Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Dr. Jennifer Bruns, Senior Director of Veterinary Relationships at PetSmart Veterinary Services, to explore the many paths a veterinary career can take. Dr. Bruns shares her journey from cleaning kennels and chasing E. coli and salmonella as an epidemiologist to mentoring independent owners inside PetSmart locations. Together, they dive into strategic thinking, financial literacy, and the people skil...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Baxtr founder Mark Hines to talk about how subscription-based wellness plans can transform access to care, client loyalty, and practice revenue. Mark shares his unconventional journey from audio geek and home theater entrepreneur to building simple, powerful membership tools for dental and veterinary practices. They dig into why practices tend to overcomplicate wellness plans, how Baxtr removes...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Dr. Bob Murtaugh—founding dean of Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine, boarded internist and criticalist, and long-time leader in both academia and corporate practice. Dr. Murtaugh shares how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities—from running a teaching hospital in his 20s to helping scale a hospital group from 15 to 350 locations—shaped his career and impact on vet med. They div...
Send us a text The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast welcomes Dr. Brent Mayabb, Global Chief Medical Officer at Royal Canin, for a candid conversation on purpose, communication, and leading across cultures. Brent shares how transparency and psychological safety help teams navigate hard cases, rising client expectations, and burnout risk. He offers a hopeful outlook for a new wave of private practice ownership and the leadership habits that make it work. Listen for practical takeaways and resource...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, hosts Tom Seeko and guest Eric Benke dive into the financial side of veterinary practice ownership, focusing on the power of key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive profitability and growth. They explore metrics like client retention, revenue per DVM, and net profit margin—explaining how tracking the right numbers can reveal hidden gaps, improve compliance, and guide smarter business decisions. Eric also shares how implem...
Send us a text Should you pay off debt faster or focus on saving money? It’s one of the most common—and confusing—financial questions veterinarians face. In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack the trade-offs, emotions, and math behind debt repayment versus saving, sharing simple frameworks that help you find balance instead of burnout. Learn how to create financial freedom within your money habits, so you can build wealth while still sleeping at night. Smarter Vet Podcast-https://flveterinaryadvi...
Send us a text Have you ever paid less for something and later realized it cost you more in time, stress, or mistakes? In this episode, Tom and CJ break down one of the most confusing money concepts—value versus price—and how it shows up in everything from investing to client care. They share real-life examples that help veterinarians think beyond “what does it cost?” and start asking “what is it worth?” Learn how reframing your decisions around value can lead to better outcomes for your prac...
Send us a text Many veterinarians switch advisors for reasons that have nothing to do with performance—and everything to do with communication, clarity, and trust. In this episode, CJ and Tom unpack the most common breakpoints: “I never hear from them,” unclear fees and value, chasing returns without a real plan, and relationships that simply outgrow the advisor. They explain how to set expectations, what a true plan looks like beyond investments, and why simple, repeatable decisions compound...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with Dr. Molly McAllister, Global Chief Medical Officer at Mars Veterinary Health, for a candid conversation about growing as a leader, keeping your energy high, and making an impact that reaches far beyond individual appointments. Molly shares her non-linear path from equine and small-animal practice to executive leadership, why veterinarians are uniquely equipped to lead, and how simple habits (and clea...
Send us a text Talking about money in VetMed shouldn’t feel taboo—but it often does. In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack why money talk triggers identity, emotion, and power dynamics for veterinarians, and how culture (and student loans) can make it worse. You’ll hear practical ways to build confidence—like tracking net worth yearly, setting values-based goals, and creating a guilt-free zone for financial conversations. If you’re ready to replace shame with clarity, this one’s for you. Smarter...
Send us a text Your 60s are the crucial handoff from a paycheck to a “balance-sheet paycheck.” In this episode, Tom and CJ break down five common challenges veterinarians face in that decade: mindset shift, debt decisions (including mortgages), retirement income confidence, healthcare/Medicare gaps, and estate/legacy readiness. You’ll hear practical ways to align savings, risk, and taxes so your lifestyle doesn’t have to shrink after you stop practicing. If this helped you, share it with a co...
Send us a text Feeling the shift as you move through your 50s? In this candid episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett explore the decade when retirement becomes real, bodies change, and financial priorities shift in ways that can feel overwhelming. They talk about how to avoid risky investment moves, prepare for the realities of caring for both children and aging parents, and make wise choices around debt, housing, and estate planning. By connecting health habits with financial outcomes, they show ...
Send us a text 360 Vet Sales (free valuation & consult): 360VetSales.com Contact: kia@360vetsales.com | matthew@360vetsales.com Thinking about selling your hospital in the next 1–5 years—or just want to know your options? In this episode, Tom Seeko talks with Matt Arena (Founder) and Kia Banisadre (Business Development Officer) of 360 Vet Sales about what it really takes to prepare, go to market, and land a deal you’ll feel good about long after closing. In this conversation, you’ll learn...
Send us a text Your 40s can feel like the “crunch decade”—income peaks, expenses pile up, and retirement starts to feel real. In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett unpack how to balance saving with lifestyle and college costs, avoid lifestyle creep, and shift from “set it and forget it” to intentional planning. They dig into career pivots and burnout in veterinary medicine, plus why insurance and estate planning (wills, trusts, beneficiaries) can’t wait. You’ll leave with simple moves to ...
Send us a text Your 30s can feel like a financial tug-of-war—student loans, mortgages, childcare, career moves, and even the first itch of practice ownership all competing for the same dollars. CJ and Tom break down how to set clear priorities, build a right-sized emergency fund (not a one-size-fits-all $1,000), and save while paying down debt so you’re not negotiating “this or that” when “this and that” is possible with a plan. They also cover boundaries to avoid burnout, why insurance and b...
Send us a text Your 20s bring a whirlwind of firsts—new job, new income, new decisions—and most vets feel pulled between “pay off debt now” and “start living life.” In this episode, Tom and CJ share a balanced approach: build habits first, right-size your emergency fund, and save while paying loans so you don’t trade a 6% loan for 20% credit card debt later. You’ll hear simple boundaries to prevent lifestyle creep and burnout, plus practical cues for when it’s actually okay to make the big pu...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into the psychology of change—why some people chase it and others avoid it at all costs. From personal habits to financial planning, they explore how meaningful growth often demands stepping outside your comfort zone. You’ll hear insights on overcoming resistance, dealing with lifestyle creep, and making space for the behaviors that lead to lasting success. If you’ve ever struggled with change, ...
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko interviews Dr. Michelle Drake—veterinarian, author, and long-time practice owner. Dr. Drake shares how she built a mission-driven veterinary practice, the importance of planning and leadership, and why working on your business matters. She also discusses the challenges of staying independent and her transition into speaking and writing to mentor others. Tune in for expert advice on veterinary practice management, l...
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into the often-overlooked emotional and behavioral side of financial planning. From the weight of student loans to the comfort of feeling financially secure, they unpack the different mindsets people have about their futures—and how those perspectives shape real-world outcomes. They explore how spending and saving habits, tax management, and overall financial awareness can either accelerate or stall your ...
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into a powerful yet often overlooked principle in both veterinary practices and financial planning: make it easy. They unpack how simplifying client interactions, streamlining internal processes, and being mindful of cognitive biases can drastically improve decision-making, satisfaction, and follow-through. Whether you're scheduling appointments or guiding financial choices, reducing friction is...