Rekindling: Compassion Fatigue Solutions For Animal Workers

In this episode, I'm debunking the myth that confidence comes first and exploring what it really feels like to take courageous action. Spoiler alert: it usually feels like fear. If you’ve been waiting to feel ready, polished, or fearless before making a move, this is your reminder that doing it scared is how confidence is built. Let’s talk about embracing discomfort, trusting yourself, and taking the leap anyway.

Guilt is a constant companion for many animal caregivers but so often, the guilt we carry isn’t actually ours to hold. In this episode, we’re unpacking the difference between emotional storytelling and actual responsibility. You’ll learn about confabulation (the sneaky way your brain fills in the blanks with self-blame) and proximal causation (how to uncover the real cause behind what happened). If you’ve ever spiraled over a decision you made, felt like you didn’t do enough, or carried the weight of an outcome that broke your heart, this one’s for you. Wild Hearts Rising is my online group for vet techs/assts, animal welfare folks, lab animal, zoo/aquarium and wildlife warriors.  Here's all the info. 

In this episode, my Gemini sister Kelly Burich is back and we explore the emotional labor of showing up when your insides don’t match your outsides. From surface acting to deep acting, we unpack what it costs to keep smiling through stress, sadness, or burnout and why acknowledging the weight behind the smile is the first step to real emotional well-being. If you’ve ever felt like you were performing your role instead of living it, this one’s for you.

In this episode we’re talking about the thing you secretly want — the dream, the goal, the whisper you’ve been carrying quietly for too long. We’ll explore why it feels scary to want more, how fear shows up when you’re on the edge of something meaningful, and why now might be the moment to finally go after it. If you're craving permission, encouragement, or a loving nudge — this one’s for you.

It's not everyday that you get to talk to folks who are rescuing some of the largest, most dangerous and most exploited animals on the planet, Big Cats. In this episode I have the pleasure of speaking to 3 incredible women from Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, AR.  Join me for my conversation with the founder Tanya Smith, staff veterinarian Dr. Kellyn Sweeley and animal curator Emily McCormack as they share their passion for their work, the heartbreak that comes with rescuing big cats and exotic animals and the transformations that they get to witness as these animals reclaim their health and dignity.  You can find out more about Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and how to support them here. 

You are not a project that needs to be improved—you are already enough. This episode blows up the myth that worthiness is something you earn by overworking, overgiving, or overachieving. It’s time to stop hustling to be "enough" and start remembering who you are.

I'm fresh off the heels of a meet-up of my Living A Life You Love group of women vets. We met in Chicago and the connections they've made on Zoom completely transferred to in-person. These women have each others back and have supported each other through some really tough things. So on the way home I created this list of empowering beliefs.  Living A Life You Love is only for women veterinarians and it only opens every 6 months. You can enroll now. Here's the link https://www.juliesquires.net/group-coaching. But hurry, the doors close on Friday March 28 at 11:59 pm! 

Ever feel like certain people were put in your life just to test your patience? Whether it’s a toxic boss, a drama-loving coworker, or someone who always pushes your buttons, difficult people are everywhere. But here’s the good news—you don’t have to let them steal your peace! In this episode, we’re diving into how to handle tricky personalities, set boundaries like a boss, and keep your cool no matter what chaos comes your way. My 6-month group for women veterinarians, Living A Life You Love is opening for enrollment on March 24-28, 2025. Here's all the info https://www.juliesquires.net/group-coaching

Five years ago, the world changed in ways we never imagined. The pandemic reshaped our lives, our fears, our resilience, and our sense of what truly matters. In this episode, we reflect on what we learned, who we became, and how we moved forward. What did we fear then, and what do we fear now? How did we adapt, and what unexpected strengths did we uncover in ourselves? Join me in this personal and collective reflection as we look back on a time that tested us, transformed us, and—hopefully—made us better. This is an episode about survival, growth, and what it means to come out the other side with a deeper understanding of ourselves and each other.

In this episode, we’re diving into the 5 Essentials for Workplace Mental Health and Well-Being as outlined by the U.S. Surgeon General. These five pillars—Protection from Harm, Connection & Community, Work-Life Harmony, Mattering at Work, and Growth Opportunities—are key to creating a work environment where people don’t just survive, but truly thrive.  Whether you’re an employee, a leader, or just someone looking for ways to feel more supported at work, this episode will give you actionable insights to build resilience, prevent burnout and compassion fatigue, and create a healthier, happier work life.  Here's the link to my episode #81 that I did on the Languages of Appreciation. 

