Episodes
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The Math of Going Multi-Location
There is a valid belief that a dentist collecting millions from just a few chairs means they've reached an elite solo production level, and finally won the game. But to a high-performing clinician carrying the weight of an entire practice on their shoulders, scaling up can feel less like building...
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$1M EBITDA: Mega Practice or Multiple Locations?
The natural impulse for a practice owner sitting on strong cash flow is to assume the next logical step is planting flags across town. But expanding your geographic footprint often introduces a brutal management tax that multiplies operational headaches, dilutes culture, and duplicates overhead...
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Feeling Lost With AI? Start Here
We continue to see dentists treating AI like a smarter search bar. They type in a question, get an answer, and move on, never realizing that the same technology could be organizing their files, working their inbox, researching on their behalf, and quietly handling the tasks that eat up their…
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350,000 Surveys: What Drives Five-Star Reviews?
What really earns a five-star review? Opencare CEO Cameron Howieson brings data from 350,000 patient surveys, and the answer isn't your equipment or the cookie bar in reception. It's your team. Dr. Peter Boulden and Ian de Jongh dig into how patients choose a practice and why they stay: how fast...
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Rent or Own Your Practice Building?
Many dental practice owners suffer from a dangerous financial misconception: that signing a 10-year lease is the low-risk choice, without realizing it carries the same level of commitment as buying a commercial property. The only difference is that after a decade of writing rent checks, you…
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Selling Your Practice: What the Math Really Says
Dentistry has sold practice owners a seductive dream: grind it out for a decade, build up a million-dollar practice, sell out to a broker or DSO, and ride off into the sunset with a life-changing check. But when you strip away the selling hype and look at the actual balance sheet, the reality of…
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Why a $15M Dental Group Owner Isn't Selling (And Why You Shouldn't Either)
When Dr. Zachary Kingsberg first called the hotline (Episode 450), he said he'd only sell his five-practice group for a "stupid multiple" of 13x to 15x EBITDA. But after running the real math and realizing zero-interest-rate multiples are gone, Zach returns to the show for a conversation to…
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Build a Practice You Don't Need to Escape | Dr. Richard Low
Dr. Richard Low started a podcast in his closet. Eight years later he was the CEO of 35 dental offices and the most miserable he had ever been. He walked away from eight figures to save his marriage and his mental health. In this episode, Richard joins Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh to talk...
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Associate to Owner: Burn the Boats
We got an email titled "Is Everything Going to Be Okay?" A Navy veteran producing over $1M a year as an associate is three months from opening a $2.9M startup in a building he bought. $20K a month in debt. Seven ops, with plans for 14. And he's lying awake wondering if he did the right thing. He...
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The 5-Point Fix for Unscheduled Treatment
More than half of diagnosed dental treatment walks out the door unscheduled. Most practices respond to low case acceptance by buying more new patients instead of fixing the leak. In this episode, Peter brings a 5-point fix for the treatment you've already diagnosed, from your treatment plan...
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Zombie DSOs and the Fear Merchants
Dentistry has become a target. From Hormozi-style marketers to practice brokers charging six figures for "scaling retreats," everyone suddenly wants a piece of the profession. In this episode, Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh unpack why dentists are easy prey, how to spot the...
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Bulletproof Summit: "The Best One Yet"
Fresh off a sold-out Bulletproof Summit at The Phoenician in Scottsdale, Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak, and Ian de Jongh sit down to relive three days that left everyone running on fumes and full of purpose. In this episode: the world's first all-dental AI summit, Brian Harris delivering a...
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If You're the Smartest in the Room, Leave
The fastest way to stall your growth is to be the most accomplished person in your circle. Peter and Craig are living the opposite this summer. Craig is recording from Aspen and Peter just got back from Baker's Bay, both dropped into rooms where they quickly realized they are a smallest fish in…
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Leaving the Chair Without Quitting
Dr. Todd Christensen calls in from Minnesota with 20 operatories across two locations, a big remodel behind him, and a question he can't shake: at 45, how does he transition out of clinical dentistry and into the executive role without the guilt? His patients don't make it easy. When he tries to...
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Hotline Calls: When Is the Right Time to Sell?
"I'd only sell for a stupid multiple. Thirteen, fifteen X." A five-practice owner from Dallas calls the hotline with the question every group owner is quietly asking: when do I sell, and what's the highest multiple anyone has actually gotten? What follows is one of the most candid breakdowns of…
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You Don't Have to Do This Alone [Special Episode]
This episode is different. We asked members of our mastermind community to send in voice notes answering one question: what has this actually meant to you? Then Peter and Craig hit record and heard every message for the first time, reacting live. What came back was honest, unscripted, and at...
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Cialdini's 7 Principles, Ranked for Dentists
A year training under Dr. Robert Cialdini, the godfather of influence, changed Dr. Chris Phelps' entire business. In this episode, he shares why it can change yours too! After building four fee-for-service practices, Chris hit a wall every dentist knows. Patients weren't saying yes. Team members...
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Hotline Call: The Hygienist Shortage Is Real
One caller. One problem almost every dentist is dealing with. Jesse is a new practice owner in a rural market. One hygienist is out on maternity leave, another is burning out from assisted hygiene, and after calling schools, searching job boards, and exhausting his options, he's asking the…
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Let AI Do the Front Desk Job Nobody Wants
NEW Bulletproof All-in AI Summit - 9 August, 2026 Why are humans still doing work that computers can do better? In this episode, Ian sits down with Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak to tackle what that question really means for dentistry, AI adoption, and the rapidly changing role of the…
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The 39% DSO Tipping Point?
In this episode, we unpack the consolidation of private practices and the growing influence of Dental Support Organizations. While many independent dentists view consolidation as a threat, Peter and Craig argue it may actually create one of the greatest opportunities the profession has ever seen....
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Why Your Team Ignores You (And It's Not Their Fault)
You've said it out loud more than once. My team knows exactly what we're trying to build. Then a few weeks go by and you realize they don't. Not because they're lazy or checked out, but because the vision lives in your head and never quite made it into theirs. So you do what feels logical.…
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The AI Wake-Up Call for Dentists
We explore what may be the fastest-moving technological shift dentistry has faced in decades and why most practice owners are still underestimating how quickly the ground is moving beneath them. While many dentists are using ChatGPT to write emails, draft social posts, or answer quick questions,...
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Hotline Calls: Team Buy-In and Your Non-Clinical Days
Two callers, two problems every practice owner runs into. The first is a self-described systems guy whose team keeps reverting to old habits two weeks after every meeting, vision cast, and lunch-and-learn. The second is an associate who just carved out one day a week away from the chair and wants...
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"I Hate Dentists" Is a Cry for Help
"No offense, but I hate dentists." Most providers hear it, laugh it off, and lean the chair back. Craig and Peter make the case that it's actually a cry for help, and the doorway to a relationship the patient never leaves. This episode unpacks one of the biggest misconceptions in dentistry: that...
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If We're All Gonna Eat, Someone Has to Sell
We have heard so many dentists say they hate selling. What they really hate is rejection. In this episode, Peter and Craig tackle one of the most misunderstood topics in dentistry and business: sales. Not the sleazy, manipulative version. The kind that every practice owner, leader, and…
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Raise Your Fees: The Math, The Fear, The Fix
Most dentists haven't touched their fee schedule in years. In this episode, Craig and Peter break down why a simple 10% fee increase doesn't just add 10% to your bottom line, it can boost profit by 25-33%. They cover the real math behind fee increases, why the fear of losing patients is almost...
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You Can't Produce Your Way Out
Think you can outwork your problems? Many dentists default to seeing more patients and chasing higher production when things feel off. And it works... until it doesn't. The result? Dentists build practices that look successful from the outside while quietly becoming prisoners of the businesses…
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Dr. Brian Harris: What Five Practices Taught Him
Dr. Brian Harris built five dental practices, filled his garage with a Lamborghini, a Ferrari, a GT3, and a G-Wagon, and still wasn't any happier than when he had one office. So he did what almost no one does: he sold the practices back to his associates, went back to one location, and doubled…
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MyStory: $6M, 35 Employees, and a Leadership Problem
Dr. Tommy Dooley bought a low-reimbursement practice in 2017 doing $1.3M with $600 crowns. Eight years later, he's at $6.1M across two locations with three partners, 35 team members, and 47% overhead. He followed the Bulletproof playbook to the letter: dropped from 10 insurance networks to three,...
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8 Pressures You Don't Talk About as a Dentist
Dr. Craig Spodak has coached thousands of dentists and seen the same patterns show up again and again. Dentists are trained to be precise, perfectionistic, and responsible for everything. But the same traits that make them great clinicians can quietly trap them as leaders, business owners, and...
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MyStory: The Father-Son Practice Problem
Dr. X graduated two years ago and joined his father's practice with the understanding that one day it would be his. But right now, he's paid a daily rate, produces a fraction of the revenue, and has no formal path to ownership. His dad, a 35-year veteran producing $1.5M a year, loves dentistry…
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You are not Alone: Mental Health in Dentistry
Craig and Peter reflect on the early days of Bulletproof and the personal challenges that led to its creation, sharing raw insights into burnout, leadership struggles, loneliness, and the pressure of owning a dental practice. From feeling trapped in the operatory to navigating team breakdowns and...
