Episodes

  • The Truth About Mouth Breathing, Sleep, & Sleep Medicine (w/Dr. Funke Brown) [Ep.170]

    The Truth About Mouth Breathing, Sleep, & Sleep Medicine (w/Dr. Funke Brown) [Ep.170]
    Aug 20 2026

    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Funke Afolabi Brown, a triple board-certified sleep physician, founder of Restful Sleep MD, and best-selling author. We go way beyond the basics of sleep, exploring what "good sleep" actually means, why sleep medicine gets so little attention in physician and dental training, and why that has to change.

    Dr. Brown and I dig into the full spectrum of sleep-disordered breathing (it's so much more than just obstructive sleep apnea), the strengths and serious limitations of polysomnography versus home sleep testing, and why relying only on the AHI can cause us to miss patients who are genuinely struggling. We also spend a lot of time on the far-reaching effects of poor sleep in kids - behavior, learning, emotional regulation, and how sleep issues so often masquerade as ADHD.

    We talk candidly about why snoring and chronic mouth breathing should never be treated as "no big deal," why interdisciplinary collaboration between sleep physicians, pediatricians, ENTs, dentists, orthodontists, and myofunctional therapists is essential, and why I'm genuinely optimistic about where sleep medicine is headed.

    TIMESTAMPS

    • 0:00 — Cold open: sleep's impact on children isn't benign
    • 0:38 — Podcast welcome
    • 1:02 — Guest introduction: Dr. Funke Afolabi Brown
    • 4:20 — Interview begins
    • 5:39 — Dr. Brown's background and path into sleep medicine
    • 7:13 — Sleep education gaps in medical/dental training
    • 10:19 — Defining good sleep: quantity, quality, timing
    • 14:42 — Wearables, sleep tracking, and orthosomnia
    • 20:24 — Acute vs. chronic sleep problems and recovery
    • 26:52 — In-lab polysomnography: strengths and limitations
    • 37:28 — The sleep-disordered breathing spectrum
    • 41:10 — Primary snoring: why it's never normal
    • 46:14 — Allergies, nasal airway, and root causes
    • 48:12 — Chronic mouth breathing debate
    • 54:23 — Why physicians and dentists avoid the topic
    • 1:00:10 — ADHD and sleep-disordered breathing overlap
    • 1:08:57 — Home sleep testing and treatment options
    • 1:09:48 — The future of sleep medicine
    • 1:16:00 — Closing thoughts and where to find Dr. Brown

    If you found this conversation valuable, please share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, follow DOC Podcast on Instagram, and subscribe to the channel on YouTube so you never miss an episode.

    LINKS

    • Connect w/Dr. Brown:
    • Website: https://www.restfulsleepmd.com/
      Beyond Tired Book: https://a.co/d/2aSRSQt
      Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/restfulsleepmd/
      LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drfunkebrown/
      Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/funke.afolabibrown/
    • Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/
    • The Generational Wealth Code: https://a.co/d/05TlkLJX
    • Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
    • Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
    • Website: theorthocoach.com
    • YouTube: @theorthocoach
    • Instagram: @theorthocoach
    • Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • How to Use the Tax Advantages of Real Estate to Build Wealth (w/Christine Vento-Conway, CPA)[Ep.169]

    How to Use the Tax Advantages of Real Estate to Build Wealth (w/Christine Vento-Conway, CPA)[Ep.169]
    Aug 13 2026

    In this episode, I sit down again with Christine Vento Conway, Senior Vice President at Inland Securities, to dig into the real estate side of building generational wealth. We pick up where we left off with her family, this time focusing specifically on how real estate's tax advantages (1031 exchanges, DSTs, depreciation, and Qualified Opportunity Zones) can help investors defer, reduce, and even eliminate capital gains taxes.

    Christine breaks down the numbers, walks through real timelines and rules, and we compare these strategies to REITs so you know exactly which tool fits your situation. Whether you're a seasoned real estate investor or just getting started, this conversation will give you a clear framework for thinking about real estate as a tax strategy, not just an asset class.

