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Join Crystal Stokes, licensed psychotherapist, Harvard, Cornell, and CoActive trained organizational and high-performance leadership coach, and former vet technician, for actionable ways to improve the wellness of vet med professionals. The Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast discuss leadership and wellness: how we, as individuals and teams, can apply evidence-based skills to help our authentic leadership style shine while effectively supporting others to perform at and feel their very best. Our topics range from the meta-level of overarching challenges in the realm of leadership down to the micro aspects of burnout, stress, and difficult client interactions in the veterinary profession. Our mission is to contribute to the evolving paradigm of leadership and culture where profit and performance are generated through the development of highly satisfied, motivated, and supported teams.
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Veterinary leaders often rise through the ranks without ever receiving formal training in how to define a vision, build culture, or guide a team with clarity. Dr. George Cuellar joins me to explore how aspiring entrepreneurs can step into leadership with purpose by working through three essential phases: defining the vision, sharing it effectively, and engaging the team in bringing it to life. Drawing on decades as a corporate executive, practice owner, and state veterinary leader, George exp...
Veterinary professionals are often trained to care for everyone except themselves. But what if they had the tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges within their own teams? Dr. Sonja Olson, DVM, C-MMT, and Susan Swendsen, MSSW, LCSW, VSW from Full Circle Lab join Crystal to explore how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is reshaping the conversation around well-being in veterinary medicine. Susan shares how MHFA began in Australia in 2000 with founders Betty Kitchener and Anthon...
Dr. Amy Grimm, founder of Daring DVM Coaching, joins the show to talk about burnout—something all too familiar in the veterinary world. She shares her path from vet med to coaching and how her own experiences shaped the work she does today. Dr. Amy explains why burnout is so common among veterinarians: high achievers, constant competition, and nonstop pressure. Along the way, she learned that handling hard conversations, emotional fatigue, and tension are skills you can actually develop. She ...
September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and in this episode, we’re honored to welcome Gigi Tsontos, Executive Director of NOMV (Not One More Vet). NOMV is a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health and overall well-being within the veterinary profession—creating resources and community support to help veterinary professionals not just survive, but truly thrive. The organization was born out of tragedy following the 2014 loss of Dr. Sophia Yin to suicide. What began as a forum fo...
Returning guest Natalie Fayman joins us to share her journey from burnout to resilience through the Positive Intelligence (PQ) program. Initially skeptical, Natalie discovered the program’s strong scientific backing—studies show that after just seven weeks of training, 83–97% of participants report reduced stress, increased happiness, and improved self-confidence. PQ works at the root level of brain function, shifting the balance of power from our inner Saboteurs—the voices of self-doubt and...
Katrina Busselle is a get-it-done kind of woman who knows that conflict isn’t always a bad thing. It’s often necessary to make real progress, especially at work. In this episode, Katrina shares key concepts of mediation and how her Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution helps her navigate tough conversations. We talk about the natural flow of mediation. You don’t jump to a solution. You move through the process, climbing the mountain of conflict and coming down the other side with resolution. ...
What happens when 20+ years of vet med experience meets a passion for learning design and technology? You get Kara Herrmann, a trailblazer reimagining how veterinary teams train, communicate, and operate more efficiently. Kara is currently completing her master’s in Education with a focus on Learning Design and Technology, and she brings a fresh lens to what really makes a veterinary workplace thrive. She explains why education alone doesn’t guarantee success and how clarity in roles, effecti...
Have you ever been disrespected by a colleague in the workplace? Mistreated at an event or a conference? You may have experienced intellectual bullying. After attending a recent internal medicine conference, Dr. Emily Gould and Dr. Kate Aicher were inspired to study this type of interaction and come up with actionable solutions. In this episode, Emily and Kate role-play common scenarios of intellectual bullying in a hospital environment and provide tips for improving communication to mo...
Dr. Christa McKinley and Ranae Bart bring deep connections to the veterinary industry, which strengthens their role as financial advisors for those in the field. Injury? Illness? Job changes? Life happens—so how do you protect yourself? They stress the importance of understanding benefits, retirement planning, and making the most of every dollar. In today’s episode, they share real stories from clients facing a range of life’s challenges and how they helped guide them toward financial wellnes...
