Send us Fan Mail

In veterinary medicine—and in life—the good and the bad often exist at the same time.

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann talks about what it really means to take the good with the bad, especially as an emergency veterinarian.

ER medicine can give you some of the highest highs and the lowest lows. One shift might bring multiple losses, difficult conversations, and euthanasias. Another might give you the incredible feeling of saving a critical patient, watching them walk out of the hospital, or seeing a child reunited with their puppy after a life-saving surgery.

But one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is this: a bad outcome doesn’t always mean bad medicine.

Sometimes our patients arrive already “down 10 runs,” and despite doing everything we can, we can’t change the outcome. Those losses are hard—but they don’t erase the patients we saved, the families we helped, or the good medicine we practiced.

And one bad shift certainly doesn’t define your entire career.

In this episode, I talk about:
• Navigating the wins and losses of emergency veterinary medicine
• Why a bad outcome doesn’t necessarily mean bad medicine
• Learning not to let one difficult case or shift define you
• Processing loss without falling into toxic positivity
• How difficult seasons can make us appreciate the good ones even more
• Finding perspective during high-volume, emotionally exhausting seasons
• Why I can acknowledge how heartbreaking vet med can be—and still genuinely love this profession

The bad days don’t erase the good ones. And the good days don’t mean the hard ones didn’t hurt.

Sometimes, you just have to take the good with the bad—and the bad with the good.

Behind the Stethoscope with Dr. Elizabeth Brann

Conversations about veterinary medicine, life outside the hospital, personal growth, and everything we learn along the way.

If this episode resonated with you, subscribe and share it with someone who might need the reminder that one bad day doesn’t define the whole story.

Send us Fan Mail

This week's episode is unlike any I've shared before.

On the anniversary of my grandmother Nancy Barziza's passing, I wanted to dedicate this episode to the woman who helped shape the person I am today. She wasn't just an incredible grandmother—she was a devoted mother of eight, a lifelong educator, a woman of unwavering Christian faith, and someone who made everyone around her feel loved and valued.

In this episode, I reflect on the lessons she taught me that continue to guide me every day:

• Putting family first
• Living your faith through your actions
• Treating everyone with kindness and respect
• Giving people grace because you never know what they're carrying
• Serving others with a joyful heart
• Loving deeply and without conditions
• Embracing new cultures and experiences through travel
• Making memories instead of waiting for the "perfect" time

If this episode touched you, I'd love to hear about someone who has made a lasting impact on your life. Share their story in the comments below. ❤️

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to like, subscribe, and share so we can continue building a community centered on compassion, resilience, and meaningful conversations.

Thank you for listening and for allowing me to share a piece of my heart. I hope this episode inspires you to call a loved one, hug your family a little tighter, and make memories while you still can

Send us Fan Mail

Starting a new career can feel exciting—but it can also leave you questioning whether you're good enough. In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann dives into the confidence gap that so many young professionals experience, especially during the first few years of their careers.

As a new emergency veterinarian, Dr. Brann shares personal stories of self-doubt, second-guessing decisions, comparing herself to more experienced colleagues, and learning that confidence isn't something you're handed after graduation—it's something you build through experience, repetition, and resilience.

Whether you're a veterinary student, new graduate, healthcare professional, or just beginning your career, this episode is a reminder that you're not behind—you're growing.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why confidence often lags behind competence
• The difference between confidence and self-trust
• How comparison steals confidence
• Why action comes before confidence—not the other way around
• Practical ways to build confidence in your career
• Advice for students and new graduates navigating the unknown

If you've ever felt like everyone else has it figured out except you, this episode is for you.

🎙️ Subscribe for new episodes featuring honest conversations about veterinary medicine, personal growth, career development, and life behind the stethoscope.

Follow along:
Instagram: @dr.elizabeth.brann
TikTok: @dr.elizabeth.brann

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann talks about a lesson many caregivers, high achievers, and young professionals struggle with — learning how to put yourself first.

In a world that praises being busy, saying yes, and constantly showing up for others, it can be easy to forget about the person who needs you the most: yourself.

Dr. Brann discusses why prioritizing your mental health, setting boundaries, taking breaks, and protecting your energy are not signs of selfishness — they are necessary for creating a sustainable and fulfilling life.

Whether you are in veterinary medicine, healthcare, school, or simply navigating a busy season of life, this episode is your reminder that you cannot pour from an empty cup.

Sometimes the best way to show up better for others is to finally start showing up for yourself.

New episodes every week.

Follow along:
Instagram/TikTok: @dr.elizabeth.brann
YouTube: Behind the Stethoscope

Send us Fan Mail

What does a 12-hour shift as an emergency veterinarian actually look like?

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, I take you behind the scenes of a typical day working in a busy veterinary emergency room.

From the perspective of the night shift. From nightly rounds and patient transfers to critical emergencies, client conversations, medical records, and everything in between, I'm sharing what life is really like as an ER veterinarian. While every shift is different, this episode gives you an honest look at the fast-paced, unpredictable, and incredibly rewarding world of veterinary emergency medicine.

