Latest Episodes

Ep 87: Alternative Careers in Dentistry: Opportunities Beyond the Operatory

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph®, we’re talking about something I get asked about all the time—career options in dentistry outside of clinical practice.After more than 17 years as a dental hygienist and building my co...

March 06, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 87 • 43:33

Ep 86: Endometriosis Symptoms Every Woman Should Know Plus Tips for Hygiene Students

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with dental hygienist, educator, and entrepreneur Dana Paladino, RDH, to talk about a topic that impacts millions of women yet is still widely misunderstood—endometriosis. Dana shares her pe...

February 27, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 86 • 59:33

Ep 85: Your Best Years Aren’t Behind You In Midlife (Here’s Why)

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Maggie Topham, integrative health coach and passionate advocate for helping women thrive in midlife. Maggie shares her powerful personal journey—from feeling lost, exhausted, and “fluff...

February 13, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 85 • 1:04:00

Ep 84: Sleeping but Still Exhausted? What’s Really Disrupting Your Sleep

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I’m joined by Dr. Meredith Broderick, a neurologist and board-certified sleep and behavioral sleep medicine specialist, to break down what actually matters when it comes to sleep.We tal...

February 06, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 84 • 55:36

Ep 83: Why Screens Are Ruining Our Vision (And What To Do About It)

In this episode of Straight Up With Steph, I sit down with Dr. Bryce Appelbaum, a functional optometrist and founder of MyVisionFirst, to talk about something most of us never learned: the difference between eyesight and vision — and why it mat...

January 30, 2026 • Season 1 • Episode 83 • 59:06

Fan Mail

Hi Steph! I'm listening to episode 35 as I type this text . I've been a hygienist for 10 years & I have so many thoughts & feelings about this topic, but wondering if you have any insight on this : 1. What type of salary would 3rd year dental students or foreign trained dentists get? Same question for OPA's? 2. Do foreign trained dentists or 3rd year dental students or OPA's even want to do hygiene? It's hard enough to find assistants as it is, let alone have assistants or dental students or foreign trained dentists that want to do hygiene, especially at a lower rate ?! 3. Will dental insurance companies cover a cleaning if it is not performed by a RDH? Any insight or opinions on this would be great for discussion 👍 Thank you so much! Sincerely, Kim Levy RDH

Los Angeles, California