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Veterinary technicians and technologists are the backbone of every practice, yet many face financial challenges that can feel overwhelming—especially when living paycheck to paycheck. During National Vet Tech Week and RVT Appreciation Month, we’re shining a light on this often-overlooked aspect of wellbeing: financial health.

In this empowering episode, we sit down with Grace Wu Ursery, founder of Vet Money Geek and longtime RVT and practice manager. Grace shares practical, judgment-free advice on budgeting, building savings, understanding benefits, and starting constructive conversations about pay and compensation.

Whether you’re a vet tech, practice manager, or veterinary professional looking to take control of your finances, this episode offers actionable steps to build financial resilience and peace of mind—without sacrificing your coffee habit or your sanity.

Listen to learn how small, intentional changes can make a big difference in your financial future and overall wellbeing.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/2Qdu07f6uy4 

Resources

Follow Grace Wu Ursery on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/gracewursery  

Learn more about Vet Money Geek: www.vetmoneygeek.com

Follow Grace / Vet Money Geek on social media @vetmoneygeek

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To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/

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Veterinary workplaces are fast-paced, emotionally charged, and often stressful—which can lead to misunderstandings, miscommunication, and burnout. But what if there was a way to better understand ourselves and each other, so we could reduce tension and work together more effectively?

In this episode, Jolene Watson—RVT, certified Myers-Briggs® practitioner, executive coach, and best-selling author— shares how personality awareness can transform veterinary teams. Drawing from her own background in veterinary medicine and coaching, Jolene explains how different personality types respond to stress, how communication styles can clash, and why appreciating these differences is essential for collaboration and retention.

We also explore common communication breakdowns in veterinary practices, the connection between feeling understood and staying in a role, and what practice leaders can do to create a culture where every team member feels valued.

If you’ve ever struggled with conflict at work, felt drained by team dynamics, or wanted to better understand the people around you, this episode will give you insight, tools, and a new way to think about team wellbeing.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/XEYcz7gNhGw 

Resources
Connect with Jolene Watson on social media: https://www.facebook.com/ClarityCoachingandDevelopment, https://www.instagram.com/jolene_Clarity/, https://www.linkedin.com/in/jolene-watson-5881612a/ 

Visit Jolene’s website to find out more: https://www.jolenewatson.com/veterinary 

A Descriptive Analysis of Personality and Gender at the Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (article): https://utppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3138/jvme.36.3.284 

An Examination of Myers-Briggs Type Indicator Personality, Gender, and Career Interests of Ontario Veterinary College Students (article): https://utppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3138/jvme.0418-044r 

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Conversations about suicide can be uncomfortable—but they’re essential. In this thoughtful and deeply informative episode, we speak with Dr. Jen Brandt, Director of Member Wellbeing Initiatives at the American Veterinary Medical Association, to talk about suicide prevention, stigma reduction, and building truly supportive workplaces in veterinary medicine.

With advanced suicidology training and a career dedicated to mental health and wellbeing, Jen brings nuance, clarity, and compassion to a topic too often oversimplified or shrouded in myth. We discuss common misconceptions—such as the idea that veterinarians have the very highest suicide rates or that client interactions are the primary cause of risk—and explore the far more complex factors at play.

Jen also shares why language matters when talking about suicide, how veterinary professionals can recognize and respond to warning signs, and the empowering role of trainings like QPR or ASK. We delve into the stigma that still keeps too many from seeking help, and what individuals and organizations alike can do to change that.

Whether you’re a veterinary professional, a leader in the field, or simply someone who cares about mental health, this conversation offers insight, actionable steps, and hope for a more compassionate future in veterinary medicine. 

Trigger Warning: This episode discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please call or text 988 in the United States or Canada, or visit https://findahelpline.com/ to find a helpline in your country.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/YtJluZkYqWc

Resources
AVMA resources pertaining to suicide (scroll down and select Suicide Prevention and Support): https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/wellbeing 

Toolkit for people impacted by suicide: https://mentalhealthcommission.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/Toolkit-for-people-who-have-been-impacted-by-a-suicide-loss.pdf 

Media guidelines for suicide prevention: https://suicideprevention.ca/media/media-guidelines/ 

Recommendations for reporting on suicide: https://reportingonsuicide.org/ 

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Order Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s book A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101487131-14076226?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.routledge.com%2FA-Compassionate-Calling-What-It-Really-Means-to-Be-a-Veterinarian%2FHolowaychuk%2Fp%2Fbook%2F9781032389035 

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Veterinary teams are no strangers to trauma—emergency cases, euthanasia, client distress, and internal conflict can all leave an emotional mark. Yet, so often, we rush past these moments without stopping to process them. What if we didn’t have to carry that weight alone?

