Ep: 54: Two Things Can Be True at Once: Holding Hope and Heartbreak in Animal Welfare

Ep: 54: Two Things Can Be True at Once: Holding Hope and Heartbreak in Animal Welfare

In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I explore a powerful mindset shift that can dramatically reduce burnout in animal care, rescue, veterinary medicine, and advocacy: dialectical thinking, also known as both/and thinking. If you’ve ever felt like you had to choose between being hopeful or being realistic, strong or struggling, this episode challenges that belief. We discuss:  * What dialectical (both/and) thinking is and why it matters * How black-and-white thinking fuels compassion fatigue and burnout * Why emotional complexity is not weakness—but resilience * How to hold space for both pain and purpose in your work * A simple, practical way to start using this skill immediately Additional resources:  Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com [jen@jenblough.com]. Follow on social media:  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/beyondcompassionfatigue/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondcompassionfatigue/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferbloughlpc] Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/free-resources].  Visit my free virtual calming room here [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/calming-room].  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=to+save+a+starfish+book&crid=284T71UJAZ7E5&sprefix=to+save+a+star%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-pd-dpltr-ranker_2_14].

Ep. 53: From PTSD to Purpose with Lisa Beggio

In this episode of Beyond Compassion Fatigue, I sit down with Lisa Beggio, Executive Director of Columbia Humane Society, to discuss her deeply personal journey through primary trauma, PTSD, and healing after surviving a life-threatening dog attack while working in animal rescue. Lisa shares what it was like to return to shelter work after trauma, the reality of PTSD triggers in a field built around exposure to suffering, and how therapy helped her reclaim her life and career. Together, we explore the intersection of compassion fatigue and PTSD, the importance of speaking openly about mental health in animal welfare, and why protecting the people who protect animals must become a priority. This conversation is raw, honest, and hopeful—and an important reminder that healing is possible. We discuss: * How trauma can reshape your nervous system and identity * What PTSD symptoms looked like after Lisa’s dog attack * Why returning to work required intentional exposure and support * The power of therapy, accountability, and learning trauma tools * Breaking stigma around mental health in animal welfare * How leadership can normalize self-care and psychological safety * Finding purpose and meaning after trauma * Why “being selfish” is sometimes essential for survival in helping professions Resources mentioned: Columbia Humane Society website [https://columbiahumane.com/] Columbia Humane Society Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/columbiahumane] Got a suggestion for a future topic? Reach out to me: jen@jenblough.com [jen@jenblough.com]. Follow on social media:  Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/beyondcompassionfatigue/] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/beyondcompassionfatigue/] YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferbloughlpc] Grab your free resources to help manage compassion fatigue here [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/free-resources].  Visit my free virtual calming room here [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/calming-room].  Get your copy of To Save a Starfish: A Compassion Fatigue Workbook for the Animal Welfare Warrior here [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=to+save+a+starfish+book&crid=284T71UJAZ7E5&sprefix=to+save+a+star%2Caps%2C140&ref=nb_sb_ss_p13n-pd-dpltr-ranker_2_14].

Ep. 52: Internal Risk Factors for Compassion Fatigue

Last week, we explored the external risk factors of compassion fatigue—the systems, environments, and conditions surrounding animal welfare work. This week, we turn inward. Compassion fatigue doesn’t just come from what you’re exposed to, it’s also shaped by who you are: your personality, your experiences, and the traits that likely drew you to this work in the first place. This episode takes an honest look at the internal factors that can increase vulnerability to compassion fatigue, without blame or shame.  We talk about: * Why empathy and compassion are both essential traits as well as risk factors * The difference between empathy fatigue and compassion fatigue * How being other-directed can quietly lead to self-neglect * The impact of tying your identity and self-worth to your work * What it means to be a highly sensitive person (HSP) in animal welfare * How past trauma can both motivate and increase vulnerability * Why compassion fatigue develops through the interaction of internal and external factors Resources & Links * Listen to last week’s episode on external risk factors [https://beyondcompassionfatigue.podbean.com/e/external/?token=a108fae40544122fb529b1f05bd76781] * Sign up for my free monthly newsletter [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/contact-8-1] for tips on managing compassion fatigue

Ep. 51: Are You Vulnerable to Compassion Fatigue? External Risk Factors

In part one of this two-part mini-series, I talk about some of the external risk factors that can make people in animal care, welfare, rescue, vet med, and activism more vulnerable to developing compassion fatigue. We'll explore: * How our environment, workplace, community, culture, and other outside risk factors make us more susceptible to developing compassion fatigue.  * The problem with "too much and not enough."  * My own struggles with compassion fatigue and what I've learned * What we need to change * A sneak peek at my new forthcoming book and compassion fatigue certification! Resources mentioned: CFPAW [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/cfpaw] certification info and waitlist

Ep. 50: Inside Animal Control: Compassion Fatigue, Anger, and Resilience with Rob Leinberger

In this episode, I sit down with Rob Leinberger, a long-time animal control officer and current manager of Prince George County Animal Services and Adoption Center in Virginia. Rob brings years of frontline experience and leadership insight into the often-overlooked emotional realities of animal control work. We talk about how Rob was first introduced to the concept of compassion fatigue—and what it looked like before he even had a name for it. He shares the unique emotional toll of animal control, where the job requires constant balance between enforcement, empathy, and exposure to difficult situations. Rob opens up about how compassion fatigue can show up in this field, including the role anger can play—and how he learned to better understand and manage his own responses over time. We also dive into how to better prepare new officers for the realities of the job, not just tactically, but emotionally. Rob shares both short-term and long-term coping strategies that have helped him sustain a career in this work, as well as the importance of recognizing and naming emotions rather than pushing them aside. You’ll also hear how Rob and his team intentionally create space to let off steam, allowing them to reset so they can continue showing up fully for the work ahead. As a leader, Rob emphasizes modeling healthy behaviors, leading by example, and creating a culture where staff feel supported. Finally, we explore the concept of compassion satisfaction—why celebrating wins matters, and how those moments can anchor you in the midst of challenging work. Resources Mentioned: Box breathing guided video [https://youtu.be/OlVcqnZjrwI] Learn more or join the waitlist for CFPAW here [https://www.animalwelfarewellness.com/cfpaw] Prince George County Animal Services and Adoption Center: Website [https://www.princegeorgecountyva.gov/public_safety/animal_services_adoption_center/index.php] Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/pganimals] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/PGAnimals?fbclid=IwY2xjawRYYaBleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFTDVaVFZaYVNnSG9jMTBzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHklyeWKmRRPABMIeIJ31bzx0YD-0peShQHpvkJjVQmozafqtbka2YoieBBWR_aem_0FC4in9_Bsv7zi3ZBJFe6Q] Amazon wish list [https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/2JM2UI2V6USUG/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex?fbclid=IwY2xjawRYYdJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFFTDVaVFZaYVNnSG9jMTBzc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIy]