Feeling like your paycheck is your only safety net? It’s time to change that. In this episode, Tracy Bingaman—PA, career coach, and your go-to brainstorming buddy—shares practical and creative ways to diversify your income as a clinician.

From investing beyond retirement to medical surveys, teaching, consulting, and creative work like medical writing or coaching PA applicants, Tracy walks you through both active and passive income ideas that can help you build security and freedom.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why diversification matters (and how millionaires do it)

• The difference between active and passive income

• Easy entry points for clinicians looking to start small

• Creative ways to leverage your medical expertise

• Flexible clinical options that fund your bigger goals
  

🎧 Plus: Tracy shares insights from real clinicians and offers a free resource packed with 48 specific ideas to help you get started.

Keywords: clinician side hustles, diversify clinician income, passive income ideas for PAs, active vs passive income, medical survey companies Sermo ZoomRx InCrowd, PA preceptor stipend, healthcare consulting, medical writing CME, investing beyond 401k, physician associate side gig guide, multiple streams of income for clinicians, financial independence for PAs, how to earn extra as a PA, PA part-time income ideas, Tracy Bingaman PA podcast, The PA Is In side gig ideasSPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE 

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn 

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠ 

CONNECT 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

There is so much noise today when it comes to nutrition. How do we know which voices to listen to? How do we know what is truly evidence-based versus bogus fads? And most importantly, how do we address nutrition with patients?

Do you know what to say when a patient asks you which diet is better - carnivore or paleo? How do you support a patient in their weight loss goals with appropriate language that encourages and educates, not demeans and defeats?

My dear friend Colleen Sloan is back on the podcast today to answer all these questions and more. Colleen is a Registered Dietician turned Pediatric PA who recently launched the Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course. Her course is designed for clinicians and dieticians who treat obesity in patients of any age. 

The course is an all inclusive, comprehensive nutrition program that includes 13 self-paced modules taught by Colleen and 11 industry-leading experts. The course also includes a Resource Vault and online community. In addition to receiving a clear roadmap on how to successfully discuss and treat obesity, you also earn 10.5 CME credits!

Tune into today’s episode to learn more about the Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course as well as actionable tips you can use in clinic today when discussing obesity and nutrition with your patients. 

Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course (use code TRACY10 for 10% off): https://www.examroomnutrition.com/a/2148137603/dcrdFWdo

SPONSORS 🏆

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING, LLC: advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi

CONNECT WITH COLLEEN 👫

Obesity Medicine Nutrition Course (use code TRACY10 for 10% off): https://www.examroomnutrition.com/a/2148137603/dcrdFWdo

Podcast: Exam Room Nutrition Podcast 

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/examroomnutrition

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/examroomnutrition

Website https://www.examroomnutrition.com

COACHING 🎓

THE PART-TIME PATHWAY

⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com/pathway

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠  

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate

⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST 👍

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

Have you ever opened a CT scan, MRI, or X-ray… and felt that wave of uh-oh? That moment of self-doubt when you’re not 100% sure what you’re looking at? You’re not alone—and today’s episode is for you.

In this episode, Tracy introduces you to Guardian Lite, an interactive, case-based CME platform that helps clinicians build real imaging confidence. Whether you’re a new grad or stepping into a new specialty, Guardian Lite helps you see it, know it, and catch it before it matters most in real life.

Here’s what you’ll learn:

• 🎯 How Guardian Lite makes imaging approachable, interactive, and actually fun

• 🧠 Why toggling CT, MRI, and ultrasound findings builds diagnostic confidence

• 🩻 The benefits of reviewing real-world imaging cases with context and teaching points

• 💡 How to earn CME while sharpening your clinical skills

• 💻 A behind-the-scenes look at what makes Guardian Lite different from other CME platforms

Whether you’re brushing up on your imaging skills or want to feel more confident interpreting studies on shift, Guardian Lite helps you learn smarter—not harder.

👉 Start now at zauronlabs.com/guardianlite and use code TRACY10 for 10% off your subscription.

• ✅ Real imaging impressions and key takeaways

• ✅ One-click CME certificates

• ✅ Weekly new cases delivered straight to your inbox

• ✅ Interactive learning through real patient cases

• ✅ A powerful way to close your knowledge gaps with confidence

• A PA, NP, or clinician who wants to feel confident reading imaging

• A new grad stepping into a specialty where imaging is key

• Someone who loves CME that’s actually useful and clinically relevant

👉 zauronlabs.com/guardianlite Use code TRACY10 for 10% off Guardian Lite CME

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠ 

CONNECT 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

💥 Episode Highlights🎧 Listen If You’re…📣 Resources Mentioned
🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

 Keywords Guardian Lite CME, CME imaging, case-based CME, PA CME credit, medical imaging CME, MRI CME, CT CME, ultrasound CME, radiology confidence, clinician learning, Zauron Labs, TRACY10 discount, PA education, medical learning tools

So many PAs reach out to me asking about how to transition from a clinical career to non-clinical. There are lots of options and pathways out there, and today I’m excited to have my dear friend, Courtney Titus, share her story of creating her own non-clinical career. 

