In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel explores the idea of making a significant impact throughout one’s career and the internal drive that pushes veterinarians and entrepreneurs to constantly seek new challenges. We discuss the phases of a veterinary business, from startup to growth, and the desire for personal and professional fulfillment that often leads to continual reinvention. We address the "seven-year itch," the frustration that can drive change, and the difference betw...
Nov 22, 2024•26 min•Ep. 48
In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, our panel of veterinary professionals discuss the various "life cycles" in their careers, including the journey from veterinary school to business ownership. The conversation focuses on how many veterinarians initially aim to simply survive the early years of practice but often shift towards ownership or leadership roles as they gain experience. Panelists share personal stories of navigating this transition, exploring the challenges and rewards of r...
Nov 15, 2024•25 min•Ep. 47
In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, Kelly, Jenni, and David delve into the topic of unity within workplaces and society. They explore how creating a safe and inclusive environment allows team members to feel valued and heard, regardless of their backgrounds or opinions. Jenni shares her experiences of fostering open communication within her team, emphasizing monthly culture-focused meetings and encouraging active listening. The discussion highlights the importance of vulnerability, re...
Nov 08, 2024•24 min
In this podcast episode, hosts Kelly, David, and Phil discuss emergency preparedness and response, especially following recent hurricanes. Phil shares his firsthand experience of preparing for and living through a hurricane, highlighting the importance of having both personal and business contingency plans. The conversation extends to veterinary practices, with the team emphasizing the need for proactive measures, such as clear communication strategies, updated contact information, and establish...
Nov 01, 2024•25 min
In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, Kelly, Cody, and David explore the challenges veterinary hospitals face in adjusting their pricing strategies amid inflation. The conversation covers how some veterinary services have seen significant price increases over the past two years, and the potential need for practices to re-evaluate their fees. Cody shares his experience of analyzing prices in his own clinics, considering cost increases in staffing, pharmaceuticals, and operating expenses....
Oct 25, 2024•21 min•Ep. 50
In this episode, Social Media and Being Influenced, Kelly Baltzell, Phil Richmond, Stacee Santi, Jenni George, and David McCormick dive into the impact of social media on the veterinary field. They explore how online platforms shape decisions, influence professional behavior, and affect mental health. Tune in to hear their insights on navigating the digital world while staying authentic and focused on veterinary care.
Oct 11, 2024•22 min•Ep. 45
In this episode, we break down the impact of the recent hurricane on the eastern U.S., with insights from Florida, Tennessee, and North Carolina. Phil talks about the intense storm surge and community resilience, while Jenni shares the importance of emergency planning for veterinary clinics. Cody also touches on the lack of international media coverage. We dive into the value of donating through trusted organizations, staying prepared for local emergencies, and supporting community efforts. Plus...
Oct 03, 2024•31 min
In the latest discussion on "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," Kelly Baltzell, Phil Richmond, Peter Weinstein, Stacee Santi, Jenni George, and David McCormick explored gender disparities in aviation and veterinary fields. They cited a YouGov study where 33% of Americans, including 46% of men and 20% of women, believe they could land a 747 without training. In veterinary practices, women own 40% of clinics, yet salary disparities persist, despite women comprising 80% of veterinary school students. The...
Sep 26, 2024•25 min•Ep. 44
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," hosts Kelly, Peter, Jenni, Stacee, and David discuss the sensitive topic of firing difficult clients, or as they put it, "asshole clients." The conversation explores when and why it's appropriate to let go of clients who are abusive, disrespectful, or constantly challenging the veterinary team's expertise. The hosts emphasize the importance of setting boundaries, maintaining a respectful environment, and prioritizing the well-being of the staff. T...
Sep 19, 2024•19 min•Season 1Ep. 43
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," Kelly, Peter, Jenni, Stacee, and David explore the blurred lines between reality and technology, discussing the rapid advancements in AI and robotics. Stacee shares her unsettling experiences with AI, including voice cloning and palm-based payments, highlighting the challenges of distinguishing between real and artificial interactions. The hosts delve into the implications of these technologies in everyday life and the veterinary field, emphasizin...
