The PositiVETy Podcast: Recent Episodes
Platinum CPD and Emma McConnell
Platinum CPD is on a mission to bring happiness back into veterinary medicine, by shining the brightest of lights on all the positive aspects to being a veterinary professional. Through the sharing of stories, we will showcase the magic and joy that comes with being part of the veterinary industry; encouraging you to remain motivated about this special vocation, and helping you become as mentally wealthy as possible, both at work and in life. Every one of us has a unique story that is worth sharing, and during this weekly podcast we will share the extraordinary tales of our veterinary colleagues and community. So tune in to rediscover the joy of veterinary medicine, and get ready to feel inspired and energised about your chosen career. #thepositivetypodcast
039 - It's safe to say that navigating the emotional landscape of our veterinary work is no small feat; and no matter how experienced you might be, or how many additional qualifications or specialisations you have, sometimes you still feel like an imposter. But guess what? You are not alone in this! Dr Scott Kilpatrick joins us and candidly shares his story; how becoming a clinical veterinarian was infinitely harder than he ever imagined, and how he went from a period of burnout to finding a renewed sense of appreciation for his career.
Scott is a Specialist in Small Animal Medicine, Co-Founder of VTX (Veterinary Thought Exchange), and simply all-round fabulous person. It is clear he is committed to our veterinary profession, and cares deeply about helping colleagues connect, collaborate and develop professionally. During our conversation, we chat about how social media can really have a positive impact on us and how it can truly help us form genuine relationships with colleagues we may otherwise never connect with. We also shine a light on the realities of imposter syndrome, the liberating truth that additional qualifications don't always equate to contentment and an enhanced level of happiness, and the ever-present struggle of fitting continuing professional development into already jam-packed schedules.
This episode is one of vulnerability, openness, and a healthy dose of fun, and is a heartfelt reminder that amidst the tumult of our veterinary profession, happiness and fulfillment can truly be found.
Find out more about The Veterinary Thought Exchange
Check out the VTX Podcast
Follow VTX on Instagram
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
038 - We're ringing in 2024 with the incredible Dr Liv Oginska, emotional intelligence expert, one of the UK's newest Bright Minds Wellness Champions, and creator of Human Savvy.
In this episode, we discuss the intricacies of being a veterinary professional - how it is so much more than treating our patients; and just how important it is for us to commit to developing our emotional intelligence in order to perform to the best of our ability - both inside and out of the veterinary practice.
Dr Liv shares some details about the innovative Human Savvy League for Veterinary Leaders, the transformative power of intentional support and performance strategies that are reshaping veterinary leadership around the globe. We also chat candidly about New Year's resolutions, where Liv gives us a healthy reality check by reminding us that action and strategy are critical components to the success of achieving our goals.
Get ready to be uplifted as we share the magic of setting purposeful goals and the courage it takes to chase them. Dr. Liv's vibrancy is contagious, proving that positiVETy is not just an ideal but a practice we can embed in our daily lives. This conversation is an invitation to step boldly into the New Year, armed with joy, purpose, and a community that has your back, cheering you on. Here's to a year of cherished moments; living in alignment; and of course, veterinary happiness!
Join The Human Savvy League waitlist - the next cohort starts in April 2024.
Follow Dr Liv Oginska @humansavvy or find out more about Becoming Human Savvy
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
037 - Have you ever wondered just how far your veterinary nursing qualification(s) can take you? Or what opportunities can eventuate, once you have discovered your niche? Laura Jones, seasoned RVN joins us, to share her story, her why, and how she has created the most fulfilling and rewarding career. From her early aspirations of becoming a vet, Laura found her true calling in internal medicine nursing, and she’s been making significant contributions to our profession for over a decade.
Laura's story is both inspiring and relatable. From the start of her journey, she has always made decisions that aligned with her goals, and goodness - has that worked out well for her! Over the years, Laura has been highly dedicated to furthering her expertise, gaining numerous additional qualifications which have opened a number of doors and provided her with a wealth of opportunity, the power of staying true to your why.
In a profession that’s constantly evolving, Laura shares her thoughts on the importance of continuing professional development, not only for veterinary nurses but all veterinary professionals; and her personal experiences shed light on the satisfaction and growth that comes with upskilling. We also touch on the influential role of social media, the benefits of her educational platform and the Medical Nursing Academy, and crucial topics like mentorship and self-care. So, buckle up for an enlightening conversation that underscores the joy and satisfaction a veterinary nursing career can bring.
Find out more about Laura's educational platform, Veterinary Internal Medicine Nursing
Get in touch with Laura Jones on Instagram
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
036 - Like so many veterinary professionals, Dr Andrea Harvey knew she wanted to be a veterinarian from a young age. What is perhaps more unique, is how her "why" has been unwavering since she nursed her pony back from a near-catastrophic injury; and it is this strong sense of purpose that has given her the courage to embrace a number of different opportunities.
Andrea has had quite the diverse career, and over the past 20 years has had a number of impressive achievements and made some significant contributions to our profession, predominantly in the field of feline medicine and animal welfare science. There is no question that her openness to new experiences, willingness to step outside of her comfort zone, and an admirable work ethic are traits that have contributed to her success.
