Straight Up With Steph

Ever feel like you’re speaking a completely different language than your patients, coworkers, or even your own team?

I had that exact moment with a patient when I realized… I might not be as “cool” or relatable as I thought 😅 And it made me start questioning—are generational differences actually that big of a deal?

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I sit down with generational futurist, entrepreneur, and USA TODAY bestselling author Ryan Vet to unpack what’s really going on between generations—and how it’s impacting communication, leadership, and the workplace in real time.

This conversation goes way deeper than labels like “Millennial” or “Gen Z.” We’re talking about how people are shaped, why expectations are shifting so fast, and what we need to do differently moving forward.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why generational labels are often oversimplified (and what actually matters more)
• The defining traits of Millennials vs Gen Z—and where people get it wrong
• Why communication feels harder across generations (especially in healthcare)
• How Gen Z is approaching work, boundaries, and “authenticity”
• The truth about job-hopping and whether younger generations are actually less loyal
• How employers can better lead and retain multi-generational teams
• Why patients are more skeptical than ever—and how that impacts case acceptance
• The role of AI, social media, and the “velocity gap” in shaping behavior
• Why understanding what people value is the key to better leadership and connection

At the end of the day, this episode is a reminder that while generations may differ… we’re still human beings trying to connect with other human beings.

If this episode made you think differently, share it with someone on your team or in your life who needs to hear it.

Follow the show, leave a review, and let me know your biggest takeaway!

Topics Discussed: generational differences, Gen Z vs Millennials, workplace communication, leadership strategies, dental team communication, patient communication, future of work, generational values

About Ryan

Connect with Ryan:

https://youtube.com/ryancvet

Website: https://ryanvet.com

https://linkedin.com/in/ryanvet

https://instagram.com/ryancvet

Newsletter: https://ryanvet.com/collide/

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.  

This episode includes a brief mention of mental health and suicide in the context of generational trends and social media. If this topic is sensitive for you, feel free to skip this portion or listen with care.

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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

What if your brain isn’t declining… it’s just undertrained? What if simple brain games can improve it?

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I sit down with Jules from BrainBodyByJules to break down what’s really happening with your focus, memory, and mental clarity—and why so many of us feel like we’re operating on autopilot.

We talk about how your brain is actually trainable (just like your body), and why things like processing speed, attention, and even your thought patterns are skills you can improve—not things you’re stuck with.

This conversation completely changed how I think about brain health… and I think it will for you too.

In this episode, we cover:

• Why “autopilot living” is making your brain weaker
• What neuroplasticity actually means (and how to use it)
• How modern convenience is impacting cognitive health
• The difference between multitasking vs. dual-task training
• Signs your processing speed might be declining
• How your phone is silently destroying your focus
• Simple brain exercises you can start doing today
• Why memory problems are often actually attention problems
• Lifestyle habits that support long-term brain health

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a friend who wants better brain health too!

To watch on Youtube, click here

Topics Discussed:  brain health, neuroplasticity, improve memory, processing speed, brain exercises, focus training, cognitive health, brain fog, dual task training

About Jules

Connect with Jules:

Insta: https://www.instagram.com/brainbodybyjules/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brainbodybyjuless

Skool: https://www.skool.com/brainbodybyjules-9310  

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.  

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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

Wrinkles, hormonal acne, melasma, and dry skin can suddenly appear in your 40s — and hormones may be the reason.

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I’m joined by board-certified dermatologist and Menopause Society Certified Practitioner Dr. Corinne Erickson to talk about the connection between skin health, hormones, and aging.

If you’ve noticed changes like adult acne, pigmentation, dryness, or sagging skin during perimenopause, you’re not imagining things. Hormonal shifts can dramatically affect collagen production, skin hydration, and elasticity.

Dr. Erickson explains what’s actually happening in the skin during midlife, which skincare products truly matter, and which trends are mostly marketing hype.

In this episode we discuss:

 • The most underrated skincare product everyone should be using
 • Why women often experience hormonal acne again in their 40s and 50s
 • What causes melasma and why it can be difficult to treat
 • How perimenopause affects collagen, hydration, and skin elasticity
 • Why women experience crepey skin and itchy skin during hormone shifts
 • The truth about 10-step skincare routines and what actually works
 • Treatments that can support healthy skin as we age

Dr. Erickson is also the host of the podcast The Skin Pause, where she shares evidence-based insights about skin health during midlife.

If you know someone navigating skin changes during perimenopause, send them this episode.

