Episodes

Dr. Alex Sigmund, DACVO, joins Dr. Andy Roark to share his journey from uncertain pre-vet student to rising ophthalmology star and social media sensation, better known as The Vet Eye Guy. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, Alex opens up about falling in love with ophthalmology during vet school, navigating the competitive world of residencies, and building a wildly popular educational Instagram presence. From his passion for teaching to the moment he realized his bite-sized videos wer...

Dr. Jimmy Barr, Chief Medical Officer at Antech Diagnostics, joins The Cone of Shame Podcast for a deep dive into the future of veterinary diagnostics. With a background as a criticalist and former CMO of Blue Pearl, Dr. Barr brings a clinician’s perspective to the evolving landscape of diagnostics. He and Dr. Andy Roark discuss how innovation is shaping veterinary medicine, from AI-assisted radiograph interpretation to predictive diagnostics and molecular testing. They explore the role of spect...

Dr. David Haworth joins Dr. Andy Roark to unpack one of the most talked-about shifts in veterinary medicine: the rise of mid-level practitioners. In this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, they dive into the connection between regulation and innovation—yes, you read that right—and how smart, clear guidelines can actually fuel progress. The conversation then shifts to Colorado’s landmark ballot initiative, paving the way for mid-level roles in vet med. Dr. Haworth shares his perspective on wha...

In this crossover episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast and VetFolio Voice, Dr. Andy Roark, Stephanie Goss and Dr. Cassandra Fleming dive into conflict management in veterinary practices. They discuss how to reframe conflict as an opportunity for growth rather than something to avoid. Stephanie and Andy break down the importance of building conflict-resilient teams—teams that can disagree, talk through issues, and move forward without tension lingering. They explore practical tools for...

Tabitha Kucera, RVT, VTS (Behavior) joins Dr. Andy Roark to talk about how veterinary technicians can build a career in behavior. She shares her journey from general practice to launching Chirrups and Chatter, the challenges she faced, and the steps she took to advocate for herself and establish a successful behavior consulting business. They discuss imposter syndrome, career growth, and why behavior is an essential part of veterinary medicine. Gang, let’s get into this episode. Chirrups and Ch...

Dr. Kate Boatright joins The Cone of Shame Podcast to discuss how new veterinary graduates can sometimes be perceived as money-hungry, not because they are, but because they lack confidence in case management and lean heavily on full diagnostic workups. She and Dr. Andy Roark explore how vet school training, imposter syndrome, and communication challenges contribute to this perception. They dive into the importance of spectrum of care, mentorship strategies for guiding young doctors, and how cli...

Dr. Jen Quammen joins The Cone of Shame Podcast to discuss her candidacy for AVMA President-Elect and why she’s stepping up to lead the profession. In this episode, she and Dr. Andy Roark explore what it takes to run for AVMA leadership, the changes she hopes to bring—like expanding membership to include credentialed veterinary technicians—and the challenges of guiding a large, public-facing organization. They dive into the AVMA’s evolution, the importance of diverse representation, and how vete...

Dr. Donnell Hanson joins The Cone of Shame Podcast to share her passion for helping veterinarians overcome their fear of dentistry through her unique training center, The Four Legged Tooth Fairy. In this episode, Dr. Hanson and Dr. Andy Roark explore why dentistry can be such a source of stress for veterinarians, the most common roadblocks that hold doctors back, and how a hands-on, supportive approach can transform anxiety into confidence. They discuss the role of mentorship, repetition, and sm...

Dr. Rochelle Low joins us to discuss resilience and recovery from patient safety events. On this episode of the Cone of Shame Podcast, Dr. Andy Roark and Dr. Rochelle Low explore what patient safety events are and how they impact veterinary professionals. They discuss the critical role of psychological safety, strong leadership, and a culture of trust in helping teams learn, adapt, and heal when things go wrong. Dr. Low shares insights from her recent JAVMA study, breaking down the emotional and...

Veterinary anesthesia expert Tasha McNerney, CVT, CVPP, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia) joins The Cone of Shame Podcast with Dr. Andy Roark to break down the role of butorphanol (Torb) in veterinary practice today. They dive into its sedative vs. analgesic properties, when it shines, and when it falls short, especially in pain management. Tasha explains opioid receptor interactions, how to think critically about using butorphanol in different cases, and why it might still deserve a spot on your cli...

Dr. Donnell Hansen joins The Cone of Shame Podcast with Dr. Andy Roark to discuss oral tumors in dog. Together they discuss how to recognize them, when to biopsy, and how to talk to pet owners about what comes next. Dr. Hansen breaks down the diagnostic process, explains when a fine needle aspirate won’t cut it, and shares best practices for pain management and treatment options. She also dives into the importance of setting client expectations and how to approach these cases with both confidenc...

Dr. Andrew Woolcock, internist at Purdue University’s College of Veterinary Medicine, returns to the Cone of Shame podcast to discuss the metabolic phenomenon of hypoglycemia in dogs. In this insightful Hall of Fame episode, Dr. Woolcock and Dr. Andy Roark break down the common causes of hypoglycemia, diagnostic approaches, and effective treatment strategies for both young and older dogs. This episode also highlights emergency stabilization protocols, including when and how to administer dextros...

