A Life Well Lived: A Physicians Guide to Wealth

Real Estate, Relocation & Building Wealth with Zoe Taylor | Episode 64

In this week’s episode of A Life Well Lived: A Physician’s Guide to Wealth, James welcomes Zoe Taylor, a nationally recognized realtor and founder of Moving Medicine Partners—a nationwide network of 83 realtors who are all married to physicians and uniquely understand the challenges of relocating for medical careers. Zoe shares hard-earned insights on the biggest mistakes physicians make when buying a home, how to know when it’s truly time to buy or sell, and what to expect from the 2026 housing market. Together, they explore the realities of physician loans, delayed gratification, and how comparison culture on social media leads many to overbuy. This conversation is part real estate playbook, part mindset reset. You’ll walk away knowing how to plan smarter, build equity intentionally, and protect your financial freedom—without burning out in the process. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN IN THIS EPISODE * The top financial mistakes physicians make when buying a home * How to know if now is the right time to buy, sell, or wait * What to understand about physician loans vs. conventional loans * How lifestyle creep and “Pinterest-perfect” homes derail long-term goals * Why renting isn’t always “throwing money away” * The truth about “passive” real estate investing * How Zoe balances business, motherhood, and wellness through mindful living NEXT STEPS 🏡 Evaluate whether your current housing fits your 1-, 5-, and 10-year life plans 💰 Talk to multiple lenders before choosing a physician loan 📈 Reassess your buying power based on overall financial goals—not emotions 📋 Connect with a financial advisor to plan your next real estate move ☕ Start your day with intention—quiet time, coffee, or journaling—to stay grounded amid career chaos   ABOUT ZOE TAYLOR Zoe Taylor is the founder of Moving Medicine Partners, a nationwide network of realtors who specialize in helping physicians and their families buy, sell, and relocate with ease. Based in St. Louis, Zoe blends years of medical office management experience with her passion for real estate to help doctors make confident, informed decisions. She’s helped hundreds of medical professionals align their home purchases with their careers, finances, and lifestyle goals. 🔗 Learn more: movingmedicinepartners.com ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  * Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist [https://info.imwealth.com/pslf] * Book a free financial wellness session [https://calendly.com/yourmeaningfuljourney/financial-wellness-diagnostic] with James * Get access to exclusive physician financial tools at www.imwealth.com [http://www.imwealth.com] * 1% of IM Wealth’s revenue is dedicated to providing scholarship funds to medical students. Learn more about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship and how you can join the fight here [https://www.imwealth.com/meaningful-journeys-scholarship]. * Learn more about the impact IM Wealth is making in the lives of physicians here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-stories]. * Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth’s exclusive physician financial wellness resources here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-nest-signup]. ABOUT THE SHOW: This isn’t just another finance podcast—it’s a movement. We’re challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future.  Because true wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom. Find and follow the show on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@imwealth1].  ABOUT JAMES NUTTER: James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom. Follow James on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamesnutter_imwealth/].  DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Any financial decisions should be made in the context of your unique circumstances and in partnership with a trusted financial advisor who understands your personal plan. A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life. For more resources, visit IMWealth.com [https://www.imwealth.com]. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.