    TIMESTAMPS

    • 0:00 – Introduction and catching up with Christine
    • 3:59 – Christine's role at Inland Securities and her CPA background
    • 10:59 – The four key benefits of real estate as an investment vehicle
    • 14:02 – Duplex vs. institutional real estate: diversification and risk
    • 18:57 – Breaking down the tax consequences of selling a property
    • 36:36 – The 1031 exchange timeline: the 45-day and 180-day rules
    • 37:28 – What a qualified intermediary does (and why you need one)
    • 49:20 – The three phases of a DST investment
    • 56:32 – How DST income and distributions are taxed
    • 1:12:13 – DSTs vs. REITs: what's the difference?
    • 1:15:24 – Qualified Opportunity Zones and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act
    • 1:27:41 – Who qualifies: accredited investor requirements and minimums
    • 1:29:17 – How to get in touch with Christine

    If this conversation gave you a new way of thinking about real estate, please don't keep it to yourself. Send this episode to your financial advisor or CPA, since many of them aren't familiar with DSTs. Pick up a copy of *The Generational Wealth Code* to go even deeper, and if you want to explore these strategies for your own portfolio, reach out to Christine directly at conway@inland-securities.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with someone who could benefit from a smarter approach to real estate and taxes.

    LINKS

    • Purchase The Generational Wealth Code: https://a.co/d/0cye2Lqu
    • Email Christine: conway@inland-securities.com
    • Call Christine: 917-410-7725
    • First Episode w/Vento Family:
    • Second Episode w/John Vento Sr:
    • Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/
    • Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
    • Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
    • Website: theorthocoach.com
    • YouTube: @theorthocoach
    • Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com
    • Instagram: @theorthocoach
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • The Role of the Nasal Passageways in Airway Disease (w/Dr. Peter Catalano)

    The Role of the Nasal Passageways in Airway Disease (w/Dr. Peter Catalano)
    Aug 6 2026
    OverviewIn this episode, I sit down with Dr. Peter Catalano - an otolaryngologist, rhinology fellowship director, and pioneer of minimally invasive nasal surgery. Dr. Catalano has held appointments at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, the Lahey Clinic, and Tufts University, and has spent over three decades developing and publishing on targeted nasal airway surgery. I've had the privilege of working with Dr. Catalano on a major article addressing mouth breathing, and our conversation here is one of the most important I've had on this platform.We go deep into the science of nasal airflow, the structural and institutional barriers preventing children from getting the care they need, and the very real consequences (neurological, behavioral, cardiovascular, and craniofacial) of untreated mouth breathing and sleep-disordered breathing. We also address the myths and dogmas that continue to persist in both the ENT and orthodontic worlds, and what it's going to take to break them down.If you've ever wondered why the two worlds of dentistry and medicine remain so siloed on this issue, or what it means for patients when they fall through the crack, this episode is for you.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction and Dr. Catalano's background: ENT, skull base surgery, academic appointments at Mount Sinai, Lahey Clinic, and Tufts University4:10 – How Dr. Catalano's career trajectory led him from engineering to medicine to rhinology — and the philosophy of fate and the "hidden angel" guiding his path9:12 – The MicroShaver revolution: meeting Dr. Setliff in South Dakota and the aha moment that changed everything about minimally invasive sinus surgery11:13 – The unexpected discovery: patients reporting they stopped snoring after sinus surgery, and how that led to a focus on nasal airway and sleep-disordered breathing13:18 – [Ad] Early Orthodontic Treatment Comprehensive — a two-day hands-on immersive course with Dr. Daniel Camacho, Fort Lauderdale, FL, November 13–14. Click the link in the show notes to register.14:27 – The 2009 Singapore breakthrough: Dr. Deyun Wang and computational flow dynamics — why no one actually knew how air moved through the nose until then19:32 – Why previous nasal surgeries failed for OSA, and what "follow the airflow" means for surgical targets between the eyes20:30 – Why making big holes in sinuses made things worse — and why the sinuses don't actually ventilate during breathing23:58 – How the superior airway and structures like the uncinate process and concha bullosa became key surgical targets, producing a 15–20% improvement in airflow26:08 – The insurance dilemma and medical-legal risks that prevent ENTs from performing airway surgery — even when the data is clear30:03 – The ferret studies and the "never operate under 16" dogma: how flawed 1980s animal models became entrenched standard of care for pediatric ENT surgery35:48 – Parallels to hormone replacement therapy and the rampant hypocrisy in academic medicine — how good studies get buried and bad ones persist40:55 – How Dr. Catalano fought back against an insurance company, changed their pediatric sinus surgery policy, and survived multiple attempts to have his medical license revoked47:12 – The Harvold monkey studies: why the obligate nasal breather argument is wrong, why the studies are foundational, and what it means that no one could repeat them today58:07 – Children don't just "outgrow" airway obstruction: why the lymphoid involution argument is true but dangerously misleading when 90% of craniofacial growth is complete by age 81:13:57 – CBCT in ENT and orthodontic practice: why orthodontists need to learn to read the full image, how Dr. Catalano and Dr. John Walker found hidden tumors, and why rhinology-focused ENTs already use equivalent imaging1:17:33 – Nocturnal enuresis and airway: the pituitary/ADH connection, why these children ask about bedwetting the moment they wake from surgery, and the anecdotal but compelling clinical evidence1:27:15 – Swell body reduction: how a novel procedure Dr. Catalano pioneered in 2015 went from being met with rotten tomatoes at conferences to becoming standard of careClosingIf this conversation resonated with you, I want to encourage you to share it with your colleagues, your dental and medical partners, and anyone who works with young patients who struggle to breathe. This is exactly the kind of interdisciplinary dialogue that can change outcomes for kids who are being told to wait it out.LINKSDr. Peter Catalano: Email: catalanop9@gmail.comAJODO Article on Mouth Breathing: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40057896/Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions (https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/)Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out...
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • One Family's Airway Revolution (w/Sydney & Dr. Victor Avis) [Ep.167]

    One Family's Airway Revolution (w/Sydney & Dr. Victor Avis) [Ep.167]
    Jul 30 2026

    In this episode, I sit down with a truly inspiring father-daughter team - Dr. Victor Avis, a recently retired general dentist and orthodontist of 38 years, and his daughter Sydney Avis, co-founders of the Airway Revolution Foundation. What begins as a deeply personal story about Sydney's lifelong, undiagnosed struggle with airway and sleep disorders quickly evolves into a powerful conversation about the systemic gaps in how medicine and dentistry recognize and treat airway-related health issues. From Sydney's childhood as a chronic mouth breather to her life-changing double jaw surgery in 2020, and from Dr. Avis' discovery of the Mews and orthotropics to the launch of a nonprofit digital learning platform, this episode is packed with insight, honesty, and a whole lot of heart.

    Timestamps
    0:00     — Introduction & welcome
    0:23 — About today's guests: Dr. Victor Avis & Sydney Avis, co-founders of the Airway Revolution Foundation
    3:16 — Dr. Avis frames the conversation: what it's like to see patients transform through airway treatment, and why he didn't see it in his own daughter
    7:19 — Sydney begins her story: growing up without knowing something was wrong
    8:21 — Dr. Avis reflects: he didn't know mouth breathing wasn't normal, even watching home videos; the missed opportunity at age 6
    10:43 — School struggles begin: from A student to C student despite extraordinary effort; asthma, inhalers, and cavities nobody connected to airway
    15:25 — Sydney's growing anxiety: first panic attack at prom; daily panic attacks escalating through her gap year
    15:57 — The breaking point: a 3 AM call from Thailand - Sydney in the hospital getting a brain scan
    20:29 — Dr. Avis discovers John Mew on YouTube; two weeks later he's in England studying orthotropics
    22:19 — Presenting Sydney's case to Bill Hang's study group: the recommendation for double jaw surgery, and Sydney's immediate answer: "Okay, let's do it"
    24:13 — The pre-surgery journey: sleep studies, DICE with Dr. Soroush Zaghi, MADs, CPAP, nothing helps; surgery delayed by COVID
    31:11 — Sydney shares life after surgery: REM rebound, finally feeling rested, and the lifting of the "fog"
    52:37 — Why they founded the Airway Revolution Foundation and built a free digital learning platform for parents, educators, and adults
    1:12:28 — Lessons from trying to change doctoral education and lobbying Capitol Hill and why they ultimately decided to go directly to the public
    1:22:51 — The danger of anti-airway commentary; 50–60% of kids on ADHD medications may have an undiagnosed sleep disorder; how to connect with the Foundation

    Closing
    Dr. Victor and Sydney Avis are doing something rare - turning personal pain into a movement that has the potential to change millions of lives. If their story resonates with you, visit airwayrevolution.org and follow @theairwayrevolution on social media to stay connected as their digital learning platform launches this fall.

