Work-Life Balance is a Myth, So What Actually Works?

The Middle Manager Gap: Why Your Leaders Feel Stuck

Veterinary practices often promote their best people and then wonder why things aren't working. Sound familiar? In this episode, Brenda Tassava Medina, Amy Brauns, Melissa Mauldin and Angela Gainey dig into one of the most overlooked problems in practice leadership: what happens after the promotion. Too often, new leaders are handed a title and left to figure the rest out on their own. No coaching, no resources, no roadmap. Just sink or swim. The panel also tackles the question of what would change everything for a new veterinary leader if developed early! If your middle managers feel stuck, this episode will tell you why and where to start! Resources mentioned: * Leadership scorecards - email Brenda at brenda.medina@encorevet.com [brenda.medina@encorevet.com] * Book - From Bud to Boss [https://www.amazon.com/Bud-Boss-Successful-Transition-Remarkable/dp/0470891556/ref=sr_1_2?adgrpid=185968016586&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PuayRDv51rpIIggsV6iJDa16ZvGooaLtZk38PD1WHIMNvwbQZbuD07Ub1rEQbAZO5sj75P61t5b_6iiVaRXPj_QwVB0YiIWaTgIeC75fUGF5oFJp2CvuO47o3A4yjNQyXS5AWpgX2apb6fxpmmz1y_p8q6AqNtvk4E9wlri77DZgQPSn_N2lWqFJSysixqOEgeWgyjP-NnOE6EqQoEuc1Et-gy4OCn8UgtQ6-qA3pGM.IVaJpX4Oa-XaMAFJq5PlhobQqhKXV-eFXrwHKErtZZ0&dib_tag=se&hvadid=779701908187&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9033572&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=12643517692752064675--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=12643517692752064675&hvtargid=kwd-296280263659&hydadcr=22535_13730684_8212&keywords=from+bud+to+boss&mcid=91ba46f0ee4a390194dd800b7abbf2be&qid=1779386785&s=books&sr=1-2] Host: Brenda Tassava Medina, CPVM, CVJ, MVLCE Panelists: * Amy Brauns, RVT, CVPM, Hospital Administrator at Everhart Veterinary Group * Melissa Mauldin, CVPM, SHRM-CP, ACC, Vice President of HR at Encore Vet Group * Angela Gainey, CVPM, Practice Administrator at Uniontown Veterinary Clinic Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ [https://encorevet.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting] Instagram: @encorevetconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/encorevetconsulting/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting]

What We Keep Hearing: The Patterns Behind High-Functioning Veterinary Practices

Months of conversations. Dozens of perspectives. And some very clear patterns! In this solo episode, Brenda Tassava Medina shares the themes she keeps hearing from high-functioning veterinary practices and what struggling ones consistently miss. The best practices aren't running on hustle. They're intentional about how work flows, how culture gets built, and how their teams are set up to succeed. Brenda also gets into something that stops a lot of leaders in their tracks: the problem you think you have is usually not the real one! Tune in to find out what the patterns are telling us. Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ [https://encorevet.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting] Instagram: @encorevetconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/encorevetconsulting/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting]

You Can't Pour from an Empty Cup, But No One Slows Down

We say it all the time...you can't pour from an empty cup. So why does everyone in veterinary medicine keep pouring anyway?! In this episode, we get honest about burnout: what the early warning signs actually look like (cynicism, apathy, dehumanizing clients — and they're different for everyone), and why psychological safety through regular one-on-ones is your first line of defense. We also dig into the systems that actually support team wellbeing — staffing, charting support, structured space to process hard things — and why CSRs, technicians, and DVMs often need different solutions. People over profits, always. And then the harder question: are you taking care of yourself the way you take care of your patients? When did you last get your own bloodwork done? Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE Panelists: * Dr. Evan Ware, Practice Owner at Laveen Veterinary Center * Julie Squires, CCFP, CMLC, Rekindle Solutions * Carol Hurst, LVT, CVPM, CVJ, CCFP, Consultant at Encore Veterinary Consulting Resources mentioned: * Compassion Satisfaction Accredited Workplace (CSAW) Program [https://encorevet.com/compassion-satisfaction-accreditation/] Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ [https://encorevet.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting] Instagram: @encorevetconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/encorevetconsulting/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting]

Work-Life Balance is a Myth, So What Actually Works?

"Work-life balance" might be the most overused phrase in veterinary medicine, so if balance isn't the goal, what is? In this episode, we're joined by Dr. Tate, a veterinarian and practice owner who has never fully bought into the myth, and Ron Sosa, a neuro-inclusive leadership coach who has held nearly every role in a veterinary practice. Together, they get real about what sustainable work-life integration actually looks like: delegating and letting your team grow, scheduling in intentional blocks, and building in space to decompress after emotionally heavy appointments. We also dig into the boundaries we know we should set, but quietly break anyway. From taking back tasks instead of trusting your team to carrying the emotional weight of everyone around you, if you're a fixer, this one's for you. Host = Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE Panelists: * Dr. Amy Tate, Managing Partner at Riverview Animal Clinic * Ronald Sosa, CVPM, CCFP, PgD-CLP, Neuroinclusive Leadership Strategist Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ [https://encorevet.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting] Instagram: @encorevetconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/encorevetconsulting/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting]

When Good Medicine Feels Financially Impossible

In this episode, two veterinarians and a practice manager share how teams can balance high standards of care with the financial realities clients face. The conversation highlights the importance of reading client cues, offering clear options along the spectrum of care, and meeting clients where they are without compromising medical integrity. The panel also dives into practical strategies to improve compliance, from communicating value and aligning as a team to ensuring consistent messaging across every touchpoint. If you’ve ever felt the tension between great medicine and affordability, this episode offers real-world insight on navigating it with confidence! Host: Brenda Tassava Medina, CVPM, CVJ, MVLCE Panelists: * Tim Loonam, DVM, Chief Veterinary Officer, Encore Vet Group and Veterinarian at Grace Animal Hospital * Christine Merle, DVM, MBA, CVPM, Veterinarian and VMG Facilitator * Maggie Holcomb, CVPM, CCFP, Regional Practice Manager, Encore Vet Group Thanks for listening! Website: https://encorevet.com/ [https://encorevet.com/] Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting [https://www.facebook.com/encoreveterinaryconsulting] Instagram: @encorevetconsulting [https://www.instagram.com/encorevetconsulting/] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting [https://www.linkedin.com/company/encore-veterinary-consulting]