North of Neutral: why positive psychology matters in vet med

In this first episode of The Veterinary Culture Lab, hosts Andi and Josh go deep on the science that underpins everything they do at Flourish: positive psychology.

What is positive psychology—really? And what isn’t it? Spoiler: it is not toxic positivity, it is not ignoring suffering, and it is definitely not “just think happy thoughts.” Grounded in the work of Dr. Martin Seligman, this conversation unpacks how the science of human flourishing can help veterinary professionals move beyond burnout, beyond “meh,” and into more meaningful, sustainable wellbeing.

You’ll hear:

• A real-life story that perfectly illustrates Corey Keyes’ concept of languishing
  
  
• Why positive psychology in veterinary medicine is more than “good vibes”
  
  
• A breakdown of the common myths—like “isn’t this just positive thinking?”
  
  
• The surprising power of language: why swapping “but” for “and” matters
  
  
• A laugh-out-loud Florida Man story involving a blowtorch and some questionable decision-making

Whether you’re leading a veterinary team or just trying to make it through the week with purpose, this episode offers science-backed insights and practical takeaways for thriving in vet med—without ignoring the hard stuff.

Resource Links:

Episode Article:

Title: Positive psychology: FAQs.
Authors: Seligman, M. E. P., & Pawelski, J. O. (2003).
DOI: https://www.jstor.org/stable/1449825

The Upside of your Darkside - Todd Kashdan and Robert Biswas-Diener

Florida Man This Week - ATM Blowtorch

What Do You Think? Reach out to us and let us know at Info@flourish.vet

Your Hosts:
Andi Davison LVT, CAPP, APPC 

Josh Vaisman MAPPCP, CCFP

At Flourish Veterinary Consulting we renovate veterinary cultures. We diagnose what’s working, blueprint what’s next, and train every team member - blending positive psychology with real-world experience - so thriving becomes the norm, not the myth. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to Positive Psychology

00:49 Weekend Stories and Dad Jokes

03:57 Discussing Languishing and Personal Experiences

11:36 The Science of Positive Psychology

16:11 Common Questions About Positive Psychology

17:05 Reflecting on Positive Psychology FAQs

17:46 The Misconception of 'Happyology'

18:49 The Role of Discomfort in a Meaningful Life

20:30 Balancing Positive and Negative Emotions

22:42 The Value of Pessimistic Thinking

24:30 Practical Applications in Veterinary Medicine

31:03 Leadership and Positive Psychology

32:55 Florida Man: A Humorous Conclusion