The Veterinary Culture Lab

Flourish Veterinary Consulting
  • 5.0 (2)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES

The Veterinary Culture Lab is your science-backed, real-world blueprint for culture renovation in veterinary medicine. Hosted by Andi and Josh, Positive Change Agents from Flourish Veterinary Consulting, each episode blends research on wellbeing and workplace culture with humor, heart, and actionable strategies. Expect practical tips you can apply right away - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

  1. 5D AGO

    020:THRIVE-ing is Built, Not Found: Lessons From Zimbabwe

    This episode is best experienced IN FULL!!  We recorded this live in Zimbabwe during the THRIVE veterinary wellbeing retreat—and the video version brings it all to life. From wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes and powerful human moments, you can watch the full experience unfold on YouTube here. In this special episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi records live from Zimbabwe during the World Wide Vets THRIVE retreat—joined by co-host Dani Herbst to explore what it really means to thrive in veterinary medicine. Grounded in research on emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians, this conversation unpacks a powerful insight: emotional intelligence does not simply develop with experience—it is shaped by the environments we are part of. And when the research points to mental health, social support, and time spent outdoors as key drivers of emotional intelligence…this episode brings those findings to life in real time. Through conversations with veterinary professionals attending THRIVE, you will hear how connection, reflection, and stepping away from the day-to-day demands of practice can shift perspective, build emotional capacity, and create meaningful change. From honest reflections to moments of humor and insight, this episode highlights how wellbeing is not just an individual effort—it is something we build together. You’ll hear: What the research says about emotional intelligence in veterinary medicineHow social support reduces isolation and builds connectionThe impact of time outdoors on perspective and wellbeingWhy experiences like THRIVE can support real growthReflections from veterinary professionals experiencing this work firsthandWhether you are feeling energized or exhausted, this episode invites you to consider what it might look like to create the conditions that help you—and your team—truly THRIVE. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Improved mental health, social support, and time outdoors are associated with higher emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians: A longitudinal study Authors:Catherine R. Young, Erin E. Frey, Emily A. McDonald, Shelley L. Neville, Jason B. Coe  DOI: 10.2460/javma.23.10.0566  WorldWide Vets WWV THRIVE - February 2027 Dates and Details Zimbabwe Man - Donkey What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps: 02:06 Meet Dani Herbst 05:22 Mental Health Stigma 08:54 Dani’s Path to Purpose 13:11 Worldwide Vets Mission 14:54 Inside the Thrive Retreat 22:32 Emotional Intelligence Study 25:46 Findings and Thrive Validation 31:55 Vulnerability and Support 34:49 Delegates Share  37:14 Wellbeing Skills For Leaders 48:26 Safari CE And Connection 51:43 Grounding Outdoors Reset 54:39 Rapid Fire Delegate Takeaways 59:57 Laughs And Farewell

    1h 1m

  2. MAY 5

    019: Curiosity in Vet Med: Are You Asking the Right Questions?

