The Freedom Founders Podcast - Investing and Financial Freedom for Dentists

Bruce opens up about his early years of debt, stress, and control—and how everything shifted when he learned to focus on people, not production. Through decades of practice ownership and entrepreneurship, he discovered that freedom isn't about early retirement—it's about creating the time and relationships that matter most. This is an inspiring conversation...

In this powerful episode, Michelle shares her journey from illness to advocacy, and how it sparked a mission to redefine dentistry around root-cause health, patient empowerment, and intentional living. Her story is a call to every doctor and patient who senses that "standard care" isn't enough—and is ready to step into a future where dentistry is not just ...

What if you could hit pause on your career, sell everything, and rediscover what freedom really means? That's exactly what Drs. Rebecca Steinbach and Schuyler Van Gorden did. After years of burnout, nonstop staff turnover, and feeling trapped by their own success, they sold their practices, packed their bags, and spent a full year traveling through Central a...

In this powerful episode, David Harris, founder and CEO of Prosperident, pulls back the curtain on the hidden epidemic of dental embezzlement. With over three decades of investigative experience, David shares the red flags every dentist must watch for, the systems that prevent theft before it starts, and the hard truths about why our trusting nature makes u...

Most dentists grind themselves into the ground, believing freedom only comes after a big sale. After scaling a $6 million practice, selling to a DSO, and nearly torching his relationships in the process, Dr. Paul Etchison discovered that real freedom isn't about early retirement. Now the bestselling author of Dental Practice Heroes, a coach, and a podcast host, he shows how any dentist—whether ...

Emmet shares the frameworks that have helped over 460 dental organizations scale, representing $3 billion in revenue and 1,700 locations. From understanding the profitability cycle to avoiding the trap of "red car, blue truck, yellow motorcycle" distraction, he outlines the path from clinician to entrepreneur to executive. Th...

Jon reveals why franchising is one of the most overlooked paths to semi-passive income, and why it's about much more than burgers and fries. From home services to senior care to pet wellness, franchising provides vetted, scalable businesses with systems, support, and tax benefits baked in. Whether you're looking to involve yo...

In this episode, Ken shares why the most important entrepreneurial decision you'll make is choosing sequential focus over simultaneous distraction. He opens up about shutting down passion projects, the art of building lasting partnerships, and why mission and values—not just profits—create businesses that endure. Whether you'...

This isn't another talk on systems or hustle. David unpacks why mastery, autonomy, and purpose—not command-and-control leadership—are the keys to thriving teams. We dive into neuroscience, culture, and leadership to reveal how dentists and entrepreneurs can move beyond grind culture, keep their best people engaged, and build ...

What sets John apart is his ability to cut through complexity. In this conversation, we break down the biggest mistakes sellers make before a transition, why leadership—not clinical skill—is the true multiplier in today's market, and how younger doctors can thrive despite heavy debt and limited reps coming out of school. If y...

You'll hear why profits follow ownership, not employment, how to balance competence with confidence, and why common sense—not the status quo—should drive your business decisions. Whether you're fresh out of school or approaching the finish line, this episode is your blueprint for building a practice and life that serves

Whether you're a fresh dental grad wondering if ownership is worth it, or a seasoned doc questioning your next move, Steve's insights will help you reframe your mindset around profitability, leadership, and long-term sustainability. This isn't about "grinding harder"—it's about building smarter, staying profitable, and maintaining clarity on what success truly mean...

If you've ever avoided conflict or struggled to express yourself in high-stakes conversations, this episode is your wake-up call. Greg Stephens, executive coach, author, and founder of Alignment Resources, joins David to discuss why so many leaders unknowingly limit their influence, connection, and freedom—because they've never been taught how to have the right con...

Many dentists are great producers—but still struggle to understand why their bank accounts don't reflect that success. This week, David welcomes back Barb Stackhouse, a former dental hygienist turned Profit First coach, who helps practice owners finally bridge the gap between production and real profit. In this episode, Barb reveals how one report, 10 minutes a wee...

Joining us today is bestselling author, Mike Michalowicz, to tell us about his upcoming, and most personal book yet, The Money Habit. Mike shares how past failures led him to rethink profitability,  and expounds on the "four-week vacation test" from Clockwork, and how most entrepreneurs mistakenly equate growth with success, and how to break through the marketing noise by doing the opposite of what ev...

What does it truly mean to lead in an era of rapid change and uncertainty? Today we're joined by Tony Rubleski, leadership strategist and author of Trailblazers, to explore real leadership and inspiring others to take action, especially when the world is filled with confusion and distractions. Tony shares that successful leaders must be willing to be misunderstood, even by those closest to them, and t...

Does your dental practice or business bring you joy? Dr. Robert "Cree" Hamilton is an orthodontist whose journey spans a small-town upbringing, a career in the Air Force, and a dental practice in Las Vegas. His story embodies the principles of intentional design and purpose-driven leadership. Cree shares his insights on bringing an associate into the dental practice, and the need for transparency and ...

After 30 years running a solo dental practice with no breaks, no vacations, and no exit in sight, Dr. John and Joy Russo decided to do things differently. In this episode, they share how they transitioned from burnout and uncertainty to true time and financial freedom—without giving up clinical autonomy. Discover what they did differently that opened the door to passive income, alternative investing, ...

Joining us today is Dr. Chris Phelps, dentist, entrepreneur, and CEO of the Cialdini Institute. We explore the evolution from clinical practice to scalable, self-managing businesses. Chris shares how his first entrepreneurial breakthrough came from simplifying dense dental school material into condensed study guides—eventually monetizing his problem-solving ability. Listen in to gain powerful takeaway...