In this episode, host Petra Agthe is joined by Dan Tipney and Jess Woolrich to explore Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and why communication matters so much for work in veterinary practice (and life in general!). Together, they unpack how the way we speak, listen, and respond directly affects psychological safety, team culture, and quality of care. The conversation also touches on emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and practical tools for communicating across difference. This is a grounded, honest conversation about moving beyond “being nice” toward communication that is both compassionate and effective.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction

05:55 What Is Nonviolent Communication?

12:30 How communication styles impact psychological safety and decision-making

20:00 Why self-awareness and emotional regulation are learned skills

27:30 Incivility, threat responses & burnout

35:00 Communication Across Difference

42:30 Practical tools from Nonviolent Communication

50:00 Leadership, modelling & team trust

57:30 How does Nonviolent Communication look in the real world?

1:04:30 Resources and further information about our guests

Where to find Dan and Jess:
VetLed website:  https://www.vetled.co.uk/

Vetled on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn

Compassionate Communication Course with Jess and Dan: https://www.vetled.co.uk/courses-services/compassionate-communication-open-course

Further resources on the topic:

NVC UK website: https://nvc-uk.com/

NVC trainer Cath Burke: https://www.empathymatters.net/

Book recommendation: Marshal Rosenberg - Nonviolent Communication: A language of life https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Nonviolent-Communication-by-Marshall-B-Rosenberg/9781892005281?srsltid=AfmBOoobGslbFhQYLulAsLvWoUU4hc2ykmwMq1Sm24izHXEfgDralQwR

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

What exactly is civility? Why does it matter? And how does it impact workplace culture? 

In this insightful episode, host Petra is joined by Helen Silver MacMahon for a deep dive into this topic. Together, they explore aspects such as

• What civility really means
• The historical and philosophical roots of civil behavior
• How incivility undermines safety and performance in veterinary and legal professions
• How incivility may increase error risk
• The important role of leaders in modelling civility

and much more! 

Helen's most favourite resource on the topic: 

Podcast episode with Christ Turner (co-founder of Civility Saves Life) on Helen's How To Thrive podcast: https://shows.acast.com/how-to-thrive/episodes/civility-saves-lives-chris-turner

TEDx talk about Civility with Chris Turner: https://www.tedxexeter.com/speakers/chris-turner-2/

Veterinary Incivility Toolkit by the University of Aberdeen, including downloadable 'Keeping it Civil' Guide: https://research.abdn.ac.uk/applied-psych-hf/vit/

Where to find Helen:
How To Be Human:  www.being-human.co.uk 

The How To Thrive Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/how-to-thrive/id1725114820

Find Helen on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/helen-silver-macmahon-b0b467183 and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivinginvetmed?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=MXMyM3h6Z2pxcmJzcQ==

Tickets and more information for How to Thrive event and the next cohort of Civility in Action: https://buytickets.at/beinghumanconsultingltd1

Previous Vet Mind Works Podcast episodes related to this topic: 

Inclusion and Diversity with Georgina Sharman

Self-regulation with Crina Dragu

Self-awareness with Clive Elwood

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

"Who do I want to be in this moment?"

What would happen if we would ask ourselves this question more often? 

You can find one possible answer to this and other questions in this episode. Host Petra Agthe is joined by Julie Rosser, veterinary leader and CEO of the European Board of Specialisation, in a conversation about personal and professional growth, and about hope, agency and transformation. 

Julie offers many insights and ideas on the Why and How of deepening our connections with other people. This conversation covers the importance of meaningful relationships for collaboration, effective teamwork, job satisfaction and overall impact. Julie also explains how intentionality, self-awareness and curiosity can help us in relationship development, rather than relying solely on confidence.

Julies most favourite resources on the topic: 

Professional Relationships with Keith Ferrazi: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/never-lead-alone-relationship-revolution-powers-elite-keith-ferrazzi-14iuf/

A taster of Alison Armstrong's phenomenal work around understanding & partnership:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SeAQ6Yz2-M0

Where to find Julie:
Julies Profile on LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/julie-rosser-34393847

EBVS website: https://www.ebvs.eu/

You can also find out more about Julie in her Veterinary Woman Profile:  https://veterinarywoman.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/filpbook-cfc-2025/?page=44.

