The Orthopreneurs Podcast with Dr. Glenn Krieger

What if I told you your biggest staffing frustrations might have less to do with Gen Z—and more to do with the culture we’ve created around work?

This episode isn’t about criticizing younger employees—it’s about reflecting on what we tolerate, reward, and model inside our practices. I talk about the differences I’ve observed between Japanese and American workplace culture, how it impacts orthodontic teams, and why leaders may need to rethink the systems and expectations they’ve created. If you’ve ever struggled with ghosting, disengagement, accountability, or team culture in your office, this episode will challenge you to look deeper—and maybe see the problem from an entirely different angle.

Quotes

“It’s crystal clear that the work ethic here for the younger generation is very different, at least on the surface, from what I see in the U.S.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

“I’m starting to believe that a lot of the problems we face in the U.S. are functions of the U.S. and the way we maybe tolerate some of the behavior that we see as employers.”
 — Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways

Intro: Lessons from Tokyo & Triforce Academy (00:00)
Cultural nuances and work ethic observations in Japan (00:45)
The growing conversation around Gen Z in the workforce (01:00)
Is this a generational issue or a societal one? (01:40)
What orthodontic employers may be unintentionally tolerating (02:00)
How travel and exposure to other cultures can reshape leadership perspective (02:35)
Final thoughts & invitation to experience Japan with Orthopreneurs RD (02:45)

Additional Resources

🟦 I’ve seen firsthand how culture shapes leadership, accountability, and team performance—and sometimes the biggest breakthroughs come when you step outside your own environment.

If you’re struggling with team engagement, leadership challenges, or building a stronger practice culture, maybe it’s time to stop asking, “What’s wrong with this generation?” and start asking better questions. And if you ever get the opportunity to experience a different culture firsthand—take it. It might completely change the way you lead your practice and your life. 

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

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

🎙️ What if I told you the way you practice orthodontics—and live your life—depends entirely on where you choose to plant your feet?

I’ve spoken to orthodontists all over the world—but this conversation hits different. In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jon Paley, an American-trained orthodontist who made the bold decision to build his life and practice in Israel. And what he shares isn’t just about orthodontics—it’s about perspective, resilience, and what really matters when everything around you is unpredictable.

If you’ve ever wondered how adaptable you really are as a doctor—or what it means to lead when things aren’t “normal”—this episode will challenge you, ground you, and maybe even change how you think about your own practice and life.

Quotes

“Patients looked at our practice as a place of normalcy… even during chaos, that 45 minutes mattered.”
 — Dr. Jon Paley

“It’s a contract we feel we have with our country—to take responsibility, stay calm, and just keep going.”
 — Dr. Jon Paley

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Jon’s journey from the Midwest to Israel (03:25)
Practicing in two countries—and commuting for 20 years (06:30)
Selling his U.S. practices and starting over at 52 (08:24)
The biggest difference between U.S. and Israeli orthodontics (13:28)
Why delegation is far more limited outside the U.S. (13:28)
Technology, Invisalign, and practicing at a high level globally (14:34)
What it’s really like living and raising a family in Israel (01:01)
Managing a practice during national crisis and uncertainty (21:54)
How patients view the practice as a “safe place” (26:29)
The mindset shift: responsibility, resilience, and purpose (27:36)

Additional Resources

If this episode made you think differently about your practice—or your life—share it with a colleague who needs that perspective shift.

Want to connect with Dr. Jon Paley or learn more about his work?
👉 Visit: braces.co.il
👉 Or find him on Facebook

And if you’ve ever considered practicing internationally—or just want to become a more adaptable, resilient orthodontist—this is your reminder: growth happens outside your comfort zone.

Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

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

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

What if I told you the fastest way to lower your stress, reclaim your time, and make your practice more profitable isn’t working harder — it’s finally letting go of the things you should’ve outsourced years ago?

In this episode of Five Minute Friday, I’m talking about one of the biggest mistakes I see orthodontists make over and over again: being penny wise and pound foolish. Too many doctors are still using their best team members — or worse, their own mental bandwidth — to manage tasks that could be outsourced, automated, or handled far more efficiently by dedicated systems. If your days feel chaotic, your team feels stretched, and your practice still isn’t running as smoothly as it should, this episode is for you.

