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

Traditional networking has always felt uncomfortable for many clinicians, and for those already experiencing burnout, it can feel downright exhausting. Forced small talk, performative professionalism, and transactional relationships only add to the emotional load healthcare providers are already carrying.

In this episode, we cover an “anti-networking” approach inspired by Sahil Bloom and his book The 5 Types of Wealth. Rather than collecting contacts, this framework focuses on building genuine, value-aligned relationships that support long-term connection, career sustainability, and fulfillment.

You’ll learn four practical anti-networking principles: how to choose the right rooms, ask better questions, listen at a deeper level, and follow up in ways that feel authentic (not draining). Whether you’re attending a conference like AAPA with fellow physician associates, meeting new team members, or exploring new career paths, these strategies help you build your social wealth without sacrificing your energy or values.

Book: The 5 Types of Wealth by Sahil Bloom https://amzn.to/4pUoRUS (Amazon Associate) 

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

Malpractice insurance is something most PAs and other clinicians assume they understand... until something goes wrong. In this episode, Kat sits down with Christopher Cannell, DMSc, MPAS, MPLC, PA-C, DFAAPA, founder of The APC Consultant, for a clear, practical deep dive into malpractice insurance 101 and the medical-legal realities no one teaches us in PA school or on the job.

We break down what malpractice insurance actually covers, the key differences between claims-made and occurrence policies, and why employer-provided coverage may not protect you in the way you think it does. Chris explains common assumptions clinicians make about liability insurance, tail coverage, and personal policies, and where those assumptions can quietly put your license, career, and finances at risk.

We also go beyond the policy itself to talk about real-world risk management and walk through an anonymized case study that highlights how communication, documentation, and post-event decisions can dramatically affect outcomes. We explore how legal uncertainty contributes to burnout, defensive medicine, and chronic stress, and why legal literacy is an essential (but overlooked) form of clinician self-care.

Whether you’re early in your PA career or years into practice, this episode will help you feel more confident, informed, and proactive about protecting yourself in today’s increasingly complex healthcare environment.

Topics Covered: 

Malpractice insurance explained for PAs and other medical providers 

Claims-made vs. occurrence policies

Tail coverage, nose coverage, and employer-provided malpractice insurance

Common malpractice insurance myths and mistakes

Risk management strategies that actually matter

Medical-legal case studies and lessons learned

How legal stress contributes to burnout 

Resources Mentioned: 

Check out The APC Consultant and join the waitlist for Chris's masterclass: theapcconsultant.com

The Academy of Physician Associates in Legal Medicine (APALM): apalm.net   

AAPA's Risk Management CME Course: cme.aapa.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=902 

Connect with Chris: 

Email: [email protected] | [email protected]

Website:
theapcconsultant.com   Phone: 339-933-1952   LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/christophercannell https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-apc-consultant Instagram:          @theapcconsultant Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/The-APC-Consultant-61553148984788/ 

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

As healthcare providers, we’re constantly evaluated at work, but rarely taught how to step back and evaluate our own lives. In this episode, I walk you through your Wellness & Wealth Annual Review, which is a reflective, intentional process to help you take stock of your finances, energy, health, time, and overall alignment after another year. This is not about budgets, hustle, or setting rigid resolutions. It’s about awareness, compassion, and creating margin so burnout doesn’t quietly follow you into another year.

To help you follow along (or do this review later), I’ve created a Wellness & Wealth Annual Review worksheet, a resource designed to make this process simple and actionable. I recommend setting aside 15 to 30 minutes with the worksheet, your favorite cozy beverage, and a quiet space. You don’t need perfection- just honesty and curiosity.

👉 Download your copy of the Wellness & Wealth Annual Review Workbook here and do this alongside the episode or at your own pace.

This is an annual reset I wish I had learned earlier in my career, and I hope it helps you enter the next year with more clarity, calm, and intention.

Thanks to Caleb Pepperday, CFP, CHFC, founder of Advanced Practice Planning, LLC, for sponsoring this episode! If you're interested, visit www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi to grab your free consultation.

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

In this episode, I sit down with seasoned realtor and real estate investor Joel Anderson of Counselor Realty to break down everything busy healthcare providers need to know about buying, selling, renovating, and investing with confidence. We cover how to choose the right realtor for you, how to know if you’re ready to buy versus rent, and how much house you should actually purchase based on your financial and lifestyle goals. Joel shares common buyer and seller mistakes, the hidden fees and upfront costs that surprise people, and which cosmetic updates actually boost a home’s value.

We also talk through smart selling strategies, whether staging is worth it, and how to price your home without leaving money on the table. To wrap up, Joel shares about his real estate investing journey and covers what may be realistic for clinicians navigating unpredictable schedules and long hours. 

If you’re looking to buy or sell in the next year, or just want to make smarter housing decisions on your financial independence journey, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need.

 Connect with Joel: 

Joel Anderson

651-303-5050 (cell)

[email protected] 

www.counselorrealty.com        

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

In this episode, I break down one of the simplest but most transformative concepts in personal development: The Power of Yet. Inspired by Dr. Carol Dweck’s research on growth mindset, “yet” is the tiny word that shifts you from feeling stuck to seeing possibility.

Whether you’re struggling with money, burnout, confidence, career direction, or new skills, adding “yet” rewires your brain to believe you’re capable of change- because you are.

You’re not good at budgeting... yet.
You don’t feel confident at work... yet.
You’re not financially independent... yet.
You don’t have work–life boundaries... yet.

Not “no.” Not “never.” Just not yet.

This episode gives practical examples, stories, and tools to help you adopt the “yet” mindset so you can grow in any area of your life.

What is covered in this episode: 

A simple mindset shift backed by decades of psychology and neuroscience.

How growth mindset vs. fixed mindset impacts confidence, learning, resilience, and even burnout.

Turning mistakes into information, not identity.

Money, relationships, boundaries, investing, career development, and personal habits.

If you don’t believe you can learn to budget, invest, or build wealth… you won’t.

Why this tiny word activates motivation pathways instead of threat pathways in the brain.

When you see yourself as someone who can grow, setbacks feel temporary- not personal.

Microhabits, affirmations, self-reflection prompts, and language shifts.

By the end of this episode, you will learn:

How to spot fixed-mindset thoughts

How to rewrite them using “yet” statements

How to create microhabits that support growth

How to build confidence through incremental wins

How “yet” can change the trajectory of your financial life

How to use this mindset shift to reduce burnout and self-doubt

How to apply “yet” in relationships, career, money, and personal goals

Resources Mentioned: 

Wealthfront HYSA referral link: https://www.wealthfront.com/c/affiliates/invited/AFFA-NGE2-ZDDZ-K8BK

Dr. Carol Dweck’s TED Talk – “The Power of Yet”

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. 

Thanks to Caleb Pepperday, CFP, CHFC, founder of Advanced Practice Planning, LLC, for sponsoring this episode! If you're interested, visit www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi to grab your free consultation.

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