Contrary to Ordinary, Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys
CariFree - Exploring Extraordinary Personal Journeys
Join Dr. Kim Kutsch, the brilliant mind behind CariFree, as he explores the extraordinary lives of thought leaders in the dental industry, and beyond. Contrary to Ordinary explores further than dentistry - here we unravel the minds of change-makers, paradigm shifters, and world shakers. Every two weeks, we dive into the stories of our remarkable guests—ordinary people who continually defy limits. Discover their tales of success, resilience, and self-awareness, and explore how they leverage these experiences not only to elevate dental practice and patient care but also to champion personal growth and entrepreneurship. Listen for captivating conversations with innovators wh...
45. Unwavering Compassion and Fearlessness with Dr. Bradley Bale
Today's guest is Dr. Bradley Bale, a pioneering cardiologist and co-founder of the BaleDoneen Method.In this episode, we explore Brad’s fearless approach to life, the driving force behind his groundbreaking practice, and dive into why he’s willing to take a few arrows in the back for what he believes in.The BaleDoneen Method is a personalized approach to preventing and managing heart attacks, strokes, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). It focuses on identifying and treating the root causes of art
Nov 26, 2024 • 33:26
44. Global Citizenship with Dr. Sandra Hulac
Today's guest is Dr. Sandra Hulac, co-founder of Tam, Hulac & Partners, a cutting-edge interdisciplinary dental practice in Hong Kong. In this episode, we dive into what it means to be a global citizen and business owner. We’ll also get a rare, inside look at how someone as accomplished as Sandra handles challenges - and even navigates moments of self-doubt.Sandra has been living and practicing in Hong Kong since 2001 and has also worked in London, Germany, and the US. ResourcesFollow your curio
Nov 12, 2024 • 29:15
43. The Strength of Reaching Out with Sheena Hinson Pt2
Today's guest is Sheena Hinson, Senior Marketing Manager at Philips. Sheena's journey began as a dental hygienist, but she quickly uncovered a passion for business development. Since then, she’s not only launched her own ventures but also built a vast expertise in entrepreneurship.This is part two of Sheena’s interview. In this episode, she opens up about her struggles, and how reaching out for support has helped her grow. She also reflects on how she balances short-term and long-term thinking i
Oct 29, 2024 • 31:48
42. The Accidental Expert with Sheena Hinson Pt1
Today's guest is Sheena Hinson, Senior Marketing Manager at Philips. Sheena's journey began as a dental hygienist, but she quickly uncovered a passion for business development. Since then, she’s not only launched her own ventures but also built a vast expertise in entrepreneurship.In this episode, Sheena shares insights on the importance of human capital, the role of mentors, and the value of curiosity and perseverance in personal and professional growth.ResourcesFollow your curiosity, connect,
Oct 15, 2024 • 29:29
41. Accountability and Growth with Dr. Tracey Nguyen
Today's guest is Dr. Tracey Nguyen, the owner of Lansdowne Dental Care in Leesburg, Virginia. In addition to her general practice, Tracey specializes in airway health, with a particular focus on pediatric care. She is also among an elite group of only 350 individuals worldwide accredited by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry.Tracey’s journey to success was far from easy. Growing up in poverty and facing challenging circumstances, she lacked the guidance of strong role models. Now, reflec
Oct 1, 2024 • 28:11
40. Stop and Smell the Roses with Dr. Steve Lamberg
This week's guest is the phenomenal Dr. Steve Lamberg, one of the world's leading experts in dental sleep medicine—a field that explores the critical roles sleep and breathing play in maintaining our health and well-being. Steve has been practicing dentistry on Long Island for over 45 years, where he runs the Snoring and Sleep Apnea Dental Treatment Center alongside his general practice. Steve is also the author of Treat the Cause... Treat the Airway: The Role of Snoring & Sleep Apnea in Contemp
Sep 17, 2024 • 26:52
39. Chasing Innovation with Dominik Lysek
