My Veterinary Life

Hosted by American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)

Business ScienceInterviews guestsExplicit

Website RSS feed

Episodes

433

Latest episode

Aug 2026

Language

About the show

Tune in for inspiring stories from your colleagues across the profession. You’ll hear from guest veterinarians about the journeys, challenges—and often hilarious anecdotes—that got them to where they are today. Come away with a fresh look at our veterinary community and a renewed excitement to embrace your veterinary journey.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

August 13, 202626 min

Following curiosity with Dr. Keshe Chow

Dr. Keshe Chow, a board-certified specialist and bestselling author of fantasy, romance, and speculative fiction, is our guest this week. From cat-shy pre-veterinary student to feline specialist, animal welfare advocate, and published author, Dr. Chow has built a career by following her curiosity wherever it leads. She shares the changing priorities that shaped her path, including balancing motherhood with board certification and rediscovering her childhood love of creative writing. She also discusses bringing her two worlds together in fiction, using empathy and experience to imagine what it might be like to care for magical creatures in her most recent book, Strange Familiars . Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

August 6, 202626 min

Redefining success with Dr. Kirsty Husby

Dr. Kirsty Husby, an equine surgeon with an MBA in Organizational Leadership who will soon be pursuing her PhD in Leadership Studies, is our guest this week. She shares how setbacks and career pivots ultimately shaped a more meaningful definition of success. She explains how earning an MBA sparked her interest in organizational leadership and why skills like emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and reflective practice are just as essential as clinical expertise. She also shares how she now combines surgery, mentoring early-career veterinarians, and leadership research to help shape a healthier, more resilient future for the profession. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

July 30, 202629 min

Stress as stimulus with Dr. John Younker

Dr. John Younker, MBA, a veterinary practice consultant, speaker, mentor, and former practice owner, is this week's guest. From launching his veterinary career during the aftermath of a recession to building and eventually selling a thriving multi-practice hospital, Dr. Younker shares the unexpected twists that shaped his professional journey. He reflects on the lessons he learned about entrepreneurship, leadership, practice ownership, and creating win-win solutions that benefit patients, clients, and veterinary teams alike. Along the way, Dr. Younker offers thoughtful advice for early-career veterinarians on choosing supportive workplaces, embracing growth through challenge, and building sustainable careers without sacrificing personal wellbeing. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

July 23, 202627 min

Take the coffee with Dr. Jen Quammen

Dr. Jen Quammen, current AVMA president, relief veterinarian, chief veterinary officer of Otto, and co-founder of Veterinarian Coaching, is our guest this week. She shares how embracing a portfolio career allows her to have a 'telescopic' perspective while staying grounded in the realities of veterinary medicine. She offers an inside look at the role of the AVMA president, the power of organized veterinary medicine, and why meaningful leadership begins with listening, building relationships, and saying yes to opportunities to serve. Dr. Quammen's story is a wonderful reminder that there is no single path to making an impact in the profession. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

July 16, 202627 min

Life, leadership, and AVMA with Dr. Diana Thomé

Dr. Diana Thomé, small animal practice owner and chair of AVMA's House Advisory Committee, is our guest on this week's podcast. She reflects on her journey from new graduate associate to practice owner at the same clinic, highlighting the importance of mentorship, leadership, and building a practice culture centered on people, pets, and purpose. She shares how reinvesting in yourself through lifelong learning, new skills, and interests beyond the clinic can help sustain a fulfilling veterinary career. Finally, she encourages new and recent graduates to recognize that the future of the profession is shaped by those willing to step forward and lead. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

July 9, 202626 min

Dipping your toe with Derek Maxwell, LVT

Derek Maxwell, a credentialed veterinary technician and co-owner of a mobile veterinary service, is our guest on this week's episode. Derek's open-mindedness and curiosity are themes throughout his story, from pursuing veterinary technology as a second career, to taking on leadership roles during his time in academia, to entering into practice ownership with his veterinarian wife. Derek shares how investing in leadership development, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence transformed the way he leads teams, builds relationships, and approaches both his personal and professional life. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

July 2, 202625 min

Living your values with Dr. Emily Talkington

Dr. Emily Talkington, an international wildlife conservation veterinarian, a small animal relief veterinarian, and a passionate animal welfare advocate, is our guest this week. She shares how her experiences in international conservation work and earning a master's degree in animal law shaped her unique path at the intersection of veterinary medicine, wildlife, and public policy. Emily also reflects on the importance of living in alignment with your values, embracing unconventional career opportunities, and recognizing the powerful role veterinarians can play as advocates for animals and society. Thank you to our podcast partner, NVA General Practice. NVA helps great vets become even greater with multiple paths to build a career that’s uniquely yours. Wherever you want to go next, NVA has a path to help you get there. Visit Careers.NVA.com to find your next role.

June 25, 202623 min

Connecting People, Pets, and Purpose with Dr. Amanda Donnelly

Dr. Amanda Donnelly, a veterinary consultant, award-winning speaker, and author of Leading and Managing Veterinary Teams , is this quarter's featured guest. She shares her journey from growing up in a veterinary family to building a successful career spanning general practice, emergency medicine, industry leadership, and veterinary consulting. She discusses how a passion for communication, business, and the human-animal bond guided each career transition and ultimately led her to become a recognized speaker and author. She also highlights the power of effective communication in strengthening client relationships, supporting veterinary teams, and helping pets receive the care they deserve. Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/ Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org. Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

June 18, 202628 min

Navigating Pregnancy and Beyond with Dr. Emily Singler

Dr. Emily Singler, the author of Pregnancy and Postpartum Considerations for the Veterinary Team , a content specialist for the American Animal Hospital Association, a certified parental leave coach, and a mother herself, is our guest this week. She will be speaking on the topic of pregnancy and parenthood in veterinary medicine at this year's AVMA Convention, July 10-14 in Anaheim, California, and we hope to see you there! In this episode, Dr. Singler reflects on the evolution of her career from shelter and private practice to writing, consulting, and advocacy work focused on supporting veterinary professionals and working parents. She also shares the story behind her book, including the research process, key topics covered, and the real-world impact it has already had on veterinary workplaces. This conversation offers practical insights, reassurance, and encouragement for anyone balancing a veterinary career with family life. To participate in the research Dr. Singler mentions on parental leave in veterinary medicine, start here . Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/ Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org. Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast

June 11, 202625 min

Mistakes Happen with Dr. Katherine Quesenberry

Dr. Katherine Quesenberry, chief medical officer at the Animal Medical Center , joins us for our "Mistakes Happen" series this week. In this series, we are talking with brave colleagues about the parts of their career stories no one likes to talk about. We hope that this series empowers you to share more openly about your own mistakes— both for your benefit and for the benefit of those around you— and gives you some ideas on how to approach future mistakes more positively based on the stories you hear. Thank you to our podcast partner CareCredit. You can learn more about Veterinary Patient Financing for Providers through CareCredit by visiting: https://www.carecredit.com/providers/animal-healthcare/ Remember, we want to hear from you! Please be sure to subscribe to our feed on Apple Podcasts and leave us a rating and review. You can also contact us at MVLpodcast@avma.org. Follow us on social media @AVMAVets #MyVetLife #MVLPodcast