    LINKS

    • Airwayrevolution.org
    • Connect w/the Avis' on Social Media: @theairwayrevolution
    • Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/
    • Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/
    • Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/
    • Website: theorthocoach.com
    • YouTube: @theorthocoach
    • Email: drmike@theorthocoach.com
    • Instagram: @theorthocoach
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    1 hr and 33 mins
  • More Than the Tongue: Rethinking Oral Ties, Latch, & Facial Development (w/Dr. Shereen Lim) [Ep.166]

    More Than the Tongue: Rethinking Oral Ties, Latch, & Facial Development (w/Dr. Shereen Lim) [Ep.166]
    Jul 23 2026
    In this episode, I'm joined for the second time by Dr. Shereen Lim, an internationally recognized dentist whose work is reshaping how we think about oral tethered tissues and their role in craniofacial growth, airway health, and orthodontic outcomes. Since her first appearance on the show (Episode 34 - link below), Dr. Lim has pushed even further beyond tongue ties, focusing her clinical lens on lip ties, buccal frenum ties, and their profound influence on facial development, maxillary arch constriction, dental crowding, and orthodontic relapse. This conversation is a masterclass in staying intellectually curious, remaining open to what the evidence in your own practice is telling you, and constantly reassessing your diagnosis and treatment approach as new information emerges.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction & episode overview3:12 – Welcome back: Dr. Lim returns to The DOC Podcast4:43 – Beyond tongue ties: Dr. Lim's evolving focus on lip and cheek (buccal) ties and their impact on latch, facial tension, and development8:46 – The lower lip tie discovery: how chin strain and mentalis tension led to a clinical breakthrough9:55 – Buccal ties, orthodontic relapse, and how cheek tension shapes the dental arch14:45 – Interdisciplinary collaboration: working with osteopaths, chiropractors, and lactation consultants15:59 – The emotional weight of realizing what we've missed — and why blinders happen19:01 – Case study: the patient with severe malocclusion and the tightest cheek ties Dr. Lim has ever seen22:03 – My talk on why orthodontists resist airway-focused care — and granting colleagues grace25:44 – Tongue ties without transverse deficiency: how cheek ties may explain the variation27:36 – V-shaped arches, orthodontic relapse, and the role of perioral restrictions29:39 – Historical perspective: the Frenkel appliance, lip bumpers, and treating the etiology33:03 – How to assess what's normal vs. abnormal: signs to look for across infancy, childhood, and adulthood36:41 – The procedure: CO2 laser technique, team-based approach, and what to expect after releases39:10 – When outcomes fall short — and why proper pre/post care changes everything41:34 – A remarkable case: releasing ties in an infant with Down syndrome against specialist advice44:19 – Challenging the 2020 AAO-HNS consensus statement and the misuse of evidence-based medicine46:53 – The real value of clinical observation and patient-reported outcomes50:19 – Pushback on social media vs. trust within the clinical community52:10 – Functional trainer appliances (Myobrace, Vivos, 2Pill): where they help and where they fall short56:18 – Post-release comfort: why oral releases may make functional appliances easier to tolerate57:54 – The journey approach: doing one thing at a time and building confidence incrementally1:00:46 – Vestibuloplasty technique: releasing multiple sites together for better outcomes1:03:46 – A message to overwhelmed clinicians: you don't have to do it all at once1:06:32 – Evidence-based practice in action: what Dr. Lim is actually doing in her clinic1:07:09 – Where to find Dr. Lim & closing thoughtsThis conversation reminded me of why I do this work. Dr. Lim's willingness to look critically at her own outcomes, stay open to what her patients are showing her, and continuously evolve her clinical approach is a model for all of us. Whether you're brand new to airway-focused dentistry or have been in this space for years, I hope this episode leaves you a little more curious, a little more humble, and motivated to ask whether there's a better way to serve the children and families we care for.LINKSEpisode 34 w/Dr. Lim: LINKDr Lim’s Book: Breathe, Sleep, ThriveDr. Lim’s Website: https://www.drshereenlim.com.au/Dr. Lim’s IG: @dr.shereenlimDr. Lim on FB: LINKRegister for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachInstagram: @theorthocoachEmail: drmike@theorthocoach.com
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • A Holistic Approach to the Management of Sleep Apnea (w/Dr. Dave McCarty) [Ep.165]

