The Bloom Effect with Cassie Kellner

Cassie Kellner
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The Bloom Effect with Cassie Kellner is a podcast for teams who care about how they lead and how they grow along the way. Cassie sits down with guests to talk about the things that don’t always get said out loud: the messiness of leadership, building culture from the inside out, and learning to show up in a way that feels like you. These conversations are honest, unpolished, and rooted in real experience. If you're building something you believe in and want a space that feels steady, this is it. New episodes drop bi-weekly.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    What Working Moms In Your Practice Actually Need

    "They become the single point of failure. And that is an enormous amount of invisible pressure to carry." May is wild. Recitals, field trips, sports, class performances, Teacher Appreciation Week. And the women on your team are showing up through all of it, managing your front desk, building patient relationships, holding your team culture together, all while carrying everything that comes with being a mom outside of work. Orthodontics and dentistry are female-dominated industries. A big portion of your team are moms. And most practices are not actually built with that reality in mind. This episode is about changing that, not in a guilt-trip way, but in a very practical, this is how you build a practice people want to stay in kind of way. Cassie walks through three things the best practices are doing right now to support the moms on their teams. None of it is revolutionary. All of it makes a real difference. We talk about:→ Why cross-training is a culture statement, not just a backup plan→ The invisible pressure that builds when one person is the only one who knows how to do something critical→ How a simple mentorship structure develops your new team members and keeps your experienced ones engaged→ Why advanced notice is one of the most underrated retention tools you have→ What it actually communicates when you plan your practice calendar with your team's real lives in mind About Cassie KellnerCassie Kellner is the founder of Everbloom, a practice management consulting firm serving orthodontic and dental practices. With 22 years in the industry, she has worked with nearly 100 practices and built Everbloom around one core belief: strong practices start with strong teams. She hosts The Bloom Effect podcast and co-produces The Ortho Society with Lindsay Quinn of Heartwise Collective. Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. If this conversation resonates, share it with your team or a leader who is ready to create more clarity in their practice. Ready to grow, lead, and bloom? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Connect with EverbloomVisit EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and intro01:30 Why this episode, why now02:43 Tip one: Cross-training as a culture statement07:16 Tip two: Mentorship inside your practice11:28 Tip three: Advanced notice and calendar planning15:30 Recap and where to start16:13 Happy Mother's Day, Bloomers Topics we explore and discuss:orthodontic practice management, dental team culture, working moms in dentistry, cross training dental team, practice staff retention, team mentorship, employee scheduling, orthodontic team development, practice operations, Cassie Kellner, The Bloom Effect podcast, Everbloom

    16 min

  2. 21 APR

    From Small Town Roots to Scalable Systems with Dr. Jorden Mortensen

    “We built our systems around the things that have to get done every single day.”  In this grounded and energizing conversation, host Cassie Kellner is joined by Dr. Jorden Mortensen, dentist, entrepreneur, and founder of MintChecklist, to talk about what it really takes to build something that works inside a growing practice. Dr. Mortensen shares his journey from sleeping in his car and an empty operatory after dental school to owning and leading multiple practices across small-town Texas. What started as a drive to pay off student loans quickly turned into a deep commitment to building systems that support both teams and patients in a meaningful way. Cassie and Dr. Mortensen unpack what happens when practices rely on memory instead of systems, why operational drift is almost guaranteed without structure, and how something as simple as a checklist can change the entire rhythm of a team. They also explore the gap between tools that look good on paper and tools that actually work in real time. This episode is for the leader who feels the weight of keeping everything together and is ready to build something more sustainable. We talk about:→ Why growth exposes broken systems→ What operational drift actually looks like in a practice→ The hidden cost of paper checklists and scattered processes→ How simplicity drives real team consistency→ Building systems that scale without adding overwhelm→ Why patient care improves when systems are clear About Dr. Jorden MortensenDr. Jorden Mortensen, DMD, MBA, is a dentist, entrepreneur, and systems builder focused on elevating the standard of care in small-town dentistry. After earning his dental degree and MBA in 2019, he began acquiring and revitalizing legacy practices across rural Texas through Hometown Dental Partners. As his organization grew, he identified a consistent operational challenge—teams were relying on paper checklists, whiteboards, and scattered systems that created inconsistency and friction. He founded MintChecklist, a cloud-based platform designed specifically for dental teams to manage recurring tasks with clarity and accountability. What began as an internal solution has grown into a broader mission to help practices replace outdated workflows with systems that support both team performance and patient care. Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. If this conversation resonates, share it with your team or a leader who is ready to create more clarity in their practice. Ready to grow, lead, and bloom? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Episode Links & ResourcesExplore MintChecklistFollow MintChecklist on Instagram Connect with EverbloomVisit EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and Jorden’s story03:15 From small town to dentistry08:40 Buying a practice right out of school15:10 COVID and early challenges20:30 Discovering small-town dentistry27:45 When systems became necessary34:10 The problem with paper checklists40:20 Building MintChecklist47:00 Bringing simplicity back to teams Topics we explore in this episode include:dental practice systems, operational efficiency in dentistry, checklist systems for teams, scaling dental practices, small-town dentistry, leadership in dental practices, team accountability systems, practice operations, workflow consistency, reducing operational friction