Courtney is a Pediatric ER PA turned Director of a Pediatric Clinical Pathways program that she built herself! Tune into today’s episode as Courtney shares the nitty gritty on how she created a non-clinical career. She keeps it real by sharing both the good and the bad of building her current role. Stay tuned to the end of the episode where Courtney shares actionable tips on how other PAs can also move into non-clinical careers. 

My biggest takeaway from today’s conversation with Courtney - follow the path of joy. What brings you joy and fulfillment, both personally and professionally? Get crystal clear on that vision and then you can create your own pathway to achieve that joy.

SPONSORS 🏆

SIDE GIG GUIDE: https://www.tracybingaman.com/gig

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING, LLC: advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi

CONNECT WITH COURTNEY 👫

Website: EmpoweredPAs.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/empoweredpas

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/courtney-titus

COACHING 🎓

THE PART-TIME PATHWAY

⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com/pathway

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠  

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate

⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST 👍

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

In this episode we cover the sneaky phenomenon of golden handcuffs in healthcare—those perks, paychecks, and benefits that look incredible on paper but can leave you feeling stuck in a job that no longer serves you.

Whether it’s a schedule you fought hard for, the lure of student loan forgiveness, or the prestige of working at a big-name institution, these “benefits” can sometimes act more like shackles than steppingstones. Tracy breaks down:

• What golden handcuffs are and how they show up in medicine.

• How to assess your situation—mild, moderate, or severe.

• The sustainability question: is it worth staying for loan forgiveness, or is the cost too high?

• Practical strategies to pad your safety net, identify what you truly value, and start building an escape plan.

• Real-life inspiration from clinicians who’ve made bold pivots toward more fulfilling careers.
  

If you’ve ever felt trapped by the very perks that were supposed to keep you happy, this episode is for you.

👉 Tune in and learn how to spot the shiny shackles, assess their hold, and start moving toward a career that feels like freedom.

Keywords: golden handcuffs healthcare, PA career advice, breaking free from golden handcuffs, student loan forgiveness PA, healthcare career sustainability, toxic work culture medicine, physician associate negotiation tips, PA burnout solutions, healthcare perks vs. traps, prestige in medicine careers, PA schedule benefits, PA salary trade-offs, healthcare provider career pivot, recognizing burnout in clinicians, thriving in medicine

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠ 

CONNECT 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

Survey Side Hustle Showdown: Real Reviews of Sermo, ZoomRx & More

Ever wondered if those emails about “quick clinical surveys for cash” are legit? In this episode of The PA Is In, I’m diving deep into the top survey platforms for medical professionals—breaking down the pros, cons, and real earning potential of sites like Sermo, ZoomRx, MD4Lives, InCrowd, and more.

This episode is your complete guide to turning survey invites into a little side income—and deciding which platforms are worth your time (and which ones to avoid).

What You’ll Learn:

• My real earnings from survey platforms like Sermo & ZoomRx

• Which sites pay in cash vs. points (and what that really means)

• Why Sermo is more than just surveys—hello, community!

• Transparency around MD4Lives payment

• If Medscape ever sends actual surveys

• How to stack small streams of income while you scroll

Links: 

SERMO: https://app.sermo.com:443/?sermoref=39d97a2c-f699-4f8b-b2f9-1eb131e18c75&utm_campaign=tell-a-friend

ZOOMRX: https://refer.zoomrx.com/tracyb2 

Keywords: medical surveys for clinicians, side hustle for PAs, survey income for doctors, Sermo survey review, ZoomRx for healthcare providers, MD4Lives payment delay, Medscape survey payout, InCrowd review, OpinionSite survey cashout, best medical survey sites 2025, clinician side income ideas, non-clinical income for NPs, paid medical surveys, survey platforms for physician associates, how to make money answering surveys

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠ 

CONNECT 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

As we continue our Back to Basics Money series, Sarah and I discuss whether or not you really need a financial advisor. That’s one big difference between us - I have a financial advisor, and Sarah does not. 

What are the pros and cons of a financial advisor? How do you know if and when you need one? What should you look for when hiring a financial advisor? And what are red flags you need to be wary of?

We discuss all that and more on today’s episode! Press play and let me know what you think - will you be hiring an advisor or taking a more DIY approach?

Sarah is a personal finance nerd who learned about finances and investing from an early age from her father and grandfather, who both spent their careers in the corporate finance world. As an adult, Sarah immersed herself in the personal finance and FIRE spheres, learning from top experts. Sarah is my personal go-to for all financial questions, and she’s here to share her knowledge with all of you!

