Choose People Love Pets: The Veterinary Culture Podcast
“Choose People Love Pets” is a podcast exploring the intersection of a passion for animals and a people-first leadership approach, specifically within veterinary medicine. Each episode highlights how prioritizing the well-being of both pets and the humans who care for them can influence and improve workplace culture and leadership. The hosts discuss topics around intentionality, empathy, and building healthier environments in veterinary practice. It aims to inspire veterinary professionals to lead with compassion and foster a positive culture in their field.
Episodes
Better Dentistry Starts With Your Team with Mary Berg, RVT, VTS (Dentistry)
What does better dentistry look like—and what becomes possible when veterinary technicians have room to grow?In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Mary Berg, RVT, VTS (Dentistry), founder of Beyond the Crown Veterinary Education. Mary has spent more than 30 years in veterinary medicine, building a career that spans dental research, practice management, te
From Veterinary Medicine to Children’s Books with Dr. Jen Cole
What happens when you’ve built the career you thought you wanted… and realize you might be ready for something completely different?Dr. Jen Cole spent more than 25 years in veterinary medicine, built two veterinary practices with her husband, raised three children, and eventually made the decision to step away from hospital life.But she wasn’t done with veterinary medicine.Today, Jen is the author
Do You Actually Want To Own A Veterinary Hospital
Hospital ownership can sound like the natural next step in a veterinary career, but ownership isn’t a promotion. It’s a completely different job.In this first solo episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong breaks down three questions to ask yourself before deciding whether veterinary hospital ownership is actually right for you.Do you really want ownership, or are you looking for more autonomy, better leader
Why Nice Leaders Fail Their Teams
Being a nice leader sounds like a good thing. Until being nice means avoiding the conversations your team actually needs you to have. When leaders avoid accountability because they don’t want to hurt someone’s feelings, create conflict, or be disliked, they may be protecting someone’s comfort today while creating a much bigger problem tomorrow. In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Armst
Inside the Modern Animal & Chewy Deal with Dr. Christie Long
Modern Animal’s acquisition by Chewy has become one of the most significant and debated developments in veterinary medicine.In this episode, Dr. Christie Long joins Dr. Brianna Armstrong to share her unconventional journey from software and operations to veterinary medicine and eventually becoming Chief Medical Officer of Modern Animal. Dr. Long explains the original vision behind Modern Animal, t
What Successful Practice Owners Do Differently | Dr. Christine Staten (Veterinary MBA)
What happens when the career you love is no longer sustainable? After decades of building a thriving mixed animal practice, Dr. Christine Staten found herself facing chronic pain that forced her to rethink what the next chapter of veterinary medicine could look like. Instead of stepping away from the profession, she went back to school for her MBA and created Veterinary MBA, a business dedicated t
Why Your Open Door Policy Isn't Working
Every leader wants employees to speak up—but if you constantly find yourself saying, "I wish someone had told me sooner," your open door policy may not be working the way you think. In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe Valdez unpack why simply telling your team your door is always open isn't enough to create psychological safety. They explore the hidden power dynamics th
Building a Career That Matters with Dr. Dani McVety
What if the biggest predictor of your success as a veterinarian isn't your medical knowledge—but your ability to communicate, lead, and connect with people? In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Dani McVety, veterinarian, entrepreneur, speaker, and co-founder of Lap of Love Veterinary Hospice, for an honest conversation about the experiences that shaped her career. From rep
How to Know You're in a Toxic Work Environment (And How to Leave)
Have you ever wondered whether you're actually burned out on veterinary medicine—or just burned out by the place you're practicing it? In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe Valdez tackle a difficult but important question: How do you know if you're in a toxic work environment? More importantly, what should you do when you've realized it's time to move on? Veterinary
Building Future-Ready Veterinarians: Inside the Mind of Dr. Eleanor Green
In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with veterinary leader and educator Dr. Eleanor Green for a deep conversation on leadership, veterinary education, innovation, and the future of the profession. Dr. Green reflects on her journey from aspiring equine veterinarian to becoming the first female dean at Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine and later helping found the L
Hiring Red Flags #2: The Blame Test
Not all conflict is bad—but how someone talks about conflict in an interview can tell you everything. In this episode, we break down one powerful interview question that reveals whether a candidate brings ownership or blame into your culture. Because in any hospital, conflict is inevitable—but toxicity is optional. If you want a team that communicates, grows, and takes responsibility, this is the
How to Stop Self-Sabotage and Build Real Resilience with Dr. Lucette Beall
