Vet Mind Works Podcast

What does trust really mean in veterinary medicine — and why does it matter so deeply for learning, leadership, wellbeing, and patient care? In this deep conversation, host Petra Agthe speaks with Stijn Niessen about trust as the foundation of healthy professional relationships and psychologically safe workplaces. Drawing from decades of experience in clinical practice, leadership and education, S...

In this episode, host Petra Agthe is joined by Dan Tipney and Jess Woolrich to explore Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and why communication matters so much for work in veterinary practice (and life in general!). Together, they unpack how the way we speak, listen, and respond directly affects psychological safety, team culture, and quality of care. The conversation also touches on emotional intelli...

What exactly is civility? Why does it matter? And how does it impact workplace culture?  In this insightful episode, host Petra is joined by Helen Silver MacMahon for a deep dive into this topic. Together, they explore aspects such as What civility really means The historical and philosophical roots of civil behavior How incivility undermines safety and performance in veterinary and legal professi...

"Who do I want to be in this moment?" What would happen if we would ask ourselves this question more often?  You can find one possible answer to this and other questions in this episode. Host Petra Agthe is joined by Julie Rosser, veterinary leader and CEO of the European Board of Specialisation, in a conversation about personal and professional growth, and about hope, agency and transfo...

Consider this for a moment: What if there were no difficult people?  What if it was more about difficult situations, circumstances and behaviours?  What if we could all learn to deal to engage more constructively with others in these difficult situations?  Our guest Phil Webb encourages us to do just this and he knows what he is talking about from working in a client facing role for most of his ca...

What if communication was the most important clinical skill we have?  And what does communication have to do with wellbeing and job satisfaction?  How can we learn to improve our communication skills?  Find out the answer to these and more questions in our most recent episode on clinical communication! Host Petra Agthe and our guest Helen Øvregaard dive deep into the topic and touch on related the...

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Mark Turner explore the power of an every day activity: listening. However, as so often, what seems a simple enough thing on the outside is actually a lot more difficult when we try to do it well.  And so it turns out that active listening is a skill that requires intention and sometimes a bit of practice. However, the benefits can be huge, becaus...

My guest on this episode is Victoria Johnson. Victoria is the Founder and CEO of VET.CT.  After graduating from Bristol Veterinary School, she worked in general practice before specialising in veterinary diagnostic imaging, becoming a European Diploma-holder in 2003.  Founded in 2009, VET.CT provides remote specialist expertise in imaging reporting to veterinary teams across the word. Victoria has...

In this episode, Clive Elwood hosts Amanda Boag. They discuss the similarities and the differences between leadership from the emergency room floor to the executive suite, and the importance of a unifying purpose. Amanda shares the important role models and how self-care and the support of others have been essential for her career. Amanda graduated from the University of Cambridge in 1998 and subs...

In today's episode host Petra Agthe and guest Megan Alderson are taking a deep dive into the fascinating topic of vulnerability. In their conversation they discuss what vulnerability means, how it relates to psychological safety and mental health, its role in leadership, importance of safe spaces, 'reading the room' and how to cultivate vulnerability as a skill. *This episode includ...

Amy Martin is a registered veterinary nurse with over 20 years’ experience in clinical veterinary practice including 17 years in leadership. She has a keen interest in the mental health and welfare of the veterinary team becoming recently published on the subject. Amy is a Schwartz Rounds facilitator and mentor for The Point of Care Foundation, which has led her to an interest in compassion and te...

Ian Battersby became a RCVS and European Specialist in Small animal medicine in 2005 and subsequent worked within a large referral centre (Davies Veterinary Specialists UK)  in which he held a number of positions including head of service and director. Alongside his clinical work, Ian participates in projects in which the companion animal sector can contribute to One Health. Of note, in 2012 he co...

In this episode, host Clive Elwood is joined by Daniella Dos Santos. Together, they explore Daniella’s journey into, and experience of, veterinary leadership through a tumultuous period for the world. They discuss the importance of seizing opportunities, holding to principles and developing self-understanding, as well as acknowledging the toll taken on leaders during times of crisis. And tortoises...

