Vet Med Wellness + Leadership

Crystal Stokes, LMFT

Join Crystal Stokes, licensed psychotherapist, Harvard, Cornell, and CoActive trained organizational and high-performance leadership coach, and former vet technician, for actionable ways to improve the wellness of vet med professionals. The Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast discuss leadership and wellness: how we, as individuals and teams, can apply evidence-based skills to help our authentic leadership style shine while effectively supporting others to perform at and feel their very best. Our topics range from the meta-level of overarching challenges in the realm of leadership down to the micro aspects of burnout, stress, and difficult client interactions in the veterinary profession. Our mission is to contribute to the evolving paradigm of leadership and culture where profit and performance are generated through the development of highly satisfied, motivated, and supported teams.

  1. #099: Profit With Purpose in Vet Med with Martin Traub-Werner

    MAR 17

    #099: Profit With Purpose in Vet Med with Martin Traub-Werner

    Financial conversations can feel loaded in veterinary medicine. Many of us entered this profession to care for animals, not to analyze income statements. But avoiding the numbers does not protect your mission. In fact, it often increases anxiety, fuels burnout, and limits your ability to grow. In this episode, I speak with entrepreneur Martin Traub-Werner, founder of VetBooks, about why financial control is foundational to sustainable leadership. Martin shares how his work in veterinary data analytics revealed a major gap for independent practices: clear, accurate, and timely financials that truly reflect profitability. We explore the emotional side of money in vet med, including the common fear of being perceived as greedy. I offer the perspective that money is energy. When used intentionally, it becomes fuel for reinvestment, team development, better equipment, and expanded patient care. Profit is not a betrayal of purpose. It is what allows your purpose to endure. Martin also breaks down practical steps for gaining financial clarity, from committing to curiosity instead of fear to using the AAHA VMG Chart of Accounts. He emphasizes focusing on your top revenue and expense categories, where most of the meaningful change happens. If you have ever woken up at 3 a.m. worrying about payroll, rising costs, or sustainability, this conversation will remind you that your financials are not something to fear. They are a diagnostic tool. And when you understand them, you gain back control. What’s Inside: Why avoiding your numbers increases anxiety and uncertaintyHow profit can fuel your mission instead of competing with itPractical first steps to gaining financial control in your practiceWhy focusing on your top revenue and expense categories drives sustainable growMentioned in this Episode: Vetbooks Martin Traub-Werner on LinkedIn Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast Full Circle Lab  Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    23 min
  2. #098: Veterinary Medicine Is Not Lost with Dr. Kathryn Miller

    FEB 17

    #098: Veterinary Medicine Is Not Lost with Dr. Kathryn Miller

    In this episode, I’m sharing a conversation I had with Dr. Kathryn Miller, a rural mixed animal veterinarian in Kansas who believes wholeheartedly that veterinary medicine is not lost. Instead of accepting burnout and poor wellbeing as inevitable, Kathryn shares how coaching, culture, and mindset shifts can change the trajectory of an entire career. Kathryn opens up about her own turning point with burnout after becoming a mother. What once felt manageable quickly became overwhelming, and without support, she is clear she might have left the profession altogether. Through professional coaching, she experienced a powerful mindset shift that allowed her to see she did not have to choose between being a great veterinarian and a great mom. That realization changed everything. We explore the most common traps early career veterinarians fall into, from harsh inner critics and black and white thinking to identity loss after vet school. Kathryn shares how tools like the Enneagram and structured coaching conversations help young practitioners reframe mistakes, navigate team dynamics, and build resilience instead of self-doubt. She also offers practical guidance on evaluating job opportunities, identifying red and green flags in practice culture, and learning to feel safe asking questions in those critical first years. This conversation is both honest and hopeful. Yes, veterinary medicine is hard. Yes, burnout is real. But with the right tools, support, and mindset, it does not have to define your career. Kathryn reminds us that growth requires discomfort, culture requires tending, and coaching can be a powerful catalyst for long-term wellbeing and leadership. What’s Inside: Kathryn’s personal burnout story and the mindset shift that kept her in veterinary medicineCommon early career traps including perfectionism, identity loss, and black and white thinkingHow coaching and the Enneagram create self-awareness, compassion, and stronger team communicationRed and green flags to watch for when choosing a practice and building a sustainable careerMentioned in this Episode: RKM Clinic Website RKMM Website Dr. Kathryn Miller on Instagram Rocking KM Vet on Instagram Rocking KM Vet - Potwin on Instagram CanvasRebel Feature Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast Full Circle Lab  Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    34 min
  3. #097: Caring for the Caregivers: Leadership Development and Wellness in the Veterinary Hospital

