85: Clients, Colleagues, and Chaos: A Survival Guide with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton

Blunt Dissection

Debra’s story is wild. She’s worked in the courts. She’s bred Irish Setters. She’s been the PTA president (which, as she says, is like running the UN with biscuits). But what makes her special is her ability to meet people in the thick of their mess, whether it's a lawsuit over a pregnant rescue dog or a front-desk blowup, and find the gold.

In this episode, I sit down with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton, a former litigator turned mediator turned conflict resolution master. And trust me, if you’ve ever had a client, colleague, or complaint that made you question your career, this conversation is for you.

We talk about ego, emotional intelligence, and why boundary-setting isn't just about saying “no.” We unpack the tiny shifts in language that can turn an explosive moment into something manageable. And we dig into a story from my early days that still sits with me, a story about a cat, a fractured jaw, and a moral gut-punch I’ll never forget.

This episode is practical, honest, and (if you’re brave enough to look in the mirror) potentially career-changing. Debra brings the kind of wisdom we need more of in vet med: compassionate, clear, and totally unafraid of the hard stuff.

Episode Highlights

[00:01:00] You Can’t Control Others

[00:05:30] How Debra Went from Courtroom to Vet Med

[00:10:15] The Rescue Dog Case That Changed Everything

[00:14:30] Mediation vs. Litigation

[00:17:05] Ego, Suicide, and the Cost of Silence

[00:21:15] What Vets and Lawyers Share (It’s Not Just Stress)

[00:24:00] 12 Needle Sticks and a Lesson in Dignity

[00:28:45] Are Clients the Problem? Or Are We?

[00:33:20] Your Practice Culture Shapes Everything

[00:38:10] Active Listening Without Losing Yourself

[00:46:00] Dave’s Story: The One That Still Hurts

[00:52:45] Divorce, Control, and the Cat in the Middle

[01:01:00] Conflict Prevention Starts with Culture

[01:06:00] Debra’s Stop-Drop-Roll Method

[01:08:00] What Clients Really Want (Hint: Not Money)

[01:14:30] 10 Ways We Undermine Dignity Without Realising

[01:27:30] Communication Is Part of the Medicine

[01:34:15] The Case for Leading with Grace

Episode Links

• Hamilton Law & Mediation
• Why Do Pets Matter Podcast
• Book: Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt by Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton
• Book: Leading with Dignity by Dr. Donna Hicks
• The Link Coalition – https://nationallinkcoalition.org – exploring the link between animal abuse and human violence
• Ruby’s Law (UK domestic abuse + pet welfare legislation)
• Center for Understanding in Conflict (Gary Friedman)

Connect with Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton:

• Connect with Debra on Linkedin

Want more leadership tools and tough-love wisdom?

• Follow me: @drdavenicol
• Learn more about Vet Leadership Training: Veterinary Leadership Academy

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