In this first episode of 2026, Dr. Brianna Armstrong sits down with Dr. Natalie Marks for a deeply honest conversation about identity, alignment, and intentional living. While Dr. Marks is widely known for her extraordinary career — spanning clinical practice, hospital ownership, national media, Fear Free leadership, and her current role as CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network — this episode goes beyond accomplishments and into the inner work behind them.

Together, Brianna and Natalie explore what it means to build a life that actually feels good, how to recognize when you’ve outgrown old versions of yourself, and why vulnerability, boundaries, and asking for help are essential leadership skills. This episode is an invitation to reflect, let go of what no longer serves you, and choose the “intentional yes” — in your career, relationships, and life.

If you’re feeling successful on paper but misaligned inside, this conversation is for you.

🧠 What We Talk About

• Finding your “why” and building a life around it

• Letting go of roles, identities, and expectations that no longer fit

• Why success without alignment leads to burnout

• Vulnerability as a leadership strength, not a weakness

• Learning how — and when — to ask for help

• Building real friendships and meaningful connection

• Creating boundaries that protect your energy and values

• Choosing the intentional yes instead of living by default

🎧 Why This Episode Matters

This conversation sets the tone for 2026:
Less hustle.
More intention.
More honesty.
More joy.

It’s about choosing people, choosing yourself, and choosing a life that aligns with who you are becoming — not who you used to be.

📣 Share This Episode

If this episode resonated with you and someone came to mind while listening, consider sharing it with them. Sometimes the most meaningful conversations are the ones we pass along.

👩‍⚕️ About Dr. Natalie Marks

Dr. Natalie Marks is one of the most accomplished veterinarians in the profession. She is a former hospital owner, nationally recognized award recipient, international media contributor, Fear Free leader, and CEO of the Veterinary Angel Network (VANE). Through her work, she continues to shape the future of veterinary medicine by supporting innovation, leadership, and intentional career paths.

Dr. Marks Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/natalie-marks-schneiderman-dvm-cvj-ccfp-elite-ffcp-v-54b0429a/ VANE https://vane.vet

MI:RNA https://mirna-diagnostics.com/en

🔔 Stay Connected

If you enjoyed this episode, follow or subscribe to Choose People Love Pets so you don’t miss future conversations focused on people-first leadership, culture, and building careers — and lives — that truly matter.

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In this conversation, Brianna and Phoebe discuss the challenges of asking for help in the veterinary field, emphasizing the importance of creating a culture of support and psychological safety. They explore the reasons behind the hesitation to seek assistance, such as fear of burdening others and past negative experiences. The discussion includes practical strategies for encouraging help-seeking behavior, recognizing signs of overwhelm, and the role of leadership in fostering a supportive environment. The conversation concludes with a focus on the benefits of collaboration and the need to normalize asking for help to combat burnout and improve patient care.

Takeaways

• Asking for help is essential for mental health.
• Hesitation to ask for help often leads to burnout.
• Creating a culture of support is crucial in veterinary practices.
• Leaders should model help-seeking behavior.
• Recognizing signs of overwhelm can prevent burnout.
• Normalizing asking for help improves team dynamics.
• Collaboration enhances patient care and team morale.
• Past experiences can hinder help-seeking behavior.
• Practical strategies can encourage team members to ask for help.
• Leadership plays a vital role in fostering a supportive environment.

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In this conversation, Suzanne Thomas shares her unconventional journey from retail management to becoming a leader and advocate in veterinary medicine. She discusses the importance of building trust within teams, empowering technicians, and the challenges faced in veterinary leadership. Suzanne emphasizes the need for effective communication, continuous learning, and the significance of advocacy for the veterinary profession. Her experiences highlight the critical role of leadership in creating high-performing teams and addressing issues like burnout and underutilization of technicians. In this conversation, Brianna Armstrong and Suzanne Thomas discuss the critical aspects of leadership within veterinary teams, emphasizing the importance of trust, psychological safety, and effective communication. They explore how enhancing team productivity can lead to increased revenue and the necessity of creating a supportive work environment. The dialogue also touches on the dynamics between corporate and private practices, the value of recognizing team members, and the need for a cultural shift in veterinary medicine to improve retention and job satisfaction.

Suzanne's Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/suzannethomaslvt/

Susanne's Book: From Competent to Capable: Redefining Success Through Technician Utilization and Team Empowerment (To purchase: https://a.co/d/eW8V9y8 )

Leading Veterinary Teams: https://www.lvt.vet/

Book recommendation: The Five Dysfunctions Of A Team by Patrick Lencioni

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