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore the role of interpersonal curiosity—and why it might be one of the most underrated skills in veterinary medicine today. Grounded in research on resilience in veterinary students, this conversation unpacks how curiosity shows up in the way we interpret stress, respond to challenges, and connect with the people around us. Because it turns out—resilience is not just about “bouncing back”…it is about how we make sense of what is happening in the first place. From initial skepticism around wellbeing strategies to meaningful mindset shifts, this episode highlights how perspective-taking, support systems, and self-awareness are not just personal tools—they are cultural ones. And when curiosity is present, everything from communication to coping starts to change. You’ll hear:  Why curiosity plays a critical role in how we experience stress and resilienceWhat veterinary students revealed about how resilience actually developsHow simple perspective shifts can change the way we respond to challengesWhy support systems and connection are essential to thriving—not optionalWhat this means for teams trying to build healthier, more sustainable culturesWhether you are navigating a tough case, a tense conversation, or just trying to make it through a busy day, this episode will challenge you to pause, get curious, and consider what might be possible if we replaced assumption with understanding. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Interpersonal curiosity as a tool to foster safe relational spaces: a narrative literature reviewAuthors:Melanie Letendre Jauniaux & Heather L. Lawford DOI: https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1379330 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication  Florida Man This Week - Time Travel  What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps:  00:00 Curiosity Sets the Stage 00:42 Names and Nicknames 02:01 Colorado Weather Whiplash 06:15 Hospital Story Sideways Curiosity 09:57 Vet Clinic Assumptions Lesson 13:16 Courage to Ask Deeper 15:31 Paper Intro Interpersonal Curiosity 18:17 Overt vs Covert Curiosity 21:09 Relational Safety vs Psychological Safety 22:28 Curiosity Builds Trust 23:09 Curiosity As Culture 25:00 Covert Coaching After Error 28:39 Affiliative Intent First 32:17 Overt Versus Covert 37:28 Repetition Builds Muscles 38:51 Vet Team Ideas In Action 46:21 Wrap Up And Thanks

    48 min

  3. APR 21

    018: Work Life Balance in Vet Med: What Are We Missing?"

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh take on one of the most talked-about concepts in veterinary medicine: work-life balance. Truth is that most practices already have work-life balance policies. PTO exists. Sick days exist. Flexibility exists. And yet - burnout persists. So, what is actually going on? Grounded in science, this episode explores a powerful and often overlooked idea: work-life balance policies are only effective if people can actually use them - without guilt, stigma, or unintended consequences. Through honest storytelling, real veterinary examples, and practical culture renovation strategies, we unpack the gap between what organizations say they offer and what teams experience day to day. You will hear: Why work-life balance policies often fail—even when they look great on paperHow guilt, fear, and staffing assumptions quietly block access to time offThe hidden role leaders play as gatekeepers (and how to shift that)Practical ways to redesign systems so balance becomes usable, not theoreticalHow small structural changes can reduce burnout across multiple dimensions of workThis episode reframes balance as something that must be designed, protected, and modeled at the cultural level. Because thriving veterinary teams are not built on policies alone—they are built on systems people can trust and use. Resource Links Episode Article: Title: How Effective Are Work-Life Balance Policies? The Importance of Inclusion Authors:Wendy J. Casper; Shelia A. Hyde; Shona G. Smith; Faezeh Amirkamali; Julie Holliday Wayne DOI: https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-orgpsych-110622-050544 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Positive Veterinary Leadership - Masterclass                                 Intro to Cultivating Positive Team Communication - On Demand TVCL Episode 2 – DRAMMA Needs Maslach & Leiter Six Areas of Worklife Florida Man Shark What Do You Think? Reach out and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps  00:00 Monday Mindset 06:21 Defining Work Life Balance 10:32 Paper Overview  14:52 Detachment and Recovery 17:09 Always On Leadership Trap 21:30 Policies vs Access 24:32 Good Leaders, Call outs and Coverage  31:15 Recovery Standards That Stick 34:10 Time Off on Good Days 38:27 Make Access Visible  39:42 Fully Staffed to Covered 43:58 Train Leaders to Kill Stigma 45:27 Florida Man and Wrap Up