    JAN 13

    #097: Caring for the Caregivers: Leadership Development and Wellness in the Veterinary Hospital

    This week, I’m stepping into the guest seat on the Pawsitive Leadership Podcast with Andrea Crabtree and David Liss, and we’re going deep into something that matters to me with my whole heart: caring for the people who care for everyone else. If you’ve ever felt the weight of veterinary medicine in your bones, the kind of exhaustion that comes from showing up day after day with your whole soul, this conversation is for you. I share my full circle story, from being the kid who only ever wanted to be a veterinarian to burning out hard as an overnight ER tech to leaving vet med entirely because I thought I “didn’t have what it takes.” That pivot led me into psychotherapy, where I became a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and learned the tools that brought me back to life. And eventually, those same tools led me right back into veterinary medicine after I was invited into a hospital that had just lost a veterinarian to suicide. That moment changed everything, and it clarified why this work is so urgently needed. We talk about why wellness is not fluff. It’s operational. Healthy, happy people make healthy profits, and when hospitals ignore that, the cost shows up everywhere: turnover, productivity, and the emotional toll carried by the team. I explain why burnout isn’t random. It’s often the predictable result of leadership structures that don’t support humans, especially when people are promoted without training and then expected to carry impossible expectations.  We also get practical. I share one of the most powerful tools I use with teams and leaders: pause, notice, and choose. It sounds simple, but it is life-changing. That moment of awareness interrupts autopilot and brings you back into alignment, so you can lead from intention instead of survival mode. Because the truth is, you cannot build a thriving hospital culture from a depleted nervous system. What’s Inside: How my full-circle journey took me from vet tech burnout to psychotherapy and back into veterinary medicineWhy wellness is a retention strategy and a profitability strategy, not an optional perkTwo leadership mistakes that quietly sabotage hospitals: promoting without training and misaligned expectationsA simple tool to reduce stress and regain control in real time: pause, notice, and chooseMentioned: Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast Pawsitive Leadership Podcast Full Circle Lab  Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    28 min
  4. #096: Building Vision-Driven Veterinary Teams with Dr. George Cuellar

    12/16/2025

    #096: Building Vision-Driven Veterinary Teams with Dr. George Cuellar

    Veterinary leaders often rise through the ranks without ever receiving formal training in how to define a vision, build culture, or guide a team with clarity. Dr. George Cuellar joins me to explore how aspiring entrepreneurs can step into leadership with purpose by working through three essential phases: defining the vision, sharing it effectively, and engaging the team in bringing it to life. Drawing on decades as a corporate executive, practice owner, and state veterinary leader, George explains how he discovered that true leadership is not about directing people; it’s about creating a shared sense of purpose that others want to be part of. George shares how his own hospital’s transformation began with articulating a clear, compelling vision and pairing it with a set of values that guided every decision. He describes how leaders can evolve from simply “telling” their vision to collaborating on it by testing ideas, inviting dialogue, and using regular meetings to cultivate ownership across the team. As the culture strengthens, leaders move into phase three: engaging individual team members through development plans, outcome-based goals, and accountability structures that empower them to grow rather than depend on the leader. The conversation also explores why leaders must resist the urge to overhelp and allow team members to struggle, fail, and ultimately succeed on their own terms. George explains how celebrating wins, learning from missteps, and trusting the team helps shift the culture from leader-dependent to self-sustaining. He leaves listeners with core reminders: everything you need to lead is already within you, growth requires compassion and grit, and no leader should go it alone. Veterinary professionals are encouraged to seek mentorship and support as they develop leadership cultures that are built to last. What’s Inside: How Dr. Cuellar went from corporate leadership to building a vision-driven veterinary hospitalWhy defining a clear vision and set of values is the foundation for effective leadershipThe five stages of sharing a vision, from telling to true co-creation with your teamHow to engage staff through individualized growth plans, accountability, and meaningful consequencesWhy leaders must resist overhelping and allow room for struggle, learning, and celebrationPractical steps to build a self-sustaining culture where aligned, motivated team members thriveMentioned: Dr. George Cuellar on LinkedIn Ready, Vet, Go Full Circle Lab Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    31 min
  5. #095: Mental Health First Aid in Veterinary Medicine

