Why I Started the Smile Club Podcast – and Why It Matters to You
I’m not a dentist or a doctor. I’m a cofounder of Smile Club and Active Aligners, and I come from an entrepreneurial and business background. But over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working closely with people in dentistry and healthcare. And the more time I spent in this world, the more I realised how much I enjoyed it… the people, the passion, the craft, and the impact.
I also realised something was missing.
The gap I couldn’t unsee
There were clinical events, trade shows, and the occasional business seminar, but they were either too product focused, too surface level, or simply too expensive and time heavy for most people to attend.
What I wanted, and what so many healthcare professionals told me they were craving, was a space to talk. Unscripted. Unjudged. Open. Honest. A place where we could talk about what’s coming, what’s going, and how quickly the world of healthcare is changing. Not just the clinical side of things, but everything around it – the business, the mindset, the life you’re trying to build alongside your work.
The kind of conversations that help you:
- Grow your practice or healthcare career without burning out
- Adapt to new technology and shifting regulations
- Build a life you actually want to live alongside your work
- Hear honest, unfiltered conversations from people in the field
- Learn from real stories, not just textbook advice
Again and again, dentists, doctors, and others in the healthcare space would say to me, “I wish there was more of this kind of conversation out there. I wish this kind of knowledge was easier to access.”
That stuck with me.
The idea takes shape
The more I thought about it, the more it made sense. I’ve always loved connecting with people, asking questions, and hearing their stories. And I knew plenty of people in healthcare who had incredible lessons to share, stories of resilience, innovation, leadership, career insights, passion, and yes, their mistakes as well as their wins.
So I decided to put those conversations somewhere everyone could access them – whether you’re in a small town or a big city, early in your career or decades in.
That was the start of the Smile Club Podcast.
Why the podcast comes with a blog, YouTube channel, and social media snippets
The podcast is at the heart of it all because it’s easy to fit into your life. You can listen while driving, between patients, or on a walk at the end of the day. We publish once or twice a month, so each episode is something you can actually take in and apply before the next one arrives.
The blog is for when you want to read and reflect. It captures the main ideas and quotes in a way you can revisit later.
The YouTube channel is for those moments where seeing the person, their expressions, and their energy brings the story to life in a different way.
The social media snippets are for when you need quick, powerful takeaways, ideas you can absorb in under a minute and share with your team or community.
What you can expect
The Smile Club Podcast is guest led, but I’ll also share my own reflections along the way. Sometimes my role is simply to hold the space for the guest to share their story. Other times, it’s to dig deeper and ask the questions that get us to the real gold.
Some episodes feature leaders running large operations. Others spotlight practitioners who have dedicated their lives to a specialty, or to becoming better versions of themselves for the sake of their patients. In all of them, you’ll hear ideas that make you think differently about your own work.
Why it matters
Healthcare is changing fast. Technology is advancing, patients are more informed, and competition is no longer limited by geography. Time and attention are more valuable than ever.
You don’t have to navigate this alone. There are people in this industry doing incredible things, and they’re willing to share how they do it… if someone is willing to ask.
That’s my job. To ask. To listen. To share.
And hopefully, to help you grow in your healthcare career, in your business, in your thinking, and in your approach to life.
Your invitation
If you’ve ever felt like you’re running hard but not sure you’re heading in the right direction… if you’ve ever wanted to hear how others are tackling the same challenges you face… or if you just want to hear from people who genuinely care about their work……
Then the Smile Club Podcast is for you.
Pull up a chair. Listen when you can. Let’s learn from each other.
🎧 Listen to the Smile Club Podcast by Elton Lau: https://www.youtube.com/@smileclubpodcast
🌍 Website: Smile Club Blog and Articles
📝 Blog Article: Marc Perotti – 30 Years in the dental industry
📱Instagram: Instagram
📲TikTok: TikTok
📊Linkedin: Linkedin
💼 Facebook: Facebook
Your next step in growth
If you are looking to sharpen your skills and earn 8 CPD ethics points at the same time, take a look at the Meta You Course for Healthcare — it is the same approach I use to run Smile Club and host these conversations.