Whether you're a pre-vet student, current veterinary student, fellow veterinarian, or simply an animal lover curious about what happens inside an emergency animal hospital, I hope this episode gives you a new appreciation for the people working behind the scenes to care for pets when they need it most.

In this episode, we discuss:

• What happens before a shift even begins
• How ER cases are triaged and prioritized
• The balance between patient care and client communication
• The behind-the-scenes work people never see
• What makes ER medicine so rewarding—and so challenging

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to like, subscribe, and leave a review. New episodes of Behind the Stethoscope are released every week, where we have honest conversations about veterinary medicine, career growth, mental health, and life beyond the clinic.

Follow along for more behind-the-scenes content:
📸 Instagram: @dr.elizabeth.brann
🎵 TikTok: @dr.elizabeth.brann

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, I share how stepping away from my normal routine helped me realize the importance of hitting the reset button. We talk about what it means to feel out of alignment, how to recognize when you're running on autopilot, and why taking a break doesn't mean you're falling behind.

Whether you're a pre-vet student, veterinary student, new graduate, practicing veterinarian, or simply someone navigating a busy season of life, this episode is a reminder that you don't have to wait for burnout to prioritize yourself.

Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is pause, reconnect with what matters most, and come back with a fresh perspective.

Because life isn't meant to be lived entirely at work, in school, or checking things off a to-do list.

Sometimes, you just need a reset.

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 2 of this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann continues the conversation with Dr. Stephenie Severson as they dive deeper into the realities of veterinary school, clinics, and transitioning into life after graduation.

They discuss the importance of finding mentors, building strong study groups, and making time for life outside of school through trips, trivia nights, and community activities. Dr. Severson shares what fourth year is like, the emotional highs and lows of clinics, and how confidence in veterinary medicine often comes through repetition and experience.

Dr. Severson reflects on graduating, moving back home to end long distance with her fiancé, maintaining friendships across the country, and learning to prioritize mental health, hobbies, faith, and church community throughout the journey.

Whether you’re a pre-vet student, current veterinary student, or new graduate veterinarian, this episode is full of honest conversations, relatable moments, and reminders that you’re not alone in the process.

Follow along with Behind the Stethoscope:
Instagram/TikTok: @dr.elizabeth.brann
Website: www.behindthestethoscope.com

Send us Fan Mail

In Part 1 of this two-part interview on Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann sits down with her former roommate and close friend, Dr. Stephenie Severson, as she prepares to graduate from Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine and begin her career in mixed-animal practice in North Dakota.

Stephanie shares her journey from growing up in a small town in North Dakota to attending the University of Minnesota Crookston to getting into vet school at Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine, and so much more

In this episode, we discuss:

• Stephenie’s path to veterinary school
• Not getting accepted on her first attempt
• How a gap year changed everything
• Why grades are not everything
• The importance of extracurriculars, volunteering, and unique experiences
• The challenges of first-year veterinary school
• How mentors, roommates, and friendships make all the difference

This conversation is full of honest advice and encouragement for pre-veterinary students, current vet students, and anyone pursuing a goal that doesn’t happen on the first try.

🎧 Listen to Behind the Stethoscope for candid conversations about veterinary medicine, life as a new graduate veterinarian, and the realities behind the profession.

Subscribe for new episodes every Wednesday.

Connect with Behind the Stethoscope

🌐 www.behindthestethoscope.com
📸 Instagram @dr.elizabeth.brann
🎵 TikTok @dr.elizabeth.brann

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann dives into the importance of mentorship—both in veterinary medicine and beyond.

From her experience as a kennel tech and ER technician to now practicing as an emergency veterinarian, she shares how mentorship has shaped her confidence, clinical skills, and career growth.

This episode covers:

• What mentorship really looks like
• How to find the right mentor
• How to be a great mentee
• Why mentorship is essential in high-stress careers
• And how YOU are already a mentor to someone else

Whether you're a pre-vet student, vet student, new grad, or navigating your own career path—this episode is for you.

🎧 New episodes every Wednesday
📱 Follow along: @dr.elizabeth.brann

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Behind the Stethoscope, Dr. Elizabeth Brann dives into the reality of grit and resilience in veterinary medicine—and why this career requires more than just passion.

From the long road of getting into vet school, to the challenges of surviving vet school, to the emotional weight of being a new graduate, this episode explores what it truly takes to not only make it into this field… but stay in it.

Inspired by insights from Angela Lee Duckworth and her talk Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance TED Talk, this episode breaks down why grit—passion and perseverance for long-term goals—matters more than talent.

Whether you're:

• A pre-vet on the long road to acceptance
• A vet student trying to push through
• A new grad navigating real-life responsibility
• Or someone outside of vet med facing your own challenges

This episode is your reminder that success isn’t about who starts the strongest—it’s about who keeps going.

-New episodes every Wednesday
-Follow along: @dr.elizabeth.brann