The Power of Community in Our Hardest Moments

Hi friends,

I wasn’t planning to write this email.

I wasn’t planning to record the most personal, vulnerable podcast of my life.

I certainly wasn’t planning for the love of my life—my husband, Brian—to be diagnosed with oral cancer.

But life has a way of pulling the rug out from under you when you least expect it. And when it does, you learn who you really are. You learn who’s walking beside you. And if you’re lucky, like I’ve been… you learn just how powerful community can be.

A few weeks ago, I looked inside Brian’s mouth and my gut told me something wasn’t right. I’ve done a thousand oral cancer screenings. But when it’s your person, when it’s your world… it hits differently.

I knew I couldn’t ignore it.

After navigating countless referrals, scans, and biopsies—we found ourselves holding our breath as Brian underwent a six-hour operation for oral squamous cell carcinoma. And six days post-op, he sat beside me, and we shared the full story in a podcast episode.

It wasn’t easy to record.

But it felt necessary.

Because this isn’t just a story about cancer. It’s a story about love. About faith. About trusting your instincts. About showing up for the people you love—and having them show up for you.

It’s also a story about you.

The outpouring of love, messages, DMs, emails, prayers, and kind words we’ve received from this community has absolutely blown us away.

In a moment where I felt scared, exhausted, and pulled in a million directions—you reminded me that I’m not alone. You surrounded us with so much love that I could feel it holding us up.

Whether you’re a longtime listener of the podcast, a member of The Making of a Dental Startup, or a fellow dentist who has followed my journey since the first Facebook Live in 2017… please know this:

You have made a difference in our lives.

In this week’s episode, Brian and I talk about:

• The moment I knew something was wrong

• What it feels like to switch roles from provider to caregiver

• The power of early detection (please never skip an oral cancer screening)

• And most importantly… the role of community in getting through hard things

🎧 Click here to listen to the episode

We’re not out of the woods yet.

But we’re hopeful. And we’re stronger—because we know we’re not walking this path alone.

To everyone who has messaged, prayed, checked in, or simply held space for us… thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you.

Your love, your energy, your prayers—they’ve carried us.

This community has always been special. But I never could have imagined just how much I would lean on you, or how deeply I would feel your presence in this season of uncertainty.

Whatever you're going through right now—whether it’s visible to the world or buried quietly beneath the surface—please know this:

You’re not alone.

Community is everything. And when you lead with heart, you attract people who will show up for you, exactly when you need it most.

With endless gratitude and love,

Ashley Joves, DDS

P.S. If you’re a dentist or healthcare provider, I beg you: Don’t skip the oral cancer screenings. Trust your gut. And love your people hard.