    11/18/2025

    #095: Mental Health First Aid in Veterinary Medicine

    Veterinary professionals are often trained to care for everyone except themselves. But what if they had the tools to recognize and respond to mental health challenges within their own teams? Dr. Sonja Olson, DVM, C-MMT, and Susan Swendsen, MSSW, LCSW, VSW from Full Circle Lab join Crystal to explore how Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) is reshaping the conversation around well-being in veterinary medicine. Susan shares how MHFA began in Australia in 2000 with founders Betty Kitchener and Anthony Jorm, grew to 29 countries, and aims to train one in every fifteen people worldwide. Introduced in the U.S. in 2008, the program equips everyday people with the confidence to recognize early signs of mental distress and connect others to the help they need before a crisis occurs. The group talks about how MHFA differs from therapy. It’s a peer-support model designed to help colleagues feel prepared to respond when someone is struggling. Sonja breaks down the ALGEE action plan: Assess for risk of suicide or harm, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance and information, Encourage appropriate professional help, and Encourage self-help. She explains how this structured, step-by-step approach resonates with the way veterinary professionals think and problem-solve. The conversation highlights the power of early intervention, the importance of reducing stigma, and how empathy can protect against secondary traumatic stress. The team also shares practical ways for veterinary clinics to bring MHFA training into their workplaces through the National Council for Behavioral Health and how learning these skills together can strengthen connection, compassion, and care across the profession. What’s Inside: How Mental Health First Aid started in Australia and went globalWhy MHFA is different from therapy but just as powerful in veterinary careStep-by-step guide to the ALGEE action plan for real-life crisesSimple ways to break stigma and start honest conversations about mental healthEarly intervention tips to prevent burnout and secondary traumaHow to get certified and bring MHFA training to your clinicBuilding stronger, more connected veterinary teams through peer supportMentioned: Mental Health First Aid LinkedIn Full Circle Lab Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    27 min
  6. #94: Skills, Tools, and Self-Compassion in Veterinary Burnout with Dr. Amy Grimm

    10/14/2025

    #94: Skills, Tools, and Self-Compassion in Veterinary Burnout with Dr. Amy Grimm

    Dr. Amy Grimm, founder of Daring DVM Coaching, joins the show to talk about burnout—something all too familiar in the veterinary world. She shares her path from vet med to coaching and how her own experiences shaped the work she does today. Dr. Amy explains why burnout is so common among veterinarians: high achievers, constant competition, and nonstop pressure. Along the way, she learned that handling hard conversations, emotional fatigue, and tension are skills you can actually develop. She uses the simple image of a phone on low battery to describe what burnout really feels like—your system keeps pushing until it finally shuts down. That “wired but tired” feeling, when rest doesn’t restore you, becomes the norm. Dr. Amy breaks down how to spot the signs before you crash and how to rebuild through three core areas: your nervous system, your mindset, and your boundaries. You don’t need more hours in the day—you need compassion for yourself, moments to reset, and routines that bring you back to center. Learn more about her coaching and group programs at Daring DVM Coaching. What’s Inside: Recognizing the early signs of burnout before you hit overdrive.Practical tools to reset and recharge your nervous system.What coaching really is and how it supports veterinarians.Building awareness, balance, and self-compassion in vet med.Mentioned In This Episode: Daring DVM Coaching The Burnout Fix vetcoach@daringdvm.com Dr. Amy Grimm on Instagram Amy Grimm on LinkedIn Full Circle Lab Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    36 min
  7. #093: National Suicide Prevention Month: A Conversation with NOMV