Why do so many high-achievers feel stuck in their own lives? In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Lucette Beall—veterinarian, entrepreneur, and author—to unpack the internal patterns that keep us from reaching our full potential. After navigating divorce, a cancer diagnosis, financial hardship, and stepping away from her veterinary practice to care for her brother following a
How To Get Your Business To Run Itself
If your team is constantly texting you on your day off, interrupting your vacation, or relying on you to solve every small problem — this isn’t a team issue. It’s a leadership pattern. In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe Valdez break down why leaders become the bottleneck in their hospital, how that dependency gets unintentionally created, and what to do in
More Than a “DOGTOR” with Dr. Christien Bolden: Authenticity, Failure, and Finding Your Path in Veterinary Medicine
What happens when the path to becoming a veterinarian doesn’t go the way you planned? In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Christien Bolden, relief veterinarian and host of the More Than a Dogtor podcast. Dr. Bolden shares his deeply personal journey through veterinary medicine—from not passing the NAVLE twice, to navigating burnout, to ultimately re
How To Kill Hospital Culture: Group vs Individual Feedback
Have you ever sat in a team meeting and heard feedback that clearly wasn’t about you… but suddenly you’re questioning if you’re doing something wrong? This happens in veterinary hospitals all the time. In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and hospital manager Phoebe Valdez break down a common leadership mistake that quietly damages culture: giving individual feedback i
Staying Relevant & Saying Yes with Dr. Gary Marshall
Veterinary careers rarely unfold according to plan. They evolve through opportunity, relationships, timing — and often through saying yes before we feel fully ready. In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Gary Marshall — practice owner, feline-focused entrepreneur, and longtime contributor to organized veterinary medicine — reflects on the winding path of a decades-long career. From build
Reframing Imposter Syndrome to Growth Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is something we talk about constantly in veterinary medicine — but what if we’ve been thinking about it all wrong? In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe Valdez explore a powerful reframe: what if imposter syndrome isn’t a sign that you don’t belong… but evidence that you’re growing? Through personal stories — including Brianna’s experience p
When You Realize You’re Not the Leader You Want to Be: Leadership Coaching with Dr. Kelly Cooper
In this episode, our host Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Kelly Cooper, veterinarian, former practice owner, corporate leader, and certified leadership coach, to explore the quiet realization many leaders have but rarely name: I’m not the leader I want to be—and I don’t know how to fix it. Kelly shares her journey from clinical practice to ownership, rising through the ranks at Banfield t
How AI Helped Us Better Assess Our Hospital Culture
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Brianna and Phoebe walk through exactly how they used AI-powered culture surveys to assess their hospital culture, identify blind spots, and—most importantly—turn anonymous feedback into real, trust-building change. Rather than treating culture as a “gut feeling,” they share a practical, repeatable framework for measuring psychological safety, communicat
The Intentional Yes: How to Build Your Best Life with Dr. Natalie Marks
In this first episode of 2026, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Natalie Marks for a deeply honest conversation about identity, alignment, and intentional living. While Dr. Marks is widely known for her extraordinary career — spanning clinical practice, hospital ownership, national media, Fear Free leadership, and her current role as CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network — this episode goes b
Normalizing Asking For Help
In this conversation, Brianna and Phoebe discuss the challenges of asking for help in the veterinary field, emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of support and psychological safety. They explore the reasons behind the hesitation to seek assistance, such as fear of burdening others and past negative experiences. The discussion includes practical strategies for encouraging help-seeking b
Team Utilization & Building Trust with Suzanne Thomas, LVT
In this conversation, Suzanne Thomas shares her unconventional journey from retail management to becoming a leader and advocate in veterinary medicine. She discusses the importance of building trust within teams, empowering technicians, and the challenges faced in veterinary leadership. Suzanne emphasizes the need for effective communication, continuous learning, and the significance of advocacy f
Building A Multimillion Dollar Practice Post-COVID With Dr. Alex Robb
What does it really take to build a high-growth, high-culture veterinary hospital in a post-COVID world?While most practices have been navigating a slowdown in visit volume, difficulty hiring veterinarians, rising labor costs, and increasing barriers to access-to-care, Dr. Alex Robb has done the opposite.Goodheart Cherry Creek went from a brand-new practice to more than $6.8 million in revenue by
Hiring Red Flags & Trusting Your Gut in Veterinary Leadership
In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe cut to the heart of one of the most pivotal decisions in veterinary leadership: who you hire. From “nice enough” candidates to glaring red flags during working interviews, this conversation dives into the standards, instincts, and cultural expectations that shape high-performing hospitals.Dr. Armstrong shares real stories from the hiring trenches—s
