The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
Dr. Cari Wise, DVM, MAEd, Certified Life Coach
After graduating from veterinary school over twenty years ago, struggling to create balance, and failing to protect her mental health and emotional wellbeing, Dr. Cari Wise finally ditched all the rules and forged her own path forward. If you're a veterinary professional looking to up-level your life and your career, or maybe looking to go in an entirely new direction, then the topics we discuss on the Joyful DVM podcast is absolutely for you.
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Top 10 The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals Episodes
Goodpods has curated a list of the 10 best The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals episodes, ranked by the number of listens and likes each episode have garnered from our listeners. If you are listening to The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals for the first time, there's no better place to start than with one of these standout episodes. If you are a fan of the show, vote for your favorite The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals episode by adding your comments to the episode page.
#23 What Cannibalism Hides in Vet Med
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
10/20/20 • 24 min
The veterinary environment can be rough. Mentally. Physically. Emotionally.
We often blame the clients, and their behavior, for our experience. But, it doesn't start there.
It starts closer to home.
Many of us experience work environments where gossiping and back-stabbing are the norm...
... where "us against them" is common...
... where nobody seems happy, and nobody feels safe.
In these environments, we turn on each other. We become self-righteous. We judge harshly. We become control-freaks and perfectionists. We think these things are useful. (They aren't).
Evidence of this can be found within the walls of our organizations, and also in how we interact outside of those walls.
> Every time we bash a neighboring clinic, it's proof.
> Every time we talk negatively about a referring colleague to a client, it's proof.
> Every time we believe there is an authority to fight against, it's proof.
So what are we actually trying to achieve with all of this anger? We are just trying to feel better.
See, anger is familiar, and it feels more powerful than fear and uncertainty. It feels justified and we justify it through blame.
But what are we really angry about? It usually boils down to one simple concept: The way things are is different than the way we believe they should be... and if they were different, we'd be happy.
We think we know best how things should be. We believe we don't have any power to change how things are. We believe that the way things are is the cause of our current quality of life.
When we believe we don't have power over our own lives, we often feel afraid. That fear takes many forms....
- fear of patient outcomes
- fear of client reactions
- fear of getting fired
- fear of not making enough money
- fear of paying off our debt
- fear of making mistakes
- fear of negative reviews
- fear of board complaints
You get the idea. Bottom Line: Fear feels terrible. Fear feels life-threatening.
Anger feels much better. It has become the veterinary industry's coping mechanism. Rather than tackle that which we are afraid of, we become angry.
Anger brings a false sense of control and builds a community of sorts with others who share in our anger. We become a profession of very angry people. That anger bleeds into every crevice of our hospitals, and onto our profession as a whole.
We think the solution is for other people to behave differently. We think the solution is for things to be different than they are. Thankfully, that is not the solution. The solution is in learning just a few things...
- Fear is just an emotion, and its presence isn't a problem
- Anger is always optional and gives away our power
- There are very few things we control in this job, and that's okay
- We can always choose to do our best in any situation
- What happens next is something we decide for ourselves, always
Vet Med is simply the catalyst for Personal Growth. The time we spend cannibalizing each other in this profession is time we could be spending getting to know ourselves, and growing into the people we are meant to be. Instead, many of us stunt our own growth through anger, blame, and victim mentality. There is no power in that place.
Your future is brighter than that. You dim your own light when you spend your energy focusing on that which you have no power to change. That same energy, focused intention
#201: The 3 Indicators That You're Headed For Burnout In Your Veterinary Career
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
08/14/24 • 14 min
In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses burnout among veterinary professionals, highlighting three key indicators: consistently arriving early and staying late, skipping lunch breaks, and disengagement from life outside of work.
She explains that these behaviors stem from misconceptions about productivity and self-care, and they can lead to inefficiency and neglect of personal wellbeing. Dr. Wise advises professionals to critically evaluate their work habits, communicate openly with leadership about scheduling, and prioritize self-care and personal interests.
She emphasizes that these patterns can be unlearned and encourages seeking support, such as through the Vet Life Academy program, to achieve a balanced and fulfilling life.
Key takeaways:
- Indicators of Burnout:
- Arriving Early and Leaving Late: This behavior can lead to inefficiency and is often unsustainable. It may indicate a need to evaluate work habits and communicate with leadership about scheduling and staffing issues.
- Skipping Lunch Breaks: Forgoing breaks to catch up on work can perpetuate neglect of self-care. Taking even short breaks can significantly improve energy and focus.
- Disengagement from Life Outside Work: Sacrificing hobbies, friendships, and self-care can lead to burnout. Re-engaging with personal interests and relationships is crucial for a fulfilling life.
- Actionable Strategies:
- Evaluate Work Habits: Consider if the extra hours are necessary or if there are underlying issues that need addressing.
- Take Breaks: Ensure to take lunch breaks and short breaks to recharge.
- Re-engage with Personal Life: Prioritize self-care and personal interests to maintain a balanced life.
- Support and Resources:
- Vet Life Academy Program: This program can help veterinary professionals regain control over their work-life balance.
- Mindset and Support: Change is possible with the right mindset and support, leading to a fulfilling life even in a demanding profession.
Resources:
⭐Get The Alternative Career Guide for Veterinary Professionals: Create A Career Tailored to You!
https://joyfuldvm.com/jobguide
⭐Join VetMed;JOY CLUB: Elevate Your Life & Veterinary Career Experience
⭐Listen to The Joyful DVM Podcast: Be Inspired by Empowering Perspectives on Navigating Life as A Veterinary Professional
⭐Join VET LIFE ACADEMY: Transform Your Veterinary Life & Career from the inside out
https://joyfuldvm.com/vetlifeacademy
⭐Learn How to Support Your Organization and Enhance Employee Wellbeing
https://joyfuldvm.com/organizations
Follow me:
Website: https://joyfuldvm.com
Linkedin: https://www
#158 Leveraging Internal Resistance
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
01/13/24 • 15 min
In this episode Dr. Cari Wise shares about the concept of resistance and its impact on our ability to pursue activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.
She defines resistance as the internal pushback we experience when we want to do something but struggle to take action and provides examples, such as wanting to spend more time on a hobby or becoming more physically fit, but finding excuses or lacking motivation to follow through.
Dr. Wise explains that resistance often leads to self-judgment, shame, and frustration; but that resistance is a normal and natural response, particularly when it comes to activities that are not considered productive by societal standards.
She challenges the belief that work and responsibilities should always be prioritized over self-care and hobbies, and encourages listeners to prioritize activities that bring them joy and fulfillment.
She warns that resistance arises when we try to break the habit of not engaging in activities we enjoy, and that our brains are wired to resist change and reminds us that resistance is not a sign of failure or weakness, but rather a natural response to breaking old habits and forming new ones.
Dr. Wise advises listeners to push through resistance and take the first step towards engaging in activities they desire, as even dedicating a few minutes to the desired activity can often overcome resistance, lead to enjoyment, and are essential for achieving balance and alignment in our live.
By taking control of our choices and pushing through resistance, we can improve our overall well-being and quality of life.
Key Takeaways:
- Resistance is the internal pushback we experience when we want to do something but struggle to take action.
- Resistance often leads to self-judgment, shame, and frustration.
- Society tends to prioritize work and responsibilities over hobbies, self-care, and activities that bring us joy.
- Resistance arises when we try to break the habit of not engaging in activities we enjoy.
- Resistance is not a sign of failure or weakness, but rather a natural response to breaking old habits and forming new ones.
- Building new habits takes time and effort, and it is important to be patient and compassionate with ourselves during this process.
- Pushing through resistance and taking the first step towards engaging in desired activities can often overcome resistance.
- Prioritizing activities that bring us joy and fulfillment is essential for achieving balance and alignment in our lives.
- Personal well-being is not solely dependent on careers, and individuals can improve their overall well-being and quality of life by taking control of their choices and pushing through resistance.
#141 The (Limiting) Stories We Tell About VetMed & Life
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
10/25/23 • 12 min
I'm wondering... what's the story you tell about your life as a veterinary professional?
What I mean is, what are the first things that come to mind when you think about the work day ahead, or life in general as part of the veterinary profession?
It may seem like a strange question, but the answer is life-altering... literally!
See, we all live our lives through the lens of stories...
Stories about our identities...
Stories about our performance, value and worth...
Stories about our careers...
Stories about past events...
Stories about future possibilities (and impossibilities)...
When those stories are negative then we keep creating and engaging in negative experiences for ourselves.
Unfortunately, "negative" is the hardwired view most of us have of the world. It's a hold-over survival instinct that actually doesn't help us in the modern world, but absolutely does limit positive experiences!
The good news... we are the writers of our own stories!
We can change our stories whenever we want, and learning to do so is a life-altering skill!
In this episode I explain more about the impact our stories have, and specifically dig in to how the stories most of us tell about our VetMed careers limit the wellbeing we experience at work, and in our entires lives... and how to stop this pattern!
https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub
Music Credit: Music by Lesfm from Pixabay
#140 | Do Vet Techs Really Make Things Easier?
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
10/18/23 • 22 min
Do you want to experience job satisfaction, wellbeing and a sustainable work load?
No matter what role you hold in Vet Med, it's very difficult for you to create that type of experience all on your own.
Veterinary Medicine has changed drastically over the last 50 years.
Our knowledge base has expanded.
The types of services we can provide has grown.
The expectations from clients have elevated.
The demand for veterinary care has increased significantly.
And, here's the rub...
The old way of doing things just isn't sustainable.
Working harder, faster and longer isn't the answer.
The team approach is the only way we will ever experience balance, wellbeing and a sustainable work load.
This requires us to utilize and leverage our veterinary support staff.
There is great opportunity in empowering and delegating to our credentialed veterinary professionals.
But, most of us don't do that.
Why?
Perfectionism, control, fear... they all play into why we keep hanging on to old ways of approaching our veterinary careers.
The cost: burnout, low job satisfaction, stress, anxiety, exhaustion, low quality of life
(the list could go on)
RESOURCES FROM THIS EPISODE
Website: https://joyfuldvm.com
#139 Taking Time To Celebrate
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
10/11/23 • 15 min
Our world is a whirlwind of busyness.
In VetMed we race from appointment to appointment for hours each day.
Other aspects of our lives often get pushed off as we run low on time and energy.
This cycle continues as time continues to pass.
From time to time we become aware of what we haven't accomplished, yet.
Our goals and dreams seem so far away.
And in the distraction of it all, we totally miss how far we've come.
In a world that is constantly moving forward at a frenzied pace, we must periodically take time to look back.
We must celebrate how far we've come, the challenges we've conquered, the growth we've experienced.
Without these moments of reflection, it's easy to conclude we haven't accomplished anything...
... that we've wasted our time...
... that we've made no progress toward our goals...
Those conclusions are NEVER true.
You have made progress.
You have experienced success.
You have accomplished big things.
Take a moment to remind yourself of all that you've done.
Celebrate your efforts and achievements.
Remind yourself that you are capable of creating all that you dream.
The evidence and encouragement is all around you.
In this episode I take a look back at all we've accomplished since starting Joyful DVM in 2017. The list is very humbling, a bit mind-blowing, and strong evidence that our mission resonates with the veterinary community.
Thank you for being a loyal listener and helping us to reach this most recent goal.
If our podcast has made a difference in your life, I hope you'll share it with a friend.
Resources discussed in this episode:
VetMed; JOY CLUB
https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub
#138 Referral Resistance
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
10/04/23 • 33 min
The scope of veterinary practice is continuously expanding. We are always learning more about animals, their physiology, and their medical conditions. We are regularly developing new treatment modalities and skills.
The days of a veterinarian being all things to all patients and treating all ailments are long gone.
Embracing this reality, however, is taking a little longer.
The ability to refer a case to a fellow veterinary professional, specialist or not, is a great opportunity in our profession.
Intentional referral is not only in the best interest of the patient, it is also in the best interest of our personal wellbeing.
Don't underestimate the negative impact hanging onto a case you'd rather refer is having on your net emotional state...
Despite this, many of us resist referring out cases...
But why?
It comes down to Shame and Fear, which are both tied up in judgement... judgement of self, and judgement of others.
In this episode
- The links between shame, fear, and judgement
- The three situations in which referral is a great choice (and no, it's not limited to the really critical and really sick ones)
- What keeps us hanging on to cases that we don't really want to manage
- The opportunity we have collectively to improve our job satisfaction and wellbeing by working in a more synergistic way
If this episode resonates with you, please share it with a friend and consider leaving us a review on wherever you listen to podcasts
https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub
#137 "I read online that..."
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
09/27/23 • 21 min
When a client says, "I read online that..." many of us cringe.
Dread and frustration often bubble up.
We become defensive and impatient.
But why?
Today more than any time in history, information is easily available.
Unfortunately, misinformation is easily available, too.
However, it's not our job to police the internet.
Our job is to help the client and patient in front of us... that is all.
So what do we do when client begins sharing everything the internet told them, and maybe even trying to dictate how we treat their pet?
We start by taking a breath!
In this episode I share how you can navigate these interactions in a way that is powerful and professional for you, but also supportive of the client and patient in front of you.
A client who values information is a great client to have, and one you can always find common ground with when you are willing to both listen and share.
