Straight Up With Steph
Episodes
Ep 94: EMDR Therapy Explained: Overcome Trauma + Anxiety + Rewire Your Brain
15 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever thought, “Why am I still reacting like this even though I know better?” — this episode is going to hit.In this episode of Strai...
Ep 93: Should You Work Out During Your Period or While Pregnant? (What Women Need to Know)
08 May 2026
Contributed by Lukas
If you’ve ever felt like your body is changing and no one really explained why… this episode is for you.In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®...
Ep 92: How to Communicate Across Generations (Gen Z vs Millennials Explained)
17 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Ever feel like you’re speaking a completely different language than your patients, coworkers, or even your own team?I had that exact moment with a p...
Ep 91: How to Train Your Brain for Better Focus, Memory & Mental Clarity
10 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
What if your brain isn’t declining… it’s just undertrained? What if simple brain games can improve it?In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®...
Ep 90: Dermatologist Explains Why Your Skin Changes During Perimenopause
03 Apr 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Wrinkles, hormonal acne, melasma, and dry skin can suddenly appear in your 40s — and hormones may be the reason.In this episode of Straight Up With ...
Ep 89: Constipation, Gas, and What Your Poop Says About Your Gut Health
27 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Constipation, bloating, gas, and poop—these are topics people rarely talk about, but they can reveal a lot about what’s happening inside your gut....
Ep 88: How To Heal Your Gut With Dr Will Bulsiewicz
20 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Your gut microbiome affects far more than digestion.In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I’m joined by gastroenterologist and bestselling au...
Ep 87: Alternative Careers in Dentistry: Opportunities Beyond the Operatory
06 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, we’re talking about something I get asked about all the time—career options in dentistry outside of c...
Ep 86: Endometriosis Symptoms Every Woman Should Know Plus Tips for Hygiene Students
27 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur Dana Paladino, RDH, to talk about a topic that...
Ep 85: Your Best Years Aren’t Behind You In Midlife (Here’s Why)
13 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Maggie Topham, integrative health coach and passionate advocate for helping women thrive in...
Ep 84: Sleeping but Still Exhausted? What’s Really Disrupting Your Sleep
06 Feb 2026
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. Meredith Broderick, a neurologist and board-certified sleep and behavioral sleep medici...
Ep 83: Why Screens Are Ruining Our Vision (And What To Do About It)
30 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a functional optometri...
Ep 82: Why Most Dental Practices Struggle—and How To Fix It
09 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 founde...
Ep 81: Muscle, Metabolism & Perimenopause: What Women Need to Know
02 Jan 2026
Contributed by Lukas
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 perimenopaus...
Ep 80: Early Signs of Hearing Loss You’re Ignoring — And How They Affect Your Brain
19 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Ep 79: Why Your Old Diets Don’t Work Anymore: The Real Reason Women Gain Weight
12 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by registered dietitian and creator of The Per...
Ep 78: Hair Myths Debunked: What Actually Works for Healthy Hair Growth
05 Dec 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with clinical trichologist Dorian White to talk ...
Ep 77: Top Ergonomic Mistakes Dental Clinicians Must Stop Making
28 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m diving into the most common ergonomic mistakes dental...
Ep 76: Is Dental Marketing a Scam?
14 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Gary Bird, founder and CEO of SMC National,...
Ep 75: Tired of Patients Not Understanding Their Treatment? Here’s How AI Can Help
07 Nov 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Sofie, a dental hygienist who transitioned ...
Ep 74: Thriving in Your First Years as a Dental Hygienist
31 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph — part two of my two-part series with Melia Lewis, MEd, RD...
Ep 73: Top Tips on Thriving in Dental Hygiene School
24 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Melia Lewis, MEd, RDH, co-founder of Hygien...
Ep 72: The Drink That Prevents Cavities: SmileSip
17 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Misty Mattingly, RDH—Chief Dental Hygiene...
Ep 71: Understanding Military Dentistry: The Model Behind the OPA
10 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Stephanie sits down with a former military dental hygienist...
Ep 70: Understanding TMJ, Dizziness & Chronic Neck Pain
03 Oct 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Joe Damiani, PT, DPT, who has worked wi...
Ep 69: TMJ & TMD Demystified: Diagnosis, Treatment & Patient Care Tips
26 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Priya Mistry, also known as The TMJ Doc...
Ep 68: Healing Over Drilling: The Future Of Minimally Invasive Dentistry
19 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Crystal Spring, dental hygienist, public he...
Ep 67: How to Handle Bullying in Dentistry
12 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Bullying in dentistry isn't always obvious—but it's real, it's damaging, and it'...
Ep 66: Social Media and the Brain: Doom Scrolling, Dopamine, and Digital Detox
05 Sep 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Is social media shaping our brains more than we realize? In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I ...
Ep 65: How I Got Sober While Working in Dentistry | Stress, Burnout & Recovery Journey
29 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today’s episode is something a little different—and really special. I’m sharing a crossover epis...
Episode 64: Dental Insurance Fraud: Red Flags Every Clinician Must Know
22 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Do you really know how to avoid dental insurance fraud—or are you just hoping you’re not on the ra...