During the episode, Andrea reminds us of the importance of surrounding ourselves with the right people, who will encourage and support us in fulfilling our potential. She also shares her wisdom on finding veterinary happiness through making aligned decisions, remaining open to opportunities, and giving back to the profession. Andrea's commitment to helping others reach their goals is evident as she recounts her own experiences with mentorship, and the joy she finds in supporting the next generation of veterinarians. If you are needing some encouragement to say "yes" to an opportunity that is front of you right now, this episode is for you!
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
035 - Did you know that the number one factor that determines whether a client is likely to visit your veterinary practice is whether or not you have parking! So it's not necessarily the veterinary team, the potential care we might provide, or the cost of our services that is the INITIAL drawcard. For many of us this is actually quite hard to hear, but it's an important concept to consider when thinking about the business aspects of veterinary medicine; and is just one of the many "fun facts" Dr Ron See has to share with us.
A recent anonymous survey conducted by the Australian Veterinary Association revealed 60% of respondants were unhappy with their current salary, and so finding ways to improve remuneration is essential for the future of our profession. During the episode Dr Ron openly shares his thoughts on ways in which salaries can be improved, and whilst raising prices is one obvious solution, it is not without issue.
During Part Two of this important conversation, we not only chat about ways in which we can improve clinical efficiencies and scale our veterinary practices, we also discuss what veterinary medicine could (or perhaps should) look like in the future ... our North Star. The current state of our industry, as it pertains to staffing levels, number of patients walking through the door and client expectations is not going to change. We are in the season of our new normal, and during this episode we talk about potential practical strategies we can implement in order to preserve our profession and those working within it.
Dr Woof Apparel
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
034 - From selling a few scrub caps during his clinical years at vet school, to now having sold over 100,000 units to a customer base exceeding 21,000, Dr Woof Apparel's Dr Ron See has had quite the unique journey.
As his side hustle grew rapidly to a fully-fledged company, Ron realised that clinical practice was not where his expertise were best utilised; and instead decided to contribute to the veterinary profession in a different way. By creating a brand of medical apparel that is not only a joy to look at, but a joy to wear.
Having taken a step outside the profession, Dr Ron has had the opportunity to see our industry through a different lens. A business lens. An entrepreneurial lens. And as a result, has gained with some clarity, a unique perspective on one of the biggest challenges we face. The elephant in pretty much every consult room. Money.
In Part One of this two-part interview, we broach the subject of money and veterinary services, and start a conversation about whether greater remuneration for veterinary professionals could in fact, solve many of our current challenges. Dr Ron shares some interesting numbers with us, which begs the question - why is the topic of money and staff remuneration not being discussed more openly? We're only just scratching the surface in this episode, so be sure to check back in next week for the rest of our discussion.
Dr Woof Apparel
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
033 - Dr Vicky Brownlie knew she wanted to be a veterinarian at the incredibly young age of 4; and having grown up with birds and rabbits, it is no surprise that she was drawn to the discipline of exotic medicine. Vicky's special interest in the more unlikely pets (which including snakes, lizards and frogs), led her to pursue her ANZCVS Memberships in Unusual Pet Medicine and Surgery - an achievement shared by only a handful of other veterinarians.
During the episode, Vicky talks openly about the challenges she experienced during university, and how she overcame them. As a passionate advocate for the welfare of small furries, she identifies the three key areas she feels all general practitioners should be competent in when it comes to the veterinary care of rabbits and guinea pigs. She also shares with us her thoughts on the aspects in which our industry could be doing better, why we shouldn't be afraid of trying of new things, and how empowering pet owners through education is one her favourite things about being a veterinary professional.
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.
032 - For many of us, our career path has ended up being somewhat different to what we initially envisioned when we first started our training programs. Yet more often than not, our journeys exceed all expectations. Which is precisely the case for today's guest, my mentor and dear friend, Dr Imogen Johns.
Unlike many veterinary professionals, Imogen didn't dream about being a vet from a young age. However as soon as she started her veterinary degree, she knew she was exactly where she was meant to be. As a keen rider, Imogen initially wanted to keep her equine hobby and veterinary career separate, and was contemplating a future in small animal medicine. But, as fate would have it, equine medicine was where she would end up. And thank goodness for that; because as an ACVIM Diplomate, Imogen has contributed significantly to the field of equine medicine, not only through her research, but also the training of veterinary students, interns and residents.
During the episode, Imogen shares with us the details of her successful career, that has taken her around the world. We chat about residency training, transitioning from academia to private practice, the effectiveness of career coaching, and how working part-time really provides the opportunity to pursue other non-veterinary passions.
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
31 - Dr Katie Kreutz is an enthusiastic and highly motivated mixed practice veterinarian, based in one of the most beautiful parts of the world - Esperance Western Australia. She joins us today to share her journey - how she came to work in in rural mixed practice, what it is about her job that will keep her there for many many years to come, and why she is such a passionate advocate for the veterinary profession.
We touch on the barriers and benefits to working in a small rural town, and how community is such an important component to our ongoing professional and personal development. As the WA AVA president elect, Katie highlights a number of important initiatives currently being offered by the Australian Veterinary Association, along with the goals she is hoping to achieve during her term as president.
Keen to show your support and have your say in the future of our veterinary profession? Why not become an AVA member?
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.
