Next Level Executive

Perrin DesPortes

For dentists ready to grow from practice owner to business leader. You built a successful dental practice. You show up, you produce, and by every visible measure you have made it. But somewhere between your second hire and your hundredth patient, a new question started forming: what am I actually building toward? Maybe you are wondering whether to bring on an associate, add a second location, or finally have the partnership conversation you have been putting off. Maybe the practice runs well, but only because you are in it every single day, and that realization is starting to feel less like success and more like a ceiling. You did not go to dental school to become a business owner. But here you are, at the top of your own org chart, with no one above you to ask whether you are doing this right. Next Level Executive is a weekly podcast for dentists and dental practice owners who are ready to grow from clinician to CEO. Each episode goes deep on the leadership, ownership, and growth strategy decisions that no one teaches you in dental school: how to build a team that performs without you in the room, how to evaluate and structure associate partnerships, how to add locations without doubling your stress load, and how to lead a multi-location dental practice with the confidence of someone who has done it before. No fluff. No motivation. Just the specific, practical business education that dentist entrepreneurs actually need to build a dental practice that works without them, grow into a group practice they are proud of, and lead with the clarity and confidence the next chapter demands. If you have been searching for answers on dental business strategy, practice growth, or what it actually takes to lead and scale a dental practice, you are in the right place. Over 100 episodes available now. Push play.

  1. 3 days ago

    Built to Win: a Deep Conversation with Dr. Chris Murphy & Dr. Matt O’Shea

    I created a component of my Next Level Executive program called “Entrepreneurial Leadership” for a reason: because I truly believe that you and I can create a successful business that is congruent with the lifestyle we want to lead. In short, I believe our business can be a complement to our life – not compete with it. Business ownership is a full-contact sport – even in a healthcare services environment. And it has to be built to win. Wanna know what winning sounds like? I’ll let two of my friends tell you…time to “push play” … CHAPTERS: Two Entrepreneurs who happen to own clinical services businesses Overcoming the fear of making investments in your business Impact and Fulfillment is the ultimate outcome as a business owner Leading a nimble business in an ever-changing environment Abundance and optimism with your hands firmly on the steering wheel … Other Episodes You’ll Love: 36 Success vs Fulfillment 55 Ceilings of Complexity and Inflection Points … Got Questions? Send them to me here: Perrin@TheNextLevelExecutive.com Book a Call to Discuss the Executive Program Love this show? Leave a review or share it with your friends! Want more advice on running a better business? See what I’m writing and what I’m reading. ... Considering selling your business to a DSO? Download the “Top 10 Questions” Guide HERE. ... Follow me for more insights: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TheNextLevelExecutive.com © 2025–2026 by Perrin DesPortes. All Rights Reserved.

  2. 20 Aug

    The Most Overlooked, Easiest Tool in Leading for Results

    Everyone loves to talk about “scaling your group dental practice” and “growth strategy” for your practice. Sometimes the most obvious answer is right in front of your face, but most of us fail to question things that are obvious. I have the same 12 months and 365 days in my year that you do in yours, but from a leadership standpoint, my year looks nothing like yours. I simply chose a different starting date. If you’re looking for a more effective way to drive results through a fresher, more focused team, then “push play!” … CHAPTERS: Cyclicality: Calendar Years versus Performance Years A specific example of a pedo-ortho group Freshness and focus A few key leadership points to shift your mindset The lesson I learned from Patterson’s proof of success … Other Episodes You’ll Love: 10 Mistakes people make immediately on their growth journey 30 The Choice We Make & the Freedom We Have … Got Questions? Send them to me here: Perrin@TheNextLevelExecutive.com Book a Call to Discuss the Executive Program Love this show? Leave a review or share it with your friends! Want more advice on running a better business? See what I’m writing and what I’m reading. ... Considering selling your business to a DSO? Download the “Top 10 Questions” Guide HERE. ... Follow me for more insights: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TheNextLevelExecutive.com © 2025–2026 by Perrin DesPortes. All Rights Reserved.

  3. 13 Aug

    The 4 Questions that Help Leaders Drive Results

    Why do so many successful dentists struggle to become even marginally effective CEOs? To be effective in a leadership role means you have to be able to create greater results through the work of your team, so is it “the team” that’s limiting your progress? Or are you just not being clear in communicating your expectations? If you’re frustrated by a series of underwhelming results, then “push play.” … CHAPTERS: The Leadership Principle of “Variables and Variance” My personal lesson in learning that principle “What does success look like to you?” “What are the key steps in the process or sequence that are most important?” “What are some of the obstacles you think you’ll encounter along the way?” “What other resources do you need now or think you might need along the way?” … Other Episodes You’ll Love: 13 Leadership - “Why does it feel like I’m doing it wrong?” 31 Leadership during times of uncertainty … Got Questions? Send them to me here: Perrin@TheNextLevelExecutive.com Book a Call to Discuss the Executive Program Love this show? Leave a review or share it with your friends! Want more advice on running a better business? See what I’m writing and what I’m reading. ... Considering selling your business to a DSO? Download the “Top 10 Questions” Guide HERE. ... Follow me for more insights: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TheNextLevelExecutive.com © 2025–2026 by Perrin DesPortes. All Rights Reserved.

