Finding Financial Freedom with The Frugal Physician - Finance, Wellness, Budget, Student Loans, Wealth, Doctor, Fitness, Money

In this bonus episode (a co-air with the WealthMindedMD podcast), Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Lisha Taylor and Dr. Brittne Halford to talk about what it really takes to move from employed medicine to owning your own Direct Primary Care practice. Dr. Spath shares her personal journeys of stepping away from traditional employment and into entrepreneurship, building practices that align with t...

This is Part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Zwade Marshall and the final episode for a while as Dr. Disha begins a new chapter, opening her own Direct Primary Care practice. Dr. Zwade Marshall is an Emory and Harvard trained anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, CMO of Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists, and co-founder and CEO of Doc2Doc Lending, a lending platform created by doct...

In today's episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Zwade Marshall—Emory- and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, CMO of Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists, and co-founder/CEO of Doc2Doc Lending, a lending platform built by doctors for doctors. Dr. Marshall shares the real story behind why traditional banks misunderstand early-career physicians, how his own re...

In this inspiring episode of Finding Financial Freedom, host Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Elaine Stageberg, co-owner and principal of Black Swan Real Estate, to explore how she turned one rental property into a half-billion-dollar real estate empire—all while raising five kids and maintaining a career in psychiatry. Dr. Elaine's journey from a difficult childhood marked by financial instabil...

Big changes are here for student loans—and if you're a doctor, student, or high-debt professional, this episode could save you thousands. Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Aaron Smith, co-founder of Savi and longtime student loan policy advocate, to break down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and what it really means for your financial future. Aaron has worked with the Department of Education, Congress...

Most physicians dream of independence but dread the isolation and heavy lift of running a solo practice. What if there were a way to share infrastructure, lighten the load, and still maintain your autonomy? In this episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with special interviewer Dr. Dan Sooriabalan and guest Dr. Natalie Gentile to explore how managed services organizations (MSOs) can strengthen direct...

Most of us assume our 401k plans are free because we never see a bill. But hidden fees—record keeping, custodial, administration, and advisory costs—can silently erode your retirement savings over time. In this episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with forensic 401k consultant Paul Sippel to uncover how these costs work, why they're so hard to detect, and practical steps you can take to protect your...

Is burnout making you question your future in medicine? You're not alone. For many physicians, the pressures of traditional healthcare lead to stress, exhaustion, and a loss of purpose. But what if there was another way? In this powerful episode of The Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, host Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Monica McKitterick, a physician who walked away from burnout and built a thr...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today, we're joined by Carl Hall CFA, a wealth advisor at CapTrust who helps individuals and families manage their financial lives and achieve their unique goals. CapTrust specializes in delivering financial planning, portfolio management, and investment advice—helping clients navigate complex decisions with confidence. In...

In this episode, Dr. Disha Spath is joined by his husband Josh Spath to break down the sweeping legislation dubbed "The Big Beautiful Bill," passed on July 4th—and what it could mean for your medical practice, finances, and future. From Medicaid and CHIP cuts to student loan shifts and personal tax changes, Josh and Disha unpack the potential ripple effects on physicians, patients, and the healthc...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today's guest is Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.—a board-certified surgeon turned social entrepreneur with a powerful story of reinvention. In this episode, Dr. Ryan shares his candid financial journey, from the operating room to business school, and how embracing entrepreneurship led him to a more fulfilling and fin...

Welcome back to Finding Financial Freedom with Dr. Disha Spath! In today's episode, we're reimagining the traditional path to retirement with the powerful idea of mini-retirements. Instead of waiting decades to enjoy your life, what if you could take intentional breaks throughout your career to recharge, pivot, and pursue passions? Dr. Disha is joined by Jillian Johnsrud, a trailblazer in the mini...

In this episode of the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, Dr. Disha Spath is joined by powerhouse physician entrepreneur Dr. Nneka Unachukwu, also known as Dr. Una—board-certified pediatrician, bestselling author, and founder of EntreMD. Dr. Una built a seven-figure business while practicing medicine and raising four children—and now she's on a mission to help 100,000 physicians do the same. Throu...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today's episode features a powerful and insightful conversation with Dr. Stephen Cohen—a seasoned physician and educator who's been through the highs and lows of a medical career, including facing legal challenges head-on. In this episode, we go deep into what it really means to be a doctor under legal fire. Dr. Cohen shar...

"Can money really buy happiness, or just comfort?" Let's find out in today's episode. Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. In this episode, we're doing something special—a collaborative episode with Dr. Elisa Chiang, host of the Grow Your Wealthy Mindset Podcast. Dr. Elisa is a practicing oculoplastic surgeon, certified life coach, and founder of Grow Your We...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today, we're celebrating a major milestone—our 100th episode! In this special edition, Dr. Disha is joined by her husband and guest host, Josh, for a heartfelt conversation that traces her journey from burnout to bold new beginnings—including why she's launching her very own Direct Primary Care (DPC) practice. From wild ad...

In this episode of the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, we sat down with Dr. Alex Schloe, a physician and real estate investor who transitioned from a traditional path in medicine to a life of autonomy and financial freedom. If you're a physician seeking more control over your time, career, and finances—this conversation is for you. Dr. Alex shares how his desire for flexibility and purpose led...

Is burnout stealing your joy in medicine? You're not alone—and you don't have to settle. In this inspiring episode of The Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Cory Fawcett—retired surgeon, physician coach, and author of The Doctors Guide series—to explore how doctors can reclaim joy, autonomy, and purpose without leaving healthcare. From overcoming inertia and toxi...

Welcome back to part two of our interview with Dr. Nisha Mehta on the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast! Today, we dive into the financial side of being a physician. Dr. Nisha shares valuable insights on how physicians can build long-term financial security, prepare for economic recessions, and leverage the power of side gigs to overcome adversity. We also discuss how to maximize your W2 income fo...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today, we're joined by Dr. Nisha Mehta, a radiologist, nationally recognized thought leader in physician finance, and founder of Physician Side Gigs—a thriving community of over 200,000 physicians. In this episode, Dr. Nisha shares how she built Physician Side Gigs from the ground up, navigated the challenges of being a pu...

Defy gravity and take control of your practice! It's time to break free from the corporate track and step into the world of Direct Primary Care. No more restrictions—just you, your patients, and the freedom to practice on your terms. Doctors, are you ready to rise? Today, we sat down with Dr. Marina Capella, an integrated pediatrician based in South Lake City, Utah. In 2021, she launched Healing A...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath. Today, we're joined by Amy Holbrook, Associate Program Director at Abbott Northwestern Internal Medicine Residency Program and Chair Elect of the National ACP Council. Dr. Amy is passionate about helping new attendings navigate the financial shifts that come with earning their first attending paycheck.   In this episode, D...

In this episode of the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stephanie Pearson, a former physician turned disability insurance advocate. After experiencing firsthand the financial consequences of inadequate coverage, she now helps medical professionals secure the right disability insurance to protect their future. Stephanie breaks down the evolving landscape of disability insuran...

Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath.  Today we interviewed Kristin Wade, a registered nurse turned certified budget coach, to discuss how zero-based budgeting can transform your finances. In 2023, Kristin began working for MyBudgetCoach to help the world fall in love with budgeting. She trains and supports coaches to scale their businesses effectively. In thi...

In this episode of the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, we interviewed Jamie Fleischner, founder of Set for Life Insurance, who has helped thousands of professionals secure the right disability coverage. If you're a physician or high-earning professional, protecting your financial future is crucial—and disability insurance is a key part of that plan.  Jamie breaks down the ins and outs of Guaran...