Show Notes
On today’s show, I’m joined by Dr Robert Hilsenroth. Dr. Hilsenroth was born and raised in the Washington, D.C. area and graduated from the University of Georgia in 1971! After a year in practice, he took the bold step of moving to Colorado and opening a small animal practice as a relatively inexperienced vet and businessman. Things clearly worked out, as he owned the practice for the next 19 years. There were highs and lows, including frustration with how the media handled veterinary issues. As such, Dr Hilsenroth was drawn to develop his media skills to better contribute to and improve the quality of reporting on important local and national veterinary issues. This investment paid off, and for a decade, he was employed by the ABC television affiliate KUSA as their “pet health expert,” producing weekly reports on pet and animal issues. In addition, he hosted radio talk shows and wrote weekly newspaper columns.
In 1991, his career changed course quite dramatically and sold his practice and began a 13-year tenure with the Morris Animal Foundation, an organisation funding health studies for dogs, cats, horses and wildlife.
Initially joining as the Staff Veterinary Communications Officer, Dr. Hilsenroth’s skills allowed him to be identified and successfully appointed as the Foundation’s Executive Director.
When he began this role, the Foundation was funding only two studies in the Zoo & Wildlife Division, while there were 10 or more studies in each of the other Divisions. When he got done more than a decade later, the same division was funding more than 30 studies.
Dr. Hilsenroth “retired” from Morris Animal Foundation in April 2004 and moved to northern Florida to enjoy fishing and the quiet life. Or so he thought… Talent, however does not often get the luxury of going quietly into the night… and it wasn’t long before the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, a group he had worked closely with while at the Morris Animal Foundation, came calling on his leadership experience.
Those calls, while initially rebuffed, were, in the end, effective and in 2005, Dr Hilsenroth was appointed to the role of Executive Director of the Association. A position he still holds nearly 18 years later! Quite possibly a record in delaying retirement.
Aside from the enormous impact on zoo animals and conservation Dr Hilsenroth has made, he has made just as significant an impact on people - amassing a wealth of learned and taught leadership experience during his career. Including completion of Harvard’s Executive Education program “Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management”.
But before we jump into today’s episode, here is a quick word from today’s show sponsor… Introducing The Vet Career Concierge - the easy way to find your dream job. It's a brilliantly simple concept. Instead of wasting time searching through thousands of practice jobs that might be a good fit - but frequently aren’t. Let The Vet Career Concierge do the hard work. All you have to do is register, and tell us about your skills and what you are looking for from your next practice. Then your Career Concierge goes to work filtering, matching and approaching only practices that are a good fit. If you like the sound of a practice and want to meet, your concierge will coach you through the interview process, help with negotiations and work to ensure you have a smooth transition into practice when you accept a role. They'll even stay in touch with scheduled career check-ins to make sure you are happy. The service is open to vets and vet nurses with at least ONE YEAR in practice and legally able to work in the USA, Canada, UK, EU or Australia. To register visit vetxinternational.com/career-concierge. And all registrants will be entered into a prize draw where you could win an apple watch, a magnum of champagne or an amazon gift card. Registration is free so head to vetxinternational.com/career-concierge to sign up today. Now back to the show... The only way to become a gue
More from Blunt Dissection
Veterinary medicine is serious work. But does that mean we have to be so bloody serious while we’re doing it? My guest today is Dr Greg Bishop, a practising veterinarian, cartoonist, author, illustrator and speaker based in Portland, Oregon. Through Sasquatch Paw, Greg combines veterinary medicine, humour, science communication and visual storytelling to explore the absurd, emotional and deeply human parts of caring for animals. He’s also the author of the forthcoming Science Comics: Veterinary Science. And beneath the cartoons, jokes and what Greg calls his “professional zoomies” sits a serious idea: fun matters. In this conversation, we explore why humour and play aren’t distractions from good veterinary medicine. They can help us cope with difficult moments, communicate better, build trust and perhaps stay connected to the reasons we came into this profession in the first place. We talk frankly about burnout and Greg’s own relationship with work, before getting into gallows humour, the science of laughter and the surprisingly powerful role comedy can play in the consult room, even during some of the hardest conversations we have with clients. We also explore clinical communication, creativity, AI, our increasingly digital lives, and the danger of becoming so obsessed with efficiency that all we do with the time we save is cram more work into it. Greg’s argument for slowing down, paying attention and trusting the art alongside the science is a timely one. This is funny, occasionally ridiculous, surprisingly moving and, ultimately, a reminder that fun is not frivolous. In a profession that asks so much of us, humour, creativity and play can help us stay connected, stay curious and keep enjoying the work. If we want veterinary medicine to be sustainable, perhaps putting some of the fun back into it is more important than we think.
