The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Latest Episodes:

Is your TC a Closer? You should know l 5MF Dec 19, 2025

Show notes

Most practices obsess over lead gen, marketing, and branding. But if your TC isn’t a natural closer—or if they have a limiting mindset around money—it won’t matter how many patients walk through your door. In this episode, I share real, tactical insights from a weekend deep dive with my OrthoPreneurs RD group focused entirely on sales, psychology, and case acceptance.
I’ll walk you through what makes a TC a true closer (and how to tell if yours is or isn’t), the emotional baggage some team members unknowingly bring to $6,000 treatment presentations, and the sales science behind why little mindset shifts can change everything. This is must-know material if you're aiming for an 85–90% case acceptance rate.
QUOTES
“If your TC sees $6,000 as life-changing money, they’ll never confidently recommend that treatment to a patient.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“You can have the best sales funnel in the world, but without a closer, it all falls apart.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro & Parenthood Metaphor (00:00)
Why the roller coaster matters more than the merry-go-round (02:00)
How complacency sneaks into ortho practices (03:00)
The reality of failure—and why I welcome it (04:30)
You can’t build your dream life in circles (05:30)
A call to action for choosing growth, risk, and transformation (06:00)
Why Vanguard LA 2026 will be unlike any ortho event you've ever attended (06:45)
Additional Resources
If your gut is telling you something’s off with your conversion rate, don’t ignore it. 🎯 Ask your TC the hard questions. Record a few presentations. Check for mindset blocks. You might be sitting on untapped potential.
And if you want help dialing in your sales funnel or turning your TC into a confident, ethical closer—📩 reach out. It’s one of the most transformative parts of my 1:1 coaching work with doctors across the country.
🚀 Want to experience what real, impactful change feels like? Join me and 95 other forward-thinking orthodontists this February at Vanguard LA. We’ve designed something unlike any ortho meeting you've ever attended—with custom 90-day growth plans for every doctor.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
If you’ve trusted me before, trust me on this: It could change your life.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Letting Go: The Key to Business Freedom w/Jeremiah Sturgill Dec 16, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Jeremiah Sturgill, a down-to-earth orthodontist from Johnson City, Tennessee, who’s built one of the most impressively scaled, efficiently run, single-owner practices in the country. But what makes Jeremiah stand out isn’t just the growth—it’s the way he’s done it: with humility, grit, and a relentless focus on investing in people and systems.
We dive into how he transformed a modest, well-run legacy practice into a multi-location, multi-doctor machine—while still making time for real estate ventures, short-term rentals, and even a boutique marketing firm. You’ll hear how he staffs a 15-chair main office with surgical efficiency, manages a rotating team across three locations, and still finds the time to build custom homes with a team of craftsmen who love what they do. If you’re looking to scale, stabilize, and stop micromanaging, this is a masterclass.
QUOTES
“You will never get fired for making a mistake. You will get fired for not owning it and blaming someone else.”
— Dr. Jeremiah Sturgill
“You can’t control everything. You can try your best, but when you strangle your business, you kill its potential.”
— Dr. Jeremiah Sturgill
Key Takeaways
Intro: Wagon Wheel, small towns, and big growth (00:00)
The 16-year-old decision that led to ortho (01:35)
How he grew a standard practice into a national standout (03:41)
Practice structure: 3 locations, 17–18 doctor days/week (05:03)
The secret: efficiency, not just scale (06:02)
His “open-hand/closed-hand” culture system (08:06)
Toxicity vs. mistakes: the cultural line in his practice (09:26)
Why age doesn’t predict maturity—and why gratitude matters (10:58)
Office “cultural anchorage” and scaling team values (13:51)
Comparing small vs. large teams: impact, culture, and coverage (15:19)
How humility and faith ground his leadership approach (17:27)
Real estate beginnings: realtor at 18, flips in dental school (19:41)
Short-term rentals, storage units & the road to REPS (21:45)
Why doctors must partner with experts in real estate (23:11)
His custom home design firm—and love of elite tradespeople (29:24)
Boutique SEO wins: 30% increase in new patient exams (28:10)
Launching GoUnicornStrategy.com for ortho marketing (30:51)
Final thoughts: relationships over returns, every time (33:29)
Additional Resources
If you’ve ever wondered how to grow a thriving ortho practice without burning out or losing your culture—Jeremiah's story proves it can be done. It’s not luck. It’s leadership, systems, and people-first thinking.
👉 Listen now, and if you're curious about his marketing firm or real estate approach, visit GoUnicornStrategy.com
or shoot him a message.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

