Unfiltered Vet Discussions

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel dives into the very real impact of “little” behaviors—microaggressions, gossip, and passive-aggressive comments—on veterinary teams and clinic culture. They walk through a real-world situation where venting about coworkers spiraled into a bad mood and a toxic atmosphere, and unpack why so many people are unaware that they’re “being a dick” in the first place. The conversation explores how negativity becomes a default connection style, from childhood dynamics to media messaging, and why high-functioning practices often fixate on “ant hills” once the big fires are out. The panel shares practical tools like gratitude journaling, shout-outs, and “three good things” exercises to retrain our brains toward positivity, strengthen psychological safety, and build healthier ways to connect. They wrap with a simple challenge for everyone in vet med: practice awareness, choose kindness, and remember—it’s never too late to stop being a dick.

In “Managing Business Expenses,” the Unfiltered Vet Discussions panel digs into what it really takes to run a veterinary hospital like a business, not a hobby. David breaks down why cost of goods sold and inventory management are still the “number one financial disease,” while Peter challenges owners to stop running blind and start measuring key metrics like the 20/20/20 rule (staff, doctors, COGS). Jenny and Beth share real–world stories, from “inventory maracas” bottle–shaking to mixed–animal inventory chaos, and explain why profit isn’t a dirty word—it’s what allows teams to be paid fairly and patients to receive better care. Together, they walk through practical first steps: tracking COGS over time, bringing in a veterinary CPA, trusting and empowering practice managers, sharing financial context with the team, and resisting the urge to cut marketing even in a veterinary “recession.”

Beth and David close out the year with a practical, numbers-forward conversation on what veterinary practices should review at year-end and carry into 2026. They break down a simple “effective doctor compensation” check (W-2 vs. production) to validate pay math, spot inequities, and reduce associate turnover risk. They also highlight how routine, short 1:1 check-ins can uncover issues early and strengthen culture—especially when production starts trending down for reasons no one sees on the surface.Next, David introduces a Practice Price Index (PPI): a quick spreadsheet method using ~50 internal supply items to quantify cost creep and guide fee updates over time (without putting the burden solely on the owner). They wrap with a challenge for 2026: use your practice management software for inventory—even if you start small with flea/tick/heartworm—plus a reminder that vendor and lab agreements are negotiable. Overall, the episode is a clear roadmap for protecting margins, supporting teams, and building a more stable practice year-over-year.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel digs into what it really means to “not pour from an empty cup,” especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. They unpack how extra clinic demands, family expectations, financial pressure, and comparison on social media quietly drain energy—and why many people don’t realize how empty their cup is until they hit a wall.The conversation explores practical, real-life ways veterinary professionals refill their cups: from Legos, video games, disc golf, yard work, and “stabbing art” (needle felting) to baking, painting nights, and fully immersive hobbies that demand your complete focus. They connect it back to HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) as a simple self-check, and challenge listeners to look honestly at how much time they spend doomscrolling versus doing things that actually restore them.The panel also talks about “knowing yourself” well enough to choose what truly recharges you—whether that’s solitude and quiet or social, active, creative time—and how scheduling small, regular moments of self-care prevents your cup from ever getting completely empty. They close by reminding listeners that prioritizing joy, boundaries, and gratitude isn’t selfish; it’s what allows you to keep showing up for your patients, your team, and the people you love.

This heartfelt episode explores what gratitude looks like in veterinary medicine — from appreciating clients and teammates to honoring the passion that keeps the profession moving forward. The panel reflects on how the field has evolved, highlighting the growing focus on mental health, community support, and shared learning. They discuss the impact of mentorship, the importance of not feeling alone in practice, and how simple acts of appreciation — whether holiday treats, kind words, or supportive conversations — can reignite purpose. The team closes with an invitation for listeners to pause, acknowledge three things they’re grateful for today, and share them with someone else.

This episode dives into addiction—whether it’s alcohol, substances, work, or emotional avoidance. The panel shares real stories of trauma, shame, and recovery, especially within veterinary medicine. They emphasize that hard conversations matter and that support can be offered without judgment. Key resources to help professionals in the veterinary field include:Veterinary Hope Foundation (https://veterinaryhope.org) Inspire by FVMA (https://fvma.org/inspire/) Not One More Vet (https://nomv.org)VIN Foundation (https://vinfoundation.org/resources/)

Opportunity During a Slow Time,” Kelly, Beth, Jenni, and David unpack why many clinics see a late-year slowdown and how to use it to your advantage. They compare market chatter across the U.S., then share tactics that keep schedules healthy: forecasting seasonal patterns, opening limited, referral-based new-client windows, running lookalike ads, and offering gift certificates to pull demand into Q1. David underscores profitability and an emergency fund so clinics can weather dips. The team urges using downtime to improve onboarding, team utilization, and workflow. They highlight community-driven visibility—chambers, service clubs, rescue partnerships, free vaccine clinics, and even CPR/AED trainings or senior-community nail-trim days—to build trust and future business. Listeners are invited to share topics and connect at VMX.

In “The Next Most Important Thing,” Kelly, Beth, and Peter dig into real-world prioritization for veterinarians and small business owners. Beth shares her father’s mantra—“do the next most important thing”—and how it guided her through start-up overwhelm. The trio connects this to triage thinking, resisting “shiny object” distractions, and the “Eat That Frog” idea of tackling the hard task first. They discuss proactive planning for seasonal slowdowns, delegating effectively (the #1 small-business success skill), and separating roles: working on the business vs. in the business (W.O.N.J.I.). Beth and Kelly unpack time blocking, weekly Top-3 alignment with managers, and measuring where leadership vs. clinical time delivers the most return. Practical takeaways: rank tasks by impact, delegate outcomes (not just chores), and commit to one role at a time.

The hosts unpack the line between appreciation and entitlement in vet med, using real stories from Vet Tech Appreciation Week. They discuss why year-round recognition, livable wages, and clear communication about benefits/finances matter more than one-off gifts. The team shares practical tactics—breakdown sheets of total comp, simple cost pie charts, and transparent goals—to build trust and reduce “this is all we get?” moments. They also emphasize modeling gratitude, supporting staff during emergencies without hesitation, and inviting direct dialogue over break-room complaints. The result: a culture where appreciation lands, entitlement fades, and teams feel valued.

From runaway dachshunds to heart-dogs and chaos crews, the team swaps real-life tales that range from hilarious to heartbreaking. Jenni shares sprinting through the woods after a mischievous mini dachshund (and her rescue backstory). Kelly opens up about navigating allergies, behavior, and healing with her doodle, Noah. You’ll also hear about a Yorkie PDA surgery who chose “dad,” Harley the fence-climbing clinic legend, a blind-but-bold Dalmatian named Fiona, and a senior lab (“Honey Bunny Boo Boo Bear”) who taught everyone about love and letting go. It’s messy, honest, and very dog.

As the year winds down, the team reflects on what it really means to take care of yourself, personally and professionally. From scheduling time off and setting healthy boundaries to finding small daily resets, they explore how prioritizing your well-being benefits not only you but also your team and those who rely on you. This conversation reminds listeners that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s leadership.

This episode dives into “recruiting war room” stories that highlight some of the most surprising—and sometimes shocking—interview moments. From alarm clocks going off mid-interview to gold suits, pizza deliveries, and even presumptive “first-day” staff meetings, these tales reveal how professionalism and preparation can make or break opportunities. The conversation also explores client-side missteps, like dark clinics, missed interviews, and questionable lodging arrangements. The big takeaway: etiquette, honesty, and cultural fit are essential for success in the hiring process.

Kelly, Peter, and Beth unpack how “success” in a veterinary practice can look very different depending on whether you’re going by feelings or facts. They dig into staffing perceptions (feeling understaffed on an overstaffed day), why data should be a roadmap—not a hammer—and how open-book metrics (payroll, COGS, doctor/staff salary) build ownership thinking. The team connects steady marketing to a healthy “heartbeat,” warns against turning it off when things look good, and stresses aligning online promises with in-clinic experiences. They also touch psychological safety (job-security fears), using slow days for training/ops, and a simple daily “green/yellow/red” pulse check to balance team well-being with KPIs. Bottom line: measure what matters, manage the narrative, and keep momentum consistent.