Stop Acting Like a Girl: Building Confidence, Courage, and Culture with Dr. Stacee Santi Longfellow
In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Stacee Santi Longfellow — veterinarian, entrepreneur, and author of Stop Acting Like a Girl. Stacee’s book challenges women (and anyone who’s ever struggled to advocate for themselves) to unlearn the habits of people-pleasing, perfectionism, and playing small — and to start asking for what they really deserve. Together, they explore the piv
From Corporate Regret to Culture Change with Dr. G
From cleaning kennels to owning thriving practices, from corporate buyouts to a doctoral dissertation on burnout — Dr. Gershon “Dr. G” Alaluf has lived nearly every chapter veterinary medicine has to offer. In this honest, unfiltered conversation, Dr. G opens up about what he’s learned from three decades in practice and why he believes the future of the profession depends on who we let in — and ho
The Technician Ceiling: How Christian Coleman Redefined What’s Possible
From starting as a veterinary assistant with no experience to becoming Director of Operations at Hound and helping launch Home Love, Christian Coleman proves there’s no ceiling for veterinary technicians. His journey is a story of taking leaps of faith, finding mentors, leading with curiosity, and learning to give yourself grace along the way.In this episode, Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Christian ta
Failing Forward, Finding Purpose, & The Flow State with Dr. Ivan Zak
In this conversation, Dr. Ivan Zak shares his remarkable journey from veterinary school to becoming an entrepreneur in the veterinary field. He discusses the challenges he faced while building a diagnostic lab in Russia, the importance of partnerships, and the significant issue of burnout in the veterinary profession. Ivan emphasizes the need for setting goals to maintain career satisfaction and s
Technology, Mental Health, & Career Pivots With Dr. Mark Massaro
In this conversation, Dr. Mark Massaro shares his unique journey through veterinary medicine, highlighting the intersection of technology and mental health. He discusses the pressures of family legacy, the challenges faced during veterinary school and internships, and the impact of COVID-19 on the profession. Mark emphasizes the importance of mentorship for new graduates and the need for balance b
From Idea to Impact: Building a Mentorship Business with Dr. Dani Rabwin
In this insightful episode, we delve into the transformative power of mentorship in veterinary medicine with Dr. Dani Rabwin, founder of Ready, Vet, Go. Discover how a simple Zoom call evolved into a national mentorship program, reshaping the future of veterinary practice. Dr. Rabwin shares her journey from associate vet to entrepreneur, highlighting the challenges and triumphs of building a busin
From Vet Student to Venture Builder with Dr. Ira Gordon
In this conversation, Dr. Ira Gordon shares his journey from being a veterinary student to becoming an entrepreneur with the creation of Vet Prep. He discusses the challenges and successes of building a business in the veterinary education space, the importance of partnerships, and the lessons learned from both successes and failures. Ira also highlights the significance of word-of-mouth marketing
Turning Veterinarians into Business Owners With Dr. Jennifer Welser
In this conversation, Dr. Jennifer Welser shares her journey from a practicing ophthalmologist to a transformative leader in veterinary medicine. She discusses her role at Arista Advanced Pet Care, where she empowers veterinarians to become business owners and emphasizes the importance of communication, coaching, and technology in veterinary care. Dr. Welser also reflects on her experiences in cor
AI Meets Intuition: How We Use ChatGPT to Hire for Culture
Can artificial intelligence actually help you hire better people? In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Brianna and Phoebe pull back the curtain on how they’re combining gut instinct, value-driven interview questions, and AI tools like ChatGPT to make smarter, more aligned hiring decisions in their veterinary hospital. From evaluating resumes to catching red flags in interviews, they share t
Debt Free In Under A Year with Dr. Jack Murray
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, host Brianna Armstrong interviews Dr. Jack Murray, a recent veterinary graduate who has successfully navigated a non-traditional career path. Dr. Murray shares his journey of paying off student loans in just 10 months, launching a luxury dog crate company, and providing in-home euthanasia services. The conversation explores themes of entrepreneurship, em
“Is It a Real Problem?”: How to Spot When a Behavior Needs Addressing
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Brianna Armstrong, DVM, and Phoebe Valdez, hospital manager and mom, unpack the tricky—but vital—question: How do you know when a team member’s behavior needs to be addressed? They explore: The difference between a bad day and a behavior pattern The importance of early conversations and how to avoid big issues later How to spot red flags like impac
Leading With Compassion & IGNITEing Your Team With Dr. Jill Clark
Dr. Jill Clark is on a mission — not to maintain the status quo, but to revolutionize veterinary medicine. In this episode, she shares her winding path from the film industry to founding Ignite, why she’s fiercely dedicated to elevating veterinary receptionists, and how she’s learned to lead with honesty, integrity, and courage. We talk about: The “frozen chicken” moment that launched her vet me
