What if the most powerful engine for practice growth has nothing to do with marketing,

technology, or even clinical skill? In dental school, we’re trained to be

exceptional clinicians, but we’re left to discover the secrets to building a

truly thriving practice on our own. I’m here to tell you that the key to

sustainable success—the kind that brings in ideal patients and builds a

bulletproof reputation—lies in a single, counterintuitive principle that most

of the industry overlooks.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

• The Unspoken Rule: Uncover the one core concept that separates struggling practices

from legacies of success. It’s something we all know, but few of us practice

with intention.

• A Patient Story That Changed Everything: I’ll share a story about a patient named Hans—a

moment that put me at a crossroads between a short-term gain and a long-term

vision. The choice I made that day became the blueprint for my entire career.

• The Flaw in Traditional Pricing: Learn why the conventional approach to billing may be

silently eroding patient trust and how a simple shift in philosophy can change

everything.

• A Mentor’s Prophetic Advice: Hear the words of my great mentor, Dr. Gerald

Kramer, who predicted that practicing a certain way would cause the right

patients to “line up down the block.” He was right.

This episode isn’t about a new tactic; it’s about a fundamental shift in

perspective. It’s for every practitioner who has ever felt that there must be a

more fulfilling way to build a business. Join me as I reveal the most important

lesson of my career—the one that has brought back more than I have ever given.

Mentioned in this episode:

Transform your practice with Dr. Michael Sonick's "Treating People Not Patients" course

Learn the hospitality secrets that create patient loyalty, drive referrals, and build thriving practices. Get 9 video modules, bonus content, and 6 CE credits for each member of your team!

Click here to learn more about Treating People Not Patients

What if I told you that being "reasonable" is the biggest mistake you're making in your

dental practice? After decades of perfecting my clinical skills, I discovered something that

completely changed how I approach patient care—and it has nothing to do with technical

dentistry.

In this episode, I share a counterintuitive principle I learned from one of the world's

most successful restaurateurs that has transformed how I think about practice

growth. This single concept explains why some practices have patients who

become passionate advocates, while others struggle with retention despite

excellent clinical outcomes. The difference isn't what you think.

What You'll Discover in This Episode

A Philosophy That Separates Ordinary Practices from Extraordinary Ones:

• The surprising reason why "reasonable" service keeps you stuck in mediocrity

• A simple story about a hot dog that reveals the secret to creating unforgettable patient

experiences

• Why the thing you think matters most to patients actually matters least

• The hidden cost of small denials that's quietly destroying your practice growth

The Missing

Ingredient in Most Dental Practices:

• What invisible blockages are preventing patient loyalty in your practice right now

• The counterintuitive principle of giving that actually benefits you more than

anyone else

• Why your technical excellence might be working against you

• Who else in your practice ecosystem deserves this approach (hint: it's not just

patients)

A Framework for Transformation:

• How to spot daily opportunities that most dentists completely miss

• The mindset shift that turns transactions into relationships

• What it means to become "the gift" instead of just a service provider

• A measurement strategy that reveals what really drives practice success

Why This Episode Matters

I'm going to challenge everything you think you know about patient satisfaction and

practice growth. If you've been wondering why your excellent clinical skills

aren't translating into the kind of patient loyalty and referrals you expected,

this episode will answer that question. But more importantly, it will show you

exactly what to do about it.

You'll hear real examples of how tiny acts of stinginess cost practices thousands of

dollars, and how seemingly "unreasonable" gestures create loyalty

that lasts for years. This isn't theory—it's a proven approach that's working

in my practice and can work in yours.

Fair warning: This episode might make you uncomfortable. It certainly made me

question some of my own practices. But if you're ready to break free from

average and build something truly extraordinary, you need to hear this.

Mentioned in this episode:

Transform your practice with Dr. Michael Sonick's "Treating People Not Patients" course

Learn the hospitality secrets that create patient loyalty, drive referrals, and build thriving practices. Get 9 video modules, bonus content, and 6 CE credits for each member of your team!

Click here to learn more about Treating People Not Patients

I spent years confusing motion with progress. My calendar was packed, my to-do list was

endless, and I felt like I was crushing it every single day. But when I looked

back at the end of each quarter, I realized something unsettling: I hadn't

actually moved closer to what mattered most. I was caught in what I call the

"too busy trap"—and there's a good chance you are too. In this

episode, I reveal the uncomfortable truth about why being busy is killing your

dreams, and I share the exact moment everything changed for me.

The Alice in Wonderland Secret Nobody Talks About

There's a conversation between Alice and the Cheshire Cat that completely transformed

how I think about goals. It's a simple exchange, but it reveals why most people

wander through life without ever reaching their destination. I'll break down

this powerful lesson and show you how it applies to your quarterly planning,

your daily decisions, and whether you'll actually achieve what you say you want

this year. Spoiler: if you don't know where you're going, you're already lost.

My 30-Year Accountability Experiment (And What It Taught Me)

For three decades, I've had the same workout partner. Same person. Thirty years. And this

relationship has taught me more about achievement than any book, course, or

motivational speech ever could. In this episode, I share the accountability

framework that's kept me consistent for three decades, and I reveal the one principle

my father taught me that changed everything: "Your life will work to the

extent to which you keep your commitments." I'll show you exactly how to

apply this to your goals—starting today.

What You'll Discover in This Episode:

• The quarterly "rocks" system that replaced my failed New Year's

resolutions (and why five is the magic number)

• Why writing down goals isn't enough—and the one step most people skip that makes

all the difference

• The Tony Robbins principle I use to turn invisible dreams into visible reality

• How to escape the busy trap and start being intentional instead of just reactive

• The accountability strategy that transforms private wishes into public promises

Stop being busy. Start being intentional. Your future self will thank you.

Mentioned in this episode:

Transform your practice with Dr. Michael Sonick's "Treating People Not Patients" course

Learn the hospitality secrets that create patient loyalty, drive referrals, and build thriving practices. Get 9 video modules, bonus content, and 6 CE credits for each member of your team!

Click here to learn more about Treating People Not Patients