In today’s episode, I’m joined by James Glass, a Vetlife trustee, who shares not only his deep insights into the vital work Vetlife does but also his own personal experiences within the veterinary profession. Our conversation explores the core missions and organisation of Vetlife.
 In the second half of our chat, we challenge the stigma. James and I approach the topic of suicide within the profession in a practical, scientific but compassionate way, sharing information that could help those in need or even save lives. We handle this with care, but I encourage anyone who may find this challenging to listen with discretion. Remember, support is always available and I have included some links below.

Timestamps:

3'14" Vetlife's history and missions
7'20" The Helpline
12'40" Health Support
17'35" Financial Support
27'20" 2024 campaign on Neurodiversity
30'50" Why the ever increasing popularity of the Helpline?
35'20" The "S" word- why it is important to speak openly about it
44'20" How to approach someone of concern
48'50" Potential factors to a higher suicide rate
59'20" Suicide prevention and mental health awareness trainings
1.4'10" Providing support after an attempt or during bereavement
1.7'40" Volunteers, ambassadors and fundraising.

Resources:

Vetlife:

 - information and help available https://www.vetlife.org.uk/how-we-can-help/

 - volunteering opportunities https://www.vetlife.org.uk/get-involved/

- support through financial giving / donations https://www.vetlife.org.uk/donate/

Mental Health First Aid 

 RCVS-MMI-MHFATraining

https://mhfaengland.org/individuals/adult/

Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide:

https://uksobs.com/

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

In this episode, Anna Schumann shares her unique career path, transitioning from a specialised veterinary nurse to a dedicated wildlife conservationist. We discuss her diverse career, from emergency care and practice management to her passion for volunteering in global conservation efforts. She now works with the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, helping protect elephants and their habitats. Tune in for insights into the wide-ranging opportunities within the vet profession and the crucial role of conservation.


3'37'' Curiosity, transferable skills and a positive attitude

4'37" the use and pull of clinical work

8'45" Flashback: how the profession has changed for the better or not

19'45" the struggles of clinical work

21' Current role at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust and conservation project

27' Elephant/ human conflict

29' Bees and the middle path

32' A real passion for volunteer work

36' No regrets

39'45" Making connections at the root of diversifying

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

Vet Vibes detours in Indonesia to meet different great apes: some mesmerising orangutans and their human advocates. One of them, in particular, comes on the channel to share his wisdom and philosophy about conservation challenges. Leif Cocks and his primary love for orangutans has developed in a lifetime project to rescue the Indonesian rainforest and all the entitled species that call it home.

If you wish to donate or get more information about Leif's charity:
https://www.theorangutanproject.org

This episode Layout:

* Introduction
* 3:45 Orangutans as an umbrella species
*6:20 Habitat loss and other threats
*8:30 What makes conservation projects sustainable
*13:00 The importance of growth at an individual and organisational level
*14:58 Satellite operations or the holistic mission of the Orangutan Project
*20:00 Living a life of meaning and purpose
*24:30 How to choose an ethical wildlife tour
*28:50 Orangutan culture and the species' survival
*33:50 Sustainable palm oil vs the real challenges of conservation
*41:30 The Orangutan Project

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After a few weeks-gap, here is the latest and future news for the channel, along with a special treat! 
Stay tuned x

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How understanding and embracing neurodiversity can make a better world for everyone.

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For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

Jessica dives deep into her leadership experience and how, with a strong management team, they successfully created a very positive work culture. She details their commitment to minimising negative stress for the staff with a very tailored and individual approach and how what can be perceived as an immediate financial loss can reveal a long-term return on investment.

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

Teodora is a Romanian vet who immigrated with her husband after graduating. She shares her early career hurdles with authenticity. She also reflects on the current challenges of employment vs the freedom of being a locum, particularly in the context of work/life balance for a young mother.
From building clinical skills to the language barrier, mental health and mistake culture, it surely gets real!

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

Rachael Paul is a headhunter and coach in personal development who reveals her unique point of view on the vet profession. Throughout this episode, she delivers the keys to job satisfaction and employee retention and shares her approach to successful leadership. 

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

In this episode, I’m joined by Lacey Pitcher, a true multi-talented professional in the veterinary world. She’s a proud registered veterinary nurse with a strong passion for advocacy and community-building.

Tune in to learn more about her work, her unique perspective, and how small changes can bring us all closer together.

1.30" Lacey's community and passion projects
10' Could empathy and compassion be lacking in our profession?
15.20" Lacey's top 3 of current mental health challenges
24.30" Practical ways to approach neurodiversity
30.30" Language series: spotlight on RVNs
41.15" Reflecting on "Progress"
47' What "good" looks like


* You can find Lacey here:  https://www.instagram.com/rvnspeaks/?hl=en

* And more resources on neurodiversity here: https://www.vetlife.org.uk/neurodiversity/

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

In this week's episode, we talk with renowned RVN Lacey Pitcher about various aspects of the veterinary profession, including mental health and the visibility of veterinary nurses. Tune in Friday from 7am for insights from her work, reflections and community projects.

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

This week, we explore the importance of soft skills in veterinary practice, highlighting how they can save lives, enhance team cohesion, and improve overall well-being. We'll focus specifically on the concept of non violent communication. Join Jessica as she authentically and kindly guides us through practical ways to implement these skills in our lives and within our teams.

Timestamps:

• 2.15 human factors: what are they and why are they important in practice?
• 5.40 psychological safety
• 10.53 civility in the work place: why it’s important and how to implement it in a practice.
• 17.56 non violent communication
• 24.15 ways to practice and promote NVC at the individual level
• 32.40 incivilities: disrupting teams and work commitment
• 36.10 how to practice empathy
• 41.40 human factors in practice- where should I start?

Further resources:

www.vetled.co.uk

https://www.linkedin.com/company/vetled/

https://www.civilitysaveslives.com/

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Curious about improving communication within your team or with clients? Want to express your needs more effectively and understand the global impact of refining these soft skills? Join us this Friday at 7 a.m. for insights and tips. Happy listening!

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In this episode, RVN Molly Fiander, the Locum expert, extensively discusses all aspects of locum work and how she has addressed its pain points by creating her company, Management for Locums. She shares her personal clinical experiences, financial hardships, and successful debut as an entrepreneur.

Timestamps:

3" - Key factors to ensure a good match between locums and practices
6'20" - The wrong reasons to go locuming
10'10" - An honest look on costs, budget and profits
14' - The added value of a locum
18'40" - How to valorise your work as a Locum
23'10" - Community at the heart of locuming success
26'58" - The hardships and pitfalls of locum life
28'40" - Self worth vs net worth
32'10" - Problem-solving and independence at the core of entrepreneurship
34' - Start-up yes or no?

you can contact Molly following those links below:

- email: info@managementforlocums.com
-  by phone: 07412225220
- her website: https://www.managementforlocums.com/
- booking a consultation: https://app.usemotion.com/meet/molly-fiander/meeting?d=30

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

In this episode, my guest Molly Fiander, the locum expert, extensively discusses all aspects of locum work and how she has addressed its pain points by creating her company, Management for Locums. She shares her personal clinical experiences, financial hardships, and successful debut as an entrepreneur.

Join us on August 9th to kick off the second season of Vet Vibes!

For more content and interactive discussions on the topic, follow the channel on Instagram page: https://instagram.com/vetvibes_podcast?igshid=MzRIODBiNWFIZA==

Dr Hilal Dogan is a veterinary surgeon, a yoga teacher and a certified clinical trauma professional. Together we talked about traumatic stress in practice and underrated PTSD affecting the veterinary team. We also discussed the different degrees of responsibility to warrant well-being and the types of solutions to implement to mitigate the effects of trauma.

You can find all the resources we discussed by following the links below:

Instagram page of The Vet Confessional: https://www.instagram.com/vetconfessionals/?hl=en

DVM 360- Dr Dogan publications about mental health: https://www.dvm360.com/authors/hilal-dogan-bvsc-cctp

Direct link to copy of DSM definition of PTSD : https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/box/part1_ch3.box16/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5371751/#:~:text=The%20DSM%2D5%20definition%20of,considered%20trauma%20in%20this%20definition.

https://tpcjournal.nbcc.org/trauma-redefined-in-the-dsm-5-rationale-and-implications-for-counseling-practice/

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In this podcast, Glen and I discuss the necessary tools to equip veterinary students to offer them more resilience and strengthen mental fitness. He shares a spiritual approach he applies to teaching post-graduate students at the University of Edinburgh.

3'20'' - Uncovering the essential Self
6'25" - Acknowledging discomfort as a normal part of life
9'25" - Creating opportunities to integrate talks around mental health
11'20" - Exploring awareness raising
14'25" - Asking for help is a sign of strength
19'55" - Promoting groundedness as an essential skill
22'40" - The discomfort of unlayering
26'40"- The collective: hindering culture meets supportive network
34'30" - The complexities and ramifications of trauma
36'30" - Work-related stress and the future of the industry
41'30" - Lead to professional culture reforming.


 

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