As we continue with our themes around interpersonal relationships at work, host Petra Agthe and our guest Georgina Sharman are exploring the topic of Inclusion and Diversity in this episode, which is an important component of building truly  psychologically safe workplaces.    00:55  Welcome to the episode 01:52.  Introducing Georgina Sharman 02:38  More about our partners VIN Europe 03:25  Welcom...

Join us diving into the topic of interpersonal relationships! We are starting the series off with an episode on compassion. Join host Petra Agthe and guests Katherine Wakelin and Megan Davis who take a deeper dive into this often misunderstood and undervalued skill.  The discussion includes: 00:00:54  Introduction to episode 00:02:02  Introducing Katherine and Megan 00:04:37  More from our partner...

In this episode, we are taking 'mind work' literally! Host Petra Agthe and her guest Debbie Robinson are exploring the topic of reframing, a technique with which we can intentionally try to think differently about an event, a situation or a person. This can help us to give us to separate thoughts that are helpful from those which are not, and also make us feel differently about the situa...

Have you ever wondered why people are behaving in different ways? And did you know that this can influence how we learn and grow? What motivates us to do something or stop doing it? In how far is it associated with our sense of control or confidence? This episode offers answers to these and more questions relating to self-motivation. In conversation with host Petra Agthe, our guest Lorien Waterer...

Poor Work-Life Balance is often quoted as a reason for job dissatisfaction and intention to leave in the veterinary profession, so what better reason to dive a bit deeper into this subject! Host Petra Agthe and our guest Sarah Schofield discuss many different aspects including:  Whether Work-Life Balance is a helpful term in the first place, and alternative terms Common reasons why our life may be...

The Vet Mind Works Podcast is back! In this slightly different episode without a guest, Petra explains what was behind the pause in the schedule and reflects on some topics which have been going through her mind in the last few months. Even though this episode is somewhat experimental as it was unscripted we hope that it will be of some interest, as it relates to some previous episodes and also pr...

We all know that veterinary work  (and life in general for that matter!) can be stressful. So how can we make sure that we navigate the ups and downs the best way we can? Join host Petra, who has invited Rachel Bowron to explore a whole array of tools in the coping toolbox together, and explain how they applied some of these tools in their own lives. Timestamps: 00:56 Introduction to episode 02:07...

In this episode, host Petra Agthe and guest Katie Ford are looking at a previously covered topic from a specific perspective: The skill of self-compassion and how this can help us to navigate imposterism or imposter feelings (more commonly known as imposter syndrome, which is why we stuck to it in the title). In the conversation, Katie shares her own experiences and helpful insights. We are also t...

Welcome to another juicy episode! This time, host Petra is exploring the topic of self-regulation with Crina Dragu, who works as a veterinary dentist and has had a very diverse life experience. This is a deep conversation about how to master the challenges of life in general and of veterinary work in particular using the skill of finding 'calmness in uncomfortable situations'.  Full cont...

Courage is something often associated with great bravery and heroism, but what if it was actually about something more subtle and quiet? What if it was a life skill for every day? In this episode, host Petra had the great pleasure to talk to veterinary specialist, CPD provider and fellow podcaster Scott Kilpatrick, who brings a lot of wisdom and lived experience to the topic of courage. Scott expl...

This is a deep dive into the topic of being good enough! Host Petra Agthe is exploring the topic with guests Clive Elwood and Ruth Serlin, who have many insights to share. Timestamps: 00:00:56 Introduction to episode 00:03:49 About our partner VIN Europe 00:04:34 Welcoming Clive and Ruth 00:05:08 What does 'good enough' mean? 00:21:04 How Clive and Ruth have found their 'good enough...

Today's episode is all about a delicate subject and deeply unpleasant emotion, namely shame. Shame can be a powerful driver of behaviours and attitudes in human medicine, impacting clinical practice, medical education, experiences relating to medical errors, wellbeing of healthcare workers and more. In this deeply insightful episode, host Petra Agthe and shame researcher Professor Luna Doleza...