This week’s guest is Dominik Lysek, an entrepreneur with over 15 years of impactful contributions to the dental and pharmaceutical industries. He is the CEO of PharmaTrail, a Swiss company specializing in blockchain-based software solutions for capturing and managing clinical trial data. Dominik also serves on the board of several companies, including the dental science firm Vvadis and the RNA-based therapeutics organization Altamira Therapeutics.In 2010, Dominik founded Credentis, a company tha
Sep 3, 2024 • 29:14
38. Active Listening with Dr. Kelly Blodgett
This week's guest is Dr. Kelly Blodgett, a man who has made it his life’s mission to challenge the “negative stereotype of dentistry.” Kelly Blodgett founded Blodgett Dental Care in 2001 where active listening plays a crucial role in the patient experience. Kelly was also one of the first within dentistry to recognize the significance of the mouth-body health connection. He shares his expertise with a large audience on Instagram, where his popular weekly series, Toxic Tooth Tuesdays and Wellness
Aug 20, 2024 • 28:25
37. Proactive Problem Solving with Dr. Tina Saw
This week's guest is Dr. Tina Saw, a dentist and serial entrepreneur. She founded Light Solutions Company, which creates wireless lights for dentists, Harmony Health Foundation, an organization supporting healthcare in underserved communities, and Oral Genome, which uses saliva testing to identify potential health issues before they arise.Tina is a proactive problem solver who can't help but create solutions for any problem she encounters. Currently, she doesn't have much work-life balance. With
Aug 6, 2024 • 30:15
36. Choosing the Extraordinary Path with Dr. Doug Thompson
This week's guest is Dr. Doug Thompson, a pioneer in understanding the connection between oral health and overall well-being. In 2016, he founded the Wellness Dentistry Network to encourage dentists to adopt this more holistic approach, moving beyond the traditional focus on drilling and filling teeth.Doug also serves on the American Academy of Systemic Health Board and is an adjunct faculty member and clinical instructor at the Kois Center. Doug started his journey as a lab technician, working
Jul 23, 2024 • 27:51
35. Incremental Change with Leon Hermanides
This week's guest is the rebellious Leon Hermanides, Owner and President of Protea Dental Studio in Redmond Washington. He’s also a Clinical Instructor and Scientific Advisor at the Kois Center. Leon's journey began in his native Zimbabwe, where his father was a prominent figure in the dental space who had vowed never to leave the country. However, it was a major surprise when his father decided to move the family to South Africa when Leon was 13.Across his life and career, Leon has emb
Jul 9, 2024 • 26:18
34. Spotlighting the Extraordinary with Melissa Turner
This week's guest is the vibrant and multi-talented Melissa Turner. She is the Senior Executive Consultant and Chief Hygiene Officer at Cellerant Consulting Group, an incubator and accelerator for dental companies. Melissa is also the co-founder of the Denobi Awards, which celebrate the positive impact of dental professionals worldwide. Additionally, Melissa co-hosts the Dentistry Gone Wild Podcast and the IWoman Podcast.This conversation was recorded at SmileCon 2023 in Orlando Florida
Jun 25, 2024 • 31:05
33. Humor and Candor with Dr. Mark Benavides
Today’s guest is Dr. Mark Benavides, a dentist practicing in Ottawa, Illinois. Mark is a member of several prestigious organizations, including the American Academy of Restorative Dentistry and the International Congress of Oral Implantologists.He also uniquely serves as the Scientific Advisor for Computer Technology at the Kois Center. Mark is the only dentist member of iXorg, an organization that provides technical education and business networking to its members.In honor of Father’s
Jun 11, 2024 • 28:49
32. Consistency and Grit with Minal Sampat
Today’s guest is Minal Sampat, speaker, marketing strategist, coach, and bestselling author. Minal is the definition of a third culture kid - she began her life in India and moved to St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands as a child. Her final relocation was to the US. where she still lives today.Those early years left an impression on Minal and taught her a lot about the value of grit and determination. She began her journey studying dentistry at Rutgers University. But something shifte
