Next Level Executive

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 stra

Next Level Executive is a entrepreneurship podcast hosted by Perrin DesPortes, with 111 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Perrin DesPortes hosts Next Level Executive, a entrepreneurship show with 111 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

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  Episode #13

  The 4 Questions that Help Leaders Drive Results

  Aug 13, 202625 minS3

  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.

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  Episode #12

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

  Aug 6, 202618 minS3

  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.

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  Episode #11

  How to Build a Performance-Driven, Culture-First Group Practice: Dr. Paul Lund & Misty Wales

  Jul 30, 20261h 5mS3

  The late Peter Drucker has a timeless quote that you and I have probably referenced 1,000 times: “Culture eats strategy for breakfast.” I’ve had enough unique experiences over 25 years to validate the truth in that statement. It does, however, beg the question: “Is it possible to build a business with a strong culture that also produces successful financial results?” You’re about to hear the answer… … CHAPTERS: 5:00 A humble, humorous origin story 14:00 What Orthodontist in their right mind starts a pedo practice – and lives to tell the story?! 24:00 The dynamic around an evolving, homegrown leadership team 30:45 This isn’t for the faint of heart 45:00 Visionary, Integrator...and Entrepreneur 52:00 Fulfillment is the ultimate measure of results … 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.

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  Episode #10

  My Rescue Plan for Your Mid-Career Crisis

  Jul 23, 2026—S3

  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.

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  Episode #9

  Fundamental Mistakes to Avoid in Recruiting

  Jul 16, 202620 minS3

  To create a successful partnership means you must have the right Associate, but to have the right Associate means you have to recruit the right candidate. So…do you? I learned the hard way what failure looks like in terms of recruiting, and I fear you’re all making the same mistakes I did. If you’ve got doubts about your current Associate or you’re about to start a recruiting process for a new one, this episode is for you! Push play. … CHAPTERS: The “lessons I learned” in my early leadership career, so you don’t have to How to actually build a strong culture Don’t believe me? Ask Warren and Jack… Putting first things first You’re recruiting the wrong person … Other Episodes You’ll Love: S1 E33 The Missing Piece of Clinical Mentorship S1 E59 Six Points of Partnership Alignment … 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.

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