  4. 6 Aug

    You’re Ready to be a Leader – Even Though You Don’t Realize It Yet

    Many early-stage executives wonder whether they’re truly ready to be a leader. We talk about this “transition from Clinician to CEO” as if it were easy. It isn’t. And your mastery of clinical services no longer applies to the other 80% of the business. So how do you actually lead a group practice when you don’t know how to perform the work all of those other roles require? I had to overcome that same mindset and figure out how to create results when I couldn’t perform the craft. I’ll tell you what I did and what you should be focused on. If you’re having your own doubts, then “push play.” … CHAPTERS: Managing versus Leading What I learned in Richmond – the hard way Two Truths about Leadership The critical mindset shift 5 areas to focus on that lead to KPI outcomes … Other Episodes You’ll Love:  Predicting Your Outcomes through Lead Measures Leading from the Front … Got Questions? Send them to me here: Perrin@TheNextLevelExecutive.com Love this show? Leave a review or share it with your friends! Want more advice on running a better business? See what I’m writing and what I’m reading. ... Thinking about selling your business to a PE-backed DSO?  I have 10 Questions you should ask first.  Download the Guide HERE. ... Follow me for more insights: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TheNextLevelExecutive.com © 2025–2026 by Perrin DesPortes. All Rights Reserved.

  5. 23 Jul

    My Rescue Plan for Your Mid-Career Crisis

    Everyone talks about evolving from a clinician to a CEO. And nobody starts a business expecting to fail. However, every single one of us hits a point when our vision collides with reality then we discover the road to success has no pavement and no directional signs. I’ve suffered the same crisis of confidence that many of you have and all of the rest will at some point. This episode is a soul-searching exploratory talk about what that mid-career crisis really feels like. More importantly, it’s my attempt to give you a lift out of your depths of despair. It’s 100% vulnerable and 1000% authentic. Push play. … CHAPTERS: Some days, you just want to call it quits No one ever told you what isolation really feels like as a leader My depths of despair and a decision to walk away from what wasn’t important Where you should start your recovery right now This isn’t the beginning of the end for you, but rather the end of your new beginning … Other Episodes You’ll Love: S1 E21 Taking stock of where you are and what you want S1 E30 The Choice We Make & the Freedom We Have … Got Questions? Send them to me here: Perrin@TheNextLevelExecutive.com Love this show? Leave a review or share it with your friends! Want more advice on running a better business? See what I’m writing and what I’m reading. ... Thinking about selling your business to a PE-backed DSO? I have 10 Questions you should ask first. Download the Guide HERE. ... Follow me for more insights: LinkedIn | YouTube | Facebook | TheNextLevelExecutive.com © 2025–2026 by Perrin DesPortes. All Rights Reserved.

About

For dentists ready to grow from practice owner to business leader. You built a successful dental practice. You show up, you produce, and by every visible measure you have made it. But somewhere between your second hire and your hundredth patient, a new question started forming: what am I actually building toward? Maybe you are wondering whether to bring on an associate, add a second location, or finally have the partnership conversation you have been putting off. Maybe the practice runs well, but only because you are in it every single day, and that realization is starting to feel less like success and more like a ceiling. You did not go to dental school to become a business owner. But here you are, at the top of your own org chart, with no one above you to ask whether you are doing this right. Next Level Executive is a weekly podcast for dentists and dental practice owners who are ready to grow from clinician to CEO. Each episode goes deep on the leadership, ownership, and growth strategy decisions that no one teaches you in dental school: how to build a team that performs without you in the room, how to evaluate and structure associate partnerships, how to add locations without doubling your stress load, and how to lead a multi-location dental practice with the confidence of someone who has done it before. No fluff. No motivation. Just the specific, practical business education that dentist entrepreneurs actually need to build a dental practice that works without them, grow into a group practice they are proud of, and lead with the clarity and confidence the next chapter demands. If you have been searching for answers on dental business strategy, practice growth, or what it actually takes to lead and scale a dental practice, you are in the right place. Over 100 episodes available now. Push play.

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