    48 min

  3. 7 APR

    Re-release: Escaping the Drama Triangle with Christine Brondyke

    If you’ve ever found yourself fixing things for everyone or feeling like the only one who cares, this episode explains why that dynamic shows up and how to change it. Cassie sits down with Certified Life and Relationship Coach Christine Brondyke to explore the Drama Triangle, a powerful lens for understanding conflict and communication breakdowns in orthodontic teams. You’ll learn how the Hero, Victim, and Villain roles keep teams stuck, and how shifting out of these patterns can spark true connection and collaboration. “If there's a glitch—work, home, friendship—this can help us understand the how of it. And once we can see it, we can see it everywhere.” What You’ll Learn How the Drama Triangle creates tension in practices Why “fixing,” “blaming,” or “rescuing” might feel familiar What it takes to shift into leadership rooted in clarity and connection Christine Brondyke is a Certified Life and Relationship Coach with more than two decades of experience guiding individuals, couples, and teams through the messiness of communication and into deeper alignment. Her insights will change the way you see your workplace and yourself. 📲 Follow Christine on Instagram Check out the Drama Triangle PDF Subscribe to the show and leave a review. Want to bring this kind of energy into your practice? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com Episode Chapters 00:00 Welcome + Meet Christine01:42 Shoutout to Dr. Ryan McComb03:35 Cassie’s reaction to the Drama Triangle05:25 What is the Drama Triangle?10:32 Understanding the three roles27:08 How these dynamics show up in coaching39:50 Team conflict in orthodontic practices50:00 Creating connection through clarity Topics we explore in this episode include:drama triangle, orthodontic team dynamics, Christine Brondyke coach, workplace conflict resolution, emotional intelligence at work, hero victim villain roles, leadership coaching ortho, burnout in orthodontic teams, conflict resolution in dentistry, team coaching for orthodontists

    56 min

  4. 24 MAR

    The Real Reason Your Team Keeps Walking Out the Door

    "A bad system will break every great person in your practice. Every single time." In this solo episode, Cassie talks about one of the most frustrating patterns in orthodontic practices: losing great people and not understanding why. After 22 years in the industry, she shares what she sees over and over again. It’s not a people problem. It’s a systems problem. This episode walks through what’s really happening behind team turnover and how small shifts in hiring, onboarding, culture, and growth can change everything. “You cannot find the perfect candidate and drop them into chaos and expect them to thrive.” Cassie shares:– Why team turnover is often a systems issue, not a people issue– What’s missing in most hiring and onboarding processes– How unclear expectations quietly push good people out– Why growth conversations matter more than performance reviews– Simple ways to create clarity, structure, and trust inside your practice About Cassie KellnerCassie Kellner is the founder of Everbloom and host of The Bloom Effect. A former chairside assistant turned team coach, she works with orthodontic practices across the country to strengthen leadership, communication, and team culture through practical systems and honest conversations. Episode Links & Ways to ConnectFree leadership resources from EverbloomLearn more about working togetherFollow along on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Listen on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. If this episode resonates with you, share it with your team or another practice leader. Leaving a review helps more teams find these conversations. Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome + what we’re talking about02:10 Why great people keep leaving06:45 The story behind repeated turnover12:30 It’s not a people problem18:20 Hiring without a real process24:10 Onboarding that actually works31:15 Culture and retention shifts38:40 Growth conversations that matter45:10 Compensation and clarity52:00 Final thoughts + your challenge Topics we explore in this episode include:team turnover in orthodontics, practice systems, onboarding processes, hiring strategy, team retention, leadership communication, practice culture, growth frameworks

