Choose People Love Pets: The Veterinary Culture Podcast

In this episode, our host Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Kelly Cooper, veterinarian, former practice owner, corporate leader, and certified leadership coach, to explore the quiet realization many leaders have but rarely name: I’m not the leader I want to be—and I don’t know how to fix it. Kelly shares her journey from clinical practice to ownership, rising through the ranks at Banfield to the highest level before the C-suite, and ultimately making the difficult decision to walk away from a prestigious role to pursue coaching full-time. Not because she was failing—but because she wanted something more aligned. Together, they unpack what coaching actually is (and what it’s not), how leaders often don’t realize they need support until something breaks, and why awareness—not perfection—is the first step toward becoming a better leader. This is an honest, reflective conversation for veterinarians and leaders who care deeply, want to do better, and are willing to look inward.  In This Episode, We Discuss: The moment Kelly realized she wasn’t the leader she wanted to be Why many veterinarians struggle with leadership—and don’t know help exists The difference between coaching, therapy, and mentorship How coaching helped Kelly gain clarity, alignment, and confidence What a real coaching session actually looks like Why leadership growth often requires outside perspective How coaching can transform not just your career, but your relationships and wellbeing The idea that pain is inevitable—but suffering is optional  This Episode Is For You If: You’re a leader who cares deeply but feels stuck or stretched You’ve ever thought, “Why does this feel harder than it should?” You’re curious about coaching but unsure if it’s “for you” You want to lead with more intention, clarity, and self-awareness  About Dr. Kelly Cooper Dr. Kelly Cooper is a veterinarian and certified leadership coach with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice and veterinary leadership. After owning a practice and rising to a senior leadership role at Banfield, Kelly chose to step away from corporate leadership to focus on one-on-one coaching—helping veterinarians and leaders grow into the people they want to be, not just the roles they hold. [email protected] Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drkellycooper/  Reality Vet: https://www.realityvet.com/   CPLP Podcast - Follow for more:  FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠  IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠  LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/⁠  

In this episode of Choose People Love Pets, Brianna and Phoebe walk through exactly how they used AI-powered culture surveys to assess their hospital culture, identify blind spots, and—most importantly—turn anonymous feedback into real, trust-building change. Rather than treating culture as a “gut feeling,” they share a practical, repeatable framework for measuring psychological safety, communication, leadership trust, and belonging—without overwhelming leaders or putting teams on the defensive. This episode is a behind-the-scenes case study of what worked, what surprised them, and how intentional follow-through transformed feedback into action. What we cover: Why anonymous culture surveys matter (and when they’re most effective) How AI helped identify trends without leaders spiraling emotionally The key culture pillars they measured: psychological safety, communication, leadership trust, belonging, and growth How to structure survey questions that lead to honest, useful feedback Turning survey data into clear priorities using AI Why breakout discussions matter more than “solving the problem” How small wins (like onboarding fixes and workflow clarity) build trust What “corporate feel” actually meant to the team—and how leadership responded Why follow-up surveys are the most important step in culture work How consistency (not perfection) builds long-term trust with your team Key takeaway: Listening is only half the work. Culture improves when teams see their feedback taken seriously, reflected back, and acted on—over time. Resources mentioned: Culture survey template https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1ndXpVfv35AC1nteM4I-uO-Kr1v-bjYJJcreV_5fZD9M/template/preview Follow-up culture check survey https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1J_GoByxJ8Q5-jmixov72hnNnSinysMnf8wuZkULmkSg/template/preview Reflection question for leaders: If your team gave you honest feedback tomorrow, what would you do with it? If you enjoyed this episode or have questions about implementing culture surveys in your hospital, send us your feedback—we’re listening. Follow for more:  FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠  IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠  LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/⁠  