An inner critic, we all have one. It's that constantly negative, judgmental voice that's always doubting you. You might be surprised to learn it's actually not you. Your inner critic is a collection of thoughts you've picked up along the way. By learning how to relate to your inner critic (I call mine Roger), you might just make a friend. Check it out! 

A trigger is anything—an event, a memory, a sound, a sensation—that activates a strong emotional or physiological response. Triggers don’t always come from major trauma; they can be shaped by past experiences, chronic stress, or even patterns from childhood that taught us what is “safe” and what isn’t. Our brains don’t differentiate between past and present threats as well as we’d like them to. A trigger can make your nervous system react as if you are in real danger, even if you are perfectly safe in the moment. We can't eliminate all of our triggers but we can learn how to be with them. Listen to find out more. 

Grief is never just about the loss itself—it carries ripple effects that touch every part of our lives. In this episode, I'll explore secondary losses, the often-overlooked layers of grief that arise after losing a beloved pet or person. From changes in daily routines to shifts in identity and community, I will break down how these losses manifest and how to navigate them with compassion. Tune in for insights on recognizing, honoring, and healing with self-care, so you can carry both love and loss forward in a meaningful way.

If there's one thing I love, it's a great metaphor. Life has a way of knocking us on our butts sometimes. In this episode, I'm diving into what it really means to “get back on the horse” after a setback(or in my case, a real actual fall off a horse!) So dust yourself off, take a deep breath, listen in and let’s ride again!

Mel Robbin's book The Let Them Theory is quite popular right now. But did you know it's based on a poem by Cassie Phillips called "Just Let Them"? This poem gives us the power and understanding of what it means to release control over trying to control other people and instead comprehend our own worthiness that is never in the hands of others. 

It's not too late to set your course for the year! Matter of fact, you could do this at any time throughout the year, not just in the beginning. But setting intentions for the year is just like plugging in a destination in your GPS, it sets the course.  Here are the questions: What’s the one word or phrase I want to define my life in 2025, and why does it resonate with me right now? (E.g., Freedom, Growth, Boldness) What part of my life feels most aligned with who I truly am, and how can I build on that in the coming year? Where am I playing small, and how can I step into my full potential with courage and confidence in 2025? What’s one area of my life I’ve been avoiding or neglecting, and what small, intentional action will I take to change that? What wild, audacious dream excites me but also scares me, and how will I take the first step toward it this year? How do I want to show up for myself daily—mentally, physically, emotionally—and what rituals or habits will support that? Who inspires me, and what qua

Natural death is an interesting process. The body knows how to do it but that doesn't mean it's easy to watch. With animals we often don't get to see the dying process because we often opt to relieve suffering and provide a "good death" via euthanasia. Witnessing my father in the dying process really got me to think about the contrast between how animals die and how humans do. And I started to wonder about some unintended consequences that can result when we are used to relieving suffering.  In this episode I mention the "blue pamphlet" that hospice workers reference and recommend to family members of dying patients. It's called "Gone From My Sight: The Dying Experience" and if you or someone you know has a loved one that's dying, it might be very helpful. You can get it here. 

This is it. The final episode of 2024 which means it's time to end the year with intention, let go of anything no longer serving you that you don't want to bring into 2025 and realign with your purpose of serving animals. 

It's time for our annual reflection! I love the opportunity to look back and unpack the year. Chances are your 2024 was filled with joys and disappointments. Today we'll focus on more of the joys. I want to encourage you to journal on these 10 questions.  1. What goals did I accomplish this year? 2. How did I step outside of my comfort zone this year and what did I learn from it? 3. What moments will I cherish forever? 4. Were there any relationships I chose to let go of and why? 5. What practices or habits brought me the most peace and joy? 6. How did I strenghten my relationships with loved ones this year? 7. Who were the people who uplifted and inspired me the most this year? 8. How did I overcome fear and doubt this year? 9. What was the boldest decision I made this year and what was the outcome? 10. What is the one bold vision I have for myself in the coming year?

The holiday season can be a challenging time for those navigating grief and loss. In this episode, we explore the unique ways the holidays can amplify feelings of longing and sadness, whether you're mourning a loved one, a cherished pet, or experiencing a significant life transition.