PA the FI Way

PA the FI Way

Becoming a physician assistant (PA) is difficult. But becoming a PA on the way to financial independence (FI) shouldn’t be. Allow the PA the FI Way podcast to be your guide to becoming a physician assistant on the way to financial independence. Unfortunately, even basic personal finance and budget concepts are rarely taught in high school, college or PA school. Then once PA students become certified physician assistants and begin their professional journey practicing medicine, they typically have a heap of student loans just waiting to be paid back. Let’s not only discuss how to prevent large student loan amounts, but also how to pay them back quickly. Let’s discuss how practicing PAs can learn to save and invest for their futures. PA the FI Way’s mission is to provide both future and current PAs alike strategies to not only become financially literate, but to also reach financial independence along the way. Think of it as personal finance for PAs with a financial independence twist. Financial independence provides the freedom to find balance in work and personal life. FI is about creating the life you want to live, choosing when to retire (IF you want to retire early), choosing when to cut back on working, or choosing when to work on another passion in your life. The decision truly is yours, and I hope you decide to join me on the journey to becoming a PA the FI Way.

Episodes

August 22, 2025 45 mins

In this episode, I sit down with Caleb Pepperday, CFP®, ChFC®, fee-only fiduciary financial planner and founder of Advanced Practice Planning, to discuss financial planning for physician associates and other healthcare professionals. Caleb shares what drew him to work with PAs and other APPs, and how his dual designations as a Certified Financial Planner and Chartered Financial Consultant give him a unique perspective...

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Whether you’re a brand-new grad just stepping into the world of medicine, a mid-career clinician who still loves the work but feels the wear and tear, or someone laser-focused on retiring early to reclaim your time—this episode is for you.

No matter your path, one thing is true: medicine is demanding. And if you want to make it sustainable—whether for 5 more years or 45 more years—you need a strategy to protect your energy...

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What if the most important steps on your financial journey aren’t the big flashy ones—but the small, quiet wins you hardly notice? In this episode, we’re shining a light on the under-celebrated financial milestones that deserve just as much recognition as paying off your student loan debt or hitting six figures in your retirement account.

From paying off your first credit card to setting up automatic savings, these sm...

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Why work for 40 years and only retire once? What if you could step away more than once—not to quit, but to live more fully and intentionally?

In this episode, author and host of Retire Often podcast, Jillian Johnsrud, joins me to share insights from her new book, Retire Often, which is now available for pre-order.

She introduces the powerful concept of mini retirements—intentional pauses from work that can lead to deep bur...

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Wanting to make changes, but feeling too overwhelmed and exhausted to start? You’re not alone—and you don’t need a complete life overhaul to start feeling better. In this episode, I'm diving into the science and simplicity of microhabits: tiny, 2-minute actions that help you regain control of your time, energy, and mental clarity—without adding to your to-do list.

Drawing from insights in Atomic Habits and lived ...

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In this episode, the concept of rhythmic renewal is explored, which is the practice of building intentional, restorative pauses into your day to protect your energy and prevent burnout. You’ll learn how to implement a timing model that works well for your schedule, create your own personalized renewal menu, and discover simple ways to reset—even in the busiest clinical or hospital settings. These small, consistent rhythms ...

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Feeling stretched too thin? Saying “yes” when you want to say “no” is one of the fastest tracks to burnout—especially in healthcare. In this episode, I dive into The Yes Trap and unpack why learning to say “no” isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s a power skill that protects your time, energy, and sanity. You’ll also learn 11 practical types of “no" that you can start implementing today, real-world boundary-setting ...

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Love to travel but hate overspending? In this episode, I'm diving into practical, low-effort ways to stretch your travel budget without sacrificing fun or comfort. Whether you're planning a weekend road trip, a CME conference, or an international adventure, these tips will help you save on flights, lodging, food, and activities—so you can travel on budget while reaching your financial goals. 