30 - How often have you experienced ineffective leadership in your workplace that has made your job more challenging than perhaps it needed to be? For the majority of us, it would be on at least one occasion, yes? As veterinary professionals rarely are we educated on leadership ... it's not common to receive specific leadership training, instead we tend to "give it a crack" - do what we think is right, cross our fingers and hope for the best. Well, for the sake of sustainability within our profession and improving workplace culture, isn't it about time we take professional leadership seriously?
In this episode, Dr Taleta Hompas from VetLed, joins us for another inspiring conversation, where she shares with us the five pillars of leadership, what makes a "good" leader, and what we as individuals can be doing to unlock our unique leadership potential. She also challenges you to identify the three key words that describe the leader you want to be known as - an eye-opening exercise that can really help you be more intentional about the way you engage with colleagues, clients and even those people close to you.
Keen to find out more about VetLed or the ReadyVet app? Email Dr Taleta directly - info@vetled.net | or alternatively check out the following :
VetLed
ReadyVet app
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
Today’s episode is an insight into recent graduates Madison & Lauren’s experience as they transition from university to veterinary practice.
They share concerns they have about starting their new jobs and how their practice is stepping up to the plate and providing them with an incredibly nurturing environment.
They also have the added bonus of being a couple, and they speak about how they navigate working and living together.
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.
028 - Answer truthfully - when someone presents you with a new or different opportunity, idea, or request, is your initial or immediate default response "no"? Do you work in a practice where a "no" culture predominates? Well, just imagine a world (professional or personal), where the default answer is "yes" - or at the very least "let's see what we can do". Imagine how much progress we could make every day if we were more open to new ideas. Imagine how much better our workplaces could be if our veterinary leaders adopted a "yes" culture!
In this episode, I am joined by Dr Sarah McLay, an early career equine veterinarian, who has already accumulated a wealth of fairly diverse experience within our profession. Before going down the path of purely equine practice, Sarah spent time as a rural and semi-rural mixed practitioner in Western Australia. Through saying "yes" to opportunity, she now finds herself working at an university equine hospital, where she continues to broaden and diversify both her clinical and academic skillset.
During the episode, Sarah shares with us her experience providing veterinary care to the unique and hardy ponies that reside on the Gili Islands, and how she feels that makes her a better person. She also divulges her thoughts on how we can attract new graduates to equine practice, as well as proposing a number of solutions to improve practice culture and retention rates.
Keen to find out more about volunteering with the Gili Island ponies? Email Dr Sarah directly - sarah.mclay@murdoch.edu.au | or alternatively check out the following :
Animal Aid Abroad
Horses of Gili
Kuta Lombok Dogs
Luni Lombok
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
027 - As a busy woman, how often are you checking in on your physical and mental health?We spend so much time looking after our patients, our clients, our family and our own pets, that often our own health care slips by the wayside – this is clearly less than ideal!
In this episode, I am joined by Dr Sarah Moore, an integrative GP obstetrician (and so much more), with a keen interest in holistic and integrative approaches to women’s health, mental health and chronic health conditions. Like most veterinary professionals, Sarah has a significant number of balls in the air, and understands all to well the pressures faced by high-achieving women. Not only is she a practicing clinician, Sarah is a wife and mum of two, a PhD candidate, Chair of the Holistic Health Practitioner network and the South West Health Practitioner Network, plus she continues to be actively involved in the education of medical students.
During the episode, Sarah shares with us some incredibly valuable insights as to the common illnesses encountered by women and what we can do to help prevent them. We also discuss her PhD research, focused on the benefits of online mindfulness training for medical students and junior doctor wellbeing – something that would also be of immense benefit to us as veterinary professionals.
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
And get your ticket to our Refresh and Reset Retreat here - https://platinumcpd.com/product/the-refresh-and-reset-retreat/
This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.
As a professional woman, fertility is not often a subject that is brought up in conversation. After taking a short break while I was pregnant and then enjoying the early life of our gorgeous Daisy, we are officially back! And today, I am joined by my dear friend Katie Bateman, a Human Design coach, airline pilot, CEO, crazy cat lady and most special to us, our egg donor.
For the last two and a half years, Katie has been working with high-achieving women, supporting them in building positive and empowering mindsets by helping them understand their unique energetic blueprint with Human Design. Her goal is to help as many women as possible become masters at creating their most abundant, fulfilling and successful lives with more confidence and less stress.
During the episode, we speak about our fertility and egg donation journey, some of the similarities between the aviation industry and the veterinary profession, human design, and how embracing our own energetic blueprint can help us achieve greater success and abundance in our both our professional and personal lives.
You can find out more about how Katie helps high-achieving women understand their energetic blueprint with Human design on her website - levelupwithkatieb.com
Or get in touch with Katie on Instagram, and Facebook.
We wanted to open up this conversation to encourage more women to talk about their fertility journey and know that we’re here to support you. If this episode resonates with you, we would love to hear all about your experiences on Instagram @platinum_cpd
Get in touch with us on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook and visit our website - platinumcpd.com
And get your ticket to our Refresh and Reset Retreat here - https://platinumcpd.com/product/the-refresh-and-reset-retreat/
This podcast was produced by Good Chat Media.
