Smarter Vet Financial Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Most financial plans don’t fail because of markets—they fail because of unplanned life events. In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko explain why risk is the silent plan killer for veterinarians and practice owners. They break down the real-world risks that can derail a plan, including disability, lawsuits, outdated legal documents, insuranc...

Send us Fan Mail If your finances feel more like a junk drawer than neatly folded laundry, this episode is for you. Tom and We kick off a five-part series by focusing on Step 1: getting financially organized so you can reduce stress, decision fatigue, and the “head-in-the-sand” feeling. You’ll hear a simple way to build a snapshot of your money—assets, debts, protection items, and cash flow—plus i...

Send us Fan Mail Going into a new year can bring a lot of financial stress—especially when you’re trying to control things you simply can’t. In this episode, we break down the big categories you can’t control (markets, inflation/interest rates, and unexpected life events) and the areas you can control (savings rate, spending decisions, risk/insurance, debt strategy, and your investing approach). Y...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Dr. Jennifer Bruns, Senior Director of Veterinary Relationships at PetSmart Veterinary Services, to explore the many paths a veterinary career can take.  Dr. Bruns shares her journey from cleaning kennels and chasing E. coli and salmonella as an epidemiologist to mentoring independent owners inside PetSmart l...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Baxtr founder Mark Hines to talk about how subscription-based wellness plans can transform access to care, client loyalty, and practice revenue.  Mark shares his unconventional journey from audio geek and home theater entrepreneur to building simple, powerful membership tools for dental and veterinary practic...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom sits down with Dr. Bob Murtaugh—founding dean of Rocky Vista University College of Veterinary Medicine, boarded internist and criticalist, and long-time leader in both academia and corporate practice.  Dr. Murtaugh shares how saying “yes” to unexpected opportunities—from running a teaching hospital in his 20s to helping sca...

Send us Fan Mail The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast welcomes Dr. Brent Mayabb, Global Chief Medical Officer at Royal Canin, for a candid conversation on purpose, communication, and leading across cultures. Brent shares how transparency and psychological safety help teams navigate hard cases, rising client expectations, and burnout risk. He offers a hopeful outlook for a new wave of private practice...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, hosts Tom Seeko and guest Eric Benke dive into the financial side of veterinary practice ownership, focusing on the power of key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive profitability and growth. They explore metrics like client retention, revenue per DVM, and net profit margin—explaining how tracking the right numbers can reveal...

Send us Fan Mail Should you pay off debt faster or focus on saving money? It’s one of the most common—and confusing—financial questions veterinarians face. In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack the trade-offs, emotions, and math behind debt repayment versus saving, sharing simple frameworks that help you find balance instead of burnout. Learn how to create financial freedom within your money habits,...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever paid less for something and later realized it cost you more in time, stress, or mistakes? In this episode, Tom and CJ break down one of the most confusing money concepts—value versus price—and how it shows up in everything from investing to client care. They share real-life examples that help veterinarians think beyond “what does it cost?” and start asking “what is i...

Send us Fan Mail Many veterinarians switch advisors for reasons that have nothing to do with performance—and everything to do with communication, clarity, and trust. In this episode, CJ and Tom unpack the most common breakpoints: “I never hear from them,” unclear fees and value, chasing returns without a real plan, and relationships that simply outgrow the advisor. They explain how to set expectat...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, Tom Seeko sits down with Dr. Molly McAllister , Global Chief Medical Officer at Mars Veterinary Health , for a candid conversation about growing as a leader, keeping your energy high, and making an impact that reaches far beyond individual appointments. Molly shares her non-linear path from equine and small-animal practice to e...

Send us Fan Mail Talking about money in VetMed shouldn’t feel taboo—but it often does. In this episode, Tom and CJ unpack why money talk triggers identity, emotion, and power dynamics for veterinarians, and how culture (and student loans) can make it worse. You’ll hear practical ways to build confidence—like tracking net worth yearly, setting values-based goals, and creating a guilt-free zone for...

Send us Fan Mail Your 60s are the crucial handoff from a paycheck to a “balance-sheet paycheck.” In this episode, Tom and CJ break down five common challenges veterinarians face in that decade: mindset shift, debt decisions (including mortgages), retirement income confidence, healthcare/Medicare gaps, and estate/legacy readiness. You’ll hear practical ways to align savings, risk, and taxes so your...

Send us Fan Mail Feeling the shift as you move through your 50s? In this candid episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett explore the decade when retirement becomes real, bodies change, and financial priorities shift in ways that can feel overwhelming. They talk about how to avoid risky investment moves, prepare for the realities of caring for both children and aging parents, and make wise choices around...

Send us Fan Mail 360 Vet Sales (free valuation & consult): 360VetSales.com Contact: kia@360vetsales.com | matthew@360vetsales.com Thinking about selling your hospital in the next 1–5 years—or just want to know your options? In this episode, Tom Seeko talks with Matt Arena (Founder) and Kia Banisadre (Business Development Officer) of 360 Vet Sales about what it really takes to prepare, go to ma...

Send us Fan Mail Your 40s can feel like the “crunch decade”—income peaks, expenses pile up, and retirement starts to feel real. In this episode, Tom Seeko and CJ Burnett unpack how to balance saving with lifestyle and college costs, avoid lifestyle creep, and shift from “set it and forget it” to intentional planning. They dig into career pivots and burnout in veterinary medicine, plus why insuranc...

Send us Fan Mail Your 30s can feel like a financial tug-of-war—student loans, mortgages, childcare, career moves, and even the first itch of practice ownership all competing for the same dollars. CJ and Tom break down how to set clear priorities, build a right-sized emergency fund (not a one-size-fits-all $1,000), and save while paying down debt so you’re not negotiating “this or that” when “this...

Send us Fan Mail Your 20s bring a whirlwind of firsts—new job, new income, new decisions—and most vets feel pulled between “pay off debt now” and “start living life.” In this episode, Tom and CJ share a balanced approach: build habits first, right-size your emergency fund, and save while paying loans so you don’t trade a 6% loan for 20% credit card debt later. You’ll hear simple boundaries to prev...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into the psychology of change—why some people chase it and others avoid it at all costs. From personal habits to financial planning, they explore how meaningful growth often demands stepping outside your comfort zone. You’ll hear insights on overcoming resistance, dealing with lifestyle creep, and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , Tom Seeko interviews Dr. Michelle Drake—veterinarian, author, and long-time practice owner. Dr. Drake shares how she built a mission-driven veterinary practice, the importance of planning and leadership, and why working on your business matters. She also discusses the challenges of staying independent and her transition into s...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into the often-overlooked emotional and behavioral side of financial planning. From the weight of student loans to the comfort of feeling financially secure, they unpack the different mindsets people have about their futures—and how those perspectives shape real-world outcomes. They explore how spending and...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko dive into a powerful yet often overlooked principle in both veterinary practices and financial planning: make it easy. They unpack how simplifying client interactions, streamlining internal processes, and being mindful of cognitive biases can drastically improve decision-making, satisfaction, and follo...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Smarter Vet Financial Podcast , hosts CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko unpack why even high earners often struggle to save—and what to do about it. After some lighthearted banter, they dive into the psychology behind spending and introduce a powerful solution: the Wealth Coordination Account (WCA) . This simple but strategic system involves routing all income into a...

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Smarter Vet Podcast, CJ Burnett and Tom Seeko break down what business owners need to know about selling their business — from why timing is critical to why age shouldn’t dictate your exit. They challenge traditional views of retirement, highlight the difference between revenue and true profit, and explain how intentional living and solid financial planning...