What if your beloved animal gets referred to a veterinary specialist? Who are veterinary specialists? What all do they do? You might be surprised! Join us in this podcast, to discover the different specialties of veterinary medicine, what a day in the life of different specialists is like, and the challenges we face while dedicating our careers to advance animal care and public health!
In today’s short but sweet “deep-dive” episode, we’re joined by Davina Anderson from the European College of Veterinary Surgeons, to discuss the “dual diplomate” conundrum. How can a specialist have two specialties? And why?
Listen along for insight into how this perceived paradox is quality assured, workflows for implementation amongst different specialties, and what it means for your pet, horse, or farm animal.
12 Aug 2026
Summer Quickie: Goings-On & Transformations
In this short summer episode, EBVS CEO Julie Rosser takes listeners behind the scenes for a look at where EBVS has come from, how much it has grown, and why transformation is now on the horizon. From EU recognition and advocacy to increasing complexity behind the scenes, discover what’s changing at EBVS and why the next chapter needs your voice.
15 Jul 2026
Beyond the Protocol: how to earn the salaries we're worth
Dr. Robert Trujanovic is the kind of specialist who sees a gap and builds the bridge himself. In this episode, the EBVS specialist in anesthesia and analgesia talks about pioneering one of Europe's only dedicated interventional pain services for small animals, why he went looking in human medicine for techniques that are now transforming outcomes for his patients, and how ultrasound became the game changer for his practice. But this conversation goes beyond the clinical: Robert is refreshingly honest about the business of being a specialist, what it takes to build a service people will pay for, and why non-technical skills like leadership, communication, and economic thinking are what turn a great clinician into someone truly indispensable. If you're building something new, charging what you're worth (and doing it on your own terms) this one's for you.
29 May 2026
Burnout, Confidence, & the Reality of Mastery with Fernanda Lind
Veterinary Mastery: Rewiring for Impact and Leadership
In this episode, Julie Rosser (EBVS) sits down with Fernanda Lind (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rewiredglobal-fernanda/), CEO & founder of Rewired Global (https://rewiredglobal.com/) and of Wired To Win (https://therewiredwoman.com/podcast/) podcast, to explore the intersection of neuroscience, high performance, and veterinary leadership. Fernanda brings her unique perspective from the worlds of high-stakes performing arts and managing billions in finance to discuss why our brains operate the same way regardless of the "content" of our careers. We dive deep into the "sneaky" nature of burnout, the distinction between competence and confidence, and how to transition from a technical expert to a strategic leader who owns their professional identity.
Key Takeaways
The Brain as Your Most Important Asset: Mastery begins with taking radical responsibility for your own brain mechanics rather than leaving them to "their own devices," which often leads to reactive stress loops.
The Hidden Cost of Burnout (https://therewiredwoman.com/cost/?utm_source=jr&utm_medium=referral&ref=jr&utm_campaign=jr): Burnout has been "normalized" in veterinary medicine, but its compounding cost over a lifetime (physically, neurologically, and financially) is horrific.
Sprint vs. Marathon: True sustainable performance isn't about working fewer hours; it’s about changing the neurological "operating program" from a constant state of urgency to one of presence and work-life "flow".
The Mediocrity Trap: Longevity and sustainable success often come to those who are willing to fail and even be "mediocre" on the long path to mastery, rather than those who break under the pressure of immediate perfection.
Confidence is Not Competence: For decades, the profession has assumed that competence automatically breeds confidence. We discuss why this is a fallacy and how confidence must be nurtured as its own core competency.
From Technical to Strategic: Veterinary specialists must move beyond being technical "solution makers" to become architects of public policy, exercising their inherent skills in judgment, reasoning, and analysis to lead society.
Resources Mentioned in This Episode
Fernanda Lind’s Website: Rewired Global / Wired To Win.
Free Tool: The Cost of Burnout Calculator (available here (https://therewiredwoman.com/cost/?utm_source=jr&utm_medium=referral&ref=jr&utm_campaign=jr)).
Book Recommendation: Meditations by Marcus Aurelius.
Join the Conversation What part of your career are you treating as a "sprint" that should be a "marathon"? Share your thoughts on our LinkedIn channel using #VeterinaryMastery and #EBVSLeadership.
28 Apr 2026
The 2%: Why Veterinary Specialists Must Speak Up, Step Up, and Shape the Profession
What does it actually mean to be a veterinary specialist? Not the letters after your name or the diploma on the wall — but the real value you bring when a case is complex, the path is unclear, and someone needs direction.
