Death Before Decay

About Death Before Decay

Death Before Decay is a long-form podcast hosted by Dr. Elliot Humiston — a dentist, business owner, creative, and recovering band kid from Sheboygan, Wisconsin. This show is about confidence, craft, entrepreneurship, and building something meaningful — in dentistry, business, and life. Some episodes dive into modern dentistry, aesthetics, leadership, technology, and patient transformation. Others explore community, creativity, identity, mental health, music, business ownership, and the people building interesting things around us. Guests range from dentists and medical professionals to entrepreneurs, artists, business owners, and longtime friends with great stories to tell. The conversations are honest, relaxed, occasionally chaotic, and built around one core idea: Confidence changes people’s lives. Whether that confidence comes from rebuilding a smile, starting a business, creating art, overcoming failure, or simply figuring out who you are — this podcast is about the process of becoming something better without losing yourself along the way. New episodes feature: long-form conversations local and out-of-town guests solo episodes dentistry and aesthetics entrepreneurship and branding stories about failure, growth, and ambition the occasional dark joke or tangent Hosted by Dr. Elliot Humiston and featuring recurring appearances from photographer and marketing creative Jon Erlien.

Publisher

Elliot Humiston

Category

business · health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

6 May 2026

Latest episode

8 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   8 Oct 2026

   Before Everything Was Recorded

   Episode 12 — Brotherhood: Before Everything is Recorded This one is a little different. I sat down with three of my oldest friends — Gavin, Spencer, and Steven — for a conversation that starts with the kind of stories you probably shouldn’t still remember this clearly and somehow ends up being about friendship, growing up, and what it takes to stay connected as your lives become completely different. We grew up together in a time before every stupid thing we did was photographed, posted, archived, and searchable forever. We played in bands, made questionable decisions, gave each other endless shit, and eventually became husbands, fathers, professionals, and very different versions of the kids we used to be. We talk about the stories that somehow survived 30 years, how friendships change when adulthood gets complicated, why staying close actually takes effort, raising kids in a completely different world than the one we grew up in, and what “brotherhood” means when the nostalgia wears off. There is absolutely some immaturity in this episode. There’s also a surprising amount of heart. Death Before Decay — Episode 12: Brotherhood. Explicit language.

2. 

   24 Sept 2026

   Design the Life You Want

   Episode 11 — Design the Life You Want What does it actually look like to design your life on purpose—and what happens when you reach the end of the plan you made for yourself? Corey has spent years building businesses, coaching dental teams, studying communication, and helping leaders create healthier cultures. She also had a very specific goal for her own life: build intentionally, sell her business, and step away at 50. Then she actually did it. We talk about the identity shift that comes with leaving something you built, why even a successful transition can be psychologically difficult, and why taking a step back doesn’t mean you’ve stopped growing. The conversation also gets into personality assessments, DISC, relationships, communication, leadership, conflict, and team culture. Corey shares the personal story that first pulled her into personality assessments—and why she believes they should be used to understand people, not label them. At the center of the episode is a simple idea: you only get one life, so be deliberate about how you build it. Death Before Decay — Episode 11: Design the Life You Want. Explicit language.

3. 

   10 Sept 2026

   People Before Property

   Episode 10 of Death Before Decay is live. This week I sat down with Michelle Hayward of Hearthstone Realty Group. Michelle’s career is technically real estate—but this conversation ended up being a lot more about people than property. We talked about building trust, making decisions, mentoring a team, betting on yourself, learning to delegate, and why the relationships you build along the way matter more than any single transaction. We also get into old houses, ridiculous HGTV expectations, community, social media, and what happens when your career becomes less of a job and more of a lifestyle. 🎧 Full episode is live now on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and wherever you get your podcasts. #DeathBeforeDecay #Podcast #RealEstate #Entrepreneurship #Leadership #Mentorship #Community #Sheboygan

4. 

   27 Aug 2026

   Own Your Glow

   Episode 9 — Own Your Glow Featuring Mindy Kue What does it look like to stop living inside the version of yourself you think other people expect? Mindy Kue, founder of Blooming Minds Psychotherapy, joins Death Before Decay for a conversation about confidence, identity, mental health, self-expression, and learning to become comfortable in your own skin. Mindy shares how therapy, entrepreneurship, EDM culture, cosmetic procedures, and a willingness to challenge old expectations helped her become a very different person from the woman she was ten years ago. We also talk about internal versus external processing, the connection between confidence and happiness, the stigma around therapy, healthy vanity, investing in yourself, and why authenticity can sometimes be one of the most important forms of personal growth. It’s a conversation about becoming who you actually are instead of who you think you’re supposed to be. Episode 9 of Death Before Decay: Own Your Glow — featuring Mindy Kue.

5. 

   13 Aug 2026

   You'll be Great by Force

   Episode 8 — You’ll Be Great by Force Dr. Justina Anigbo joins Death Before Decay for a conversation about identity, confidence, resilience, leadership, and what it means to become the person you were always capable of becoming. From navigating dental school and leadership to pushing through moments when others tried to limit her path, Justina brings an honest, funny, and deeply personal perspective on where confidence comes from—and what it costs to keep moving forward. We also talk about family expectations, culture, mentorship, representation, and the mindset behind one of the best lines of the season: “Either you’ll be great and you’ll enjoy it, or you’ll be great by force.” This is one of those conversations that starts in dentistry and quickly becomes about something much bigg

6. 

   30 Jul 2026

   What If I Fail?

