Join host Steven Hermann as he sits down with the legendary Dr. Jim Schuessler for an insightful conversation about the transformative power of communication in veterinary medicine. Dr. Schuessler shares incredible stories, from the life-changing advice that shaped his career ("I try to carry myself each and every day so that my kids want to be veterinarians" ) to the practical strategies that built a highly successful practice at Kirkwood Animal Hospital. Discover how consistent staff meetings,...
Jul 30, 2025•54 min•Ep. 38
In this candid and laugh-filled episode, we welcome Rhys Giannarelli, founder of Innovative Vet Management Solutions and co-owner of two practices in Vancouver. Rhys brings an Aussie-Canadian lens to the challenges of leadership, culture, and sustainable clinic ownership in veterinary medicine. Rhys says it plain: people aren’t quitting the job—they’re quitting you. And that leadership gap is the real crisis. You’ll hear stories about family life (soccer vs. hockey!), what makes Canadian clinics...
Jun 18, 2025•52 min•Ep. 37
Ever catch yourself saying, “If only this had gone differently…”? In this Mindset Edition of The Vet’Ed Podcast, Steven Hermann shares a personal story (shoutout to Quentin and Tulsa Tough!) that transformed excuses into powerful learning. Whether you're navigating a chaotic vet practice or trying to move from blame to breakthrough, this episode is your 7-minute mental reset. 🚴♂️ From crashes to comebacks 🔍 From blame to reflection 📈 From stuck to strategic growth 🎯 Mindset Challenge includ...
Jun 11, 2025•8 min•Ep. 36
What if you could screen your dog for cancer—before any symptoms appear? In this episode of the VetEd Podcast, Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler welcome Dr. Tom Butera and Daniel Shears from Volition Veterinary to discuss a groundbreaking innovation: Nu.Q® , an affordable, blood-based screening test designed to detect cancer early in dogs. Volition’s revolutionary approach to cancer diagnostics uses epigenetics—looking beyond DNA to the expression of genes—to catch diseases like lymphoma and he...
Jun 04, 2025•55 min•Ep. 35
In this episode, Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Melissa Tompkins—practice management consultant, speaker, and founder of South Coast Veterinary Management Solutions. From her unexpected start in the veterinary field (thanks to a cat named Crash) to managing multiple hospitals and launching leadership groups across Southern California, Melissa shares her journey and passion for helping veterinary teams thrive. 🚨 Key Takeaways: Why practice managers are the linchpins of veterina...
May 21, 2025•55 min•Ep. 34
Welcome to a special Mindset Edition of the Vet’Ed Podcast! In this bite-sized episode, Steven Hermann dives into the often-overlooked leadership skill of reacting well . Drawing from both Harvard Business Review and real-world leadership moments, Steven redefines what it means to lead—not by controlling, but by responsibly reacting with empathy, purpose, and perseverance. 🧠 Key Takeaways: Leadership means responsibility, not control. It’s not about having all the answers—it's about how you res...
May 14, 2025•7 min•Ep. 33
Welcome to Episode 31 of The Vet’Ed Podcast, hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler. In this episode, Steven and Kale sit down with Dr. Cliff Miller, founder of Green Hills Veterinary Clinic in Moberly, Missouri. From starting his practice with just one patient (his own dog!) to now leading a four-doctor team, Dr. Miller shares his journey of intentional growth, small-town community impact, and balancing life as a vet, cattleman, coach, and legislative advocate. As the Legislative Chairman...
Apr 30, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 31
Welcome to a special Mindset Edition of the Vet’Ed Podcast. In this bite-sized episode, Steven Hermann reflects on leadership—not as a title, but as a practice rooted in mindset, trust, and accountability. He shares personal leadership lessons from three key experiences: working in a family grocery store, serving on a school board, and building the ProPartners Team. 🧠 Key Takeaways: Leadership isn’t one thing—it depends , and it’s best thought of as a practice . Leadership takes different forms...
Apr 23, 2025•9 min•Ep. 32
Welcome to Episode 30 of The Vet’Ed Podcast hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler. In this episode, Steven and Kale are joined by Alex Wright, the Practice Manager at Ellisville Veterinary Hospital. With a journey that started at age 17 and evolved into leadership by 24, Alex shares her real-world experiences managing a busy, growing clinic — all while staying rooted in compassion, culture, and people-first leadership. Alex opens up about what it takes to create a practice culture where p...