Quotes

“Your goal is to show up, do great ortho, hug moms, kiss babies, and grow your practice — and don’t micromanage everything else.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

“Money comes and goes, but time only goes.”
 — The Trockels, quoted by Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Why orthodontists stay penny wise and pound foolish (00:28)
The time-versus-money tradeoff at different stages of practice ownership (01:18)
How remote monitoring creates smoother days and fewer office visits (02:03)
Why a leaner team can still support a high-producing practice (02:36)
The overhead math: efficiency, staffing, and profitability (02:56)
Why your in-house team is not monitoring patients the way you think they are (04:10)
How delayed responses hurt both patient experience and team performance (04:46)
Why outsourcing creates peace of mind, faster workflows, and better systems (06:06)
The real goal: less micromanagement, more freedom, and a practice that runs on cruise control (07:53)

🟦  Additional Resources

I’ve seen firsthand how the right systems can make your practice easier to run, more profitable, and dramatically less stressful.

If you’re tired of wasting high-value time on tasks that should already be automated, outsourced, or remotely managed, this episode is your wake-up call. Start looking closely at where your team is getting bogged down, where your response systems are breaking, and where smarter support could immediately improve your workflows.

The doctors who embrace this shift aren’t just saving time — they’re building practices that scale better, feel better, and give them more freedom outside the office. That’s the goal.

Remote Response: https://www.remoteresponse.com

Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

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

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

I’ve seen it firsthand: bringing in someone with zero experience—but the right attitude—can transform your culture, your team, and even your future. In this episode, I sit down with someone who proves that point better than anyone I know—Brooke Bruneman—a former team member who started with me as a sterile tech and is now graduating dental school and chasing orthodontics.

We also get into some surprisingly real conversations—about social media in orthodontics, what actually works (and what’s just noise), and even how Gen Z is dating today (spoiler: it’s very different from what most of us grew up with). This episode will challenge how you hire, how you lead, and how you think about the next generation entering our profession.

Quotes

“I came to you with zero experience… I just needed someone willing to train me.”
— Brooke Bruneman

“When you find something good, it’s hard to let go of it.”
— Brooke Bruneman

Key Takeaways

Intro (00:00)
Why hiring for attitude beats hiring for experience (01:12)
Brooke’s journey from sterile tech to dental school (03:43)
The value of real-world experience before dental school (04:24)
Getting rejected—and coming back stronger (04:24)
Why culture matters more than credentials (17:46)
Keeping great people even after they “leave” your practice (18:45)
How Brooke ran social media remotely through dental school (19:01)
What actually works on social media for orthodontists (21:18)
The power of the “hook” in content creation (33:42)
Why most orthodontists get social media wrong (34:38)
Gen Z, dating apps, and how communication is changing (40:14)
Why safety and trust shape modern interactions (41:37)
What residency programs might be missing in applicants (49:45)

Additional Resources

If you’re still hiring based on experience alone, you’re missing out on your next superstar.

Start looking for attitude, work ethic, and culture fit first—and train the rest. And if you’ve got someone great in your practice right now, don’t wait—invest in them, mentor them, and keep them in your orbit however you can.

👉 Want to connect with Brooke or learn more about her journey?
Instagram: @brookekbruneman
Email: [email protected]

And if you’re in academia or part of an orthodontic residency program… you might want to reach out. Just saying.

Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home

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

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

What if I told you that for less than the cost of one case, you could buy back hours of your week—and finally focus on the work that actually grows your practice?
In this Five Minute Friday, I’m challenging one of the biggest blind spots I see in orthodontists today: the belief that “I can do it all myself.” After coming off a high-level Orthopreneurs RD meeting, it became crystal clear—most of you aren’t lacking solutions… you’re lacking time. And more importantly, you’re holding onto tasks you should’ve delegated years ago.

Quotes
“The overwhelming majority of you are way too busy, don’t have enough time, and are making enough money that you can afford an executive assistant.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger
“If you can take $20,000 a year to free you up and focus on the things you need to be doing, it’ll be the best money you ever spend.”
— Dr. Glenn Krieger

Key Takeaways
Intro (00:00)
Why orthodontists resist solutions they actually need (00:58)
What an executive assistant really does (and doesn’t do) (01:20)
Real-world examples: travel, scheduling, and life logistics (01:45)
Fractional hiring: how to start small (02:25)
The ROI of buying back your time (03:00)
Why this may be the highest-leverage investment you can make (03:45)

Additional Resources
🟦 I’ve seen firsthand how freeing up even a few hours a week can completely change how you lead your practice and live your life.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stuck in the day-to-day, start exploring executive assistant options—even just 5–10 hours a week. And if you want guidance on where to start, reach out to me directly. I’m always happy to help you find solutions that actually move the needle.
Register for the Make More Money Meeting: https://ortho4m.com/home 
- For more information, visit: https://orthopreneurs.com/
- Join our FREE Facebook group here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/