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van De Graaff unpacks one of the biggest decisions every growth-focused dentist must face: “Should I expand to multiple dental practices or go all in on one highly productive office?” If you're a dentist looking to increase production, reduce stress, and build long-term fi...

Is it smarter to buy a dental practice or build one from the ground up. In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr Matt Vogt sits down with TLP coaching client and startup owner Dr Dawson, who shares his powerful journey of launching and growing his practice from zero. If you are a dentist debating startup versus acquisition, this conversation gives you a clear look at what real life lo...

If you’re a dentist looking to increase production, improve daily efficiency, and grow your dental practice in 2025, this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast is for you. Dr. Steve shares one of the most overlooked productivity tips for dentists: arriving just 15 minutes earlier each day. This simple shift can lead to more efficient dental scheduling, a stronger dental office team culture, an...

How to Increase Profit, Lower Costs, and Build a Simpler, Richer Lifestyle Practice. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at  derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at  matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at  steve@thelifestylepractice.com

In part two, Derek and Dr. Dale Hoffel unpack the whirlwind from deal collapse to dream fit—how walking away from a tight, risky acquisition led to a Laguna Beach practice that aligned with her life vision. Dale shares the inside story: a last-minute listing, a 48-hour offer, and launching into ownership with three ops (quickly four), paper-to-digital conversion, and a summer of broken equipment,...

In this episode, Derek sits down with Dr. Dale Hoffel of Laguna Beach, California, to unpack her remarkable and vulnerable path to ownership. From battling severe depression and personal trauma to rediscovering purpose and chasing a long-lost dream, Dale’s story is one of courage, self-awareness, and transformation. She opens up about the years she thought dentistry was behind her, how therapy and...

In this episode, Matt continues his conversation with attorney Vince Nardone on the legal mistakes dentists make around practice acquisitions. Building on Part 1, they expand the discussion and continue breaking down areas where dentists get themselves into trouble, often without realizing it until much later. Vince shares additional examples and insight that apply whether you're preparing to buy...

In this episode, Matt sits down with attorney Vince Nardone, a legal expert who has handled countless dental practice acquisitions. They break down the most common mistakes dentists make when buying a practice and why many of these errors don’t surface until it’s too late. Vince shares real-world scenarios and key red flags to watch out for, whether you’re currently looking to buy a practice or al...

Derek interviews Steve about how he and his family moved to Europe and lived out of backpacks. They discuss the planning the trip, and what traveling in Europe looks like. They talk about prioritizing experiences and  acting with urgency on your dreams. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at ...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van de Graaff interviews Dr. Derek Williams about what life was really like after selling his practice and hitting the road full-time with his family. Derek shares the fears, logistics, and challenges of RV life with five kids, along with the deep rewards—stronger family relationships, personal growth, and a new perspective on freedom. T...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams and Dr. Steve Van de Graaff open up about the vision, planning, and mindset that allowed them to sell their practices and take extended time away with their families. They share the early influences that shaped their career goals, the numbers and strategies that made financial independence possible, and the emotional challenge o...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Derek Williams breaks down exactly how he sold his dental practice without a broker—what he did, why he did it, and what he’d change. Derek covers building a bank-ready prospectus (financials, KPIs, payer mix), where and how he marketed the listing (FB groups, classifieds, ADA Marketplace), keeping anonymity (NDAs, separate email), and running...

In this episode, Matt shows you how to cut through the dental jargon and focus on what patients really care about. Stop talking about teeth and start connecting with the human in front of you... their wants, desires, and problems. When you do, both your practice and your fulfillment will skyrocket. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The...

Stop complaining about your team and start teaching them.  Steve shares solid lessons to help you create a team that makes your life easier, not harder. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at  derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at  matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at  steve...

New owner. New mindset. Zero panic. In this candid conversation, Derek sits down with a brand new owner to unpack how a 20-year-old’s discovery of FIRE (Financial Independence, Retire Early) shaped his entire path through dental school, associateship, and a swift, strategic leap into ownership. He shares how he maximized clinical reps in school (hello molar endo and wisdom teeth), evaluated practi...

In this episode, we explore why retaining patients is just as important as attracting new ones. Matt shares a real-world case where a patient nearly slipped out the “back door” mid-treatment, highlighting the risks to both patient care and the practice. You’ll learn simple, repeatable steps to protect your work, improve continuity of care, and keep patients engaged through treatment completion. Co...

In this episode of the Lifestyle Practice Podcast, Dr. Steve Van DeGraff shares valuable insights and strategies to help dentists achieve better work-life balance. Amidst juggling responsibilities as a dentist, business owner, and parent, Dr. Van DeGraff offers practical tips to stay present, take decisive action, seek mentorship, and prioritize effectively. Tune in to learn how to prevent work fr...

Buying a practice can feel like stepping onto a moving treadmill set at full speed. Most new owners scramble to fix the wrong problems, burn out their team, and miss the opportunities right in front of them. In this episode, Derek shares the five action items that separate thriving first-year owners from the ones barely keeping up. These aren’t theory — they’re hard-won lessons from his own journe...

Speed is the secret weapon of the most successful dentists. In this episode, Matt breaks down why fast action leads to faster growth and how hesitation kills momentum. If you’re ready to stop overthinking and start executing, this one’s for you. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at  derek@th...

In this episode of The Lifestyle Practice Podcast, host Dr. Steve Van De Graaff addresses the overwhelming burden of student loans for new dentists. Steve discusses strategies for managing and paying off student debt, including utilizing the new SAVE repayment plan and the benefits of investing in a highly profitable dental practice. He emphasizes the importance of financial freedom, flexibility,...

Are you hesitant to step into your role as a leader - especially after acquiring a practice? In this episode, Derek shares a coaching story that will resonate with any new owner who feels unsure about holding meetings, sharing their vision, or setting expectations. You’ll hear how one doctor overcame her fear, led her first team meeting, and was surprised by the team’s enthusiastic response. Derek...

In this flashback episode, Derek and Matt put their heads together and share their experiences with benefits and drawbacks of purchasing vs starting a practice. If you're considering ownership, this episode is a must! Also some fun conversation about exit strategy! Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Emai...

What benefits should you offer your employees? Should you be doing more or less? How do you say no? Steve talks about how to make decisions on employee benefits. Get this right to create and retain a great team. Connect with us: •  Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching •  Get access to TLP Academy •  Suscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at  derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Mat...