“We have an epidemic of comfort.” – Dr. Eric Recker
Brief Overview of the Episode
Regan Robertson, Dr. Chad Johnson, and Dr. Maggie Augustyn sit down with Dr. Eric Recker to unpack practical ways to push back against burnout in real time. From defining what you’re actually chasing to using two-minute resets between patients, you’ll learn how to take control of your attention, your breath, and your pace so the day stops running you. Dr. Recker also demonstrates box breathing on-air and shares simple anchoring phrases that keep your head from spinning when the pressure spikes.
What This Episode Reveals
• Why “comfort creep” makes stress hit harder and how to build resilience with intention
• How micro resets beat marathon escapes, especially for busy practice owners
• The power of naming “there” so you stop running without a finish line
• A two-minute box breathing routine that reliably lowers the temperature fast
What You’ll Learn
• A five-level reset ladder: weekend, day, half-day, two hours, two minutes
• Box breathing made simple: inhale 4, hold 4, exhale 4, hold 4
• How to switch from running away to running toward by setting intention
• A recentering phrase you can use anywhere: “I am here, right here, right now.”
• How interval thinking at work prevents all-out sprints from turning into crashes
If This Sounds Familiar
• Your pulse spikes with every schedule hiccup
• You “relax” by doom-scrolling between patients
• Vacations feel like pressure cookers, not recovery
• You keep adding more so you’ll finally feel “enough”
Next Steps
1. Try box breathing before your next patient for two minutes
2. Write your recentering phrase on a sticky note at your workstation
3. Define “there” in one sentence and filter today’s to-dos through it
4. Share this episode with a colleague who needs a doable reset
Start Your Calibration Today
For less than the cost of one crown a month, your team can access the full CCI platform: on-demand training, live masterminds, and a supportive online community dedicated to helping dental teams thrive. Download our free guide: 5 Hidden Signs That Kill Case Acceptance to uncover where misalignment is costing your practice. Or take the first step today and enroll your team in Clinical Calibration Institute. Because when your team is aligned, case acceptance grows, stress drops, everyone feels safe, and every patient gets the level of care you know they deserve.
Micro Moves That Beat Burnout (E.307)