The Chief Psycho Podcast

Raising the Standard with Marvelyn Navarro

Raising the Standard | S5 E11What does it look like to raise the standard of care while also expanding what’s possible for the profession?In this Season 5 finale of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Marvelyn Navarro, RDH, founder of Perio Precise, national speaker, and current President of the Nevada Dental Hygienists’ Association.With more than 15 years of clinical and administrative experience, Marvelyn has built her work around advancing periodontal therapy, supporting RDH autonomy, and mentoring the next generation of dental hygienists. Through Perio Precise, she specializes in periodontal endoscopy and advanced subgingival therapy, helping clinicians deliver more precise, predictable, and impactful periodontal care.In this conversation, we explore the evolving role of hygienists as clinical leaders, educators, and business owners. We also discuss the oral–systemic link, the future of periodontal therapy, and why raising the standard of care requires both technical precision and professional courage.Marvelyn also shares the personal story that fuels her work—growing up as the firstborn daughter of Mexican immigrants and becoming a first-generation high school and college graduate. That foundation of perseverance and work ethic continues to shape her leadership and commitment to elevating the profession.In this episode, we explore: • RDH autonomy and business ownership • Periodontal disease and the oral–systemic health connection • Precision therapy through periodontal endoscopy • Advocacy and leadership within the RDH profession • Mentorship and raising the next generation of cliniciansThis episode closes Season 5 with a conversation about precision, ownership, and what it truly means to raise the standard.Season 5, Episode 11 Raising the Standard Now streaming.Support the showAlright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going. Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits. Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho. @thechiefpsychopodcast @thechiefpsycho

The Cost of Misalignment with Caitlin Parsons

The Cost of Misalignment | S5 E10Pain has been normalized in dentistry for so long that many clinicians assume it’s simply part of the job. Burnout gets labeled as workload. Fatigue gets labeled as weakness. And misalignment becomes culture.In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Caitlin Parsons, RDH, C-IAYT, CEAS, nationally recognized ergonomics consultant and founder of The Aligned Hygienist, to examine what chronic pain and burnout are really telling us.Drawing from over 17 years of clinical experience and advanced training in yoga therapy, ergonomics, and stress physiology, Caitlin explains why burnout is often a nervous system issue—not just a scheduling problem—and how biomechanics and regulation strategies directly impact performance, retention, and longevity.We talk about ergonomics as business strategy, why hygienists are leaving dentistry, and what’s missing in dental education when it comes to sustainability.In this episode, we explore: • Why pain is normalized in dentistry • Burnout through the lens of nervous system dysregulation • Ergonomics as leadership and operational strategy • Retention and the real reasons clinicians are leaving • Building high performance without self-destructionThis episode is for clinicians and leaders who want sustainability—not survival.Support the showAlright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going. Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits. Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho. @thechiefpsychopodcast @thechiefpsycho

Clinical Wanderlust with Michelle Strange

What happens when you refuse to let your career stay in one lane?In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Michelle Strange, MSDH, RDH, a clinician, educator, entrepreneur, and practice owner whose 25-year career spans assisting, hygiene, graduate education, infection prevention, mobile care, teledentistry, public health advocacy, speaking, and ownership.Michelle shares how she built a career rooted in curiosity, continuous learning, and strategic reinvention. We talk about infection control as leadership, expanding access through mobile and teledentistry, and what it means to move from clinician to owner without losing clinical integrity.In this episode, we explore: • Mobile and teledentistry as access and innovation tools • Infection prevention as a leadership responsibility • Clinical education and advocacy in modern dentistry • Practice ownership and value-based care • Designing a career that evolves with intentionThis episode is for clinicians who want range, ownership, and a career that grows as they do.Season 5, Episode 9 Clinical Wanderlust Now streaming.Support the showAlright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going. Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits. Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho. @thechiefpsychopodcast @thechiefpsycho

Hacking Biomechanics with Katrina Klein

Hacking Biomechanics | S5 E8Pain has become so normalized in clinical work that many professionals assume it’s just part of the job. It isn’t.In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Katrina Klein, RDH, a clinician and biomechanics educator who has spent over 15 years helping dental professionals protect their bodies and extend the longevity of their careers.Katrina breaks down how biomechanics and ergonomics actually show up in day-to-day clinical practice and why preparing the body for workload is more effective than reacting to injury after the fact. We talk about movement, strength, and awareness—both in the operatory and in the gym—and how small shifts can make a meaningful difference over time.In this episode, we explore: • Why pain has been normalized in hygiene and clinical care • How biomechanics impact performance and endurance • Preparing the body for demanding workloads • Preventing injury instead of managing chronic pain • What career longevity really requiresThis episode is for clinicians who want to keep practicing without sacrificing their bodies in the process.Season 5, Episode 8 Hacking Biomechanics Now streaming.Support the showAlright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going. Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits. Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho. @thechiefpsychopodcast @thechiefpsycho

The Adoption Gap with Jessica Woods

Why does innovation struggle to take hold in dentistry—even when the technology is sound and the science is solid?In this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast, I sit down with Jessica L. Woods, MPH, RDH, FADHA, Founder of Executive RDH, to examine the persistent gap between innovation and adoption in oral healthcare.Drawing from more than 20 years across clinical practice, public health, nonprofit leadership, and corporate innovation, Jessica breaks down why clinicians—especially hygienists—are often underutilized as strategic leaders, and how that misalignment quietly derails progress.We talk candidly about where founders and executives unintentionally create friction, why clinician adoption is so often misunderstood, and what needs to change if innovation is going to scale in meaningful, sustainable ways.In this episode, we explore: • Why adoption—not innovation—is the real bottleneck • How underutilizing clinicians limits strategy and growth • Where leadership structures break down between vision and execution • What’s coming next in prevention, diagnostics, and care delivery • How positioning clinicians as leaders closes the gapThis episode is for leaders, founders, and clinicians who want innovation to actually work—not just look good on paper.Season 5, Episode 7 The Adoption Gap Now streaming.Support the showAlright, podcasters—that’s a wrap on this episode of The Chief Psycho Podcast! If you got something out of today’s convo, do me a favor—share it, tag us, and keep the conversation going. Remember, entrepreneurship isn’t just about the grind—it’s about the growth. Stay bold, stay human, and keep pushing the limits. Catch you next time. Until then—keep it psycho. @thechiefpsychopodcast @thechiefpsycho