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

Is social media shaping our brains more than we realize? In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Kent Howard—educator, researcher, and wellness speaker—to explore the science behind social media use, doom scrolling, attention spans, sleep disruption, and the impact on kids and adults alike. 

We talk about dopamine, FOMO, and how algorithms are literally rewiring how we think, focus, and even socialize. Most importantly, Kent shares practical strategies for healthier tech use, digital detoxing, and reclaiming your focus.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• How many hours a day people really spend on their phones
• What “doom scrolling” is and how to break free from it
• Why kids and teens are most at risk — and what parents need to know
• How social media impacts sleep, posture, and mental health
• Practical tips for detoxing and setting digital boundaries

About Kent


Connect with Kent:

Email: [email protected]

INR: https://www.inrseminars.com/subscriber.aspx

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. 

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Today’s episode is something a little different—and really special. I’m sharing a crossover episode from when I was a guest on Sober Life Rocks. It was one of the most honest conversations I’ve had publicly about my sobriety journey and why it matters—especially as a healthcare professional.

If you’ve ever felt the pressure to be “high-functioning” or felt like stress, burnout, and alcohol were just part of the job—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And I wanted to share my story not because I have it all figured out, but because I believe someone out there needs to hear it.

We also talked about how to approach conversations about alcohol and substance use with patients—something that’s often overlooked in dental and healthcare settings but is a crucial part of overall wellness.

What I share in this episode:

• What led me to choose sobriety—and how it’s changed my life
  
  
  
• Why alcohol is so normalized in healthcare and the harm that causes
  
  
  
• How sobriety gave me clarity, energy, and deeper purpose in my work
  
  
  
• Tips for starting nonjudgmental, supportive conversations with patients about alcohol use
  
  
  
• A message of hope: If I can do it, you can too
  
  
  

🎧 This one is for anyone—sober, sober-curious, or just ready to feel better in their life and career.

🙏 Huge thanks to Sober Life Rocks for letting me share this powerful conversation with my audience.

About Sober Life Rocks

To watch on YouTube, click here

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
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💌Newsletter signup

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

Do you really know how to avoid dental insurance fraud—or are you just hoping you’re not on the radar? In this eye-opening episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Paul Bornstein, a dentist, insurance consultant, and fraud expert, to discuss how even well-meaning dental professionals end up committing fraud without realizing it.

We dive into:

• The most red-flagged CDT codes (including 4341 and 2391)
  
  
• Real stories of audits, fines, and even jail time
  
  
• What “reckless disregard” means—and how it can get you in trouble
  
  
• The importance of documentation and provider manuals
  
  
• Why hygienists and dentists need fraud education now more than ever
  
  

🎧 Whether you're an associate, owner, or hygienist, you need to hear this. And yes—Dr. Paul shares tips for protecting yourself (and your license) starting today.

About Dr Paul Bornstein

Connect with GUEST:

📧 [email protected]

📱 Text first: 508-380-1046

📚 Learn more: INR Seminars

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. 

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
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In this episode of Straight Up with Steph, I sit down with Annie to talk about desiccation therapy—a new approach in dentistry that can make calculus removal easier while targeting harmful biofilm. Annie shares how desiccants can streamline hygiene appointments, improve patient outcomes, and even benefit restorative procedures. If you’ve ever dreaded scaling those “sheet of calculus” patients, this might just change the game for you.

About Annie

Connect with Annie:

Instagram

Website

LinkedIn

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. 

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Lisa, a passionate dental hygienist and volunteer with the Oral Health Awareness Project (OHAP), a new grassroots initiative working to educate the public on the vital role of dental hygienists. With a growing hygiene shortage and non-hygienists being trained to perform hygiene duties, the OHAP is launching a nationwide PR campaign to raise awareness, elevate the profession, and advocate for proper recognition of hygienists’ education and expertise.

Lisa and I discuss the importance of transparency in fundraising, how hygienists can actively advocate for their profession, and lessons we can learn from past successful campaigns.

About Lisa

Kick-Off Webinar

FB Group

Email: [email protected]

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. Dave, founder, CEO, and chief scientific officer of multiple biotech companies, including one dedicated to advancing salivary testing. Together, we dive straight into the latest breakthroughs in salivary diagnostics and what they could mean for the future of both dentistry and general medicine.

Dr. Dave unpacks how salivary testing has evolved to be a powerful, non-invasive alternative to traditional blood draws, capable of revealing everything from oral bacteria to markers for systemic conditions. 

About Dr. Dave

Connect with Dr. Dave:

Instagram

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

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

Ever wonder how your tongue and facial muscles impact your breathing, sleep, and even posture? 

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sat down with Kimmie, a Denver-based dental hygienist and myofunctional therapist, to talk about how myofunctional therapy helps both kids and adults improve tongue posture, nasal breathing, and overall health.

We dive into signs of dysfunction, from mouth breathing to sleep apnea and TMJ pain, plus simple exercises like tongue pops and nasal hygiene that can make a big difference.

Kimmie also shares her journey building a practice and mentoring others in this fast-growing field. If you’re curious about better sleep, breathing, and facial function, this episode is for you!

Click here to watch on YouTube

About Kimmie

Connect with Kimmie:

Instagram

Facebook

Website

Google Form for (free) Myo Community Study Club

Email: [email protected]

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
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In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with biological dental hygienist Barbara Tritz about the mindset behind holistic dental care. 

We dive into fluoride toxicity, root causes of dental disease, and how oral health connects to the whole body. Barbara also shares tools like nano hydroxyapatite, ozone therapy, and phase contrast microscopes—plus her passion for empowering burned-out hygienists to take a whole-body approach.

About Barbara

Connect with Barbara:

Email: [email protected]

Blog
Facebook
LinkedIn

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup

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

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by An Chih to dive into the world of pediatric hygiene. 

Together, we take a candid look at the joys, challenges, and special skills needed to successfully care for kids. An Chih also shares her unique journey into pediatric dentistry, describes what a typical day looks like in a pediatric office, and clears up misconceptions about what working with kids truly involves. An Chih also offers advice for hygienists thinking about moving into pediatrics and shares practical tips for building rapport and trust with young patients.

About An Chih

Connect with An Chih:

Personal Instagram

Asian American Dental Hygienists Instagram

Email: [email protected]

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. 

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
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💌Newsletter signup

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

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by returning guest and online dental educator Whitney, also known as Teeth Talk Girl, to discuss the spread of dental health misinformation on social media. 

Together, Whitney and I dive into all the “natural” dental trends and how we can separate dental fact from fiction. We play a rapid-fire round debunking common dental myths, discuss the science behind fluoride and dental x-rays, and talk through ways clinicians can compassionately communicate evidence-based recommendations to patients without shaming them. 

About Whitney

Connect with Whitney:

Website

YouTube

Instagram

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.  

🛒 Want to visit my store? Find ergonomic tools, courses, and more—click here! 

Click here and use code CUSHION to save 10% off all cushions🌟

🌟Cordless polisher: Click here and use code PODCAST150 for $150 off 

To connect with me:

➡️Instagram
💻My Website
📨Email: [email protected]
💌Newsletter signup