Dr. Marc Smith has spent 27 years caring for animals, but this conversation reveals a side of veterinary medicine most people never see.
Jake sits down with his own veterinarian, Dr. Marc Smith, a pioneer in integrative veterinary medicine who blends western care with eastern practices like acupuncture, herbal medicine, and food therapy. What begins as a conversation about pets quickly becomes a deeper discussion about purpose, pressure, communication, and the emotional weight that comes with caring for living beings day after day.
Marc opens up about burnout in veterinary medicine, the hardest conversations behind the exam-room door, and why so many vets carry more emotional responsibility than people realize. They also get practical, breaking down pet nutrition, obesity, fresh food vs kibble, holistic care, and how real-world constraints shape real decisions for pet owners.
This episode is a grounded, honest conversation about integrity, discipline, service, and why care has to go beyond medicine if it’s going to last.
Together, they discuss:
- Why veterinary burnout is emotional, not physical.
- How purpose evolves across a long career.
- The unseen weight veterinarians carry behind the exam room door.
- Why communication is the most underrated healing skill.
- The truth about pet food, obesity, and realistic nutrition.
- Fresh food vs kibble and what actually matters.
- Eastern vs western medicine and where each works best.
- How energy, emotion, and environment affect animals.
- The impact of corporate roll-ups on veterinary care.
- Integrity, discipline, and caring beyond medicine.
If you’ve ever loved an animal, questioned your purpose, or felt the weight of caring for others, this conversation will change how you see care, work, and responsibility.
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⏱️ Chapters
00:00 | Welcome to The Jake Turner Podcast
01:05 | Introducing Dr. Marc Smith
03:30 | Purpose vs pressure in a long career
07:10 | Why veterinary burnout is emotional, not physical
11:45 | Learning to listen and communicate better
16:20 | When the job becomes about people, not pets
20:40 | The truth about pet food and obesity
26:05 | Fresh food, kibble, and realistic nutrition
31:10 | Eastern vs western medicine explained
36:15 | Acupuncture, herbs, and food therapy
42:40 | Energy, emotion, and animal behavior
48:55 | Corporate takeover of veterinary medicine
54:30 | The hardest conversations with pet owners
1:00:40 | Unexpected loss and emotional resilience
1:06:55 | Discipline, structure, and integrity in care
1:12:40 | What 27 years of service teaches you
1:18:10 | Rapid fire questions
1:23:30 | Final reflections and closing thoughts
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Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and inspirational purposes only. It does not constitute medical, psychological, or legal advice. Always seek the guidance of qualified professionals regarding personal or mental health matters. Views expressed by guests are their own.
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