Dr. Lori Teller: [: 00:00:00

And so that was my first contact with TVMA and organized veterinary medicine. And I loved it. I mean, not only the work that the organization was doing, but you're around people who are engaged in the profession. And I think when you're actually [00:00:30] engaged in the profession, it's not just a job, but something you're really enjoying, you feed off that energy and you can share that joy and you can commiserate over bad days and challenges, but.

you get to do, and then you [: 00:00:45

Bethany Weinheimer: Hello and welcome to the Evolve Bets podcast. I'm your host, Dr. Bethany Weinheimer.[00:01:00]

Lori Teller. And, uh, Lori, [: 00:01:15

And I remember being a student. And you and your [00:01:30] husband were hanging out at like a cocktail bar between lectures and I just remember you coming up to me and just having this beautiful conversation about what my experience was like in vet school and you just made me feel very seen.

Dr. Lori Teller: Oh yeah.

y Weinheimer: And it's like, [: 00:01:45

Dr. Lori Teller: Great.

ations, can, can be on this, [: 00:02:00

I'm excited

Dr. Lori Teller: to be here.

ah. So excited to share this [: 00:02:15

Dr. Lori Teller: Spanish,

Bethany Weinheimer: so, yeah. No, I'm so sorry. Like, I'm also not bilingual. I'd really

r lingo, but I can't do the, [: 00:02:30

Bethany Weinheimer: I know my boyfriend's from Brazil.

Dr. Lori Teller: Okay.

Bethany Weinheimer: And so I'm trying to learn Portuguese and I'm like, this is so hard. It's hard. So much respect for people that can

Dr. Lori Teller: speak that they are bilingual. It makes I, I, I'm so jealous.

solutely. So, um, all of our [: 00:02:45

So can you just walk us through your path and Sure. Where you've ended up today?

f those stereotypical, I was [: 00:03:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Lori Teller: It's like they get sick and you should probably really find out what veterinarians do.

Bethany Weinheimer: Dads give the best advice.

a veterinarian does and you [: 00:03:30

'cause this is what I [00:03:45] wanna do. And he's like, sure. So obviously in the days before insurance and of course was a big deal. He's like, yeah, come hang out.

Bethany Weinheimer: Where did you grow up?

Dr. Lori Teller: In Houston.

Bethany Weinheimer: In Houston.

passed out on my first day. [: 00:04:00

I'm like, oh, no, no. Really? I love it. It was just hot. It was overwhelming. I wanna come back. Um, that's so cute. I I did that every day for the rest of that summer. Did it every summer until I turned 16 and could get a paying [00:04:15] job. There. And so then I started working there after school and over all the breaks.

was right. I wanted to be a [: 00:04:30

So I became a clinician at a and m and, [00:04:45] uh, really cherish that as well. I mean, you're right there on the cutting edge, right? Um, so all the new things you hear about, uh, so many people to bounce ideas off of getting to interact with the students. Definitely the highlight of [00:05:00] being on faculty at a and m is, is being clinical and getting to teach students and just the energy and enthusiasm being around students.

nced that I will be the next [: 00:05:15

Bethany Weinheimer: So excited.

Dr. Lori Teller: Congratulations. Thank you. Executive

Bethany Weinheimer: director. Yeah.

to build on all the previous [: 00:05:30

Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, I love that so much for, so for those of our listeners that, dunno what an executive director does, can you tell us a little more?

irector is like the CEO of a [: 00:05:45

Bethany Weinheimer: Woo hoo.

Dr. Lori Teller: So we have several thousand members, veterinarians credentialed, veterinary technicians.

managers, provide continuing [: 00:06:00

Bethany Weinheimer: That's so exciting and so well deserved. Thank you. You've represented Texas like very well in Houston. I'm from Al [00:06:15] Campo, Texas.

Mm-hmm. Houston's the biggest city that was close to me growing up and it's just such an honor. So tell me a little bit, and you've also been a VMA president too? I

Dr. Lori Teller: have.

Bethany Weinheimer: Right? So how did that kind of fall in

there? Yeah, so I've always [: 00:06:30

And when I was in veterinary school, there were actually a couple of professors who were very strong believers in organized [00:06:45] veterinary medicine, um, particularly the TBMA. And they encouraged us to go to the annual conference and encouraged us to get involved in committees and what have you. And so I did that as a student.

first contact with TBMA and [: 00:07:00

And you can, you can share that joy and you can commiserate over over bad days and challenges, but also people who truly appreciate all the good things [00:07:30] that you get to do. And then you find ways to grow and help give back and to, to contribute to the profession to continue to make it better. And so I got also involved once I graduated and went back to Houston, got involved in our local [00:07:45] VMA, so the Harris County VMA, and.

ssociation. Uh, and so I did [: 00:08:00

I was like, okay, if you think, if you believe in me and you think I can handle it, then I'll give it a go. And so I [00:08:15] did that, became president of TBMA and it, by that point I was just hooked. I mean, organized that a medicine is is really tremendous. Um, and it's brought me so many opportunities. So I feel like whatever.