You Can't Out-Earn a Broken System With Kendra Harvey | Episode 64

After years of sacrifice, physician families often expect one moment to fix everything: The contract. The income. The house. The “arrival.” But what happens when the dream comes true… and you still don’t feel okay? In this deeply honest conversation, Kendra — coach, speaker, and founder of It Gets Better Now — unpacks the hidden emotional cost of medical training and the quiet survival patterns that follow families long after residency ends. She works primarily with physician spouses (often women married to male physicians) who have spent years over-functioning, self-neglecting, and protecting the “golden goose”… only to wake up wondering where they went. We explore: * Why more money doesn’t automatically mean more peace * The survival patterns physician spouses develop (and why they’re so hard to break) * How logistics quietly replace connection in marriages * Why saying “I’m fine” is often the most dangerous phrase * The difference between consuming self-help and actually transforming * The seven types of rest (and why sleep isn’t enough) * How to say no — with conviction * Why you are not a victim of the system * The shift from “It will get better” to “I can get better” Kendra’s core message is simple but radical: Life isn’t happening to you. You have agency. And you don’t have to keep living on autopilot. FREE GIFT FROM KENDRA 🎁 Kendra is offering her ebook completely free. Instead of a discount code, she created a special page where you can enter your name and email — and receive the ebook immediately. 👉 Get your free ebook here: https://itgetsbetternow.com/ebook-sales-page-free/ [https://itgetsbetternow.com/ebook-sales-page-free/]     RESOURCES MENTIONED 🧠 Sacred Rest by Dr. Sandra Dalton-Smith Take the rest assessment quiz: https://www.restquiz.com [https://www.restquiz.com] 📘 The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron     CONNECT WITH KENDRA Instagram: @kendra_itgetsbetternow Podcast Instagram: @supportingphysicianspouses Podcast: Supporting Physician Spouses Website: www.itgetsbetternow.com [http://www.itgetsbetternow.com] She offers consultation calls for physician spouses who are ready to stop surviving and start building something sustainable.     ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  * Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist [https://info.imwealth.com/pslf] * Book a free financial wellness session [https://calendly.com/yourmeaningfuljourney/financial-wellness-diagnostic] with James * Get access to exclusive physician financial tools at www.imwealth.com [http://www.imwealth.com] * 1% of IM Wealth’s revenue is dedicated to providing scholarship funds to medical students. Learn more about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship and how you can join the fight here [https://www.imwealth.com/meaningful-journeys-scholarship]. * Learn more about the impact IM Wealth is making in the lives of physicians here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-stories]. * Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth’s exclusive physician financial wellness resources here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-nest-signup].     ABOUT THE SHOW: This isn’t just another finance podcast—it’s a movement. We’re challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future.  Because true wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom. Find and follow the show on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@imwealth1].    ABOUT JAMES NUTTER: James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom. Follow James on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamesnutter_imwealth/].  DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Any financial decisions should be made in the context of your unique circumstances and in partnership with a trusted financial advisor who understands your personal plan. A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life. For more resources, visit IMWealth.com [https://www.imwealth.com]. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.

From Burnout to Breakout: How One Psychiatrist Built $800K of Independent Income Before 30 | Episode 63