I Love Ortho… But 50 Years of This? Let’s Talk l 5MF Dec 12, 2025

Show notes

If you’ve ever felt that little itch in the back of your brain—the one that whispers, "I love being an orthodontist... but I can’t imagine doing this full-time for another 30 years"—you’re not alone. In fact, you're part of a generational shift. In this episode of 5 Minute Friday, I unpack why Orthodontic Support Organizations (OSOs) and DSOs are growing rapidly—and why that’s not a bad thing.
This isn’t about promoting any particular group. It’s about being honest with ourselves and understanding that how we want to work is changing. I’ve spoken to hundreds of orthodontists who feel exactly the way you do: deeply passionate about the profession but uninterested in grinding until age 80. Let’s explore the real reason OSO/DSO interest is surging—and how generational mindset, lifestyle goals, and future planning are all connected.
QUOTES
"The first thought you had when I said 50 years as an orthodontist was probably dread. And that’s okay. That instinct? It’s normal."
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
"If you’re between 37 and 42, you’re not thinking of retiring next year—but you are thinking about what comes next. That’s smart planning, not early exit."
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro & Why This Conversation Matters (00:00)
What’s fueling the rise of OSOs and DSOs (00:36)
The generational mindset shift: Millennials don’t want the 50-year grind (01:52)
Understanding the evolution of social capital and work-life values (03:40)
What orthodontists are really telling me in their 30s and 40s (06:20)
Why now is a great time to evaluate your future options (07:00)
Additional Resources
If anything I shared today struck a chord, don’t keep it to yourself.
📩 DM me. Let's talk. You don’t have to be “ready” to make a change—just ready to explore options. Whether you’re OSO-curious, DSO-skeptical, or just unsure, I’ll give you the straight truth.
And if you know a colleague quietly wrestling with these same thoughts, send them this episode. You might be giving them the permission they've been waiting for.
🚀 Want to experience what real, impactful change feels like? Join me and 95 other forward-thinking orthodontists this February at Vanguard LA. We’ve designed something unlike any ortho meeting you've ever attended—with custom 90-day growth plans for every doctor.

Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
If you’ve trusted me before, trust me on this: It could change your life.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Recurring Revenue for Orthodontists: The Retainer Club Model w/ Blair Feldman Dec 09, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Blair Feldman, former Phoenix Suns team orthodontist and co-founder of Retainer Club, to talk about everything from 3D printing and recurring revenue, to product innovation and mindset. Blair practiced for over 21 years, ran multiple startups, taught at AT Still, and ultimately made the leap to full-time entrepreneur after building a retainer program so effective, it demanded all of his attention.

We dive deep into how Blair transformed a frustrating problem—retainer replacements—into a venture-backed fulfillment platform that supports ortho practices across the country. We also talk about how he helps orthodontists with product ideas that actually bring them to life, what he's learned from Entrepreneur's Organization (EO), and how to tell whether your big idea is a real business—or just a fun hobby.

Quotes

“It’s a dirty secret in orthodontics: if patients stop wearing their retainers, their teeth move. Retainer Club was built to make sure that didn’t happen—without creating more work for the practice.”

— Dr. Blair Feldman

“A patent is not a business. It’s a tool. If you don’t know what to do after the patent, then you don’t have a plan—you have a prototype and a dream.”

— Dr. Blair Feldman

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
From Penn to Detroit Mercy: why ortho won out over medicine (01:00)
Blair’s unusual journey into ortho—and architecture (01:35)
Dental school culture at Penn and its impact on specialty training (02:27)
21 years of experience: associate, buyer, builder, teacher, team ortho (17:10)
The truth about being the “team orthodontist” for pro sports (17:58)
How a casual idea about retainers turned into a funded business (20:30)
Retainer Club: what it is, how it works, and who it’s for (25:00)
How recurring revenue + 3D printing changed the business model (22:40)
Competitors vs. the real challenge: docs who think they’re “fine” (26:43)
Young orthodontists, hyper-efficiency, and outsourcing (28:25)
Blair’s passion for helping orthos bring product ideas to life (29:00)
“Do you want a business, or just to see your idea in the real world?” (30:00)
Advice on patents, investors, and entrepreneurial mindset (30:30)

Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how a smart retainer program can transform your practice—financially and operationally. If you're tired of broken systems, endless remakes, or patients who stop coming back, Retainer Club might be exactly what you need.