Episode 63: Desiccation Therapy in Dentistry: What You Need To Know
15 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up with Steph, I sit down with Annie to talk about desiccation therapy—a...
Ep 62: Why We Need a PR Campaign for Dental Hygienists: The Oral Health Awareness Project
08 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Lisa, a passionate dental hygienist and vol...
Ep 61: Salivary Testing in Dentistry: How Spit Samples Are Transforming Preventive Oral Health Care
01 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. Dave, founder, CEO, and chief scientifi...
Ep 60: Myofunctional Therapy Explained: Breathing, Oral Health, and Sleep from Childhood to Adulthood
25 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Ever wonder how your tongue and facial muscles impact your breathing, sleep, and even posture? In thi...
Ep 59: Biological Hygiene Unpacked: Exploring Fluoride, Ozone Therapy, and Microscopes in Modern Dentistry
18 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with biological dental hygienist Barbara Tritz a...
Ep 58: Pediatric Hygiene: Tools, Tips, and Common Misconceptions
11 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by An Chih to dive into the world of pediatric...
Ep 57: Debunking Popular Dental Myths and Handling Misinformation on Social Media
04 Jul 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by returning guest and online dental educator ...
Ep 56: ADHA Leaders Speak Out On Moves To Replace Hygienists
27 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sat down with Erin and Lancette, the President and Presid...
Ep 55: Mastering Case Acceptance: Real Strategies to Connect and Communicate Better with Dental Patients
20 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Kim McGuire to discuss case acceptance, a t...
Ep 54: What To Know About Guided Biofilm Therapy: Protocol, Patient Education, And Practice Growth
13 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! I get so many questions about Guided Biofilm Therapy (GBT), and truthfully, I don’t know as much abo...
Ep 53: Workforce Shortages, Hygiene Autonomy, and ADA's Vision for the Future
09 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Dr. Brett Kessler, president of the American Dental Associa...
Ep 52: Maximizing Your Dental Practice Value & Navigating Industry Shifts
06 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Tony Stefanou for a wide-ranging and ca...
Ep 51: The Oral Preventive Assistant Debate: What Dental Assistants Actually Want
30 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Kevin Henry, a longtime advocate, speaker, a...
Ep 50: Dental Anesthesia: Managing Patients, Myths, and New Techniques
23 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by dental hygienist and anesthesia educator Tin...
Ep 49: GLP-1 Warning Signs to Look for in Dental Patients
16 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Tom Viola, a renowned pharmacologist and nat...
Ep 48: How to Identify and Regulate Stress and ADHD Symptoms for a Healthier Lifestyle
12 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever found yourself endlessly scrolling on your phone, procrastinating on your to-do list, or...
Ep 47: The True Cost of Dental Insurance and Why It's Time for Reform
09 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Did you know that dental reimbursement rates and deductibles have not increased since the 70s? It’s ...
Ep 46: Transform Your Dental Experience Into A Lucrative Speaking Career
02 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever considered breaking into the world of professional speaking, but weren’t sure if you w...
Ep 45: Flossing Made Easy with the First Electric Flosser, Flaus
25 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Samantha Coxe, the creator and founder of Fl...
Ep 44: Osteoporosis And Oral Health: What Dental Professionals Need To Know
18 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by dental hygienist and educator Kristin Evans ...
Ep 43: How Tongue Mapping Opens the Door for Comprehensive Patient Care
11 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Have you ever wondered what the tongue tells us about our overall health? In this episode of Straight ...
Ep 42: Nano-Hydroxyapatite: A New Frontier in Preventive Dental Care
04 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Dr. Mark Burhenne, famously known as “Ask the Dentist,”...
Bonus: Oral Cancer Awareness: Masterclass in Screenings and Early Detection
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In honor of Oral Cancer Awareness Month, I wanted to bring you a special bonus episode of Straight Up ...
Ep 41: The Crucial Role Hygienists Play In Dental Practice Success
28 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Dr. Marc Liechtung and I are unpacking the critical role th...
Ep 40: Maximize Your Chair Time: Time Management Tips For Dental Hygienists
21 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Kathryn Gilliam and I are tackling one of the most pressing...
Ep 39: Insights Into The Untapped Potential of Using Microscopes in Dentistry
14 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, certified biological hygienist Kristen King joins the podca...
Ep 38: The Future Of Remineralization: Nano-Hydroxyapatite's Potential In Dentistry
07 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Dr. Jennifer Eisenhuth (aka Dr. Jen, Founder...
Ep 37: Empowering Dental Hygienists to Branch Out on Their Own
21 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Sade Morel, another dental hygienist who made the leap from...
Ep 36: The Truth About Starting an Independent Hygiene Practice
14 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, dental hygienist and entrepreneur Jazmine Chavez shares her...
Ep 35: How ADA’s Dental Access Model Act Will Impact Dentistry
07 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by returning guest Alyssa Aberle to take a clos...
Ep 34: Navigating PCOS, Perimenopause, and More: Nutritional Tips from a Hormone Dietitian
31 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Melissa Groves Azzaro and I are unpacking the intricate rel...