   Episode 7: What If I Fail? Failure isn't the opposite of success—it's part of the process. In this episode of Death Before Decay, Dr. Elliot Humiston and Jon Erlien tackle one of the biggest questions that keeps people from chasing their goals: "What if I fail?" Drawing from their own experiences in business, leadership, dentistry, photography, and life, they share the lessons they've learned from hiring mistakes, difficult conversations, career setbacks, competitive sports, and the failures that ultimately made them better leaders. The conversation explores why failure should sting—but never stop you—and why taking ownership, learning quickly, and moving forward are the traits that separate successful people from everyone else. Whether you're starting a business, leading a team, pursuing a new career, or simply trying to become a better version of yourself, this episode is a reminder that growth only happens when you're willing to risk falling short. In this episode: Why failure is a requirement for growth The difference between healthy ambition and obsession Leadership lessons learned the hard way Owning your mistakes without making excuses Building resilience through setbacks Defining success on your own terms Why no one is coming to save you—and why that's empowering If you've ever wondered whether you're ready to take the next step, this conversation might convince you that the biggest risk isn't failing—it's never trying.

7. 

   16 Jul 2026

   My Brain Was Never Broken

   Episode 6 – My Brain Was Never Broken ADHD is one of those topics that's often oversimplified. It's either portrayed as a superpower or as something that holds people back. In reality, it's a lot more complicated than that. In this episode, Jon and I have an honest conversation about my experience growing up with ADHD, the challenges that came with it, and how I've learned to work with my brain instead of constantly fighting against it. We talk about school, dentistry, entrepreneurship, creativity, medication, hyperfocus, and the lessons I've learned along the way. This isn't a medical discussion or an attempt to give advice. It's simply a conversation about understanding yourself, embracing the way you're wired, and realizing that being different doesn't mean you're broken. Whether you have ADHD yourself, know someone who does, or have ever felt like your brain just works a little differently than everyone else's, I hope you'll find something in this conversation that resonates.

8. 

   2 Jul 2026

   The Things That Made Us: Growing Older Without Growing Old

   In this episode of Death Before Decay, Dr. Elliot Humiston sits down with entrepreneur, community builder, and longtime friend Andrew Jakus for a conversation about identity, creativity, community, and the experiences that shape who we become. From skateboarding, music, and local culture to business ownership, parenthood, and personal growth, Elliot and Andrew reflect on the people, places, and passions that continue to influence them long after growing up. At its core, this episode explores a question many people face as they get older: How do you continue to evolve without losing the parts of yourself that made you who you are? Topics include: Growing up in skateboarding and alternative culture The importance of community and belonging Entrepreneurship and building something meaningful Creativity as an adult Preserving identity while embracing growth Mentorship and influence The value of staying connected to your roots What it means to grow older without growing old Whether you're a business owner, creative, parent, or simply someone trying to navigate life's next chapter, this episode is a reminder that success doesn't require abandoning the things that made you who you are. Episode 5: The Things That Made Us: Growing Older Without Growing Old

9. 

   18 Jun 2026

   The Way We See Ourselves

   In this episode of Death Before Decay, Dr. Elliot Humiston sits down with KJ from NuArt Dental Lab for a conversation that goes far beyond dentistry. Together they explore the relationship between confidence, appearance, identity, and self-improvement. What starts as a discussion about smile design and modern dental technology quickly becomes a broader conversation about why people care about aesthetics in the first place and how confidence can influence every aspect of life. Topics include: The psychology of confidence Smile design and modern dentistry The role of aesthetics in self-image Personal branding and perception Social media's influence on appearance Art, technology, and creativity in healthcare Why self-improvement is often misunderstood Whether you're interested in dentistry, business, personal growth, or simply understanding why confidence matters, this episode offers a thoughtful look at the intersection of appearance, identity, and human connection. Episode 4: The Way We See Ourselves

10. 

    4 Jun 2026

    You Can't Fake Authenticity/ Caring for the Brand

    In this episode of Death Before Decay, Jon Erlien and I sit down to talk about branding, identity, marketing, confidence, and what it actually means to build something authentic. We get into: growing a business without losing yourself how branding is more than logos and colors social media, confidence, and perception balancing professionalism with individuality why authenticity matters more than trying to please everyone the evolution of Taylor Drive Dental Care and Taylor Drive Facial Aesthetics This episode is less about “marketing strategies” and more about the psychology behind why people connect with certain brands, businesses, and personalities in the first place. A real conversation about growth, creativity, and building something meaningful. #DeathBeforeDecay #Podcast #Branding #Marketing #Leadership #Dentistry #Entrepreneurship #Confidence

11. 

    21 May 2026

    You Still Have to Earn It

    Most people think orthodontics is just about straight teeth. But Ethan and I ended up talking a lot more about: confidence pressure legacy earning trust patient experience and what it means to build your own identity inside a profession We also got into skiing, competition, growing up around high expectations, and how much modern dentistry is changing. Episode 2 of Death Before Decay with Dr. Ethan Just drops Thursday. 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

12. 

    6 May 2026

    The Long Way Around

    First episode is live. In this episode, Jon and I talk about where this whole thing came from — growing up in Sheboygan, music, gaming, failing classes, starting dental school at 27, building confidence, and why I wanted to finally start this podcast. This isn’t a polished interview show. It’s just real conversation about identity, ambition, dentistry, creativity, and trying to build something meaningful without completely losing your mind in the process. If you’ve ever felt behind, underestimated, burned out, or stuck between who you were and who you’re trying to become, this episode is probably for you.

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

4 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

1 ratings

Contact Death Before Decay

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.