The Animal Specialists

Episodi

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  Summer Quickie: Goings-On & Transformations 12.08.2026 9min

  In this short summer episode, EBVS CEO Julie Rosser takes listeners behind the scenes for a look at where EBVS has come from, how much it has grown, and why transformation is now on the horizon. From EU recognition and advocacy to increasing complexity behind the scenes, discover what’s changing at EBVS and why the next chapter needs your voice.
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  Beyond the Protocol: how to earn the salaries we're worth 15.07.2026 36min

  Dr. Robert Trujanovic is the kind of specialist who sees a gap and builds the bridge himself. In this episode, the EBVS specialist in anesthesia and analgesia talks about pioneering one of Europe's only dedicated interventional pain services for small animals, why he went looking in human medicine for techniques that are now transforming outcomes for his patients, and how ultrasound became the game changer for his practice. But this conversation goes beyond the clinical: Robert is refreshingly honest about the business of being a specialist, what it takes to build a service people will pay for, and why non-technical skills like leadership, communication, and economic thinking are what turn a great clinician into someone truly indispensable. If you're building something new, charging what you're worth (and doing it on your own terms) this one's for you.
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  Burnout, Confidence, & the Reality of Mastery with Fernanda Lind 29.05.2026 43min

  Veterinary Mastery: Rewiring for Impact and Leadership In this episode, Julie Rosser (EBVS) sits down with Fernanda Lind, CEO & founder of Rewired Global and of Wired To Win podcast, to explore the intersection of neuroscience, high performance, and veterinary leadership. Fernanda brings her unique perspective from the worlds of high-stakes performing arts and managing billions in finance to discuss why our brains operate the same way regardless of the "content" of our careers. We dive deep into the "sneaky" nature of burnout, the distinction between competence and confidence, and how to transition from a technical expert to a strategic leader who owns their professional identity.Key TakeawaysThe Brain as Your Most Important Asset: Mastery begins with taking radical responsibility for your own brain mechanics rather than leaving them to "their own devices," which often leads to reactive stress loops.The Hidden Cost of Burnout: Burnout has been "normalized" in veterinary medicine, but its compounding cost over a lifetime (physically, neurologically, and financially) is horrific.Sprint vs. Marathon: True sustainable performance isn't about working fewer hours; it’s about changing the neurological "operating program" from a constant state of urgency to one of presence and work-life "flow".The Mediocrity Trap: Longevity and sustainable success often come to those who are willing to fail and even be "mediocre" on the long path to mastery, rather than those who break under the pressure of immediate perfection.Confidence is Not Competence: For decades, the profession has assumed that competence automatically breeds confidence. We discuss why this is a fallacy and how confidence must be nurtured as its own core competency.From Technical to Strategic: Veterinary specialists must move beyond being technical "solution makers" to become architects of public policy, exercising their inherent skills in judgment, reasoning, and analysis to lead society.Resources Mentioned in This EpisodeFernanda Lind’s Website: Rewired Global / Wired To Win.Free Tool: The Cost of Burnout Calculator (available here).Book Recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.Join the Conversation What part of your career are you treating as a "sprint" that should be a "marathon"? Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn channel using #VeterinaryMastery and #EBVSLeadership.
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  The 2%: Why Veterinary Specialists Must Speak Up, Step Up, and Shape the Profession 28.04.2026 1h 11min

  What does it actually mean to be a veterinary specialist? Not the letters after your name or the diploma on the wall — but the real value you bring when a case is complex, the path is unclear, and someone needs direction.In this episode, EBVS Director of Education Mark Bowen and CEO Julie Rosser explore what defines specialist expertise, how the profession can move from seeking recognition to claiming a genuine voice, and why that distinction matters more than ever. They discuss the veterinary profession as a team sport — a solar system of first opinion practitioners, advanced practitioners, and specialists who depend on each other — and why workforce sustainability requires all of those relationships to be stronger and better defined.The conversation also takes in AI and digital innovation, the "sprinter versus marathoner" problem in specialist training, social licence, and what it looks like to advocate for animals and the profession in spaces that matter — from clinical referral conversations to the European Commission.If you're a specialist, a resident, or someone thinking seriously about where the profession is heading, this one is for you.
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  Making a Lasting Impact: from midnight emergencies to policy-changing research 06.04.2026 14min

  In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mathijs Theelen, a specialist in equine internal medicine at Utrecht University, to discuss the high-stakes world of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and translational medicine. We also explore the cutting-edge collaboration between Utrecht’s veterinary and human hospitals, where Mathijs is helping to validate a new sepsis diagnostic test in foals that could soon be used to save the lives of human babies. Beyond the lab, we dive into the difficult "daily call" specialists face in antimicrobial stewardship: the challenge of "daring to not use" antibiotics despite intense pressure from worried animal owners. From midnight clinical emergencies to research that changes international policy, Mathijs shares what it truly means to be a specialist at the intersection of animal and human health
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  Owning our Visibility: voice, policy & the next generation of vets 03.11.2025 49min

  In this episode, Alice Diana from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) explores her newfound interest about how veterinary specialization is evolving through more flexible residency programs and self-directed learning. Together our host, Julie, and Alice discuss the growing importance of non-clinical career paths in policy, public health, and leadership, and the need for greater diversity and visibility within the profession. Alice shares why veterinarians, especially women and young professionals, should feel empowered to step into leadership and policy spaces, shaping a more inclusive and influential future for veterinary medicine.
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  Patient Welfare & Business Go Hand in Hand for Sport Horse Vets 20.08.2025 25min

  An insightful discussion with Mark Bowen, an expert in veterinary sports medicine: Mark shares his passion for enhancing the health and welfare of horses, stressing the critical nature of thorough diagnostics to prevent cardiac and infectious incidents.In this episode, we dive into the exciting advancements in equine veterinary medicine, including the integration of AI in ECG monitoring. This remarkable technology reduces analysis time drastically, ensuring timely interventions. Additionally, we tackle the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of responsible antibiotic usage.Mark emphasizes the necessity for veterinarians to possess strong communication skills, especially when delivering tough news to clients. This episode reflects on collaboration over competition, urging veterinary professionals to advocate for equine welfare through innovative practices.Are you curious about the role of innovation and innovative business models in veterinary medicine? We invite you to listen and share your thoughts on how advancements can reshape the future of animal care.
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  In Her Boots: Work-Life Balance and Earning Trust on the Farm 27.06.2025 33min

  In this episode of The Animal Specialists, we step into the boots of Iris Kolkman, a bovine specialist navigating the unique challenges of farm life. From balancing work and family to building trust with farmers in a traditionally male-dominated space, we explore what it takes to thrive in the field. The conversation also highlights the importance of preventive care and animal welfare—and how empathy, expertise, and persistence are reshaping the role of women in large animal veterinary medicine.Special thanks to Iris and her practice A7 Nord Dierenartsen for volunteering her time for this engaging and enthusiastic episode!
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  From ORs to Outbreaks: Meet the Vets Behind the Scenes 21.05.2025 7min

  Wait - what IS a veterinary specialist anyway? And why might I want to know about them? What's in it for me - really?More than you might think, even if you don't own any animals! This episode is super quick and offers insight into how new cutting edge treatments are sometimes developed in veterinary medicine for human use; how we are "your vet's vet" - a.k.a. who they call when they need more advanced procedures for patients; how vets play a vital role in food safety, education, and more! Meet our accidental host, and then head on over to www.ebvs.eu to learn more! Be sure to follow and share from Spotify and soon from Apple Podcasts too.You can also subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter or reach out via Instagram and Facebook at euvetspecialists.
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  Introducing The Animal Specialists Podcast 21.05.2025 1min

  What stories are we here to explore? Listen in and discover the true value of veterinary specialists...
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  Caring for Animals, Carrying the Weight: the Hidden Burden of Vets 21.03.2025 39min

  ⁠⁠Register and join us at the EBVS Congress ⁠⁠in Belgrade on April 4 for a workshop on wellbeing!In the special joint podcast episode from EBVS & FVE, discover how shame and mental health challenges in veterinary medicine extend far beyond conversations around welfare and euthanasia - and, what we can do to address and improve it. Special thanks to guest and FVE Vice President, Jane Clark!Transcript & show notes here.Links to VetJoy & BVA Good Workplaces
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  The Road to Recognition: with Antonio Cruz 26.02.2025 50min

  Questions? ⁠Register and join us at the EBVS Congress ⁠this April 2-4! (find the transcript here)In this episode:What are "diplomates" in veterinary specialisation?What does it mean to be a veterinary specialist?What training is involved?What do veterinary specialists bring to the public?Why does recognition matter?...And so much more in this jam-packed episode with Antonio Cruz, EBVS specialist in equine surgery and a diplomate of the American College of Sports Medicine & Rehabilitation!
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  Owning our Worth: with Verena Zehetner 23.12.2024 32min

  Our CEO Dr. Julie Rosser's candid conversation with equine internal medicine specialist Verena Zehetner about private practice in veterinary medicine. How to start your own business, and why charging for your services is both necessary and sometimes, controversial... We dive into a lot of current hot topics so join us - no subject is off limits in this candid exploration of veterinary specialisation in Europe!
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  Short: A Day in the Life with Emma Strous 20.12.2024 10min

  EBVS Podcast: Veterinary Insights, Anytime, Anywhere In our first episode, Emma Strous, Diplomate ECBHM, dives into the fascinating world of veterinary specialisation and Bovine Health Management.