025 - Dr Olivia Oginska can only be described as a shining light, and during this episode she shares how she found her passion and her niche within our veterinary profession. Having graduated in Poland, Liv soon made the move to the UK where she began her professional journey towards becoming a small animal surgeon. It wasn't long before she realised that this particular career path was not the right one for her; but through all of her experiences, she came to the realisation that her true gift was one of human connection.
Liv boldly followed her intuition to acquire a formal qualification in psychology (positive psychology specifically), and now uses these skills to help veterinary leaders and veterinary teams enhance their workplace culture and emotional intelligence (EQ). Throughout this episode, Liv shares with us what it means to be "human savvy", and how self-awareness and knowing "where we are right now" can vastly improve the way we function as a team.
With an increasing number of veterinary leaders leaning in to the importance of EQ and embracing the type of clinical wellness coaching and opportunities offered by Liv, the future of our veterinary profession is undoubtedly bright; and I guarantee this episode will leave you feeling uplifted and positive about the direction our industry is headed.
GET IN TOUCH WITH LIV: https://www.vetgonereal.com
BECOME MORE HUMAN SAVVY WITH DR LIV OGINSKA: https://behumansavvy.com/how-to-be-human-savvy
FOLLOW LIV ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/vetgonereal/
024 - It is a concerning fact that over time we are experiencing a greater number of emergency situations. Although there seems to be little we can do to prevent these occurrences, there is a lot we can do, as veterinary professionals, when it comes to preparedness and animal emergency management.
Erica Honey is an incredible veterinary nurse with a background in emergency and critical care, however she has now turned her attention to helping veterinary practices and internal and external stakeholders be best prepared for a range of emergency situations. As a self-confessed "lover of organised chaos" who is inherently intrigued by "lights and sirens", Erica has become well-versed in incident management and now offers a consultancy service focused on veterinary urgent and emergent scenarios.
During this episode, Erica shares her unique story and how she came to be so passionate about this particular field. She also provides some truly valuable and actionable tips on how to develop an emergency plan for your practice, highlighting the fact that having some kind of preparedness for an emergency situation is better than having no plan at all. #thepositiVETypodcast
CONNECT WITH ERICA ON LINKEDIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/erica-honey-3aa00b51/?originalSubdomain=au
FOLLOW ERICA ON INSTAGRAM: @vet.urgency.emergency
023 - Over the past 20 years, Dr Louisa has had quite the colourful career, yet even before graduating, she had developed an inherent interest in the welfare of veterinary professionals. Some might say she was actually way ahead of her time, making sure her first job as a veterinarian was one that was well supported, fostered a positive workplace culture and was going to set her up for success within our industry. And that, it certainly did!
Dr Louisa's career to date makes for a brilliant story, but perhaps what is even more intriguing is where she is headed next. With a clear passion (or should we say, obsession) for health and safety, Louisa recently founded SAFERVETS, as a means to provide veterinary industry-specific safety policies, training and advice to all veterinary professionals. There is no question that ensuring the psychological and physical safety of staff are paramount to running a successful veterinary business, and during this episode Louisa talks candidly about what we can be doing to improve staff welfare (and not in the boring, corporate OH&S way).
As part of her ongoing commitment to veterinary health and safety, Dr Johnson is currently studying for her Masters, and as part of this degree she is undertaking a survey of Australian vets, vet nurses and vet students for her research project titled 'The health and safety impacts being experienced by Australian vets, vet nurses and vet students'.The survey itself is very quick and easy to complete, and is open to all Australian vets, vet nurses and vet students. So, if you want to support Louisa on her quest to improve the health and safety of our veterinary profession, please take 5 minutes to complete the survey: CLICK HERE.
GET IN TOUCH WITH SAFERVETS: www.safervets.com
EMAIL DR LOUISA JOHNSON: hello@safervets.com
COMPLETE THE SURVEY: https://curtin.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0GwngFUIA5QedMO
022 - Cordene Midgley is a multi-passionate veterinary nurse who has had quite the squiggly career. After discovering a passion for business and marketing during her time with Hill's Pet Nutrition, she then went on to obtain her MBA. It was during this time Cordene began to delve into the field of veterinary happiness, where she started to seek out the answers to the question - What are the factors that affect the happiness of veterinarians? (Spoiler alert: you can check out her research paper here https://doi.org/10.3138/jvme-2020-0033).
During the episode, Cordene sheds some light on a number of different factors that can contribute to veterinary happiness. She discusses how happiness is not the negation of unhappiness; how nurturing our areas of strength rather than trying to improve our areas of weakness can exponentially increase career satisfaction; the importance of community; and the very important concept that not all leisure activities are created equal.
As the co-creater of our 100 Days of Happy Challenge: The Veterinary Edition, Cordene also shares with us her challenge journey. She talks about how she now favours progress over perfection, and how the challenge has helped her to be kinder to herself and has allowed her to live a life that is closer to where she wants it to be.
021 - Scottish-born veterinarian, Dr Joanna Aitken started her career in a well-supported mixed practice in rural NSW. But it wasn't long before her veterinary journey started to become a little less linear!
Joanna's story is undoubtedly fascinating, with a number of interstate and international moves, all in the pursuit of veterinary specialisation. Yet, as fate would have it, this was not how Jo's tale was destined to end. In this episode, Joanna openly shares with us how the power of a positive mindset really does build resilience. How realising your true "why" and simply believing in yourself, can help turn any undesirable or disappointing situation into an opportunity.
