The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

Running a successful orthodontic practice doesn’t mean you need to control everything. In fact, the more you try to do that, the more you risk losing team members, burning out, and stunting your growth. In this episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on how I’ve transformed my management style over the years—and how letting go has made me a better leader, clinician, and business owner.

I’ll walk you through the exact approach I use today, including how we build systems without me being at the center of every decision. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to oversee every part of your practice—or you’ve struggled with team accountability—this one’s for you. You’ll walk away with a practical framework to create a culture of ownership, while giving your team the tools and authority to thrive.

If you want to stop micromanaging and start scaling, this might be your wake-up call.

Quotes
“If you want to take home seven figures a year from your practice, then you gotta work at it—and that means letting go.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“There are two kinds of problems in this world: my problem, and not my problem. I’ll help you solve your problem—but it’s still not my problem.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00) — How I used to micromanage—and why it failed.
(01:30) — My evolution from control freak to team enabler.
(03:00) — Why your org chart matters more than your to-do list.
(04:50) — Empowering your team to own their systems and policies.
(05:30) — The two kinds of problems: “My problem” and “not my problem.”
(06:45) — How to build one high-impact system per team member in 90 days.
(08:00) — The true cost of micromanagement (it’s higher than you think).

Additional Resources

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin in your practice or you know you’re spending too much time managing instead of leading, start by building that org chart. Sit down with your team, hand out real ownership, and step back from the day-to-day. Let your systems—and your people—work for you.

And if this episode sparked something for you, send me a message. I love hearing how these ideas show up in your practice.

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/

In this episode, I sit down with David King—coach, author of Freedom Mapping, and a guy who’s worked with orthodontists across the country to help them reclaim their clarity, purpose, and peace. And this isn’t some vague “work-life balance” chat. We talk about the actual tools and frameworks that have helped high-performing orthodontists climb out of burnout, reconnect with their families, and rediscover why they got into this profession in the first place.

From his early days as a management consultant to becoming the fittest man in Austin (at age 45!), David shares how he reached his own breaking point—and what he built in the aftermath: a four-domain framework that helps doctors take a brutally honest look at where they are now and where they actually want to go. If you’ve been grinding non-stop, but feeling stuck, frustrated, or even quietly drowning, this episode is for you.

Quotes
“There is no system, no process, no production goal that can overcome a doctor who’s not on point—mentally, emotionally, spiritually.”
 — David King

“Prep the number one asset—you. Because as you go, the practice follows.”
 — David King

Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
David’s backstory: consulting, coaching, and winning “Fittest Man in Austin” (00:23)
Why burnout among orthodontists often goes unnoticed (04:23)
The origin of Freedom Mapping and the 4 Domains: Body, Being, Balance, Business (06:00)
The power of truth-telling: where you really are vs. where you want to be (07:55)
How small lies we tell ourselves lead to chronic burnout (10:59)
Systems vs. self: why perfect processes can’t fix personal chaos (15:15)
Signs your mental bandwidth is breaking (20:00)
Why parents today are more burnt out—and less satisfied—than ever before (25:00)
“Prep the asset”: how 3–5 minutes of intention can change your day (28:11)
Why orthodontists must stop compromising their dreams out of guilt or fear (36:40)

Additional Resources
I’ve seen firsthand how easy it is for smart, successful orthodontists to lose themselves chasing growth, perfection, and shoulds. But here’s the truth—your systems won’t save you if you don’t first take care of the person running them.

👉 Download David’s book at freedommappingbook.com , or reach out to him at [email protected]  for a deeper conversation about how to prep your number one asset: you.

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/

Most orthodontists think their biggest money leaks are in fees or overhead. But what if the real problem is sitting right at the top of your funnel—unchecked and unoptimized?

In this episode, I walk you through how to dissect your practice’s entire patient funnel heading into 2026. From lead generation to consult conversion to case acceptance, this is your chance to clean house, plug profit holes, and make this your most financially rewarding year yet. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, I break down the three types of orthodontists and where each gets stuck. My hope? That you’re the kind who actually takes action.

You’ll also get clarity on the three ways to increase profits, why "scaling" and "growing" are not the same thing, and how to finally leverage your fixed costs—like rent and team size—into higher margins without burning out. This is the practical, brass-tacks business strategy no one taught you in residency—but it's exactly what will make the difference in your next 12 months.