In this first episode of 2026, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Natalie Marks for a deeply honest conversation about identity, alignment, and intentional living. While Dr. Marks is widely known for her extraordinary career — spanning clinical practice, hospital ownership, national media, Fear Free leadership, and her current role as CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network — this episode goes beyond accomplishments and into the inner work behind them. Together, Brianna and Natalie explore what it means to build a life that actually feels good, how to recognize when you’ve outgrown old versions of yourself, and why vulnerability, boundaries, and asking for help are essential leadership skills. This episode is an invitation to reflect, let go of what no longer serves you, and choose the “intentional yes” — in your career, relationships, and life. If you’re feeling successful on paper but misaligned inside, this conversation is for you.  🧠 What We Talk About Finding your “why” and building a life around it Letting go of roles, identities, and expectations that no longer fit Why success without alignment leads to burnout Vulnerability as a leadership strength, not a weakness Learning how — and when — to ask for help Building real friendships and meaningful connection Creating boundaries that protect your energy and values Choosing the intentional yes instead of living by default  🎧 Why This Episode Matters This conversation sets the tone for 2026: Less hustle. More intention. More honesty. More joy. It’s about choosing people, choosing yourself, and choosing a life that aligns with who you are becoming — not who you used to be.  📣 Share This Episode If this episode resonated with you and someone came to mind while listening, consider sharing it with them. Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones we pass along.  👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Natalie Marks Dr. Natalie Marks is one of the most accomplished veterinarians in the profession. She is a former hospital owner, nationally recognized award recipient, international media contributor, Fear Free leader, and CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network (VANE). Through her work, she continues to shape the future of veterinary medicine by supporting innovation, leadership, and intentional career paths. Dr. Marks Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marks-schneiderman-dvm-cvj-ccfp-elite-ffcp-v-54b0429a/ VANE https://vane.vet MI:RNA https://mirna-diagnostics.com/en  🔔 Stay Connected If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to Choose People Love Pets so you don’t miss future conversations focused on people-first leadership, culture, and building careers — and lives — that truly matter. Follow for more:  FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠  IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠  LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/⁠  

In this conversation, Brianna and Phoebe discuss the challenges of asking for help in the veterinary field, emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of support and psychological safety. They explore the reasons behind the hesitation to seek assistance, such as fear of burdening others and past negative experiences. The discussion includes practical strategies for encouraging help-seeking behavior, recognizing signs of overwhelm, and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive environment. The conversation concludes with a focus on the benefits of collaboration and the need to normalize asking for help to combat burnout and improve patient care. Takeaways Asking for help is essential for mental health. Hesitation to ask for help often leads to burnout. Creating a culture of support is crucial in veterinary practices. Leaders should model help-seeking behavior. Recognizing signs of overwhelm can prevent burnout. Normalizing asking for help improves team dynamics. Collaboration enhances patient care and team morale. Past experiences can hinder help-seeking behavior. Practical strategies can encourage team members to ask for help. Leadership plays a vital role in fostering a supportive environment. Follow for more:  FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠  IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠  LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/⁠  

In this conversation, Suzanne Thomas shares her unconventional journey from retail management to becoming a leader and advocate in veterinary medicine. She discusses the importance of building trust within teams, empowering technicians, and the challenges faced in veterinary leadership. Suzanne emphasizes the need for effective communication, continuous learning, and the significance of advocacy for the veterinary profession. Her experiences highlight the critical role of leadership in creating high-performing teams and addressing issues like burnout and underutilization of technicians. In this conversation, Brianna Armstrong and Suzanne Thomas discuss the critical aspects of leadership within veterinary teams, emphasizing the importance of trust, psychological safety, and effective communication. They explore how enhancing team productivity can lead to increased revenue and the necessity of creating a supportive work environment. The dialogue also touches on the dynamics between corporate and private practices, the value of recognizing team members, and the need for a cultural shift in veterinary medicine to improve retention and job satisfaction. Suzanne's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannethomaslvt/ Susanne's Book: From Competent to Capable: Redefining Success Through Technician Utilization and Team Empowerment (To purchase: https://a.co/d/eW8V9y8 ) Leading Veterinary Teams: https://www.lvt.vet/ Book recommendation: The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni Follow for more:  FB: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556480229406&mibextid=LQQJ4d⁠  IG: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/choosepeoplelovepets?igsh=MTVzZjc4ZHE4MWd2NQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr⁠  LI: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/choose-people-love-pets/⁠