022: Thriving in Vet Med: We Have the Ingredients, Now We Just Need the Recipe

022: Thriving in Vet Med: We Have the Ingredients, Now We Just Need the Recipe

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a hopeful but important question: what if veterinary medicine already has many of the ingredients needed for people and teams to thrive? Grounded in research on meaningful work, burnout, resilience, leadership, and workplace wellbeing, this conversation challenges the idea that vet med is fundamentally broken. Instead, the episode explores how purpose, connection, growth, and supportive culture already exist within the profession — and what leaders can do to intentionally build environments where those strengths can flourish. You’ll hear: * Why meaningful work is one of the strongest protective factors against burnout * How leadership behaviors shape engagement, trust, and workplace wellbeing * The role autonomy, connection, and recognition play in helping teams thrive * Why resilience is not just an individual responsibility * What veterinary technicians and nurses say they actually need from workplaces * How poor culture quietly erodes even deeply passionate teams * Practical ways leaders can strengthen thriving without waiting for a complete overhaul * Why vet med may not need saving nearly as much as it needs renovation Whether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, student, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply human look at what thriving can realistically look like in veterinary medicine. Because thriving in vet med is not about finding brand-new ingredients.  It is about finally learning how to use the ones we already have. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: The Life of Meaning: A model of the Positive Contribution to Well-Being from Veterinary Work.  Authors:Martin Cake, Melinda Ball, Naomi Bickly, and David Bartram DOI: https://utppublishing.com/doi/pdf/10.3138/jvme.1014-097R1 Colorado Avalanche - Glass Breaking Info [https://www.9news.com/article/sports/nhl/colorado-avalanche/avalanche-fans-break-glass-ball-arena/73-e114de26-23c9-4c6a-b467-c6da5e5f0eb1] The Veterinary Culture Lab - Ep. 001 North of Neutral: why positive psychology matters in vet med [https://www.culturelab.vet/2527771/episodes/17656581-001-north-of-neutral-why-positive-psychology-matters-in-vet-med] Florida Man This Week - Toilet Paper Rosel  [https://www.fox13news.com/news/man-says-intruder-entered-his-home-cleaned-everything-and-left-behind-toilet-paper-rose] 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: 00:29 Late Night Hockey 09:35 Hard Versus Meaningful 13:06 Why We Focus Negative 18:23 COVID Client Bias 22:00 Research Review 23:56 Meaningful Vet Work 24:51 Eudaimonic Wellbeing 26:22 Drivers of Thriving 27:23 Stress Satisfaction Paradox 32:06 Wellbeing Garden Metaphor 35:39 Cultivation Over Balance 37:32 Make Meaning Visible Headed to AVMA in Anaheim this July? We would LOVE to meet you in person! Come and check out Andi and Josh's sessions.  Andi will speak on Friday July 10th and Josh on Monday July 13th.  Stop by a session and introduce yourself—we always love meeting members of the Veterinary Culture Lab community.

021:Feedback in Veterinary Teams: What Actually Builds Trust?

In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a question that hits a nerve for many veterinary professionals: why does feedback so often feel threatening instead of helpful? Grounded in brand-new veterinary research on psychological safety, communication quality, and turnover intention, this episode unpacks how the way feedback is delivered can shape trust, team culture, and whether people choose to stay in a practice long term. Rather than treating feedback as simply correcting mistakes, this conversation reframes feedback as a relational and cultural tool that directly impacts psychological safety. You’ll hear: *  Why the phrase “Can I give you some feedback?” instantly puts many people on the defensive  *  What psychological safety actually means in veterinary teams  *  Why supervisor feedback has such a strong influence on retention  *  The surprising role coworker feedback plays in shaping workplace culture  *  How leaders create the emotional tone of a practice through everyday communication  *  The difference between corrective feedback and growth-oriented conversations  *  Practical ways veterinary leaders can improve feedback culture and psychological safety  Whether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply practical look at how communication shapes culture from the inside out. Because thriving veterinary teams are not built through fear of feedback. They are built through conversations that create trust. Resource Links Episode Article Title: A cross-sectional study exploring associations between psychological safety, employee turnover intention and feedback skills in veterinary organisations Authors:Olivia Oginska, Michelle McArthur, Amy Zadow, Nic Gibson and Martin Cake DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.70498 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication [https://www.flourish.vet/programs/academy-program-details] Florida Man This Week - Own Truck  [https://floridaman.com/florida-man-leaving-strip-club-runs-himself-over-with-his-own-truck/] 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 Why Feedback Feels Threatening 05:18 New Vet Med Study Tease 06:03 When Feedback Lands Well 07:44 Collaboration Builds Trust 10:59 Retention Beyond Pay 13:15 Study Methods and Sample 15:58 Manager Feedback Drives Retention 16:48 Coworker Feedback and Safety 21:08 Leaders Set Emotional Tone 25:27 Feedback as Relationship Tool 28:14 Culture Renovation Playbook 37:13 Closing and Sign Off Headed to AVMA in Anaheim this July? We would LOVE to meet you in person! Come and check out Andi and Josh's sessions.  Andi will speak on Friday July 10th and Josh on Monday July 13th.  Stop by a session and introduce yourself—we always love meeting members of the Veterinary Culture Lab community.

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: Tipsarp Kittisiam, DVM, PhD ; Caroline Ritter, DVM, PhD; Emily Morabito, MS; Adam Stacey, PsyD, RDPsych; Deep Khosa, BVMS, PhD; Andria Jones, DVM, PhD 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