Topics discussed: perimenopause skin changes, hormonal acne, melasma treatment, aging skin, collagen loss, skincare routines.

About Dr Corinne

Connect with Dr Corinne:

Instagram: @drcorinneerickson  

Website

The Skin Pause 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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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

Constipation, bloating, gas, and poop—these are topics people rarely talk about, but they can reveal a lot about what’s happening inside your gut.

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I continue my conversation with gastroenterologist and bestselling author Will Bulsiewicz.

If you listened to Part 1, we talked about the gut microbiome, inflammation, and why fiber is so important for gut health.

In this second half of the conversation, we dive into the digestive symptoms people struggle with the most and what they might actually be telling us about the microbiome.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why fiber can sometimes make constipation worse
 • The connection between constipation and bloating
 • Why constipation can sometimes look like diarrhea
 • What the Bristol stool scale tells us about gut health
 • The science behind gas and fermentation
 • Why gut bacteria produce methane
 • What your poop can reveal about your microbiome
 • The best position to sit in when you poop

We also get into some of the more awkward—but important—questions people often wonder about, like why some people have “clean wipers” and what that might say about digestion.

If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the show, leave a review, or share it with someone who might benefit from it.

Topics Discussed: constipation podcast, gut health podcast, bloating and gas explained, Bristol stool scale, digestive health

Episode 88 (Part One)

To watch on YouTube, click here

About Dr B

Connect with Dr B:

https://theguthealthmd.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theguthealthmd/

https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd

https://www.tiktok.com/@theguthealthmd

https://theguthealthmd.com/plantpoweredplus/

https://38tera.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.  

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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

Your gut microbiome affects far more than digestion.

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, I’m joined by gastroenterologist and bestselling author Will Bulsiewicz to talk about the science behind the gut microbiome and why fiber may be one of the most important nutrients most people are missing.

Dr. B has spent years researching the gut microbiome and helping people understand how the trillions of microbes living inside our digestive system influence inflammation, chronic disease, and overall health.

In this first part of our conversation, we break down the microbiome in a way that’s actually easy to understand—and talk about why modern diets may be disrupting gut health.

In this episode we discuss:

• What the gut microbiome actually is
 • Why inflammation is linked to so many chronic diseases
 • How the gut barrier works and what “leaky gut” really means
 • The connection between oral health and gut health
 • Why fiber feeds the microbiome
 • The impact of ultra-processed foods on gut bacteria
 • How the microbiome can influence cravings
 • Why increasing fiber can transform gut health

Stay tuned for Part 2, where we talk about constipation, bloating, gas, and what your poop can actually reveal about your gut health.

Click here for Part Two

If you enjoyed this episode, follow the podcast, leave a review, or share it with a friend who wants better GI health!

Topics discussed: gut microbiome, gut health podcast, fiber and gut health, inflammation and gut health, digestive health podcast

To watch on YouTube, click here

About Dr B

Connect with Dr B:

https://theguthealthmd.com/

https://www.facebook.com/theguthealthmd/

https://www.instagram.com/theguthealthmd

https://www.tiktok.com/@theguthealthmd

https://theguthealthmd.com/plantpoweredplus/

https://38tera.com/

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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, we’re talking about something I get asked about all the time—career options in dentistry outside of clinical practice.

After more than 17 years as a dental hygienist and building my company Polished Posture, I’ve learned there are far more opportunities available to dental professionals than many of us realize.

If you’ve ever thought:

• “I’m just a hygienist or dentist”
• “I don’t know what else I could do.”
• “I want something different but I don’t know where to start.”
  
  

This episode is for you.

I’m sharing the paths I’ve personally explored, what I’ve learned along the way, and how your existing clinical skills translate into careers outside of the operatory.

We talk about:

• Starting a business in dentistry
 • Becoming a speaker or educator
 • Content creation and social media opportunities
 • Working with dental companies or becoming a rep
 • Teaching at dental schools
 • Consulting and clinical training roles
 • Networking and building industry relationships

The truth is—dental professionals already have the communication, marketing, education, and leadership skills that companies are looking for.

Sometimes we just need permission to think bigger.

If you're feeling burnt out, curious about new opportunities, or wondering what your career could look like outside the chair, this episode will open your eyes to what’s possible.

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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 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 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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 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.

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 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. 

🌟Click here for my free intro course

🌟Click here for my operator positioning course

🌟Click here for my courses + club memberships

 To connect with me: 

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