Listening to Jo's story really highlights the fact that there are so many things out of our control. Despite all the best laid plans, things happen in life that we don't expect and we cannot plan for. But it is up to you, and you only, to decide how you cope with those hurdles. And although it may not seem like it at the time, sometimes, like in Jo's case, the alternative opportunity that arises is actually better than what you could ever have expected!
GET IN TOUCH WITH VETS: STAY, GO, DIVERSIFY: https://www.vsgd.co
VETS: STAY, GO, DIVERSIFY - DOWN UNDER: https://www.vsgd.co/vsgd-down-under
VSGD DOWN UNDER FACEBOOK GROUP: https://www.facebook.com/groups/VSGD.DU
20 - This week's special guests are two shining lights of our industry, both of whom have very different origin stories but share one commonality - a solution-driven approach to the sustainability of our veterinary profession.
Joel Nugawela and Rebecca Goldstein both started their veterinary journey together, as vet students at Murdoch University. Towards the end of his degree however, Joel came to the realisation that clinical veterinary practice was not for him, and made the difficult decision to leave vet school. Fast-forward almost a decade, add an actuarial degree and time spent doing all kinds of business-y things at Price Waterhouse and Cooper, he returns to our profession as the General Manager of Transformation and Operations Excellence for Greencross.
Rebecca's career has been a little more traditional yet no less varied, involving working abroad, a snowboarding season in the Canadian snowfields and the impressive achievement of passing the ANZCVS membership exam in small animal surgery. Like so many of us though, there came a point in her career where she started to look for something more; more responsibility, more opportunity for professional development and more of a challenge. Which is why she took the leap of faith and became Greencross's Regional Clinical Director for Western Australia.
The corporatisation of veterinary practice is a topic that divides our community, but in this episode, Joel and Rebecca share with us all the positive aspects to corporate practice and how it may very well be one solution that can significantly contribute to the future-proofing of our veterinary profession . From community engagement and client education to implementing strategies to promote the mental wealth of their team members, Greencross really is paving the way for sustainability and career longevity.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT A CAREER WITH GREENCROSS: https://www.greencrossvets.com.au/careers/
PLATINUM CPD - REACH YOUR PLATINUM POTENTIAL: https://platinumcpd.com/memberships/
FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM: @platinum_cpd
019 - Danii the Vet Nurse, as she is fondly referred to by those that know and love her, has to be one of the biggest ambassadors for veterinary nursing as a career. For many, veterinary nursing might be a transient choice; a stepping stone in the journey to being a veterinarian, a stop-over on the way to a role in industry or simply the job before one's true interests are realised. But for Danii, being a veterinary nurse is her career, her long-term plan; it is a huge part of who she is and her passion for the role is undeniable.
But it hasn't been all smooth sailing for Danii. Although she found her happy place in the world of emergency, the rigours of the job resulted in her experiencing burnout and compassion fatigue, to the point where she actually left the profession. Luckily for us though, her inherent drive and love for veterinary medicine was simply too strong, and after a 3-month hiatus, she retuned to the profession.
In this episode, Danii opens up about her experiences, and shares with us how she makes sure she will never reach the point of burnout again. As the veterinary nurse ambassador for Vets: Stay, Go, Diversify - Down Under, Danii D is not shy about putting the role of veterinary nurses in the spotlight! She highlights just how important mentorship is for career satisfaction, and lets us know that it's high time veterinary nurses were given a seat at the table.
FOLLOW DANII ON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/danii_the_vetnurse/
VETS: STAY, GO, DIVERSIFY - DOWN UNDER: https://www.vsgd.co/vsgd-down-under
PLATINUM CPD - REACH YOUR PLATINUM POTENTIAL: https://platinumcpd.com/product/platinum-veterinary-nurse-membership/
018 - Some might say Dr Magda Upton is a bit of a unicorn, as she has been a veterinary surgeon for 21 years and still loves her job - and the profession! Her secret sauce? Mould the job in such a way that you can't help but love it! For some, like Magda, that might mean reducing the work hours to free up more family time; for others it might mean moving to a small practice in the country, or perhaps jetting off to the other side of the world to pursue specialty training.
Dr Magda is an incredibly down-to-earth and inspiring veterinary practitioner, and during this episode she shares with us how she has succeeded in achieving veterinary happiness, whilst still managing to be present for her family and her community. She talks honestly about whether it's truly possible to have everything, work-life integration, and how it is absolutely ok to not be everything for everyone.
As someone with an Instagram following of almost 10K, Dr Magda knows a thing or two about building community and connections; and she is kind enough to share her thoughts on the use of social media for veterinary practices. If you aren't following her on Instagram already, make sure you do - @dr.magda.vet
DR MAGDA UPTON INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/dr.magda.vet/
WARWICK VETERINARY HOSPITAL INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/warwickvetperth/
PLATINUM CPD INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/platinum_cpd/
017 - Pet loss is something we deal with almost every day in veterinary practice, but how often have you stopped to think about the actual grief journey your client is about to embark on? What about your own grieving process, as a veterinary professional? Because for sure we do grieve for our patients, those pets we become attached too, that aren't our own. And that is absolutely ok.
Tracey Woods has had a very long and successful veterinary nurse career, spanning almost 30 years (and it is far from over); and during this time she has connected with thousands of clients. Through her own experiences, both personal and professional, Tracey came to the realisation that there was so much more that could be done, to support clients that had suffered the loss of a pet. So, she subsequently went on to become a trained pet loss bereavement counsellor, discovering the Grief Recovery Method in the process, before starting her Perth-based business, Pet Eden.
Tracey is one very special veterinary nurse. She's a born cheerleader (and even has the t-shirt to prove it); and in this episode she shares with us some of her own personal experiences with pet loss grief, as well as some valuable resources and tools we can utilise in practice, to help our clients and ourselves, embrace the natural grieving process.
In the words of Queen Elizabeth II, "Grief is the price we pay for love." Now, isn't that the truth!
PET EDEN: https://www.peteden.com.au
EMPATHY SESSIONS with Pet Eden and Passing Paws: https://www.peteden.com.au/group-sessions
PET EDEN INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pet_eden_au/
PLATINUM CPD INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/platinum_cpd/
016 - Dr Alena Gadoury describes her career as "squiggly" and I love it! Like many of us, over the years she has experienced a number of ups and downs, and her career has headed off in a number of very different directions. Which is precisely what is so amazing about our veterinary professional "passports".
Canadian native Dr Alena, actually started her career as a human paediatric nurse (so yes, she is basically an angel) before moving in to the mental health space. But after a time, the desire for adventure (and a veterinary degree) became too strong to ignore, and Alena made the bold move down under, to Sydney, Australia.
Many people would liken paediatrics to veterinary medicine as for the most part, both professions deal with patients that are unable to advocate for themselves. So it would seem that Alena's previous experiences would prepare her very well for a career in veterinary medicine. Which they absolutely did. After a number of years in clinical practice however, burnout reared it's ugly head, necessitating some major decision-making and a significant change in direction.
In this episode, Alena talks openly about her journey of self-discovery; and how having a strong sense of self and defining her core values have helped her find the veterinary job that perfectly suits her. That aligns with her values, supports who she is an individual, and provides her joy and satisfaction every single day.
VETS: STAY, GO, DIVERSITY: https://www.vsgd.co
VETS: STAY, GO, DIVERSIFY - DOWN UNDER: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2496693247322920
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015 - Peta Moore is a Veterinary Nurse with an incredible story! And the key to her success - persistence and hard work!
Peta is a Senior Nurse and Veterinary Nurse Supervisor at Perth Zoo, and my goodness does she have some stories to tell! From being a wildlife consultant for the RSPCA to joining the team at Australia Zoo's wildlife hospital; from rescuing bears in Vietnam with Animals Asia to sharing her expertise with our Kiwi colleagues during the Kakapo aspergillosis outbreak; Peta is a true giver and an absolute asset to the veterinary profession.
Her story not only highlights just how diverse the opportunities are within our industry, but also how you need to be willing to put in the work in order to achieve your goals. There is no denying that gaining entry to the zoological nursing world is no easy feat, and Peta provides some very sound advice on how best to go about it. She also shares with us her thoughts on the importance of mentorship within the veterinary nursing profession, and divulges some of her leadership tips on creating a safe and healthy workplace culture.
Listening to Peta share her journey in veterinary medicine thus far is highly likely to inspire you. She will make you think about you can do - what contribution you can make - to help preserve our natural environment and all the wonderful creatures that share it with us.
PERTH ZOO: https://perthzoo.wa.gov.au
ANIMALS ASIA: https://www.animalsasia.org
KANYANA WILDLIFE REHABILITATION CENTRE: https://www.kanyanawildlife.org.au
MORE ABOUT PLATINUM CPD: https://platinumcpd.com
014 - There is no question that Moira van Dorsselaer is a glass half-full kind of woman. Throughout her veterinary career thus far, which has spanned over 20 years, she has encountered a number of challenges and situations that could be considered less than ideal. Yet each time, she has embraced opportunity (without overthinking things), has had faith in herself and trusted her intuition - and goodness, that has certainly worked out well for her!
Moira is the proud owner of The Cat Clinic, Hobart, and is in the unique position of practicing veterinary medicine on the island state of Tasmania, where there is no referral option. As a result, not only has she curated a serious network of colleagues that she can call upon for assistance when needed, she also regularly pushes herself into that "stretch zone" and truly embraces the core value of lifelong learning.
During this episode, Moira talks candidly about how she took "that" job (you know, the one everyone says not to take), what she loves about veterinary medicine (even after 2 decades in the profession), as well as the occasional impulsive decision-making, particularly when it comes to big life decisions! Listening to her story will absolutely put a smile on your face, and might even inspire you to be a little impulsive yourself!
THE CAT CLINIC, HOBART: https://www.instagram.com/thecatclinichobart/
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013 - When it comes to describing RVN Abigail McGougan, there is one phrase that immediately comes to mind - "A little ray of sunshine". Abby oozes positiVETy and inspiration, and is incredibly passionate about veterinary nursing - which is really quite remarkable, given how this particular career was not necessarily something she was destined to do.
