Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mossor, MPA, RVT, have co-hosted their award-winning weekly veterinary podcast since 2016.
Each week, they “tackle the toughest topics in veterinary medicine,” highlighting controversial issues and trending news, introducing veterinary key opinion leaders and provocateurs, and offering solutions to the myriad challenges facing the veterinary profession.
Latest Podcast
Latest Podcast Episodes - Click to Listen
What We Are (and Are Not) Looking Forward To in 2019 for Veterinary Professionals
Happy 2019! This week we share some of the things we are - and are not - looking forward to in 2019 for veterinary professionals. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss the veterinary nurse initiative (VNI), telemedicine, organized veterinary medicine, corporate practices (and find out why Dr. Ward calls the future of veterinary medicine “the ‘Walmartization’ and ‘Amazonation’ of the profession”) and upcoming medical advancements. Dr. Ernie Ward shares why he believes veterinarians need to fight for animal welfare (and end factory farming!) and cautions about economic uncertainty in 2019. Find out which host’s family may be expanding, and which may be contracting!
Holiday Hassles in Veterinary Practice
Happy Holidays! It’s the “most wonderful time of the year” in veterinary practice! Or is it? This special holiday edition of our podcast, host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney, along with registered veterinary Technician Beckie Mossor detail veterinary clinic staff holiday scheduling drama, co-worker gift dilemmas, party alcohol rules, and how to remain cheery when our clients are dreary! If you’re searching for your lost sanity, pop in your earbuds and give this episode a listen!
Socialization for Veterinary Professionals - Finding Friends Outside Work
Are you socialized? How do you find friends as adults? Are we expanding our social networks beyond the veterinary profession? This week, host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor talk about making friends and finding fulfillment outside work. The trio share tips on maintaining friendships, online communities to meet new friends, and the benefits of socialization. And find out Cyndie’s plans to write a book about, “How to Date other Moms.”
Enough is Enough! Saying No and Setting Boundaries in Veterinary Practice
When is enough too much? When (and how) is it okay to say, “No”? Is it clear or murky? This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor discuss establishing healthy boundaries with veterinary bosses and co-workers, clients, and friends and family. Failure to set boundaries is an issue that leads to veterinary professional burnout, poor patient care, and lower job satisfaction. Share this episode with the entire team!
Reclaiming Control of Your Veterinary Work & Personal Life
Feeling out of control? Ever felt like you weren’t being listened to at work? This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor question what it means to be in control of your professional career and personal life, how to regain control, and why collaborative decision-making can benefit your veterinary team.
Veterinary Cost versus Care Conversations - Are We Talking about Money Too Much or Too Little?
Once again we tackle one of profession’s most challenging topics: MONEY! The tension between providing the best veterinary care and the cost of providing that care causes tremendous conflict and confusion among our colleagues (and us!). Are we talking too much - or too little - about money with pet owners? What impact do recent human healthcare and insurance changes have on the perception and value of veterinary services? If we strive for increased transparency regarding charges, are we overemphasizing cost and diminishing care? This week Drs. Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor explore the controversial world of money in the veterinary profession.
Making Work/Life Balance Work in the Veterinary Profession - Does it Work?
Feeling stressed? Overworked? Lost your mojo? Losing the romance? This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor take a candid look at work/life balance in the veterinary profession. From real-life struggles and tribulations to practical tips and advice, this episode is packed will help restore your sanity and release you from "perfect" and into "for reals."
Should Veterinary Clinics Sell Products? The Impact Of Retail Sales
The question of whether or not a veterinarian or veterinary clinic should sell non-medical products has perplexed generations of practitioners. This week host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney along with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor question whether or not vets should sell "stuff," how to choose the best products if you're going to sell "stuff," and the tricky ethical lines veterinary clinics tread when selling "stuff." This is a wide-ranging, candid, and brutally honest conversation about the impact retail sales have on the veterinary profession.
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Veterinary Support Staff Suicides: An Issue We Need to Discuss
A recent North Carolina veterinary technician's death by suicide prompted us to explore the issues of depression, substance abuse, and suicide within veterinary support staff. Host veterinarians Ernie Ward and Cyndie Courtney with registered veterinary technician Beckie Mossor share their thoughts and experiences with veterinary staff suicides, what our profession can do to help, and what you can do to help a colleagues. Please share this podcast with anyone you think could benefit.
EPISODE 100! Recaps & Favorite Moments from our First 100 Podcasts!
OUR 100TH PODCAST! It's hard to believe we've recorded 100 episodes of our podcast! We owe it all to you, our loyal listeners and colleagues. This week we celebrate by recapping behind-the-microphone stories and share some of our favorite moments of the past two years. Welcome to our podcast party!
Chernobyl Veterinarian Dr Jennifer Betz
This week we expose you to a radioactive topic: What happened to the dogs and cats left behind in Chernobyl? Our guest, Dr. Jennifer Betz, knows firsthand the current conditions of the canines and felines living in the Chernobyl disaster area. We were positively radiating during this episode, and the fallout of our conversation will leave you glowing! (I’ll stop now.) YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS EPISODE!
Happy National Veterinary Technician Week!
A special podcast THANK YOU to the AMAZING, FABULOUS, INCREDIBLE, DEDICATED, COMPASSIONATE, and WONDERFUL VET TECHS IN OUR LIVES!!
It’s the time of year when veterinary clinics revisit their staff policies, but how do you implement them without creating chaos or resentment? In this week’s episode of “The Veterinary Viewfinder,” Dr. Ernie Ward and Beckie Mosser, MPA, RVT, dive into the challenges of rolling out new rules, such as sick leave policies, PTO usage, and vacation time, in a way that ensures fairness and team cohesion.
The co-hosts explore common pitfalls in policy implementation, such as reactionary rule-making after isolated incidents such as “sick-outs” and chronic absenteeism, and explain why sudden, poorly communicated policy changes can erode trust. They also discuss the importance of balancing structure with empathy and emphasize collaborative approaches to decision-making that involve the entire team.
The episode also unpacks why policies requiring sick employees to provide doctor’s notes can send a harmful message of distrust and why flexible, inclusive guidelines create a healthier workplace culture. Dr. Ward and Beckie share real-world stories of successful—and unsuccessful—policy rollouts, offering actionable tips to help veterinary managers make thoughtful, equitable decisions.
If you’re a practice owner, manager, or team member, tune in to learn how to create policies that support your team while keeping your clinic running smoothly. Let’s make 2024 the year of fair, effective policies in veterinary medicine!