“You can create your own reality if you want it… you just have to reset your priorities to understand what’s authentic to you.”
In this moving and deeply real episode, host Cassie Kellner reconnects with longtime friend and former colleague R. Baker Rawlins II, DMD, MS, for a conversation that spans more than a decade of growth, trust, and transformation. From their early days working side by side in a small, outdated practice to the health scare that reshaped Baker’s entire perspective, this episode reveals what leadership really looks like behind the scenes.
Cassie and Baker share stories from their three years working together — the laughs, the mistakes, the renovation dust, the blueprint sessions in the basement, and the shared belief that a practice can become something extraordinary when the right people trust each other. They explore the emotional realities of ownership, the weight leaders silently carry, and the moment Baker thought he might lose the ability to practice altogether.
What began as a professional chapter became a lifelong friendship, and what started as burnout turned into clarity, gratitude, and a new foundation for life and leadership. This episode is filled with heart, humility, and hard-won wisdom for every orthodontic leader building something meaningful while trying to stay grounded in what matters most.
We talk about:→ Building a practice on trust, shared vision, and strong team culture→ How a sudden health scare reshaped Baker’s leadership and priorities→ The emotional weight of ownership — and how to carry it with integrity→ Why gratitude and presence create sustainable growth→ The ripple effect of authentic relationships in life and practice
Sponsor Spotlight: The Ortho SocietyThis episode is sponsored by The Ortho Society, an intimate, in-person meeting in San Diego on May 15–16. Cassie will co-host alongside practice management expert Lindsay Quinn, guiding attendees through building Asana workflows, AI systems, CEO dashboards, and team growth pathways. Day one focuses on learning and systems; day two is dedicated to hands-on implementation with peers. Spots are limited — apply at DiscoverEverbloom.com.
About Dr. Baker RawlinsR. Baker Rawlins II, DMD, MS, is the owner of Rawlins Orthodontics and a people-first leader shaped by his small-town upbringing in Unionville and Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. A graduate of Penn State, the University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine, and Columbia University’s orthodontic residency, Baker has been practicing for nearly 15 years and leads with warmth, connection, and a deep commitment to patient confidence. He lives in Delaware with his wife, Renee, and their two sons, who continue to inspire his approach to gratitude, balance, and meaningful leadership.
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Episode Links & ResourcesConnect with Dr. Baker RawlinsVisit Rawlins OrthodonticsFollow on InstagramFollow on TikTokConnect on FacebookFind the practice on LinkedIn
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Episode Chapters00:00 Welcome + sponsor message01:15 Cassie and Baker’s origin story05:30 The interview that changed everything10:30 Rebuilding a practice from the ground up14:10 Trust, teamwork + the decade-long ripple effect17:50 The health scare that shifted everything25:20 Gratitude, presence + renewing priorities33:40 Leadership lessons from resilience42:30 Fatherhood, balance + being truly present50:10 Final reflections + heartfelt closing
Topics we explore in this episode include:orthodontic leadership, resilience, practice culture, personal growth, trust in teams, burnout recovery, gratitude in leadership, emotional wellbeing, work-life integration, ownership lessons

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