Dr. Jennifer Edwards, a veterinarian turned leadership coach, brings 25 years of experience to the conversation about workplace satisfaction and personal fulfillment. At the core of her philosophy is the role of values—our deeply held beliefs, which are thoughts tied to emotions. When our work aligns with our values, life flows more easily, and we feel a sense of fulfillment. However, challenges arise when our environment conflicts with our values. Consider a veterinarian who values thorough ...
Dr. Alexandra McLaughry has spent 20 years in veterinary medicine, experiencing firsthand the challenges vets face in client communication. When she noticed the outdated, inefficient software at her clinic lacked essential communication features, she and her husband, Stephen McLaughry, a software engineer and serial startup founder, set out to solve the problem. What began as a streamlined communication platform evolved into VetBadger, a complete veterinary management system designed to put r...
WisCARES is more than a veterinary clinic—it’s a vital support system for families experiencing low income or homelessness in Wisconsin. Now in its 11th year, this unique program blends outreach medicine with education, offering a comprehensive approach to care. With a built-in social work component, WisCARES goes beyond veterinary services, connecting clients with food resources, fostering support, and other relevant resources. Fourth-year veterinary students participate in immersive two-wee...
Dr. Jennifer Ward’s journey to veterinary pathology was anything but traditional. As a child, she nurtured sick and injured animals, but her path veered toward creative writing and literature. It wasn’t until she faced significant health challenges with her own pet and encountered veterinary pathologists during a trip to Africa that she discovered the profession she had unknowingly dreamed of—a blend of science, problem-solving, and compassion. Veterinary pathologists specialize in unde...
Dr. Mansum Yau, a veterinarian with a passion for writing, discovered a unique niche by addressing a common challenge in clinics: cat carriers. From the struggle to get cats into carriers at home to the difficulty of handling scared felines at the vet, she noticed a persistent problem and set out to create a solution. Her book, The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Cat Carriers, is a fully researched and educational resource with a creative twist. Filled with illustratio...
Alyssa Mages brings over 20 years of experience in veterinary medicine, with a significant focus on critical care. However, personal health challenges led her to rethink a physically demanding career. After much reflection and goal-setting, she founded Empowering Veterinary Teams (EVT) to address a vital need within the industry: creating better support systems and fostering growth for veterinary teams. Veterinarians and technicians dedicate their careers to being the voice for animals, yet t...
Liz Barton, founder of WellVet, has had the privilege of experiencing the full breadth of veterinary medicine throughout her career. This has not only enriched her professional journey but also given her a deep awareness of the challenges within the field. She has previously joined us as a guest to discuss her work with Well Vet, an initiative aimed at connecting mothers in the profession and creating a strong support network. Now, as she enters what she calls the "Twilight of Motherhood," Li...
Dr. Ruthanne Chun and Dr. Laura Garrett, both veterinary oncologists and professors, emphasize the transformative power of intentional communication in veterinary medicine. With years of experience training students and professionals, they’ve discovered that effective communication is as vital as medical skills. Unlike humans, animals can’t express their needs directly, so veterinarians must bridge that gap with pet owners. Drs. Chun and Garrett define intentional communication as the practic...
When Greg Bishop, a veterinarian, writer, and cartoonist, first learned nonviolent communication in veterinary medicine, it transformed how he dealt with difficult clients. What once felt like a precarious challenge became an opportunity to turn clients from ferocious lions into purring kitties. Nonviolent communication is about staying aware of your own emotions during interactions. As Greg says, "Keep it Vertical." Acknowledge that "I have needs, you have needs—let’s work together to meet t...
Dr. Glenn Robinson is a clinical coach and consultant who supports veterinary leaders, especially with clinic finances. Often, leaders are hesitant to discuss money, but finances play a crucial role in supporting your staff. Whether you’re experiencing a downturn in clients, facing equipment expenses, or looking to give your team a raise, being open and candid about clinic financials can help leaders put a plan in place to use money as the TOOL that it is. Debunking Myths and Red Flags in Cli...
Dr. Jennifer Edwards has lived what I call a full-circle life, combining her passions for conscious leadership and veterinary medicine. Before addressing how to "wake up" in your life, we explore the concept of living on autopilot—a condition affecting many. Jennifer describes the symptoms as dissatisfaction, feeling stuck, disempowerment, and a resignation to a “sucky life.” We dissect the disempowering phrase, “it is what it is.” But what if you reject that mindset? What if you connect with...
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