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If you’ve ever questioned whether you really belong in medicine — even with the credentials, experience, and evidence to prove it — this episode is for you. Imposter syndrome shows up quietly but powerfully in medicine, often pushing high-achieving providers to overwork, downplay their success, and silently burn out. Today, we're unpacking what imposter syndrome really is, how it shows up throughout your career, and t...

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Spring cleaning isn’t just for your home—your finances need a refresh too! If you’re tired of cluttered accounts, surprise tax bills, or money slipping through the cracks, this episode is the reset button you need. We’re walking you through 10 simple (and actually doable) steps to get your financial life in order. From canceling useless subscriptions and automating your savings to organizing your accounts, we’r...

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Frugality is a powerful tool for paying off debt, allowing you to cut unnecessary expenses, focus on essentials, develop discipline, and accelerate financial freedom. However, staying frugal for too long can lead to a scarcity mindset, making it hard to enjoy your money even after paying off your debt and achieving stability. While being frugal for a season helps you break free from debt, true financial freedom comes from ...

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Want to make your savings work harder for you without lifting a finger? In this episode, we’re taking it back to basics and discussing High-Yield Savings Accounts (HYSAs)—what they are, why they matter, and how they can help you grow your emergency fund and sinking funds faster than a traditional savings account. If your money is sitting in a regular savings account earning pennies, it’s time to...

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In this episode, we sit down with McKenna Morgan, PA-C, who has navigated multiple specialties and career transitions while pursuing financial independence (FI). McKenna shares insights from their journey, starting with early financial lessons learned from her family that included playing the board game Cashflow. We explore how she strategically tackled $168K in student loan debt after graduating f...

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In this episode, we meet Johanna Moses, PA-C, an inspiring guest who shares her journey of starting a nonprofit organization. On your way to financial independence, maybe you've considered which type of nonprofit organization you would like to start or donate your time or wealth to. Doing so would allow your wealth to have purpose and impact for the causes you care deeply about. 

 

Johanna 

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What is my purpose in life? That is a BIG and heavy question that most of us will ask- often many times throughout our lives! 

Today’s returning guest, Jordan Grumet, MD, shares about his new book, The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave a Lasting Legacy. He reviews the difference between "big P" Purpose and "little p" purpose, and...

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December 27, 2024 18 mins

With the end of 2024 in sight, let's take a moment to reflect on and celebrate your money, medicine, and mindset wins of the year!

 

Resources Mentioned:

Interested in learning more about how to become a PA millionaire within 5 to10 years after your graduation? Learn more about WealthRx here

 

Questions or thoughts about the show? Email pathefiway@gmail.com

 

Are you just beginning your journey to...

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In this inspiring episode our guest Kayla Bassett, a PA ( physician associate / physician assistant ), real estate investor, and Wealth Coach explores her journey toward financial independence and holistic growth. 

We also dive into Kayla’s passion for real estate investing, including her mid-term rental. Kayla opens up about the challenges and rewards of this venture, offering valuable insights for asp...

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In today’s episode, we explore why spending on experiences can bring deeper, longer-lasting happiness than buying things. Research shows that the thrill of new possessions quickly fades as we adapt to them, while experiences stay with us as cherished memories. Experiences also contribute to our personal identity and growth, making us feel more connected and fulfilled. Tune in to learn why investing in memories is one ...

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In today's episode, Katie Bean, DMS, PA-C shares how she guides physician associates and other healthcare providers to create thriving businesses that allow them to escape clinical practice. Katie shares how her own journey as a PA in a variety of specialties and academia led to her starting her first business with her friend and colleague and now her second business on her own.

 

You'll hear about...

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Have you ever wondered if there are PA jobs where you could work less and earn more all while exploring different states throughout our country? Travel PA jobs (aka locum tenens) may be just the change you're looking for to provide extra freedom on your journey to financial independence. Take a listen as Fedna shares about her experience over the past several years as a travel physician associate / physician assistant...

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