The Lifestyle Practice Podcast For Dentists

Justin Short, Derek Williams, Steve Van De Graaff, Matt Vogt
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Jan 19, 2026 • 37min

292. Passive Income Strategies Every Dentist Should Know in 2026

Zach Lemaster, founder of Rent To Retirement and former optometrist, shares insights on building wealth through real estate for dentists and healthcare professionals. He breaks down passive income strategies, emphasizing turnkey investments that require minimal landlord stress. Zach discusses tax optimization techniques and the importance of tailored investment plans. With predictions for the 2026 market, he highlights creative financing options and the necessity of managing property managers to ensure success. An eye-opening conversation for those seeking financial freedom!
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Jan 12, 2026 • 10min

291. The Side of Dentistry No One Talks About

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 Ecuador. This episode highlights how building a well-run dental practice allows practice owners to step away from daily chairside dentistry and pursue purpose-driven work, travel, and family time. If you’re a dentist, dental practice owner, or dental student who feels chained to your office, this conversation will inspire you to rethink success, prioritize memories over production numbers, and intentionally build a lifestyle dental practice that aligns with your values. This episode is a reminder that dentistry is not just about production—it’s about impact, service, and living well. Connect with us: • Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/ • Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ • Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ • Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801 • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com
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10 snips
Jan 5, 2026 • 37min

290. How Top 1% Dentists Manage Their Money

Dr. Talon Davis is a dentist and practice owner who shares insights on managing money and designing a fulfilling career. He explores how dentists often equate wealth with status instead of contentment, discussing key concepts from Morgan Housel's book. The conversation covers the pitfalls of lifestyle inflation, the importance of prioritizing meaningful spending, and balancing ambition with a content life. Davis offers a fresh perspective on financial mindset, urging practitioners to focus on what truly matters for their happiness.
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Dec 22, 2025 • 9min

289. Why Pre-Owners Should Start A Practice in 2026

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 comparisons and personal coaching insights, Steve breaks down the income potential of being an owner vs. an associate, and why the best time to buy is now — not “someday.” Whether you're weighing the decision between starting a dental practice from scratch or acquiring an existing office, this episode walks you through the numbers, mindset, and practical advantages of ownership — including higher profitability, more flexible scheduling, and long-term equity. Plus, you'll hear how dentists who take early action set themselves up for career success, financial freedom, and more control over their work-life balance. If you want to escape the associate hamster wheel and finally become the CEO of your own dental business, don’t miss this one. We cover everything from dentist tax strategy, practice cash flow, and lifestyle design, to how TLP coaching can help you find, evaluate, and purchase your first practice confidently. Connect with us: • Take our FREE lifestyle and practice assessment: https://thelifestylepractice.com/practice-assesment/ • Learn more about 1-on-1 coaching: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ • Get access to TLP Academy: https://thelifestylepractice.com/coaching-services/ • Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/tlp-podcast-for-dentists/id1476544801 • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com
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Dec 15, 2025 • 10min

288. Is Opening a Second Practice Worth It?

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 financial freedom, this episode offers critical insights into what actually drives dental practice growth. This episode also dives into the real numbers behind practice profitability, the challenges of associate dentist retention, and what separates the 10% of dentists who scale successfully from the 90% who actually earn less after expansion. Whether you're considering private equity, transitioning into a dental CEO role, or just want to improve profitability in your current dental office, you'll get actionable advice to help you grow smarter—not just bigger. Connect with us: • Learn more about 1 on 1 coaching • Get access to TLP Academy • Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com    
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Dec 8, 2025 • 29min

287. Dental Practice Growth Hacks for 50% Yearly Increase

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 looks like when you open a practice from scratch. Dawson walks through how he handled uncertainty, made decisions on the fly, and grew a thriving office in a small town while serving a wide variety of patients and keeping most procedures in house. You will also hear the leadership lessons that shaped him along the way. From building a strong team to handling staff dynamics to finding his true leadership voice, Dawson opens up about what it really takes to create a stable and successful practice. This episode is filled with practical guidance for anyone who wants to grow their dental office, improve their leadership, expand clinical skills, or gain momentum in their career. Dawson’s story proves that you can build a practice your way and build it profitably. Connect with us: • Learn more about 1 on 1 coaching • Get access to TLP Academy • Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com
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Dec 3, 2025 • 8min

286. Dentist Shares Secret Methods to Make 100k in 2026

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, and even add $100,000 in annual production, without working longer hours. In this episode, you'll learn how to identify gaps in your daily schedule, convert same day treatment opportunities, and lead your team with intention. These aren't abstract concepts or generic dental consultant advice these are real practice management strategies that Steve and the team use in their own offices every day. Connect with us: • Learn more about 1 on 1 coaching • Get access to TLP Academy • Subscribe to The Lifestyle Practice Podcast • Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com • Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com
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Nov 24, 2025 • 25min

285. Manage Your Overhead Before It Manages You

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
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Nov 17, 2025 • 1h 6min

284. Buying the Right Practice, Building the Right Life: Dr. Dale’s First 6 Months of Ownership

Dr. Dale Hoffel, a dentist and new practice owner in Laguna Beach, shares her dynamic journey during her first six months of ownership. She discusses how a failed acquisition led her to the perfect practice that matched her family-oriented lifestyle. Dale emphasizes practical leadership strategies like setting clear patient standards, enhancing workflows, and effective hiring practices. She candidly reveals the challenges of operational chaos, emphasizes the importance of mental readiness, and outlines retention tactics that prioritize staff attitude and well-being.
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Nov 10, 2025 • 49min

283. From Rock Bottom to Running the Show: Dr. Dale Hoeffel’s Journey to Dentistry

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 honest self-reflection changed everything, and what ultimately reignited her drive to lead and create the life she wanted. This conversation is an honest look at what it takes to rebuild — mentally, emotionally, and professionally — and why being authentic can be the greatest advantage in life and leadership. Highlights include: Facing and overcoming mental health struggles in college The turning point that led her back to dental school Learning to stop hiding and start sharing her story Building confidence through vulnerability Reconnecting with her “why” and choosing ownership with purpose. Reach out to Dale at drdaledentistry@gmail.com 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

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