Sep 12, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 42
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," hosts Kelly, Phil, David, and Jenni tackle the topic of balancing multiple responsibilities in life and work. They discuss the unrealistic expectation of perfect work-life balance, emphasizing that it's more about adjusting priorities based on current needs. The conversation includes personal anecdotes about juggling various roles, the importance of setting boundaries, and the value of accepting that not everything can be perfectly balanced at all...
Sep 05, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 41
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," hosts Kelly, Phil, David, and Jenni dive into the topic of generational issues in the workplace, particularly within the veterinary field. They discuss the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding different generations, such as Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z, and the tendency to blame generational differences for workplace conflicts. The conversation emphasizes the importance of empathy, open communication, and self-awareness in fosterin...
Aug 29, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 40
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts Kelly, Phil, Peter, and Stacee explore the concept of being taken seriously in professional settings. They discuss the challenges that come with being perceived seriously due to factors like age, gender, and appearance, especially in the veterinary field. Stacee shares her experiences of feeling undervalued early in her career, while others highlight how self-perception, body language, and confidence play significant roles in how profess...
Aug 28, 2024•21 min•Season 1Ep. 39
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," Kelly, Stacee, Peter, and Phil delve into the importance of active listening in both personal and professional contexts. They explore how modern distractions, such as smartphones and social media, hinder genuine communication and the practice of truly listening to others. The conversation highlights the physiological and psychological challenges of active listening, including how the brain processes information faster than people speak, leading to...
Aug 15, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 38
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts, including Kelly, Peter, Stacee, and David, explore the financial gender gap within the veterinary profession, particularly focusing on the disparity in earnings between male and female practice owners. Peter highlights the significant income difference, attributing it to factors like profitability, productivity, and real estate ownership. The discussion delves into the broader issue of women undervaluing themselves and not advocating fo...
Aug 09, 2024•18 min•Season 1Ep. 37
In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel, including Kelly, Peter, Phil, David, and Jenni, explores the balance between good business practices and quality veterinary care. Jenni shares her perspective on the importance of prioritizing team well-being over strict financial metrics, like profit margins and payroll percentages. The discussion touches on the challenges of managing a veterinary practice, including the need for both data analysis and people skills. They emphasize the n...
Aug 01, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 36
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," Kelly is joined by Peter, Phil, David, and Jenni to delve into the pervasive issue of impostor syndrome within the veterinary profession. They highlight how many veterinary professionals quietly struggle with feelings of inadequacy and self-doubt, despite their external achievements. Jenny shares her personal journey with impostor syndrome, emphasizing the importance of self-empowerment and continued education to overcome these negative thoughts. ...
Jul 25, 2024•28 min•Season 1Ep. 35
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts brainstorm ideas for improving marketing efforts, particularly focusing on enhancing their digital presence. They reviewed various techniques for better engaging their target audience, such as utilizing creative ad campaigns, optimizing LinkedIn advertising, and producing educational content. Additionally, they explored the potential of creating white papers, email newsletters, and social media posts to boost visibility and drive engagem...
Jul 25, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 34
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts dive into the complexities of managing veterinary pharmacies in 2024. One Canadian provider shares his challenges with inefficiencies and outdated systems in his pharmacy, contrasting it with advancements in the U.S. The hosts provide a historical overview, highlighting how veterinary pharmacies evolved from simple operations to significant profit centers. The group discusses the diminishing profitability of carrying a wide range of prod...
Jul 18, 2024•30 min•Season 1Ep. 33
In this episode of “Unfiltered Vet Discussions,” the hosts delve into the evolving landscape of pet nutrition within veterinary practices. The conversation starts with one vet’s initial reluctance to focus on pet food sales in his clinics due to the anticipated market disruptions. The hosts provide a historical perspective, noting that while pet food was once a profit center aimed at ensuring client return visits, the business model has shifted. Today’s discussion is around how veterinary hospit...