👉 Reach out to Blair at blair@retainerclub.com and see how he can help you simplify your workflow and scale your revenue.

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Will you Ride the Rollercoaster? Or the Merry go round? l 5MF Dec 05, 2025

Show notes

I recently revisited one of my favorite metaphors from the classic film Parenthood, and it hit me hard again: Life is either a roller coaster or a merry-go-round. And far too many orthodontists—talented, capable, ambitious people—end up coasting in circles after hitting a certain level of success. I get it. It’s comfortable. It’s safe. But is it what you really want?
In this episode, I break down the difference between choosing comfort vs. choosing growth—and why, in my own life and career, I’ve always chosen the ups and downs of the roller coaster. Yes, it comes with risk, fear, and the possibility of failure. But it also brings the kind of excitement, fulfillment, and impact that the merry-go-round could never offer. I’ll challenge you to think deeply about which ride you’re on—and what it would take to switch tracks.
QUOTES
"If you're going to end your career one day, make sure you rode the roller coaster."
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
"Complacency is just the merry-go-round in disguise."
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro & Parenthood Metaphor (00:00)
Why the roller coaster matters more than the merry-go-round (02:00)
How complacency sneaks into ortho practices (03:00)
The reality of failure—and why I welcome it (04:30)
You can’t build your dream life in circles (05:30)
A call to action for choosing growth, risk, and transformation (06:00)
Why Vanguard LA 2026 will be unlike any ortho event you've ever attended (06:45)
Additional Resources
f this message stirred something in you—if you’ve been playing it safe but secretly want more—then it’s time to choose the roller coaster. Push yourself. Reignite your practice. Take the ride.
🚀 Want to experience what real, impactful change feels like? Join me and 95 other forward-thinking orthodontists this February at Vanguard LA. We’ve designed something unlike any ortho meeting you've ever attended—with custom 90-day growth plans for every doctor.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
If you’ve trusted me before, trust me on this: It could change your life.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Unmasking Embezzlement in Orthodontics — w/ Cathy Jugovic Dec 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with one of the sharpest minds in ortho consulting, Cathy Jugovic. If you’ve never heard of her, trust me—you’re about to want her in your corner. Cathy has spent decades inside orthodontic and general dental practices, and she knows exactly where to look when something’s off. Whether it’s overdue accounts, patients who’ve vanished without a next visit, or that quiet employee pocketing your cash—she’s seen it all. And she’s helped over 400 doctors fix it.
We talk blind spots, accountability, culture, and why your front desk could be quietly costing you more than you think. Plus, we unpack the real role of the founder-doctor, how to sniff out embezzlement, and the key reports you should be reviewing daily—even if you’re short-staffed. If you want to understand how high-performing practices actually operate under the hood, this one’s a masterclass.
QUOTES
"If you’re not asking questions about the reports, your team will assume you’re not looking. And when they think you’re not looking—they stop doing the work."
— Cathy Jugovic
"It’s your practice. You better know what’s going on. That’s Business 101."
— Cathy Jugovic
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Cathy’s background: 23 years in GP, then ortho, then consulting (02:00)
Scaling from 200 to 9,000 patients—and what she learned (03:00)
The 6 reports every practice should be running weekly (06:34)
How to monitor AR, over-treatment, and no-future-appointment lists (06:50)
Why most front desks don’t work their reports—and how to fix that (08:00)
The role of the founder-doctor in practice ops today (11:28)
How to structure your team’s accountability systems (12:25)
Embezzlement red flags (17:56)
The $70K case Cathy helped uncover—and how they caught her (20:29)
What not to do if you suspect theft (24:26)
Don’t take cash—and why your team watches how you handle it (22:02)
Missed starts: how doctors unintentionally kill case acceptance (29:26)
New patient sales: why most practices have no system (32:38)
Cathy’s "Orthodontic Money Map" seminar with Prosperident (37:21)
Why 8 out of 10 practices are being embezzled—whether they know it or not (38:00)
Additional Resources
If you think your practice is doing fine because the money’s hitting your account, think again. Reports don’t lie—but people might. If you don’t know your overdue AR, unscheduled actives, and adjustment patterns, you could be bleeding money (or worse).
👉 Reach out to Cathy Jugovic at cdjugovic@gmail.com or call 954-383-3566 to learn how she can help. And if you’re serious about digging into the numbers, don’t miss the Orthodontic Money Map seminar in Deerfield Beach. Visit Prosperident.com for details.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

It's Supposed to Be Hard — That's What Makes It Great l 5MF Nov 28, 2025

Show notes

When I tore my ACL, physical therapy taught me something unexpected—not just about rehab, but about orthodontics and practice growth. Most people at the clinic weren’t athletes. They weren’t conditioned to push through discomfort, and as soon as rehab got hard, they quit. Not because they couldn’t heal—but because they couldn’t handle the pain that came with progress.
And that got me thinking about all the orthodontists who tell me, “Glenn, I want to grow, but I just can’t seem to get there.” If that’s you, here’s the truth: you don’t need more ideas—you need to embrace the effort. In this episode, I’m breaking down how pain (mental, physical, emotional) is often the real barrier to your next breakthrough. Whether you’re trying to hit $3M in production, lower your overhead, or reclaim your time, this episode is about figuring out what you want—and being honest about what you’re willing to work for.
If you're ready to stop circling the runway and start scaling with purpose, let’s talk about what it really takes.
QUOTES
”It’s supposed to be hard. If it wasn't hard everyone would do it. The hard is what makes it great.”
— Tom Hanks - A league of their Own
“If you just handed your dental school keys and got into ortho without the grind—it wouldn’t mean anywhere near as much.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
Key Takeaways
Intro – Tom Hanks said it best... (00:00)
How physical therapy exposed a practice growth truth (00:47)
Why so many orthodontists plateau—and how to push past it (02:30)
The pain/growth tradeoff and why it's worth it (03:45)
You don’t need new ideas—you need to do the work (04:52)
Behind the scenes of my one-on-one coaching coming in 2026 (05:48)
It’s supposed to be hard. That’s what makes it great. (06:55)
Additional Resources
If you're serious about hitting new levels in 2026, I’m launching a one-on-one coaching program built to deliver 5–10x ROI. No fluff. No quick fixes. Just real systems, clear steps, and accountability. DM me and let’s talk.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
📲 And if this episode hit home, do me a favor—share it with a friend in the ortho world who needs to Hear it today.
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

The Orthodontist Who Loves Clinchecks — And Does Them For You w/ Dr. Maggie Barnard Nov 25, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, I chat with Dr. Maggie Barnard, an ortho from Nova Scotia who went from managing two large practices to creating a side business that solves one of the biggest pain points in modern orthodontics: Invisalign clinchecks. After spending years doing dozens of setups every night—not just for herself, but for her associates too—Maggie realized something: she was really good at it, and even better, she actually enjoyed it.
So she launched MGC Align, a boutique clincheck service where she handles each case herself—no AI, no assistants, just another orthodontist with experience, precision, and obsessive attention to detail. In this episode, we explore her startup journey, the origin of the hilariously named “MGC Align,” her post-practice career, and what it takes to stay sharp—on and off the court (yep, she's also a competitive tennis player).
Whether you're burned out by clinchecks or curious how another doctor is creating value with a side hustle, this one’s a gem.
QUOTES
“I literally spent two hours every night doing clinchecks—for myself and all the associates. That’s when I realized… this is what I want to offer others.”
— Dr. Maggie Barnard
“I think orthodontists forget—we’re problem solvers at heart. Clinchecks are just puzzles. And I happen to love solving them.”
— Dr. Maggie Barnard
Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Maggie’s origin story: from GP to ortho practice owner (02:44)
Growing two big offices through mentorship and opportunity (04:19)
Selling to an OSO and transitioning out (06:30)
The clincheck problem: why she launched MGC Align (07:00)
What makes her service unique (17:41)
How she tailors setups to each doctor’s preferences (18:49)
Why she never uses AI or techs—just her own hands and brain (19:20)
The training and CE behind her protocols (20:00)
How to get started and turnaround time (22:32)
Clincheck setups in 2–3 days—including revisions (23:13)
Additional Resources
If clinchecks are eating up your nights—or causing friction in your practice—stop doing them yourself. Maggie’s service, mgcalign.com, lets you hand off your setups to someone who actually enjoys the work and knows what excellent outcomes look like.
👉 Reach out to her directly at mgcalign@hotmail.com or message Maggie B.A. on Facebook.
Register for Ortho Vanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