The keen-eared among you will recognize this voice. And yes - you’d be right. This is ever-wisening Dr Peter Weinstein. (Yes, we meant Wisening, not wizening however much we were tempted by the latter.) Peter is one of those rare figures in veterinary medicine who has seen the profession from every angle. From kennel kid at 15 to practice owner, from board-level leadership to educator, from clinician to one of the clearest thinkers on the business and structure of veterinary medicine today. But what makes this conversation different is timing. Because this isn’t a comfortable moment for our profession. Costs are rising. Clients are pushing back. Teams are stretched. Transactions are falling while prices climb. And underneath it all, something more fundamental is shifting. Trust. In this episode, Peter and I sit down face-to-face to unpack what’s really happening in veterinary medicine right now. We talk about the economic pressure building beneath the surface, the unintended consequences of rapid growth and consolidation, and why the profession feels… wobbly. We explore why leadership, not hustle, is the answer. Why systems matter more than individuals. Why communication is the missing skill in most practices. And why, if we don’t rebuild trust deliberately, we risk losing the very foundation this profession was built on. This episode is reflective, challenging, and ultimately optimistic. Because if we get this right, the future of veterinary medicine doesn’t just survive - it becomes stronger than ever.
Dr. Fred Metzger is not your typical veterinary speaker. He grew up in a converted church, stocked his swimming pool with fish, and once came home to find his family had bought a cougar kitten. So yes… unorthodox is probably the right word. But behind the stories is something far more important. Dr. Fred Metzger has spent more than 30 years in the profession, built a 13-doctor hospital from scratch, and stayed when many others would have walked away. He’s seen the best of veterinary medicine - and some of the worst. And he’s not shy about saying what needs to be said. In this episode, we go deep. We talk about mentorship, consolidation, culture, and why so many good vets are quietly burning out or leaving altogether. We get into the tension between corporate systems and real-world practice - and what gets lost when leadership forgets to listen. But most of all, we talk about something deceptively simple that could change how you practise tomorrow: The lab. Dr. Fred Metzger makes the case - passionately and convincingly - that diagnostic thinking is the most underused superpower in veterinary medicine. Not as a money-making tool. But as the engine of better decisions, better medicine, and better conversations with clients. That belief has now turned into something tangible. Dr. Fred Metzger has partnered with Purdue University to launch a new clinical pathology programme - built to help vets actually understand and use the lab, not just run tests and hope for the best. You can read more about that here. There’s humour in this one. There’s a bit of fire too. And if you’re willing to reflect on your own practice, there’s a lot to take away.
