In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel digs into what it really means to “not pour from an empty cup,” especially during high-stress seasons like the holidays. They unpack how extra clinic demands, family expectations, financial pressure, and comparison on social media quietly drain energy—and why many people don’t realize how empty their cup is until they hit a wall.

The conversation explores practical, real-life ways veterinary professionals refill their cups: from Legos, video games, disc golf, yard work, and “stabbing art” (needle felting) to baking, painting nights, and fully immersive hobbies that demand your complete focus. They connect it back to HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired) as a simple self-check, and challenge listeners to look honestly at how much time they spend doomscrolling versus doing things that actually restore them.
The panel also talks about “knowing yourself” well enough to choose what truly recharges you—whether that’s solitude and quiet or social, active, creative time—and how scheduling small, regular moments of self-care prevents your cup from ever getting completely empty. They close by reminding listeners that prioritizing joy, boundaries, and gratitude isn’t selfish; it’s what allows you to keep showing up for your patients, your team, and the people you love.

This heartfelt episode explores what gratitude looks like in veterinary medicine — from appreciating clients and teammates to honoring the passion that keeps the profession moving forward. The panel reflects on how the field has evolved, highlighting the growing focus on mental health, community support, and shared learning. They discuss the impact of mentorship, the importance of not feeling alone in practice, and how simple acts of appreciation — whether holiday treats, kind words, or supportive conversations — can reignite purpose. The team closes with an invitation for listeners to pause, acknowledge three things they’re grateful for today, and share them with someone else.

This episode dives into addiction—whether it’s alcohol, substances, work, or emotional avoidance. The panel shares real stories of trauma, shame, and recovery, especially within veterinary medicine. They emphasize that hard conversations matter and that support can be offered without judgment. Key resources to help professionals in the veterinary field include:
Veterinary Hope Foundation (https://veterinaryhope.org)
Inspire by FVMA (https://fvma.org/inspire/)
Not One More Vet (https://nomv.org)
VIN Foundation (https://vinfoundation.org/resources/)

Opportunity During a Slow Time,” Kelly, Beth, Jenni, and David unpack why many clinics see a late-year slowdown and how to use it to your advantage. They compare market chatter across the U.S., then share tactics that keep schedules healthy: forecasting seasonal patterns, opening limited, referral-based new-client windows, running lookalike ads, and offering gift certificates to pull demand into Q1. David underscores profitability and an emergency fund so clinics can weather dips. The team urges using downtime to improve onboarding, team utilization, and workflow. They highlight community-driven visibility—chambers, service clubs, rescue partnerships, free vaccine clinics, and even CPR/AED trainings or senior-community nail-trim days—to build trust and future business. Listeners are invited to share topics and connect at VMX.

In “The Next Most Important Thing,” Kelly, Beth, and Peter dig into real-world prioritization for veterinarians and small business owners. Beth shares her father’s mantra—“do the next most important thing”—and how it guided her through start-up overwhelm. The trio connects this to triage thinking, resisting “shiny object” distractions, and the “Eat That Frog” idea of tackling the hard task first. They discuss proactive planning for seasonal slowdowns, delegating effectively (the #1 small-business success skill), and separating roles: working on the business vs. in the business (W.O.N.J.I.). Beth and Kelly unpack time blocking, weekly Top-3 alignment with managers, and measuring where leadership vs. clinical time delivers the most return. Practical takeaways: rank tasks by impact, delegate outcomes (not just chores), and commit to one role at a time.

The hosts unpack the line between appreciation and entitlement in vet med, using real stories from Vet Tech Appreciation Week. They discuss why year-round recognition, livable wages, and clear communication about benefits/finances matter more than one-off gifts. The team shares practical tactics—breakdown sheets of total comp, simple cost pie charts, and transparent goals—to build trust and reduce “this is all we get?” moments. They also emphasize modeling gratitude, supporting staff during emergencies without hesitation, and inviting direct dialogue over break-room complaints. The result: a culture where appreciation lands, entitlement fades, and teams feel valued.

From runaway dachshunds to heart-dogs and chaos crews, the team swaps real-life tales that range from hilarious to heartbreaking. Jenni shares sprinting through the woods after a mischievous mini dachshund (and her rescue backstory). Kelly opens up about navigating allergies, behavior, and healing with her doodle, Noah. You’ll also hear about a Yorkie PDA surgery who chose “dad,” Harley the fence-climbing clinic legend, a blind-but-bold Dalmatian named Fiona, and a senior lab (“Honey Bunny Boo Boo Bear”) who taught everyone about love and letting go. It’s messy, honest, and very dog.

As the year winds down, the team reflects on what it really means to take care of yourself, personally and professionally. From scheduling time off and setting healthy boundaries to finding small daily resets, they explore how prioritizing your well-being benefits not only you but also your team and those who rely on you. This conversation reminds listeners that self-care isn’t selfish, it’s leadership.

This episode dives into “recruiting war room” stories that highlight some of the most surprising—and sometimes shocking—interview moments. From alarm clocks going off mid-interview to gold suits, pizza deliveries, and even presumptive “first-day” staff meetings, these tales reveal how professionalism and preparation can make or break opportunities. The conversation also explores client-side missteps, like dark clinics, missed interviews, and questionable lodging arrangements. The big takeaway: etiquette, honesty, and cultural fit are essential for success in the hiring process.

Kelly, Peter, and Beth unpack how “success” in a veterinary practice can look very different depending on whether you’re going by feelings or facts. They dig into staffing perceptions (feeling understaffed on an overstaffed day), why data should be a roadmap—not a hammer—and how open-book metrics (payroll, COGS, doctor/staff salary) build ownership thinking. The team connects steady marketing to a healthy “heartbeat,” warns against turning it off when things look good, and stresses aligning online promises with in-clinic experiences. They also touch psychological safety (job-security fears), using slow days for training/ops, and a simple daily “green/yellow/red” pulse check to balance team well-being with KPIs. Bottom line: measure what matters, manage the narrative, and keep momentum consistent.