    29 min

  5. 10 MAR

    Rethinking Efficiency with Dr. Brandon Owen

    “Indirect bonding is a hurdle you have to clear to get the benefit of custom.” In this candid and thought-provoking conversation, host Cassie Kellner sits down with Dr. Brandon Owen, an orthodontist, innovator, and founder of KLOwen Braces, to talk about why orthodontics is overdue for change. Dr. Owen shares the frustration that led him to build a custom braces system designed to reduce stress, eliminate unnecessary detailing, and remove the doctor bottleneck that slows down so many practices. What began as a search for work-life balance turned into a deep dive into biomechanics, efficiency, and the hidden cost of outdated systems. Cassie and Dr. Owen unpack why indirect bonding alone is not the solution, why dabbling in custom systems often leads to failure, and what full commitment actually looks like inside a practice. They also explore how reducing repos, wire bends, and unnecessary appointments shifts the energy of an entire team. This episode is a challenge to the orthodontist who feels behind, overworked, or stuck in inefficiency. It is an invitation to lead differently. We talk about:→ Why indirect bonding is not the win→ The real reason dabbling breaks momentum→ How the doctor becomes the bottleneck→ Reducing repos, wire bends, and stress→ Why custom systems require full commitment→ Creating efficiency that protects your team About Dr. Brandon OwenDr. Brandon Owen, DDS, MS, is President and Founder of KLOwen Braces and a practicing orthodontist at Owen Orthodontic Center in Lakeway, Texas. He received the AAO Ortho Innovator Award in 2019 and honorable mention in 2024 and 2025. A Board-Certified Orthodontist and member of the Angle Society, he holds nine original patents along with multiple continuation patents and consults for over a dozen digital orthodontic companies. Dr. Owen named KLOwen in memory of his oldest son, Keller Logan Owen, who passed away suddenly in 2011. 🎧 Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. If this conversation resonates, share it with your team or an associate who is ready to think differently about efficiency. Ready to grow, lead, and bloom? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Episode Links & ResourcesVisit Owen Orthodontic Center Connect with EverbloomVisit EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and the efficiency conversation03:20 The frustration that sparked innovation08:40 Why indirect bonding is not enough14:10 The cost of dabbling in new systems21:00 The doctor as the bottleneck28:10 Reducing stress across the team35:00 Staffing challenges and burnout42:15 What full commitment looks like47:00 Final encouragement to lead differently Topics we explore in this episode include:orthodontic efficiency, custom braces systems, reducing repos and wire bends, indirect bonding limitations, orthodontic leadership, practice scalability, workflow optimization, burnout prevention in orthodontics, digital orthodontic innovation