    49 min

  4. APR 7

    017: Work Ethic Isn’t Dead: What’s Really Shifting in Vet Med Teams

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh take on one of the most common and emotionally charged narratives in veterinary medicine: “Younger generations just do not want to work.” Rather than reinforcing stereotypes or dismissing frustration, this conversation turns to the research. Grounded in a 2016 cross-temporal meta-analysis by Jean Twenge and colleagues, the episode explores what has actually shifted in generational work values — and what has not. The data show no dramatic collapse in work ethic. What has shifted, modestly but measurably, is work centrality and the value placed on leisure and balance. In a profession historically shaped by a “you must attend” mentality, even subtle recalibrations can feel seismic. Through real-world clinic stories, leadership reflection, and practical culture renovation strategies, Andi and Josh explore how redefining commitment — and modeling sustainable boundaries — may be one of the greatest leadership opportunities in modern veterinary medicine. You will hear: What the research actually says about generational work ethicWhy work centrality has shifted — and why that mattersHow confirmation bias fuels generational stereotypesThe difference between self-sacrifice and sustainable commitmentPractical ways leaders can redefine and model commitmentHow curiosity can interrupt the “kids these days” cycleThis episode invites leaders to move beyond blame and toward design — because thriving veterinary cultures are built intentionally, not nostalgically. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Generational Differences in Work Values: Leisure and Extrinsic Values Increasing, Social and Intrinsic Values Decreasing Authors:Jean M. Twenge et. al.  DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206316632058 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience World Wide Vets - THRIVE CE Wellbeing retreat in Zimbabwe All Creatures Great and Small (James Herriot) 1980s TV series (the best one!) Florida Man This Week - Bean Burrito Bandit  What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps:  00:00 Generational Work Myth 00:44 Meet Josh and Dalia 02:17 Airplane Jokes and Travel 02:57 Zimbabwe Thrive Retreat 04:58 Lazy Young Workers Claim 06:56 Tech Leaves at Six 10:52 Martyrdom Culture Origins 16:05 Work Values Research

    45 min

  5. MAR 24

    016:Culture Is a Drama: What Is Your Clinic Performing?

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a powerful idea: every veterinary clinic is performing a play—whether it realizes it or not. The stage is your hospital. The cast is your team. The script? That is your culture. Grounded in the evidence-based framework from Organizational Culture in Action by Gerald Driskill and Julian Mirivel, this episode unpacks how workplace culture is co-created through everyday communication, rituals, stories, symbols, and leadership behaviors. Rather than treating culture as something abstract or mysterious, this conversation makes it visible, measurable, and—most importantly—adjustable. Through real-world veterinary examples, graduate-level insight translated into practical application, and just enough theatrical metaphor to keep it interesting, this episode helps teams examine the gap between what they say they value and what they actually reward in daily practice. You’ll hear: Why culture is more than a mission statement on the wallThe difference between espoused values and enacted values—and why the gap mattersHow stories, rituals, and symbols quietly shape team behaviorWhy leaders are meaning-makers, not just decision-makersA simple 15-minute “story circle” exercise to uncover cultural strengths and pain pointsPractical ways to run small experiments that move your clinic toward alignment Whether you are a practice owner, manager, technician, or veterinarian, this episode offers a clear, science-backed way to understand your current culture and begin renovating it—one intentional shift at a time. Because thriving in veterinary medicine is not accidental. It is directed. Resources: Episode Textbook: Title: Organizational Culture in Action: A Cultural Analysis Workbook (4th edition) Authors: Gerald W.C. Driskill and Julien C. Mirivel Amazon Link to purchase: HERE Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience Florida Man This Week - Banana  What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps: 00:00 Introductions and Names 00:45 Passover Charo-set Story 02:02 Black Friday Smoothies 03:20 Culture as Drama 05:26 Wicked and What It's About 06:45 Webs of Significance 08:04 Organizational Culture Workbook 09:57 Applying OCA in Practice 13:59 Espoused vs Enacted Values 16:40 Wellbeing Value Gap 18:20 Culture in Stories and Rituals 20:36 Holiday Party Culture Tale 21:35 Hospital Party Ritual 23:31 Reading Culture Daily 25:01 Leaders Shape Meaning 26:41 Culture Renovation Compass 28:30 15 Minute Story Circle 31:34 Psychological Safety Tips 34:37 Culture Detective Walkthrough 35:58 Make Values Observable 38:14 Small Experiment Ripple 41:14 Key Takeaways And Offer 42:26 Florida Man Banana 43:54 Thanks And Farewell

