Annual reviews: outdated tradition or essential leadership tool? In this episode of Back in 10, we talk about why it might be time to retire the dreaded once‑a‑year review. From turning them into ongoing conversations to separating performance chats from salary talks, we share how to make feedback less scary and more effective - for everyone.

Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!

More ways to stay in touch!

🎥 Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod 📱 Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod

🚨Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/

Are you skipping the small talks that could solve big problems? In this episode, Savanah and Jen unpack the power of micro-conversations - those quick, intentional check-ins that shape team culture, prevent burnout, and build trust. From tone and timing to documentation and delivery, they share real-life examples of what works (and what doesn’t) in leading a dental team, one conversation at a time.

Spoiler: culture isn’t created in team meetings, it’s built in the in-between.

Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!

More ways to stay in touch!

🎥 Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod 📱 Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod

🚨Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/

When you're short-staffed, it's tempting to hire fast—but at what cost? In this episode, Savanah and Jen get real about why hiring with culture in mind isn't optional anymore. They break down how the wrong hire can turn your team into a revolving door, what your job ad might be doing wrong, and how to tell your practice’s story in a way that attracts the right people (and repels the wrong ones). This one’s a must-listen for dental leaders tired of turnover.

Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!

More ways to stay in touch!

🎥 Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod 📱 Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod

🚨Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 🌐 Need Jen's hiring expertise? https://www.jensos.com/

In this episode of Back in 10, co-host Jen Steadman - dental leader and founder of Steadman Onboarding Solutions - joins Savanah in a deep dive into the hiring missteps that cost practices their best candidates. Jen's expertise in the hiring scope sheds light on job ads that miss the mark to culture cues that send the wrong message. Learn how to unpack how to attract the right fit before someone else does.

Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media, our recording partner!

More ways to stay in touch!

🎥 Watch the episode on youtube: @backin10pod 📱 Follow on Instagram: @backin10pod

🚨Check us out on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backin10pod/ 🌐 Need Jen's hiring expertise? https://www.jensos.com/

Your new hire’s first day shouldn’t feel like a survival show. In this episode, Jen and Savanah break down what real onboarding looks like - SOPs, safety plans, learning styles, desk décor debates, and why a little drawer organizer goes a long way. If you think your onboarding is fine, this might be your wake-up call.

Tune in, laugh a little, and walk away with tips that actually work.

Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "The Wizard" Stone, of Rock Solid Media!

Let’s be real. Most morning huddles are either rushed, redundant, or downright boring. But what if they didn’t have to be? In this episode, Jen and Savannah spill their go-to strategies for turning “just another meeting” into a powerhouse opportunity to boost morale, productivity, and team connection. From redefining the huddle as an "opportunity meeting" to adding a dash of organized fun (yes, memes are encouraged), this one’s packed with tips to help you lead your team like a rockstar before 8AM.

💡 Plus: – Why same-day treatment starts at the huddle – How to get your team truly involved (and not just physically present) – What cowbells, focaccia, and lipstick have to do with leadership

Hit play and reimagine your mornings.

Special thanks to Chris "The Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media for being our recording partner!

When the office manager and the owner dentist are in sync, the practice thrives. But what happens when they’re not? In this candid episode, Savanah and Jen dive into the essential (and sometimes awkward) dynamics between practice managers and owner dentists. From communication breakdowns and forgotten birthdays to setting boundaries and standing united in front of the team, this conversation is packed with real talk and practical leadership gems.

Whether you’re leading the charge or caught in the middle, this episode will help you feel seen and remind you that you're not alone in navigating this delicate relationship.

Highlights:

• How to create true alignment with your dentist

• The daily check-in topics no one talks about

• What to do when you're not getting support from the top

• Boundaries: Why they matter and how to set them (even if it’s your birthday)

Ready to clock out with us?

• Subscribe now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen, so you never miss a minute of Back in 10.
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• Shoot us an email at brb@backin10pod.com if you'd like to share some wisdom with us!

We’ll be back in 10.

Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "Wizard" Stone of Rock Solid Media.

In this episode of Back in 10, Savanah shines the spotlight on her co-host and partner-in-leadership-chaos, Jen Steadman. From middle school dental assisting to VP of Operations overseeing 17 practices, Jen shares her winding, wild journey through dentistry—full of grit, growth, and a few clogged toilets.

You’ll hear:

• How Jen went from hygienist to managing multiple practices (at once!)

• The moment she caught an employee stealing in her first week as a front desk lead

• Why she once sledgehammered a wall down in a dental office (with her boss’s blessing)

• The quirky communication exercise that turned into a team-building win

• The mindset that kept her going—even when she didn’t think she could

This one’s packed with leadership truth, poop emergencies, and a whole lot of heart. Plus, Jen shares what she hopes listeners take away from Back in 10 and drops one of the best mic-drop definitions of leadership we’ve ever heard.

BONUS CONTENT at the end of the episode!

Special thanks to our recording partner, Chris "Wizard" Stone, of Rock Solid Media!