Transitioning from veterinary school to practice is exciting but can also be overwhelming. Early-career veterinarians face challenges navigating client interactions, team dynamics, and the emotional demands of clinical work, which require more than medical knowledge and call for emotional intelligence.

In this episode, we speak with Dr. Tipsarp (Minnie) Kittisiam, a veterinarian, epidemiologist, and wellbeing researcher whose doctoral work at the University of Guelph explored emotional intelligence and wellbeing among veterinarians. Minnie shares how skills like self-awareness, empathy, and emotional regulation can help early-career vets adapt, thrive, and maintain wellbeing in the workplace.

You will learn what emotional intelligence really means in veterinary practice, how it supports communication and resilience, and why developing these skills is essential for long-term satisfaction and success. Whether you are a recent graduate finding your footing or a leader mentoring the next generation, this conversation offers evidence-based insights and practical strategies to foster emotional growth, connection, and thriving in veterinary medicine.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
Link pending

Resources
Follow Dr. Tipsarp (Minnie) Kittisiam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tipsarp/ or visit her website: https://tipsarp.github.io/

A qualitative exploration of the emotional experiences and applications of emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians (article): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40497294/

The Feelings Wheel: https://feelingswheel.com/

Name them to tame them (Reviving Vet Med Podcast Ep 1): https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874187-name-them-to-tame-them-episode-1-reviving-vet-med

Dr. Kittisiam’s thesis: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/items/e0afb4e9-20b4-431c-b698-8c1e82a1b727

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For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Veterinary medicine can be deeply rewarding, but it can also take a toll physically, mentally, and emotionally. Part of the solution may be expanding our idea of care to include ourselves as well as our patients.

In this episode, we talk with Dr. Galina Bershteyn, a veterinarian, certified acupuncturist, food therapist, and AVMA Veterinary Wellbeing Educator with more than three decades of experience across species, disciplines, and continents. Now living in Costa Rica, she leads Pura Vida Vet Wellness, where she integrates Traditional Chinese Veterinary Medicine with preventive care, holistic approaches, and a focus on sustainability in work and life.

Galina explains how acupuncture, food therapy, and other integrative practices can support both animal health and the wellbeing of veterinary professionals. We also explore the restorative impact of nature, especially the ocean, the value of creative outlets like music and art, and the idea that caring for the planet can be part of caring for ourselves.

If you are seeking more balance, creativity, or connection in your life and wondering how that fits with a veterinary career, this conversation offers practical ideas and meaningful inspiration.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/tIzwx4f9VZc

Resources
Learn more about Lunch and Learns by Reviving Veterinary Medicine: https://revivingvetmed.com/lunch-and-learns-for-veterinary-teams/

Follow Galina Bershteyn on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/galina-bershteyn-dvm-cva-cvft-avma-wellbeing-educator-76a52852/ and Facebook / Instagram @puravidavetwellness

Visit Galina’s website: https://www.puravidavetwellness.com/

Watch Ocean with David Attenborough: https://www.disneyplus.com/browse/entity-a746313c-f585-4d28-86e5-3eccedd49e15

Listen to Ep. 11 - Volunteering Fosters Mental Health And Wellbeing: https://revivingvetmed.buzzsprout.com/2011463/episodes/10874177-volunteering-fosters-mental-health-and-wellbeing-episode-11-reviving-vet-med

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To order a copy of Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s book, A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian, visit ACompassionateCalling.com

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Reviving Veterinary Medicine Resources
To explore our RACE-approved online programs, handouts & posters, podcast episodes, blogs, and upcoming events, visit: https://RevivingVetMed.com. This is your hub for free resources, 1-on-1 coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident debriefing, and everything Reviving Veterinary Medicine has to offer.

Questions, Suggestions,

In this special bonus episode, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk shares her recent conversation with Dr. Andy Roark from the Cone of Shame podcast, diving into the heart of her new book, A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian. Together, they explore the emotional realities of veterinary medicine, from perfectionism and burnout to purpose, identity, and rediscovering joy in the work.

Whether you’re a veterinarian, technician, student, or someone who loves a veterinary professional, this episode offers a candid, compassionate look at what it truly means to build a career in a caring profession without losing yourself along the way. If you’ve ever struggled to balance passion with personal wellbeing, or wondered how to set boundaries without guilt, this conversation will feel both validating and deeply hopeful.

Tune in for an honest discussion that reminds us why the work matters, and why caring for ourselves matters just as much.

Resources

Learn more about A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means to Be a Veterinarian and order your copy: https://ACompassionateCalling.com

Follow Dr. Andy Roark on social media: @DrAndyRoark

Follow and listen to the Cone of Shame podcast: https://drandyroark.com/podcast/

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Reviving Veterinary Medicine Resources

To explore our RACE-approved online programs, handouts & posters, podcast episodes, blogs, and upcoming events, visit: https://revivingvetmed.com. This is your hub for free resources, 1-on-1 coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident debriefing, and everything Reviving Veterinary Medicine has to offer.

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities

Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Compassion is at the heart of veterinary medicine, but sustaining it can be tough in the face of long hours, high expectations, and emotionally intense work. While many of us focus on compassion for patients and clients, the missing piece is often self-compassion, which is critical for reducing burnout and building resilience.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Megan Davis, a veterinarian and educator passionate about mental health and human factors, and Dr. Katherine Wakelin, a clinical psychologist specializing in compassion-focused therapy. Together, they introduce a free 14-day Compassion Course for Veterinarians, designed to help professionals counter self-criticism, reduce stress, and develop healthier ways of relating to themselves.

You’ll learn what compassion-focused therapy is, why self-compassion can feel so counterintuitive in our profession, and how small shifts in mindset can make a big difference for wellbeing. Megan and Katherine also share practical tools you can start using right away to manage stress and sustain your capacity to care for others.

Whether you’ve been curious about self-compassion or skeptical of it, this conversation offers science-backed insights and accessible strategies to support a long, meaningful career in veterinary medicine.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
[Link pending]

Resources
Follow Dr. Megan Davis on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-davis-a5ba7a151/

Take the free online 14-day compassion course for veterinarians: https://vetmindmatters.org/resources/free-online-compassion-course-for-veterinarian-mental-wellbeing/

Being Brilliant Every Single Day (TEDx video): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q_fFattg8N0

Feasibility and efficacy of an online compassion-focused imagery intervention for veterinarian self-reassurance, self-criticism and perfectionism (article): https://bvajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/vetr.2177

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Order Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s book A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian: https://www.routledge.com/A-Compassionate-Calling-What-It-Really-Means-to-Be-a-Veterinarian/Holowaychuk/p/book/9781032389035?utm_source=cjaffiliates&utm_medium=affiliates&cjevent=26e8517167f611f0806101060a1eba24

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical inciden

For many veterinary professionals, there comes a moment when the path ahead feels uncertain. Burnout, loss of purpose, or a yearning for change can leave you wondering: Is this still the right fit for me? And if not, what’s next?

In this inspiring episode, we speak with Sophie Gilbert, a Veterinary Surgeon, qualified Executive Coach, and Reviving Vet Med coach who specializes in emotional resilience, career fulfillment, and sustainable life balance. With decades of experience in primary care emergency practice, Sophie understands the intense pressures of veterinary work, and how daunting it can feel to navigate big transitions.

Sophie shares her own story of moving from the UK to New Zealand and shifting from clinical practice into coaching. We explore the early signs it might be time for a change, how to clarify your personal values and use them as a compass for decision-making, and the common fears that hold people back from making bold moves. Sophie also offers practical advice on setting healthy boundaries, reconnecting with your sense of purpose, and taking that all-important first step toward a more joyful, balanced career.

Whether you’re actively considering a transition or simply curious about what fulfillment could look like in your professional life, this conversation will leave you feeling supported, encouraged, and ready to explore new possibilities.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/UCak-vjwZDA

Resources
Learn more about Sophie and the other coaches at Reviving Veterinary Medicine: https://revivingvetmed.com/meet-our-coaches

Book a 20-minute introductory coaching call with Sophie: https://scheduler.zoom.us/coaching-rvm-sophiegilbert/20-minute-discovery-call

Follow Sophie Gilbert on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/trivetmindset and Instagram @tri.vet_mindset

Brene Brown’s Living Into Our Values (exercise and podcast): https://brenebrown.com/resources/living-into-our-values/

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Order Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s book A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian:
www.marieholowaychuk.com/orderbook

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming veterinary medicine, from enhancing diagnostics to streamlining workflows. But what does this mean for the wellbeing of veterinary professionals?

In this insightful episode, we chat with Dr. Christopher Pinard, veterinary oncologist, CEO and co-founder of ANI.ML Health Inc., and leader in AI innovation for veterinary and comparative oncology. Chris shares how emerging AI technologies like machine learning, spatial computing, and ChatBots are shaping the future of veterinary care.

Beyond the tech, we explore how AI can support mental health and wellbeing in a profession often challenged by stress and burnout. Chris discusses practical ways veterinary teams can embrace technology thoughtfully without losing the compassion and human connection at the heart of their work.

Whether you’re excited or cautious about AI’s growing role in vet med, this conversation offers balanced insights on harnessing innovation to improve both patient outcomes and practitioner resilience.

Tune in to learn how technology and wellbeing can go hand in hand in veterinary medicine’s evolving landscape.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/abqvhq__xC8

Resources
Follow Christopher Pinard and his company ANI.ML on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-pinard-a96a4b49/ and https://www.linkedin.com/company/animlhealth/

Learn more about ANI.ML Health: https://www.animl.health/

Follow ANI.ML Health on social media @animl_health

Randomized Trial of a Generative AI Chatbot for Mental Health Treatment (article): https://ai.nejm.org/doi/pdf/10.1056/AIoa2400802?download=true

Thank You to Our Sponsor Scribenote
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Thank You to Our Sponsor Hachiko
Find Out More: https://www.animl.health/hachiko

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Veterinary technicians and technologists are the backbone of every practice, yet many face financial challenges that can feel overwhelming—especially when living paycheck to paycheck. During National Vet Tech Week and RVT Appreciation Month, we’re shining a light on this often-overlooked aspect of wellbeing: financial health.

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Grace Wu Ursery, founder of Vet Money Geek and longtime RVT and practice manager. Grace shares practical, judgment-free advice on budgeting, building savings, understanding benefits, and starting constructive conversations about pay and compensation.

Whether you’re a vet tech, practice manager, or veterinary professional looking to take control of your finances, this episode offers actionable steps to build financial resilience and peace of mind—without sacrificing your coffee habit or your sanity.

Listen to learn how small, intentional changes can make a big difference in your financial future and overall wellbeing.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/2Qdu07f6uy4

Resources

Follow Grace Wu Ursery on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracewursery

Learn more about Vet Money Geek: www.vetmoneygeek.com

Follow Grace / Vet Money Geek on social media @vetmoneygeek

Thank You to Our Sponsor Scribenote

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Free 14-Day Trial: https://app.scribenote.com/auth/register?referralCode=Reviving-VetMed

Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com

Veterinary workplaces are fast-paced, emotionally charged, and often stressful—which can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and burnout. But what if there was a way to better understand ourselves and each other, so we could reduce tension and work together more effectively?

In this episode, Jolene Watson—RVT, certified Myers-Briggs® practitioner, executive coach, and best-selling author— shares how personality awareness can transform veterinary teams. Drawing from her own background in veterinary medicine and coaching, Jolene explains how different personality types respond to stress, how communication styles can clash, and why appreciating these differences is essential for collaboration and retention.

We also explore common communication breakdowns in veterinary practices, the connection between feeling understood and staying in a role, and what practice leaders can do to create a culture where every team member feels valued.

If you’ve ever struggled with conflict at work, felt drained by team dynamics, or wanted to better understand the people around you, this episode will give you insight, tools, and a new way to think about team wellbeing.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/XEYcz7gNhGw

Resources
Connect with Jolene Watson on social media: https://www.facebook.com/ClarityCoachingandDevelopment, https://www.instagram.com/jolene_Clarity/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-watson-5881612a/

Visit Jolene’s website to find out more: https://www.jolenewatson.com/veterinary

A Descriptive Analysis of Personality and Gender at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (article): https://utppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3138/jvme.36.3.284

An Examination of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality, Gender, and Career Interests of Ontario Veterinary College Students (article): https://utppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3138/jvme.0418-044r

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Newsletter
For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

Online Programs
To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including coaching, lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

Questions, Suggestions, or Sponsorship Opportunities
Email: podcast@revivingvetmed.com