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 impacts millions of women yet is still widely misunderstood—endometriosis. Dana shares her personal 20-year journey to diagnosis, the medical gaslighting she experienced, and how chronic pain shaped her mental health, career path, and ultimately her decision to have a hysterectomy.

We also dive into how endometriosis shows up in the workplace, the shame many feel when symptoms interfere with work, and why self-advocacy is critical when something doesn’t feel right. 

Beyond health, Dana talks about the struggles dental hygiene students face today, burnout culture in dentistry, and how she created Dental Hygiene Basics to support students who need help passing boards and navigating school.

In this episode we cover:

• What endometriosis actually is—and why it’s so hard to diagnose
• Common symptoms: pelvic pain, fatigue, bowel & urinary issues, “endo belly”
• Why imaging often misses lesions delaying diagnosis
• Medical gaslighting and learning to trust your body
• Working full-time with severe periods and chronic pain
• Burnout culture in hygiene school and in practice
• Career options outside the operatory and transferable RDH skills
  
  

If you’ve ever felt dismissed by the medical system, exhausted in the operatory, or unsure what’s “normal” with your body—this conversation is for you.

About Dana

Connect with Dana:

@dentalhygienebasics on Tiktok, Instagram, and Youtube 

The Dental Hygiene Basics Podcast : https://www.dentalhygienebasics.com/podcast

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

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 midlife. Maggie shares her powerful personal journey—from feeling lost, exhausted, and “fluffy” in her 40s to rebuilding her health through blood sugar awareness, strength training, and a muscle-centric approach to living.

We talk about why what worked in our 20s stops working in perimenopause, how endless cardio can backfire, and why protein + lifting are the real game changers. 

Maggie also gets real about GLP-1 medications, hormone therapy (especially testosterone!), and how to get out of the cycle of dieting and punishment workouts.

If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t your own anymore, this conversation will give you hope—and a practical roadmap to feel strong, confident, and energized again.

We cover:

• Why midlife weight gain is metabolic, not a willpower problem
• How Maggie went from size 16 → 0 without extreme dieting
• The truth about cardio vs. strength training after 40
• Protein targets and how Maggie structures her day of eating
• Insulin resistance, CGMs, and blood sugar basics
• Testosterone for women and the mental health connection
• GLP-1 pros, cons, and what scares us most
• How to start lifting—even if the gym intimidates you

If you’re tired of being told “this is just aging,” this episode is for you.

About Maggie

Connect with Maggie:

Instagram: func_health

TikTok @maggie.top

Facebook: func.Health

Warrior Babe

Dynamic Health Institute

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. Meredith Broderick, a neurologist and board-certified sleep and behavioral sleep medicine specialist, to break down what actually matters when it comes to sleep.

We talk about why waking up at 2–3 a.m. is so common, how sleep architecture really works, and why chasing “perfect” sleep scores can backfire. Dr. Broderick also explains sleep apnea beyond the outdated stereotype, why women are often underdiagnosed, and what treatment options exist beyond CPAP.

We also dig into:

• Why sleep trackers can help — and when they hurt
• Alcohol, THC, and sleep: what no one tells you
• Melatonin, sleeping pills, and what actually works
• Why airway health in kids matters more than we think
• The surprising role GLP-1 medications play in sleep apnea
  
  

If sleep feels confusing, frustrating, or broken — this episode will help!

About Dr Meredith

Connect with Dr Meredith:

@SleepDoctorMer on Instagram and TikTok  

Website: https://soundsleepguru.com/

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a functional optometrist and founder of MyVisionFirst, to talk about something most of us never learned: the difference between eyesight and vision — and why it matters far more than we realize.

We dive into how the eye–brain connection impacts everything from driving anxiety and dizziness to screen fatigue, learning challenges, ADHD-like symptoms, and even athletic performance. Dr. B explains why 20/20 eyesight doesn’t mean your visual system is working well, how screens are reshaping our brains and vision, and why so many symptoms get missed or misdiagnosed.