    46 min

  6. MAR 10

    015: Burnout, Clarified: What’s Really Driving Vet Tech Burnout

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh take on one of the most talked-about—and most misunderstood—topics in veterinary medicine: burnout. Rather than adding to the noise, this conversation brings clarity by grounding the discussion in science and centering the experience of veterinary technicians and nurses. Grounded in a 2025 Delphi study led by Angela Chapman and colleagues, this episode examines what experts agree truly contributes to occupational burnout for veterinary technicians—and what organizational strategies can help prevent it. The study moves beyond assumptions to identify systemic drivers and practical, evidence-based solutions clinics can actually use. Through real-world veterinary examples, leadership reflection, and a few well-timed laughs, this episode reframes burnout as a structural signal rather than a personal failure and highlights how leadership, communication, and resilience support shape team wellbeing. You’ll hear: Why burnout is not the same as exhaustionThe workplace conditions that create systemic strain for veterinary techniciansThe most common barriers to addressing burnout in clinicsExpert-backed strategies that help prevent burnoutPractical shifts teams can make to support technician wellbeingWhether you are a technician, a leader, or part of a veterinary team navigating constant pressure, this episode offers clarity, validation, and a science-backed path forward. Resource Links Episode Article: Title: Workplace Strategies to Reduce Burnout in Veterinary Nurses and Technicians: A Delphi Study Authors: Angela Chapman, Pauleen C. Bennett, Vanessa I. Rohlf DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ani15091257 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Applied Veterinary Resilience World Health Organization Underwater Wonders - Fort Collins, CO Self Determination Theory  (Deci & Ryan) 30 Second Dance Party Button - Shop  Florida Man This Week - Cartwheels  What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps  00:00 Introduction to Burnout in Veterinary Medicine 00:44 Weekend Plans and Personal Stories 04:15 Defining Burnout and Its Misuse 09:38 World Health Organization's Definition of Burnout 12:17 Landmark Study on Burnout in Veterinary Technicians 15:41 Barriers and Enablers in Addressing Burnout 17:48 Solutions to Combat Burnout 19:26 Implementation Challenges and Cultural Importance 20:32 Reflecting on Burnout and Leadership Support 23:36 The Power of Self-Determination Theory 27:52 Practical Steps to Alleviate Burnout 33:50 Resilience and Team Support Strategies 38:19 Florida Man and Final Thoughts

    42 min

  7. FEB 24

    014: Commitment Beats Compliance: The Leadership Shift Vet Med Needs

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore why some veterinary teams feel energized, supportive, and fully engaged - while others feel stuck just going through the motions. The difference is not talent, workload, or motivation. It is how people support one another at work. Grounded in a large meta-analysis on interpersonal support and self-determination theory, this convo unpacks how meeting core psychological needs for autonomy, competence, and relatedness shapes motivation, wellbeing, and performance across teams and leadership relationships. Through real-world veterinary scenarios, leadership reflections, and a few well-earned laughs, this episode examines why compliance-driven cultures fall short—and how commitment grows when people feel trusted, capable, and genuinely supported. You’ll hear: Why the same person can respond very differently in the same situation depending on team cultureHow autonomy, competence, and relatedness influence motivation, wellbeing, and performanceThe difference between managing for compliance and leading for commitmentWhy interpersonal support from both leaders and peers matters more than we thinkPractical leadership moves that strengthen trust, ownership, and engagementWhat this research means for veterinary teams looking to renovate culture from the inside outWhether you are leading a veterinary team, working within one, or trying to understand why energy feels high in some clinics and low in others, this episode offers science-backed insight into how everyday interactions shape commitment, connection, and thriving at work. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: Interpersonal Supports for Basic Psychological Needs and Their Relations with Motivation, Wellbeing, and Performance: A Meta-Analysis Authors:Gavin R. Slemp, James G. Field, Richard M. Ryan, Vivien W. Forner, Anja Van den Broeck, and Kelsey J. Lewis DOI: https://doi.org/10.1037/pspi0000459 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication Florida Man This Week - Shopping Cart Georgia Aquarium Self Determination Theory - (2017) https://doi/10.1521/978.14625/28806 What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps: 00:00 Building Trust and Commitment in Veterinary Teams 00:42 Casual Conversations and Personal Stories 01:18 Exciting News and Upcoming Events 03:56 Farm Life and Teamwork 05:23 Comparing Veterinary Practices 12:42 The Impact of Team Support on Motivation and Performance 23:24 Commitment Over Compliance 23:45 The Horse Metaphor for Training 24:39 Loosening the Reins in Training 25:33 Clarity Plus Coaching Equals Success 25:48 Supporting Competency Needs 27:30 Personal Story: Overcoming Challenges with Support 30:52 The Power of Peer Support 32:56 Renovating Veterinary Cultures 33:14 Autonomy Support Moves for Leaders 39:11 Competence Support Moves 42:40 Relatedness Support Moves 45:04 Florida Man: A Lighthearted Conclusion 46:48 Closing Remarks

