Are we training vets to lead—or to chase grades? How do we build grit without burning out?

Host Dr. Dani Rabwin sits down with Dr. Peter Weinstein for an energizing deep dive into leadership, resilience, and bringing the fun back to vet med—without skipping the hard stuff. Perfect for new grads, students, and anyone building healthy, high-trust hospital cultures.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

• The origin story of a “leadership guru”: lifelong follower → practice owner → MBA → mentor
• Why fear kills growth—and practical ways to reframe risk while staying safe/ethical
• Grit vs. burnout: modeling mistakes, normalizing failure, and building psychological safety
• Pass/Fail & PBL: how assessment models shape collaboration, confidence, and readiness
• Communication > memorization: how to find answers fast and build client trust
• Why 3+ DVM teams accelerate learning and reduce stress
• Servant leadership: bottom-up culture, listening first, empowering teams
• “Fun injectors” that boost morale without lowering clinical standards

Who this is for

• Early-career veterinarians & interns
• Veterinary students (any year, any track)
• Mentors, medical directors, practice owners
• Hospital managers & team leads building resilient cultures
• Faculty/curriculum designers exploring PBL & pass/fail

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro — leadership, grit & bringing the fun back

03:14 Follower → leader: ownership, MBA, mindset shifts

08:52 Fear vs. growth: safe steps to try procedures and learn in public

13:40 Modeling mistakes: the mentorship exercise that unlocks grit

18:05 Pass/Fail & PBL: teamwork over perfectionism

23:47 Communication as a clinical skill: trust, clarity, outcomes

28:21 Multi-doctor advantage: daily consults, faster learning, less stress

33:09 Culture design: servant leadership + bottom-up ideas

38:12 Make it fun: low-lift rituals that raise morale

42:30 Action list for new grads: day-one leadership moves

Resources mentioned

• Leadership onboarding programs at vet schools
• Organized vet medicine pathways: local VMA, CVMA/SAVMA, VetPartners
• Ready Vet Go mentorship packs, small-group role-play & skills training

Ready Vet Go — because mentorship matters, and vets shouldn’t have to go it alone.

Follow: @readyvetgo_

Contact: info@pacificlensstudios.com

#leadership #grit #communication #vetmed #ReadyVetGo