Tasha McNerney, CVT, VTS (Anesthesia & Analgesia), aka the original Anesthesia Nerd, joins Dr. Andy Roark to dive into the cutting edge of pain management in veterinary surgery. In this episode, Tasha discusses how to reduce opioid use while improving patient outcomes through multimodal analgesia and local anesthetic blocks. She breaks down the ERAS (Enhanced Recovery After Surgery) protocol, adapted from human medicine, and how it can revolutionize the way veterinary teams manage surgical pain....

Dr. Anna McManamey, Professor of Cardiology at Purdue's College of Veterinary Medicine, joins Dr. Andy Roark to discuss a common yet challenging case: a new heart murmur in a cat scheduled for a dental procedure. In this Hall of Fame episode, Dr. Mack unpacks the potential causes of heart murmurs in cats, with a focus on hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) and other conditions that could impact anesthesia safety and long-term health. She highlights the diagnostic tools available, including the lim...

In this episode, Dr. Andy Roark welcomes Dr. Phil Richmond, founder of Flourishing Phoenix, to dive into the U.S. Surgeon General's Framework for Mental Health in the Workplace. They discuss how veterinary practices can address psychosocial hazards, implement effective risk assessments, and foster a culture of wellbeing that supports teams without creating unnecessary stress. You’ll gain actionable insights into leadership strategies, the PERMA framework, and practical ways to enhance connection...

Ever wondered what the next level of Fear Free handling really looks like? Dr. Andy Roark sits down with Dr. Megan Bauer and Jessica Osborne of Latah Creek Animal Hospital in Spokane, Washington, to explore their transformative journey into Fear Free practice. From navigating staff and client turnover to implementing innovative low-stress handling techniques, this duo shares how they’ve created a practice where pets, clients, and team members thrive. Discover practical tips, lessons learned, and...

Dr. Ernie Ward joins Dr. Andy Roark to discuss the challenges of discussing pet obesity with clients and practical strategies for creating urgency and motivating pet owners to take action. This episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast dives deep into the psychology of weight loss conversations, emphasizing the importance of permission, framing the discussion around quality of life, and focusing on actionable steps. Dr. Ward shares his insights and experiences, offering valuable tools for ...

Ryan Leech returns once again to talk about our 2025 predictions. Ryan Leech is the creator and host of The Bird Bath Podcast, and joins Dr. Andy Roark this time on The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast to explore veterinary industry trends and predictions for 2025. They discuss corporate consolidation, AI integration, emerging pet health technologies, and the potential for significant shifts in pet ownership demographics. Ryan shares insights on the future of pet care, including advancements in ...

Kelsey Beth Carpenter, RVT hosts a lively episode in which we find out what to do when we feel overwhelmed by the problems in our industry. On this episode of The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, Kelsey Beth Carpenter Dr. Andy Roark to discuss optimism and cynicism in veterinary medicine. They dive into how choosing optimism can positively shape careers, the difference between optimism and toxic positivity, and strategies for navigating negativity in the profession. This episode offers actionab...

Dr. Marie Holowaychuk joins Dr. Andy Roark on The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast to share her journey through burnout, mental health struggles, and recovery as a boarded critical care specialist turned wellness advocate. In this insightful episode, Dr. Holowaychuk discusses the realities of perfectionism, the martyr complex, and the challenges veterinary professionals face in balancing work, identity, and life outside the clinic. Marie opens up about her personal transformation, the pivotal ro...

Dr. Cathy Meeks dives into this episode to discuss diagnostic innovation and what really happens at the lab. In this episode of The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, host Dr. Andy Roark sits down with his longtime friend and fellow University of Florida alum, Dr. Cathy Meeks, Global VP of Medical Operations at Antech Diagnostics. Together, they explore the inner workings of veterinary diagnostics, discussing hematology cases and the advanced resources available to veterinary teams. Dr. Meeks sha...

Struggling to get pet owners on board with dental care for their pets? In this episode of The Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast, host Dr. Andy Roark tackles this common challenge with the help of board-certified veterinary dentist and oral surgeon Dr. Amy Thomson, aka "Toothy Thompson." Together, they discuss practical strategies to inspire pet owners to adopt home dental care routines that actually get done. From realistic toothbrushing techniques to advice on leveraging treats and routines, Dr....

Dr. Doug Mader joins us to talk about all sorts of zoonotic diseases. Together, Dr. Doug Mader and Dr. Andy Roark on the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast to discuss the zoonotic diseases found in exotic animals but also your common cat and dogs. They explore the history of salmonella in the pet trade, the risks of psittacosis from birds, and the potential for parasites like the dwarf tapeworm to infect humans. This episode is packed with valuable information for veterinary professionals and pet ...

Dr. Sam Morello joins us for a conversation on changing lanes in veterinary medicine. Sam shares the mic with Dr. Andy Roark on this episode of the Cone of Shame Veterinary Podcast to discuss her career reinvention, transitioning from a tenured equine surgeon to her current leadership. Dr. Morello shares her personal journey and insights on the importance of self-reflection, identifying personal and professional goals, and the courage required to step outside of one's comfort zone. She emphasize...