Docs Outside The Box

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We tackle a raw listener question about carrying $520k in med school debt, feeling guilty about pursuing Public Service Loan Forgiveness, and navigating first‑gen family expectations. We break down what PSLF really is, why it exists, and how to compare it against traditional and accelerated payoff paths.FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860 Wanna listen instead? Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lPD2QG...Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!The Affordable Care Act marketplace is facing a massive premium spike in 2026 — and Congress is running out of time to stop it.In this episode of Docs Outside The Box, Dr. Nii and Dr. Renee break down exactly why ACA premiums are increasing, what happens if Congress does nothing, and how this will impact:Medical studentsResidents & fellowsEarly-career doctors1099 independent contractorsLocums physiciansPatients relying on marketplace plansWhether you buy your own insurance or you care for patients who do — this episode gives you the real-world implications and action steps you need right now.In This Episode You’ll Learn:✔️ Why ACA marketplace premiums could jump 40–60% ✔️ How expiring federal subsidies affect patients AND physicians ✔️ Why independent contractors will feel the biggest financial hit ✔️ The impact on hospitals, uninsured rates & ER volume ✔️ What doctors can do NOW to prepare (financial steps included)🎧 Perfect Episode For:Medical students navigating their first insurance decisionsResidents & fellows in high-deductible plansNew attendings planning their 2026 budgetsLocums docs & 1099 contractors buying their own insuranceAny clinician wanting clarity on the latest healthcare policy changesFREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED ACA Premium Spike Analysis — HealthSystemTracker https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/how-much-and-why-aca-marketplace-premiums-are-going-up-in-2026/?utm_source=chatgpt.comSubsidy Expiration Breakdown — Center on Budget and Policy Priorities https://www.cbpp.org/research/health/health-insurance-premium-spikes-imminent-as-tax-credit-enhancements-set-to-expire?utm_source=chatgpt.comCongressional Update on ACA Debate https://cnycentral.com/news/nation-world/congress-enters-crunch-time-to-figure-out-how-to-deal-with-aca-subsidies-affordable-care-act-obamacare-health-insurance-premiums?utm_source=chatgpt.comIndependent Contractors & ACA Tax Credit Changes https://jasonfintips.com/insurance-risk-management-blog/affordable-health-insurance-for-independent-contractors-understanding-the-new-aca-tax-credit-changes/?utm_source=chatgpt.comSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!  WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Send us a Voice Message - Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860In this episode, we paid a tribute to D’Angelo whose albums like Brown Sugar and Voodoo shaped our teenage years. We also talked about how slow jams are no longer there, and the split between what people say online and how we actually treat each other off screen.FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! https://darkos.lpages.co/newsletter-signup/ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them outHERE! Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860We help a graduating resident weigh a bold plan of using locums to pay down $478k in student loans while planning a sustainable U.S.–Ghana travel rhythm. If you’re a physician considering locums, global living, or a career design that puts family and culture first, this conversation gives you a clear, workable path forward. FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! https://darkos.lpages.co/newsletter-signup/ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860In this episode, we pull back the curtain on the five financial moves that created real change in our lives....no fluff, no hype, just the systems and decisions that actually stuck. We discussed the importance of going all in on a few moves instead of ten half‑started projects.FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! https://darkos.lpages.co/newsletter-signup/ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE! Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Drs. Nii and Renée do a semi-ok job at explaining the difference between 1099 independent contracting and W2 employment. Dr. Renée runs down the ways in which we give up control of our careers to others. Then the docs meet long-standing listener, Jamar Cromwell, to give him advice as a non-traditional pre-med.Things you'll learn in this episode:The difference between 1099 and W2How to take control over your career so that you can control your lifeHow students and doctors can focus on medicine while still staying true to their identities ▶️ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Join our communityText word PODCAST to 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comPodcasting Course: www.docswhopodcast.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored byLocumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!Set For Life Insurance. What the Darkos use for great disability insurance at a low cost!! Check them out at www.setforlifeinsurance.com Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!0:01 Should Married Couples Combine Finances?8:50 Financial Planning in Relationships16:32 Financial Transparency in Marriage20:54 Financial Involvement in Relationships28:29 The Benefits of Combining Finances32:27 Navigating Financial Disparities in Marriagehttps://www.doximity.com/articles/736a778f-eba2-41e8-a6e6-c6a3f082d19b Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860In this episode, we share our experiences from our recent medical mission trip to Ghana. We also discussed a medical resident who was caught performing unauthorized genital ultrasounds in his apartment and concluded with giving career advice to residents who are transitioning to work as attending physicians.If you're interested in volunteering with International Healthcare Volunteers, check out their information down below.FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED International Healthcare Volunteers (IHCV) - https://www.ihcv.org/SIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them outHERE! Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Send us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxHave a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860In this episode, we answer a question from our listener who is considering a locums position but is having mom guilt and wants to know how other women do it. Dr. Renée opens up about her journey working exclusively as a locums doctor while still maximizing her presence at home. If you're struggling with parental guilt this conversation is for you.FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Wanna listen instead? Apple podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7lPD2QG...Instagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comTwitter: @drniidarkoMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comThis episode is sponsored by Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!

SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode, Renee & Nii discuss how the common forms of debt (student loans, consumer debt, mortgage) keep you stuck in the rat race and burnt out!Things to expect in this episode:Renee clarifies how much she really owed the IRSThe Top 10 Medical Schools that keep their students in the highest debtsWhy you should consider refinancing your loansWhy the Darkos don’t co-sign loans for anyoneResources listed:Student Hero Medical School Repayment GuideHow long should a car loan be10 Medical Schools where students leave with the most debtWE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!!!! FILL OUT THE DOCS OUTSIDE THE BOX PODCAST SURVEY (in partnership w INCROWD)INCROWDMAKE EXTRA MONEY AS A RESIDENT OR ATTENDING - COMPLETE MEDICAL SURVEYS WITH INCROWDWATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Join our communityText word PODCAST to 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @drniidarkoEmail: team@drniidarko.comPodcasting Course: www.docswhopodcast.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.comCheck out the jobs St John Associates have HERE Locumstory. Learn how locum tenens helps doctors make more and have the lifestyle they deserve!. Check them out HERE!