PA the FI Way

What happens when a PA decides to add an MBA to their career?

In this episode, I’m joined by Matthew (Matt) Wetherhold, MS, PA-C, DFAAPA who shares why he decided to pursue an MBA at this stage of his career and how he’s using it to explore new opportunities, grow as a leader, and think differently about what the next 10 to 15 years of his career could look like.

We also talk about how his perspective on financial independence (FI) has evolved over the years. After initially discovering the FIRE movement and thinking early retirement was the goal, he realized that he actually enjoys the work he does. Today, he sees financial independence less as a path to quitting work and more as a way to create greater flexibility and make career decisions based on what interests and challenges him.

As PAs, we have unique opportunities to continue learning, take on new challenges, move into leadership, and change directions throughout our careers. This conversation explores what it can look like to intentionally build a career around growth, opportunity, and the options you want for your future.

Whether you're considering going back to school, interested in leadership, or simply thinking about what you want the next chapter of your PA career to look like, this episode will encourage you to think more broadly about the possibilities, options, and freedom available to you through the journey along the way to financial independence as a physician associate / physician assistant. 

Resources Mentioned: 

Simple Path to Wealth book (Amazon Affiliate)

Ready to start taking control of your money by seeing where it's going every month? Get your free copy of the The PA Freedom Money Planner 

Would like more support along your journey to financial independence as a PA? Join the waitlist for The PA FREEDOM Method 

Connect with Matt on LinkedIn 

Connect with Matt on Instagram

Connect with Kat with PA the FI Way: 

Follow PA the FI Way: Instagram → @pathefiway

LinkedIn → www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-‘kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255

YouTube → www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Website → pathefiway.com

What if your PA career could give you more freedom, not less? This week, I'm chatting with Alexis, an ICU PA-C who is using locum tenens, business ownership, and real estate investing to create more flexibility in her career and financial life.

We talk about getting started with locums, working as a 1099 PA, setting up an LLC/S-corp, tracking business expenses, and the lessons Alexis and her husband have learned from house flipping and short-term rentals.

We also dig into PA burnout and how financial freedom can give you more options in your career, including the ability to work differently rather than simply working more. If you've ever wondered whether locums, real estate, or multiple income streams could help you create more freedom as a PA, this episode is for you.

For many physician associates / physician assistants, financial independence can mean having enough flexibility and resources to work fewer hours, take time off, change jobs, pursue another opportunity, or simply have more control over your career. That's what PA the FI Way is all about: helping PAs use their money and career strategically so they can create more freedom and options in their lives.

Connect with Alexis on Instagram: @ThatLocumsPA

Want to start taking control of your own finances?

Grab the FREE PA Freedom Money Planner → https://www.pathefiway.com/moneyplanner

Ready to take it step further to actually create freedom in your life + PA career?

Join the waitlist for The PA FREEDOM Method: https://www.pathefiway.com/waitlist

Follow PA the FI Way: Instagram → @pathefiway

LinkedIn → www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-‘kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255

Website → pathefiway.com

Healthcare providers and patients often feel frustrated, burned out, and powerless... but what if they're not actually fighting each other?

In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Jordan Grumet, MD, hospice physician, author, and host of the Earn & Invest podcast, to discuss his new book, The Healthcare Heist. Jordan argues that many of the challenges facing healthcare today aren't caused by clinicians or patients, but by third-party entities whose incentives often conflict with both.

We discuss the "culpability myth" that has led clinicians to become scapegoats for systemic problems, the rise of insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, private equity, and electronic medical records, and how these forces have contributed to what Jordan calls the "intimacy gap" between providers and patients as well as rising healthcare costs. 

Most importantly, we explore how clinicians and patients can work together to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and advocate for meaningful change.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What the culpability myth is and how it impacts healthcare providers
• How third-party interests influence patient care
• Why healthcare costs continue to rise
• The unintended consequences of electronic medical records
• What the intimacy gap is and why it matters
• How shared storytelling can help clinicians and patients become allies again
• Why financial independence and career optionality may give clinicians more freedom to advocate for change

Whether you're a physician associate, physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, therapist, other healthcare team member, or patient, this conversation will challenge the way you think about healthcare and who is really responsible for the problems facing the system today.

Connect with Jordan and learn more about The Healthcare Heist: jordangrumet.com 

Order your copy of The Healthcare Heist on Amazon (associate link)  

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Burnout often feels worse when you believe you have no options.

In this episode, we’re talking about career optionality — the ability to create more flexibility, freedom, and choice in your PA career and life. From finances and scheduling to skills, identity, and burnout, we’ll explore why feeling trapped can intensify burnout and how small intentional steps can help you build more breathing room, flexibility, and freedom in your life and PA career. 

Whether you’re considering a career pivot, reducing hours, exploring new opportunities, or simply trying to create a more sustainable life in medicine, this episode will help you start thinking differently about what freedom can look like for physician associates. 

Download your free copy of The Burned-Out PA Career Freedom Audit here

If this episode helped you realize you want more clarity, flexibility, and freedom in your career and finances, join the waitlist for The PA FREEDOM Method: www.pathefiway.com/waitlist 

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org 

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

In this episode, I review how better communication and deeper conversations can improve your relationships, patient care, emotional wellness, and overall quality of life. Inspired by concepts from The 5 Types of Wealth, we explore practical tools to help you become a better listener, ask better questions, and create more meaningful connection in everyday interactions.

We cover conversation “doorknobs,” the repeat + follow method, how to become a “loud listener,” situational eye contact, and the “Helped, Heard, Hugged” framework for stronger relationships. Whether you’re talking with patients, coworkers, family, friends, or fellow PAs at conferences, these communication skills can help others feel truly seen, heard, and valued.

