In this insightful conversation, Gigi Tsontos, CEO of Not One More Vet, shares her journey from social work to veterinary mental health advocacy. The conversation covers the unique vulnerabilities of veterinary professionals, the importance of emotional intelligence, systemic support systems, and practical steps for fostering a culture of well-being in veterinary practices.

Why are veterinary professionals so vulnerable to mental health challenges? Let's unpack this.

💔 If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed in your veterinary career, you’re not alone.

Veterinary medicine attracts compassionate souls who often struggle with emotional intelligence and boundary-setting. Many of us prioritize our patients over our well-being, leading to burnout and stress. The pressure to excel can be immense, with perfectionism leaving little room for mistakes or self-care. If you can relate, tag someone who needs to hear this!

Not One More Vet is addressing these issues head-on, offering support and solutions to create healthier work environments.

Together, we can foster a culture of understanding and support.

Key Topics:

Vulnerabilities of veterinary professionals to mental health challenges

The role of emotional intelligence and systemic support in well-being

Practical strategies for leadership to foster mental health

The importance of psychological safety and peer support in vet teams

Guest Information: Gigi Tsontos, LCSW, LSCSW, MPA, PCC

LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/gigi-tsontos/

NOMV - http://www.nomv.org/

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Terri Lambe, Chief Development Officer at Legacy Veterinary Advisors, helps unpack the realities of mergers and acquisitions in veterinary medicine. Terri shares her unique journey into the M&A space and offers an inside look at what practice owners experience when considering a sale—from fear and uncertainty to opportunity and growth.

We explore common misconceptions about consolidation, the emotional and operational impact on owners and teams, and what truly matters beyond valuation—like culture, autonomy, and long-term alignment. The conversation also highlights the importance of preparation, transparent leadership, and choosing the right advisor to navigate this complex process.

At its core, this episode is a powerful reminder that while M&A is business, it’s also deeply personal—and when done right, it can create meaningful outcomes for owners, teams, and the future of veterinary medicine.

Guest Information: Terri Lambe, MBA

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-lambe-mba-6b4830186/

Websites: https://legacyvetadvisors.com/

https://registration.dvm360.com/fetch-nashville-2026/agenda/speakers/3880931

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Terri Lambe, Chief Development Officer at Legacy Veterinary Advisors, helps unpack the realities of mergers and acquisitions in veterinary medicine. Terri shares her unique journey into the M&A space and offers an inside look at what practice owners experience when considering a sale—from fear and uncertainty to opportunity and growth.

We explore common misconceptions about consolidation, the emotional and operational impact on owners and teams, and what truly matters beyond valuation—like culture, autonomy, and long-term alignment. The conversation also highlights the importance of preparation, transparent leadership, and choosing the right advisor to navigate this complex process.

At its core, this episode is a powerful reminder that while M&A is business, it’s also deeply personal—and when done right, it can create meaningful outcomes for owners, teams, and the future of veterinary medicine.

Guest Information: Terri Lambe, MBA

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-lambe-mba-6b4830186/

Websites: https://legacyvetadvisors.com/

https://registration.dvm360.com/fetch-nashville-2026/agenda/speakers/3880931

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

Struggling to get your team on board with change? You’re not alone—and this episode will change how you lead through it.

In this conversation with change expert Evie Staples, we unpack a critical truth: change isn’t just operational—it’s deeply human. What feels like a straightforward shift to leadership can feel overwhelming, uncertain, or even unsafe to your team.

We explore how great leaders approach change differently—leading with empathy, intentional communication, and a deep awareness of how people actually experience transition. Because when you create the right environment, resistance softens, trust builds, and progress accelerates.

We also dig into what many leaders miss: change management isn’t just a “people issue”—it’s a business driver. Get it wrong, and you risk disengagement, attrition, and stalled results. Get it right, and you unlock performance at scale.

If you want to lead change without creating friction—and actually bring your team with you—this episode is for you.

