The Veterinary Culture Lab

020:THRIVE-ing is Built, Not Found: Lessons From Zimbabwe

This episode is best experienced IN FULL!!  We recorded this live in Zimbabwe during the THRIVE veterinary wellbeing retreat—and the video version brings it all to life. From wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes and powerful human moments, you can watch the full experience unfold on YouTube here [https://youtu.be/GwnbfRm2HBU]. In this special episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi records live from Zimbabwe during the World Wide Vets THRIVE retreat—joined by co-host Dani Herbst to explore what it really means to thrive in veterinary medicine. Grounded in research on emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians, this conversation unpacks a powerful insight: emotional intelligence does not simply develop with experience—it is shaped by the environments we are part of. And when the research points to mental health, social support, and time spent outdoors as key drivers of emotional intelligence…this episode brings those findings to life in real time. Through conversations with veterinary professionals attending THRIVE, you will hear how connection, reflection, and stepping away from the day-to-day demands of practice can shift perspective, build emotional capacity, and create meaningful change. From honest reflections to moments of humor and insight, this episode highlights how wellbeing is not just an individual effort—it is something we build together. You’ll hear: * What the research says about emotional intelligence in veterinary medicine * How social support reduces isolation and builds connection * The impact of time outdoors on perspective and wellbeing * Why experiences like THRIVE can support real growth * Reflections from veterinary professionals experiencing this work firsthand Whether you are feeling energized or exhausted, this episode invites you to consider what it might look like to create the conditions that help you—and your team—truly THRIVE. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Improved mental health, social support, and time outdoors are associated with higher emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians: A longitudinal study Authors:Catherine R. Young, Erin E. Frey, Emily A. McDonald, Shelley L. Neville, Jason B. Coe  DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.10.0566  WorldWide Vets [https://www.worldwide-vets.org/]WWV THRIVE [https://www.worldwide-vets.org/Projects/thrive-mental-health-retreat] - February 2027 Dates and Details Zimbabwe Man - Donkey [https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/83821/zimbabwean-man-claims-prostitute-turned-to-donkey-report] What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet [Info@flourish.vet] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC [https://www.flourish.vet/andi]  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP [https://www.flourish.vet/josh]At Flourish Veterinary Consulting [http://www.flourish.vet] we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps: 02:06 Meet Dani Herbst 05:22 Mental Health Stigma 08:54 Dani’s Path to Purpose 13:11 Worldwide Vets Mission 14:54 Inside the Thrive Retreat 22:32 Emotional Intelligence Study 25:46 Findings and Thrive Validation 31:55 Vulnerability and Support 34:49 Delegates Share  37:14 Wellbeing Skills For Leaders 48:26 Safari CE And Connection 51:43 Grounding Outdoors Reset 54:39 Rapid Fire Delegate Takeaways 59:57 Laughs And Farewell

019: Curiosity in Vet Med: Are You Asking the Right Questions?

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore the role of interpersonal curiosity—and why it might be one of the most underrated skills in veterinary medicine today. Grounded in research on resilience in veterinary students, this conversation unpacks how curiosity shows up in the way we interpret stress, respond to challenges, and connect with the people around us. Because it turns out—resilience is not just about “bouncing back”…it is about how we make sense of what is happening in the first place. From initial skepticism around wellbeing strategies to meaningful mindset shifts, this episode highlights how perspective-taking, support systems, and self-awareness are not just personal tools—they are cultural ones. And when curiosity is present, everything from communication to coping starts to change. You’ll hear: *  Why curiosity plays a critical role in how we experience stress and resilience * What veterinary students revealed about how resilience actually develops * How simple perspective shifts can change the way we respond to challenges * Why support systems and connection are essential to thriving—not optional * What this means for teams trying to build healthier, more sustainable cultures Whether you are navigating a tough case, a tense conversation, or just trying to make it through a busy day, this episode will challenge you to pause, get curious, and consider what might be possible if we replaced assumption with understanding. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Interpersonal curiosity as a tool to foster safe relational spaces: a narrative literature reviewAuthors:Melanie Letendre Jauniaux & Heather L. Lawford DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1379330 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication [https://www.flourish.vet/programs/academy-program-details]  Florida Man This Week - Time Travel  [https://fllegalgroup.com/florida-man-attempting-to-time-travel-crashes-car-into-casket-store/] What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet [Info@flourish.vet] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC [https://www.flourish.vet/andi]  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP [https://www.flourish.vet/josh]At Flourish Veterinary Consulting [http://www.flourish.vet] we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps:  00:00 Curiosity Sets the Stage 00:42 Names and Nicknames 02:01 Colorado Weather Whiplash 06:15 Hospital Story Sideways Curiosity 09:57 Vet Clinic Assumptions Lesson 13:16 Courage to Ask Deeper 15:31 Paper Intro Interpersonal Curiosity 18:17 Overt vs Covert Curiosity 21:09 Relational Safety vs Psychological Safety 22:28 Curiosity Builds Trust 23:09 Curiosity As Culture 25:00 Covert Coaching After Error 28:39 Affiliative Intent First 32:17 Overt Versus Covert 37:28 Repetition Builds Muscles 38:51 Vet Team Ideas In Action 46:21 Wrap Up And Thanks

018: Work Life Balance in Vet Med: What Are We Missing?"

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh take on one of the most talked-about concepts in veterinary medicine: work-life balance. Truth is that most practices already have work-life balance policies. PTO exists. Sick days exist. Flexibility exists. And yet - burnout persists. So, what is actually going on? Grounded in science, this episode explores a powerful and often overlooked idea: work-life balance policies are only effective if people can actually use them - without guilt, stigma, or unintended consequences. Through honest storytelling, real veterinary examples, and practical culture renovation strategies, we unpack the gap between what organizations say they offer and what teams experience day to day. You will hear: * Why work-life balance policies often fail—even when they look great on paper * How guilt, fear, and staffing assumptions quietly block access to time off * The hidden role leaders play as gatekeepers (and how to shift that) * Practical ways to redesign systems so balance becomes usable, not theoretical * How small structural changes can reduce burnout across multiple dimensions of work This episode reframes balance as something that must be designed, protected, and modeled at the cultural level. Because thriving veterinary teams are not built on policies alone—they are built on systems people can trust and use. Resource Links Episode Article: Title: How Effective Are Work-Life Balance Policies? The Importance of Inclusion Authors:Wendy J. Casper; Shelia A. Hyde; Shona G. Smith; Faezeh Amirkamali; Julie Holliday Wayne DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-110622-050544 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Positive Veterinary Leadership - Masterclass [https://www.flourish.vet/programs/certificate-in-positive-veterinary-leadership-]                                 Intro to Cultivating Positive Team Communication - On Demand [https://academy.flourish.vet/courses/introduction-to-cultivating-positive-team-communication--b7d19262-d8bb-44f1-a799-7fa16f4f2153/salespage?priceId=price-YL6fJFJB9rd874GKAmmMtg] TVCL Episode 2 – DRAMMA Needs [https://www.buzzsprout.com/2527771/episodes/17862884-002-the-good-kind-of-dramma-six-specific-ways-to-thrive-in-vet-med] Maslach & Leiter Six Areas of Worklife [https://www.researchgate.net/publication/12693291_Six_areas_of_worklife_A_model_of_the_organizational_context_of_burnout] Florida Man Shark [https://www.thefloridamanreport.com/single-post/2019/07/29/typical-florida-man-goes-to-bar-instead-of-hospital-after-shark-bite] What Do You Think? Reach out and let us know at Info@flourish.vet [Info@flourish.vet] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC [https://www.flourish.vet/andi]  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP [https://www.flourish.vet/josh]At Flourish Veterinary Consulting [http://www.flourish.vet] we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps  00:00 Monday Mindset 06:21 Defining Work Life Balance 10:32 Paper Overview  14:52 Detachment and Recovery 17:09 Always On Leadership Trap 21:30 Policies vs Access 24:32 Good Leaders, Call outs and Coverage  31:15 Recovery Standards That Stick 34:10 Time Off on Good Days 38:27 Make Access Visible  39:42 Fully Staffed to Covered 43:58 Train Leaders to Kill Stigma 45:27 Florida Man and Wrap Up

017: Work Ethic Isn’t Dead: What’s Really Shifting in Vet Med Teams

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh take on one of the most common and emotionally charged narratives in veterinary medicine: “Younger generations just do not want to work.” Rather than reinforcing stereotypes or dismissing frustration, this conversation turns to the research. Grounded in a 2016 cross-temporal meta-analysis by Jean Twenge and colleagues, the episode explores what has actually shifted in generational work values — and what has not. The data show no dramatic collapse in work ethic. What has shifted, modestly but measurably, is work centrality and the value placed on leisure and balance. In a profession historically shaped by a “you must attend” mentality, even subtle recalibrations can feel seismic. Through real-world clinic stories, leadership reflection, and practical culture renovation strategies, Andi and Josh explore how redefining commitment — and modeling sustainable boundaries — may be one of the greatest leadership opportunities in modern veterinary medicine. You will hear: * What the research actually says about generational work ethic * Why work centrality has shifted — and why that matters * How confirmation bias fuels generational stereotypes * The difference between self-sacrifice and sustainable commitment * Practical ways leaders can redefine and model commitment * How curiosity can interrupt the “kids these days” cycle This episode invites leaders to move beyond blame and toward design — because thriving veterinary cultures are built intentionally, not nostalgically. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Generational Differences in Work Values: Leisure and Extrinsic Values Increasing, Social and Intrinsic Values Decreasing Authors:Jean M. Twenge et. al.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316632058 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience [https://academy.flourish.vet/courses/certificate-in-applied-veterinary-resilience-2025--c3694134-8f69-4e06-b811-87781a4997f6/salespage?]World Wide Vets - THRIVE CE Wellbeing retreat in Zimbabwe [https://www.worldwide-vets.org/thrive] All Creatures Great and Small (James Herriot) 1980s TV series (the best one!) [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0075472/] Florida Man This Week - Bean Burrito Bandit  [https://nypost.com/2026/01/25/us-news/shirtless-florida-man-sendtenced-for-diving-through-taco-bell-window-robbing-place-with-large-rock/] What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet [Info@flourish.vet] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC [https://www.flourish.vet/andi]  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP [https://www.flourish.vet/josh]At Flourish Veterinary Consulting [http://www.flourish.vet] we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps:  00:00 Generational Work Myth 00:44 Meet Josh and Dalia 02:17 Airplane Jokes and Travel 02:57 Zimbabwe Thrive Retreat 04:58 Lazy Young Workers Claim 06:56 Tech Leaves at Six 10:52 Martyrdom Culture Origins 16:05 Work Values Research

016:Culture Is a Drama: What Is Your Clinic Performing?

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a powerful idea: every veterinary clinic is performing a play—whether it realizes it or not. The stage is your hospital. The cast is your team. The script? That is your culture. Grounded in the evidence-based framework from Organizational Culture in Action by Gerald Driskill and Julian Mirivel, this episode unpacks how workplace culture is co-created through everyday communication, rituals, stories, symbols, and leadership behaviors. Rather than treating culture as something abstract or mysterious, this conversation makes it visible, measurable, and—most importantly—adjustable. Through real-world veterinary examples, graduate-level insight translated into practical application, and just enough theatrical metaphor to keep it interesting, this episode helps teams examine the gap between what they say they value and what they actually reward in daily practice. You’ll hear: * Why culture is more than a mission statement on the wall * The difference between espoused values and enacted values—and why the gap matters * How stories, rituals, and symbols quietly shape team behavior * Why leaders are meaning-makers, not just decision-makers * A simple 15-minute “story circle” exercise to uncover cultural strengths and pain points * Practical ways to run small experiments that move your clinic toward alignment Whether you are a practice owner, manager, technician, or veterinarian, this episode offers a clear, science-backed way to understand your current culture and begin renovating it—one intentional shift at a time. Because thriving in veterinary medicine is not accidental. It is directed. Resources: Episode Textbook: Title: Organizational Culture in Action: A Cultural Analysis Workbook (4th edition) Authors: Gerald W.C. Driskill and Julien C. Mirivel Amazon Link to purchase: HERE [https://a.co/d/0inGyHTI] Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience [https://academy.flourish.vet/courses/certificate-in-applied-veterinary-resilience-2025--c3694134-8f69-4e06-b811-87781a4997f6/salespage?] Florida Man This Week - Banana  [https://floridaman.com/florida-man-dressed-as-a-banana-arrested-when-he-whipped-out-his-banana/] What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet [Info@flourish.vet] Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC [https://www.flourish.vet/andi]  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP [https://www.flourish.vet/josh]At Flourish Veterinary Consulting [http://www.flourish.vet] we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions and Names 00:45 Passover Charo-set Story 02:02 Black Friday Smoothies 03:20 Culture as Drama 05:26 Wicked and What It's About 06:45 Webs of Significance 08:04 Organizational Culture Workbook 09:57 Applying OCA in Practice 13:59 Espoused vs Enacted Values 16:40 Wellbeing Value Gap 18:20 Culture in Stories and Rituals 20:36 Holiday Party Culture Tale 21:35 Hospital Party Ritual 23:31 Reading Culture Daily 25:01 Leaders Shape Meaning 26:41 Culture Renovation Compass 28:30 15 Minute Story Circle 31:34 Psychological Safety Tips 34:37 Culture Detective Walkthrough 35:58 Make Values Observable 38:14 Small Experiment Ripple 41:14 Key Takeaways And Offer 42:26 Florida Man Banana 43:54 Thanks And Farewell