The Joyful DVM Podcast: Empowering Veterinary Professionals

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the topic of refusing service to clients who come to veterinary hospitals while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  Dr. Wise emphasizes the importance of utilizing the ability to refuse service and shares a personal experience where a client who was chemically altered came into her hospital.  She discusses how this situation is becoming more common in...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise explores the idea of whether it is possible to change one's life. She emphasizes the importance of making small decisions every day to achieve lasting change and encourage listeners to believe that change is possible.  Dr. Wise discusses the brain's resistance to change and the need to let go of limiting beliefs, self-judgment, and societal expectations.  S...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the importance of prioritizing oneself, particularly in the demanding profession of veterinary medicine.  Dr. Wise emphasizes the significance of self-care for maintaining mental and emotional wellbeing, and challenges the notion that prioritizing oneself is selfish or irresponsible.  She encourages listeners to focus on their own desires and interests, rat...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise reflects on her 50th birthday, and encourages self-reflection. She poses the question, "What are you committed to?" and shares her own experiences of realizing commitments that did not align with her goals and dreams.  She emphasize the importance of self-awareness and intentional decision-making, and shares the origin of the Vet Life Academy program, which...

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise discusses the concept of life purpose and its relationship to veterinary medicine. Dr. Wise emphasizes the importance of separating one's career in veterinary medicine from their true identity as a human being and offers resources to support personal and professional growth. She encourages veterinary professionals to disentangle their career definition from their...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the fear of negotiation when looking for a new job.  She emphasizes the importance of approaching the job search and negotiation process with clarity and confidence.  Job seekers are encouraged to dispel the myth that they have to accept any offer and instead approach interviews with curiosity and a clear understanding of what they want in a position.  Dr....

"Energy vampires" are individuals who drain our energy and affect our emotions. As a veterinary professional, Dr. Cari Wise understands the significant impact anxiety and stress can have on those around us.  In this episode, she shares her personal experience as a practice owner and how it affected her interactions with her staff. It is crucial to recognize and understand the impact of a...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the topic of getting fired as a veterinary professional. Dr. Wise emphasizes that getting fired does not mean that the individual is bad or not cut out for the job, and encourages individuals to approach the situation with curiosity and compassion, seeking to understand the experience and learn from it.  The importance of organizations providing clear emplo...

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise shares about her experiences with unexpected events throughout the week. She discusses how unexpected events are a normal part of veterinary medicine and emphasizes the importance of recognizing that fear is often the root cause of the desire to control.  Dr. Wise suggests focusing on emotional wellbeing and choosing our reactions to unexpected events. Despite the cha...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the importance of setting boundaries, particularly with oneself. This boundary pertains to where one allows their focus to rest when they are not at work.  Dr. Wise explains that many veterinary professionals tend to obsessively think about cases and events from work, which can lead to negative emotions and anxiety.  She shares that it is crucial to set a m...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise, discusses the importance of time blocking and intentional focus to increase productivity and reduce overwhelm.  She emphasizes the need to evaluate and eliminate non-essential tasks from the to-do list, and shares her personal experience of using time blocking to complete a stack of 19 medical records efficiently.  Dr. Wise encourages veterinary professionals to cha...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise emphasizes the importance of continuing to make efforts even when we don't see immediate results, using a personal story about befriending a feral cat to illustrate the point.  Dr. Wise encourages listeners to have faith that their efforts are accumulating beneath the surface and that eventually, their desired outcomes will become a reality.  She concludes by re...

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise shares about the concept of resistance and its impact on our ability to pursue activities that bring us joy and fulfillment.  She defines resistance as the internal pushback we experience when we want to do something but struggle to take action and provides examples, such as wanting to spend more time on a hobby or becoming more physically fit, but finding excuses or...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the issue of bullying in veterinary organizations. She defines bullying as adverse behavior exhibited by veterinary professionals towards their colleagues, such as being short-tempered, avoiding conversations, making backhanded comments, and setting others up for failure.  Dr. Wise emphasizes that bullying is often perpetuated by individuals in leadership p...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise talks about the grounding force that birds provide in her life and encourages listeners to find their own grounding anchors. Dr. Wise explains how birds bring her back to what is real and help her navigate the chaos of the world. She encourages listeners to identify their own grounding items or activities and reminds them that veterinary medicine is just one part of...

In the first episode of the Joyful DVM podcast in 2024, Dr. Cari Wise addresses the issue of client shaming by veterinary professionals on social media. She emphasizes that blaming clients for the stress of the veterinary profession is not productive.  The habit of client shaming, particularly in relation to euthanasia, is discussed.  Dr. Wise expresses concern about a specific post that shamed cl...

In this episode, Dr. Wise shares the importance of prioritizing downtime in the veterinary profession. She explains that without regular downtime, individuals become stuck in a repetitive cycle, lacking the opportunity to create a different life experience. Downtime allows for the exploration of emotions and desires, which can lead to personal growth and the realization of a more fulfilling life....

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise discusses five important questions to ask oneself before the start of a new year.  These questions are meant to help individuals create something bigger and more expansive for themselves in 2024 or as they begin any new journey.  The first question is about recognizing and acknowledging the successes from the previous year. The second question focuses on identifying d...

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise discusses the challenges that veterinary professionals face when diagnostic testing comes back negative or normal. She shares a recent personal experience of feeling shame and self-judgment when expensive diagnostic testing came back normal , and explains that this is a common reaction among veterinarians when tests don't provide the expected answers. Dr. Wise em...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise explores the concept of avoidance culture and how humans have a tendency to try to control and avoid uncomfortable emotions.  This behavior is rooted in our evolutionary past, where avoiding discomfort was necessary for survival. However, in the modern world, there are very few truly dangerous things that we need to avoid.  Despite this, we still spend a significant...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the process of building confidence.  She reflects on her own experience of starting at a new veterinary hospital and emphasizes the importance of giving oneself time and opportunity to become confident in new situations.  Dr. Wise encourages listeners to challenge negative narratives and "what ifs" that hold them back from taking risks and trying...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise discusses the impact of age in veterinary medicine.  She explores how age can affect the perspectives and assumptions of both clients and veterinary professionals.  Older clients may be assumed to have limited financial means or knowledge about veterinary care, while younger clients may be judged as irresponsible or unknowledgeable.  Dr. Wise emphasizes the importanc...

In this episode Dr. Wise emphasizes the importance of recognizing that every person involved in veterinary medicine, whether they are professionals or clients, has their own personal lives and experiences that can impact their interactions.  She explains that it is easy to become offended or frustrated by the choices and behaviors of others, but it is crucial to remember that their actions are a r...

In this episode Dr. Cari Wise explores the impact of our thoughts and words on our lives and careers, explaining that what we focus on, we create more of energetically.  By shifting our mindset to one of abundance, we can attract more financial opportunities and success. This principle applies to other areas of our lives as well, such as weight loss or relationships.  Dr. Wise emphasizes the impor...

In this episode, Dr. Cari Wise talks about the importance of compassion in the veterinary experience, both for veterinary professionals and clients. She believes that by understanding each client's situation and allowing them to make decisions about their pet's care, veterinarians can create a judgment-free zone that fosters trust and improves the overall experience. Dr. Wise encourages...