I also share my personal experience with sudden vertigo while driving — and how vision therapy changed everything.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between eyesight and vision (and why most doctors don’t explain it)
• Why screens, loupes, and near work stress the visual system
• Signs your symptoms may be vision-related (motion sickness, fatigue, anxiety, reading issues)
• Simple daily vision exercises you can do at home
• How vision therapy supports driving confidence, focus, and brain health
• Why kids and adults alike should be screened for functional vision issues

👉 Special offer: Dr. B is offering listeners $200 off his ScreenFit program with code STRAIGHTUP 

Website: https://myvisionfirst.com/

About Dr Appelbaum

Connect with Dr B:

Instagram: @drbryceappelbaum Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@drbryceappelbaum Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myvisionfirstoptometry Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-bryce-appelbaum/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dr.bryceappelbaum

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. David Rice—dentist, coach, and founder of Ignite DDS—for a real, honest conversation about leadership, practice ownership, hygiene value, and the future of dentistry.

Dr. Rice shares what he would do differently if he were starting over as a practice owner, why leadership is the missing link in most dental practices, and how both dentists and hygienists can create practices that are profitable and healthy to work in.

We also dive into:

• Why leadership (not production) is the real driver of practice success
• The biggest mistakes new practice owners make—and how to avoid them
• Whether the hygiene department is truly a “loss leader”
• The truth behind the hygiene shortage and rising wages
• Why production-based hygiene pay can be ethical and empowering
• How AI is changing patient trust and case acceptance
• What the next 5–10 years of dentistry may look like
  
  

This episode is a must-listen for dentists, hygienists, and practice owners who want sustainable growth, stronger teams, and less tension inside their practices.

👉 Listen to the full episode now and share it with a colleague who needs this perspective.

To watch on YouTube, click here

About David

Connect with David:

Website

@ignitedds @futuredentists @drdavidrice

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined again by registered dietitian and perimenopause expert Laura Berger for a deeper dive into muscle, metabolism, fat loss, and the biggest mistakes women are making with nutrition and training—especially in their 30s, 40s, and beyond.

We unpack why muscle truly is the organ of longevity, why women are not “bulking up” from strength training, and how hormonal shifts during perimenopause change the way we need to eat and exercise. Laura also breaks down why calorie counting, macro tracking, and “eating less” often backfire—and what to focus on instead if you want sustainable fat loss and long-term health.

We also tackle a hot topic that many women are curious (and conflicted) about: GLP-1 medications. Laura explains when they may be appropriate, when they’re likely doing more harm than good, and why preserving lean muscle is non-negotiable for aging well.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why muscle is critical for longevity, metabolism, and hormone health
• The myth of women “bulking up” from lifting weights
• Strength training vs yoga & Pilates—and why most women need a blend
• What functional strength training actually looks like
• Why protein alone doesn’t build muscle without the right stimulus
• How meal timing and protein distribution change in perimenopause
• The biggest problems with calorie counting and macro tracking
• What GLP-1 medications do—and what most people aren’t being told
• How to start the new year strong without all-or-nothing thinking

Ep 79: Why Your Old Diets Don’t Work Anymore: The Real Reason Women Gain Weight

About Laura


Connect with Laura:

Instagram and TikTok: @theperimenopausediet

Website

Free Masterclass

Easy Sheet Pan Recipe

Easy Smoothie Recipe

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, hearing instrument specialist Madison joins me to unpack the surprisingly deep connection between hearing, cognition, memory, balance, and longevity.

We talk about why hearing loss sneaks up on people, the common early signs that get ignored, and how untreated hearing loss dramatically increases the risk of dementia, falls, and social withdrawal. Madison also explains why dental clinicians are especially vulnerable to high-frequency noise exposure and the right way to use hearing protection.

You’ll learn:

 ✔️ How the auditory system feeds the brain
 ✔️ Why background noise is exhausting
 ✔️ When noise becomes dangerous (real decibel numbers!)
 ✔️ Why hearing aids are not “just for old people”
✔️ The difference between hearing loss and auditory processing disorder
✔️ The research linking hearing loss and dementia
✔️ How to protect your hearing — at work, at the gym, and at concerts

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in loud places, relied on captions, or struggled in restaurants, this episode will make so much sense

About Madison

Connect with Madison:

@madisonlistens on Instagram 

Ted Talk: https://youtu.be/dFRvJcm6KKQ?si=_cZXHGjITFnaQaZI  

Website

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes. 

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by registered dietitian and creator of The Perimenopause Diet, Laura Berger, for a deeply validating and eye-opening conversation about body changes in your 30s and 40s, perimenopause, weight fluctuations, insulin resistance, and why traditional “eat less, move more” advice stops working during this chapter of life.

Laura breaks down:

• Why fat gain and “fluffiness” can happen even when diet and exercise haven’t changed
• How declining estrogen, stress, sleep, and insulin resistance interact
• What most women misunderstand about intermittent fasting
• Why strength training is non-negotiable and how to do it correctly
• The real reason women feel out of control around food (hint: it’s not willpower)
• How to structure meals to stabilize blood sugar, reduce cravings, and improve sleep
• Holiday eating strategies that don’t derail progress or trigger guilt

This episode is full of reassurance, clarity, and truly empowering education for women navigating midlife shifts. If you’ve been feeling frustrated, confused, or stuck in your body…this one will feel like a breath of relief.

👉 Listen now and connect with Laura’s programs + masterclass in the show notes!

About Laura

Connect with Laura:

Instagram and TikTok: @theperimenopausediet

Website

Free Masterclass

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with clinical trichologist Dorian White to talk about all things hair and scalp health. We cover everything from tight hairstyles and traction alopecia to the science behind scalp care, proper shampoo techniques, and what really causes hair loss.

You’ll learn:

• The real difference between scalp serums and oils
• How to properly wash your hair for optimal scalp health
• Why you might be losing hair at your temples or crown
• The truth about supplements like biotin and collagen
• Science-backed ingredients that actually help with regrowth
• Dorian’s top tips for maintaining healthy hair as hormones shift
  
  

This conversation is full of myth-busting advice, practical tips, and reassurance for anyone struggling with hair changes or loss.

About Dori

Connect with Dori:

@dorian_marie_hair on instagram and titktok

To watch on YouTube, click here

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m diving into the most common ergonomic mistakes dental clinicians make — and the exact corrections that will help you start the new year with less pain, better posture, and more confidence in the operatory.

This solo episode breaks down years of assessment experience and everything I personally struggled with early in my career—the same habits that led me straight into chronic pain. If you want to feel better in 2025, these are the habits to stop today.

In this episode, I cover:

• The #1 posture mistake fueling neck and back pain
• Why the wrong clock positions are wrecking your body
• The exact height your patient’s mouth should be
• How death-gripping your instruments leads to injury
• Why circulation is everything (and what instantly improves it)
• Microbreaks, movement, standing, walking & blood flow
• Out-of-operatory habits: sleep, diet, protein, inflammation & exercise
  
  

If you want to start feeling better, working safer, and building a body that lasts throughout your career, this episode is your roadmap.

To watch on YouTube, click here

Links for mentioned resources:

Free Posture Mini-Course

Ergo Courses + Monthly Club Membership

Microbreak Download

Corrective Exercise Specialist (for clinicians)

Disclaimer: The opinions expressed by guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Polished Posture. The information shared in this podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making significant lifestyle changes.  

Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you!

🌟Click here for my free intro course

Click here for ergonomic mirrors (code "DOUBLE" at checkout for $20 off)

To connect with me:

🦷Polished Posture Club
➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup