The Veterinary Culture Lab is your science-backed, real-world blueprint for culture renovation in veterinary medicine. Hosted by Andi and Josh, Positive Change Agents from Flourish Veterinary Consulting, each episode blends research on wellbeing and workplace culture with humor, heart, and actionable strategies. Expect practical tips you can apply right away - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
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Données mises à jour le 26/09/2026
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029: Skip the Empty Calories: How to Give Feedback That Nourishes
Saison 1 · Épisode 29
mardi 22 septembre 2026 • Durée 49:30
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh dig into something veterinary leaders hear all the time: people need more feedback. But what if the real issue isn’t how much feedback we give—but how nourishing that feedback actually is?
Grounded in research exploring strengths-based feedback, work engagement, and job crafting, this conversation looks at what happens when feedback goes beyond “good job” or “here’s what you need to fix.” The research suggests that when people receive feedback that helps them recognize and understand their strengths, they may feel more energized at work—and be more likely to proactively shape their work in ways that help them thrive.
From generic praise and corrective conversations to self-efficacy and job crafting, Andi and Josh unpack what strengths-based feedback actually sounds like and how veterinary teams can use it without ignoring performance problems or turning feedback into empty praise.
You’ll hear:
Why more feedback isn’t necessarily better feedback
What makes strengths-based feedback different from generic praise
How strengths-based feedback connects to engagement and job crafting
Why self-efficacy may influence how people respond to feedback
Practical ways to make both positive and corrective feedback more useful
People don’t need an all-you-can-eat buffet of feedback—they need feedback with some nutritional value. When we help people understand what’s strong in them, why it matters, and where they can use it next, feedback becomes more than something we give. It becomes something people can actually use.
Resource Links: Episode Article:
Title: Linking Strengths-Based Supervisor Feedback to Job Crafting: The Moderating Role of Self-Efficacy
Authors: Isabeau Van Strydonck, Vincent Goossens, Arnold B. Bakker, Evangelia Demerouti, Adelien Decramer, & Mieke Audenaert
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps
00:00 Heatwave Catch-Up
08:12 Empty vs Nourishing Feedback
14:16 Strengths-Based Feedback Study
17:11 Key Definitions and Findings
22:22 Why Feedback Type Matters
23:58 What Strength Feedback Is
25:24 Job Crafting Energy Loop
28:03 Better Not More Feedback
29:02 Self Efficacy Surprise
36:56 Turning Research Into Practice
37:28 Upgrade Praise With Four Steps
39:35 Help Others See Strengths
41:57 Strengths In Corrective Talks
44:00 Dose Makes Poison Wrap
46:40 Closing And Call To Action
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
028:Hard Things Happen: How Adversity Builds Resilience
Saison 1 · Épisode 28
mardi 8 septembre 2026 • Durée 44:26
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a surprising question: what if the goal of wellbeing isn’t to eliminate adversity—but to help people navigate it well?
Grounded in research examining how cumulative lifetime adversity influences our response to future stress, this conversation explores an unexpected finding: people who had experienced moderate adversity showed more resilient responses to new stressors than those who had experienced either very little or very high adversity.
From supporting versus rescuing to the role of leaders, teams, and workplace systems, Andi and Josh unpack what this research means for veterinary medicine—and how we can help inevitable challenges become opportunities for learning and growth rather than simply another source of burnout.
You’ll hear:
What research tells us about the relationship between adversity and resilience
Why eliminating every challenge may not actually be the goal
The difference between supporting someone and rescuing them
Why resilience shouldn’t be treated as an individual responsibility
How leaders and teams can help people process difficult experiences together
Practical ways to create challenge that builds confidence without tipping into overload
Veterinary medicine will never be adversity-free. But while we can’t always change the challenges people face, we can shape what surrounds them—because culture renovation isn’t about eliminating adversity. It’s about making sure people don’t face it alone.
Resource Links: Episode Article:
Title: An Upside to Adversity? Moderate Cumulative Lifetime Adversity Is Associated With Resilient Responses in the Face of Controlled Stressors
Authors:Mark D. Seery, Raphael J. Leo, Shannon P. Lupien, Cheryl L. Kondrak, and Jessica L. Almonte
DOI: 10.1177/0956797612469210
Flourish Academy - Resilience courses for leaders and teams
027: Mistakes Matter: What Great Veterinary Teams Do Next
mardi 25 août 2026 • Durée 47:26
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore one of the most inevitable—and emotionally charged—parts of veterinary medicine: mistakes. Grounded in research on error management culture, psychological capital, job satisfaction, and wellbeing, this conversation examines why the way a team responds to mistakes may be just as important as the mistakes themselves.
Rather than asking how to eliminate every error, the research encourages a different question: What kind of culture do we create when mistakes happen? Through personal stories, practical leadership strategies, and evidence-based discussion, Andi and Josh explore how our responses to mistakes shape trust, learning, resilience, and the willingness to speak up in the future.
You'll hear:
What the research reveals about error management culture and its relationship to wellbeing
Why mistakes are powerful cultural moments that shape trust, learning, and psychological safety
The difference between an error prevention culture and an error management culture
Practical strategies to replace blame with curiosity, learning, and accountability
How leaders and team members can create environments where people recover, grow, and continue contributing after mistakes
Whether you lead a veterinary team or simply want to help create a healthier workplace, this episode offers a hopeful, science-backed perspective on turning inevitable mistakes into opportunities for stronger cultures, better learning, and more resilient teams.
Resource Links
Episode Article:
Title Embracing Errors at Work – How Error Management Culture, Psychological Capital, and Job Satisfaction Relate to Individual Well-Being:
Authors: Birgit Stephan, Matthias F. C. Hudecek, Dieter Frey, Eva Lermer
026: Passion Isn't the Problem: Building Sustainable Equine Careers
Saison 1 · Épisode 26
mardi 11 août 2026 • Durée 49:27
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what happens when a lifelong passion becomes a profession—and why loving horses alone is not enough to sustain a career in equine medicine.
Grounded in recent international research on employee engagement and work satisfaction in equine veterinary professionals, this conversation examines the workplace factors that help passionate people remain engaged, fulfilled, and committed to the profession. The study identifies four key drivers of engagement: pride and purpose, company culture and leadership, working conditions and compensation, and team culture and learning opportunities.
From stories about growing up as "horse kids" to conversations about identity, autonomy, mentorship, and meaningful work, Andi and Josh explore why equine medicine is both uniquely rewarding and uniquely vulnerable to sustainability challenges. Together, they unpack practical culture renovation strategies that help leaders create workplaces where passionate professionals can continue doing the work they love—without losing themselves in the process.
You will hear:
Why equine veterinary professionals often identify as "horse kids" long before becoming veterinary professionals
What new international research reveals about engagement and work satisfaction in equine medicine
The four workplace factors that most strongly influence sustainable equine careers
Why autonomy, mentorship, and learning opportunities matter more than many leaders realize
How aligning personal values with organizational values can strengthen engagement
Practical culture renovation ideas that support meaningful, sustainable careers for the entire veterinary team
This episode is an invitation to rethink sustainability—not as asking passionate people to care less, but as intentionally creating cultures that allow them to keep caring for the work, their patients, and their own horses for years to come.
Resource Links:
Episode Article
Title: Engage and Enjoy: Investigating Predictors of Employee Engagement and Work Satisfaction in Equine Veterinary Professionals
025:The Motivation Effect: Building Workplaces People Want To Be a Part Of
Saison 1 · Épisode 25
mardi 28 juillet 2026 • Durée 42:42
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a deceptively simple question: what actually keeps people engaged at work?
Grounded in research on positive leadership, workplace climate, and employee engagement, this conversation unpacks how the everyday interactions between people shape motivation, burnout, and the decision to stay—or leave. Because it turns out that engagement is not something people bring with them to work each day. It is something that is continuously influenced by the culture around them.
From recognition and communication to connection and purpose, this episode highlights how workplace climate is built one interaction at a time. And while leaders certainly play a role, the findings suggest that creating an engaging workplace is not reserved for those with titles—everyone contributes to the environment people experience each day.
You’ll hear: • What the research reveals about the relationship between workplace climate, burnout, and engagement • Why motivation is often a cultural outcome rather than an individual responsibility • How small moments of recognition, connection, and support shape the employee experience • The concept of relational reserves and why strong workplace relationships matter during difficult times • Practical ways every member of the veterinary team can help create a workplace people want to be part of
Whether you are leading a team, supporting your coworkers, or simply trying to make work a little better for the people around you, this episode offers an evidence-based and hopeful perspective on what keeps people engaged—and how culture influences that more than we might think.
Resource Links:
Episode Article:
Title: Self-Determination Theory and Workplace Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis
Authors:Martin S. Hagger & Kaylyn McAnally Star
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/smi.70151
Flourish Academy -
024: Compassion Satisfaction: The Protective Power of Meaningful Work
Saison 1 · Épisode 24
mardi 14 juillet 2026 • Durée 43:18
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a powerful and deeply human question: what helps veterinary professionals stay emotionally connected to meaningful work — even when the work itself is hard?
Grounded in research on compassion satisfaction, resilience, psychological distress, and life satisfaction, this conversation unpacks the idea that wellbeing in veterinary medicine is not just about reducing burnout. It is also about understanding the emotional protection that can come from helping others, contributing to a team, and experiencing moments of meaning and impact in everyday practice life.
You’ll hear:
What “compassion satisfaction” actually means — and why it matters in veterinary medicine
Why meaningful work can feel both emotionally exhausting and deeply fulfilling at the same time
The surprising role compassion satisfaction may play in protecting wellbeing
How veterinary culture sometimes unintentionally rewards self-sacrifice
Practical ways teams and leaders can build cultures that support meaning, contribution, and connection
Whether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, student, CSR, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply relatable look at how meaningful work, human connection, and healthy culture can help sustain the people doing this important work.
Because compassion satisfaction is not just something veterinary professionals stumble into. It is something healthy cultures can help create.
Resource Links:
Episode Article:
Title: Life satisfaction, psychological distress, compassion satisfaction and resilience: when the pleasure of helping others protects veterinary staff from emotional suffering
Authors: Maria Manuela Peixoto and Olga Cunha
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11259-024-10510-0
023: The Retention Effect: Communication During Crisis
Saison 1 · Épisode 23
mardi 30 juin 2026 • Durée 51:24
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore what actually makes people stay in veterinary workplaces during difficult times—and why communication may be one of the most powerful retention tools we have.
Grounded in research on positive communication and The Great Resignation, this conversation unpacks how transparency, flexibility, support, and trust shape the way veterinary professionals experience stress, crisis, and connection at work. Because it turns out—people do not just remember the hard days…they remember how those hard days felt, and who they felt them with.
From COVID leadership lessons to everyday “mini-crises” inside veterinary hospitals, this episode highlights how communication is not just something teams do—it becomes part of the culture itself. And when leaders and coworkers communicate with honesty, humanity, and care, resilience becomes something people build together instead of carrying alone.
You’ll hear: • Why positive communication plays a major role in employee retention • What veterinary teams remember most during stressful or uncertain moments • How transparency and flexibility strengthen trust during crisis • Why “micro moments” of support can shape workplace culture over time • How structuration theory explains the way communication creates culture • Why most veterinary communication training misses the other 98% of workplace conversations • Practical ways leaders and teams can create cultures people actually want to stay in
Whether you are leading through uncertainty, navigating a difficult season with your team, or simply trying to create a workplace where people feel supported and valued, this episode offers a practical and hopeful look at how communication shapes culture—and why the way we talk to each other during hard times matters more than we think.
Resource Links:
Episode Article:
Title: The Structuration of Positive Communication Experiences: The Case of the Great Resignation
022: Thriving in Vet Med: We Have the Ingredients, Now We Just Need the Recipe
Saison 1 · Épisode 22
mardi 16 juin 2026 • Durée 50:46
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a hopeful but important question: what if veterinary medicine already has many of the ingredients needed for people and teams to thrive? Grounded in research on meaningful work, burnout, resilience, leadership, and workplace wellbeing, this conversation challenges the idea that vet med is fundamentally broken. Instead, the episode explores how purpose, connection, growth, and supportive culture already exist within the profession — and what leaders can do to intentionally build environments where those strengths can flourish.
You’ll hear:
Why meaningful work is one of the strongest protective factors against burnout
How leadership behaviors shape engagement, trust, and workplace wellbeing
The role autonomy, connection, and recognition play in helping teams thrive
Why resilience is not just an individual responsibility
What veterinary technicians and nurses say they actually need from workplaces
How poor culture quietly erodes even deeply passionate teams
Practical ways leaders can strengthen thriving without waiting for a complete overhaul
Why vet med may not need saving nearly as much as it needs renovation
Whether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, student, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply human look at what thriving can realistically look like in veterinary medicine.
Because thriving in vet med is not about finding brand-new ingredients. It is about finally learning how to use the ones we already have.
Resource Links:
Episode Article:
Title: The Life of Meaning: A model of the Positive Contribution to Well-Being from Veterinary Work.
Authors:Martin Cake, Melinda Ball, Naomi Bickly, and David Bartram
021:Feedback in Veterinary Teams: What Actually Builds Trust?
Saison 1 · Épisode 21
mardi 2 juin 2026 • Durée 38:58
In this episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi and Josh explore a question that hits a nerve for many veterinary professionals: why does feedback so often feel threatening instead of helpful?
Grounded in brand-new veterinary research on psychological safety, communication quality, and turnover intention, this episode unpacks how the way feedback is delivered can shape trust, team culture, and whether people choose to stay in a practice long term. Rather than treating feedback as simply correcting mistakes, this conversation reframes feedback as a relational and cultural tool that directly impacts psychological safety.
You’ll hear:
Why the phrase “Can I give you some feedback?” instantly puts many people on the defensive
What psychological safety actually means in veterinary teams
Why supervisor feedback has such a strong influence on retention
The surprising role coworker feedback plays in shaping workplace culture
How leaders create the emotional tone of a practice through everyday communication
The difference between corrective feedback and growth-oriented conversations
Practical ways veterinary leaders can improve feedback culture and psychological safety
Whether you are a veterinary technician, assistant, veterinarian, manager, or practice owner, this episode offers a science-backed and deeply practical look at how communication shapes culture from the inside out.
Because thriving veterinary teams are not built through fear of feedback. They are built through conversations that create trust.
Resource Links
Episode Article
Title: A cross-sectional study exploring associations between psychological safety, employee turnover intention and feedback skills in veterinary organisations Authors:Olivia Oginska, Michelle McArthur, Amy Zadow, Nic Gibson and Martin Cake
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/vetr.70498
Flourish Academy -
020:THRIVE-ing is Built, Not Found: Lessons From Zimbabwe
Saison 1 · Épisode 20
mardi 19 mai 2026 • Durée 01:01:24
This episode is best experienced IN FULL!!
We recorded this live in Zimbabwe during the THRIVE veterinary wellbeing retreat—and the video version brings it all to life. From wildlife encounters to breathtaking landscapes and powerful human moments, you can watch the full experience unfold on YouTube here.
In this special episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, Andi records live from Zimbabwe during the World Wide Vets THRIVE retreat—joined by co-host Dani Herbst to explore what it really means to thrive in veterinary medicine.
Grounded in research on emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians, this conversation unpacks a powerful insight: emotional intelligence does not simply develop with experience—it is shaped by the environments we are part of.
And when the research points to mental health, social support, and time spent outdoors as key drivers of emotional intelligence…this episode brings those findings to life in real time.
Through conversations with veterinary professionals attending THRIVE, you will hear how connection, reflection, and stepping away from the day-to-day demands of practice can shift perspective, build emotional capacity, and create meaningful change.
From honest reflections to moments of humor and insight, this episode highlights how wellbeing is not just an individual effort—it is something we build together.