Ep 33: Career Transitions Outside of the Operatory
24 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I am joined by Dr. Laura Brenner, a dental career coach, to...
Ep 32: Expert Tips for Enhancing Sleep Quality for Better Rest and Overall Health
08 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Teresa Power to explore how better sleep ca...
Ep 31: Stress, Depression, and Loneliness: Brain Health Tips You Need Today
19 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, brain health expert and dental hygienist Anne Rice returns ...
Ep 30: Tips to Lose Fat and Increase Strength
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, Hannah Hutson and I are unpacking the number one reason peo...
Ep 29: Teaching, Entrepreneurship, and Opportunities Outside the Op
09 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Tina, a dental hygienist, educator, and ent...
Ep 28: From Dental Hygienist to Tech Entrepreneur: The Birth of CE Zoom
06 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode, I chat with Sarah Thiel, the co-founder of CE Zoom, about her incredible journey buil...
Ep 27: How Janet Built a Thriving Mobile Holistic Dental Hygiene Practice
02 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the inspiring journey of Janet, a trailblazi...
Ep 26: From Perimenopause to Hormone Therapy: What You Need to Know
29 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the often-overlooked topic of menopause and it...
Ep 25: Spreading Smiles and Knowledge Through Mobile Dentistry & Hygiene Edge
22 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, we dive into the journey of a hygienist turned entrepreneur...
Ep 24: Leveraging Clinical Skills for Business Success and Debunking Implant Myths
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Join us for a deep dive into the career journey of Lynn, a trailblazing hygienist who’s leveraged he...
Ep 23: Scaling New Heights: From Assistant to Educator with Jess of Hygiene Edge
15 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode, Jess shares her journey from dental assisting to becoming an educator and content cre...
Ep 22: How Internationally-Trained Dentists Could Impact U.S. Hygienists
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In our latest episode, Steph and Alyssa Aberle tackle a significant shift in the dental field: the ADA...
Ep 21: From Fun Videos to Business: Teeth Talk Girl Whitney's Journey
08 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I catch up with Whitney, known to many as Teeth Talk Girl! ...
Ep 20: Unmasking Imposter Syndrome & People Pleasing
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode, Machele takes us on her journey into life coaching, sharing how she transitioned into...
Ep 19: From Polishing Teeth to Perfecting Lips: What’s It Like?
25 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Ever wondered how dental clinicians can expand their careers into aesthetics? On this episode, Katie t...
Ep 18: Being a Male Hygienist & Navigating Non-Traditional Career Paths
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Rafael, a dental hygienist who has navigate...
Ep 17: Disability Insurance 101: Tips For Protecting Your Future
11 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode, I sit down with Susan to discuss her personal injury journey and the crucial role dis...
Ep 16: Brain Power: The Keys to Cognitive Health
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode, I sit down with Anne, a brain health expert and dental hygienist, to explore the esse...
Ep 15: Wellness, Leadership, and Recovery: With ADA President-Elect Dr. Brett Kessler
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this special episode of Straight Up with Steph, I sit down with my former boss and friend, Dr. Bret...
Ep 14: Hygiene Wages, Assisted Hygiene, Scaling Assistants, and the Future of Dental Teams
13 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with a fellow dental hygienist and entrepreneur ...
Ep 13: Breaking Myths: Posture Bras, Bulking Up, and Smarter Exercise
06 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today, in part two of a two-episode series with my friend and corrective exercise specialist Brianne, ...
Ep 12: Preventing Pain & Injury Through Corrective Exercise With Brianne Novaes
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today, in part one of a two-episode series with my friend and corrective exercise specialist Brianne, ...
Ep 11: Attending Dental Conferences and Creating Content with BrushwithBritt
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today, my friend Britt and I chat about how we met, the ups and downs of dental conferences, being a c...
Ep 10: Tips on Patient Positioning
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today, I give you tips on patient positioning to reduce your pain and increase good ergonomics and eff...
Ep 9: Alternative Careers in Dentistry
21 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Hi!I have had many questions from followers about doing something outside of the operatory.I'm sh...
Ep 8: Alcohol Myths and Truths
24 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today, we're dispelling myths about alcohol and discussing how it affects our physical and mental...
Ep 7: Tips for New Grads
10 May 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! As a dental hygienist of 16 years, I'm excited to share what I wish I would have known as a new g...
Ep 6: Products You Need in Dentistry!
26 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today's episode we are discussing my favorite ergonomic products for dental clinicians!To watch o...
Ep 5: Top 5 Ergonomic Mistakes
15 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Today's episode is covering the Top 5 ergonomic mistakes I've seen doing assessments over ...
Ep 4: How to Reduce Hand, Wrist, and Forearm Pain
01 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and o...
Ep 3: Which Dental Stool is Right for You?
21 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and o...
Ep 2: All About Ergonomic Loupes
15 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and off...
Ep1: The One About Posture
08 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you! Hi, I'm Stephanie, a practicing dental hygienist and ergonomics specialist. I help dental and off...