What does it take to lead, own, and influence the future of veterinary medicine? In this powerful episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast, host Dr. Christie Cornelius welcomes Dr. Peter Weinstein—veterinarian, educator, author, and founder of Veterinary Ownership Advocates (VOA). With over 40 years in the industry, Dr. Weinstein shares his journey from new graduate to visionary leader, and how economic shifts, leadership lessons, and a changing profession shaped his purpose.

From the evolution of practice ownership to the realities of post-pandemic veterinary business, Dr. Weinstein offers tactical wisdom for the next generation of entrepreneurs. He discusses the importance of transparent leadership, succession planning, and why empathy is an essential skill in practice management today. You’ll also hear about his work with VOA, its unique micro-MBA program, and why collaboration—not competition—is the future of veterinary medicine.

Watch the full episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ybAnRla0P8A

#VeterinaryLeadership #IndependentVets #VetMedBusiness #IVPA #VOA #PracticeOwnership #EmpathyInLeadership #VetPodcast #VeterinaryEntrepreneurship #FutureOfVetMed

00:00 The Importance of Colleague Support in Veterinary Medicine

00:45 A Journey Through Veterinary Medicine: 1980s to Pandemic

07:54 Navigating Change: Lessons from the Pandemic

14:10 Fostering the Next Generation of Veterinary Entrepreneurs

18:05 Veterinary Ownership Advocacy: Bridging the Gap

23:59 Collaboration Among Veterinary Organizations

30:10 Succession Planning in Veterinary Practices

36:01 The Role of Mentorship in Veterinary Careers

41:47 Balancing Life and Veterinary Advocacy

In this special episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast, host Dr. Christie Cornelius sits down with Dr. Bonnie Bragdon, founder and past president of the Independent Veterinary Practitioners Association (IVPA). Bonnie opens up about her inspiring journey—from single mom in vet school to influential leader in the veterinary field—and how resilience, curiosity, and bold leadership shaped her path.

Dr. Bragdon reflects on the challenges she overcame early in her career, the creation and impact of the IVPA, and her evolving vision for independent veterinary medicine. She shares practical advice on building networks, navigating ambiguity, and embracing leadership—especially for those starting out or pivoting into new ventures. Her candid stories offer encouragement and insight for anyone navigating the complexities of veterinary practice today.

Watch the full conversation on YouTube and hear more from Dr. Bonnie Bragdon and host Dr. Christie Cornelius: https://youtu.be/417OoD8yRIE

#VeterinaryLeadership #VetMed #VeterinaryInsider #IVPA #VeterinaryPodcast #WomenInVetMed #VeterinaryBusiness #ChristieCornelius #BonnieBragdon #IndependentVet

00:00 Introduction to the Journey03:12 Overcoming Early Challenges

06:07 Evolving Career Vision08:51 Mentorship and Networking

12:00 Founding the IVPA

14:47 Core Values and Leadership18:07 Focus and Dealing with Uncertainty

30:23 Navigating Ambiguity and Uncertainty

32:18 The Role of IVPA in Veterinary Advocacy

34:40 Balancing Tradition and Innovation in Veterinary Medicine

37:22 The Vision Behind the Veterinary Insider Podcast

41:06 Audience Insights and Podcast Impact

43:53 Embracing Authenticity and Conflict in Conversations

46:10 The Importance of Ownership in Veterinary Practice

49:44 Future of Independent Practice and IVPA's Role

51:34 Career Transitions and Networking in Veterinary Field

54:49 Supporting Colleagues in the Commercial Field

56:16 Competition and the Future of Veterinary Medicine

Veterinary school is tough—but what comes next can be truly rewarding. On this episode of The Veterinary Insider Podcast, host Dr. Bonnie Bragdon talks with Dr. Bre Demaline, an emergency vet and rising leader in the profession. Dr. Bre reflects on her journey from vet student to practicing DVM, offering encouragement for current students and eye-opening insights for practice owners who want to better support new grads.

From surviving imposter syndrome to finding joy in surgery, Dr. Bre shares what helped her thrive early in her career—strong mentorship, collaborative teams, and saying yes to hands-on learning. She also discusses the role of the Veterinary Business Management Association (VBMA) in shaping her leadership path and why independent practices play a key role in the future of vet med.

If you're navigating the leap from school to practice—or trying to guide someone who is—this episode is packed with real talk, honest advice, and a hopeful outlook. https://youtu.be/qJzvYkJcr7c

#VeterinaryInsider #VeterinaryPodcast #NewGradVet #VetStudents #EmergencyVet #VetMed #MentorshipMatters #VBMA #IndependentPractice #DVMlife #IVPA #WomenInVetMed

00:00 The Journey Begins: A Veterinarian's Hopeful Message

00:53 Veterinary School Experience: Challenges and Triumphs

04:02 Finding Your Path: Job Search and Networking in Vet School

07:09 Mentorship Matters: Building Supportive Relationships

09:48 Navigating Anxiety: First Year as a Veterinarian

13:05 Resources for Success: Tools and Communities

15:59 Job Interview Strategies: Finding the Right Fit

19:03 The Role of Independent Practices: A Personal Perspective

22:12 Staying Informed: The Importance of Industry News

23:06 The Future of Veterinary Medicine: Trends and Predictions

25:26 The Future of Independent Veterinary Practices

26:27 Navigating Early Career Challenges

30:02 Building Leadership Skills in Veterinary Medicine

32:46 Overcoming Workplace Challenges

35:31 Finding Joy Outside of Work

37:56 Embracing Surgical Opportunities

40:18 Learning and Growing in Veterinary Practice

42:11 The Importance of Vulnerability in Leadership

44:00 Evolving Career Goals in Veterinary Medicine

47:30 Hope for the Future of Veterinary Medicine