It's offered [: 00:08:30

Bethany Weinheimer: Look at you

Dr. Lori Teller: girl. And so, yeah,

Bethany Weinheimer: what an exciting journey

Dr. Lori Teller: and just amazing people throughout the whole journey.

o cool to hear the different [: 00:09:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes.

Bethany Weinheimer: And I just think that it's so cool hearing about your specific journey through that and where it's led for you. Yes.

Dr. Lori Teller: Is so [: 00:09:15

Oh. [00:09:30] So I still get to see clients and patients and put my hands on dogs and cats. And it's not always about dealing with IES and kitties, but sometimes we do get to, but

Bethany Weinheimer: sometimes we do in kitties. These are the best.

Dr. Lori Teller: They're,

in that you're still able to [: 00:09:45

That you like, were so committed to when you're young

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah.

Bethany Weinheimer: And go backing on or going back on Saturdays to connect with those clients. Mm-hmm. Connect with the pets is so good.

Dr. Lori Teller: It is.

from your transition from a [: 00:10:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Nobody can appreciate what you do in academia till you're actually in academia. Like I and I certainly had plenty of [00:10:15] colleagues and friends that were clinicians and professors at a and m and it's like, what do you do all day? Well, you know, I, I teach and you go to some meetings and you interact with the students.

linic floor. And even when I [: 00:10:30

I mean, after two weeks I was [00:10:45] like. I can't when nobody has any time. Um, so a lot of time in the clinical floor, but also preparing for your lectures. I mean, you don't just sit down and a PowerPoint doesn't just pour out of you. Right. Right. I mean,

Bethany Weinheimer: there's [: 00:11:00

Dr. Lori Teller: There, there are several hours that go into creating a lecture and it's not just throwing words on the slide.

for a few years, you have to [: 00:11:15

Uh, and so. There's that. Then you get involved in student clubs. Like [00:11:30] I'm, uh, a faculty advisor for the Women's Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative, um, club at a and m. Uh, you get involved on committees. So I'm on the promotion and tenure committee. Uh, I've served on search committees [00:11:45] and right now I'm on the Entrepreneurial Enterprise Advancement Committee, which is a university level committee.

ee our telemedicine program, [: 00:12:00

Bethany Weinheimer: yeah, tell us more about that. 'cause that was one of the initiatives that you worked on with the A VMA too.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right.

did that with the A VMA. So [: 00:12:15

It's a tool that we can all use. Uh, so if I see a dog with a skin infection and maybe they have to travel a long distance or something to come see me, especially if it's at a and m, then maybe our [00:12:45] follow-up visit can be done like this on a camera, uh, yes, you know, audio, video, and they can send me pictures.

's working, we can finish it [: 00:13:00

Behavior management. Uh, I can think of a [00:13:15] very large cat patient I had. I'm talking like 17, 18 pounds.

Bethany Weinheimer: Wow.

se. Um, and the cat, I mean, [: 00:13:30

Bethany Weinheimer: Wow.

Dr. Lori Teller: Not obviously. Great interaction.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

not say that the cat and dog [: 00:13:45

Bethany Weinheimer: And that

Dr. Lori Teller: was a big

Bethany Weinheimer: win.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes. We

Bethany Weinheimer: consider Good to though.

Dr. Lori Teller: Exactly. Uh, the owner could leave and not worry that there was gonna be blood in fur.

Around her place when she got home. That's

Bethany Weinheimer: amazing.

Dr. Lori Teller: [: 00:14:00

Well, ation. So that's another way that we can use tele medicine to help our clients and patients potentially save the client money. Um, so even if they [00:14:30] do, if it is an appropriate visit, they can come in, but we may have saved them a night of hotel. Because they've already done all that pre stuff,

Bethany Weinheimer: right?

Dr. Lori Teller: Um, the history, the check-in.

their physical and whatever [: 00:14:45

Bethany Weinheimer: That's so true.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah.

ing telemedicine versus, uh, [: 00:15:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Oh, sure. I mean, and so there are some people that are resistant. Some of it's just time. Like, how do I work this into my day? And that can be overcome. Yes. There, there are ways to work it into your day. You can use your staff to help you. Your [00:15:15] technicians, your assistants, um, can also help you, especially with some of their pre staff.

animal with diabetes. Okay. [: 00:15:30

And then of course the first thing they do get is get home and they're like, I have to get my cat a shot. [00:15:45] Right? Or my dog, oh, whoever.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah. Because

Dr. Lori Teller: they can have a telemedicine visit with my technician who can walk them through, remember, this is how you drop the insulin. Let's double check that you're at the right level.

And you know,

: well, that probably brings [: 00:16:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Definitely. Definitely.