Guest Information: Evie Staples

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eviestaples/

Empower the Future - empowerthefuture.net 

To Schedule a Talk, email [email protected]

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

Struggling to get your team on board with change? You’re not alone—and this episode will change how you lead through it.

In this conversation with change expert Evie Staples, we unpack a critical truth: change isn’t just operational—it’s deeply human. What feels like a straightforward shift to leadership can feel overwhelming, uncertain, or even unsafe to your team.

We explore how great leaders approach change differently—leading with empathy, intentional communication, and a deep awareness of how people actually experience transition. Because when you create the right environment, resistance softens, trust builds, and progress accelerates.

We also dig into what many leaders miss: change management isn’t just a “people issue”—it’s a business driver. Get it wrong, and you risk disengagement, attrition, and stalled results. Get it right, and you unlock performance at scale.

If you want to lead change without creating friction—and actually bring your team with you—this episode is for you.

Key Topics:

Change is a Human Experience - Not Just a Strategy

Leading Change with Empathy and Intention

The Hidden Business Impact of Change Management

Guest Information: Evie Staples

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/eviestaples/

Empower the Future - empowerthefuture.net 

To Schedule a Talk, email [email protected]

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

Perimenopause affects millions of women during some of the most pivotal years of their careers—yet it remains one of the least discussed topics in the workplace. In Episode 6 of Leading Out Loud, workplace well-being expert Renee Machel shares powerful insights on how perimenopause impacts women’s health, confidence, and performance.

We explore the physical and cognitive symptoms that often go unrecognized, the hidden cost to organizations when these challenges are ignored, and why awareness matters for both employees and leaders. Renee also offers practical strategies for creating more supportive workplaces—from normalizing conversations to redesigning systems that prioritize well-being and retention.

If you care about workplace culture, leadership, and supporting women through critical life transitions, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. Watch the full episode to learn how organizations can better support women—and why it matters for everyone.

Keywords: perimenopause, workplace well-being, women's health, mental health, burnout, advocacy, organizational support, systemic change

Key Topics:

Perimenopause and its impact on women in the workforce

Workplace culture and psychological safety

Strategies for advocacy and self-advocacy during health transitions

Guest Information: Renee Machel, CPC, CYT, MBSR

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneemachel/

Websites:

reneemachel.com

penniecompanion.com

getmotiveted.com 

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

This full Episode from Leading Out Loud is available now on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.

#leadership
#management
#healthcare
#mentorship
#podcast
#leadingoutloud

What if the path you start in veterinary medicine isn’t the one you’re meant to stay in?

In this episode of Leading Out Loud, Jose Izarpate shares his inspiring journey from a 15-year-old veterinary assistant in East Los Angeles to becoming a Senior Talent Acquisition Manager helping to shape the future of the profession. His story challenges the common belief that clinical work is the only meaningful path in veterinary medicine—and reveals the vast ecosystem of roles that quietly keep the industry moving forward.

Through his experience on both sides of the profession, Jose offers a candid look at the realities of veterinary recruiting, breaking down common misconceptions about talent acquisition and explaining why hiring isn’t about simply filling positions—it’s about building the right cultural fit for both the individual and the organization.

This conversation explores the power of self-investment, the importance of aligning personal values with workplace culture, and how open, two-way conversations during the hiring process can transform careers and clinics alike.

If you’ve ever wondered what makes a candidate truly stand out, how recruiters actually evaluate cultural fit, or whether there are alternative paths beyond clinical practice, this episode offers valuable insight from someone who has navigated multiple layers of the profession.

Veterinary medicine is bigger than most people realize—and sometimes the most impactful roles happen behind the scenes.

Guest Information: Jose Izarpate, RVT, CCFP, HRM, ACIR

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-izarpate-rvt-ccfp-hrm-acir-b11971187/

Host Information: Bridget Rollins

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

If you thought Part 1 was just about communication, Part 2 goes deeper.

