Irreplaceable Truths

Pacific Lens Studios
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“The veterinary podcast that tells the truth they never taught in school.” Welcome to Irreplaceable Truths — where real conversations meet real medicine. Hosted by Dr. Gershon Alaluf, this podcast strips away the fluff and dives into the raw, unfiltered realities of life in veterinary practice. From burnout to breakthroughs, difficult clients to emotional growth, every episode offers honest stories, practical insight, and a sense of solidarity for those who care deeply—for animals and for each other. Why You’ll Tune In: Real stories, not platitudes — wild emergencies, hard-earned wins, and painful lessons that made better professionalsVeterans teaching vets — insights from seasoned veterinarians, educators, and technicians who’ve lived itA dose of raw humanity — mental health, career resilience, boundaries, and growth in a high-pressure fieldCareer wisdom + self-care tips — made for early career vets, students, assistants, and those considering the field Who It’s For: Veterinary students, grads, and technicians navigating real clinic lifeEducators and mentors shaping the next generationAnimal lovers craving an honest backstage pass into vet medicinePractice managers building emotionally intelligent teamsAnyone feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or underprepared What Makes Us Different: No filtered soundbites—just real talk. Honest, grounded, and sometimes hilariously humanGuests from all corners of the field sharing insight you won’t find in textbooksA balance of heart and strategy—because medicine is personal, and so is this profession New episodes weekly on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

  1. Gold Standard Is Broken | Dr. Andrew Findlaytor on Vet School, NAVLE & Cost | Irreplaceable Truths

    20H AGO

    Gold Standard Is Broken | Dr. Andrew Findlaytor on Vet School, NAVLE & Cost | Irreplaceable Truths

    Veterinary medicine has a way of revealing its hardest questions slowly. In this episode of Irreplaceable Truths, Dr. Gershon Alaluf sits down with Dr. Andrew Findlaytor, DVM, founder of Vetsie Pet Care, for a wide-ranging conversation that moves from personal experience into the deeper tensions shaping the profession today. What begins as a discussion about vet school training and early clinical readiness gradually expands into much bigger territory: how veterinarians are taught to think, how fear of being wrong gets reinforced, and how concepts like “gold standard” medicine collide with real-world client finances. Along the way, they unpack the NAVLE, perfectionism, spectrum of care, communication gaps, and the economic pressures quietly reshaping both private practice and corporate models. Thoughtful, candid, and often uncomfortable, this conversation reflects the complexity of practicing medicine in a system that’s still figuring out what it wants to be. What you’ll hear explored: – How veterinary training shapes decision-making long after graduation – Why fear of failure and perfectionism persist in vet med – Where “gold standard” medicine helps and where it breaks down – How spectrum and incremental care show up in real clinics – The financial realities influencing access to care for clients Who this episode is for: – Veterinarians at any stage of practice – Early-career vets navigating confidence and clinical judgment – Practice owners and leaders thinking about sustainability – Vet students questioning how school translates to real life – Anyone wrestling with the tension between ideal medicine and practical care Timestamps: 00:00 – Are vet schools training real clinicians or protecting pass rates? 07:06 – The “dark truth” of vet med: it’s a people business 10:42 – Where hospitals fail: not meeting clients where they are 12:23 – “Gold standard” is being weaponized—what changes next 17:03 – NAVLE: outdated memorization vs modern case-based thinking 23:43 – Obscure test trivia vs applicable clinical competence 27:16 – Why pre-vet clinic work can outperform school for readiness 36:09 – The real invoice problem: what diagnostics cost now 46:49 – Private practice margins, corporate pricing, and vet med as a luxury item Stay Connected: Like this video if you found value in this discussion. Drop your questions (or your NAVLE horror stories) in the comments. Subscribe and hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. Resources Mentioned: – Vetsie Pet Care (founded by Dr. Andrew Findlaytor): vetsiepetcare.com – NAVLE / NBVME: icva.net Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Ep. 59 #VetMed #VeterinaryMedicine #NAVLE #SpectrumOfCare #IncrementalCare #PrivatePractice #VetSchool #IrreplaceableTruths

    54 min
  2. Breaking the Chain | Dr. Ally Williams on New Grad Reality & Vet Med Hope | Irreplaceable Truths