We Listen, We Judge, We Show Compassion
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Brianna and Phoebe dive into the complexities of judgment, compassion, and client interactions in veterinary medicine. Sparked by a team conversation about hospital values, they explore how judgment is natural—but how we act on those judgments is where our culture is defined. They unpack: Why “not judging” isn’t realistic—and why that’s okay How givi
Turning Challenges Into Opportunity With Dr. Cindy Trice
In this inspiring episode, Dr. Cindy Trice joins us to talk about carving your own path in veterinary medicine—and life. From working in film production to becoming a nationally recognized relief veterinarian, Cindy shares how following her instincts (and curiosity) led her to build Relief Rover, co-found Kick It Pajamas, and advocate for mental health and belonging in the profession. Cindy’s stor
Train Your Clients: Boundaries, Burnout, and the Culture You Build
Episode Summary: Nobody teaches you this in vet school — how to train clients. In this episode, Dr. Armstrong and Phoebe dive deep into the unseen impact clients have on hospital culture, team wellbeing, and long-term sustainability. Together, they break down how to set — and stick to — boundaries that shape the clientele you want, reduce burnout, and foster a consistent, supportive environment f
Finessing Feedback: Training Your Team to hold each other accountable
Your team is getting more comfortable giving feedback—awesome. But now comes the next level: finessing those conversations. In this episode, we dig into how to train your team to give feedback that’s not just honest, but helpful. We break it down into three essential questions: Have you done your homework? Is it an individual issue or a systemic one? Are you being intentional with how you de
Simplifying Financial Conversations with Pet Parents
Financial conversations in the exam room can be tough — but they don’t have to be. In this episode, we talk about how to simplify these moments by leading with medicine, not assumptions. We break down how to confidently recommend the gold standard, clearly explain the "why" behind your plan, and save the cost conversation for the right time. When budgets come into play, we share tips on how to pri
How Cross Training Impacts Culture & Revenue
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, we explore the benefits of cross-training your veterinary team and how it can transform both hospital culture and revenue. When team members understand multiple roles, they not only improve workflow efficiency but also build stronger collaboration and reduce burnout. We discuss how cross-training fosters a culture of trust, adaptability, and shared resp
How Client Service Coordinators Make or Break Your Business
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, we uncover the critical role Client Service Coordinators (CSCs) play in the success of a veterinary hospital. From setting the tone of client interactions to managing the daily flow of appointments, CSCs are the frontline of patient care and team efficiency. We discuss how a great CSC can elevate the client experience, boost retention, and create a posit
How Team Referrals & Volunteers Build an Allstar Team
In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, we dive into the power of team referrals and volunteers in building a thriving veterinary hospital. We explore why the best hires often come from within your own network, how trusted team referrals can strengthen culture, and why volunteers are a goldmine for future talent and drive a growth mindset in your business. Learn how to create an environment w
Pause, Gather, Empower: Effective Leadership through Thoughtful Feedback
In this episode, we explore the impact of thoughtful leadership. We begin by highlighting the importance of gathering all the facts before offering feedback—because what seems like a mistake might actually be a decision made with the best of intentions. We also discuss how taking the time to fully understand a situation can help you avoid unnecessary conflict—sometimes things aren't as big of an i
Thinking In Bets by Annie Duke
In this episode, we dive deep into the book Thinking in Bets by Annie Duke, exploring how the principles of decision-making in poker can be applied to leadership in veterinary medicine. We discuss the importance of embracing uncertainty and making decisions based on probabilities, rather than certainties, to improve outcomes in both business and medical practices. Through the lens of veterinary le
Improving Attendance with Transparency & Empathy
In this podcast episode, the focus is on fostering a transparent and empathetic work culture by encouraging team members to communicate when they are running late or unable to come in. This practice promotes accountability and helps the team stay informed about staffing needs. It also allows those who are available to quickly pick up shifts, ensuring minimal disruption to operations. By cultivatin
Lets Redefine What Makes Us Good Doctors / Veterinary Professionals
In this episode, we explore how being a great doctor in veterinary medicine isn't always about following the gold standard of care. While it's easy to feel we're doing a good job when we can provide the ideal treatment, many limitations—like client budgets, differing priorities, or the pet's specific needs—can prevent us from doing so. Instead, we emphasize the importance of making the best plan w
Competition Drives Camaraderie
In this episode, we explore how healthy competition within teams can drive camaraderie and motivation, ultimately leading to a better customer experience. The hosts discuss how friendly competition encourages employees to push each other to perform at their best, while also fostering a collaborative environment where team members support one another. By examining real-world examples, they demonstr
