Brain fog, exhaustion and the pressure to carry on as normal. For women experiencing perimenopause and menopause, working in a busy dental practice can bring challenges that colleagues may never see.

In this week's episode of Two Reds Are Better Than One, Chris and Ashley are joined by two guests for an honest conversation about menopause, its impact on working life and what dental teams can do to offer better support.

Eve Waters, Practice Manager at Newcastle Advanced Dentistry, reached out to suggest the topic and bravely offered to share her own experience. We also invited Poppy Dunton, certified Menopause Coach and founder of Hormones and Handpieces, to bring her insight and practical advice to the discussion.

It took both Chris and Ashley outside their comfort zones - and resulted in one of our most inspiring episodes yet.

In this episode, we discussed:

• The challenges we don't always see: How perimenopause and menopause can affect confidence, concentration and day-to-day working life, and why women may feel uncomfortable asking for help.

• Creating a culture of support: Why open conversations and compassionate leadership matter, alongside practical adjustments such as flexible responsibilities and an agreed "safe word" when someone needs a break.

• Keeping experienced people in your team: How greater understanding and support can help valued colleagues continue to feel confident and fulfilled in their careers. Poppy shared the story of a UK business that lost a court case and was ordered to pay £64,000 in compensation.

• Getting the right guidance: How Poppy's consultancy, Hormones and Handpieces, offers tailored training and resources to help dental teams better understand menopause and support their colleagues.

And much more.

Whether you're experiencing symptoms yourself, supporting a colleague or leading a practice, this is a conversation for everyone who wants to create a more understanding, supportive and thriving workplace.

Listen to this week's episode and help get the conversation started in your practice.

What does it take to open a dental practice from scratch, attract your first patients and keep going when life gets difficult?

In this episode of Two Reds Are Better Than One, Chris Barrow and Ashley Latter welcome Rupchhen Tamang, co-founder of Mapperley Dental Studio in Nottingham, for an honest conversation about ambition, resilience and building a business on your own terms.

Born in Nepal, Rupchhen moved to the UK aged ten. His father's military career initially pointed him towards the army, but a series of decisions about further education led him to dentistry at Sheffield. What began as an unexpected career choice became the perfect combination of practical work and working with people.

Alongside his wife and business partner, Nitu, he pursued the dream of opening a squat practice. After years spent searching for suitable premises, they opened in March 2025 with one surgery and a commitment to creating something of their own.

Eighteen months later, the practice has around 500 registered patients. Rupchhen explains why splitting his week between an associate position and the new business was holding him back, and what changed when he committed to the practice full time.

The conversation explores the practical reality of attracting patients without bringing across a list from a previous practice. Social media, Google reviews, word of mouth, a bus advertisement and even a wedding fair have all featured. The approach is refreshingly straightforward: try things, learn from the results and do more of what works.

There is also a valuable discussion about pricing. Having experimented with half-price examinations, Rupchhen realised that filling the diary was not the same as attracting patients who valued the practice. He explains why he stepped away from introductory discounts and chose a slower, more deliberate route to growth.

At the heart of that decision are two priorities: trust and comfort. Patients may not understand the technical details of dentistry, but they know whether somebody has listened, explained their options and allowed them to make decisions without pressure.

In a personal part of the interview, Rupchhen reflects on a serious challenge he and Nitu faced during the build. Without sharing private medical details, he explains how their partnership helped them through and changed his perspective on business difficulties.

Looking ahead, the ambition is a fully functioning three-surgery practice, beginning with hygiene recruitment and, later, an associate. His advice to aspiring owners is clear: make sure you genuinely want the responsibility, prepare for sustained hard work, and establish systems and organisation early.

Along the way, Ashley shares news from his American speaking trip, Chris reflects on joining The Campbell Academy, and the usual Manchester United frustrations provide a familiar backdrop.

Then comes a late revelation involving a Liverpool mug, which threatens to undo all of Ashley's compliments!

An encouraging listen for prospective practice owners and anyone building a business where the patient experience matters as much as growth. This is a story about commitment, partnership and the determination to create the practice you want to run.

Listen via the player below or your favourite podcast streaming service.

A few years ago, on reaching the milestone age of 50, Harry Singh found himself at a turning point. A casual remark from his wife about his physique sparked a transformation that would go on to affect far more than just his fitness.

Once known for late nights at the bar and eating junk food, Harry committed to a much more disciplined way of living. He transformed his diet, prioritised his health and made eight hours of sleep each night non-negotiable. The results have gone far beyond the physical, significantly improving his performance at work as well as his income.

Remarkably, Harry maintains this lifestyle while managing a demanding career teaching dentists Facial Aesthetics and Property Investment.

If you want to improve your health, eat better or simply find a way to stay fit alongside a hectic schedule, this episode is packed with practical ideas and inspiration.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• How Harry fits two gym sessions into his daily routine despite a busy schedule.

• The positive influence his lifestyle has had on his children and the changes he has seen in them.

• His unique "3-2-1 formula" for bedtime and how it helps him consistently achieve eight hours of quality sleep.

• The impact his disciplined lifestyle has had on his professional performance and annual income.

• An insight into his diet, including meal sequencing and the supplements he uses to support his healthy lifestyle.

• Why strict discipline plays such an important role in Harry's life.

And much more.

Listen via your favourite podcast streaming service or the player below.