    FEB 2

    Breaking the Chain | Dr. Ally Williams on New Grad Reality & Vet Med Hope | Irreplaceable Truths

    What does it take to become a veterinarian when your path isn’t polished or linear—when it’s built through survival, self-doubt, and rebuilding your identity from the ground up? And how do you stay hopeful in vet med when the profession is loud with negativity? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Ally Williams, DVM for an insightful, inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths on resilience, faith, motherhood during vet school, and what veterinary medicine doesn’t prepare you for emotionally, personally, or professionally. Packed with professional wisdom, emotional insight, and authentic experience, this episode offers grounded lessons for veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal care professionals. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – Why Ally believes vet med is still the best profession—and how to stay a “cheerleader” for the work – Childhood trauma, identity, and the long road from survival to becoming a doctor – Self-doubt in vet school and early career: how to push through when you feel behind or unqualified – Motherhood during vet school, boundaries, and redefining “work-life balance” in real life 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Animal care professionals – Veterinary educators and mentors – Animal lovers passionate about veterinary medicine – New grads, young moms, and anyone wondering if they truly belong in this profession 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – “The hill to die on”: why Ally believes vet med is still worth it 07:55 – Childhood trauma, faith, and the survival mindset that shaped her path 14:20 – Self-doubt, people pleasing, and using “hold my beer” fuel to keep going 20:55 – Pregnancy during vet school: leave of absence, transfer, and identity shifts 27:40 – New grad reality: the gaps between school and practice (and what surprises you most) 34:10 – Comfort zone fear, rejection, and why growth lives on the other side of it 40:10 – Money barriers, emotions in practice, and what clients don’t understand 46:00 – Delegation, technician trust, and protecting your time as a doctor 52:05 – Sports rehab, pain management, mobility work, and building your future lane 1:01:20 – Therapy, honesty, mistakes, and what “irreplaceable” means now 🔔 Stay Connected: Like this video if you found value in this discussion. Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments. Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – Iditarod (mentioned): iditarod.com – Dr. Ally Williams on Social Media: @dr.allywilliams 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Ep. 58 #VetMed #VeterinaryPodcast #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 6m
  3. Why People Still Choose Vet Med | Marianne Bailey on Clients & Boundaries | Irreplaceable Truths

    JAN 26

    Why People Still Choose Vet Med | Marianne Bailey on Clients & Boundaries | Irreplaceable Truths

    Why do people still want to be veterinarians—even knowing the mental health realities in vet med? And what happens when a profession built on compassion collides with angry clients, online reviews, and constant pressure to “do more”? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Marianne Bailey, DVM for an insightful, inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths on what vet med really demands: communication, conflict skills, emotional control, and the human side of medicine that nobody warns you about early enough. Packed with honest stories, practical clinic tactics, and real-life perspective from a practice owner and creator, this episode offers grounded lessons for veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal care professionals. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – Why people still choose vet med (and the “human–animal bond” explanation that actually makes sense) – The truth about “I became a vet because I don’t like people” — and why that mindset fails fast – How Marianne handles hateful letters, voicemails, and reviews without carrying the emotional weight – The simple communication habits that reduce miscommunication on cost, expectations, and care plans 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Animal care professionals – Veterinary educators and mentors – Animal lovers passionate about veterinary medicine – Practice owners, managers, and team leads dealing with client conflict and expectations 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – The hard question: why choose vet med with the mental health stats? 07:45 – Calling, identity, and the human–animal bond (“we’re all a little broken”) 15:30 – Generations, social media, and emotional resilience in modern medicine 23:15 – New grads, mentorship expectations, and working within real client limits 31:00 – Hateful letters, voicemails, and reviews: how to not absorb other people’s pain 38:45 – Preventing miscommunication: listening, recapping, and asking better questions 46:30 – Ownership reality: tools, training, speed, and making purchases make sense 54:15 – Euthanasia follow-ups, empathy, and why small gestures create lasting trust 1:01:00 – Money conversations without drama: estimates, checkpoints, and transparency 1:08:30 – Marianne’s irreplaceable truth: vet med is people-work as much as animal-work 🔔 Stay Connected: Like this video if you found value in this discussion. Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments. Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training: qprinstitute.com – Human–Animal Bond (AVMA): avma.org – Marianne Bailey, DVM on Social Media: @vetHERnarian 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Ep. 57 #VetMed #VeterinaryMedicine #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 13m
  4. What Vet Med Gets Wrong About Success | Dr. Phil Richmond on Purpose & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    JAN 19

