Unfiltered Vet Discussions

Nearly six years after COVID first disrupted the world, its effects are still shaping veterinary medicine in lasting ways. In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel explores “long COVID” in the profession—how rapid demand shifts, workforce shortages, rising costs, burnout, and productivity changes continue to impact practices today.

From staffing and retention challenges to mentorship strain on senior doctors, the conversation unpacks why simply hiring more veterinarians isn’t the full solution. The panel discusses efficiency, delegation, workflow redesign, AI scribes, and new practice models as critical tools for moving forward.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel explores how misinterpretation, emotional regulation, and presence can dramatically change outcomes in high-stress situations. Through a powerful real-life case, the conversation highlights how slowing down, questioning assumptions, and leading with empathy can de-escalate fear, support mental health, and create meaningful human connection during some of the hardest moments in veterinary medicine. The episode serves as a reminder that compassion, curiosity, and self-awareness aren’t “soft skills” — they’re essential tools for sustainable practice, leadership, and wellbeing.

In this episode of Unfiltered Vet Discussions, the panel dives into the very real impact of “little” behaviors—microaggressions, gossip, and passive-aggressive comments—on veterinary teams and clinic culture. They walk through a real-world situation where venting about coworkers spiraled into a bad mood and a toxic atmosphere, and unpack why so many people are unaware that they’re “being a dick” in the first place. The conversation explores how negativity becomes a default connection style, from childhood dynamics to media messaging, and why high-functioning practices often fixate on “ant hills” once the big fires are out. The panel shares practical tools like gratitude journaling, shout-outs, and “three good things” exercises to retrain our brains toward positivity, strengthen psychological safety, and build healthier ways to connect. They wrap with a simple challenge for everyone in vet med: practice awareness, choose kindness, and remember—it’s never too late to stop being a dick.

In “Managing Business Expenses,” the Unfiltered Vet Discussions panel digs into what it really takes to run a veterinary hospital like a business, not a hobby. David breaks down why cost of goods sold and inventory management are still the “number one financial disease,” while Peter challenges owners to stop running blind and start measuring key metrics like the 20/20/20 rule (staff, doctors, COGS). Jenny and Beth share real–world stories, from “inventory maracas” bottle–shaking to mixed–animal inventory chaos, and explain why profit isn’t a dirty word—it’s what allows teams to be paid fairly and patients to receive better care. Together, they walk through practical first steps: tracking COGS over time, bringing in a veterinary CPA, trusting and empowering practice managers, sharing financial context with the team, and resisting the urge to cut marketing even in a veterinary “recession.”

Beth and David close out the year with a practical, numbers-forward conversation on what veterinary practices should review at year-end and carry into 2026. They break down a simple “effective doctor compensation” check (W-2 vs. production) to validate pay math, spot inequities, and reduce associate turnover risk. They also highlight how routine, short 1:1 check-ins can uncover issues early and strengthen culture—especially when production starts trending down for reasons no one sees on the surface.
Next, David introduces a Practice Price Index (PPI): a quick spreadsheet method using ~50 internal supply items to quantify cost creep and guide fee updates over time (without putting the burden solely on the owner). They wrap with a challenge for 2026: use your practice management software for inventory—even if you start small with flea/tick/heartworm—plus a reminder that vendor and lab agreements are negotiable. Overall, the episode is a clear roadmap for protecting margins, supporting teams, and building a more stable practice year-over-year.

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.