Returning guest Natalie Fayman joins us to share her journey from burnout to resilience through the Positive Intelligence (PQ) program. Initially skeptical, Natalie discovered the program’s strong scientific backing—studies show that after just seven weeks of training, 83–97% of participants report reduced stress, increased happiness, and improved self-confidence.

PQ works at the root level of brain function, shifting the balance of power from our inner Saboteurs—the voices of self-doubt and negativity—to our inner Sage, our positive, resilient self. For Natalie, that means going from needing days to recover after an emotionally draining ER shift to bouncing back in just 30 minutes.

This isn’t therapy, though it pairs well with it. It’s about building mental fitness, being more mindful of your emotions, and improving how you show up for yourself and others. Whether you work through PQ on your own or join a cohort for added accountability and insight, the tools are transformative.

Listen in to learn how you can build resilience, reclaim your passion, and thrive in veterinary medicine.

What’s Inside:

• What is Positive Intelligence (PQ)?
• The science behind the program.
• A tool for reducing emotional recovery time
• A variety of options: Completing the Positive Intelligence Program for individuals or in a group setting. 

Mentioned In This Episode:
Find out more about the PQ for RACE-CE credit course
Schedule a free consultation with Natalie Fayman
Take the Saboteur assessment from Positive Intelligence
Full Circle Lab 
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Katrina Busselle is a get-it-done kind of woman who knows that conflict isn’t always a bad thing. It’s often necessary to make real progress, especially at work. In this episode, Katrina shares key concepts of mediation and how her Master of Arts in Conflict Resolution helps her navigate tough conversations.

We talk about the natural flow of mediation. You don’t jump to a solution. You move through the process, climbing the mountain of conflict and coming down the other side with resolution. Katrina explains how mediators guide this journey without influencing the outcome.

She shares the tools that matter most: deep listening, restating, and reframing. The goal is to uncover shared understanding and shape a written agreement that can move forward outside the session.

We also explore how to know if mediation is right for a situation, how to set the container for safe dialogue, and what the metaphorical mountain climb looks like in action. We work through real-world examples and even do a little role play in the vet med industry.

Enjoy this conversation on the real, practical benefits of mediation at work and beyond.

What’s Inside:

• How mediation can transform conflict resolution.
• Creating a container and safe space to work through the conflict mountain.
• Role play conversations diving deep into mediation in the vet med space.

Mentioned In This Episode:

• Amazon.com: A Million Reasons Why You Can't: And Choosing to Do It Anyway eBook
• Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In 
• Gawande, Atul. Complications: A Surgeon's Notes on an Imperfect Science. Metropolitan Books (Picador), 2002.
• Levinson, Roter, Mullooly, Dull, and Frankel (1997). Title: "Physician-patient communication: The relationship with malpractice claims among primary care physicians and surgeons."
  Journal: JAMA, 277(7), 553–559.
  DOI: 10.1001/jama.1997.03540310051034
• Full Circle Lab
• Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

What happens when 20+ years of vet med experience meets a passion for learning design and technology? You get Kara Herrmann, a trailblazer reimagining how veterinary teams train, communicate, and operate more efficiently.

Kara is currently completing her master’s in Education with a focus on Learning Design and Technology, and she brings a fresh lens to what really makes a veterinary workplace thrive. She explains why education alone doesn’t guarantee success and how clarity in roles, effective delegation, and confident leadership can dramatically improve team performance.

We explore why many managers shy away from assigning duties and how having someone to direct the workflow can make all the difference. With 92% of employees saying training impacts their job positively and 97% less likely to quit when given development opportunities, Kara pushes us to rethink how we train and grow new veterinarians.

It’s not always about more training—sometimes it’s about improving the system itself. Kara encourages leaders to step back, ask “why,” and observe the workflow to spot the real barriers to success.

What’s Inside:

• Rethink Training for Efficiency
• Empower Through Clear Roles
• Lead with Confident Delegation
• Observe, Question, Improve Systems

Mentioned In This Episode:

Kara Herrmann on LinkedIn
Full Circle Lab 
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Have you ever been disrespected by a colleague in the workplace? Mistreated at an event or a conference? You may have experienced intellectual bullying. 

After attending a recent internal medicine conference, Dr. Emily Gould and Dr. Kate Aicher were inspired to study this type of interaction and come up with actionable solutions. In this episode, Emily and Kate role-play common scenarios of intellectual bullying in a hospital environment and provide tips for improving communication to move forward.

Diving deep into the psychology of behavior and drawing from their own real-world experiences, Emily and Kate cover the causes of intellectual bullying and the impact it has on colleagues and clients. Doing our inner work is key in fostering healthy relationships. With commitment and practice, every person can develop the skills needed to stop bullying in its tracks.