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MyStory: Dr. Donnie's First 6 Months in Ownership
Dr. Donnie bought his dental practice just 6 months ago, and he's already facing the challenges every new owner hits. In this raw and honest "MyStory" episode, Craig and Peter sit down with Dr. Donnie to unpack the real problems he's navigating as a first-time practice owner: arbitrary revenue...
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Hotline Calls #1: Ownership Mindset and Protecting Team Culture
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 431 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh DESCRIPTION Welcome to the first episode of Bulletproof Hotline, where real dentists and dental team members call in to share what they are facing in practice and in life. Peter and Craig…
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What Makes a New Patient Choose You? (Part 2)
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 430 (Part 2). HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Ian de Jongh DESCRIPTION Ian de Jongh, CEO of Bulletproof, joins Peter Boulden to break down the six core pillars of dental marketing that influence how patients choose a practice online. This episode looks into...
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What Makes a New Patient Choose You? (Part 1)
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 430 (Part 1) HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Ian de Jongh DESCRIPTION Ian de Jongh, CEO of Bulletproof, joins Peter Boulden to break down the six core pillars of dental marketing that influence how patients choose a practice online. This episode looks into...
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Can Membership Plans Replace Insurance?
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 429 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Jim Higgins DESCRIPTION Jim Higgins, CEO of Clerri, shares insights on industry trends, membership models, and disruptive strategies in dentistry. This conversation explores how technology, AI, and...
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MyStory #1: Dr. Brown's Reappointment Fix
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 428 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Dr. Cary Brown DESCRIPTION "MyStory" is a new Bulletproof series where real dentists share their real story: what's working, what's not, and the questions they can't get answered anywhere else. Each...
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What The Wealthy Know That We Don't
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 427 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Randy Smith DESCRIPTION In this episode, Craig, Peter and Randy Smith discuss the fundamentals of real estate investing, the importance of financial literacy for dentists, and strategies to build…
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The Outsourced Team Member
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 426 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden, Dr. Craig Spodak and Ian de Jongh GUEST: Cory Pinegar DESCRIPTION This episode explores the transformative potential of outsourcing and remote teams in dentistry, focusing on cost savings, efficiency, and practice growth. Guests...
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The Surprising Sign Your Practice Is Winning
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 425 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this engaging conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss their recent mastermind retreat, sharing insights on personal growth, community support, and the challenges faced in the dental...
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What if Elon ran your practice?
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 424 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this episode of the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast, Craig Spodak and Peter Boulden discuss various aspects of running a successful dental practice, focusing on the importance of hygiene,...
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5 reasons your associate isn't producing enough
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 423 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this engaging conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss the challenges associates face in dental practices, the importance of mentorship, and the impact of economic factors on dentistry.…
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New Year Reflections and Goals
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 422 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this episode of the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast, Craig Spodak and Peter Boulden discuss the significance of the New Year as a time for reflection and goal setting. They emphasize the...
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5 Things We've Learned in 45 years of Dental Marketing
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 421 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss the evolution of dental marketing over the years, emphasizing the importance of creating joy and hope in marketing strategies. They explore…
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Local Search Ranking Factors report for 2026 with Darren Shaw
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 420 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak GUEST: Darren Shaw DESCRIPTION In this episode, Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak welcome Dr. Darren Shaw, a leading expert in local SEO, to discuss the latest trends and strategies for optimizing local…
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3 Skills a Dental Entrepreneur Needs
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 419 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this conversation, Peter Boulden and Craig discuss the essential skills and mindset required for dental entrepreneurs. They emphasize the importance of projecting confidence, understanding...
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Would We Want Our Kids to Become Dentists?
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 418 HOSTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this episode of the Bulletproof Dental Practice Podcast, Dr. Craig Spodak and Peter Boulden discuss the evolving landscape of dentistry, including the implications of AI, the financial…
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Getting Out of the Chair
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 417 HOSTS: Kyle Bergman and Colin Ambler GUEST: Dr. Peter Boulden DESCRIPTION In this episode of The Extraction podcast, Dr. Peter Bolden shares his insights on dental practice growth, focusing on staff engagement, effective systems, and the transition from...
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The Truth About Dental Entrepreneurship
The Bulletproof Dental Podcast Episode 416 HOSTS: Matthew Brown and Andrew Vallo GUESTS: Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak DESCRIPTION In this conversation, the hosts and guests discuss the realities of success in dentistry, the impact of social media on expectations, and the importance of...
About this show
Dentistry is evolving - Is your practice BULLETPROOF?Marketing. Systems. Leadership. Proven strategies to grow your practice with co-hosts Dr. Peter Boulden and Dr. Craig Spodak.
Hosted by
Dr. Peter Boulden & Dr. Craig Spodak
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