Bethany Weinheimer: And then what a great way to super star our,

Dr. Lori Teller: our techs.

Bethany Weinheimer: Our techs, you know, like getting them to shine and have that. Trey, I'm here with you. You're not alone. Let me teach you how to do this again.

Yes. Like, [: 00:16:15

Dr. Lori Teller: Well, I mean, all of those things, you know, and they can, they can, if a client's having a hard time, uh, with a diet plan, right? We've given them the diet plan. We've told them we wanna do a check in on it. I can do it as the doctor. I can have a [00:16:30] student do it.

I can have a technician do it. Um, you know, what are your struggles with this? Why, um, what, how can we help you overcome some of those barriers so that we can help you and Fluffy be successful, losing 10, 15, 20 pounds?

t's amazing. Yeah. It's cool [: 00:16:45

Earlier on into a and M'S world and how we serve the clients of

Dr. Lori Teller: Absolutely.

excited about those type of [: 00:17:00

Dr. Lori Teller: I do actually, um, I had a meeting a couple of months ago with somebody from the class of 2020. Five.

Bethany Weinheimer: Wow,

Dr. Lori Teller: that's crazy.

first few months, of course [: 00:17:15

Bethany Weinheimer: steps.

Dr. Lori Teller: So

Bethany Weinheimer: for anybody who,

Dr. Lori Teller: you

Bethany Weinheimer: know, owns up this and it's like, I wanna learn more.

first, remember, it's a team [: 00:17:45

The client may be able to [00:18:00] online. In, into the doctor's schedule. But what does that look like? How are you gonna schedule these? How much time are you giving yourself for a telemedicine appointment? And in general, telemedicine appointments, unless you're doing a behavior consult or something like that.

But a recheck are [: 00:18:15

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah, I was gonna guess 15, but ten's even better.

is this gonna take? Uh, can [: 00:18:30

Uh, just making sure you're in a quiet place. Uh, recommend your client. Be in a quiet place that there won't be a lot [00:18:45] of distractions. Uh, if there's gonna be questions about, uh, what medications are your pet taking, you know, have all that stuff kind of ready.

Bethany Weinheimer: Mm-hmm.

Dr. Lori Teller: And, uh, then go, I mean, after that it's a conversation, right?

we're having a sip You maybe [: 00:19:00

Because it's still time, right? Yeah. They came into the clinic for a recheck. You would get paid for that time. Uh, so what does that look like? Are you using a platform, um, where the credit card's already in and so the client's automatically charged? [00:19:30] Is your CSR calling the client ahead of time and getting a credit card or once you finish the appointment, collecting payment, whatever that looks like.

Uh, so there's kinds of things and so I'm gonna have a meeting with that. New grad again next week. So

Weinheimer: exciting. Yeah. [: 00:19:45

Dr. Lori Teller: to do that.

Bethany Weinheimer: Um, because it, it is interesting thinking about how technology is gonna continue to transform. Yes. And I'm sure AI's been a topic that you guys have been hearing more and more about.

. I have all the conferences [: 00:20:00

Dr. Lori Teller: all the time.

Bethany Weinheimer: What are, what are your thoughts on that? Like how do you think it can improve veterinary medicine? What are things we should watch out for?

Dr. Lori Teller: So I think some of the low hanging fruit, like the AI scribes for medical record keeping.

Save my life. Save my, yeah, [: 00:20:15

So we're doing that. I don't think AI is at the point where it's ready to make a diagnosis on my behalf. Um, I've seen some crazy stuff. Yeah. When I've played around with it, uh, I've seen it hallucinate. [00:20:45] Um, medical references.

Bethany Weinheimer: Oh yeah. It's crazy. Yeah. Like I was, uh, working at er shift, um, I was working overnights like two weeks ago and I was treating a, a chronic kidney disease cat.

like pulls up a chat GPT of [: 00:21:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Uh,

Bethany Weinheimer: so lemme tell you like, I really wouldn't recommend, but it, it is interesting. It is having like that level of access

Dr. Lori Teller: it is

Bethany Weinheimer: to perceived medicine

. Lori Teller: and hopefully [: 00:21:15

Google, right? They were doing their Google searches and coming in with their information. And so AI is like Dr. Google on steroids. Um, so yes, we have to remember that our clients are [00:21:30] doing this because they really love their pets.

Bethany Weinheimer: They do,

Dr. Lori Teller: and they want to do the best for their pets. And so, and

Bethany Weinheimer: usually they're open to the conversation.

nse. So they're usually very [: 00:21:45

Dr. Lori Teller: And so it is a way for us to be more collaborative with our clients, um, to have those conversations, you know, that, that's an interesting idea, but fully to your point, this is the way that [00:22:00] we'd prefer to approach it.

Um, and And why?

Bethany Weinheimer: And why. Yeah. The why is so huge.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes. Um,

Bethany Weinheimer: and bringing them on your journey, right? Yeah. Because they don't, they don't know the things that we know.

