Vet Mind Works Podcast
This podcast is for veterinary professionals who are looking for better ways of working and living. We discuss mind-sets, mind skills, behaviours and habits, which support sustainable performance and wellbeing in a challenging profession, and allow us to develop our own 'best veterinary self'. Podcast hosts Petra Agthe and Alison Collings (two vets with a long-standing interest in psychology and related disciplines) interview interesting guests, ranging from veterinary colleagues to psychologists, who share their knowledge, experiences and insights on specific subjects. Occasionally, we also schedule a 'rest and digest' episode in which we discuss and reflect on previous topics. This is a podcast for the whole veterinary community and we encourage listeners to provide feedback and enter the discussion! You can do this by sending us an email to vetmindworks@gmail.com. We are happily funding this podcast ourselves to keep it independent.
Vet Mind Works Podcast
38. Nonviolent Communication - with Dan Tipney and Jess Woolrich
In this episode, host Petra Agthe is joined by Dan Tipney and Jess Woolrich to explore Nonviolent Communication (NVC) and why communication matters so much for work in veterinary practice (and life in general!). Together, they unpack how the way we speak, listen, and respond directly affects psychological safety, team culture, and quality of care. The conversation also touches on emotional intelligence, self-regulation, and practical tools for communicating across difference. This is a grounded, honest conversation about moving beyond “being nice” toward communication that is both compassionate and effective.
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction
05:55 What Is Nonviolent Communication?
12:30 How communication styles impact psychological safety and decision-making
20:00 Why self-awareness and emotional regulation are learned skills
27:30 Incivility, threat responses & burnout
35:00 Communication Across Difference
42:30 Practical tools from Nonviolent Communication
50:00 Leadership, modelling & team trust
57:30 How does Nonviolent Communication look in the real world?
1:04:30 Resources and further information about our guests
Where to find Dan and Jess:
VetLed website: https://www.vetled.co.uk/
Vetled on Instagram, Facebook and LinkedIn
Compassionate Communication Course with Jess and Dan: https://www.vetled.co.uk/courses-services/compassionate-communication-open-course
Further resources on the topic:
NVC UK website: https://nvc-uk.com/
NVC trainer Cath Burke: https://www.empathymatters.net/
Book recommendation: Marshal Rosenberg - Nonviolent Communication: A language of life https://blackwells.co.uk/bookshop/product/Nonviolent-Communication-by-Marshall-B-Rosenberg/9781892005281?srsltid=AfmBOoobGslbFhQYLulAsLvWoUU4hc2ykmwMq1Sm24izHXEfgDralQwR
This podcast is in partnership with the Veterinary Information Network (VIN). More about VIN here.
We value your feedback! Please email us your thoughts, ideas and suggestions to vetmindworks@gmail.com or follow us on LinkedIn and Facebook
Want to find out more about our hosts ? Follow on LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/petra-agthe-562bb65b
https://www.linkedin.com/in/clive-elwood-b7aba216/
Credits:
Music- Deep Ambience by Coma-Media, Pixabay; Images for Artwork- OpenClipart-Vectors, Pixabay