    A Holistic Approach to the Management of Sleep Apnea (w/Dr. Dave McCarty) [Ep.165]
    Jul 16 2026
    In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Dave McCarty - board-certified in internal medicine and sleep medicine, Chief Medical Officer of Rebis, and the visionary behind the Empowered Sleep Apnea Project - for one of the richest conversations I've had on this show.We go deep on why the AHI is far more limited than most providers and patients realize, trace the history of sleep apnea from Dickens' "Fat Joe" to the invention of CPAP, and unpack a landmark trial now questioning whether high-pressure CPAP may cause harm. Dave draws a compelling parallel between today's resistance to airway-focused thinking in dentistry and the tragic story of Ignaz Semmelweis, the physician who discovered handwashing saves lives and was institutionalized for it.We also make the case for nasal breathing, tackle the real limits of evidence-based medicine, and Dave shares his vision for Rebis: an integrated sleep medicine ecosystem that puts the patient, not the algorithm, at the center.Timestamps0:00 – Introduction & Dr. Dave McCarty bio2:40 – Dave's origin story: from primary care to sleep medicine ("I'm a recovering primary care doc")12:32 – Cold-calling Tom Colquitt & the dental-airway connection15:59 – Enthusiasm as a guiding force: Ralph Waldo Emerson, cold calls, and following fear18:20 – Why insurance-driven medicine creates silos — and what the dental community can teach physicians about patient-centered care21:37 – Unpacking the complexity of sleep apnea: obstructive vs. central, the "vanilla chocolate swirl," and why the AHI is a code that needs decoding26:12 – The history of sleep apnea: from Osler and Dickens' "Fat Joe" to Pickwickian syndrome29:21 – 1966: Henri Gastaut studies a Pickwickian patient and discovers sleep apnea as we know it30:38 – Colin Sullivan and the invention of CPAP in 198140:40 – The five reasons to treat sleep apnea: risk, snoring, sleep experience, wake experience, and comorbidities50:00 – Why nasal breathing matters: autonomic nervous system, nitric oxide, craniofacial development, and immune defense56:07 – The Semmelweis parallel: dangerous truths, resistance to change, and the human cost of orthodontic practices we may need to revisit1:12:43 – No randomized controlled trial proves CPAP prevents mortality — and new data suggests over-pressurization may cause harm1:18:22 – Rebis: building an integrated, multidisciplinary sleep medicine ecosystem that democratizes complexity1:27:40 – Closing thoughts & how to connect with Dr. McCartyLINKS:Rebis: https://www.rebishealth.org/ Contact Dr. McCarty: https://www.empoweredsleepapnea.com/Beyond OSA: https://www.nxtbook.com/farran/orthotown/orthotown-march-2025/index.php?startpage=36#/p/34; Articles Referenced by Dr. McCarty: email Dr. DeLuke (drmike@theorthocoach.com) Phase I CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/courses/phase-i-arch-development/?portfolioCats=99Register for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachEmail: drmike@theorthocoach.comInstagram: @theorthocoachIf this episode opened your eyes to how much more there is to sleep-disordered breathing than a number on a sleep study report, I encourage you to share it with a colleague in medicine, dentistry, or orthodontics who needs to hear this conversation. The siloes between our disciplines are costing patients, and it's going to take all of us working together to tear them down.
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    1 hr and 29 mins
  • The Oral-Systemic Connection: Why Dentists Need to Look Beyond the Mouth (w/Dr. Witt Wilkerson) [Ep.164]