Apr 16, 2025•55 min•Ep. 31
In this episode of The Vet’Ed Podcast — Mindset Edition , Steven Hermann dives into one of the biggest challenges for independent veterinary practices: pricing —and why it’s all in your head. Pricing isn’t just about covering costs; it’s about positioning, value, and mindset . Steven shares lessons from his background in the grocery industry, where competition is fierce, and pricing strategy is critical. He draws parallels to veterinary medicine, challenging practice owners to rethink their pric...
Apr 09, 2025•9 min•Ep. 30
Episode 29: Mindset, Leadership, and Reinventing Veterinary Well-being with Dr. Jennifer Edwards In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Jennifer Edwards — veterinarian, practice owner, mindset leadership coach, and Chair of the Wellness Committee for the New Hampshire Veterinary Medical Association — to dive into her powerful journey of transformation and personal development. Dr. Edwards shares her unconventional path from psychology t...
Apr 04, 2025•53 min•Ep. 29
In this episode of The Vet’Ed Podcast — Mindset Edition , Steven Hermann explores why client experience might just be more important than medicine itself — and how shifting your focus can transform your practice. Steven breaks down the three key elements of a standout client experience: First impressions: From the parking lot to the front desk, what clients see, smell, and feel sets the tone — long before medicine even comes into play. Communication over medicine: Great medicine doesn’t matter i...
Mar 26, 2025•11 min•Ep. 29
Episode 28: Leadership, Advocacy, and the Future of Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Jessica Stroupe In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Jessica Stroupe — owner of Howard County Veterinary Service and AVMA delegate for Missouri — to discuss her journey as a practice owner, leader, and advocate for the veterinary profession. Dr. Stroupe dives into her new role as an AVMA delegate, sharing insights on the legislative issues shaping veterina...
Mar 19, 2025•44 min•Ep. 28
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , Steven Hermann dives into the concept of the fixed mindset—how it holds us back, why we default to it, and how shifting toward a growth mindset can unlock new opportunities. Drawing from his experience at the recent VetPartners meeting, Steven unpacks key takeaways about fostering meaningful connections, avoiding the illusion of a “unique approach,” and embracing accountability in veterinary practice management. Steven explores how common industry challeng...
Mar 12, 2025•13 min•Ep. 28
Episode 27: Are You Really Profitable? Understanding Your Financial Statements In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler dive into a critical question for veterinary practice owners—are you truly profitable? They explore common financial misconceptions and the ways financial statements can be misleading if not properly analyzed. From rent calculations to owner compensation, bulk orders, and hidden expenses, Steven and Kale break down the key areas where fina...
Mar 05, 2025•37 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast, Steven Hermann explores the intersection of current events and growth mindset with a focus on the veterinary business world. He discusses how staying informed can lead to improved adaptability, critical thinking, and empathy, all while avoiding information overload. Steven highlights the importance of being proactive, curating your news intake, and how events in the world of veterinary medicine—like shifts in the workforce—can create unique opportunities fo...
Feb 26, 2025•16 min•Ep. 3
Episode 26: A Journey Through Veterinary Medicine with Dr. Peter Weinstein In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Peter Weinstein to explore his journey into veterinary medicine, from childhood inspirations to becoming a leader in the profession. Dr. Weinstein shares how an early fascination with animals, science, and the works of James Herriot set him on the path to veterinary school. He recounts his first experiences in a clinic, work...
Feb 19, 2025•51 min•Ep. 27
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , host Steven Hermann explores the leadership mindset and how veterinarians can lead without fear. Drawing from his recent talk at the Missouri Veterinary Medical Association Convention, he emphasizes that leadership starts with self-management. Referencing James Clear’s Atomic Habits , Hermann discusses how expectations and fear often hold professionals back, advocating for adaptability and resilience instead. He highlights the importance of delegation, emp...
Feb 12, 2025•11 min•Ep. 26
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler sit down with Dr. Scott Frey of Cooper County Animal Hospital to discuss the journey of transitioning out of practice ownership. Dr. Frey shares his perspective on trust, stewardship, and the importance of ensuring that the practice serves its owner—not the other way around. He reflects on passing the torch to Dr. Reuter and her team, emphasizing the value of trust in a smooth transition. The conversation also dives...