Quotes
"You will never regret the days you took off.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

“You’ll walk away with a 90-day plan, personalized by AI, based on everything you discussed—so you’re not just inspired... you’re activated.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro & Funnel Framing (00:00)
The 3 Ways to Make More Money (00:39)
Why Scale over Growth (02:30)
Your Overhead Isn't the Problem—Your Volume Might Be (03:40)
Challenge for 2026 (04:30)

Additional Resources

Want help reviewing your funnel or figuring out where the money’s leaking? I’ve coached hundreds of orthodontists through this exact process. DM me or reach out—I’d love to support you as you make 2026 your strongest year yet.

And if you enjoy the podcast, take a moment to share it with a colleague. Let’s raise the bar across the entire profession. 👊

Register for OrthoVanguard: https://www.opvanguard.com 

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

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

Meet Dr. Seth Lucas, a successful orthodontist who—after seven years of practice—hit the same wall so many of us do: “Is this all there is?” Rather than open a second practice or partner with pedo, Seth took a wildly different path: he bought into a cookie franchise. Not just any cookie—Crumbl. And now? He co-owns 9 locations in multiple states and has built a second business that brings in serious revenue without burning him out.

In this episode, Seth shares how he launched his first Crumbl store across the country, convinced a friend to move to Wisconsin (yes, really), and built a thriving enterprise—while still loving ortho. We dig into why the seven-year itch is so common among orthodontists, what makes Crumbl such a powerful brand, and how you can start thinking differently about your next chapter—whether it’s inside or outside the clinic.

Quotes
“I love ortho—just not five days a week. There’s a sweet spot, and I had to find it.”
— Dr. Seth Lucas

“That first cookie store took more energy than all the rest combined. But once the flywheel started turning—it didn’t stop.”
— Dr. Seth Lucas

Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Growing up working farms and pizza shops (01:45)
From de novo ortho startup to the 7-year itch (04:06)
Why OSOs appeal to docs hitting a “what’s next?” moment (05:30)
Loving ortho… but only a few days a week (07:26)
Culture is fragile: how Seth manages his 10-person team solo (09:28)
The Crumbl cookie obsession begins (14:00)
Convincing his friend to move across the country to open store #1 (17:20)
From 1 store to 9: building, acquiring, scaling (18:27)
Franchise advice: the reality vs. fantasy (19:19)
Why Crumbl works—and how it compares to starting an ortho practice (21:13)
Can one store be profitable? (22:05)
High-volume vs. low-volume Crumbls (23:15)
Startup capital: what it took (25:44)
Final advice for docs thinking about a second business (28:00)

Additional Resources

I’ve seen so many orthodontists hit that “Is this it?” moment 7–10 years into practice. The truth is, you can love ortho—and still want something more. Seth’s story is proof that your next act doesn’t have to be more clinics, more chairs, or more chaos.

👉 If you’re thinking about a side hustle, a franchise, or just need a fresh spark—this episode will get you thinking differently.
Visit Lucas Orthodontics: https://drlucasorthodontics.com

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/

As I get a bit older, I have taken the role of an "older doc" in the workplace, using my morning meetings to provide words of wisdom, encouragement, and inspiration to the team.

This is because, for many of our team members, our workplaces may be the best part of their day or week. They may not be getting support from anyone else.

During meetings, take a few minutes to offer advice that may be helpful in their personal lives and not just their work lives.

Show them that you care and want to help them live their best lives. Doing this will result in a much more engaged and thankful team.

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   @orthopreneurs6803 

⏱️ Key Takeaways ⏱️
- Intro (00:00)
- How do you run your morning meetings? (00:38)
- What I prefer doing during meetings (01:34)
- Inspiring your team with morning meetings (02:25)
- Let your team know how much you care about them (03:59)

Quotes
"I think it's really important for us to help our team, particularly if we have expertise or knowledge in an area they don't."
- Dr. Glenn Krieger
"The next time you have a morning meeting or a bigger meeting, take three to five minutes and try to offer some advice to help your team with things that don't, in any way, shape, or form, apply to their work life."
- Dr. Glenn Krieger

Additional Resources

- 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/

#OrthoPreneurs #DrGlennKrieger  #5minutefriday