On the Cusp with Dr. Brett Gilbert

In this solo short episode, Dr. Brett Gilbert reflects on a deeply moving experience: delivering a keynote at the Specialized Dental Partners Vision Summit in Denver alongside his dear friend Jonathan Gegerson, a two-time guest of the show and oral head and neck cancer survivor. Jonathan's message was simple and powerful.

Despite life's hardships, life is beautiful and worth living. And as healthcare professionals, the care we show patients gives them confidence, hope, and the strength to keep going, whether they're facing a life-threatening diagnosis or the everyday fear of dental treatment. Brett also revisits the article he and Jonathan published this year on the conventional visual and tactile exam for oral head and neck cancer. With roughly 71,000 cases diagnosed in the U.S. each year, these patients are already in our chairs. The goal isn't to diagnose. It's to learn what normal looks and feels like, so we can recognize when something isn't.

In this episode:

• Why a few minutes of screening can save a patient, and an entire family
• How to approach the exam: what to look at, what to feel, and how to position the patient
• Brett's commitment that no patient leaves his chair without a head and neck exam
• The unexpected gratitude patients show when you check
• Finding your authentic voice in and out of the operatory
• "Don't block the blessing": how to show up for someone who's suffering, and how to receive support when you're the one in need

Resources:

• Watch Jonathan's Vision Summit keynote: Vision Summit Keynote
• Read the article on efficient, intentional head and neck cancer screening: A Life Saving Exam Article by Gegerson and Gilbert
• Get Jonathan's book, Perspective C (foreword by Dr. Brett Gilbert): Perspective C Book Link
• Jonathan's previous On the Cusp episodes:
  • Cancer Never Wins with Jonathan and Laura Gegerson
  • How I Thrive with Cancer with Jonathan Gegerson

If you're enjoying the show, please rate and review On the Cusp on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. It helps the show reach more people. Connect with Brett at @drbrettgilbert.

What happens when life changes in an instant—and never goes back to the way it was? Jon Gegerson has battled cancer for seven years, endured six recurrences, hundreds of chemotherapy treatments, multiple major surgeries, radiation, life-threatening complications and unimaginable physical challenges. And yet, when you hear John speak, what you hear most isn't fear. It's gratitude. It's faith. It's love. And it's an unwavering belief that Cancer Never Wins.

 n this deeply moving episode of On the Cusp, Dr. Brett Gilbert welcomes Jon back to the podcast—this time alongside the woman who has been beside him through every diagnosis, surgery, hospital stay and uncertain moment: his wife and caregiver, Laura. Their conversation is about cancer, but it's really about how to live.

Jon and Laura open up about what serious illness does to a marriage, a family, your finances, your children and your sense of time. They share what they've learned about raising four children in the middle of uncertainty, accepting help when you desperately want to remain independent, and why caregivers are often the unseen heroes of the story. One of the most powerful lessons comes down to a single word. When Jon was diagnosed, Laura didn't tell him: "You've got this." She told him: "WE've got this." That distinction changed everything.

Jon also shares why well-intentioned words aren't always enough. Instead of telling someone going through a crisis, "Let me know if you need anything," he challenges us to simply show up. Bring the meal. Cut the lawn. Make the call. Be there. Because sometimes the person who needs you most doesn't know what to ask for.

The conversation also becomes an urgent call to action for every dental and healthcare professional listening. Jon's cancer originated in the salivary gland/head and neck region, and his experience has transformed him into a passionate advocate for comprehensive oral and head-and-neck cancer screening. Brett and Jon discuss why these examinations deserve greater attention—and how earlier recognition may dramatically change the trajectory of someone's treatment, their family and potentially their life. If it's not right, it needs to be evaluated. This isn't just another clinical responsibility. It may be one of the most important things we ever do for a patient. In this episode:

