The MacVet Podcast

By Dr Fiona MacGillivray MRCVSScience Social Sciences

The MacVet Podcast episodes

June 15, 2023 A curious mind
Tommy The Vet Heffernan admits to having had many failures in his career, yet views this as an opportunity to grow and become more resilient in life.

Having been infected by 'the learning bug', he feels his knowledge and efforts to improve his own communication skills mean he is now able to 'leave people in a better place because of my interaction with them'.

In this episode, Tommy talks about:
the importance of having a support network,
technology and ecosystems,
the future of farming.

Listen in to discover Tommy's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!
54 min
June 01, 2023Sustainability, sustenance and salt
Alasdair Moffett (Moff) is a farm animal veterinarian with 'a bit of a running problem' - he won Snowdonia 50 in 2016, an ultra-running event in the beautiful Welsh National Park. Having completed a MSc in International Animal Health whilst still in practice, he has now taken on the role of Landscape Recovery Manager of the Upper Axe Landscape Recovery Project. In this role, Moff is working with 23 farmers and landowners to reconnect the Axe River and its floodplain upstream of a Special Area of Conservation.
In this episode, Moff talks about:
sustainability and the role of farm vets
the use of goggles during fertility examination
developing a new caffeine and chocolate bar
Listen in to discover Moff's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!

@upperaxelandscaperecovery
38 min
June 01, 2023Ethos, pathos, logos
Hannah Lloyd is a director of Pinstone, an award-winning agri-food rural communications agency. Having grown up on a farm then marrying a farmer, she lives and breathes the agricultural industry and is motivated to help the sector overcome the PR challenges it is so often faced with.
In this episode, Hannah talks about:
the benefits of media training
how to get your message across effectively
the importance of being inquisitive to grow and develop
Listen in to discover Hannah's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!

https://www.pinstone.co.uk
36 min
May 18, 2023 May the farm be with you
Abi Reader is a dairy farmer who works tirelessly to help educate consumers about where their food comes from.
Despite being advised that 'farming was not a good career choice for a girl', she signed up for agricultural college and hasn't looked back since.
In this episode, Abi talks about
how her involvement in a rural leadership course led to setting up a roadshow, complete with a life sized fibreglass farm
how important it is to surround yourself with good people.
Listen in and discover Abi's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!
39 min
May 18, 2023 Cruising the airwaves
David Johns has over 15 years experience as a reporter and presenter on radio and television, working for ITV and the BBC.In 2015, he decided to sell his house and move aboard a narrowboat, documenting his experiences of cruising and DIY along the way.

He is considered by many of his viewers as 'YouTube royalty', with his channel Cruising The Cut currently boasting over 230k subscribers. Which for a fairly niche subject is pretty impressive.

In this episode, David talks about:
how to be an effective and engaging communicator,
dealing with unkindly critical comments from YouTube viewers,
his love of radio and how Pop Idol prompted a big change.

Listen in to discover David's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!

www.youtube.com/CruisingTheCutUK

www.youtube.com/Vandemonium
35 min
May 04, 2023Never turn down a cuppa!
Sarah Tomlinson is a farm vet and technical director of the TB Advisory Service (TBAS).
She's passionate about understanding what makes people tick and how communication style can influence the responses of others.
In this episode, Sarah talks candidly about:
work-life balance

the importance of having a sense of control over the infectious disease TB

how surprised she is about how her career has evolved over the last 20 years
Listen in to discover Sarah's thoughts on communication, cows and coffee!
45 min
May 04, 2023Communication tips from Master Trainer Matt
Matt Gleed is a Master Trainer and education specialist in the world of fitness.
He trains the trainers who use the global fitness brands TRX, Matrix Fitness and Power Plate.
Having worked in the industry for over 20 years, he strongly believes that becoming an effective communicator comes from hard work: striving to improve your skills and having self-awareness.
In this episode, we discuss:
the benefits of adopting a growth mindset

the importance of self-reflection

how to develop skills and not worry about making mistakes along the way
Matt prepared for our conversation by learning an interesting cow fact, which he shares along with details of his caffeine habits.
32 min
May 01, 2023 Welcome to The MacVet Podcast
Thanks for checking us out!
This introductory episode gives a brief explanation about what to expect from our podcast.
We'd love you to join us as we interview the most interesting people in the world of communication, cows and coffee.
2 min