Podcast
Daily Dental Podcast
Hosted by Addison Killeen DDS · EN
Dentists are stressed and sometimes need help focusing on the right stuff to succeed in business and life. The goal of this daily short podcast is to share information, tips, and stories - gleaned from the Dental Success Network community - that will help you become a better dentist, business owner and human.
104episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
883. Climb Your Own Rock
4d ago00:04:23Tap to summarizeDr. Killeen shares a story from a family trip rock climbing in Custer State Park and how it sparked a simple but powerful leadership insight. Out on the rocks, no one was competing with others. The only focus was personal progress, getting a little higher and a little cleaner than the last attempt. That same mindset applies directly to dentistry and practice ownership. Instead of measuring success against other offices or outside circumstances, real growth comes from looking inward at your own systems, habits, and results. The most meaningful competition is the one against your last version of yourself. Dr. Killeen breaks down why “average looks out, elite looks in” and how shifting your focus to internal benchmarks can create steady, sustainable improvement in your practice.
Transcribe →882. Built Like a Startup
1w ago00:04:14Tap to summarizeToday, Dr. Killeen reflects on the founding of the United States as a startup story most people forget to tell. What we now see as inevitable success actually began as a risky, uncertain venture with limited resources, internal disagreement, and plenty of doubt from the outside world. He connects that same idea to dentistry and practice ownership. Most dentists are building something under pressure, with moments of uncertainty that rarely get talked about. But like any meaningful venture, progress often comes from simply continuing through the hard seasons, even when the outcome is not guaranteed. The things worth building rarely start with perfect conditions. They start with belief, persistence, and the willingness to keep showing up when things are uncertain.
Transcribe →881. The Power of Proximity
1w ago00:05:18Tap to summarizeDr. Killeen explores the idea that the people around us have a bigger impact on our growth than we often realize. Drawing on a well-known insight from Jim Rohn, he discusses how spending time with high-performing, ambitious people can reshape what we believe is possible for our own careers and practices. You'll hear why proximity matters, how new environments can expand your vision, and why being around the right people often creates breakthroughs that books and podcasts alone cannot. Sometimes the fastest way to grow is simply to get in the room with people who are already where you want to go. Dr. Killeen also shares a simple challenge to help you evaluate the voices influencing your professional life and determine whether they're encouraging growth or keeping you comfortable.
Transcribe →880. The Freedom of Being Debt-Free
1w ago00:04:58Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Dr. Killeen reflects on a thought from Adam Smith that defines happiness with surprising simplicity: being healthy, out of debt, and having a clear conscience. While all three matter, Dr. Killeen takes a closer look at the financial burden many dentists quietly carry throughout their careers. From student loans to practice acquisitions and equipment purchases, debt often becomes a normal part of dentistry. But when uncertainty creeps in, those obligations can create stress that affects more than just your finances. They can influence your decisions, your leadership, and your overall well-being. He explores why reducing debt is about more than improving your balance sheet. It's about creating freedom, flexibility, and peace of mind. Sometimes the most valuable investment isn't the next piece of equipment or expansion project. It's reducing the weight you're carrying so you can lead and live with greater confidence.
Transcribe →879. The Score Resets, the Habits Remain
1w ago00:04:54Tap to summarizeWhat carries over from one day to the next isn't the scoreboard. It's your habits. In this episode, Dr. Killeen explores a simple but powerful idea: wins and losses come and go, but the behaviors you repeat become part of who you are and how your practice operates. Whether you're dealing with cancellations, clinical challenges, or a record-breaking production month, the real question is how consistently you're showing up. The habits you practice on difficult days are often the same ones that determine your success on great days. Dr. Killeen shares why strong practices are built on repeatable actions, not temporary results, and challenges listeners to focus less on today's score and more on the habits that will shape tomorrow. After all, every day starts at zero again, but your routines come with you.
Transcribe →878. Treat Failure Like a Video Game
2w ago00:04:32Tap to summarizeDr. Killeen shares a lesson inspired by content creator Mark Rober and the classic video game Super Mario Bros. Kids instinctively understand that failure is part of learning. They miss a jump, learn from it, and try again. Somewhere along the way, many adults start viewing mistakes as a reflection of who they are rather than an opportunity to improve. Dr. Killeen explores how this mindset shows up in dentistry, from clinical challenges and difficult patient interactions to leadership and business decisions. The most successful dentists are not the ones who never make mistakes. They're the ones who treat setbacks as feedback, make adjustments, and keep moving forward. If you've been hard on yourself after a recent misstep, this episode is a reminder that growth rarely looks perfect. Confidence is built through repetition, resilience, and a willingness to keep hitting "restart" when things don't go as planned.
Transcribe →877. Options vs. Choices
2w ago00:04:22Tap to summarizeToday, Dr. Killeen explores the difference between having options and making choices. While keeping doors open can feel safe and flexible, it can also prevent us from committing to the things that matter most. Over time, avoiding decisions can quietly shape our lives just as much as making them. Dr. Killeen discusses how this shows up in dentistry through career paths, practice ownership, work-life balance, leadership decisions, and personal goals. He shares why unresolved decisions often create more stress than difficult decisions and how clarity can bring a sense of peace, even when the path forward is challenging. Meaningful progress comes from deliberate action. Your future is not built by the options you keep available. It's built by the choices you make consistently over time.
Transcribe →876. The Microscope and the Telescope
2w ago00:04:59Tap to summarizeIn this episode, Dr. Killeen shares a powerful lesson from NFL star Maxx Crosby about balancing the "microscope" and the "telescope." The telescope represents your long-term vision and the person you want to become, while the microscope is where the real work happens through daily habits, routines, and decisions. Dr. Killeen explores why both perspectives matter in dentistry and leadership. Focusing only on the future can leave you disconnected from the work that creates results, while getting stuck in the day-to-day can cause you to lose sight of your bigger purpose. The key is knowing when to zoom out and when to focus on today's responsibilities. If you've been feeling overwhelmed by big goals or uncertain about your direction, this episode offers a practical framework for staying grounded while continuing to move forward. After all, great careers, great practices, and great lives are built one day at a time.
Transcribe →875. Physically Strong, Mentally Awake
2w ago00:06:39Tap to summarizeDentistry asks a lot from us. Long hours, constant decision-making, patient care, team leadership, and the mental focus required to do it all well can take a significant toll over time. In this episode, Dr. Killeen reflects on a line from the Scout Oath and why taking care of your physical and mental health is not optional for long-term success. He explores how burnout often becomes normalized in dentistry and why protecting your energy is one of the most important responsibilities you have as a leader. From exercise and sleep to recovery and mental clarity, Dr. Killeen shares why investing in yourself benefits not only your career, but also your patients, team, and family. Small daily habits, repeated consistently, can make all the difference over the long haul.
Transcribe →874. The Cost of Tolerating Misalignment
2w ago00:05:35Tap to summarizeSometimes the biggest obstacles in life aren't the obvious problems. They're the situations that are just comfortable enough to keep us stuck. In this episode, Dr. Killeen shares a thought-provoking quote from Gurwinder Bhogal and explores why small frustrations, misalignment, and quiet dissatisfaction can have a bigger impact on our lives than major challenge. From associateships and practice culture to personal goals and career decisions, he discusses the danger of settling for situations that don't align with your values or vision. He encourages listeners to move beyond asking, "Can I tolerate this?" and instead ask whether their current path is truly leading them toward the life and career they want to build.
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