Ep 256: Should Influencers Be Speaking at Vet Conferences? with Dr. Moriah McCauley

In this episode, Dr. Moriah McCauley dives headfirst into a hot topic stirring debate across Vetstagram, TikTok, and beyond: Should veterinary influencers be allowed to speak at CE conferences?Before diving into the controversy, Dr. Moriah offers a warm recap of last week’s episode with Dr. Katie Miller from Rockingham Veterinary Clinic—a rural Kansas practice quietly building a mentorship model that goes far beyond the basics. She highlights how Katie and her team built a species-specific action plan for their new grad, setting quarterly growth goals and fostering a practice-wide culture of mentorship—from vets to vet assistants and beyond.Then it's on to the deep end: What role should social media-savvy vets play in shaping continuing education? Dr. Moriah breaks down the concerns raised by a recent podcast episode questioning the credibility of influencers on the CE stage, and offers a nuanced, thoughtful rebuttal. She explores what really matters when evaluating speakers—credibility, content, and connection—and why influence doesn’t have to dilute quality.You’ll also hear Dr. Moriah answer listener questions about CE, race-approved content, and the value of resonance in education. If you’ve ever wondered how social media is shaping the future of veterinary learning—or what qualifies someone to be on stage at a conference—this episode is for you.Episode Outline[00:00] The Mentorship Model at Rockingham Vet[04:26] Action Plans for New Grads: Skills by Species[08:07] Creating a Culture of Mentorship Beyond the Vets[12:25] Listener Q&A: Should Influencers Be Teaching at Conferences?[14:51] The Podcast That Sparked the Debate[19:17] Evaluating Credibility Beyond Follower Counts[22:00] What Actually Counts as CE?[26:22] Why Communication, Marketing & Mentorship Matter Too[28:33] The Problem with Focusing on the Worst-Case Influencers[32:04] Information vs. Resonance: What Makes a Great Educator[37:07] What We Can Learn from Social Media Communicators[38:33] The Future of CE: Panels, Collaboration, and ConnectionEpisode LinksSee more from Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.instagram.com/dr.moriah.mccauleyConnect with Dr. Moriah McCauley: https://www.linkedin.com/in/moriah-mccauleyMentioned in this episode:So You're a Vet, Now What? - The CourseAre you a new or recent veterinary graduate? If so, Dr. Dave’s course, ‘So You’re a Vet… Now What?’ has been put together specifically for you. The course focuses on non-clinical skills. This is not as dull as it sounds. In fact, almost every career problem that people face is due to not having well-developed, non-clinical skills. These are skills like client communication, so you have great relationships with clients. Emotional intelligence, so you've got great relationships with your teammates. Effective negotiation skills, so you can get paid what you are worth. Management of imposter syndrome, so you can have confidence in your abilities. And, how to build formidable resilience, so you can handle everything that comes your way. These are not just skills. They are prerequisites vital for success and financial and emotional wellbeing. This course serves as an essential stepping stone to your success. Dr. Dave will be your mentor as you go through 12-modules, helping you transition from being a student to a fully rounded veterinary professional....