Debra’s story is wild. She’s worked in the courts. She’s bred Irish Setters. She’s been the PTA president (which, as she says, is like running the UN with biscuits). But what makes her special is her ability to meet people in the thick of their mess, whether it's a lawsuit over a pregnant rescue dog or a front-desk blowup, and find the gold. In this episode, I sit down with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton, a former litigator turned mediator turned conflict resolution master. And trust me, if you’ve ever had a client, colleague, or complaint that made you question your career, this conversation is for you. We talk about ego, emotional intelligence, and why boundary-setting isn't just about saying “no.” We unpack the tiny shifts in language that can turn an explosive moment into something manageable. And we dig into a story from my early days that still sits with me, a story about a cat, a fractured jaw, and a moral gut-punch I’ll never forget. This episode is practical, honest, and (if you’re brave enough to look in the mirror) potentially career-changing. Debra brings the kind of wisdom we need more of in vet med: compassionate, clear, and totally unafraid of the hard stuff. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] You Can’t Control Others [00:05:30] How Debra Went from Courtroom to Vet Med [00:10:15] The Rescue Dog Case That Changed Everything [00:14:30] Mediation vs. Litigation [00:17:05] Ego, Suicide, and the Cost of Silence [00:21:15] What Vets and Lawyers Share (It’s Not Just Stress) [00:24:00] 12 Needle Sticks and a Lesson in Dignity [00:28:45] Are Clients the Problem? Or Are We? [00:33:20] Your Practice Culture Shapes Everything [00:38:10] Active Listening Without Losing Yourself [00:46:00] Dave’s Story: The One That Still Hurts [00:52:45] Divorce, Control, and the Cat in the Middle [01:01:00] Conflict Prevention Starts with Culture [01:06:00] Debra’s Stop-Drop-Roll Method [01:08:00] What Clients Really Want (Hint: Not Money) [01:14:30] 10 Ways We Undermine Dignity Without Realising [01:27:30] Communication Is Part of the Medicine [01:34:15] The Case for Leading with Grace
In this episode, I’m joined by the remarkable Mike Porteous, a triathlon coach, open-water swimmer, and deep thinker whose approach to performance, confidence, and coaching is anything but ordinary. Mike is a Level 3 Triathlon Coach, British Triathlon mentor, and the founder of Zig Zag Alive. His career spans decades, starting in academia and the UK civil service before pivoting into endurance sport coaching. He’s worked with athletes of all levels, from first-timers to elite competitors, and is passionate about fostering “confidence-centered coaching,” a method rooted not in data or drills, but in presence, ease, and self-trust. He’s also coaching me through my triathlon journey and many of his ideas and methods could, I believe, be highly useful to us inside veterinary medicine as we navigate our own challenges. We dive into Mike’s journey from working in Brazilian economics and UK industrial policy to launching an outdoor sports business, and eventually finding his home in helping others find their flow. A Swim England instructor and writer for the Outdoor Swimming Society, Mike combines intellectual insight with lived experience, including the healing power of endurance sport after personal loss. From redefining resilience and flow to explaining why confidence doesn’t “exist” in the way we think it does, Mike’s perspective is a refreshing and deeply humane take on success and coaching, both inside and outside sport. So whether you're a veterinary leader looking to inspire your team, an athlete seeking sustainable growth, or simply someone navigating your next life chapter, this conversation will leave you with more than a few moments to ponder. Pour a coffee or step outside for a walk, this one’s rich, reflective, and full of gentle, powerful wisdom. Episode Highlights [00:01:00] What Is Confidence-Centered Coaching? [00:04:25] The Cold Water Effect [00:12:00] Be Kind and Brave [00:16:00] Mike’s Zigzag Career Path [00:27:00] Resilient Businesses in Crisis [00:38:45] Sport, Loss & Recovery [00:44:00] From Grief to Growth [00:53:00] Running for Joy [01:01:00] Redefining Confidence [01:16:00] What Breaks Confidence [01:25:00] Coaching vs Mentoring [01:36:00] Coaching in Leadership [01:45:00] Letting Others Own It [01:52:00] Presence & Belonging Episode Links Zig Zag Alive Coaching: https://zigzagalive.com Mike’s book: Confidence Centered Coaching Outdoor Swimming Society: https://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com Beyond Belief: The Art of Confident Centred Coaching with Mike Porteous and Claire Pedrick Coaching Yourself Confident by Julie Smith The Inner Game of Tennis by Timothy Gallwey Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience by Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi Ordinary Magic by Ann Masten