Are we selecting the wrong people for vet school — and ignoring what really matters in practice? In this eye-opening episode of Irreplaceable Truths, host Dr. Gershon Alaluf is joined again by Dr. Brianna Armstrong, DVM, for a powerful conversation about culture, burnout, mentorship, and what metrics truly matter in vet med. Together, they pull no punches about corporate takeovers, emotional exhaustion, and how misaligned values are breaking the profession from the inside out.

What you’ll discover:

• Why vet school admissions may be fueling the burnout crisis
• How ACT and hard metrics are failing veterinarians and clients alike
• The power of practice culture, mentorship, and emotionally intelligent leadership
• What early-career veterinarians really need to thrive — not just survive
• How one DVM created 20 future veterinarians through mentorship

Who will love this episode:

• Early-career veterinarians & students
• Vet school faculty and admissions committees
• Practice owners, managers & hospital leadership teams
• Veterinary professionals frustrated with corporate culture
• Anyone ready to challenge the status quo in vet med

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if it got you thinking!
• Drop your thoughts or questions in the comments.
• Subscribe & hit the bell icon to never miss an episode.

Resources Mentioned:

• VetMedIT.com – Research study for early-career veterinarians
• Ready Vet Go – Mentorship cohort for new grads
• MentorVet, Evolve Vets, Veterinary Vibes

Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

We don’t sugarcoat the struggle — because the truth deserves better.

Timestamps:

00:00 Opening thoughts: the wrong people in vet school?

05:33 A life in vet med: from clinics to corporate regret

11:08 From impostor syndrome to an MBA and DBA

17:04 Emotional demands and broken mentorship systems

23:18 Rethinking vet school selection and professional identity

30:16 Work-life balance, gender roles & traditional practice models

37:50 The client conversation — how communication changes outcomes

45:20 Culture, leadership, and hiring for the long haul

51:14 Why corporate metrics fail and ACT doesn't measure value

56:08 How reviews, staff support, and mentorship define success

1:01:10 Teaching, CE, and the future of veterinary education

1:05:00 The rise of toxicity — and the birth of Irreplaceable Truths

Ep. 36

#vetschooladmissions #vetmedculture #emotionalintelligence