    48 min

  6. 24 FEB

    Building Your Brand with Dr. Sable Staller

    “It's only embarrassing until you're famous.” In this real and energizing conversation, host Cassie Kellner sits down with Dr. Sable Staller, an orthodontist at Eastside Orthodontics in New York City, to talk about what it looks like to build your voice before you feel fully ready. Dr. Staller shares her journey from small-town Indiana to practicing orthodontics in Manhattan, and how posting on TikTok during residency quietly changed the trajectory of her career. What started as a creative outlet became a powerful tool for connection, confidence, and opportunity. Cassie and Dr. Staller unpack the fear of being seen, the cringe that comes with putting yourself out there, and the mindset shift that helps you move anyway. They also explore how social media can open doors far beyond patient acquisition, from professional relationships to job opportunities, and why young orthodontists are thinking differently about brand ownership in today’s landscape. The conversation takes a meaningful turn as Dr. Staller shares her decision to freeze her eggs and why protecting her future self felt just as important as building her practice today. It’s an honest reminder that ambition and personal life are not competing forces — they can coexist with intention. This episode is a nudge for the orthodontist who has something to say but hasn’t pressed post yet. We talk about:→ Why social media is more than marketing→ Pushing past embarrassment and believing in yourself→ Building a brand as an associate orthodontist→ Using authenticity to create trust→ Expanding your network beyond your zip code→ Making decisions today that honor your future About Dr. Sable StallerDr. Sable Staller is a New York City orthodontist at Eastside Orthodontics who leads with compassion and prioritizes each patient’s chief concerns. Originally from Indiana, she began sharing orthodontic education and glimpses of life in NYC online during residency. Today, she has built a strong social presence that connects patients, colleagues, and young professionals navigating their ortho journeys. 🎧 Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube. If this conversation resonates, share it with an orthodontist or teammate who needs a reminder that visibility starts with courage. Ready to grow, lead, and bloom? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Episode Links & ResourcesVisit Eastside OrthodonticsFollow Dr. Staller on InstagramFollow Dr. Staller on TikTokConnect on FacebookConnect on LinkedIn Connect with EverbloomVisit EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome from Manhattan02:10 From Indiana to NYC orthodontics06:15 Posting on TikTok during residency10:40 It’s only embarrassing until it works15:30 Social media beyond patient marketing20:50 Building a brand as an associate26:00 Expanding your professional circle31:20 Freezing your eggs and honoring your future37:30 Final encouragement to just start Topics we explore in this episode include:orthodontic leadership, building a personal brand in dentistry, social media for orthodontists, associate orthodontist growth, authenticity in healthcare, women in orthodontics, career development in dentistry, networking through social platforms, mindset, and visibility

    41 min

  7. 10 FEB

    Busy Isn’t the Same as Healthy with Mandy Madeline

    “Busy teams are often compensating for broken systems.” In this honest and practical conversation, host Cassie Kellner sits down with Mandy Madeline, Champion of Practice Transformation and founder of Bite Sized Solutions, to talk about what is really happening inside busy dental practices and why effort alone is rarely the issue. Mandy shares her journey from chairside dentistry into operations and leadership, and how years of working inside practices revealed a common pattern. Production was strong, teams were working hard, but systems were unclear. Handoffs broke down, expectations lived in people’s heads, and leaders quietly carried the weight of keeping everything together. This episode also marks a major milestone for Everbloom. Cassie officially announces the expansion of Everbloom into the general dentistry space, bringing the same people-first, systems-driven approach that has supported orthodontic teams to dental practices ready to grow with clarity and intention. Mandy joins the Everbloom team to lead this new division, helping practices build sustainable systems that support both growth and team well-being. Cassie and Mandy explore why “busy” often masks deeper operational gaps, how miscommunication creates unnecessary stress in admin and clinical teams, and why clear playbooks are essential for sustainable growth. From personality tools like the Enneagram to simple, searchable systems teams can actually use, this episode offers a grounded look at how practices can scale with clarity instead of chaos. We talk about:→ Why busy does not equal healthy→ How unclear handoffs create hidden inefficiencies→ The cost of systems living in people’s heads→ Culture as a daily behavior, not a poster on the wall→ Using personality tools to improve communication→ Building playbooks teams use beyond onboarding About Mandy MadelineMandy Madeline is the founder of Bite Sized Solutions and a dental operations strategist who helps practices simplify systems, strengthen team communication, and scale without chaos. With over 18 years of hands-on experience from clinical roles to operating dental practices, Mandy brings practical, people-first solutions that reduce burnout and elevate both patient and team experiences. She is known for translating complexity into clarity and helping leaders build systems that support growth, culture, and long-term sustainability. 🎧 Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and if this episode resonates, share it with a leader or teammate who feels the weight of holding everything together. Ready to build systems that actually support your team? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Episode Links & ResourcesLearn more about Bite Sized SolutionsFollow Mandy on InstagramConnect with Mandy on LinkedInDownload the 2026 Vision Setting Workbook Connect with EverbloomLearn more about EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome and setting the conversation02:45 Mandy’s background and path into operations06:30 When production is strong but systems fail10:15 Busy versus healthy inside dental practices14:40 Where handoffs and expectations break down19:10 Personality tools and communication gaps24:20 Why playbooks must live beyond onboarding29:40 Leadership responsibility and modeling systems34:50 Final reflections and how to connect with Mandy Topics we explore in this episode include:dental operations, practice growth, team communication, leadership development, practice systems, playbooks, culture building, scaling dental practices, patient experience, burnout prevention