    What Vet Med Gets Wrong About Success | Dr. Phil Richmond on Purpose & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    What if burnout in vet med isn’t about weak resilience—but about how success is defined? And what happens when productivity and revenue matter more than people, culture, and psychological safety? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Phil Richmond, DVM, CAPP, CPHSA, CCFP for an insightful, inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths exploring veterinary leadership, workplace culture, and what sustainable vet med actually looks like. Packed with professional wisdom, emotional insight, and lived experience, this episode offers grounded, practical lessons for veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal care professionals. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – Why measuring productivity alone quietly undermines veterinary teams – How leadership, culture, and systems shape burnout more than individual resilience – Why suicide prevention training matters—but can’t fix broken or unhealthy systems – How flexible boundaries, recognition, and humanity protect long-term careers in vet med 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Animal care professionals – Veterinary educators and mentors – Animal lovers passionate about veterinary medicine – Practice owners, managers, and team leads 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – What vet med measures vs what actually matters 07:45 – Dr. Phil Richmond on leadership, culture, and mental health in vet med 15:30 – Resilience has limits: when systems overwhelm good people 23:15 – Moral injury in veterinary medicine and ethical exhaustion 31:00 – Overwork, boundaries, and behaviors vet med keeps rewarding 38:45 – Productivity-first culture and its impact on teams and retention 46:30 – Why toxicity isn’t called out like bad medicine 54:15 – Burnout, empathy loss, and emotional labor in clinics 1:01:00 – Vulnerability, leadership accountability, and trust 1:08:30 – How early-career vets can identify psychological safety 🔔 Stay Connected: Like this video if you found value in this discussion. Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments. Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer) Suicide Prevention Training: qprinstitute.com – Moral injury research in healthcare: fixmoralinjury.org – “Me, We, Us” framework (organizational psychology) 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Ep. 56 #MoralInjury #Burnout #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 13m
  5. AI Voice Agents in Vet Clinics | Dr. Tancredi on Missing Calls & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    JAN 12

    AI Voice Agents in Vet Clinics | Dr. Tancredi on Missing Calls & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    How many new clients (and urgent cases) are you losing when the phone goes unanswered? What would change if after-hours callers felt heard and guided instead of sent to voicemail? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. William Tancredi, DVM for an insightful, inspiring episode of Irreplaceable Truths focused on missed calls, clinic bandwidth, and how AI voice agents can improve client experience without replacing your team. This episode blends practical clinic leadership, the emotional realities of veterinary medicine, and real-world implementation lessons to deliver value for veterinarians, veterinary students, and animal care professionals. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – Why “AI doesn’t replace jobs — it replaces tasks” and why that distinction matters – The hidden cost of missed calls, after-hours gaps, and lost client trust – How to evaluate technology skeptically without getting stuck in “perfect or nothing” thinking – A simple framework to implement new tools without burning out your team 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Practice owners, medical directors, and hospital managers – CSRs, technicians, and team leads navigating staffing strain – Animal care professionals focused on client experience and retention – Anyone interested in practical, ethical AI adoption in veterinary medicine 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Emotional realities of vet med: euthanasia, burnout, and compassion fatigue 09:42 – Sustainability crisis in veterinary medicine and expanding role expectations 19:06 – Career path, mentorship gaps, and opening a hospital during COVID 31:07 – Why veterinarians resist technology: skepticism vs. exhaustion 40:56 – Missed calls, after-hours gaps, and the real cost of lost trust 54:01 – AI doesn’t replace jobs — it replaces tasks (ethical framing) 1:07:24 – Implementing AI safely: STEP framework and leadership responsibility 1:16:35 – VMX Orlando, real-world ROI, and final takeaways for practice owners 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this episode if you found value in the discussion – Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories – Subscribe to never miss an episode 📚 Resources Mentioned: – AI Voice Agents: https://missedcalls.help/ – VMX Orlando Conference: https://navc.com/vmx-event/ 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Episode 55 #VeterinaryPodcast #AiVoiceAgents #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 21m
  6. Calm in the Chaos | Dr. Kristin Welch on ER Critical Care, Leading & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    JAN 5