And you don't know whichever [: 00:22:15

But I just see when clients do that, it's a another way of, of fostering communication and

Bethany Weinheimer: cooperation.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah.

or, right. Hey, I think the [: 00:22:45

You know, like you're, it's great that they're advocating for their pet. Absolutely. We want their engagement and their involvement. Yes. And. In our experience, like it's their pet, they know them best. So the more we can collaborate with them,

Dr. Lori Teller: right,

Bethany Weinheimer: like the better it is for all of us and everybody and can fit

Dr. Lori Teller: the [: 00:23:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Absolutely. Yeah. It's like a win-win. Yeah. So scribes, I've also heard of like maybe some AI scheduling tools that are coming online.

started out as a tele triage [: 00:23:15

Office out. And one of the things that, um, we have AI assist on is helping to schedule those appointments [00:23:30] or refill request. So, you know, it can help process those and save the people time to do the, the people touch. 'cause we still need the human touch. AI we do is not taking that away.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah, no.

rians are, and probably like [: 00:23:45

Dr. Lori Teller: Let me speak directly to the [00:24:00] woman who feels like she's barely holding it all together.

You are still competent,

e a little disconnected, but [: 00:24:15

You've already invested a quarter million dollars or more in your [00:24:30] education, and there's also been time, energy, love, and compassion given to Vet Med too. This is about reclaiming yourself inside of Vet Med instead of giving up on it over six months. I partner with you and hold your [00:24:45] hand as we identify patterns keeping you in survival mode, we rewire the perfectionism loop that constantly happens.

ally hold. And you have your [: 00:25:00

And if you've been waiting for permission to choose yourself, now is the time. Make that extra moment to prioritize you so that way you [00:25:30] can sustain your career in Bemed. Now, if this calls to you or you're curious, go to evolve beds.com where you can learn more and book a alignment call with me so that way we can better discuss if this is the right next step for you.

hope to see you in there and [: 00:25:45

Dr. Lori Teller: I think we're good.

Bethany Weinheimer: A VMA? Anything like that? That.

he us, join the A VMA and do [: 00:26:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Exactly. No, I'm actually very curious. 'cause I think a theme of what our interview questions have been leading to mm-hmm. Is this theme of engagement.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes.

. Like, how do you keep that [: 00:26:15

Like, how do you get them re-inspired? 'cause, because I see that in you being personally engaged, but then I also see that as a theme in your interview questions too.

Uh, it is. I think if you're [: 00:26:30

I, I don't do whining. Well, if you need to vent about something, [00:26:45] but I'm here for you. Right. If you've got a ran. Ranted out. Right. I, I am good with that. But if you're just gonna whine, it's like nails on a chalkboard. It makes me crazy and not worth it. No, it's not.

Bethany Weinheimer: Let's,

Dr. Lori Teller: let's

Bethany Weinheimer: seek some

Dr. Lori Teller: solutions [: 00:27:00

And my son learned very quickly that I was not the parent to come whining to, uh, I'm like, yeah, you go out that come back or go find your dad. Um, but then my husband would come find me. Austin's like, I'm like, [00:27:15] no,

Bethany Weinheimer: no,

Dr. Lori Teller: no. Y'all Mm. You can figure that out. Yeah. Y'all figured that out. I love to

Bethany Weinheimer: support you from here.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right, exactly. You're

Bethany Weinheimer: on this

ems get solutions, right. In [: 00:27:30

Um, or even just completely disengaged [00:27:45] because if you're complaining, you're at least still paying attention. Once you've just totally checked out, there's, that's a lot harder. Um, so I'd rather at least get you when you're. When you're whining, but don't whine for very long can be part of [00:28:00] the solution.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah. Like we

ere you are and then how can [: 00:28:15

And that's the great part of about an organization like TVMA or A VMA is. [00:28:30] If I can't help you, I probably know somebody that can, or I know somebody who knows somebody that can. Uh, and if it's a super big problem, we can come together to, to figure out how we're gonna solve that. So that's one reason why TVMA is so great with its [00:28:45] advocacy work and some of it's education and wellbeing work and supporting students and doing those kinds of things.

an we expand our mentorship, [: 00:29:00

There's different parts of your life impacting you, and sometimes you need a little help seeing what that looks like. And as you start to get near the end of your career. What does that look like too? Whether, um, I, I know some veterinarians who have [00:29:30] retired and now one of the big things they do is help mentor veterinarians who have retirement on the horizon.

st, [: 00:29:45

Bethany Weinheimer: yeah. I've never thought about that actually. That's

Dr. Lori Teller: very, um, and I wouldn't have thought about it until I can see it closer and closer. Yes. Um, but I, but I know veterinarian and I'm not ready to retire.

rians who have, and the ones [: 00:30:00

Bethany Weinheimer: transitioning from every phase

, that's important. And so I [: 00:30:15

Do that. And that's much harder to do if you're out there in a silo.