    32 min

  8. 27 JAN

    Caring for Your Body Matters with Stephanie Botts

    “Pain is your body’s way of telling you something needs to change.” In this candid and eye-opening conversation, host Cassie Kellner sits down with Stephanie Botts, BS, RDH, CEAS, founder of Polished Posture, to talk about a topic that quietly affects nearly every orthodontic and dental team: ergonomics, pain, and the long-term cost of pushing through. Stephanie shares her personal journey as a clinical dental hygienist who loved her work but found herself struggling with chronic pain, and how a breaking point during COVID led her to rethink what “normal” had become in dentistry. What started as a search for answers became a calling to help dental professionals protect their bodies, extend their careers, and feel better at the end of the day. Cassie and Stephanie explore why pain has been normalized in dental settings, how women-specific challenges like pregnancy, hormonal shifts, and equipment design factor into injury rates, and why small, practical changes can make a meaningful difference. From micro-breaks and positioning to advocacy and awareness, this episode invites leaders and team members alike to rethink how we care for the people behind the chair. We talk about:→ Why pain is not “just part of the job”→ The hidden cost of reactive ergonomics→ Women-specific challenges in dentistry→ Simple shifts that reduce strain and burnout→ Preventive ergonomics for long-term career health→ Advocating for yourself and your body at work About Stephanie BottsStephanie Botts, BS, RDH, CEAS, is a clinical dental hygienist and Certified Ergonomics Assessment Specialist with over 17 years of experience. She is the founder of Polished Posture, where she provides in-office and virtual ergonomics consulting, coaching, and continuing education for dental professionals. Stephanie also hosts the podcast Straight Up With Steph and creates educational content through her courses and memberships, helping clinicians optimize ergonomics in and out of the operatory to support pain-free practice and career longevity. 🎧 Listen + SubscribeTune in on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube, and if this episode resonates, share it with a teammate or leader who might need this conversation. Ready to support your team in practicing longer and feeling better? Visit DiscoverEverbloom.com. Episode Links & ResourcesLearn more about Polished PostureFollow Stephanie on InstagramConnect with Stephanie on LinkedInExplore on-demand ergonomics coursesListen to Straight Up With Steph Connect with EverbloomLearn More About EverbloomFollow on InstagramSubscribe to The Bloom Effect Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome + setting the conversation02:30 Stephanie’s clinical background and early pain06:40 The breaking point that changed everything10:20 Why pain has been normalized in dentistry14:30 Women-specific challenges and equipment design19:10 Preventive ergonomics and small daily shifts24:40 Micro-breaks, positioning, and blood flow29:30 Advocacy, awareness, and career longevity34:40 Final reflections and where to find Stephanie Topics we explore in this episode include:dental ergonomics, orthodontic team health, women’s health in dentistry, preventive ergonomics, career longevity, burnout prevention, practice leadership, workplace wellness, musculoskeletal health

    37 min
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About

The Bloom Effect with Cassie Kellner is a podcast for teams who care about how they lead and how they grow along the way. Cassie sits down with guests to talk about the things that don’t always get said out loud: the messiness of leadership, building culture from the inside out, and learning to show up in a way that feels like you. These conversations are honest, unpolished, and rooted in real experience. If you're building something you believe in and want a space that feels steady, this is it. New episodes drop bi-weekly.

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