You’ll hear:
What the research says about emotional intelligence in veterinary medicine
How social support reduces isolation and builds connection
The impact of time outdoors on perspective and wellbeing
Why experiences like THRIVE can support real growth
Reflections from veterinary professionals experiencing this work firsthand
Whether you are feeling energized or exhausted, this episode invites you to consider what it might look like to create the conditions that help you—and your team—truly THRIVE.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps
00:00 Adversity Chat
05:24 Wellbeing And Stress
07:35 Would You Erase Hardship
11:48 Study Setup And Methods
16:24 Moderate Adversity Wins
19:08 Leaders Shape Resilience
22:20 Support Versus Rescue
30:08 Debriefs And Mastery
35:02 Coaching After Failure
38:51 Resilience Training Plug
41:10 Florida Man Finale
42:39 Wrap Up And Goodbye
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps: 00:00 Mistakes Shape Culture
08:42 Lessons From Leadership
16:16 Culture Gets Smarter or Scarier
17:16 Paper and Key Concepts
21:01 Study Design and Findings
24:32 Coddling vs Correction
26:17 Why Leaders Struggle
35:33 Curiosity Not Blame
40:33 Recovery Pathway After Errors
43:27 Choose What Teams Learn
43:57 Florida Man
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps:
00:00 Welcome and weather
06:02 Horse People Identity
11:53 Passion And Exploitation
13:54 Study Overview And Scope
17:45 Four Engagement Drivers
23:17 Culture Keeps People
24:52 The Dark Side of Calling
27:38 Systems That Support Boundaries
30:30 Autonomy Versus Micromanagement
33:35 Career Stages and Balance
37:06 Culture Renovation Playbook
41:09 Values Alignment in Practice
44:58 Wrap Up and Florida Headline
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps:
03:01 Meaningful Work Not Enough
08:30 Self Determination Theory Paper
11:15 Core Needs Explained
13:17 Meta Analysis Findings
15:16 Takeaway Purpose Limits
19:25 Takeaway Pressure Costs
27:03 Takeaway Leaders Matter
28:40 Action Steps for Leaders
30:50 Auditing Needs in Decisions
33:51 Andi Adds Feedback Loops
36:40 Key Lesson Recap
38:47 Florida Man
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps:
01:53 Vet Med Paradox
04:04 Boulder Cat Case
15:06 Study Focus and Variables
16:33 Compassion Satisfaction Explained
17:41 Key Findings and Shock Absorbers
23:55 When Meaning Gets Weaponized
26:39 Building Healthier Systems
37:54 Wrap Up and Florida Man
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps: 00:00 Welcome and Catch Up
06:17 Leading Through COVID
14:58 Study Overview and Methods
21:36 Key Findings Positive Communication
23:12 Why Leaders Struggle to Be Transparent
25:41 Flexibility Builds Trust
26:47 Flexibility Builds Culture
32:35 Everyone Shapes Culture
48:09 Florida Man Finale
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps:
00:29 Late Night Hockey
09:35 Hard Versus Meaningful
13:06 Why We Focus Negative
18:23 COVID Client Bias
22:00 Research Review
23:56 Meaningful Vet Work
24:51 Eudaimonic Wellbeing
26:22 Drivers of Thriving
27:23 Stress Satisfaction Paradox
32:06 Wellbeing Garden Metaphor
35:39 Cultivation Over Balance
37:32 Make Meaning Visible
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps
00:00 Why Feedback Feels Threatening
05:18 New Vet Med Study Tease
06:03 When Feedback Lands Well
07:44 Collaboration Builds Trust
10:59 Retention Beyond Pay
13:15 Study Methods and Sample
15:58 Manager Feedback Drives Retention
16:48 Coworker Feedback and Safety
21:08 Leaders Set Emotional Tone
25:27 Feedback as Relationship Tool
28:14 Culture Renovation Playbook
37:13 Closing and Sign Off
Something's not working in vet med. You know it. We know it. So, let's actually talk about it. Share your voice in this 5 min. anonymous survey. We want to hear from you.
Title: Improved mental health, social support, and time outdoors are associated with higher emotional intelligence in early-career veterinarians: A longitudinal study
At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth.
Timestamps:
02:06 Meet Dani Herbst
05:22 Mental Health Stigma
08:54 Dani’s Path to Purpose
13:11 Worldwide Vets Mission
14:54 Inside the Thrive Retreat
22:32 Emotional Intelligence Study
25:46 Findings and Thrive Validation
31:55 Vulnerability and Support
34:49 Delegates Share
37:14 Wellbeing Skills For Leaders
48:26 Safari CE And Connection
51:43 Grounding Outdoors Reset
54:39 Rapid Fire Delegate Takeaways
59:57 Laughs And Farewell
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