Most physicians don't have an income problem. They have an optionality problem. In this episode, James Nutter is joined by Donovan Miske — CEO and founder of Kona Medical Consulting and advisor to over 12,000 physicians across four countries — for a candid, story-driven conversation on what it actually takes to build freedom outside the hospital walls. Donovan walks through the three core pathways physicians use to stack independent income — medical directorships, locums work, and simple clinics — plus a few obscure ones most doctors have never considered (event medicine at major festivals, hotel-associated physicians for high-profile guests, personal physicians with a tiny private roster). He shares the hard-earned lessons too: the doctor who quit his hospital job before a credentialing board could meet and spent three months in financial freefall, and the now-infamous "dry cleaning" doctor who optimized his way toward bankruptcy by treating an income problem like an expense problem. Then James and Donovan dig into the playbook that changed one young psychiatrist's life — how thoughtful stacking during residency, prioritizing low risk over high comp, and forming a separate professional entity early built a runway most attendings never get. If you've ever felt like you're floating down a river with no paddle, this episode is the paddle. About the Guest Donovan Miske is the CEO and founder of Kona Medical Consulting — named, fittingly, after his dog. Before launching Kona, Donovan ran a hospitality MSO, and his pivot into medicine started with a single favor: looking into a failing clinic on the brink of bankruptcy. He uncovered embezzlement, built a recovery game plan rooted in hospitality operations, and discovered an entire industry hungry for that kind of forensic, systems-level thinking. That first engagement evolved into Kona's Business Wellness Exam — now run more than a thousand times. Kona's MSO clients consistently operate in the top decile of MGMA DataDrive performance, with average clinic overhead around 41%. 📍 Learn more or book a free consult: https://www.konamedicalconsulting.com [https://www.konamedicalconsulting.com] (mention the podcast for extended consult time) Top 5 Takeaways * Form your own entity first. Even if you're W-2 at a hospital, set up the company that will hold the stacked income. This is step zero, not step five. * Stack for low risk, not high comp. A handful of $500–$3,000/month medical directorships with strong indemnification almost always beats one high-paying directorship with exposure. Boring is the goal. * Residency is the cheat code window. The 28-year-old psychiatrist in this episode stacked six non-clinical roles (board seats, VC medical councils) during training — two days of focus apiece — before he ever needed a credentialing form. * Expense-cutting can't fix an income problem. The "dry cleaning doctor" blocked two hours every Tuesday to save money on errands and missed the thousand dollars he could have earned instead. Build the cushion; don't shrink your way to safety. * Budget time before you budget money. Most physicians call an MSO when they're already ready to quit. Donovan's #1 piece of advice: pump the brakes, give it a few months of real consideration, then move. RESOURCES & NEXT STEPS: * Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist [https://info.imwealth.com/pslf] * Join the waitlist for a  free financial wellness session [https://www.imwealth.com/takecontrol]with James * Get access to exclusive physician financial tools at www.imwealth.com [http://www.imwealth.com] * 1% of IM Wealth’s revenue is dedicated to providing scholarship funds to medical students. Learn more about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship and how you can join the fight here [https://www.imwealth.com/meaningful-journeys-scholarship]. * Learn more about the impact IM Wealth is making in the lives of physicians here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-stories]. * Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth’s exclusive physician financial wellness resources here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-nest-signup]. ABOUT THE SHOW: This isn’t just another finance podcast—it’s a movement. We’re challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future.  Because true wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom. Find and follow the show on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@imwealth1].  ABOUT JAMES NUTTER: James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom. Follow James on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamesnutter_imwealth/] A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life. For more resources, visit IMWealth.com [https://www.imwealth.com]. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.

You Don’t Need Another Decade of Sacrifice (How to Pay Off Loans Without Living Like a Resident) Part 4 | Episode 62

You just finished a 12-hour shift. Your kid needs help with a project you didn’t know existed. Your spouse is reheating dinner. And in the background… your student loans are still there. Quiet. Heavy. Constant. For years, you’ve been told there are only two “smart” options: * Destroy your life for 3–5 years and obliterate the debt * Or gamble on PSLF and hope the rules don’t change But what if neither fits your life? In this episode, James breaks down The Balanced Path—a strategy designed for physicians who want progress without sacrificing their family, time, or sanity. Because here’s the truth: You already did the hard part. You don’t owe another decade of suffering to prove you’re disciplined. WHAT YOU’LL LEARN * Why the “all-or-nothing” advice around student loans is broken * How to choose a payoff timeline that actually fits your life (5, 7, or 10 years) * When refinancing makes sense—and when it doesn’t * The real tradeoff between investing and paying down debt * How to build a system so your plan runs automatically THE BIG IDEA “The right path with imperfect math feels like peace.” Most physicians stay stuck because they’re trying to find the perfect plan. But perfection isn’t the goal. Alignment is. WHY THIS MATTERS RIGHT NOW The SAVE plan is ending. Interest has already been accruing again for months. Which means doing nothing is no longer neutral—it’s costing you every single day. WHO THIS IS FOR * Physicians not eligible for PSLF * High-income earners who could pay off loans aggressively—but don’t want to sacrifice everything * Families who want to make progress without putting life on hold KEY TAKEAWAY The real risk isn’t choosing the “wrong” strategy. It’s never choosing at all. Indecision is the most expensive plan you can run. FOR PHYSICIANS WHO WANT A PLAN THAT FITS If you’re a high-income physician who feels: * Stuck between aggressive payoff and PSLF * Tired of putting life on hold to chase a debt-free finish line * Unsure whether refinancing or investing is the smarter move You don’t need more information. You need a plan that runs automatically—and a team to help you execute it. 👉 Schedule a call with our team We’ll help you map out your payoff timeline, refinancing decision, and full financial system—then build it with you. NEXT STEPS * 📅 Schedule a 1:1 with Andrew at StudentLoanAdvice.com [https://studentloanadvice.com]   * 🩺 Join IM Wealth’s waiting list for a free financial wellness diagnostic [https://www.imwealth.com/takecontrol?utm_source=hs_email&utm_medium=email&_hsenc=p2ANqtz-9uwQNl5sctnjMeXt-lCa0aig9RH1NzNx3QOxsXk1OTFcl9rsVF58qPNsOCJtYdb_pU9mXH] ADDITIONAL RESOURCES  * Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist [https://info.imwealth.com/pslf] * Book a free financial wellness session [https://calendly.com/yourmeaningfuljourney/financial-wellness-diagnostic] with James * Get access to exclusive physician financial tools at www.imwealth.com [http://www.imwealth.com] * 1% of IM Wealth’s revenue is dedicated to providing scholarship funds to medical students. Learn more about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship and how you can join the fight here [https://www.imwealth.com/meaningful-journeys-scholarship]. * Learn more about the impact IM Wealth is making in the lives of physicians here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-stories]. * Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth’s exclusive physician financial wellness resources here [https://www.imwealth.com/im-nest-signup]. ABOUT THE SHOW This isn’t just another finance podcast—it’s a movement. We’re challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future.  Because true wealth isn’t just about numbers—it’s about freedom. Find and follow the show on YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@imwealth1].  ABOUT JAMES NUTTER James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom. Follow James on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/jamesnutter_imwealth/].  DISCLAIMER The opinions expressed in this podcast are for informational and educational purposes only and do not constitute financial, legal, or tax advice. Any financial decisions should be made in the context of your unique circumstances and in partnership with a trusted financial advisor who understands your personal plan. A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life. For more resources, visit IMWealth.com [https://www.imwealth.com]. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.

You Make $500K… So Why Do You Still Feel Behind Financially? | Episode 61

You did everything right. Years of training. Long hours. High income. So why does money still feel like the one area of your life that's quietly out of control? In this episode of A Life Well Lived: The Physician's Guide to Wealth, James sits down with Devon Tomlinson — pastor, money coach, and author of From Setback to Success — for a conversation that goes deeper than spreadsheets and debt payoff calculators. Because the truth is: 👉 Financial stress isn't a sign you're dumb 👉 It isn't proof you're behind 👉 It's a signal — and the moment you stop hiding from it is the moment everything starts to change Together, James and Devon unpack the shame physicians quietly carry, the lie that "my situation isn't really that bad," and the simple three-pillar framework — clarity, control, and momentum — that helps high-income professionals finally breathe again. This is the conversation about money no one had with you in med school. WHAT YOU'LL LEARN * Why financial shame is a starting block, not a sign of failure * The most common lie that keeps high-income professionals stuck (and why "normalizing" your situation is the real trap) * Devon's 3-pillar framework: Clarity → Control → Momentum * How to build financial systems when you have zero bandwidth and a 60-hour work week * Why systems beat motivation every single time * The mindset shift that moves you from victim of your finances to architect of your future * How to align money with purpose — and why stewardship beats accumulation * The role of accountability (and why your spouse might be your most important partner) * How couples can get on the same page financially without going zero-to-100 KEY TAKEAWAY Your financial stress isn't a failure. It's a signal. And the moment you stop avoiding it… is the moment you start taking control. A POWERFUL MOMENT Devon shares the story of sitting on a bus, hours from home, after learning his hours had been cut at the bank — his pregnant wife waiting at home, the math not adding up in his head. When he walked through the door, he laid his head in her lap and broke down. Her response: "Hun, we're gonna get through it — together." That moment became the foundation for everything Devon teaches today. ABOUT DEVON TOMLINSON Devon Tomlinson is a pastor, financial coach, and author dedicated to helping people transform their relationship with money — from stress and confusion to clarity and purpose. With over 20 years of experience in the financial industry before entering full-time ministry, Devon bridges two worlds that rarely speak to each other: the spiritual and the practical, the pastoral and the financial. He leads Hope Christian Ministries and coaches individuals, couples, and executive teams through his From Setback to Success framework and companion course. RESOURCES & LINKS 🌐 Devon's Website [https://coachdevon.com]  📖 From Setback to Success — available at coachdevon.com [https://coachdevon.com], Amazon [https://www.amazon.com/s?k=From+Setback+to+Success+Devon+Tomlinson], Barnes & Noble [https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/from+setback+to+success+devon+tomlinson], and Chapters/Indigo [https://www.chapters.indigo.ca/en-ca/books/contributor/author/devon-tomlinson/]  ⛪ Hope Christian Ministries [https://hopechristianministries.com]  📱 Connect with Devon on Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/coachdevontomlinson], YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/@coachdevon], Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/coachdevontomlinson], and TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@coachdevon] Books Devon Recommends: * The Richest Man in Babylon [https://www.amazon.com/Richest-Man-Babylon-George-Clason/dp/1505339111] by George S. Clason * The Law of Success [https://www.amazon.com/Law-Success-Napoleon-Hill/dp/1585426891] by Napoleon Hill ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 📋 Download the PSLF Hacks Checklist (Free): https://info.imwealth.com/pslf 🎓 Upcoming Masterclass – Student Loans in 2026: The 3 Strategic Decisions That Will Shape Your Next 10 Years: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/yyx_n0UvQUOniH_O9S9bqw 💻 Book a free financial wellness session with James: www.imwealth.com 🎓 Learn about the Meaningful Journeys Scholarship — 1% of IM Wealth revenue funds medical student scholarships 🔓 Gain FREE immediate access to all of IM Wealth's exclusive physician financial wellness resources ABOUT THE SHOW This isn't just another finance podcast—it's a movement. We're challenging the status quo, cutting through the noise, and giving physicians real strategies to take control of their money and their future. Because true wealth isn't just about numbers—it's about freedom. Find and follow the show on YouTube. ABOUT JAMES NUTTER James Nutter is on a mission to help physicians reclaim their financial power. With a deep understanding of the unique challenges doctors face, he provides real-world strategies that cut through the noise and lead to lasting financial freedom. Follow James on Instagram. FOR PHYSICIANS WHO WANT SIMPLICITY If you're a high-income physician who feels: * Disorganized * Overwhelmed * Or unsure if you're "doing it right" You don't need more information. You need a system — and a team — to take it off your plate. 👉 Apply for a Financial Clarity Call [https://www.imwealth.com/takecontrol] ONE ACTION BEFORE YOU CLOSE THIS EPISODE Write down one to three things you'll take action on in the next 24 hours. It could be: * Scheduling a money meeting on your calendar * Automating one bill * Auditing your subscriptions * Canceling that gym membership you haven't used since March Just take one action. Systems beat motivation. Every time. ENJOYING THE SHOW? If this episode resonated with you: * Follow the podcast * Leave a review * Share it with another physician who needs to hear this Because no one should feel alone when it comes to money. A Physician’s Guide to Wealth Podcast — Brought to you by IM Wealth: Helping physicians take control of their money so they can live a purposeful life. For more resources, visit IMWealth.com [https://www.imwealth.com]. Advisory services offered through Commonwealth Financial Network®, a Registered Investment Adviser.