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

• Hamilton Law & Mediation
• Why Do Pets Matter Podcast
• Book: Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton
• Book: Leading with Dignity by Dr. Donna Hicks
• The Link Coalition – https://nationallinkcoalition.org – exploring the link between animal abuse and human violence
• Ruby’s Law (UK domestic abuse + pet welfare legislation)

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.

[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

• 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

In this episode, I’m joined by a truly impactful voice in veterinary medicine—Dr. Bob Lester. If you’ve ever wondered how to build something big without losing the soul of the work… Bob’s your guy.

A veterinarian, entrepreneur, and systems thinker, Bob’s career spans small-town mixed animal practice, the founding of Banfield Pet Hospitals, academic leadership at Lincoln Memorial University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, and now, his role as co-founder and Chief Medical Officer of WellHaven Pet Health—a company that’s quietly redefining what good corporate veterinary care can look like.

From scaling national brands and reimagining vet school education to leading with optimism, Bob brings a rare blend of clarity, compassion, and straight-talking wisdom. In this wide-ranging conversation, we go deep on what it really takes to lead—without burning out, selling out, or tuning out.

We talk about the messy middle between toxic positivity and chronic catastrophizing, how to build trust inside veterinary teams, and why who leads your practice matters more than what it looks like on paper. Plus, we explore mentorship, the future of GP care, and why now is actually a brilliant time to be in veterinary medicine—if we’re brave enough to lead with care and courage.

This one is full of strategic insight and grounded humanity. Bob is proof that you can scale without losing your heart. Grab a notepad—and maybe a shot of optimism—and dig in.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:00] Why Leadership in Vet Med Feels Broken (and How to Fix It)

[00:05:15] The Power (and Choice) of Optimism

[00:10:00] Trust, Toxic Positivity, and Real Talk in Teams

[00:14:30] What Actually Happens When You Get a Board Complaint

[00:24:12] From Blue-Collar Kid to C-Suite Vet Leader

[00:33:16] The Banfield Origin Story and Scaling Through PetSmart

[00:41:00] The Case for General Practice as the Hub of Vet Care

[00:50:01] How to Scale Leadership Without Killing Culture

[01:01:00] Why Taking Care of People Comes First

[01:08:24] Mentorship, Ownership, and What Really Works

[01:21:00] Distributed Vet Schools, Communication Skills & Hope for the Future

[01:23:15] Starting WellHaven: A Second Act With Heart

[01:27:00] Career Reflection: Building, Teaching, and Lifting Others

[01:33:19] Best Career Advice: Say Yes, Stay Curious, and Enjoy the Ride

• WellHaven Pet Health
• Connect with Dr. Bob Lester

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