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Contrary to Ordinary, Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys
Contrary to Ordinary, Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys episodes
- 46. Thriving in the Chaos: How Dr. Alex Vieira Thrives on the Road Less Travelled
People often take the easy path, but what can you achieve and grow by jumping into thorny problems that don’t have an obvious solution?
Today's guest on Contrary to Ordinary is Dr. Alex Vieira. He’s a pioneer in cleft-palate research, has authored more than 400 scientific papers, and is the most cited expert in the field.
In this episode, Alex shares his journey from growing up in Rio de Janeiro during the military regime to becoming a leading figure in oral health research. He discusses his decision to pursue dentistry, influenced by an admired uncle, the challenges of starting his research career during the AIDS epidemic, and his fascination with the Human Genome Project.
In this episode’s commentary, Kim discusses the importance of the entrepreneurial mindset and the roles of genetics and environment in shaping human behavior. He emphasizes the value of collaboration, the importance of local contributions to global impact, and the need to maintain high research standards.
Overall, Alex believes in following one's passion and making meaningful changes in the immediate environment, which he sees as having a trickle-down effect on broader societal improvements.
Episode Highlights
01:49 –Alex’s early life.
04:41 – How working with genetics changed the trajectory of Alex’s career.
08:00 – Kim’s thoughts: Surround yourself with those you admire - the rest will follow.
08:46 – The Human Genome Project and dentistry.
12:10 – The road less travelled and the genetics of extraordinary.
14:47 –Kim's thoughts: Can you change your genetic predisposition through forming new habits?
15:55 – The complicated world of genetics and dental caries.
19:49 – What drives Alex?
20:41 – Kim's thoughts: The entrepreneurial mindset isn’t just for business people.
23:43 –How does Alex maintain a high standard of work?
24:47 – What’s next for Alex?
25:56 – Alex’s final thoughts.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
- CariFree Website
- CariFree on Instagram
- CariFree on Facebook
- CariFree on Pinterest
- Dr. Alex Vieira Bio
- The Human Genome Project Website
- The Power of Habit - Charles Duhigg
- Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones - James Clear
29 min - 45. Unwavering Compassion and Fearlessness with Dr. Bradley Bale
Today's guest is Dr. Bradley Bale, a pioneering cardiologist and co-founder of the BaleDoneen Method.
In this episode, we explore Brad’s fearless approach to life, the driving force behind his groundbreaking practice, and dive into why he’s willing to take a few arrows in the back for what he believes in.The BaleDoneen Method is a personalized approach to preventing and managing heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of arterial disease rather than just addressing risk factors like high blood pressure or cholesterol.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
The BaleDoneen Method Website
Beat the Heart Attack Gene
The Bezos Blueprint
The Biology of KindnessWhat's In This Episode
- Brad’s motivation for taking a few arrows in the back.
- Why the cardiovascular status quo isn’t good enough.
- The financial incentives of late-stage treatment and not prevention.
- The power of optimistic thinking.
34 min - 44. Global Citizenship with Dr. Sandra Hulac
Today's guest is Dr. Sandra Hulac, co-founder of Tam, Hulac & Partners, a cutting-edge interdisciplinary dental practice in Hong Kong.
In this episode, we dive into what it means to be a global citizen and business owner. We’ll also get a rare, inside look at how someone as accomplished as Sandra handles challenges - and even navigates moments of self-doubt.
Sandra has been living and practicing in Hong Kong since 2001 and has also worked in London, Germany, and the US.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Tam, Hulac & Partners Website
Why young people worldwide want and need ‘meaningful work’What's In This Episode
- How Sandra found herself working in Hong Kong.
- Sandra’s approach to tackling challenges in her life.
- What Sandra thinks makes someone extraordinary.
- Her advice to young people.
30 min - 43. The Strength of Reaching Out with Sheena Hinson Pt2
Today's guest is Sheena Hinson, Senior Marketing Manager at Philips. Sheena's journey began as a dental hygienist, but she quickly uncovered a passion for business development. Since then, she’s not only launched her own ventures but also built a vast expertise in entrepreneurship.
This is part two of Sheena’s interview. In this episode, she opens up about her struggles, and how reaching out for support has helped her grow. She also reflects on how she balances short-term and long-term thinking in business and finding mentors in unlikely places.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Sheena Hinson on LinkedIn
Sheena Hinson on Instagram
What's In This Episode- Sheena’s mission to reach out to others and learn.
- The short-term vs long-term dilemma of business-focused thinking.
- How we have more in common than we think.
- Sheena’s life of constant improvement
32 min - 42. The Accidental Expert with Sheena Hinson Pt1
Today's guest is Sheena Hinson, Senior Marketing Manager at Philips. Sheena's journey began as a dental hygienist, but she quickly uncovered a passion for business development. Since then, she’s not only launched her own ventures but also built a vast expertise in entrepreneurship.
In this episode, Sheena shares insights on the importance of human capital, the role of mentors, and the value of curiosity and perseverance in personal and professional growth.Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Sheena Hinson on LinkedIn
Sheena Hinson on Instagram
What's In This Episode- How Sheena became an “accidental expert”.
- Sheena’s style of leadership from the ground up.
- The Socratic Mentoring method.
- How trust has to be earned.
30 min - 41. Accountability and Growth with Dr. Tracey Nguyen
Today's guest is Dr. Tracey Nguyen, the owner of Lansdowne Dental Care in Leesburg, Virginia. In addition to her general practice, Tracey specializes in airway health, with a particular focus on pediatric care. She is also among an elite group of only 350 individuals worldwide accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.
Tracey’s journey to success was far from easy. Growing up in poverty and facing challenging circumstances, she lacked the guidance of strong role models. Now, reflecting on her past, she is committed to giving back by serving as a mentor and teacher to others in her community.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Dr. Tracey Nguyen Website
Dr. Tracey Nguyen on Instagram
Machell Hudson on resilience and compassion
What's In This Episode- Tracey’s origin story.
- Why airway health is important to dentistry.
- Why accountability is so important.
- How teaching should benefit the student and the teacher.
29 min - 40. Stop and Smell the Roses with Dr. Steve Lamberg
This week's guest is the phenomenal Dr. Steve Lamberg, one of the world's leading experts in dental sleep medicine—a field that explores the critical roles sleep and breathing play in maintaining our health and well-being.
Steve has been practicing dentistry on Long Island for over 45 years, where he runs the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Treatment Center alongside his general practice.
Steve is also the author of Treat the Cause... Treat the Airway: The Role of Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Contemporary Preventive Medicine, a book that reveals how common and dangerous snoring, sleep apnea and adult sleep problems can be.
Steve believes that we should all stop and smell the roses sometimes. Even when we're very busy, taking time for this helps us not sweat the small stuff and live life to the fullest.Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Dr. Steve Lamberg on LinkedIn
Dr. Steve Lamberg Website
Dr. Steve Lamberg on Instagram
Treat the Cause... Treat the Airway: The Role of Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Contemporary Preventive Medicine
The GROW Coaching Method
What's In This Episode
- How Steve became interested in sleep as a subject area.
- Why dentists should be coaching patients toward better health outcomes.
- Why you shouldn’t sweat the small stuff.
- What would Steve tell his 25-year-old self?
27 min - 39. Chasing Innovation with Dominik Lysek
This week’s guest is Dominik Lysek, an entrepreneur with over 15 years of impactful contributions to the dental and pharmaceutical industries. He is the CEO of PharmaTrail, a Swiss company specializing in blockchain-based software solutions for capturing and managing clinical trial data. Dominik also serves on the board of several companies, including the dental science firm Vvadis and the RNA-based therapeutics organization Altamira Therapeutics.
In 2010, Dominik founded Credentis, a company that pioneered groundbreaking enamel restoration technology. This marked the beginning of his journey in innovation and entrepreneurial success.
Please be advised that this episode includes a discussion of cancer mortality.
ResourcesFollow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Dominik Lysek on LinkedIn
PharmaTrail Website
Altamira Therapeutics Website
The Futuri Foundation (The Future Foundation) Website
The Mentor’s Guide Sample Chapter
CancerCare's Cancer Grief Resource
What's In This Episode- Dominik's entrepreneurial journey.
- The relationship between mentor and mentee.
- Why overnight success takes years.
- How Dominik’s wife supported him.
30 min - 38. Active Listening with Dr. Kelly Blodgett
This week's guest is Dr. Kelly Blodgett, a man who has made it his life’s mission to challenge the “negative stereotype of dentistry.” Kelly Blodgett founded Blodgett Dental Care in 2001 where active listening plays a crucial role in the patient experience.
Kelly was also one of the first within dentistry to recognize the significance of the mouth-body health connection. He shares his expertise with a large audience on Instagram, where his popular weekly series, Toxic Tooth Tuesdays and Wellness Wednesdays, have garnered significant attention. The success of Toxic Tooth Tuesdays even led him to take it on tour across the country.
Resources
Follow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Dr. Kelly Blodgett on LinkedIn
Dr. Kelly Blodgett on Instagram
Blodgett Dental Care Website
What Is Active Listening? - The Harvard Business Review
What's In This Episode
- Kelly’s experience on a crisis line.