    Calm in the Chaos | Dr. Kristin Welch on ER Critical Care, Leading & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    What really happens behind the scenes when seconds count in the ER? How do emergency and critical care veterinarians protect their minds, their teams, and their patients in the middle of nonstop crisis? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Kristin Welch, DVM, DACVECC — emergency and critical care specialist and founder of DVM Stat Consulting — for a powerful deep dive into ER medicine, burnout, quality of life, and the future of virtual specialty care. Packed with real cases, emotional honesty, and practical tools, this episode equips veterinarians, ER teams, and practice owners to navigate chaos with clarity, compassion, and better support. 🎧 What you'll discover: – Why ER and critical care are “general practice at Indy 500 pace” – How burnout and compassion fatigue show up in real ICU life – The power of calm leadership, breath work, and team communication in a crisis – How virtual specialists (teleconsulting) expand care when referral isn’t an option 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Animal care professionals in ER, ICU, and urgent care – Veterinary educators and mentors – Animal lovers passionate about emergency medicine – Practice owners and rural vets exploring telemedicine and specialty support 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Why specialty access is broken & the reality of ER medicine 05:00 – Dr. Welch’s journey: ECC training, residency, and what makes critical care unique 12:00 – The rattlesnake Labrador case: progress, heartbreak & lessons in emotional resilience 20:00 – What clients misunderstand about ER cost, estimates & real-world communication 28:00 – Leading through chaos: breath work, calm leadership & team-focused ICU management 36:00 – Burnout, compassion fatigue & how identity and family life are affected 45:00 – Why DVM Stat was created: fixing access to specialists through virtual consulting 54:00 – Teleconsulting results: improved outcomes, misconceptions & how it supports GPs 1:02:00 – Ethics, quality of life, end-of-life decisions & supporting families 1:10:00 – One irreplaceable truth for early-career veterinarians 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you found value in this discussion! – Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – DVM Stat Consulting – dvmstat.com – DVM Stat Consulting on Instagram & LinkedIn: @dvmstatconsulting 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Episode 54 #veterinaryER #telemedicine #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 13m
  7. Rewriting Clinic Culture | Dr. Carlee Tucker on Leadership & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    12/15/2025

    Rewriting Clinic Culture | Dr. Carlee Tucker on Leadership & Burnout | Irreplaceable Truths

    What happens when a burned-out veterinarian refuses to accept “the way it’s always been”? How do you rebuild your career, your confidence, and your clinic culture from the ground up? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and special guest Dr. Carlee Tucker, DVM, founder of Veterinary Practice Rising and owner of Winfield Veterinary Hospital, for one of the most honest, practical, and empowering conversations of the season. This episode unpacks burnout as a system failure, the realities of modern mentorship, and why private practice ownership may be the key to saving the profession. Filled with grit, transparency, and actionable wisdom, this one will hit home for every veterinarian navigating today’s challenges. 🎧 What you'll discover: – Why burnout is a systems problem — not a personal failure – How unethical leadership accelerates compassion fatigue – The real path to practice ownership (even with student debt) – The mindset shifts every early-career veterinarian must make 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & veterinary students – Animal care professionals – Veterinary educators and mentors – Animal lovers passionate about veterinary medicine – Early-career veterinarians considering ownership or leadership 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – Burnout, unethical leadership & why systems fail veterinarians 02:00 – Dr. Tucker’s journey: Kansas roots, cattle medicine & private practice 05:00 – The breaking point: turnover, inefficiencies & unsustainable workloads 08:00 – Buying her hometown clinic: fear, loans & learning business 12:00 – Year one of ownership: chaos, pregnancy & rebuilding from scratch 16:00 – Burnout as a system failure: staffing, protocols & corporate pressure 20:00 – Why veterinarians leave the field — and how to keep them 25:00 – Competition vs collaboration: fixing fragmentation in vet med 30:00 – Culture, boundaries & the evolution of authentic leadership 36:00 – Mentorship that works: how to truly support early-career DVMs 43:00 – Student debt myths, financing ownership & the truth about loans 50:00 – Retention, resilience & the profession’s path forward 55:00 – Lightning round: leadership, compassion & Dr. Tucker’s irreplaceable truth 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this video if you found value in this discussion! – Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments. – Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode. 📚 Resources Mentioned: – Veterinary Practice Rising socials: @veterinarypratice.rising – Winfield Veterinary Hospital 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Episode 53 #burnout #veterinaryleadership #vetownership #IrreplaceableTruths