Bullying often happens when we expect perfection from others. When we remember that we’re all human, we can tap into more compassion and healthy connection.

What’s Inside:

• Defining intellectual bullying in the medical field.
• Role-playing common bullying scenarios and alternative outcomes.
• Understanding the behavioral psychology behind intellectual bullying.
• Developing the skills needed to foster healthy relationships.

Mentioned In This Episode:

[email protected]
[email protected]
Systematic review of academic bullying in medical settings: dynamics and consequences - PubMed
Study: Fair pay, appreciation for work top factors in employee retention | American Veterinary Medical Association
Culture: Building Happier, Healthier Teams and Practices in Veterinary Medicine - PubMed
ACVIM Forum 2024: Intellectual Bullying in Specialty Veterinary Medicine Notes Deck
ACVIM Forum 2024: Intellectual Bullying in Specialty Veterinary Medicine Proceedings
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Dr. Christa McKinley and Ranae Bart bring deep connections to the veterinary industry, which strengthens their role as financial advisors for those in the field. Injury? Illness? Job changes? Life happens—so how do you protect yourself? They stress the importance of understanding benefits, retirement planning, and making the most of every dollar.

In today’s episode, they share real stories from clients facing a range of life’s challenges and how they helped guide them toward financial wellness.

With firsthand insight into the struggles and stress points of veterinary life, this team helps create financial peace of mind. From life insurance and disability to long-term care, investments, and full practice benefit planning—Dr. Christa and Ranae cover it all.

Often, the biggest hurdle is simply the fear of getting started.

Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM). Northwestern Mutual Investment Services, LLC (NMIS) (investment brokerage services), a registered investment adviser, broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC, and Northwestern Mutual Wealth Management Company® (NMWMC) (investment advisory and trust services), a federal savings bank. NM and its subsidiaries are in Milwaukee, WI. 

The products and services referenced are offered and sold only by appropriately appointed and licensed entities and financial advisors and representatives. Financial advisors, representatives and their staff might not represent all entities shown or provide all the products or services discussed. 

The case scenarios discussed contain information regarding Northwestern Mutual clients, their personal financial needs and how Northwestern Mutual met their needs. The personal financial needs and results of the clients shown may not be representative of the experience of other clients. Also, working with a Northwestern Mutual financial representative or any other financial services provider is not a guarantee as to future investment success.

What’s Inside:

• Supporting financial wellness in the vet med industry.
• Understanding benefit packages as an employee and employer.
• Protecting yourself in the face of life's challenges.
• Maximizing the value of every hard-earned dollar. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

Northwestern Mutual
[email protected]
Ranae on LinkedIn
Ranae Bart on Northwestern Mutual
[email protected]
Crystal Stokes | LinkedIn
Full Circle Lab 

Dr. Jennifer Edwards, a veterinarian turned leadership coach, brings 25 years of experience to the conversation about workplace satisfaction and personal fulfillment. At the core of her philosophy is the role of values—our deeply held beliefs, which are thoughts tied to emotions. When our work aligns with our values, life flows more easily, and we feel a sense of fulfillment.

However, challenges arise when our environment conflicts with our values. Consider a veterinarian who values thorough patient care but works for a corporation focused on mass scheduling. The dissatisfaction may stem not from the job itself but from a fundamental values misalignment. Dr. Edwards encourages individuals to reflect: Are you unhappy because your values aren’t being honored? Have your values changed, or has their expression evolved?

To achieve a values-aligned life, start by identifying what’s most important to you. Make a list of areas that feel off, compare them to your values, and take small steps toward alignment. While making these changes can be difficult, Dr. Edwards reminds us that living a life disconnected from our values is even harder. “Choose your hard,” she says—because you deserve a life that truly aligns with who you are.

What’s Inside:

• What are values?
• How to make changes to live a values-aligned life.
• How to tackle value challenges.

Mentioned In This Episode:

Dr. Jennifer Edwards
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Dr. Alexandra McLaughry has spent 20 years in veterinary medicine, experiencing firsthand the challenges vets face in client communication. When she noticed the outdated, inefficient software at her clinic lacked essential communication features, she and her husband, Stephen McLaughry, a software engineer and serial startup founder, set out to solve the problem.

What began as a streamlined communication platform evolved into VetBadger, a complete veterinary management system designed to put relationships first. VetBadger enhances client communication, task management, and team autonomy with an integrated chat system, eliminating pain points that slow down veterinary teams. By breaking down communication barriers, VetBadger helps clinics create meaningful connections between staff and clients, empowering veterinarians to provide real-time support.