In this episode, EBVS Director of Education Mark Bowen and CEO Julie Rosser explore what defines specialist expertise, how the profession can move from seeking recognition to claiming a genuine voice, and why that distinction matters more than ever. They discuss the veterinary profession as a team sport — a solar system of first opinion practitioners, advanced practitioners, and specialists who depend on each other — and why workforce sustainability requires all of those relationships to be stronger and better defined.
The conversation also takes in AI and digital innovation, the "sprinter versus marathoner" problem in specialist training, social licence, and what it looks like to advocate for animals and the profession in spaces that matter — from clinical referral conversations to the European Commission.
If you're a specialist, a resident, or someone thinking seriously about where the profession is heading, this one is for you.
6 Apr 2026
Making a Lasting Impact: from midnight emergencies to policy-changing research
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Mathijs Theelen, a specialist in equine internal medicine at Utrecht University, to discuss the high-stakes world of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and translational medicine. We also explore the cutting-edge collaboration between Utrecht’s veterinary and human hospitals, where Mathijs is helping to validate a new sepsis diagnostic test in foals that could soon be used to save the lives of human babies. Beyond the lab, we dive into the difficult "daily call" specialists face in antimicrobial stewardship: the challenge of "daring to not use" antibiotics despite intense pressure from worried animal owners. From midnight clinical emergencies to research that changes international policy, Mathijs shares what it truly means to be a specialist at the intersection of animal and human health
3 Nov 2025
Owning our Visibility: voice, policy & the next generation of vets
In this episode, Alice Diana from the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe (FVE) explores her newfound interest about how veterinary specialization is evolving through more flexible residency programs and self-directed learning. Together our host, Julie, and Alice discuss the growing importance of non-clinical career paths in policy, public health, and leadership, and the need for greater diversity and visibility within the profession. Alice shares why veterinarians, especially women and young professionals, should feel empowered to step into leadership and policy spaces, shaping a more inclusive and influential future for veterinary medicine.
20 Aug 2025
Patient Welfare & Business Go Hand in Hand for Sport Horse Vets
An insightful discussion with Mark Bowen, an expert in veterinary sports medicine: Mark shares his passion for enhancing the health and welfare of horses, stressing the critical nature of thorough diagnostics to prevent cardiac and infectious incidents.
In this episode, we dive into the exciting advancements in equine veterinary medicine, including the integration of AI in ECG monitoring. This remarkable technology reduces analysis time drastically, ensuring timely interventions. Additionally, we tackle the pressing issue of antimicrobial resistance and the importance of responsible antibiotic usage.
Mark emphasizes the necessity for veterinarians to possess strong communication skills, especially when delivering tough news to clients. This episode reflects on collaboration over competition, urging veterinary professionals to advocate for equine welfare through innovative practices.
Are you curious about the role of innovation and innovative business models in veterinary medicine? We invite you to listen and share your thoughts on how advancements can reshape the future of animal care.
27 Jun 2025
In Her Boots: Work-Life Balance and Earning Trust on the Farm
Bovine specialist Iris Kolkman discusses work-life balance and earning trust on the farm, highlighting the importance of preventive care and animal welfare in this interview.
21 May 2025
From ORs to Outbreaks: Meet the Vets Behind the Scenes
Veterinary specialists discuss their advanced procedures, food safety roles, and surprising contributions to human medicine, revealing their vital role as "vets' vets" in this informative episode.
21 May 2025
Introducing The Animal Specialists Podcast
The Animal Specialists podcast introduces its mission to explore the value of veterinary specialists and their work.
21 Mar 2025
Caring for Animals, Carrying the Weight: the Hidden Burden of Vets
FVE Vice President Jane Clark discusses the pervasive shame and mental health issues within veterinary medicine, highlighting paths toward improved wellbeing in this interview.
26 Feb 2025
The Road to Recognition: with Antonio Cruz
Antonio Cruz, an EBVS specialist, defines veterinary specialization, explains required training, and highlights the value specialists bring to the public in this interview.
23 Dec 2024
Owning our Worth: with Verena Zehetner
Dr. Julie Rosser interviews Verena Zehetner, an equine internal medicine specialist, about the challenges and necessities of charging appropriately for veterinary services when starting a private practice.
20 Dec 2024
Short: A Day in the Life with Emma Strous
Emma Strous describes her experiences in veterinary specialisation and Bovine Health Management, offering insights into the daily life of a bovine health specialist in this interview.
Who has been a guest on The Animal Specialists
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Iris Kolkman
Jane Clark
Antonio Cruz
Verena Zehetner
Emma Strous
Podcast Authority Score: 4 / 100
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