er: Yeah. It sounds like you [: 00:30:30

Dr. Lori Teller: take on a ton? A lot. Um, though I'm of the generation where it wasn't formally called [00:30:45] mentorship or coaching.

had so many informal mentors [: 00:31:00

And there were a couple [00:31:15] of of. People on that board who started chatting with me and it's like, well, this is what we do and if you have questions about this, call me and I can I check in with you next week. And all those kinds of things. And [00:31:30] made it very welcoming to be there. And, uh, one of my mentors, I'll throw out his name, it was Dr.

he was a little bit ahead of [: 00:31:45

Whatever it was, what

Bethany Weinheimer: side you were on. Yeah. You were like, this is my side.

ersation and open to hearing [: 00:32:15

I don't, I don't even remember what the topic was. Um, and I said. Well, I agree with Mark, I think blah, blah, blah. And like the room got [00:32:45] quiet and finally somebody said, there's no further discussion. Mark and Lori agree there would be about all in

Bethany Weinheimer: favor, you know?

Dr. Lori Teller: And, and so, yeah, I mean, it was pretty funny.

h right or we're both wrong, [: 00:33:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Ugh, I love it. Yeah. Yeah. I really find that mentorship and coaching is just one of the best ways mm-hmm. To transition through these different parts. Like some of the people that are in our community, they're struggling with like, you know, [00:33:15] should I leave the profession?

u're not happy, honey. Like, [: 00:33:30

Dr. Lori Teller: right.

Bethany Weinheimer: Like so I love You've gotta be happy first.

know, with whatever they're [: 00:33:45

Yeah. You know, like there's these stressful things that [00:34:00] you make a medical mistake, you lose a patient, you deal with an upset client. Like there's so many challenges that we experience, but like having that mentor or community mm-hmm. That you actually show up and engage with. Like, are you showing up too, because it's not just always [00:34:15] expecting someone to come meet you, right?

Yes. There's this like meeting. Mm-hmm. And then this path

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes.

Bethany Weinheimer: That you go on together.

go with you and as you said [: 00:34:30

Bethany Weinheimer: what do you think is the thing that actually gets people to that point of wanting to be on the path?

ike, I've identified this is [: 00:34:45

Especially. A good mentor, a coach is like, and I will help you until [00:35:15] you've got your feet under you and those kinds of things. So I think it's different for everybody. I think something else to keep in mind, um, since we talk about people who wanna leave the profession and let's talk about you. I think we have to step back [00:35:30] and remember, we're complex human beings and sometimes things that affect us in our profession may not really be veterinary medicine itself.

, I had breast cancer. I was [: 00:35:45

Bethany Weinheimer: Wow.

Dr. Lori Teller: What, what am I doing? Like, life changer, right?

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

i Teller: Um, and so lots of [: 00:36:00

Do I wanna be a veterinarian? Do I still wanna be a veterinarian?

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

ah, I really do like being a [: 00:36:15

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Lori Teller: Um, and so went back to practice. Uh, and then a few years later our son was diagnosed with some pretty significant learning differences.

ike? And I actually ended up [: 00:36:30

I was like, uh, okay, you got, we got over this hump and I need to have more adult conversations. Uh, and I [00:37:00] need to not, I, my brain needs the challenge. So when we got over that hump, I went back to practice. Uh, so I think it's also important to realize. That, that we have lots of things that influence us. I love being a [00:37:15] veterinarian.

imes have to step back some, [: 00:37:30

I mean you, [00:37:45] they obviously, they talk about that in relationships, but I think that impacts so much of what we do no matter what. And so you can be going along practicing 5, 6, 7, 8 years and then you're like, really? Right. Same [00:38:00]

Bethany Weinheimer: thing

Dr. Lori Teller: like another

Bethany Weinheimer: diarrhea,

Dr. Lori Teller: guys. I, I know.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah,

Dr. Lori Teller: I know. Like, oh my god, if I have to give the flea talk one more time and more the dental talk one more time.

ue A BVP certification. So I [: 00:38:15

Uh, but it also really made me appreciate the more complex patients. I got lots of second opinions from that 'cause people would be like, oh, you know, maybe I'm not quite ready to go to [00:38:45] the, the internist or whoever, but do you want just another look at it?

Bethany Weinheimer: Opinion? Yeah.

Dr. Lori Teller: Um, so got a lot of those. So there are things you can do to.

l enjoy veterinary medicine. [: 00:39:00

Um, but helping with pain relief using trigger point therapy. So I love that [00:39:30] there's so much you can do in veterinary medicine. And so when people are thinking about leaving, I hope they find a mentor or find somebody they can trust to really help them. And I don't mean like a veterinarian as a therapist, [00:39:45] but just somebody Yeah, that can help.

Of course. Yeah.

Bethany Weinheimer: Like a life

Dr. Lori Teller: coach help you take a perspective. Yeah, kind of. Um, and if you do need therapy, then by all means, please do that too. 'cause.

Bethany Weinheimer: Both

Dr. Lori Teller: are great.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yes. And

ues and what have you to, to [: 00:40:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Absolutely. And I love that. I mean, this is what we talked about in our opening, right?

your family. Like there are [: 00:40:15

Mm-hmm. So it means like for me, minor adventure. So traveling, innovating, being

Dr. Lori Teller: Sure.

Bethany Weinheimer: You know, travel bug. Yes. Community, which is like family.

Dr. Lori Teller: Mm-hmm. [: 00:40:30

Bethany Weinheimer: And my love life. And like there are times where I had to say like, oh, I'm gonna take a step back on my adventurous side and like pursuing work and running hard at work.

ke time to date, like Right. [: 00:40:45

Dr. Lori Teller: wanna meet my son?

Bethany Weinheimer: Well, I actually have a boyfriend now, so I worked out, but yeah, I would, I would love to be your son.

xample. Like there's seasons [: 00:41:00

My community, because I have run so [00:41:15] hard at veterinary medicine and there's a balance between all of them. Absolutely. And then there's seasons where you're gonna say like. Um, other, others of my values are like luxury. So maybe I like wanna spend a year like traveling the world Yeah. And then come back, right, please.

Exactly. Exactly. Like, who [: 00:41:30

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes.

Bethany Weinheimer: And tell you no you can't. Like, this is the only way you have to just give up. Like walk away. You're not built for this. No. But like I think when you get a mentor or coach mm-hmm. Or a therapist, you know, or all the above all

Dr. Lori Teller: of it,

y options and what if I just [: 00:42:00

Yeah. Like, you know, getting your, uh, feline and canine certification. Yeah. Like that is something that furthered your career in veterinary medicine, brought your engagement as we're talking about, and then also challenged you in a new way. Right. You know, that's the business that [00:42:15] I'm building here is Right.

How do we have women feeling [: 00:42:30

Um, so with that being said, yeah, what are some advice that you would give to female veterinarians or medical professionals? 'cause we do have some non veterinarians that listen in too. Sure. That's,

band's a physician. Exactly. [: 00:42:45

Be willing to try something new. Where we're major travelers. I hit all seven continents two years ago, so that was, that's so exciting. I wanna [00:43:00] hear all about that. Okay. I was so happy. Uh, but back on to what you're saying, always be curious. Um, so every opportunity is the opportunity to learn something new.

arning new things about you, [: 00:43:15

Be willing to [00:43:30] say yes, uh, and also be willing to say no. So understanding that about yourself, don't, don't just be an automatic, no, I can't do that, but be selective with your yeses and how many things can you [00:43:45] say yes to, because then they open up. Other opportunities. So if I had not said yes to TVMA as a volunteer to, to serve on the board, I would not have met people who [00:44:00] then provided me the opportunity to go teach at Texas a m.

testify before Con Congress. [: 00:44:15

And of course, every time you open a door, another one may close, [00:44:30] but 10 more could be on the other side of that one that you opened. That's so true. And it, it is, some of it's appreciating the unknown. Right. Okay. I am willing to, to try this. Some of it's also being [00:44:45] comfortable. With the unknown.

Bethany Weinheimer: Hmm.

rning to be comfortable with [: 00:45:00

I'm gonna go to that show, I'm gonna join that club. I'm gonna volunteer for that organization. I'm gonna challenge myself with that procedure [00:45:15] because what I get on the other side of that is usually pretty amazing.

Bethany Weinheimer: I love that follow up question. How do you know when it's a yes versus a no?

Dr. Lori Teller: Uh, it's a really good question.

[: 00:45:30

Uh, but then you have to be willing to own that too. You have to be accountable. Um, and that may be going to probably not your boss, it's probably a different ball that's falling. [00:46:00] Um, but whatever group you may be volunteering for, um, saying, I, I really need to step back. I said yes to that and I shouldn't.

So you have to be willing to own it.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

o so many things that you're [: 00:46:15

Bethany Weinheimer: If you love this podcast, you find yourself nodding along, thinking. This is exactly how I feel at work and [00:46:45] sometimes even outside of work. Then I wanna invite you to something even bigger. Come with me to the Evolve Vets membership. It's my online home and community for women in veterinary medicine who are done surviving and ready to start [00:47:00] evolving inside the membership.

s not toxic positivity. It's [: 00:47:15

And the truth is you don't have [00:47:30] to do it alone, my friend. Come evolve with us. With my clients, they usually say it's a good idea to kind of take a step back and just feel in your body. Mm-hmm. Because if you find yourself being resentful about saying yes to something Yeah. It probably means it's like next time you should say no.

Dr. Lori Teller: No. [: 00:47:45

Bethany Weinheimer: a great, and notice it in your body, like, and you'll start to recognize when you wanna say no.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah.