In the next episode, Shawn McVey moves beyond why difficult conversations matter and dives into how leaders actually handle them in real time. From the subtle mistakes that escalate conflict to the leadership behaviors that create true psychological safety, this conversation reveals what separates clinics that struggle with tension from those that build resilient, high-trust teams.

If you’ve ever wondered what to say in the moment when emotions run high—or how great leaders turn conflict into growth—you won’t want to miss Part 2 – Available NOW!

Because the hardest conversations in veterinary medicine are often the ones that shape the strongest teams.

Guest Information: Shawn McVey, MA, MSW

Veterinary Ownership Accelerator

LinkedIn - https://lnkd.in/gGzbyuY9

Veterinary Growth Partners - https://lnkd.in/gMNQ7JVT

Host Information: Bridget Rollins, EMBA, PhD Candidate

LinkedIn - https://lnkd.in/gyuhby9U

Kings Consulting - https://lnkd.in/gjH48K7r

🚨 Episode 4: The Courage to Have the Conversation. Available NOW! 🚨

What if the biggest leadership challenge in veterinary medicine isn’t medicine at all—but communication?

In this powerful conversation, Shawn McVey unpacks why so many veterinary teams struggle with difficult conversations and what leaders can do about it. From emotional intelligence to conflict resolution, explore essential strategies that help teams communicate more effectively, build psychological safety, and navigate the tough moments that inevitably arise in high-stress clinical environments.

If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation, watched conflict quietly damage a team, or wondered how great leaders create cultures of trust—this episode offers practical insights that can transform the way veterinary teams work together.

Because in veterinary medicine, better communication doesn’t just strengthen teams—it changes the culture of the clinic.

Keywords: Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Veterinary Medicine, Team Building, Communication Skills, Workplace Culture

Key Topics:

The importance of emotional intelligence in veterinary leadership

Strategies for managing conflict and difficult conversations

Building trust and psychological safety within teams

Guest Information: Shawn McVey, MA, MSW

Veterinary Ownership Accelerator

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shawngmcvey/

Veterinary Growth Partners - https://www.linkedin.com/company/veterinary-growth-partners/posts/?feedView=all

Host Information: Bridget Rollins, EMBA, PhD Candidate

LinkedIn - www.linkedin.com/in/bridget-rollins

Kings Consulting - https://www.linkedin.com/company/kings-consulting-brollins/about/?viewAsMember=true

Episode 4. Part 1: The Courage to Have the Conversation.
🚨 Drops tomorrow, March 10th! 🚨

What if the biggest leadership challenge in veterinary medicine isn’t medicine at all—but communication?
In this powerful conversation, Shawn McVey unpacks why so many veterinary teams struggle with difficult conversations and what leaders can do about it. From emotional intelligence to conflict resolution, explore essential strategies that help teams communicate more effectively, build psychological safety, and navigate the tough moments that inevitably arise in high-stress clinical environments.
If you’ve ever avoided a hard conversation, watched conflict quietly damage a team, or wondered how great leaders create cultures of trust—this episode offers practical insights that can transform the way veterinary teams work together.
Because in veterinary medicine, better communication doesn’t just strengthen teams—it changes the culture of the clinic.

Keywords: Leadership, Conflict Resolution, Emotional Intelligence, Veterinary Medicine, Team Building, Communication Skills, Workplace Culture

Key Topics:
The importance of emotional intelligence in veterinary leadership
Strategies for managing conflict and difficult conversations
Building trust and psychological safety within teams

Guest Information: Shawn McVey, MA, MSW
Veterinary Ownership Accelerator
LinkedIn - https://lnkd.in/gGzbyuY9
Veterinary Growth Partners - https://lnkd.in/gMNQ7JVT


This full Episode from Leading Out Loud will be available March 10th on Spotify, YouTube and Apple Podcasts.