Previous episodes relating to this topic:

The Myth of Difficult People with Phil Webb

Active Listening with Mark Turner

Vulnerability with Megan Alderson

Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

Self-Regulation with Crina Dragu 

Confidence with Rachel Paul

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Consider this for a moment: What if there were no difficult people? 

What if it was more about difficult situations, circumstances and behaviours? 

What if we could all learn to deal to engage more constructively with others in these difficult situations? 

Our guest Phil Webb encourages us to do just this and he knows what he is talking about from working in a client facing role for most of his career. In the conversation with host Petra Agthe, Phil offers helpful tips and tools that have helped him and his colleagues to deal with these challenging situations more constructively – ranging from the importance of getting to know ourselves better to reframing anger. 

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Chimp Paradox, by Prof Steve Peters

The 7 Habits of Highly Effectice People, by Stephen R Covey (the circle of control)

Publications about the link between reading fiction and empathy: 

https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.1239918?sid=f192d0cc-1443-4bf1-a043-61410da39519

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3559433/#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20suggested%20that%20people%20who%20read%20a%20lot,their%20interpersonal%20skills%20%5B3%5D.

Where to find Phil:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/philip-webb-0b42a7173/

Previous episodes relating to this topic:

Clinical communication with Helen Øvregaard

Active Listening with Mark Turner

Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

Self-Regulation with Crina Dragu 

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

What if communication was the most important clinical skill we have? 

And what does communication have to do with wellbeing and job satisfaction? 

How can we learn to improve our communication skills? 

Find out the answer to these and more questions in our most recent episode on clinical communication! Host Petra Agthe and our guest Helen Øvregaard dive deep into the topic and touch on related themes such as trust, empathy, emotional intelligence, active listening, vulnerability, contextualised care and the power of a full and authentically expressed apology. 

You can find more information about Helen and this fascinating topic below. 

Communication techniques mentioned:

• The Four Habits Model
• Calgary-Cambridge Guide
• Motivational Interviewing

Books:
Skills for Communicating in Veterinary Medicine by Cindy L Adams and Suzanne Kurtz

Compassionomics by Stephen Trzeciak and Anthony Mazzarelli 

Associations and Special Interest Groups:

Relationship-centred Veterinary Medicine at the Ontario Veterinary College on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/relationship-centred-veterinary-medicine-at-the-ontario-veterinary-college/posts/?feedView=all

Oslo Communication in Healthcare Education and Research https://ocher.no

Special Interest Group ‘Communication in Veterinary Healthcare’ as part of International Association for Communication in Healthcare: https://each.international/organisation/sigs/communication-in-veterinary-healthcare/

Where to find Helen:
Website: http://www.vettalk.no
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helen-øvregaard-31979151/

Previous episodes you may be interested in:

Active Listening with Mark Turner

Vulnerability with Megan Alderson

Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Mark Turner explore the power of an every day activity: listening. However, as so often, what seems a simple enough thing on the outside is actually a lot more difficult when we try to do it well. 

And so it turns out that active listening is a skill that requires intention and sometimes a bit of practice. However, the benefits can be huge, because active listening is essential for building trust and psychological safety. But how can we get better at it? Listen in and you can find out more! 

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Books:
Speak Up: Say What Needs to Be Said and Hear What Needs to Be Heard by Megan Reitz and John Higgins https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/51966260-speak-up

The Human Moment: The Positive Power of Compassion in the Workplace by Amy Bradley https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/51493034-the-human-moment

Podcast: Simon Sinek and Deeyah Khan about extreme listening https://simonsinek.com/podcast/episodes/extreme-listening-with-deeyah-khan/

Where to find Mark:
Website: https://vetqit.co.uk
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-turner-386a31111/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

My guest on this episode is Victoria Johnson. Victoria is the Founder and CEO of VET.CT.  After graduating from Bristol Veterinary School, she worked in general practice before specialising in veterinary diagnostic imaging, becoming a European Diploma-holder in 2003.  Founded in 2009, VET.CT provides remote specialist expertise in imaging reporting to veterinary teams across the word. Victoria has grown the company into an innovative veterinary teleradiology, specialist consultancy and education company with a global team of more than 280 people, striving to make the veterinary world a better place through its services. VET.CT recently attained B Corp status and is one of only 5 veterinary businesses in the world to have achieved this.