But remember this: You never have to compromise the way you practice medicine. Your approach to any case is yours alone to decide.
Clients can accept your recommendations, or not. That part you'll never control. But feeling frustrated about the information and perspective they arrive with... that part is always optional.
Take a listen and learn how you can gracefully navigate these conversations with your wellbeing intact and your mind at ease.
For more tips on improving your personal wellbeing, visit https://joyfuldvm.com/joyclub
#136 Navigating Internal Conflict in Veterinary Hospitals
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
09/20/23 • 33 min
Internal conflict in veterinary hospitals is a very common occurrence.
In addition to being super-uncomfortable to witness, it also has a very real and negative impact on client service and patient care.
Everyone who is aware of the conflict plays a part in its perpetuation if they don't speak up.
When we ignore the conflicts, or avoid them all together, we actually create space for them to continue to grow.
And make no mistake, ongoing conflict within a veterinary hospital is absolutely having a negative impact on client service and patient care.
Thankfully there are things each of us can do to help foster a pathway toward conflict resolution.
In this episode I share a process for diving conflict resolution including:
- Avoiding gossiping about the conflict (this only makes it worse)
- Not ignoring the conflict (it's having an impact, even when you ignore it)
- Escalating awareness of the conflict to the appropriate level of leadership (don't assume they are aware its happening)
- Gathering information (seek to understand both sides though individual conversations)
- Identifying specific examples and impact (in the moment, people in conflict are often in tunnel vision and don't realize how they are behaving or being received)
- Discussing together with both parties (create a safe place for them to share with each other)
- Clarifying expectations for professional behavior (bring everyone back to the mission)
- Following up with timely feedback in the weeks that follow (reinforce expectations as needed).
The bottom line is this...
As uncomfortable as it might be to have conversations about conflict, simply allowing the conflict to continue unaddressed is much much worse... for you, your team, your clients and your patients.
If this episode hits home, please consider sharing it with friend and leaving us a review wherever you listen to your podcasts!
For more information on how to Leverage The Space to protect your own emotional wellbeing when conflict occurs, check out Vet Life Academy.
https://joyfuldvm.com/vetlifeacademy
#107 Spiritual Curiosity & Religion Resistance
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals
02/04/23 • 35 min
Are you spiritually curious but hesitant when it comes to traditional religion?
Or maybe you're very grounded in your traditional religious practices, but wondering about the stuff that never gets covered...
I can totally relate.
It's a strange situation to navigate.
So many rules.
Such high stakes.
Overwhelming. Scary.
It's the perfect reminder of how our physical, human minds prefer the familiar, to the unknown.
It's also the most important reason why we must gather information anyway.
There comes a point in our lives that we are drawn to a greater understanding of our own existence.
Have you felt it?
For most it happens once we've achieved those initial goals we've set... usually early adulthood when we've settled into a job and are a few years into our lives "in the real world".
It starts as discontent (is this all there is?).
It continues as curiosity.
And that's the point that, for many of us, it turns to fear.
(We are conditioned to be afraid of what we don't understand.)
When we give into the fear, and stagnate in our lives, the discontent doesn't fade away... it compounds.
For many of us, we turn this awareness of unhappiness on ourselves.
(I must be broken... why can't I just be happy with what I have?)
The reason... you aren't meant to sit still!
You'll never reach the "end" of your development as a human or satisfy your curiosity about life...
There is always more to learn.
The tricky part, in my experience, is finding a safe place to do it.
Well, my friend, I have you covered there! Check out this episode to learn all about my new mini-course: Spiritual Seeker 101.
CONNECT WITH ME
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/joyfuldvm
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/JoyfulDVM/
- Website: www.joyfuldvm.com/
Thank you so much for listening! If this episode supported you in any way, the best way you can pay forward is by taking a screenshot of this episode and sharing it on social media or with your team, and tag me!
Featured: Spiritual Seeker 101 https://cariwise.com/SS101
Music by: lemonmusicstudio from Pixabay
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FAQ
How many episodes does The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals have?
The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals currently has 220 episodes available.
What topics does The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals cover?
The podcast is about Intuition, Life Coach, Podcasts, Self-Improvement, Education and Veterinary Medicine.
What is the most popular episode on The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals?
The episode title '#142 (Human) Death in VetMed [TRIGGER WARNING]' is the most popular.
What is the average episode length on The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals?
The average episode length on The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals is 21 minutes.
How often are episodes of The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals released?
Episodes of The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals are typically released every 7 days.
When was the first episode of The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals?
The first episode of The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals was released on May 21, 2020.
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