After finishing high school, Abby embarked on a marine science degree, however quickly realised this was not for her. She then started working at City Farmers as a sales assistant, and it was in this role that she was introduced to veterinary nursing. And the rest, as they say, is history.
During this episode, Abby chats candidly about the importance of giving veterinary nurses a voice; how lifelong learning and being provided with the opportunities for up-skilling and continuing education is just as crucial for nurses as it is for vets; and how relationships that are built on trust go an incredibly long way in enhancing team culture and improving efficiency within the practice. With her motivational approach to goal-setting and her passion for education and training, this remarkable young woman is an absolute asset to our veterinary profession.
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012 - I think we can all agree that receiving recognition for the work we do, really can make a difference to how we feel, as well as our level of motivation. Naturally, none of us entered the veterinary profession for the recognition, but that's not to say we don't deserve to be appreciated for all of the hard work that we do. A simple thank-you for a job well done, really does go a long way.
I am very proud to call Dr Sheryl Kidd a close personal friend. Not only is she a small animal practitioner with a love for soft tissue surgery, she is also the co-founder of Platinum CPD, and a Veterinary Director with Greencross Vets. Since its opening just over 3 years ago, Sheryl's practice has continued to go from strength to strength. Her secret? Well, it seems to be three-fold: 1) Happy employees that feel appreciated - enter the recognition and reward culture; 2) Building deep relationships with staff and clients alike; and 3) Providing a service that offers something just a little bit extra.
FIND GREENCROSS JOONDALUP ON FACEBOOK: @GreencrossVetsJoondalup
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011 - Maria Johnson is not your average veterinary nurse; she is a woman on a mission, to help educate busy parents about "All Manna of Things" nutrition. Maria has been involved in the veterinary profession for over 20 years, and during this time has gained a wealth of experience in a variety of roles - from ECC nursing to diagnostic imaging, and referral surgery to internal medicine. She has contributed to the qualification of countless veterinary students and now spends her time as part of the operational team of a busy academic referral hospital.
Throughout her experiences, the one thing Maria has identified is the terrible habit employed by a large number of veterinary professionals - which is failing to prioritise eating during the workday. In this episode, Maria shares some insights into why this is so detrimental - not only for our decision making and performance, but also for mood and levels of anxiety. She also provides some handy solutions, and ideas for nutrition on the go.
Maria also shares some good news with us, about the benefits of drinking coffee (hooray); and why beans on toast is a perfectly acceptable dinner!
FIND MARIA ON INSTAGRAM: @allmannaofthings_nutrition
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010 - Dr Jemma Olivieri has done what many of us are perhaps too afraid to do, and that is to put her values and dreams first so that she can truly live a life that is aligned to what she really wants. Jemma has always been passionate about horses (Standardbred racehorses particularly), and it was this passion that inspired her to pursue veterinary medicine.
Five years into her career as an equine veterinarian, Jemma started to feel torn - between the job she loved and the racing stables she ran with her trainer husband. With the ever-increasing workload of both entities, a decision needed to be made; should she continue on the career path that so many people expected her to take, or should she do what, deep down, she knew would make her happy?
There is no doubt that these types of decisions are not easy to make; and it takes tremendous courage to get really honest with yourself about what you truly want in life, to trust your intuition, and to put your needs above the expectations of others. But if Jemma's story is anything to go by, my goodness is it worth it. This episode is a gentle reminder that you deserve to live the life you want; and that it is possible to curate a veterinary career that serves those needs, allowing you to thrive as the precise veterinary professional you were always meant to be.
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009 - Veterinary medicine wasn't always on the cards for Dr Eliza O'Callaghan, and it was only after a stint at law school did she realise that science was actually far more interesting!
In this episode, Eliza chats candidly about her experiences as a veterinarian so far, including how she decided to make the move from Melbourne (by way of Perth), to sunny California. She opens up about the differences between veterinary practice in the USA versus Australia, what veterinary happiness truly means to her and how she has managed to curate a career that truly fits the needs of her life in this moment.
And as a fellow chi-chi enthusiast, no conversation with the vibrant Eliza would be complete without hearing about the travels and adventures of her short-haired chihuahua, Rill! This episode is full of sparkle, and it's hard not to be inspired by Lize's infectious charm!
FOLLOW RILL ON INSTAGRAM: @the.rill.chihuahua
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008 - Dr Alan Taylor always wanted to be a veterinary surgeon, an equine surgeon in fact; however life had other plans for him, at least initially. Following graduation from his biology degree, Al joined the British Airforce where he spent many years piloting a McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom and a Tornado F3 (yup, that's some crazy fast "Top Gun" stuff right there)! Having served in the British military for 17 years, and following a misdiagnosis that meant he could no longer fly, Al decided to pursue his lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian - and was accepted into the Bristol Veterinary School at 38 years young.
Throughout this episode, Al shares his story of how it is never too late to chase your dreams; and how possible it is to eliminate any obstacles that might be standing in the way of achieving your goals. We talk about how life really does work in mysterious ways, and how saying yes to the opportunities that are presented to you can lead to some pretty amazing experiences, including a family move from the freezing temperatures of the UK to the balmy and exotic Hong Kong!