May 28, 2024 • 31:42
31. The Privilege of Teaching with Dr. Bob Margeas
Today’s guest is Dr. Bob Margeas, a dental professional in Des Moines, Iowa, a professor of Operative Dentistry at the University of Iowa, and the Editor-in-Chief of Inside Dentistry. Described as the “dentist’s dentist”, Bob has achieved so much in his field, but always embraces his failures, seeing them as a valuable learning opportunity. He sees teaching as a privilege - and never takes his position as an educator for granted. As he puts it - “There are a lot of amazing people out th
May 14, 2024 • 33:58
30. Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Dr. Scott Edison
When we think of oral cancer, we often picture a seasoned smoker or a long-time tobacco user. But did you know that a growing number of cases are affecting young, non-smokers? Over 20% of oral cancer diagnoses occur in people under 55, and the culprit might not be what you expect. The rise in instances is linked to Human papillomavirus (HPV) from unprotected oral sex, not tobacco. During Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we want to take some time to spotlight the extraordinary dentists and p
Apr 30, 2024 • 33:30
29. Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Dr. Michael R. Sesemann
Head and neck cancer is the 7th most common cancer globally. Symptoms may include a lump in the neck, a sore in the mouth, or a sore throat that doesn’t go away. During Oral Cancer Awareness Month, we want to take some time to spotlight the extraordinary dentists and practitioners who have taken on this little-understood cancer and survived.Today's guest is Dr. Michael R. Sesemann, a dentist, educator, and Nebraska Institute of Comprehensive Dentistry founder. Michael has been described
Apr 16, 2024 • 36:17
28. Oral Cancer Awareness Month: Dr. Mike Milligan
Close to 54,000 Americans will hear the words “You have oral or throat cancer” in 2024. Shockingly only about half of them will survive beyond 5 years. April is Oral Cancer Awareness Month, and we want to take some time to spotlight the extraordinary dentists and practitioners who have taken on this little-understood cancer and survived.Today's guest is Dr. Mike Milligan, a dentist who has served the community of Bloomington Illinois for over 45 years. He's also the Founder and Presiden
Apr 2, 2024 • 24:34
27. Dr. Betsy Bakeman on Excellence
This episode marks the first anniversary of Contrary to Ordinary. Thank you so much to all of our amazing guests, and to the listeners that have made this show extraordinary. It’s also CariFree’s 20th birthday! Another big thank you to everyone who has been a part of our amazing journey over the last two decades.In the last episode, we began our conversation with Dr. Betsy Bakeman, a private practice owner and expert in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Betsy is included in an elite g
Mar 19, 2024 • 27:27
26. Dr. Betsy Bakeman on Learning, Teaching, and Evolving Pt.1
Dentists want every single one of their patients to walk away from a treatment with a smile that they can be proud of. If a practitioner can also make their patients feel comfortable in the alien world we inhabit, they must be doing something extraordinary, right?Today's guest is Dr. Betsy Bakeman, a private practice owner and expert in restorative and cosmetic dentistry. Betsy is included in an elite group of less than 300 dentists worldwide who are Accredited by the American Academy o
Mar 5, 2024 • 30:52
25. Professor Hien Ngo on C.A.R.E
Compassion, Altruism, Respect, and Excellent are the tenets that have guided Professor Hien Ngo throughout his career.He’s currently the Dean and Head of the Dental School and Director of the Oral Health Centre at the University of Western Australia. Indeed, Hien is a prolific educator who has taught thousands of students about minimal intervention dentistry and cariology all over the world. He was instrumental to the establishment of the Minimal Intervention 2020 projects in Adelaide a
Feb 20, 2024 • 33:47
24. Bonnie Milletto on Finding Her Voice
Letting go of the past can be hard. So hard in fact that it’s easy to become defined by it. However, there are some extraordinary people out there who have rewritten the narrative around themselves, inspiring others to do the same.Today's guest is Bonnie Milletto, a motivational speaker, author, and youth advocate. As a lonely child who was in and out of foster homes, Bonnie was often told that she wasn't good enough and that she would never have a voice.She was labeled 'high-risk' by h