The panel unpacks a real-world ER case that blew up online: a client found goofy selfies on her phone after a euthanasia and assumed staff were mocking her grief. Using Phil’s “MRI—Most Reasonable Intent” lens, they explore how small judgment errors can look catastrophic in the wrong context, why social media pile-ons escalate harm, and how to respond with compassion without assuming total blame. They share practical approaches—owning your part, direct heartfelt apologies, pausing the firestorm, leaning on core values and protocols, avoiding undertrained “warm body” assignments, and, when needed, bringing in PR help. At the core: people want to feel heard and to know they matter. Clear, honest communication defuses most situations; for the rest, empathy and measured accountability guide the way.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel dives into the theme of adapting to change. They share personal stories of helping kids move to college and start high school, reflecting on the role of self-awareness in navigating transitions. The conversation extends into the veterinary world, asking how many clinics truly approach onboarding with self-awareness in mind. From guiding new employees to mentoring recent graduates, the panel highlights where practices succeed—and where they fall short—when it comes to change, growth, and support.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, Beth Mehaffey of Pennridge Animal Hospital shares how her team created a grief support program for clients facing pet loss. With decades of combined experience in veterinary care, they discuss the profound emotional impact of losing a pet, often felt more deeply than losing a family member. The program aims to provide continuous support for both clients and veterinary staff, addressing the daily reality of grief in practice. From working with geriatric patients to guiding families through their most difficult moments, the conversation highlights the importance of recognizing the unique human–animal bond and integrating emotional care into veterinary services.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel explores the changing culture of reading across generations. From the average American spending only 19 minutes a day with books to the rise of audiobooks and digital reading, the conversation highlights both personal habits and broader societal shifts. The panel shares their own reading journeys, from juggling multiple books at once to losing time for reading during busy family years. They discuss the impact of technology on attention, the “leaders are readers” philosophy, and the importance of fostering early reading with children. The episode also spotlights veterinary-focused book clubs and professional reading recommendations, encouraging listeners to rediscover the value of books in personal and professional growth.

In this episode, Peter and the panel break down takeaways from the 2025 ABMA convention, where fresh energy from young professionals met 57 hours of sessions focused on veterinary business strategy. Together, they explore how economic unpredictability is impacting client spending and forcing practices to evolve beyond one-size-fits-all care. The panel discusses the need for revitalized marketing approaches, the rise of urgent care models, and the importance of using demographic insights to tailor service offerings. They also call out critical operational gaps—like the 50% of receptionists who don’t ask for appointments—and share how daily cash-based staff incentives and stronger digital systems can improve client conversion and education. From pre-visit emails to improved websites for better recruiting, the episode emphasizes one central theme: adapting with strategy is key to staying competitive in today’s veterinary landscape.

In this episode, Peter welcomes back Marnette Falley, former editor of Veterinary Economics, who returns to the veterinary space after a six-year sabbatical. Marnette shares insights from her work as a leadership coach and facilitator, emphasizing the power of inquiry over advice, and the difference between coaching and mentoring. She discusses her shift in leadership philosophy, the importance of play in professional environments, and how creativity and co-creation foster deeper engagement. Through coaching, she encourages a move away from directive management styles toward more collaborative, empowering approaches. Her journey highlights how meaningful change often comes from fresh perspective—even if the core challenges remain familiar.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, titled "How Do I Want to Live Today?", hosts Kelly, Jenni, and Peter dive into the idea of discovering and defining one’s personal purpose. Jenni shares her experience from a leadership course that prompted her to reflect deeply on why she continues working in veterinary practice management, ultimately realizing her purpose is to serve and empower others. Peter reflects on how his purpose evolved from professional service to a broader mission of helping others through education and philanthropy. Kelly introduces her personal framework of intentionally choosing how to live each day, based on internal balance and mindful choices. Together, they emphasize the importance—and challenge—of carving out time for self-reflection in a profession that often prioritizes external demands.