Jul 04, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 32
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts explore the importance of vulnerability in veterinary practice and leadership. Phil highlights a study showing how kindness from superiors can significantly improve medical students' performance. The hosts discuss the challenges men face in expressing vulnerability and the need to break these cycles for healthier, more connected teams. Personal stories underscore how embracing vulnerability can enhance psychological safety, job satisfact...
Jun 27, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts explore veterinary care practices outside the United States. Peter shares insights from his recent trip to Australia, highlighting differences in costs and services, while Cody discusses veterinary practices in Canada. The conversation reveals that while the U.S. often considers itself a leader in veterinary care, other countries also provide high-quality services, sometimes at lower costs. This episode emphasizes the importance of learn...
Jun 20, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 30
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts discuss the financial pressures faced by clients of veterinary services. Peter highlights his recent observations of clients negotiating and declining services due to high costs, contrasting with past attitudes where clients were more willing to pay without question. The rest of the panelists share their experiences and concerns about the rising expenses in veterinary care, affecting even their top clients. They emphasize the need to reb...
Jun 14, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 29
In the latest episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," Kelly hosts a conversation with Jenni, Phil, and David, focusing on the difficulty of saying "sorry" and taking responsibility. They explore the challenges of genuine apologies, referencing the children's book "Tumford the Terrible," where a cat struggles to apologize. Jenni recounts a work incident highlighting inadequate apologies and the importance of owning mistakes without excuses. Phil shares his experience in recovery, emphasizing the...
Jun 06, 2024•24 min•Season 1Ep. 28
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," hosts Kelly, Phil, David, and Jenni dive into the topic of self-criticism, highlighting its prevalence and impact in veterinary workplaces. Phil shares insights from a survey conducted with an Australian group on workplace well-being, revealing that self-criticism is a significant factor contributing to burnout among veterinary professionals. The discussion explores how perfectionism, societal expectations, and internal criticism drain energy and ...
May 30, 2024•23 min•Season 1Ep. 27
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," hosts Kelly, Phil, David, and Jenni explore the concept of having "a day"—one of those challenging days when everything seems to go wrong. They discuss common experiences in veterinary practice, such as staff shortages and unexpected emergencies, and the emotional toll these can take. Emphasizing the power of mindset, they talk about the importance of perception and the impact of expecting the worst. They suggest strategies like practicing gratitu...
May 24, 2024•25 min•Season 1Ep. 26
In the latest episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts delve into the emotional dynamics of online engagement and real-world interactions. They explore the personal choices involved in responding to negativity, whether it's in professional settings like veterinary practices or personal social media use. The conversation emphasizes the power of disengagement and the importance of recognizing when to use the metaphorical "walkaway button" to avoid unnecessary conflicts. They also discuss...
May 16, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 25
In this podcast episode from "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the topic of "bear versus man" is explored as a metaphor for understanding personal safety concerns, particularly for women. The discussion revolves around a social media prompt asking women if they would rather encounter a bear or an unknown man if stranded in the woods, with most women choosing the bear. This leads to broader conversations on how to enhance safety for female employees in various settings, including self-defense classes...
May 09, 2024•22 min•Season 1Ep. 24
In the latest episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the hosts delve into a recent overseas study titled "Veterinary Services for Household Pets in the UK." The study highlights issues like the high concentration of veterinary practices owned by large corporations, leading to a lack of competition in certain areas and concerns over price transparency and communication about the costs of treatments and surgeries. The discussion also touches on the UK's veterinary market as a predictor for trend...
May 02, 2024•25 min
In this episode of "Unfiltered Vet Discussions," the panel delves into the multifaceted impact of artificial intelligence (AI) in veterinary practice, emphasizing communication skills over technical prowess. The hosts explore the evolution of veterinary education and practice, discussing the shift from historically personable, community-oriented veterinarians to today’s technically adept but less communicative professionals. They propose innovative approaches to veterinary training that prioriti...
Apr 25, 2024•23 min
