

The Lifestyle Practice Podcast For Dentists
Justin Short, Derek Williams, Steve Van De Graaff, Matt Vogt
The Lifestyle Practice Podcast was created to help dentists obtain their desired life by creating uncommonly successful dental practices.Ready to work with us? Visit thelifestylepractice.com for more information
Episodes
Mentioned books

Nov 3, 2025 • 44min
282. The Top Mistakes Dentists Make in Practice Acquisitions (Part 2 w/ Attorney Vince Nardone)
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 a practice or already own one and want to avoid costly legal surprises.
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

Oct 27, 2025 • 23min
281. The Top Mistakes Dentists Make in Practice Acquisitions (Part 1 w/ Attorney Vince Nardone)
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 already own one and want to avoid hidden legal and financial traps.
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

Oct 20, 2025 • 49min
280. Backpacks, Europe, and Freedom: Steve's Steps Away from the Chair
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 derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

Oct 13, 2025 • 52min
279. From Coast to Coast: Derek’s Reflections on a 2-Year RV Life
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. They discuss what it feels like to step away from clinical dentistry, how to find fulfillment after financial independence, and why chasing growth may be the ultimate goal.
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

Oct 6, 2025 • 47min
278. Roadmap to FI: Preparing to Exit Clinical on Your Terms
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 of actually pulling the trigger.
Whether you dream of early financial freedom or simply want more balance, this conversation offers insights on building a practice that supports your ideal lifestyle—both now and in the future.
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

Oct 3, 2025 • 21min
277. No Broker, No Problem: My Playbook for Selling a Dental Practice
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 negotiations when you’re representing yourself.
He also compares private-dentist buyers vs. DSOs, talks timing (why not being in a rush matters), transition terms, real estate flexibility, and the role of a flat-fee attorney.
Whether you’re considering a DIY sale or debating a broker, you’ll leave with a clear framework and practical next steps.
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

Sep 22, 2025 • 20min
276. Stop Talking About Teeth!
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 Lifestyle Practice Podcast
• Email Derek at derek@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Matt at matt@thelifestylepractice.com
• Email Steve at steve@thelifestylepractice.com

Sep 16, 2025 • 13min
275. "They Just Can't Get It Right!"
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@thelifestylepractice.com

Sep 8, 2025 • 41min
274. From FIRE to First Week Owner: The Fast-Track Path to Freedom
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 practices with a clear freedom-first lens, and landed a rare small-town, low-competition office outside Dallas. You’ll hear the exact factors he prioritized (fixed costs, saturation, collections), why he chose coaching with TLP to compress his timeline, and how he handled week one with a “change nothing, learn everything” approach—using curiosity and “strong opinions, weakly held” to identify true root problems (documentation, over-spending on supplies, collections discipline) without rattling the team or patients.
Whether you’re a student, associate, or on the brink of ownership, this episode is a blueprint for moving fast and smart.
What you’ll learn:
How a FIRE mindset clarifies clinical, career, and ownership decisions
The simple filter used to evaluate practices (competition, fixed costs, collections)
Why saying “no” a lot makes it easy to pounce on the right deal
A calm, high-trust playbook for your first weeks as an owner (“change nothing, ask why”)
Where passive leadership hides in the numbers (supplies %, lab %, collections rate) and how to spot it
Highlights:
Discovering FIRE and choosing dentistry with the end in mind
Maximizing clinical exposure in school (be in clinic 8–5; study after)
From associate to owner: doing the math, then committing
Due diligence in saturated markets and why small-town sites can win big
Week-one leadership: reassure the team, observe, document, then prioritize
Back-office fixes that move the needle: documentation, insurance, discounts, CareCredit/process cleanup
Reach out to at: raheel14haider@gmail.com
Reach out to Derek at: derek@thelifestylepractice.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

Sep 1, 2025 • 20min
273. Closing the Backdoor: The Importance of Retaining Patients
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.
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