Timeout!: is this a me problem? Or a you problem? l 5MF Nov 21, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Your 5-Minute Friday, I break down a powerful mental framework that’s changed how I lead, parent, and run my practice. It’s simple, but transformative: the moment a problem comes your way, throw up the timeout sign and ask, Is this really my problem? That single pause can save your sanity, protect your leadership energy, and empower your team.

Too often, we take on the emotional weight of problems that don’t belong to us. And while I’ll always be here for support, guidance, and solutions, I’ve learned that being a sounding board is not the same as being a sponge. I share real stories from my office, personal insights from therapy, and tips on how I’ve trained my team (and even my kids!) to take radical responsibility without burning out.

Quotes

“There are only two kinds of problems in the world: mine, and not mine.”

— Dr. Glenn Krieger

“When someone brings you a problem, throw up the timeout sign and ask—do I really need to carry this, or can I coach them through it?”

— Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro & challenge (00:00)
Why identifying “my problem vs. not my problem” changes everything (00:48)
The therapist analogy and emotional burnout (01:30)
How I support without absorbing others’ stress (02:40)
Training your team to own their problems (and when to escalate) (04:00)
The parenting lesson: how I want my kids to handle challenges (06:40)
The final exercise: timeout, assess, empower (07:50)

Additional Resources

Here’s your challenge: The next time a problem gets thrown at you, pause and ask, “Is this mine?”

And if it’s not, train, support, and empower the person who owns it. You’ll see your leadership, your team, and your peace of mind all level up.

Ready to implement this in your practice or family life? I’m here to help. Reach out to me anytime—we’ll figure it out, together.

- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

The Romanian Orthodontist AND BeeKeeper w/ Dr. Elena Black Nov 18, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Elena Black, a Romanian-born orthodontist practicing in Virginia, who shares one of the most unexpectedly moving conversations we’ve had on the podcast. From her journey through dental school in Romania, to training under the legendary Dr. Gianelly at Boston University, to becoming a small-town practice owner and passionate beekeeper—Elena’s story is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply human.

We talk about the challenges of starting over in a new country, the cultural dynamics of being a female orthodontist in a Southern town, and what it's like to manage 11 bee colonies just for the love of it. You'll hear about her humble beginnings, her reverence for education, and how watching bees helped her reconnect with mental peace after the stress of COVID. If you're looking for a reminder that you are more than your practice, this episode is it.

Quotes

“Dr. Gianelly was the kind of teacher who’d say: ‘You’ll find your answer on page 3, upper left corner of that AJODO issue.’ He wanted us to think, not just follow.”

— Dr. Elena Black

“Beekeeping is my way to serve the world without needing anything back. I just go out at night and say hello to my bees.”

— Dr. Elena Black

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Training under Dr. Gianelly & what made him special (02:16)
From Romania to Boston: the winding road through Japan (07:33)
Practicing in the South as a female orthodontist with an accent (11:12)
Building a practice from scratch—literally waiting on her husband’s location (06:23)
Introducing digital scanners and aligners in her market (12:37)
Why dental school in Romania starts at age 18—and how it compares to the U.S. (14:57)
Beekeeping 101: 11 hives, 11 queens, zero stress (20:45)
What bees can teach us about leadership, resilience, and peace (22:51)
How she makes honey, keeps it separate, and shares it with friends (25:32)
Why beekeeping saved her sanity after COVID (30:12)

Additional Resources

If you’ve ever felt like your identity is just your practice, Elena’s story is your wake-up call. Whether it's beekeeping, jiu-jitsu, or just watching cows graze—you need something that's just for you.

Want to get in contact with Dr. Elena Black? Visit Lynchburg Orthodontics:
https://lynchburgorthodontics.com

- For more information, visit:https://orthopreneurs.com/

- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/

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