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007 - Maddi Mason and Billy Koutsourakis are two recent graduates that are absolutely thriving in their relatively new roles as veterinary surgeons. But it hasn't been without hard work, dedication and some sacrifice. Not only did their relationship survive the rollercoaster that is vet school (which is no mean feat), they then made the difficult decision to commit to a long-distance relationship, so that they could both pursue their ideal first jobs - a decision that naturally led to some challenges, but sure has paid off.
In this episode, we chat about how it is possible to prioritise your own goals and dreams, whilst also supporting your partner and their career; how long-distance relationships really can work; and the tools you need to thrive (not just survive) as a recent graduate in veterinary practice.
Get ready to feel inspired (or re-inspired) by this incredibly energetic and passionate couple; and if they are anything to go by, the future of our veterinary profession is in very safe hands.
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006 - Sophie Comiskey is a multi-passionate veterinary nurse who has exchanged her scrubs and stethoscope for farm life. Although she continues to educate those in her community - no longer is the subject matter how to place an IV catheter in a colicking horse or how to suture in place a foal's feeding tube, but rather the importance of healthy soil, plants and animals in order to produce nutrient-dense food.
Despite originally wanting to become a veterinarian, Sophie found her calling as a veterinary nurse, and over her 10-year career has worked in both university referral hospitals and general practice. She has worked for a pharmaceutical company, and has been involved in major research projects; all of which demonstrate just how versatile being a veterinary nurse can be - provided you are open to saying YES to opportunity.
As a self-confessed "bush kid", Sophie has always been passionate about large animals, and horses especially, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would elope to Mongolia and walk down the aisle on a * SPOILER ALERT * reindeer! Sophie is such a bright spark and has so much to share with our profession - you don't want to miss this episode!
FIND SOPHIE ON INSTAGRAM: @sophie_comiskey, @the_comiskey_collective, @wild_hens_eggs
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005 - As veterinary professionals we face a number of challenges every day - with one of the biggest being a fear of failure. It's an issue for us because of the high stakes; it's because the decisions we make and the actions we take have real consequences. But just imagine if we could change the way we thought about failure; what if we could alter the language and our mindset, and embrace the concept of falling over failing.
Made socially recognisable by the inspirational speaker Simon Sinek, in this episode we discuss the intriguing concept of falling over failing; and how it could make a tangible difference to our professional development and our career satisfaction. We discuss how we can integrate this concept into the veterinary practice; and how it can make us better clinicians and better leaders.
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004 - Dr Martin Dolinschek has to be one of the happiest and most balanced vets I know, and during this episode he shares the many factors that have contributed to his satisfaction, both in his career and in his life outside of work.
Find out how Martin turned the niche that he initially disliked with a passion, into a long-standing and highly rewarding job; how his motivation for his career has changed over the past 25 years; and what are the many things he still loves about the profession, even after all this time.
As the years have gone by, it appears that Martin only gets more positive about being a veterinary professional! What's his secret? Well, he has several ... including the necessary loyal Kelpie sidekick, aptly named Floss! #ThePositiVETyPodcast
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003 - I had the pleasure of sharing the mic with one of my favourite people, Dr Taleta Hompas, and she did not disappoint!
Taleta is quite literally the veterinary version of Wonder Woman. She is a veterinary surgeon (or in her words, an ECC tragic), mum of two, high performance coach, Director of Infinite Veterinary Coaching, and MBA student. And even more, she is one of the most beautiful people you will ever come across. During this episode. Taleta shares her own personal journey with high performance coaching, and the profound impact it had on her and her family.
Following her positive and life-changing experience, Taleta became a certified performance coach so that she could share the transformational effects with others in the veterinary profession. During the episode we discuss the ways high performance coaching could greatly benefit our industry, by helping to build a global resilience and bridge the gap between our professional and personal lives. #ThePositiVETyPodcast
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT DR TALETA HOMPAS: https://www.infiniteveterinary.com/about
UPCOMING STRATEGY SESSION WITH DR TALETA HOMPAS: https://platinumcpd.com/product/make-2022-your-year-a-high-performance-strategy-session/
002 - Today we flip the script as Cordene, veterinary happiness researcher and long-time friend of Platinum CPD, interviews our usual host, Dr Emma McConnell. As she shares her origin story; her journey to becoming an equine internal medicine specialist, and the WHY behind her career choice, you will feel compelled to reflect on your own why, and your own journey in veterinary medicine. Emma chats about the things that spark joy in her daily work, and shares those moments that keep her coming back each day. Not to mention her career highlight to date, which SPOILER ALERT, involves a neonatal zebra foal named Pedro! As a full-time academic clinician and company director, Emma knows a thing or two about productivity and organisation, so make sure you stick around as she shares some of her top tips that help to keep her goal-oriented, focused and on-track, each and every day. #ThePositiVETyPodcast
Shownotes and more at PlatinumCPD.com
001 - Join host and Platinum CPD director Dr Emma McConnell as she shares the vision for The PositiVETy Podcast. As a profession, it's high time we go from surviving to thriving, so let's change the narrative and switch the negative perception of our veterinary profession to one that is positive. Find out how implementing a version of the Affect Theory could be the key to enhancing your veterinary happiness, and start 2022 with clarity and focus by completing a personal audit of your clinical skills.
Show notes: http://platinumcpd.com