- Why active listening is so important.
- How Kelly manages the patient experience.
- How the Toxic Tooth Tour came to be.
29 min - 37. Proactive Problem Solving with Dr. Tina Saw
This week's guest is Dr. Tina Saw, a dentist and serial entrepreneur. She founded Light Solutions Company, which creates wireless lights for dentists, Harmony Health Foundation, an organization supporting healthcare in underserved communities, and Oral Genome, which uses saliva testing to identify potential health issues before they arise.
Tina is a proactive problem solver who can't help but create solutions for any problem she encounters. Currently, she doesn't have much work-life balance. With two young children and multiple startups to run, Tina is certainly in her busy era.
This conversation took place at SmileCon 2023 in Orlando, Florida, so be prepared for some background noise and maybe even some music.
ResourcesFollow your curiosity, connect, and join our ever-growing community of extraordinary minds.
CariFree Website
CariFree on Instagram
CariFree on Facebook
CariFree on Pinterest
Dr. Tina Saw on LinkedIn
Oral Genome Website
Harmony Health Website
Light Solutions Company Website
How to avoid egg on your face from common founder f**k ups - StartUp Factory Article
What's In This Episode
- How Tina became a serial entrepreneur.
- Is there such a thing as work-life balance?
- Why many people should think twice about starting a business.
- How Tina stopped people pleasing.
31 min
About Contrary to Ordinary, Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys
From the publisher's feed
Join Dr. Kim Kutsch, the brilliant mind behind CariFree, as he explores the extraordinary lives of thought leaders in the dental industry, and beyond. Contrary to Ordinary explores further than dentistry - here we unravel the minds of change-makers, paradigm shifters, and world shakers.
Every two weeks, we dive into the stories of our remarkable guests—ordinary people who continually defy limits. Discover their tales of success, resilience, and self-awareness, and explore how they leverage these experiences not only to elevate dental practice and patient care but also to champion personal growth and entrepreneurship. Listen for captivating conversations with innovators who seamlessly blend art and technology, pursue curiosity, and create the truly extraordinary.
Contrary to Ordinary isn't your typical dentistry podcast—it's a vibrant community that's hit #1 in ‘Entrepreneurship,’ #3 in ‘Business,’ and #21 in ‘All Podcasts’ for a reason. We've had the pleasure of hosting inspiring guests like innovators, dental leaders, pioneering inventors, and artists, including Angus Walls, Machell Hudson, Dr. Simon McDonald, Dr. Bobby Birdi, Rella Christensen, Professor Phillip D. Marsh, Carmen Ohling, John Kois, Dr. Susan Maples, Doug Young, Colt Idol, Stephanie Staples, and many more who've graced our mic.
Each episode isn't just a listen; it's a lesson in living an extraordinary life authentically, embracing rebellion, and nurturing leadership. We dive into diverse topics, from mentoring, coaching, personal development, and work-life balance to self-awareness, emotional intelligence, leadership, storytelling, altruism, and motivation. And yes, we also cover dentistry—exploring natural dentists, dental health, dental laboratories, oral care, oral surgery, dental hygiene, caries disease, brushing teeth, and overall tooth care.
Tune in to Contrary to Ordinary for a unique blend of wisdom that goes beyond the ordinary and resonates with all aspects of life! This podcast aims to empower you to be extraordinary in your dental practice and improve not just your dental care but your overall life!
Do you have an extraordinary story you’d like to share with us? Or perhaps a question for Dr. Kutsch. Contact us on our Instagram, Facebook or Twitter today.
About Our Host:
Meet Dr. Kim Kutsch: a retired dentist with 40 years of experience, prolific writer, thought leader, inventor, and researcher in dental caries and minimally invasive dentistry, brings his insatiable curiosity to the forefront. Eager to learn from those breaking boundaries in dentistry, particularly in preventative and non-invasive dentistry approaches, Dr. Kutsch launched the Contrary to Ordinary podcast. As a keen creative and curious mind, Dr. Kutsch extends his podcast guest list to artists, entrepreneurs, and fascinating minds who have piqued his interest. He wants to learn from them and see how he can be inspired by their extraordinary ways of living and adapt his learnings into his own life and his business, CariFree.
About CariFree:
CariFree is the new model for oral health and cavity prevention. Dr. Kutsch is the CEO and founder of this business. They create cutting-edge technology and science-based solutions to common dental health concerns for the whole family, making it easy to banish cavities for good with preventive strategies over restorative procedures. Find out how dentists are using CariFree products to revolutionize their dental practices here: https://carifree.com/success-stories/.