    The Oral-Systemic Connection: Why Dentists Need to Look Beyond the Mouth (w/Dr. Witt Wilkerson) [Ep.164]
    Jul 9 2026
    Summary:In this episode, I sat down with one of the most respected voices in dentistry, Dr. Witt Wilkerson - Director of Dental Medicine at the Dawson Academy and a true pioneer in the intersection of occlusion, TMD, airway, and integrative dental medicine. We had an incredibly rich conversation about the paradigm shift that I believe is transforming our profession: moving away from reactive, tooth-focused treatment and toward a whole-health, root-cause approach. Dr. Wilkerson shares his 44-year journey from treating bruxism purely as a bite problem to recognizing airway and sleep-disordered breathing as primary drivers of dysfunction. We challenged the siloing of dental specialties, made the case for dentistry as oral medicine, and explored the enormous opportunity we all have, dentists and hygienists alike, to screen for and address systemic health issues, including inflammation, blood sugar dysregulation, and sleep disorders. This is a conversation you do not want to miss.Timestamps:0:00 - Welcome0:23 — I introduce Dr. Witt Wilkerson and what we'll cover in today's episode4:46 — Dr. Wilkerson shares his background: joining Dr. Pete Dawson's practice in 1982 and a career built on the question, "Is there a better way?"6:07 — We discuss the segmentalized state of dentistry and medicine, and why the younger generation is finally starting to change that8:33 — The 2009 Baylor article that changed everything for Dr. Wilkerson: the link between sleep apnea, bruxism, and airway12:51 — I ask Dr. Wilkerson about the courage and humility it takes to admit you were wrong, and to update what you've been teaching for decades28:23 — Dr. Wilkerson walks us through the three pillars of Integrative Dental Medicine: inflammation/infection, airway/sleep, and TMD/occlusion29:26 — Why salivary testing should be part of every new patient exam, and what it can tell us about systemic health30:06 — The diabetes-periodontal link we've known about since dental school, and why almost none of us are acting on it30:52 — How continuous glucose monitoring is being used as both a periodontal and whole-health tool in Dr. Wilkerson's practice45:41 — We get into orthodontics and TMD, including the defensive reaction from the ortho community that held the profession back, and what I think the specialty should do instead50:05 — A critical clinical protocol: why you should always study sleep before placing any occlusal appliance on a bruxer54:43 — The adult complex restorative patient: how I believe we should be approaching these cases from a truly interdisciplinary standpoint1:14:16 — The future of treatment sequencing: why airway therapy may need to come first, before any restorative or orthodontic work1:18:15 — How to connect with Dr. Wilkerson, the IDM Scholar Society, and the S3 WorkshopsCall to Action:If this conversation lit a fire in you the way it did for me, here's what I'd encourage you to do next:Connect with Dr. Witt Wilkerson and learn more about the IDM Scholar Society and his S3 (Sleep, Saliva & Sugar) Workshops at IDMScholarSociety.com, or reach out to him directly at WittWilkersonDMD@gmail.comJoin me and Dr. Daniel Camacho at the Early Orthodontic Treatment Comprehensive Course - a two-day hands-on event, November 13–14 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. We'll cover early airway-focused interceptive treatment, CBCT reading, live patient observation, and so much more. Includes 41 CE hours. Space is limited, so grab your spot at https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ Share this episode - If this conversation shifted your perspective on dentistry's role in whole-body health, please pass it along to a colleague. The more dental professionals hear this message, the more patients we can help and the stronger our profession becomes.Join The DOC Community on Facebook for ongoing discussions, resources, and more content like this. https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Work with me directly - Head to theorthocoach.com to access my CE courses or schedule a private one-on-one coaching session.LINKSAAO White Paper Review: https://youtu.be/pKSD_PVO4G0YouTube: @theorthocoachEmail: drmike@theorthocoach.comInstagram: @theorthocoach
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    1 hr and 23 mins
  • The Fundamentals of Generational Wealth: Planning, Fiscal Discipline, & Real Estate (w/John Vento Sr.) [Ep.163]