You can enjoy veterinary medicine again! Sign up for a free 30-day trial of VetBadger with no risk, just better vet med.

What’s Inside:

• What is VetBadger?
• What are the pain points with outdated vet software?
• How streamlined communication can impact client and team relationships. 

Mentioned In This Episode:

VetBadger
BarburVet
[email protected]
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

WisCARES is more than a veterinary clinic—it’s a vital support system for families experiencing low income or homelessness in Wisconsin. Now in its 11th year, this unique program blends outreach medicine with education, offering a comprehensive approach to care.

With a built-in social work component, WisCARES goes beyond veterinary services, connecting clients with food resources, fostering support, and other relevant resources. Fourth-year veterinary students participate in immersive two-week rotations, gaining hands-on experience in medical care while learning the nuances of financial conversations and the spectrum of care. This symbiotic relationship benefits both students and clients, fostering trust and education.

WisCARES operates with strategic scheduling—balancing short-term appointments, surgery days, and outreach efforts—maximizing impact despite funding challenges, the clinic’s biggest obstacle. Yet, the purpose-driven work here bridges critical gaps in care, creating powerful moments of connection and healing. WisCARES stands as a model for compassionate, community-based veterinary medicine.

If you’re interested in learning more or donating to WisCARES check out their website.

What’s Inside:

• WisCARES Community Vet Clinic
• How a vet clinic can support social resources for clients
• A unique, comprehensive teaching program for vet students.
• The impact of outreach medicine

Mentioned In This Episode:

WisCARES
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Dr. Jennifer Ward’s journey to veterinary pathology was anything but traditional. As a child, she nurtured sick and injured animals, but her path veered toward creative writing and literature. It wasn’t until she faced significant health challenges with her own pet and encountered veterinary pathologists during a trip to Africa that she discovered the profession she had unknowingly dreamed of—a blend of science, problem-solving, and compassion. 

Veterinary pathologists specialize in understanding disease—its causes, development, and manifestations on both macro and microscopic levels. Dr. Ward founded Specialty VetPath, a high-touch lab owned and operated by veterinary pathologists. With a "your team is our team" philosophy, Specialty VetPath emphasizes timely, precise results while treating every sample as an extension of the patient. This approach fosters meaningful collaboration with veterinary hospitals, enhancing patient care. 

Specialty VetPath also offers an educational component, The Alliance, offers workshops, on-demand training, business support, and resident mentorship. Designed for accessibility, it provides affordable membership options, high-quality resources, and a supportive community for veterinary professionals. 

Dr. Ward’s passion for advancing veterinary pathology is palpable. Specialty VetPath is currently hiring lab techs and a lab manager, and they welcome new VetPath clients and members to The Alliance. Learn more about their services and opportunities on their website. 

What’s Inside:

• Discovering the diverse roles available in vet med.
• What is a Veterinary Pathologist?
• A high-touch lab owned and operated by vet pathologists.
• An educational opportunity for clinicians and pathologists in vet med.

Mentioned In This Episode:
Specialty Vetpath
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

Dr. Mansum Yau, a veterinarian with a passion for writing, discovered a unique niche by addressing a common challenge in clinics: cat carriers. From the struggle to get cats into carriers at home to the difficulty of handling scared felines at the vet, she noticed a persistent problem and set out to create a solution.

Her book, The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian’s Guide to Cat Carriers, is a fully researched and educational resource with a creative twist. Filled with illustrations, quizzes, puzzles, jokes, and comics, it’s designed to educate while keeping things fun. The book aims to reduce stress and improve safety for cats, their owners, and veterinary teams alike.

For Dr. Yau, writing this book was more than just a professional endeavor—it became a creative escape and an opportunity to make an impact. She used it as a platform to explore new ideas and offer solutions to a real-world problem, bringing a fresh perspective to a topic many might overlook.

Her next focus is on litter boxes and house soiling, as she seeks to bring new ideas and approaches to the veterinary field through education and innovation. Dr. Yau believes in noticing pain points and barriers in everyday work and using creativity to address them, inspiring change in the industry.

She shares the wisdom that small, consistent efforts can build into something meaningful over time, encouraging others to take small steps toward their goals.

What’s Inside:

• A unique approach to an education veterinary book
• Creating a passion project over time.
• Thought Leadership: How to express your unique perspective and make an impact.

Mentioned In This Episode:
The Ins and Outs of Cat Carriers: A Veterinarian's Guide to Cat Carriers (The Ins and Outs of Cats)
[email protected]
Dr. Mansum Yau
Dr. Mansum Yau on Instagram
Dr. Mansum Yau on LinkedIn
Full Circle Lab
Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn