The PA Is In | Tracy Bingaman | Physician Assistant/Physician Associate/PA-C/PA-S/PA Student

This Thanksgiving, take a deep breath with me. 🍂 In this reflective episode of The PA Is In , I’m sharing a story about a quiet morning, a warm cup of apple cinnamon tea, and a moment of awe that stopped me in my tracks. We’ll unpack what awe really is — how it helps us regulate stress, reduce inflammation, and reconnect to the world around us — and how awe naturally flows into gratitude. You’ll...

Even on the best days in medicine, it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours to get everything done. Between charting, follow-ups, messages, and the endless stream of “urgent” things… it’s easy to lose your rhythm. In this episode, Tracy shares her favorite touchstones —small, intentional habits and micro-moments that help clinicians stay grounded, focused, and calm even in the middle of cha...

“It’s not if you get sued; it’s when .” That’s what one of my preceptors told me when I was in PA school. I was floored. Now that I’ve been practicing as a PA for over a decade, I’ve seen colleagues be named in lawsuits and better understand the liabilities I face in my job.  This is why it’s imperative for PAs to have medical malpractice insurance. As the PA profession is modernizing, PAs have mo...

Think negotiation is just about salary? Think again. In this episode, Tracy shares real-world examples of creative things clinicians have successfully negotiated — from travel stipends and flex days to protected charting time and customized schedules. You’ll learn how to think outside the paycheck, advocate for your quality of life, and finally stop waiting for permission to ask for what you need....

This is the final episode in our Back to Basics Money series. We’re wrapping up the series with a Q&A covering the top questions sent in by listeners.  Thank you for joining us in this Back to Basics series. Feel free to go back and relisten to any episodes that you want to dig a little deeper into or that might pertain to a new stage of life you’re in.  If you have any more questions beyond t...

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 t...

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...

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...

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 ep...

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 sh...

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 compl...

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 war...

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 diffe...

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...

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...

Back to Basics is back! My recurring guest, Sarah Miller, is on the show today to discuss all things insurance. Throughout this series, we’ve talked about all the ways to grow your money through investing and saving. But how do you protect this money while you’re accumulating your wealth? The answer - insurance.  In today’s episode, we talk about all types of insurance. From home & auto to hea...

In this episode of The PA Is In, Tracy Bingaman breaks down six surprising and game-changing features of Sermo, a clinician-only community designed specifically for APPs (PAs and NPs). From building real connections across the globe, to earning thousands through surveys, to engaging in raw and validating discussions with peers—you’ll hear exactly how Sermo is offering more than just another networ...

As women, and especially as moms, we constantly have overwhelm, stress, and anxiety. In addition to the stress of being a modern mom, we also have monthly hormonal changes that add additional physical and emotional symptoms. We’re told that our physical complaints, changing moods, feelings of overwhelm, and increasing stress are “normal.” We’re told to just learn to live with them.  But what if th...

You’ve said it. I’ve said it. “I just need a vacation.” But here’s the hard truth: summer vacation isn’t going to cure your burnout. In this episode of The PA Is In, we break down why time off only hits pause—not reset—on deep systemic burnout. You’ll learn: The difference between being tired and being burned out Why boundaries matter more than beach chairs Restorative practices that actually work...

As parents, we want to set our kids up for success. We want them to teach them how to be wonderful humans and responsible citizens with careers they enjoy and lives they love. We want to provide our children excellent educations, whether that involves college or trade school, and be able to successfully join the workforce as they become adults. But how do we do this? Saving for college can be an o...

On July 4, 2025, the One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) was signed into law—and it's about to change everything for clinicians, patients, and healthcare systems across the country. In this episode of The PA Is In , host Tracy Bingaman, PA-C and clinician career coach, breaks down the OBBB from a provider's perspective—not as a politician or policy analyst, but as someone living the reality of f...

Welcome to medicine, new graduate — and welcome to this powerful episode of The PA Is In . Tracy Bingaman shares an open letter filled with hard-earned wisdom, heartfelt encouragement, and truth-telling advice for those just beginning their journey in healthcare. From learning to negotiate and setting boundaries, to avoiding burnout and defining your own version of success, this episode is a rally...

So many PAs and NPs are ready to make the transition away from clinical medicine. Whether they are burned out, looking for a change or searching for more leadership roles with a greater impact, healthcare providers are moving to nonclinical roles.  My guest today, Laura Sweatman, is a PA who did just that! In today’s episode, Laura explains just what exactly an MSL is and what she does on a day to...

This episode is for any healthcare provider who is currently burned out or who is struggling with the beginning stages of burnout. Are you feeling cynical about your job, exhausted, or feel a lack of purpose in your work? Dr. Emma Jones is here to discuss how to recognize burnout and how to make changes so that you can create a fulfilling, healthy life with a career that feels sustainable and soul...

You can’t eliminate every stressor—but you can teach your body it’s safe. In this episode of The PA Is In , Tracy Bingaman, PA-C and clinician career coach, breaks down the difference between stress and stressors—and walks you through science-backed ways to complete the stress cycle so it doesn’t wreck your body, your joy, or your career. 🔥 You’ll learn: What happens inside your body during the s...