• Why Jon believes "Cancer Never Wins"
• What hundreds of chemotherapy treatments and repeated cancer recurrences have taught him about life
• The extraordinary—and often overlooked—role of the caregiver
• Why "we've got this" can be more powerful than "you've got this"
• How Jon and Laura protected their marriage and family through years of uncertainty
• Helping children process a parent's serious illness
• Why suffering can become one of life's greatest teachers
• The power of gratitude, faith, words, love and time
• Why accepting help isn't weakness
• What to actually do when someone you love is going through a crisis
• Why oral cancer and head-and-neck screening needs to become a greater priority in dentistry
• Jon's mission to advocate for better support and benefits for employees facing catastrophic illness
• How to think differently about the time you have right now
• The legacy Jon wants to leave behind

Jon also discusses his book, Perspective C—and the "C" does not stand for cancer. It represents Confidence. Courage. Commitment. The book explores the power of words, time, love and even suffering—not as a story designed to make you feel sorry for Jon, but as a framework for approaching the challenges in your own life with a different perspective.

📖 **Get **Perspective C
https://a.co/d/05CkUmmI 📄

Read Brett and John's article on oral/head-and-neck cancer screening:
https://issuu.com/medmark/docs/endodontic_practice_us_winter_2025_spring_2026_vol/19

Jon is on the board of directors of Breathe Inc.. This non profit provides money for cancer survivors for treatment and other needs. https://Breatheinc.org
 
This episode will make you think differently about your problems. It may make you hug the people you love a little tighter. And if you're a healthcare professional, it may change the way you examine your very next patient. Live now. Love now. Show up now. Because tomorrow isn't promised to look anything like today. #CancerNeverWins #OnTheCusp #PerspectiveC #OralCancerAwareness #Caregiving

Dr. Brett Gilbert talks with Sigmar Berg, founder of the Lovetuner, about burnout, breath, and the 528 Hz frequency he calls "the love frequency." From a glamorous-but-empty career in fashion to building a global wellness movement, Sigmar shares how a simple breathing tool became a lifeline for thousands — including clinicians on the edge of survival mode.
 
Topics covered: nervous system regulation for healthcare professionals, the history of 528 Hz, heart coherence, the power of stillness, and practical tools you can use between patients today.
 
Tune into the Lovetuner:
🔗 lovetuner.com
Coupon Code: LT10 for 10% off for On the Cusp listeners
IG: lovetuner528hz
📖 Sigmar's book: One Journey
 
⚠️ Content note: this episode references suicide. Support is available 24/7 via the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.
 
Disclaimer: Frequency-related health claims discussed are the guest's personal perspective, not clinically verified statements.
 
Connect with Dr. Brett Gilbert on Instagram, LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]
 
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The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett GilbertTake Home Hands On Endo Kit & Course Here - Purchase the Gilbert Endo Training Kit and 4 CE Companion Course

In this solo episode, Dr. Brett Gilbert shares practical strategies for handling unexpected disruptions—whether in clinical practice or daily life. Learn how cultivating gratitude and resilience can turn setbacks into opportunities for growth and positivity.

Main Topics:

• How to manage frustration and negative emotions when plans fall through
• The power of gratitude to shift emotional responses and foster resilience
• Practical steps to pivot and utilize unexpected free time productively
• Connecting emotional awareness with professional and personal growth
• The concept of embracing powerlessness and adapting to life's pattern interruptions

Note: This episode is a reflection on resilience, emotional management, and finding growth in unforeseen circumstances—valuable for clinicians and anyone navigating life's unpredictability.

Connect with Dr. Brett Gilbert on Instagram, LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]



Visit Our Sponsors at: 
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The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett GilbertTake Home Hands On Endo Kit & Course Here - https://planbdental.com/product/gilbert-endodontic-training-companion/ 

Dr. Brett Gilbert sits down with returning guest Dr. Diana Liu - dentist, yoga and meditation teacher, sound healer, and founder of Rest to Thrive - for an honest exploration of what it actually costs to ignore your nervous system, and what becomes possible when you start regulating it.

Diana shares her powerful personal journey: burning out not once but three times, six months of insomnia, and a terrifying morning when she woke up and couldn't feel her fingers. That wake-up call sent her on a decade-long path through yoga, breathwork, mindfulness, and nervous system science tools. She now teaches to dental and medical professionals how to regulate their nervous systems through her signature program, Aches to Ease.

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you’re listening. 