Victoria shares thoughts on her entrepreneurial character (inflatable pyjamas?!) and her 'busy brain'. We discuss the importance of working with, and not against, technology, responsibly, and with ever present focus on people, relationships and the team.

Resources:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Five-Dysfunctions-Team-Leadership-Lencioni/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Good-to-Great/

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Built-Last-Successful-Visionary-Companies/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In this episode, Clive Elwood hosts Amanda Boag. They discuss the similarities and the differences between leadership from the emergency room floor to the executive suite, and the importance of a unifying purpose. Amanda shares the important role models and how self-care and the support of others have been essential for her career.

Amanda graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1998 and subsequently completed further clinical training at the Royal Veterinary College and the University of Pennsylvania, achieving board certification in both Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care. 

She remained at the RVC, working as a Lecturer in Emergency and Critical Care until 2008 when she joined Vets Now as Clinical Director, where she was responsible for clinical innovation, quality and veterinary professional development across 60 UK sites. She was subsequently appointed Chief Medical Officer at IVC Evidensia, where she led the learning and development and clinical leadership teams across the global business. In 2023 Amanda was appointed Vice Principal for Clinical Services at The Royal Veterinary College.

Amanda was an elected member of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons Council from 2012 to 2020 and served as its President from 2018 to 2019. She was also Founding President of the European College of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care and is a Treasurer of the European Board of Veterinary Specialists. She is currently chair of Trustees for RCVS Knowledge.

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Megan Alderson are taking a deep dive into the fascinating topic of vulnerability. In their conversation they discuss what vulnerability means, how it relates to psychological safety and mental health, its role in leadership, importance of safe spaces, 'reading the room' and how to cultivate vulnerability as a skill.

*This episode includes references to mental health conditions and trauma*

Resources mentioned in this episode:
Online:
TED Talk with Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
Brené Brown's worksheets on values
Psych Health and Safety Podcast
Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction: https://mbsrtraining.com/

Books:
The Awakening Brain by Lisa Miller: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/313885/the-awakened-brain-by-miller-lisa/9780141991030
How to Take a Breath by Tania Clifton-Smith: https://www.amazon.co.uk/How-Take-Breath-performance-breathing-ebook/dp/B095HCZNLZ
Books by Thich Nhat Hanh: https://plumvillage.org/about/thich-nhat-hanh/key-books

Where to find Megan and the Vet Thrive Program:
Megan's email: [email protected]
Vet Thrive Limited: https://www.vetthrive.org/
Vet Thrive Podcast on Spotify
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/megan-alderson/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetthrive

More information and free resources on psychological safety:
Psych Safety by Iterum: https://psychsafety.com/psychological-safety-resources/
LeaderFactor based on 4 Stages of Psychological Safety Framework by Timothy R Clark: https://www.leaderfactor.com/resources

Previous Vet Mind Works podcast episodes you may be interested in:
Compassion with Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay

Amy Martin is a registered veterinary nurse with over 20 years’ experience in clinical veterinary practice including 17 years in leadership. She has a keen interest in the mental health and welfare of the veterinary team becoming recently published on the subject. Amy is a Schwartz Rounds facilitator and mentor for The Point of Care Foundation, which has led her to an interest in compassion and team dynamics. Amy currently works as a Practice Director in a busy multi-site first opinion and referral group. Alongside this Amy coaches’ individuals and teams and is currently undertaking a Masters in People and Organisation Development.  

Links

Amy can be reached via her website: www.magnoliacoaching.co.uk or [email protected]

Link to publications: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6545-6285

Resources

Susan Cain: Quiet https://amzn.eu/d/5H7n529

Brené Brown: Atlas of the Heart https://amzn.eu/d/9tacE5H

VetVoices 'Navigating conversations around suicide and the impact of social media' https://open.spotify.com/episode/51fnaSV8KNfTaVjbonVJb3?si=5d162f3c8c764294

VetLife https://www.vetlife.org.uk/

This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.

We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to [email protected] or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook

Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn

https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/

Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay