Send us a text In this eye-opening episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, hosts Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett sit down with Dr. William Anton, founder of CEOeffectiveness.com , for a powerful discussion on personal development and the often-overlooked importance of mental health—especially among high-performing professionals. Dr. Anton challenges the outdated stigma around therapy and psychological coaching, describing it as the “emotional equivalent of graduate school” for those seeking to li...
Jul 04, 2025•44 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast , Dr. Peter Weinstein shares his journey from veterinarian to business leader and offers practical insights on improving veterinary practice operations. He discusses the growing challenges of work-life balance, financial stress, and corporate influence in the industry. The conversation centers on the need for better systems, processes, and team training to boost efficiency, trust, and leadership—ultimately helping bring fulfillment and fu...
Jun 27, 2025•27 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast, Tom Seeko is joined by estate planning specialist Eileen Rice to unpack the critical components of a solid estate plan. They discuss why estate planning isn’t just for the wealthy or elderly—it’s for anyone with assets or dependents who wants to avoid unnecessary complications and costs. Eileen explains key documents like medical directives, powers of attorney, wills, and living trusts, emphasizing how a personalized plan can protect you...
Jun 20, 2025•33 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett tackle the common myths and misconceptions about annuities. From misunderstandings about high fees to assumptions that annuities are only for retirees, they break down what you really need to know. Tom and CJ explain key features like surrender charges, internal costs, and guaranteed income options, highlighting why it’s essential to dig deeper than the online noise. Tune in for a clear, balanced perspective on a...
Jun 13, 2025•22 min
Send us a text In this lighthearted "nonsense episode," we rewind the clock to reminisce about the music that shaped our younger years—think 90s boy bands, 80s rock anthems, hip-hop classics, and even the occasional children's song. Fast-forward to today, and our playlists have evolved to feature everything from EDM to Christian rap. Join us as we share laughs, swap memories, and talk about one host’s adventure learning the acoustic guitar. If you're ready for a nostalgic trip with a modern twis...
Jun 06, 2025•19 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast , host Tom Seeko talks with Dr. Jennifer Merlo, Vice President of Veterinary Affairs at Fear Free . Dr. Merlo shares her unique career path—from clinic ownership to corporate leadership—highlighting the real challenges of HR, marketing, and financial stress in veterinary practice. She opens up about the importance of financial planning, especially after becoming a parent, and how a trusted advisor made all the difference. The episode also...
May 30, 2025•25 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down how current global events, inflation, and rising interest rates are affecting both the economy and everyday financial decisions—from buying a home to running a veterinary practice. They explore why pricing adjustments are crucial for business owners, how to navigate uncertain investment opportunities, and the difference between smart investing and speculation. Tune in for practical tips on bu...
May 23, 2025•19 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down the critical role life insurance plays for veterinarians and business owners. They cover the key differences between term and permanent policies, common uses beyond just death benefits—like income replacement and business buyouts—and why reviewing your coverage regularly is essential. Whether you own a practice or just want peace of mind, this episode helps you align your life insurance with ...
May 16, 2025•20 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast, Tom Seeko and CJ Burton simplify financial health by comparing it to checking a patient’s vitals. You’ll learn the four key "financial vital signs"—cash flow, net worth, debt, and emergency fund—and how small steps like tracking spending can improve them. Progress, not perfection, is what leads to less stress and more control. Extra resources galore! Listen to more episodes: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/...
May 09, 2025•20 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, we dive into Chapter 4 of our book, “Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs,” focusing on one of the most powerful yet often ignored habits: intentional saving. We explain why aiming to save 20% of your income creates more than just wealth—it builds stability, flexibility, and confidence in your financial future. You’ll learn the difference between saving to spend and saving to build, why emergency funds shou...
May 02, 2025•12 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, we chat with Dr. Ernie Ward—veterinarian, author, and pet advocate—about finding joy in veterinary life and beyond. He shares insights on overcoming self-doubt and navigating toxic work environments, and debunks the myth that price is the primary concern for clients. Dr. Ward highlights the power of self-leadership, staying curious, and prioritizing mental, physical, and emotional health—starting with quality sleep. Learn more ...
Apr 25, 2025•30 min
Send us a text Cohosts CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into the anxiety many veterinarians feel about current events, like tariffs and economic uncertainty. While we can’t control everything, they highlight how having a financial plan in place ahead of time can help you stay calm and avoid knee-jerk decisions. Just like preventative care in veterinary medicine, a solid financial plan helps you prepare for the unexpected. They also suggest looking into guaranteed and liquid investments—and focusing...
Apr 18, 2025•20 min
Send us a text Cohosts CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko discuss a heavily felt topic that is not often talked about openly. There are good reasons why people stress, and sometimes those stressors can be a result of poorly communicated expectations and prior life experiences. This episode is meant to help expand your mind and, hopefully, see things a bit differently than before to "unstuck" yourself. They explore the impact of negative thinking and stress on overall well-being, drawing parallels between ...
Apr 11, 2025•23 min
Send us a text Cohosts CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko discuss a common question people ask when a veterinarian starts a new job or when a practice owner starts a 401(k). Before combining all your IRAs into an employer-provided 401(k), there are a few vital considerations and questions to ask. Join CJ and Tom before taking that next step so you can get the most from your savings and investments. Discover our book “Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs” Buy Now: Book – Unleashed | Fl...
Apr 04, 2025•18 min
Send us a text Selling a veterinary practice is a major decision that requires careful planning and strategy. In this episode, Tom Seeko, co-founder of Florida Veterinary Advisors, sits down with Bill Murray, founder of Wicklow Healthcare Advisory, to discuss the evolving landscape of practice sales. With 25 years of experience in the veterinary industry—primarily in lending—Bill now helps veterinarians navigate their exit strategies. From financial readiness to understanding the emotional side ...
Mar 28, 2025•29 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , hosts CJ Bernett and Tom Seeko break down financial strategies for high-income earners. They discuss how marriage impacts money decisions, common mistakes with Roth IRAs, the "backdoor Roth" strategy, and maximizing 401(k) contributions. We also highlight the importance of balancing tax savings with long-term financial goals and offer tips for managing money in relationships. Tune in for expert insights to help you make smarte...
Mar 21, 2025•20 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet™ Podcast , hosts Tom Seeko and CJ Bernett dive into the financial struggles many face—especially moms living paycheck to paycheck. They explore why so many married couples aren’t truly “finance married,” operating on separate financial islands that lead to inefficiencies, stress, and a lack of financial clarity. Key takeaways include the importance of open financial communication with your spouse, tracking income and expenses without guilt, setti...
Mar 14, 2025•22 min
Send us a text In this episode of The SmarterVet Podcast , hosts Tom Seeko and CJ Bernett explore the root causes of financial struggles veterinarians face. Why does money management often feels overwhelming? How do factors like time constraints, misinformation, and lack of financial education contribute to the problem? By shifting mindsets, breaking financial planning into manageable steps, and taking proactive action, veterinarians can overcome these challenges and take control of their financ...
Mar 07, 2025•19 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Lauren Jones—veterinarian, practice owner, and Director of Veterinary Medicine at Shepherd Veterinary Software—to discuss the keys to achieving financial clarity and preventing burnout in veterinary medicine. Dr. Jones shares her journey in practice ownership, how curiosity drives her success, and how leveraging data can lead to informed business decisions. Tune in to hear actionable tips on creating a supp...
Feb 28, 2025•25 min
Send us a text In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast , financial advisors CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down the truth about credit scores—what they really mean, how they’re calculated, and why a high income doesn’t automatically guarantee a great score. They explore the history of credit cards, the key factors that influence credit scores (like payment history and credit utilization), and the practical steps veterinarians can take to improve theirs. From paying off credit cards weekly to ...
Feb 21, 2025•21 min
Send us a text What are the most Googled financial questions in America? In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, hosts Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett break down the top-searched money topics by state—revealing trends in student loans, mortgages, car loans, and retirement planning. They analyze what these searches say about financial habits, debt culture, and the growing need for financial literacy. Don’t miss this eye-opening discussion that could change the way you think about money. Di...
Feb 14, 2025•20 min
Send us a text We are thrilled for the release of our new book, Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs. You can find a copy of our book on Amazon in paperback and the Kindle app or device. Grab your copy today. >> Buy a copy now << Listen now to the introduction read by co-Author, CJ Burnett. ----- Extra resources galore! Listen to more episodes: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/ Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your fin...
Feb 07, 2025•15 min
Send us a text In this episode of the Smarter Vet Podcast, our co-founder Tom Seeko sits down with Dr. Annie Chavent, DVM, MBA, Assistant Director of Early Career Initiatives at the AVMA and co-host of the My Veterinary Life Podcast. Together, they explore the financial challenges veterinarians face, from navigating financial decisions in vet school to overcoming financial anxiety and managing life transitions. Dr. Chavent shares valuable insights on building confidence, leveraging problem-solvi...
Jan 31, 2025•24 min
Send us a text Alright, let's talk about vacations, shall we? It seems like you're ready to dive into planning that much-needed time off. Like we always say, it's so important to take time to unwind, recharge, and make sure you're getting what you truly want from life. In this episode, co-hosts, Tom Seeko and CJ Bernett, emphasize the importance of time off for preventing burnout and offer practical steps for budgeting time and money for vacations, including defining vacation types (famations, w...
Jan 24, 2025•24 min
Send us a text We are thrilled for the release of our new book, Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs. You can find a copy of our book on Amazon in paperback and the Kindle app or device. Grab your copy today! >> Buy a copy now << Listen now to the Chapter 3 read by co-Author, CJ Burnett. ----- Extra resources galore! Listen to more episodes: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/ Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review your financ...
Jan 17, 2025•15 min
Send us a text We are thrilled for the release of our new book, Unleashed: The Financial Clarity Every Veterinarian Needs . You can find a copy of our book on Amazon in paperback and the Kindle app or device. Grab your copy today. >> Buy a copy now << Listen now to a sneak peek of Chapter 1 read by co-Author, Tom Seeko. ----- Extra resources galore! Listen to more episodes: https://flveterinaryadvisors.com/smarter-vet-financial-podcast/ Watch the no cost 5 part video course to review...
Jan 10, 2025•12 min
Send us a text Like most business owners, veterinary practice owners often depend heavily on the sale of the practice for retirement. There are rare occasions where someone saves up enough assets outside their business to where they could practically give the business away without worrying about their future. As we work with clients, our goal is to help owners depend less on the future sale by building wealth outside their practice. Listen in to learn more about a case where a client had come to...
Jan 03, 2025•23 min
Send us a text It’s almost the end of the year and a lot of people are wondering what they should be doing before December 31st to prepare for the taxes that they are going to owe or what amount of tax refund they can expect. There are many different items of conversation that we have with people as we end the year and today we are going to go through a few of the most common so as to help you know what things you should be considering and what conversations you might want to spark with your tax...
Dec 27, 2024•22 min
Send us a text Back in the 7th century BCE coins were introduced to trade for services or goods. Before the introduction of coins people would barter for services by trading time or items. In today’s modern society we have become blinded by how much money we have and truly have forgotten the fundamental purpose… it’s a tool. We often get caught up in the day to day wants and desires such as going on trips or buying the latest technology but often regret our decisions later once the damage is don...
Dec 20, 2024•21 min
Send us a text It’s almost unbelievable the influence others have on us. Everything from the panic that media outlets push to people in our lives who make us feel bad about their bad feelings. During this last election cycle there was a lot of talk with clients about who was going to be president, how it was going to affect their finances, their future and their families. Today we are going to have a discussion around what we experienced and how we believe we can fight the war on anxiety that is...
Dec 13, 2024•22 min