Feb 6, 2024 • 34:03
23. Pastor Laura O’Brien on Leading with Care Pt.2
In the last episode, we began speaking with pastor and author Laura O’Brien. Laura has served the congregation at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Albany, Oregon, and was about to move on to new opportunities at the time of this conversation.In part 1, Laura discussed her upcoming book Hell Hope on Wheels, which charts her incredible journey across the US, Europe, and eventually to her career as a pastor. Laura wasn’t brought up in a religious household and encountered many ways of
Jan 23, 2024 • 31:56
22. Pastor Laura O’Brien on Finding Faith Pt.1
Faith is an important tool that many people use to navigate the world. Today’s guest, Pastor Laura O'Brien has had an unconventional journey to finding hers. Laura is a Lutheran Pastor, who has worked all over the world. Her book Hell Hope on Wheels charts her incredible journey across the US, Europe, and eventually to her faith. Laura wasn’t brought up in a religious household and was even exposed to some elements of faith that she didn’t agree with on her epic journey. In part 1, we’l
Jan 9, 2024 • 41:16
21. A Look Back at an Extraordinary Year
Welcome to a very special holiday episode of Contrary to Ordinary. Today, we’re taking a look back over some extraordinary conversations from across 2023. The mission of this podcast has been to figure out what makes a person extraordinary. Are they born with it? Can it be taught? Is work/life balance even possible for people who have made extraordinary strides in their careers? Extraordinary people come in many shapes and sizes, but this show has identified a few common traits that the
Dec 25, 2023 • 20:02
20. Dr. Amanda Seay on Adversity and Grace
People who show grace and poise during stressful times are often compared to a swan drifting across the water. You might not see it, but a lot is going on under the surface to maintain that calm exterior. They rehearse, they plan, and they still get the jitters, even if they are very experienced and talented.Today's guest is Dr. Amanda Seay, an accomplished and accredited dentist and private practice owner who also educates through her training organization, imP.R.E.S. After graduating
Dec 12, 2023 • 47:58
19. Dr. Simon McDonald on Being Grateful Pt.2
In the last episode, we began speaking with Dr. Simon McDonald, CEO and co-founder of Rhondium. Simon is a "serial inventor and entrepreneur", who has brought a number of groundbreaking inventions into the field of dentistry. You might be familiar with the V-Ring and the Tri-Clip, but his other notable inventions include the One Visit Crown and the Grip Tab. In part 1, Simon talked us through his inventive process and stressed that each of his creations have taken countless hours to be
Nov 28, 2023 • 28:48
18. Dr. Simon McDonald on the Inventors Spirit Pt.1
Today’s guest is Dr. Simon McDonald. He's been described as a "serial inventor and entrepreneur", who has brought a number of groundbreaking inventions into the field of dentistry. You might be familiar with the V-Ring and the Tri-Clip, but his other notable inventions include the One Visit Crown and the Grip Tab. Simon studied dentistry in the UK at King's College in London but moved to New Zealand when his first child was still young. He fell in love with the country and set up his ow
Nov 14, 2023 • 38:31
17. Dr. Bobby Birdi on Being Grateful
Today’s guest Dr. Bobby Birdi is unique in many ways. However, many people know him for being one of North America’s very few Certified Dual Specialists in Periodontics and Prosthodontics. He is an adjunct Associate Professor at the University of British Columbia and the University of Minnesota, where he is involved in multiple dental implant research projects and clinical trials. He also actively lectures both nationally and internationally in the fields of implant surgery and prosthet
Oct 31, 2023 • 31:24
16. Carmen Ohling on Asking Better Questions
