045: The Village Will Rebuild You: Dr. Ellen Saslaw on Divorce, Resilience & Raising Strong Daughters
On this episode of The Story Project, Joanna sits down with Dr. Ellen Saslaw. Dr. Ellen Saslaw has lived a few different lives already. She was the type-A kid from Worthington who wanted to do it all. The Ohio State nursing and Spanish double major who somehow talked her way into an oral surgery rotation. The single mom who moved back to Columbus with a nine-month-old daughter, without much of a plan for what came next. And today, she's the owner of Riverglen Dental, one of the busiest practices in the same hometown where her story started. The conversation starts light, but as they dive into the idea of trading balance for rhythm, they find their way into a much deeper part of Ellen's story: the end of her marriage, the loneliness that followed, and the village that helped her find her footing again. Ellen describes to Joanna what it looks like to model a healthy relationship for her daughters after watching one fall apart, why she runs her team exactly the way she runs her household, and the two pieces of advice she'd give her younger self. This one is for any woman who's ever had to start over, step into the unknown, and trust there's still a beautiful life waiting for them on the other side. What You'll Hear in this Episode The season she felt the most broken in her life, and what "your village will rebuild you" actually looked like in practice. Raising two daughters and what she wants them to see about healthy relationships The two things she'd tell her younger self: listen to your gut, and stop apologizing for taking up space. Guest Information Dr. Ellen Saslaw is the owner of Riverglen Dental Group in Worthington, Ohio, the community she grew up in. She earned her DDS from The Ohio State University College of Dentistry in 2010, after an unconventional path that started with a double major in nursing and Spanish. She built her early career in Cleveland before moving back to Columbus, where she now owns her practice and is raising two daughters. Outside the office, she's usually hiking, working out, reading, or listening to a podcast. How to Connect with Dr. Ellen Saslaw Website: www.riverglendental.com Instagram: @riverglendental Facebook: River Glen Dental TikTok: Dentist Down by the River How to Connect With Joanna Website: https://www.joannascott.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannafscott/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannafscott LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joanna-scott-052a0812/ Resources Mentioned in this Episode Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May -- Welcome to The Story Project—a video-driven podcast spotlighting the voices of high-achieving women in dentistry. These are the educators, innovators, and leading voices shaping the future of the profession. Each episode offers an intimate look at the stories behind their leadership—why they chose dentistry, what drives them forward, and how they're navigating the complex intersection of purpose, business, and personal growth. We celebrate the courage it takes to lead, the challenges they've overcome, and the legacies they're building—not just in their practices, but across the industry. This is a space for fearless , thoughtful conversation with the women redefining what's possible in dentistry. To connect or inquire about being a guest, reach out to @joannafscott or visit www.joannascott.com .