In this essential episode, we speak with Julie Morse Elliott, MPCC Provisional (Master Practitioner in Clinical Counselling Provisional), RVT, VTS(ECC), and trained CIGD facilitator, about Critical Incident Group Debriefing—a powerful, structured approach to helping veterinary teams process distressing events in a safe, supportive environment.

Julie explains how debriefing sessions can reduce emotional overwhelm, foster team cohesion, and protect against long-term impacts like burnout, compassion fatigue, and PTSD. We walk through what a typical session looks like, common signs a team might need one, and how leaders can begin introducing debriefing into their workplace culture.

This conversation is both practical and deeply affirming. If you’ve ever left work feeling rattled, numb, or isolated after a traumatic case—or you’re a leader wondering how to better support your team—this episode is a must-listen. 

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/PIdLiB70Fio

Resources
Learn more about Critical Incident Group Debriefings by Reviving Veterinary Medicine: https://revivingvetmed.com/critical-incident-group-debriefing-for-veterinary-teams/ 

Follow Julie Morse Elliott on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-morse-elliott-rvt-vts-ecc-mpcc-provisional-1ba373a7/ and Facebook / Instagram @ConsciousEvolutionCounselling

Visit Julie Morse Elliott’s website: https://consciousevolutioncounselling.com/ 

Critical Incident Debriefing: What You Need to Know (PDF): https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/critical-incident-debriefing 

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Order Dr. Marie Holowaychuk’s book A Compassionate Calling: What It Really Means To Be a Veterinarian: https://www.dpbolvw.net/click-101487131-14076226?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.routledge.com%2FA-Compassionate-Calling-What-It-Really-Means-to-Be-a-Veterinarian%2FHolowaychuk%2Fp%2Fbook%2F9781032389035 

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Conflict is a part of every workplace—but in veterinary medicine, it’s often something we avoid at all costs. In this episode of Reviving Vet Med, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk explores why conflict avoidance is so common among veterinary teams and how it can silently erode trust, collaboration, and even patient care.

Through practical strategies and real-life examples, Marie breaks down the different types of conflict—whether it’s a disagreement over clinical decisions or a clash of personalities—and shares tools for navigating each with courage and compassion. You’ll learn how to give feedback without damaging relationships, how to handle emotionally charged situations, and why leaning into healthy conflict is essential for building resilient, connected teams.

If you’ve ever walked on eggshells at work or struggled to speak up, this episode will give you the mindset and tools to approach conflict with confidence—and create a workplace culture where both people and patients thrive.

Resources

How to handle conflict among coworkers (PDF): https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/HandlingConflict 

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Veterinary medicine isn’t just a career—it’s often a core part of who we are. But what happens when the role of “veterinarian” starts to overshadow the rest of our identity? How do we stay connected to ourselves when the profession feels all-consuming?

In this reflective episode, Dr. Melodie Chan—longtime veterinarian, industry leader, and mentor—shares her personal journey of navigating identity in veterinary medicine. From early influences that shaped her career path to moments when her professional role was deeply tested, Dr. Chan speaks candidly about what it means to grow, change, and redefine yourself throughout the arc of a veterinary career.

We explore the struggle many veterinary professionals face in separating their self-worth from their job title, and how to create space for interests, values, and roles outside of work. Dr. Chan also shares her thoughts on how veterinary schools and workplaces can better support students and team members in building a strong, flexible professional identity that promotes wellbeing and sustainability.

If you’ve ever felt lost in your role, or wondered who you are beyond the title of veterinarian, this episode offers insight, validation, and hope.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/IxqMD29fOFs 

Resources
Connect with Dr. Melodie Chan on: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/melodie-chan-98839650/).

Listen to The Lost Vet | Podcast on Spotify and visit www.thelostvet.com for more information. 

Building a healthy professional identity in veterinary medicine (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/building-a-healthy-professional-identity-in-veterinary-medicine/ 

Identity, environment and mental wellbeing in the veterinary profession (article): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29950340/ 

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To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/ 

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In this calming bonus episode, Dr. Marie Holowaychuk invites you to pause and gently lay down some of the emotional weight you may be carrying—grief, stress, responsibility, or expectations. Whether you're a veterinary professional navigating a difficult season or simply someone feeling the heaviness of the day-to-day, this 8-minute guided meditation offers a safe space to rest, release, and reconnect with yourself.

Through breath awareness, a body scan, and a powerful visualization practice, you’ll be guided to acknowledge what’s present without needing to fix or solve it. Allow your breath to soften the tension, your body to ground you, and your heart to open to the idea that you don’t have to carry everything alone.Close with gentle affirmations and a reminder that rest is not only allowed—it’s necessary. Share this meditation with someone who could use a moment of release, and find more practices from Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on YouTube or Insight Timer.