In this episode we're speaking to someone who "helps guide high achieving women to write their own permission slip and live the life of their dreams". Carmen Ohling, a keynote speaker, Flow Academy founder, and holistic life Coach. After 16 years in the corporate world, Carmen made the decision to follow her passion to help others be their best selves. Everyone who meets Carmen is inspired by her and I'm excited to share our conversation with you today.At 25 Carmen found out that she ha
Oct 17, 2023 • 41:27
15. Stephanie Staples on Being ‘Nice for a Living’
In this episode, we're going to be talking to a person who helps people who are nice for a living thrive - Stephanie Staples. Stephanie is a prolific motivational speaker and coach who shares her positive message with busy professionals. She has a background in nursing, but after a moment of extreme burnout, she decided she wanted to dedicate her life to helping other people realize their full potential. Her coaching style is magnetic. You'll find her mingling with her audience, encoura
Oct 3, 2023 • 38:56
14. Bill Brown on the Power of Lasers
The first working laser was operated by Theodore Maiman on May 16 1960 at the Hughes Research Laboratory in California. Maiman may have been the first person to operate a laser, but the theory behind them dates back to Einstein in the early 20th century. He was already thinking about a way to amplify light and its source before we had the means to do it.After their pioneering use in the 60s, it didn’t take long for medicine to take note and start testing lasers. Today's guest is Bill Br
Sep 19, 2023 • 37:40
13. Graeme Milicich on Going Against The Grain
What do Albert Einstein, Coco Channel, and Thomas Edison have in common? During their studies, they were all seen as 'difficult students'. They looked at the rigid systems that they were part of and rejected them. Now we see them as innovators and pioneers whose achievements ring through history.Questioning education paradigms is something that Dr. Graeme Milicich is all too familiar with. He’s practiced dentistry for over 40 years and began challenging existing practices during his tim
Sep 5, 2023 • 37:45
12. Dr. Rick Campbell on Understanding 'The Two Legged Animal’
Pets are, in many ways, a mirror to ourselves. If we care for and invest time in them, you're going to see that reflected back at you ten-fold. And today's guest certainly understands the complex world of animals and how to keep them happy. Dr. Rick Cambell, the owner of Willow Creek Pet Center, the largest veterinary group practice in the United States. In the world of veterinary medicine, Rick is extraordinary. He's treated thousands upon thousands of animals across his career and was
Aug 22, 2023 • 36:32
11. Colt Idol on the Utility of Art
"We all know that art has monetary value but its true value is much deeper. Art transcends race, religion, wealth, status and age. It is connected to us at a soul level. The need for artful expression has always been and will always be. It is for everyone, by everyone."These are the words of today's guest Colt Idol, a painter who is described as the “new face of the Old West”. Colt uses dazzling color and plays with form in his work to bring to life the freedom and nostalgia of a time l
Aug 8, 2023 • 35:41
10. Professor John Featherstone on Forging Your Own Path
In his 1841 essay Self-Reliance, philosopher and essayist Ralph Waldo Emerson tells us to “trust thyself: every heart vibrates to that iron string”. In other words, we should all trust in the sacredness of ourselves and our own path, and not try to imitate the road others are destined to travel. Emerson wrote extensively about individuality, self-reliance, and non-conformism, and it makes sense that today’s guests would have a quote from him hanging on his refrigerator.Professor John Fe
Jul 25, 2023 • 42:29
9. Professor Philip D. Marsh on Dealing with the Dogma Pt.2
In the last episode, we introduced Professor Philip D. Marsh, Professor Emeritus of Oral Microbiology at the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds in the UK. Across his incredible career, he's published over 300 research papers and review articles and is co-author of a leading textbook on oral microbiology. In Part 1, Phil walked us through his early experiences as a penniless Ph.D. student in London and on to his first graduate job. We also discussed the alienation Phil felt a
Jul 11, 2023 • 31:56
8. Professor Philip D. Marsh on Challenging the Orthodoxy Pt.1