SPONSORS 🏆

TELEHEALTH RECRUITING WITH BRI REITZNER : 

EMAIL: [email protected]

TEXT: 417-616-1972

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING, LLC: advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi

CONNECT WITH SARAH 👫

Email: [email protected]

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-miller-pa-va/

RESOURCES 📚

Previous episodes in Back to Basics Money Series: 

283: Back to Basics: Meet Sarah

287: Back to Basics: What Actually IS Investing?

290: Back to Basics: Traditional versus Roth - What’s the Difference?

293: Back to Basics: The Best Investments for Long-Term Success

296: Back to Basics: How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?

311: Back to Basics: Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Savings Goals

335: Back to Basics: Investing for Your Kids

339: Back to Basics: How to Protect Your Wealth

Fee-Only Fiduciary Financial Advisors:

Nectarine: https://hellonectarine.com

Garrett Planning Network: https://garrettplanningnetwork.com

XY Planning Network: https://connect.xyplanningnetwork.com/find-an-advisor

COACHING 🎓

THE PART-TIME PATHWAY

⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com/pathway

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠  

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate

⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST 👍

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

This summer, I took on one of the biggest physical and mental challenges of my life: my very first Ironman 70.3. That’s 1.2 miles of swimming, 56 miles of biking, and a 13.1-mile run—all in a single day.

In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m sharing the full story—what training really looked like while balancing work, family, and life, how I approached fueling for endurance (and what I’d do differently), and what it felt like to stand on the starting line of an Ironman event for the first time.

There were high points, low points, lessons learned, and a finish line that I’ll never forget. Whether you’re a fellow endurance athlete, someone curious about triathlons, or just looking for inspiration to take on your own “big scary thing,” this episode is a real and honest look at what it takes to prepare for and complete a half Ironman.

FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉 tracybingaman.com/gig

Ironman 70.3 experience, first half Ironman race, triathlon training tips, fueling for endurance events, Ironman nutrition lessons, balancing Ironman training with family, half Ironman race recap, first Ironman reflections, triathlon podcast episode, swim bike run podcast, endurance athlete story, beginner Ironman journey, training for 70.3 miles, Ironman tips for moms, balancing triathlon with career, PA triathlete story, mindset lessons from endurance

We’ve all heard the saying, “The best time to start was yesterday. The second-best time is today.” And wow, do I feel that one deeply.

In this episode of The PA Is In, I’m sharing 10 things I wish I had started 10 years ago. Some are professional — like learning to negotiate and tracking my value from day one. Others are personal — like learning to rest as a practice instead of a reward, or seeing food as fuel.

From career missteps to life lessons, I’ll walk you through each of the 10 things, the cringe-worthy mistakes I made along the way, and the takeaways you can apply today.

👉 Whether you’re a new grad just starting out or a seasoned provider looking to reset, this episode will give you both inspiration and action steps to make your future self proud.

SPONSORS 🏆

TELEHEALTH RECRUITING WITH BRI REITZNER : 

EMAIL: ⁠[email protected]⁠

TEXT: 417-616-1972

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/ 

CONNECT 

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉 tracybingaman.com/gig

Keywords: 10 things I wish I started 10 years ago, career lessons for physician associates, PA career growth, avoiding burnout in healthcare, negotiation tips for clinicians, tracking your value PA, side income for PAs, boundaries in medicine, work-life balance healthcare, personal growth lessons 2025, intuition in career decisions, rest as a practice not a reward, PA coaching podcast, clinician career sustainability, thriving in healthcare, mindset shifts for PAs, side hustles for clinicians

It’s that time of year—fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, new shoes, and the bittersweet reality of sending little ones back to school. 🍎

In this behind-the-scenes episode, I’m pulling back the curtain on what life looks like in our house as the school year kicks off. From navigating morning routines with multiple kids to the feeling of a clean slate September brings, I’m reflecting on both the challenges and the opportunities this season holds.

Back-to-school isn’t just for the kids—it’s an invitation for us as parents, professionals, and people to start fresh. It’s a chance to try again, to reset rhythms, and to take stock of what’s working (and what’s not).

If you’ve been craving a reminder that you can always begin again—and that even amidst the chaos of drop-offs, lunchboxes, and permission slips—there’s joy in the reset, this episode is for you.

FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠ 

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉 tracybingaman.com/gig

back to school season, behind the scenes podcast, fresh start September, parenting young kids school, work life balance healthcare, clinician mom podcast, morning routines with kids, family life back to school, new beginnings podcast, parenting reset tips, opportunity to try again, school year fresh start, PA career podcast, juggling career and family, medicine and motherhood, sustainable clinician life