Resources

Check out additional meditations from Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on Insight Timer: https://insighttimer.com/marieholowaychuk 

Find other meditations from Dr. Marie Holowaychuk on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@MarieHolowaychukDVM 

Newsletter

For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter 

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To learn more about our 4- and 8-week online programs approved for CE credit in jurisdictions that recognize RACE, please visit: https://revivingvetmed.com/programs/.  

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Grief is a constant presence in veterinary medicine—quiet, cumulative, and often ignored. From euthanasia and patient loss to a co-worker resigning or a colleague moving away, grief takes many forms in the lives of veterinary professionals. But what happens when we don’t acknowledge it?

In this thought-provoking episode, we speak with Kira Valentine, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and Certified Veterinary Technician, about the hidden grief that veterinary teams carry—and why making space for it is essential for healing, connection, and sustainability in the profession.

Kira shares her powerful journey from ER technician to trauma-informed coach, and how her lived experience informs her work supporting individuals and leaders through burnout, compassion fatigue, and emotional overwhelm. We explore why many in vet med don’t feel entitled to grieve, how unresolved grief can quietly erode wellbeing, and what it looks like to lead with emotional awareness.

If you’re holding grief you haven’t named—or supporting others who are—this episode offers permission to pause, reflect, and begin to release. 

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/KsDZ1NZ7dQo

Resources
Follow Kira Valentine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kira-valentine-21639917b/ 

Beyond death: Understanding grief in all its forms (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/beyond-death-understanding-grief-in-all-its-forms/ 

Grief in Response to Uncertainty Distress Among Veterinary Students During the Early Stages of the COVID-19 Pandemic (article): https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8295725/ 

Impacts of the process and decision-making around companion animal euthanasia on veterinary wellbeing (article): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31409747/ 

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For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

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To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/ 

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Neurodiversity remains a largely misunderstood and under-discussed topic in veterinary medicine, despite the profound ways it shapes how professionals experience and engage with their work. In this episode, we speak with Helen Allwood — small animal vet turned coach and trainer — about her journey from veterinary practice to coaching, following a late ADHD diagnosis that transformed her sense of self and professional path.

Helen shares how her diagnosis ignited a passion for neurodiversity advocacy and how she now supports veterinary professionals — especially those who are neurodivergent — through leadership development, career transitions, and work-related challenges. We explore common misconceptions about ADHD and autism in the profession, the struggles neurodivergent individuals often bring to coaching, and the strategies that help them thrive.

Whether you're neurodivergent yourself, work with someone who is, or lead a team and want to do better — this episode offers powerful insights, practical guidance, and a fresh perspective on what it means to truly revive veterinary medicine.

Watch the Video Version of this Episode
https://youtu.be/Vh8eRSTzaFI 

Resources
Follow Helen Allwood on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-allwood-5993a3211/ 

The Vet Project: https://www.thevetproject.co.uk/ 

Thank You to Our Sponsor
Reviving Veterinary Medicine: www.revivingvetmed.com

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For more practical pointers and tangible tips related to veterinary mental health and wellbeing, subscribe to our e-newsletter: https://revivingvetmed.kartra.com/page/newsletter

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To learn more about Reviving Veterinary Medicine’s offerings including lunch & learns, critical incident group debriefing, and online programs, please visit our website: https://revivingvetmed.com/ 

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Allyship isn’t just a buzzword — it’s a necessary practice for creating safe, inclusive, and affirming environments in veterinary medicine. In this episode, we explore what it means to be a true ally to LGBTQIA+ veterinary professionals, especially during Pride Month, but also throughout the year.

We unpack the mental health disparities faced by LGBTQIA+ individuals in the profession, why representation alone isn’t enough, and how everyday actions — like using inclusive language and respecting personal pronouns — can make a meaningful difference.

Drawing from insights by DEI experts and organizations like PrideVMC and the AVMA, we discuss the “Seven Types of Allies,” and share practical, actionable ways you can show up for your colleagues with authenticity and courage.

Whether you're new to allyship or looking to deepen your understanding, this episode offers a compassionate, informative, and nonjudgmental guide to becoming a more effective advocate for equity and belonging in veterinary spaces.

Resources
AVMA Journey For Teams: https://www.journeyforteams.org/educational-modules/ 

How sharing pronouns supports LGBTQIA+ veterinary professionals (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/how-sharing-personal-pronouns-supports-lgbtqia-veterinary-professionals/ 

Why gender-inclusive language matters in veterinary medicine (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/why-gender-inclusive-language-matters-in-veterinary-medicine/ 

7 Types of Allies (poster and discussion guide): https://www.journeyforteams.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/3-2-1-Discussion-Guide_Topic-14_Allyship-1.pdf 

Pride VMC: https://pridevmc.org/ 

Celebrating Pride month in support of LGBTQIA+ veterinary professionals (blog): https://revivingvetmed.com/celebrating-pride-month-in-support-of-lgbtqia-veterinary-professionals/ 

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