If you're going to be a trailblazer, then you're going to have to take down a few trees along the way. You have to be willing to follow your nose and believe in what you're doing enough to embrace your critics with open arms.Today’s guest is Philip Marsh, Professor Emeritus of Oral Microbiology at the School of Dentistry at the University of Leeds in the UK. In his impressive career, he's published over 300 research papers and review articles and is co-author of a leading textbook on or
Jun 27, 2023 • 34:27
7. Rella Christensen on a Life of Two Halves Pt.2
In the last episode, we introduced Rella Christensen of TRAC Research, a nonprofit institute dedicated to in-depth long-term clinical studies of restorative materials, preventive dentistry, and dental caries. Rella took us on a journey through her incredibly busy life - raising three children and pursuing her career as the director of the Clinical Research Associates Foundation. We also heard about Rella’s husband and mentor Gordon, who helped her follow her research interests by giving
Jun 13, 2023 • 29:44
6. Rella Christensen on Following Curiosity Pt.1
Sometimes to forge the path ahead, you need to create the tools to do so from scratch. Having the courage to blaze a trail using your own resources and time is something that only genuinely extraordinary people will attempt. Today's guest, Rella Christensen, has taken on that risk and has come out on the other side with fresh ideas and strategies to help the dental industry better care for its practitioners and patients.In 1976, Rella co-founded and directed the Clinical Research Associ
May 30, 2023 • 35:08
5. Angus Walls on Being a Rebel
Breaking away from tradition and challenging the status quo are the hallmarks of an extraordinary person. Today’s guest is Angus Walls, who, across his forty years in the field, has excelled at finding better ways to care for his patients. Since 2013, Angus has worked as the Director of the Edinburgh Dental Institute at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. Between 2017 - 2018, Angus served as the ninety-fourth President of the International Association for Dental Research and opened
May 16, 2023 • 37:06
4. Machell Hudson on Resilience and Compassion
Having a patient's best interests at heart is critical to the work that dentists do. This means training every single member of the dental team, empowering them to feel compassion for and respond to their patient’s needs holistically. This is a philosophy that Machell Hudson practices, not only in her work as a hygienist but in everything she does. Machell is a trusted and effective hygienist who’s been in the profession for over 15 years. In 2021, Machell founded Integrative Dental Coa
May 2, 2023 • 35:42
3. Dr. Susan Maples on Breaking the Mold and Mentoring
You can't have a healthy body if you don't have a healthy mouth. After all, it is the gateway into the body. Dr. Susan Maples is a leader in the area of total health with over 30 years of experience in dentistry. As a child, Susan was exposed to large quantities of secondhand smoke and suffered from severe allergies. Through mentorship and guidance from a few key medical professionals early on in her journey, Susan began a path to improved total health. Today, Susan is giving back by me
Apr 18, 2023 • 37:00
2. Doug Young on Building a Vision, and Revolutionizing Dentistry
Tooth decay, or dental caries, is the number one disease dentists treat. Yet, the common practice of drilling teeth does not cure the disease. Dr. Doug Young was one of the first to ask a seemingly simple question: If drilling does not cure the disease, why does it remain the first, and often only, option? Finding the answer led him to establish one of the pillars of modern dentistry.Dr. Young describes his younger self as a "normal dentist." Not a famous researcher. No impressive backg
Apr 4, 2023 • 26:59
1. John Kois on Enriching The Heart, The Mind, and Dental Industry
It may be hard to believe today, but opinion was the root of most dental practice in years past. Not in evidence-based research. When the Kois Center opened in 1994, it ushered in a revolutionary approach to dental care. It was the first center to provide a graduate program for practicing dentists that implemented a structured science-based curriculum. The center remains a flagship for science-based advances in esthetics, implants, and restorative dentistry.On the opening day of The Koi
Mar 21, 2023 • 52:59