    48 min

  8. FEB 10

    013:The Top 3 Communication Behaviors Behind Every Unicorn Clinic: Why Relational Maintenance Matters

    In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh dig into what really sits behind so-called “unicorn clinics”—and it turns out it is not luck, perks, or fairy dust. It is communication. Grounded in a 2012 study by communication scholars Paul Madlock and Melanie Booth-Butterfield, this conversation explores relational maintenance: the everyday communication behaviors coworkers use to stay connected, supported, and resilient at work. Through real veterinary examples, leadership reflections, and a few well-placed dad jokes, this episode breaks down the science behind thriving teams and highlights the top three communication behaviors most strongly linked to job satisfaction, commitment, and wellbeing. You’ll hear: What people actually mean when they talk about a “unicorn clinic”The seven relational maintenance strategies coworkers use to sustain strong relationshipsThe top three communication behaviors most predictive of thriving teamsWhy positivity, shared effort, and healthy conflict repair matter more than we realizeHow these behaviors meet core human needs for belonging, care, and influenceWhat this research means for veterinary leaders and teams who want to renovate their culture intentionallyWhether you are searching for a unicorn clinic—or hoping to build one from the inside out—this episode offers science-backed insight and practical perspective on how small, everyday communication choices can transform the way veterinary teams work, connect, and thrive. Resource Links:  Episode Article: Title: The influence of relational maintenance strategies among coworkers Authors: Paul Madlock and Melanie Booth-Butterfield DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/0021943611425237 Flourish Academy - Certificate in Cultivating Positive Team Communication Florida Man This Week - Opossum Oura ring - www.oura.com Portlandia (TV series 2011-2018)  What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet Your Hosts: Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC  Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.  Timestamps:  00:00 Introduction: Building a Unicorn Clinic 00:54 Personal Anecdotes and Oura Ring Insights 02:33 3D Printing Adventures 06:21 The Magic of Unicorn Clinics 13:45 Relational Maintenance Strategies 23:20 Real-Life Application of Team Strategies 24:34 Transformative Experience with a Surgery Team 27:29 The Role of Leaders in Team Dynamics 39:27 Practical Steps for Conflict Management 45:47 Unusual Florida Man Story 47:10 Closing Remarks and Listener Engagement

    48 min
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About

The Veterinary Culture Lab is your science-backed, real-world blueprint for culture renovation in veterinary medicine. Hosted by Andi and Josh, Positive Change Agents from Flourish Veterinary Consulting, each episode blends research on wellbeing and workplace culture with humor, heart, and actionable strategies. Expect practical tips you can apply right away - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

Information

  • Creator
    Flourish Veterinary Consulting
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    21
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Flourish Veterinary Consulting
  • Show Website
    The Veterinary Culture Lab