Connect with Dr. Brett Gilbert on Instagram or email him at [email protected]

Learn more about Dr. Diana Liu’s wellness program 
https://resttothrive.learnworlds.com/course/from-aches-to-ease-the-full-program
The first 10 people to sign up using the code EASE will receive 40% off!

Dr. Diana Liu Contact:
Website
Instagram

Free Quick Chair Yoga Practice from Dr. Diana Liu
https://www.resttothrive.com/free-quick-chair-yoga-practice-to-prevent-dental-aches-pains


Visit Our Sponsors at: Access Endo Free Online Training https://webinars.dentalpracticemastery.com/endo-webinar-w5-v1?el=Gilbert-Podcast

The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett GilbertTake Home Hands On Endo Kit & Course Here - https://planbdental.com/product/gilbert-endodontic-training-companion/

Dr. Brett Gilbert sits down with Dr. Avi Patel — dentist, educator, entrepreneur, and founder of Clear Aligner Advisor -  for an honest and energizing conversation about what it really takes to break out of survival mode in dentistry. Avi opens up about the burnout and emptiness he felt as an associate, how a pivotal decision to invest in himself completely changed his trajectory, and how he built a global community of over 60,000 clinicians. From the mindset behind betting on yourself, to the power of authentic networking and daily habits like meditation and journaling, this episode is packed with practical wisdom for any clinician feeling stuck, unfulfilled, or quietly wondering if there's more. Whether you're deep in the chair or looking to step beyond it, this one will leave you energised and thinking bigger.

Engage with our guest Dr. Avi Patel:
on IG @doctor.avi
https://www.clearaligneradvisor.co/
Dr. Avi on YouTube


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More from Dr. Brett Gilbert

The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett Gilbert
Hands On Endo Training in Your Own Space

Legacy isn't built in boardrooms or on résumés. It lives in the quiet moments when someone feels truly seen, heard, and valued by you. In this solo short, Dr. Brett Gilbert shares a raw and moving reflection after attending the funeral of a beloved family friend - a man known simply as "Dude" - whose life left an unmistakable imprint not through his accomplishments, but through the way he made the people he loved feel.

Visit Our Sponsors at: Access Endo - www.accessendo.org

More from Dr. Brett GilbertThe Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett Gilbert 
https://planbdental.com/product/gilbert-endodontic-training-companion/

Beneath the white coat, behind the confident handshake, and underneath the perfectly curated highlight reel — there's a human being who is quietly struggling. In this raw and deeply honest conversation, Dr. Brett Gilbert sits down with his friend and fellow Revive Mission brother, Dr. Jack Hibner, a comprehensive dentist based in Denver who has walked through the fire of addiction, mental health challenges, imposter syndrome, and a life-altering legal wake-up call — and come out the other side not just surviving, but genuinely thriving.

Subscribe to the podcast wherever you’re listening. 

Connect with Dr. Brett Gilbert on Instagram, LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]

Visit Our Sponsors at: 

Vista Apex - https://vistaapex.com/

Access Endo Free Online Training
 https://webinars.dentalpracticemastery.com/endo-webinar-w5-v1?el=Gilbert-Podcast

The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett Gilbert

Take Home Hands On Endo Kit & Course Here - https://planbdental.com/product/gilbert-endodontic-training-companion/

Healthcare wasn't always about rushing between appointments, managing overhead, and surviving burnout. It started with a calling — and sometimes, all it takes is a jungle in the Dominican Republic to remember that.In this solo episode, Dr. Brett Gilbert takes us inside the Revive Mission, a transformative dental mission trip to El Valle, Dominican Republic, where a group of like-minded clinicians came together to serve a community in need — and in doing so, rediscovered why they became healers in the first place.

Connect with Dr. Brett Gilbert on Instagram, LinkedIn or email him at [email protected]

Visit Our Sponsors at: Vista Apex - https://vistaapex.com/

Access Endo Free Online Training https://webinars.dentalpracticemastery.com/endo-webinar-w5-v1?el=Gilbert-Podcast

The Endo Training Companion Kit and Course by Dr. Brett Gilber
Take Home Hands On Endo Kit & Course Here - https://planbdental.com/product/gilbert-endodontic-training-companion/