    59 min
  8. Mentors, Mistakes & Mirror Tests | Legacy Lessons from Dr. Bob Weedon, DVM | Irreplaceable Truths

    12/08/2025

    Mentors, Mistakes & Mirror Tests | Legacy Lessons from Dr. Bob Weedon, DVM | Irreplaceable Truths

    What defines a great mentor—and what happens when integrity is tested under pressure? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and his mentor Dr. Bob Weedon, DVM, MPH for a powerful, reflective episode of Irreplaceable Truths. From the rabies case that changed his career to teaching hundreds of students how to operate with courage and compassion, Dr. Weedon shares the lessons that shaped his leadership, mindset, and legacy. This conversation explores integrity, mentorship, humility, and the lifelong pursuit of purpose—the elements that turn veterinary medicine into a calling. 🎧 What you’ll discover: – The rabies case that redefined accountability and courage in crisis – How mentorship creates generational impact in veterinary medicine – The “mirror test”: self-evaluation through integrity and discipline – Stoic philosophy and ikigai—finding peace and purpose through service – Leadership lessons on humility, burnout, and rediscovering your “why” 🐾 Who will love this episode: – Veterinarians & students seeking guidance and grounding – Mentors, educators, and team leaders in animal care – Anyone balancing duty, burnout, and faith-driven purpose 🎬 Timestamps: 00:00 – The mirror test: living with integrity when no one’s watching 06:18 – Mentorship and medicine: shaping the next generation of DVMs 17:50 – The rabies case: crisis, leadership, and moral clarity 31:20 – Fighter-pilot mentality and teaching under pressure 47:05 – Stoicism, ikigai, and finding purpose after burnout 1:05:40 – Legacy and gratitude: what endures when the work is done 🔔 Stay Connected: – Like this episode if it inspired reflection on your own mentors – Share your takeaway in the comments or tag @Pacific.Lens.Studios – Subscribe & hit the bell to never miss an episode of Irreplaceable Truths 📚 Resources Mentioned: – Alliance for Contraception in Cats and Dogs (ACCD) – “An Inconvenient Truth” – on TNVR and feral cat management – Ikigai framework (Reason for being) – Stoic philosophy and the choice of attitude under pressure 🎧 Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. 📸 Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios 📥 Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com Ep. 52 #VeterinaryPodcast #Mentorship #IrreplaceableTruths

    1h 26m
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About

“The veterinary podcast that tells the truth they never taught in school.” Welcome to Irreplaceable Truths — where real conversations meet real medicine. Hosted by Dr. Gershon Alaluf, this podcast strips away the fluff and dives into the raw, unfiltered realities of life in veterinary practice. From burnout to breakthroughs, difficult clients to emotional growth, every episode offers honest stories, practical insight, and a sense of solidarity for those who care deeply—for animals and for each other. Why You’ll Tune In: Real stories, not platitudes — wild emergencies, hard-earned wins, and painful lessons that made better professionalsVeterans teaching vets — insights from seasoned veterinarians, educators, and technicians who’ve lived itA dose of raw humanity — mental health, career resilience, boundaries, and growth in a high-pressure fieldCareer wisdom + self-care tips — made for early career vets, students, assistants, and those considering the field Who It’s For: Veterinary students, grads, and technicians navigating real clinic lifeEducators and mentors shaping the next generationAnimal lovers craving an honest backstage pass into vet medicinePractice managers building emotionally intelligent teamsAnyone feeling overwhelmed, overworked, or underprepared What Makes Us Different: No filtered soundbites—just real talk. Honest, grounded, and sometimes hilariously humanGuests from all corners of the field sharing insight you won’t find in textbooksA balance of heart and strategy—because medicine is personal, and so is this profession New episodes weekly on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms. Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

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