And pets. And pets. And, um, [: 00:48:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes.

tuition and wall off our own [: 00:48:15

Our challenge to you is. How does it feel in your body when you think about the Yes. And then how does it feel in your body when you think about the no.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right.

mean you have to change your [: 00:48:30

Dr. Lori Teller: right

Bethany Weinheimer: the first time, but notice how it feels and then maybe the next time Yeah, you feel a little bit more confident in making that decision.

Dr. Lori Teller: And it's okay to pause, right. If they ask you, you, you can, you can always say, I need to think about that.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right back [: 00:48:45

Bethany Weinheimer: probably not

Dr. Lori Teller: worth it.

That's a no. That's a [: 00:49:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Then you should do it. Yes, exactly. And I think, um, okay, so the, the thing that you said was my authentic value is curiosity. Do you [00:49:15] have others that Oh, sure. Stand out to you?

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes. Uh.

Integrity, accountability, loyalty. Um, my husband and I are high school sweethearts.

Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, I love

that.

so adorable. So, and of, of [: 00:49:30

Bethany Weinheimer: you're loyal.

Dr. Lori Teller: You, you have a long relationship. There's ups and downs with that. So loyalty is huge. We're gonna get through that together, whatever it is.

would be a biggie. Honesty, [: 00:49:45

Bethany Weinheimer: Hmm.

Dr. Lori Teller: And do that too.

roles and the volunteer, the [: 00:50:15

Dr. Lori Teller: major, major support system? I mean, you, you can, you can't do any one of those things alone, but you can't, certainly can't do all of them alone.

My husband is my number one [: 00:50:30

We made the childcare work. Um, so having a support system for that. Having the mentors to help you work through challenging cases, [00:51:00] finding friends at school. So if you can't go pick up your child, I mean making the, getting the carpool together. Yeah. Whatever that looks like. Um, doing those kinds of things.

rt of learning the yeses and [: 00:51:15

Bethany Weinheimer: Yes.

t you can say yes over here. [: 00:51:30

The science fair.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

Dr. Lori Teller: At school. Right. And so there were times that I did that.

Bethany Weinheimer: It's the [: 00:51:45

Yep.

Bethany Weinheimer: And sometimes it's a blend because sometimes you might say yes to the work bucket.

kids. Like all the different [: 00:52:00

It's like [00:52:15] finding a way to do them all in, in a way that serves each department in a balanced way. That f makes your soul feel excited.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yes. Amazing. I mean, one of my things is I wanted to be the field trip chaperone when my son was little.

Bethany Weinheimer: That's so cute.

Lori Teller: Right. I didn't [: 00:52:30

But I really, really loved chaperoning field trips. And so if they weren't on my day off, I. Find somebody at work to trade that. Oh, I

Bethany Weinheimer: love

hat was fine. If similar, if [: 00:52:45

Bethany Weinheimer: people work you the, to you.

a client that I was coaching [: 00:53:00

Mm-hmm. Okay. Well you're feeling resentful because you feel [00:53:15] like when you're home you're not spending time with your, you know, young daughter. Okay, let's dive in. Why? Okay. Well, people are calling you during rounds or you know their time where they're busy at the hospital, but you're missing bedtime.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right?

PM block and [: 00:53:30

Yes. Because when we [00:53:45] start sacrificing and giving more and more of that away mm-hmm. That's where the resentment builds and the apathy and that leads to compassion fatigue and burnout. Right. That's the journey.

Dr. Lori Teller: Absolutely.

Bethany Weinheimer: Absolutely. So just like those moments of boundaries is, ends up what's being super important.

So tell me, [: 00:54:00

Dr. Lori Teller: So. I'm a veterinarian. My husband's a physician. [00:54:15] And we figured out fairly early on that the only way to really have time to ourselves or family or friend, I mean whatever that is, that was not work, was to travel.

Right. Because even if you're, so

Bethany Weinheimer: that's your like all in all out

r. Lori Teller: approach. Oh [: 00:54:30

Bethany Weinheimer: were trapped.

Dr. Lori Teller: [: 00:54:45

Bethany Weinheimer: trapped, isolated, you needed that.

f those people was one of my [: 00:55:00

Bethany Weinheimer: How does that even happen?

Dr. Lori Teller: I don't know. We came halfway around the world to escape our lives and I mean, she was great.

like, really? So, so how did [: 00:55:15

Uh, but as we got more comfortable and more successful in our careers, went to Europe and

Bethany Weinheimer: Wow.

food. My husband's hobby is [: 00:55:45

Bethany Weinheimer: love that. I can't wait to go to a winery with you guys. That

Dr. Lori Teller: sounds incredible.

f course done California and [: 00:56:00

Top. Well, so when I had been diagnosed with breast cancer, um, I said, okay, and my husband was still a resident or just finished his residency at that time. So like, okay, don't have money now, but you're taking me to Africa before I'm 40. So [00:56:30] when I turned 39, we, we went to, to Africa. I mean, mind blowing experience.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah.

were also bucket list items. [: 00:56:45

Bethany Weinheimer: Yes,

Dr. Lori Teller: yes. Those need to be separate trips.

Bethany Weinheimer: Okay.

Dr. Lori Teller: Don't try to combine them.

Don't do

Bethany Weinheimer: it.

different islands that make [: 00:57:00

'cause after [00:57:15] Safari a psych. I gotta go to the Have

Bethany Weinheimer: to. Yes.

And then we really was like, [: 00:57:30

Bethany Weinheimer: Yes.

Dr. Lori Teller: So for our 30th wedding anniversary, we went to Japan.

ctica. And I mean, penguins, [: 00:57:45

Bethany Weinheimer: penguins, what else? Right? Like enough sense

Dr. Lori Teller: how, how can you not go to Antarctica? So that was our seventh continent. Wow. It was the best.

Bethany Weinheimer: Did y'all do a cruise?

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah. That's really the only, that's really the only way,

Bethany Weinheimer: right?

unless you're on a research [: 00:58:00

Bethany Weinheimer: yeah. My friends that have gone. Yeah. And said the cruise is the way to go.

It's

Dr. Lori Teller: definitely the way to go. So

aring about all your venture [: 00:58:15

Dr. Lori Teller: special for their own

Bethany Weinheimer: reason.

Dr. Lori Teller: Different reasons. Like, we went to Italy three weeks after nine 11.

Wow. [: 00:58:30

For us to communicate. And we said yes. And they had like our itinerary down to, to the minute. Oh. Uh, so that, for that, and of course the day before we [00:59:00] leave, the State Department releases. High terrorism alert, do not travel to Italy, because I'm sure they were hearing all sorts of chatter and we're like, Hmm, we're still gonna go.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah, I think,

Dr. Lori Teller: I think this could be

Bethany Weinheimer: fun.

nd it was great. I mean, not [: 00:59:15

Bethany Weinheimer: more genuine experience

nd the, the Italians were so [: 00:59:30

And I can remember eating at a, a major fancy restaurant one night, and it, it was us. There was [00:59:45] nobody else in the restaurant. And we're like, well, what do you have for dessert? And my husband, and we were with another couple at this point that we had met on the trip and um, they're like, well, we have this and this, and my like.

ou have any chocolate or any [: 01:00:00

Bethany Weinheimer: Oh, wow. What a magical,

it was, it was C great. And [: 01:00:15

And so those kinds of things, so, you know, that made that trip special. Um,

Bethany Weinheimer: that's incredible.

Dr. Lori Teller: Yeah. I mean, every trip has a. Its own things that stand out.

Weinheimer: I had a moment, [: 01:00:30

Dr. Lori Teller: Mm-hmm.

Bethany Weinheimer: Uh, for my 33rd birthday, I took a flight to Bora Bora. Ooh. So for me, I've always like dreamed about going to Bora Bora.

I live in a beach bungalow. [: 01:00:45

Dr. Lori Teller: it?

Bethany Weinheimer: It was incredible. I bet. And I have always told myself I needed to wait to go because that's like something you should save for your honeymoon.

No,

Dr. Lori Teller: don't wait.

ny Weinheimer: And then like [: 01:01:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Yep.

urner's from the class above [: 01:01:15

So I actually didn't have to hang out alone, like the entire 10 days of my trip. I actually got to meet and hang out with some of my friends from vet school.

Dr. Lori Teller: That is so funny.

Bethany Weinheimer: Um. But just like those small moments where you're like, okay, I was supposed to be here.

Dr. Lori Teller: Right.

einheimer: You know, like, I [: 01:01:30

This is part of the journey,

Dr. Lori Teller: and I'm so glad you didn't wait.

e for my honeymoon, I have a [: 01:01:45

I can't go babe. Right? Like, I could have a

Dr. Lori Teller: yes,

my boyfriend and I actually [: 01:02:00

Dr. Lori Teller: Oh, that's too funny.

is really fun. So travel is [: 01:02:15

Dr. Lori Teller: experiences.

Totally.

Bethany Weinheimer: Yeah. I absolutely agree.

Dr. Lori Teller: Without all the distractions.

Bethany Weinheimer: Without the distractions, it's the best part.

Dr. Lori Teller: It is.

Bethany Weinheimer: Um, [: 01:02:30

Dr. Lori Teller: been wonderful.

Bethany Weinheimer: Well, I've had the best time. Yeah. And just for all of our listeners, I need to point out that Lori has the absolutely insane, most best glasses.

And it just shows like your [: 01:02:45

Dr. Lori Teller: I appreciate it. Thanks so much for having me.

That's been wonderful.

. Yeah. Okay, so today let's [: 01:03:00

Let's evolve together.