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Straight Up With Steph

Straight Up With Steph

Written by: Stephanie Botts
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Your podcast for real tips on healthy posture, healthy habits, and a healthy life!

© 2026 Straight Up With Steph
Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • Ep 82: Why Most Dental Practices Struggle—and How To Fix It
    Jan 9 2026

    Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

    In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. David Rice—dentist, coach, and founder of Ignite DDS—for a real, honest conversation about leadership, practice ownership, hygiene value, and the future of dentistry.

    Dr. Rice shares what he would do differently if he were starting over as a practice owner, why leadership is the missing link in most dental practices, and how both dentists and hygienists can create practices that are profitable and healthy to work in.

    We also dive into:

    • Why leadership (not production) is the real driver of practice success
    • The biggest mistakes new practice owners make—and how to avoid them
    • Whether the hygiene department is truly a “loss leader”
    • The truth behind the hygiene shortage and rising wages
    • Why production-based hygiene pay can be ethical and empowering
    • How AI is changing patient trust and case acceptance
    • What the next 5–10 years of dentistry may look like

    This episode is a must-listen for dentists, hygienists, and practice owners who want sustainable growth, stronger teams, and less tension inside their practices.

    👉 Listen to the full episode now and share it with a colleague who needs this perspective.

    To watch on YouTube, click here


    About David

    Connect with David:

    Website

    @ignitedds @futuredentists @drdavidrice


    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

    🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here!

    🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

    To connect with me:

    🦷Polished Posture Club
    ➡️Instagram
    💻My Website
    📨Email: stephanie@polishedposture.net
    💌Newsletter signup

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
  • Ep 81: Muscle, Metabolism & Perimenopause: What Women Need to Know
    Jan 2 2026

    Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

    In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined again by registered dietitian and perimenopause expert Laura Berger for a deeper dive into muscle, metabolism, fat loss, and the biggest mistakes women are making with nutrition and training—especially in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

    We unpack why muscle truly is the organ of longevity, why women are not “bulking up” from strength training, and how hormonal shifts during perimenopause change the way we need to eat and exercise. Laura also breaks down why calorie counting, macro tracking, and “eating less” often backfire—and what to focus on instead if you want sustainable fat loss and long-term health.

    We also tackle a hot topic that many women are curious (and conflicted) about: GLP-1 medications. Laura explains when they may be appropriate, when they’re likely doing more harm than good, and why preserving lean muscle is non-negotiable for aging well.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • Why muscle is critical for longevity, metabolism, and hormone health
    • The myth of women “bulking up” from lifting weights
    • Strength training vs yoga & Pilates—and why most women need a blend
    • What functional strength training actually looks like
    • Why protein alone doesn’t build muscle without the right stimulus
    • How meal timing and protein distribution change in perimenopause
    • The biggest problems with calorie counting and macro tracking
    • What GLP-1 medications do—and what most people aren’t being told
    • How to start the new year strong without all-or-nothing thinking


    Ep 79: Why Your Old Diets Don’t Work Anymore: The Real Reason Women Gain Weight

    About Laura


    Connect with Laura:

    Instagram and TikTok: @theperimenopausediet

    Website

    Free Masterclass

    Easy Sheet Pan Recipe

    Easy Smoothie Recipe


    To watch on YouTube, click here

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

    🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here!

    🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

    To connect with me:

    🦷Polished Posture Club
    ➡️Instagram
    💻My Website
    📨Email: stephanie@polishedposture.net
    💌Newsletter signup

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Ep 80: Early Signs of Hearing Loss You’re Ignoring — And How They Affect Your Brain
    Dec 19 2025

    Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

    In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, hearing instrument specialist Madison joins me to unpack the surprisingly deep connection between hearing, cognition, memory, balance, and longevity.

    We talk about why hearing loss sneaks up on people, the common early signs that get ignored, and how untreated hearing loss dramatically increases the risk of dementia, falls, and social withdrawal. Madison also explains why dental clinicians are especially vulnerable to high-frequency noise exposure and the right way to use hearing protection.

    You’ll learn:

    ✔️ How the auditory system feeds the brain
    ✔️ Why background noise is exhausting
    ✔️ When noise becomes dangerous (real decibel numbers!)
    ✔️ Why hearing aids are not “just for old people”
    ✔️ The difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder
    ✔️ The research linking hearing loss and dementia
    ✔️ How to protect your hearing — at work, at the gym, and at concerts

    If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in loud places, relied on captions, or struggled in restaurants, this episode will make so much sense


    About Madison

    Connect with Madison:

    @madisonlistens on Instagram

    Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/dFRvJcm6KKQ?si=_cZXHGjITFnaQaZI

    Website

    To watch on YouTube, click here

    Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

    🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here!

    🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

    To connect with me:

    🦷Polished Posture Club
    ➡️Instagram
    💻My Website
    📨Email: stephanie@polishedposture.net
    💌Newsletter signup

    Show More Show Less
    48 mins
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