    09/16/2025

    #093: National Suicide Prevention Month: A Conversation with NOMV

    September is National Suicide Prevention Month, and in this episode, we’re honored to welcome Gigi Tsontos, Executive Director of NOMV (Not One More Vet). NOMV is a nonprofit dedicated to improving mental health and overall well-being within the veterinary profession—creating resources and community support to help veterinary professionals not just survive, but truly thrive. The organization was born out of tragedy following the 2014 loss of Dr. Sophia Yin to suicide. What began as a forum for open discussion has grown into a thriving network of more than 40,000 members as of 2025. NOMV’s impact includes: Education: Raising awareness and providing access to mental health resources, including the CLEAR Blueprint.Resources: Offering grants for individuals and clinics in crisis.Peer Support: Hosting forums and programs such as Lifeboat and Veterinary Mental Health Support.NOMV’s website is an easy-to-navigate hub for these tools and more. You can support their mission through donations, volunteering, or even by simply spreading their message on social media. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, dial 988 in the U.S. or Canada for immediate support. What’s Inside: The mission behind Not One More Vet.Creating a space for well-being in the vet med industry.How you can help NOMV.Suicide Hotline: 988Mentioned In This Episode: NOMV Full Circle Lab  Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    32 min
  8. #092: Positive Intelligence for Veterinary Professionals with Natalie Fayman

    08/19/2025

    #092: Positive Intelligence for Veterinary Professionals with Natalie Fayman

    Returning guest Natalie Fayman joins us to share her journey from burnout to resilience through the Positive Intelligence (PQ) program. Initially skeptical, Natalie discovered the program’s strong scientific backing—studies show that after just seven weeks of training, 83–97% of participants report reduced stress, increased happiness, and improved self-confidence. PQ works at the root level of brain function, shifting the balance of power from our inner Saboteurs—the voices of self-doubt and negativity—to our inner Sage, our positive, resilient self. For Natalie, that means going from needing days to recover after an emotionally draining ER shift to bouncing back in just 30 minutes. This isn’t therapy, though it pairs well with it. It’s about building mental fitness, being more mindful of your emotions, and improving how you show up for yourself and others. Whether you work through PQ on your own or join a cohort for added accountability and insight, the tools are transformative. Listen in to learn how you can build resilience, reclaim your passion, and thrive in veterinary medicine. What’s Inside: What is Positive Intelligence (PQ)?The science behind the program.A tool for reducing emotional recovery timeA variety of options: Completing the Positive Intelligence Program for individuals or in a group setting. Mentioned In This Episode: Find out more about the PQ for RACE-CE credit course Schedule a free consultation with Natalie Fayman Take the Saboteur assessment from Positive Intelligence Full Circle Lab  Crystal Stokes on LinkedIn

    33 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
10 Ratings

About

Join Crystal Stokes, licensed psychotherapist, Harvard, Cornell, and CoActive trained organizational and high-performance leadership coach, and former vet technician, for actionable ways to improve the wellness of vet med professionals. The Vet Med Wellness and Leadership Podcast discuss leadership and wellness: how we, as individuals and teams, can apply evidence-based skills to help our authentic leadership style shine while effectively supporting others to perform at and feel their very best. Our topics range from the meta-level of overarching challenges in the realm of leadership down to the micro aspects of burnout, stress, and difficult client interactions in the veterinary profession. Our mission is to contribute to the evolving paradigm of leadership and culture where profit and performance are generated through the development of highly satisfied, motivated, and supported teams.

Information

  • Creator
    Crystal Stokes, LMFT
  • Years Active
    2022 - 2026
  • Episodes
    99
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Vet Med Wellness + Leadership
  • Show Website
    Vet Med Wellness + Leadership