We Fired A Client
In this episode, we share the tough decision to fire a client for being disrespectful to our team and how we navigated that conversation. We also discuss the importance of not taking negativity personally when clients project their frustrations onto you. Leaning on mentors and colleagues for perspective can help you learn from tough situations and let go of what you can't control. It’s a reminder
Innovating With Intention
In this episode, we dive into the concept of "Innovating with Intention"—how to navigate the discomfort and overwhelm that often accompany change, while setting up your team for success. Innovation is crucial for progress, but change can feel daunting, especially when it challenges the status quo or pushes people out of their comfort zones. The episode explores practical strategies for creating an
Creating Self-Sufficient Teams Through Empowering Problem Solving
In this episode, we explore how to create self-sufficient teams by empowering problem-solving skills. We highlight the importance of trust and autonomy, skill development through training and mentorship, and collaborative approaches that leverage diverse perspectives. Balancing freedom with accountability is essential, alongside continuous feedback mechanisms for learning and growth. Ultimately, w
Euthanasia's Cultural Influence
In this episode, we delve into the emotional impact of humane euthanasia on the veterinary hospital environment. We unpack how a candid team discussion helped alleviate tension and allowed us to share coping strategies. Our goal is to raise awareness of the unique challenges associated with humane euthanasia in our work, ensuring that no one feels alone on this journey. Submit experiences you wou
Fail Forward with Psychological Safety
In this episode, we dive deep into the concept of psychological safety and its critical role in fostering a productive team environment. We discuss how creating a space where team members feel safe to express their thoughts, ask questions, and admit mistakes can lead to greater collaboration and innovation. Submit experiences you would like us to unpack in our Lead By Example episodes here:
Social Media & Hiring Strategy: 2 Beers and a Puppy
In this expisode, we explore the transformative power of creating social media videos as a team, highlighting how this fun and collaborative endeavor has fostered camaraderie and joy, making it a bonding experience rather than just a task. We also introduce a unique hiring strategy, “2 Beers and a Puppy,” which emphasizes character traits that enhance a positive workplace culture, focusing on ide
Resumes & Team Appreciation
The focuse on this episode is around how to best select resumes so you can interview high performing culture candidates to the best of your ability and ways to show appreciation to the team you end up choosing! Submit experiences you would like us to unpack in our Lead By Example episodes here: choosepeoplelovepets@outlook.com Follow for more: FB: https://www.faceb
HEB Part 2: Selecting, Cultivating, and Maintaining Leaders
This episode explores the unique challenges of selecting, training, and motivating leaders. It emphasizes the importance of choosing leaders who align with an organization's culture and values, noting that young leaders prioritize purpose, flexibility, and personal growth over traditional incentives. The episode highlights the need for personalized training and continuous feedback to engage these
It's Okay To Fire Your Client
In this episode we explore the importance of setting and enforcing clear boundaries with clients to protect your veterinary hospital's culture. We discuss how removing problematic clients can enhance workplace morale and create a more enjoyable environment for your team. Real-life stories illustrate the positive impact of these tough decisions. Tune in to learn how prioritizing your team's well-be
Lead By Example: Roaches and Personal Hygiene
In this 'Lead By Example' (LBE) episode, we explore two challenging scenarios in a veterinary hospital setting. First, we discuss a situation where a client brings roaches into the appointment, providing strategies on how to professionally and tactfully address the issue while ensuring the health and safety of the hospital environment. In the second scenario, we cover the delicate topic of talking
HEB: Retention through Transition with Sakura Kale
In this episode, discover how HEB, a Texas based grocery store company, successfully retains employees through leadership transitions and what veterinary medicine can learn from this approach. We interview HEB leader, Sakura Kale, who has worked for 18 years with this nationally top ranked company for culture. We compare and contrast HEB's approach with that of veterinary medicine, highlighting l
Defining Culture, Leadership and Values
In this episode we define culture and leadership in veterinary medicine, the discussion revolves around various leadership styles, emphasizing the importance of effective leadership in creating a positive hospital environment. Submit experiences you would like us to unpack in our Lead By Example episodes here: choosepeoplelovepets@outlook.com
Trailer-About Us
Introducing your hosts: Dr. Brianna Armstrong and Phoebe Valdez. Together, Brianna and Phoebe explore the intersection of leadership and culture in veterinary medicine, sharing stories, strategies, and practical tips to empower both seasoned professionals and those just starting their journey in this fulfilling yet demanding field. Reach out to us at: choosepeoplelovepets@outlook.com