    The Fundamentals of Generational Wealth: Planning, Fiscal Discipline, & Real Estate (w/John Vento Sr.) [Ep.163]
    Jul 2 2026
    OVERVIEWMost high-income professionals work incredibly hard, yet wonder why wealth and financial freedom seem just out of reach. The answer, more often than not, isn't about earning more. It's about understanding the fundamentals that turn a good income into lasting wealth.In this episode, Dr. Mike sits down with John Vento Sr., a CPA, financial advisor, and co-author of The Generational Wealth Code, for a conversation that could genuinely change the financial trajectory of your life. John has spent 40 years helping dentists and other professionals build real, lasting wealth, and in this episode, he lays out the exact framework he uses with every client: start with fiscal discipline and margin, know your numbers cold, minimize your tax burden legally, and then deploy your capital strategically through real estate.Whether you're just starting out and trying to dig out from under student loan debt, or you're well into your career and ready to accelerate your wealth-building, this episode gives you a practical roadmap — one built not on hype or shortcuts, but on proven principles that compound over a lifetime and beyond.TIMESTAMPS3:42 — Episode begins; Introduction to the series and The Generational Wealth Code4:25 — Why "Living Within Your Means" is the most important chapter in the book6:45 — Taxes as your #1 lifetime expense; the importance of tax literacy9:22 — Good debt vs. bad debt; how to approach student loan debt as a young professional13:44 — The 20 questions in the book's introduction and using it as a lifelong financial guide15:00 — Knowing your numbers: the statement of net worth and cash flow analysis18:07 — The cost of waiting; why starting early is critical22:47 — Balancing competing goals: student loans, retirement, college savings, and investing25:56 — Retirement planning; the 12-variable financial calculator and setting realistic goals30:21 — Estate planning: wills, trusts, LLCs, and when to start39:20 — The "live for today" mindset; balancing enjoyment and financial responsibility43:22 — Cash flow statements; where your money is really going47:45 — Transitioning to real estate: creating margin to invest50:01 — Why dentists should own their office space; the phantom deduction of depreciation52:47 — LLCs, liability protection, and entity structure for real estate56:55 — Tax benefits of owning real estate through an LLC; SALT workarounds1:00:49 — The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and accelerated depreciation for capital improvements1:03:45 — Cost segregation studies and maximizing depreciation deductions1:09:46 — The value of a financial coach; the importance of an ongoing, intimate client relationship1:14:14 — Leverage in real estate: using other people's money to multiply returns1:17:10 — Equity recycling: pulling out equity to buy more properties and build wealth1:19:28 — Depreciation, step-up in basis, and passing real estate wealth to the next generation1:24:47 — Passive vs. active real estate investors; IRS classifications and what they mean for your taxes1:28:27 — Passive Income Generators (PIGs) and Delaware Statutory Trusts1:30:25 — Preview of the next episode with Christine Vento: 1031 exchanges, Qualified Opportunity Funds, and advanced real estate strategies1:31:17 — Types of 1031 exchanges: simultaneous, delayed, reverse, and construction/improvement1:37:26 — Closing thoughts: tax planning as a year-round chess match against the IRSIf this episode got you thinking differently about your financial future, please don't keep it to yourself. Share it with a colleague, a friend, or anyone in your life who could benefit from hearing this information. The principles John shares here don't just help people save money; they help people build the kind of financial freedom that lasts for generations.The information discussed in this podcast is intended for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial, investment, legal, or tax advice. Please consult your own professional for advice specific to your individual situation.LINKS:Purchase John’s New Book: https://a.co/d/0cye2LquVento Tax & Wealth Mgmt. Website: https://www.vtwmg.com/Joint Episode w/The Vento Family: https://youtu.be/9sEzEto2mAMRegister for the In-person Early Treatment Comprehensive: https://www.earlyorthotreatment.com/ Join The DOC Community on Facebook for more great content and discussions: https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1Cb9rkQVde/Check out the DOC CE Courses: https://theorthocoach.com/ce-courses/Link to Balance Sheet on DOC Website: theorthocoach.comYouTube: @theorthocoachEmail: drmike@theorthocoach.comInstagram: @theorthocoach
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    1 hr and 40 mins