Feb 05, 2025•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 25
In this special mini-episode of The vet’ed podcast , host Steven Hermann sets the tone for 2025 with an inspiring discussion about mindset. What does mindset mean, and why is it crucial for success—both in the veterinary industry and in life? Steven explores the definitions of mindset, reflects on its evolution, and shares personal stories about overcoming challenges and finding purpose. This episode emphasizes the power of shared experiences, purpose-driven optimism, and even choosing a word of...
Jan 08, 2025•12 min•Ep. 24
In this thought-provoking episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler are joined by Dr. Anthony Chadwick, founder of The Webinar Vet, to explore the transformative power of technology and AI in the veterinary industry. Together, they discuss how digital tools and AI can enhance efficiency, improve client communication, and combat burnout in veterinary practices. Dr. Chadwick shares insights on leveraging AI as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement, highlight...
Jan 01, 2025•41 min•Ep. 23
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , Steven and Kale sit down with Kyler Saffo, a small veterinary clinic owner and second-generation leader of a family practice. Kyler shares her inspiring journey of stepping into ownership, balancing the challenges of running a growing clinic, and honoring the legacy her father built. She discusses the importance of fostering trust within her team, adapting to change in a practice with long-standing staff, and navigating the ever-evolving veterinary industr...
Dec 18, 2024•55 min•Ep. 22
In this episode of The Vet’ed Podcast , hosts Steven and Kale delve into the themes of gratitude, mindset, and the power of intentional decision-making in veterinary practice ownership. They discuss the importance of taking breaks to recharge, creating a supportive team culture, and shifting perspectives from being solely a veterinarian to also being a business owner. With practical examples and thoughtful insights, they explore how incremental changes can drive success, how to align personal an...
Dec 04, 2024•34 min•Ep. 21
In this episode of The vet'ed podcast , hosts Steven & Kale talk about a critical topic for veterinary professionals: navigating economic uncertainty in an ever-evolving industry. From rising tariffs on imported veterinary equipment to shifts in client behavior post-COVID, the hosts explore numerous external economic factors currently affecting the veterinary landscape. They discuss how unpredictable changes, such as potential trade wars and immigration policies, can lead to increased costs ...
Nov 20, 2024•51 min•Ep. 20
Nov 18, 2024•1 min
In Episode 19 of The vet’ed podcast , "Finding Time", hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler dive into the often-overlooked challenge of balancing time in a busy veterinary practice. As demands grow and schedules fill up, finding time for strategic planning, personal breaks, and patient follow-up can feel like a daunting task.The hosts share tips for veterinary professionals to reclaim their schedules, from time management techniques to practical strategies for improving efficiency within a cl...
Nov 06, 2024•31 min•Ep. 19
In Episode 18 of The Vet'ed Podcast , hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler explore effective strategies for hiring and retaining staff in veterinary practices. They emphasize the importance of clearly defining roles and setting expectations, noting that vague job titles can lead to confusion and dissatisfaction. By outlining specific responsibilities and communicating clear outcomes, practices can ensure that employees understand their roles, reducing stress and improving job performance. Th...
Oct 16, 2024•45 min•Ep. 18
In episode 17 of The Vet'ed Podcast, titled "Finishing the Year Strong" - Hosts Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler discuss key steps for veterinary practices to successfully close out the year. They focus on financial management, emphasizing the importance of reviewing profit and loss statements, ensuring sales tax exemptions are up to date, and avoiding unnecessary purchases solely for tax deductions. The hosts also stress the importance of proactive tax planning, advising practices to work wit...
Oct 02, 2024•40 min•Ep. 17
In Episode 16 of "The Vet'ed Podcast," hosted by Steven Hermann and Kale Flaspohler, the conversation focuses on effective strategies for marketing veterinary practices. They discuss how traditional marketing methods like billboards or newspaper ads aren't as effective in the veterinary space. Instead, they emphasize the importance of networking, client retention, and forward booking as key components of a successful marketing strategy. They also highlight the role of customer experience, starti...
Sep 18, 2024•37 min•Ep. 16
In episode 15, Steven and Kale emphasize the importance of planning before attending a convention by identifying key sessions, companies, and setting specific goals. They introduce the "72-Hour Rule," which encourages acting on ideas or opportunities within 72 hours of returning to prevent information overload. They provide tips for evaluating products and vendors, such as checking guarantees, asking for client references, and ensuring products meet your needs without deceptive marketing. They a...
Sep 04, 2024•35 min•Ep. 15