Resource Mentioned: 

 The 5 Types of Wealth book by Sahil Bloom (Amazon Associate)

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org 

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

If your finances feel overwhelming, this episode is your reset button. You don’t need hours of time, a complicated spreadsheet, or a complete life overhaul to start making progress. In today’s episode, I’m walking you through 10 simple financial moves you can do in 10 minutes or less, designed specifically for busy PAs and healthcare providers who are already stretched thin. These are quick, high-impact actions that help you build awareness, reduce financial stress, and start taking back control of your money without adding more to your plate.

We’re covering everything from checking your debt or investments, to optimizing your retirement contributions, to plugging small spending leaks, to automating your finances so you don’t have to think about it. You’ll also learn how to quickly review what you’re invested in, spot hidden fees, and start building a cushion with an emergency fund or sinking funds, all in bite-sized steps that actually feel doable after a long shift.

If you don’t yet have a high-yield savings account set up for your emergency fund or sinking funds, this is one of the easiest upgrades you can make. I personally use Wealthfront, and you can use my referral link to get started and earn a boosted interest rate. It takes just a few minutes to open an account and start putting your money to work: https://www.wealthfront.com/c/affiliates/invited/AFFA-NGE2-ZDDZ-K8BK 

Pick one or two of these steps and take action today! You don’t need to do everything at once. This is how you build momentum, reduce burnout, and start creating the option to work less over time.

Want these 10 money moves in a simple, downloadable checklist? Grab yours free here: https://www.pathefiway.com/10moneymoves 

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Not all six-figure physician associate / physician assistant salaries are created equal. In this episode, we’re breaking down the difference between income and purchasing power, and why cost of living plays a critical role in your financial trajectory as a PA.

You’ll learn how to properly evaluate your compensation, avoid common mistakes like chasing the highest salary, and understand how factors like housing, taxes, and lifestyle impact your ability to save and invest. We’ll also explore how two similar jobs can lead to very different financial outcomes depending on where you live.

This episode is a must-listen if you want to make more intentional career decisions, reduce financial stress, and build a path toward financial independence that actually aligns with your life.

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Are you underpaid as a physician associate / physician assistant… or have you just never reviewed the full picture?

Most PAs don’t actually know where they fall on the salary spectrum. And even more assume they’ve already hit their income ceiling—when in reality, they’re only seeing a small slice of what’s possible.

In this episode, we’re breaking down how to actually evaluate your compensation—and why the idea of a “standard PA salary” is often misleading. Because when you don’t have clarity around your income, it doesn’t just affect your bank account… it affects your burnout, your career decisions, and your path to financial independence.

In this episode, we cover:

💡 Key Takeaway You’re not comparing yourself to a single number—you’re comparing yourself to a range. And the more clearly you can see that range, the more power you have to change where you fall within it. 

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report—but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

You worked incredibly hard to build your career in healthcare as a physician associate / physician assistant. 

Years of school, long hours of training, and often six-figure student loan debt. So when the bigger paychecks finally arrive, it’s natural to want to upgrade your life.

But many healthcare providers fall into a trap that quietly keeps them stuck: status spending.

In this episode, we’re talking about the hidden pressure in medicine to look successful — the bigger house, the luxury vehicle, the constant upgrades that signal you’ve “made it.”

The problem? When lifestyle upgrades grow faster than your financial freedom, they can quietly increase your monthly expenses, reduce flexibility, and make it harder to step away from work that’s burning you out.

In this episode you’ll learn:

• Why PAs and other healthcare professionals are especially vulnerable to status spending
• The difference between building wealth and signaling success
• How lifestyle upgrades can increase burnout risk
• Simple ways to start aligning your spending with freedom instead of image

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook 

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Keywords: physician associate, physician assistant, PA, PA-C, nurse practitioner, physician associate finances, physician assistant finances, personal finance for physician associate, personal finance for physician assistant, financial independence retire early, how to prevent lifestyle creep 

In this episode, I sit down with Josh Wageman, PhD, DPT, MPAS, CLS, CSCS — Clinical Lipid Specialist, PA who formerly practiced in Endocrinology, and Medical Science Liaison — to explore the intersection of protecting your healthspan while building wealth and expanding career flexibility as a physician associate.

Josh’s PhD research focused on cholesterol disturbances in Alzheimer’s disease, and he’s widely known for his ability to teach complex lipid physiology in a relatable, practical way. We break down cholesterol and cardiovascular risk without the overwhelm, discussing which labs and screening strategies are truly worth the cost and effort — and when age or family history should factor into the decision.

He also shares what inspired him to write The Home Security System and the Lipid Neighborhood, how writing can serve as both education and diversified income while having a meaningful impact, and why clinicians don’t have to feel boxed into a single career path. From becoming a Medical Science Liaison (MSL) to building credibility beyond the clinic, this episode highlights how health, impact, and optionality can work together.

If you’ve ever wondered how to better understand cholesterol, prevent heart attacks, strokes, and dementia, or expand your career beyond traditional clinical roles, this conversation is for you.

Get your copy of Josh's book: https://amzn.to/4rYcpoz 

Connect with Josh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-wageman-48893445/

Connect with Josh on X: @JoshJWageman

Check out Josh's website: lifelovelipids.com 

If this episode was helpful, subscribe to the PA the FI Way podcast or YouTube channel for more content to help you build financial independence and prevent burnout along the way. 

Are you just beginning your journey to financial independence and want to learn more? Download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook here!

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway 

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Keywords: physician associate, physician assistant, PA, PA-C, MSL, medical science liaison, non-clinical medical roles, non-clinical roles, cardiovascular screening, medical author