
Docs Outside The Box
Docs Outside the Box is a fusion of money, medicine, and pop culture. After paying off $662,000 in student loan debt, quitting their jobs, and launching 3 businesses, husband and wife, Drs. Nii and Renée Darko, have a lot to say about earning, saving, and investing your way to the lifestyle you’ve always wanted. These two docs parley about personal finance, careers, and the real world. Tune in for the gems. 💎 Stay for the laughs .😂 Welcome to medicine’s new media!
Latest episodes

Apr 4, 2025 • 13min
Medical Specialties That Offer MORE Freedom & Better Work Life Balance. #455 Part 1
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Drawing from our combined experiences, we tackle a question from our longtime listener Jamar, on which medical specialties truly allow physicians to leave their work at work, maintaining boundaries between professional and personal lives? Listen now to gain perspective on which paths might give you the best chance.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Apr 4, 2025 • 16min
The Truth About Working Locums: Is It Worth It? #455 Part 2
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Work-life balance in medicine isn't about finding time away from work. It's about knowing what works for you. Satisfaction in medicine often comes down to finding the practice style that matches your preferences.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Apr 1, 2025 • 22min
Effective Strategies for Dealing with Bullies in Medicine Successfully. #454 Part 3
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Bullying during residency has become normalized through what Dr. Bilbrew calls a "trauma response," where attending physicians justify harsh treatment with the familiar refrain: "I survived, so you should too." Dr. Bilbrew then shares powerful strategies for handling bullying in medical residency while preserving your dignity and mental health. Have you or someone you know experienced bullying in residency?We discuss:00:00 Why bullying still exists in residency07:36 Tips on how to deal with bullying as a resident16:56 Dr. Lattisha's book - YES I AM THE SURGEONFREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Amazon Link to Dr. Lattisha's book - https://a.co/d/aFWCcJ6Dr. Lattisha's Website - https://www.drlattishabilbrew.com/Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Apr 1, 2025 • 18min
Surviving the Bullies in Medical Training. #454 Part 1
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!The transition to residency brings excitement and new challenges but it also introduces the harsh reality of bullying in medical training. We explore strategies to identify, address, and overcome mistreatment during residency with our guest, Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew. She shares her experiences with bullying as the second Black woman in the history of her orthopedic surgical training program.We discuss:00:00 Introduction01:56 What does Dr. Lattisha Bilbrew do?02:51 Bullying during residency. The statistics & consequences.05:33 Being bullied as a black woman during residency.09:00 Handling your bullies and establishing boundaries.14:31 Constructive criticism vs. Mistreatment during training.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER! WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Apr 1, 2025 • 20min
RED FLAGS To Watch Out For When Selecting Residency Programs. #454 Part 2
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!When facing a bully in medicine, your strongest defense is competence. Identifying problematic programs before committing to them is very important. If you've ever faced professional intimidation or worry about encountering it in your medical career, this discussion offers practical wisdom on how to navigate these challenges while preserving both your professional standing and personal identity.We discuss:00:00 How to play the game correctly when dealing with bullies.04:35 Can you make the bullying stop when you're already deep into a bullying situation?10:50 Watching out for red flags during pre-interview dinners.17:18 The consequences of bullying during medical training.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Mar 25, 2025 • 21min
Why Seek Medical Help Then REFUSE Treatment?#453 Part 2
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We explore the puzzling behavior of patients who seek hospital care yet refuse recommended treatments. This fascinating contradiction guides our conversation, sparked by a viral video of a mother who brought her child to the hospital but proudly announced her refusal of prescribed medication. Have y’all ever encountered Anti-Science & Anti-Modern Medicine Patients?FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Mar 25, 2025 • 10min
A Doctor Performing Surgery While On Cocaine.#453 Part 3
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We analyze public reaction to news of a urologist testing positive for cocaine while performing surgeries. The social media comments revealed a plot twist with most of the public claiming that substance abuse is commonplace among medical professionals. FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Mar 25, 2025 • 8min
Running a CRAZY Spartan 5K Race With The Boys. #453 Part 1
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Dr. Nii shares his experience conquering a Spartan 5K Race with his boys. From the mud pits, rope climbs, among many other activities. He also shares his fitness goals for this year.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Q&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com

Mar 18, 2025 • 1h 5min
REPLAY: How we accidentally built a $1 million dollar locums business (Locum series part 6) #392
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Ever wondered what it's like to step off the beaten path and start your own locum tenens agency? We're two locums doctors who did just that, and we're here to share our unique journey. Answering the questions of 2 ER docs who want to start their own agency, we discuss our adventure from leaving permanent jobs, to setting up our physician-run agency, to the gratifying process of achieving seven-figure revenue. We also touch on the importance of streamlining processes and prioritizing fair compensation for providers. 💎 FREE DOWNLOAD - 11 Steps to Creating Your Own Locum Tenens Staffing Agency and JOIN the Waitlist for our Locum Tenens Learning GroupWe go beyond just sharing our story. We take you through the knotty world of employing locum physicians, helping you understand the importance of clear contracts, treating physicians as independent contractors, and ensuring comprehensive medical malpractice coverage. We also cover the often overlooked, yet vital aspect of drafting a bulletproof schedule for doctors. We discuss automation, the challenges of managing a schedule manually, and the need for a strict cancellation policy. Trust us; these administrative details can make or break a locum agency.Finally, we pull back the curtain on the business aspect of running a locum tenens agency. We discuss managing expenses, from setting up a doctor scheduling system to potential travel arrangements. And when it comes to growth, we share our experiences and insights on the pros and cons of expanding, and the importance of fostering strong relationships with hospitals and providers. Plus, we respond to questions from listeners eager to explore locum tenens, shedding light on the benefits and addressing common concerns. Our aim is to provide you with the tools and knowledge needed to take the leap into the world of locum tenens. So, tune in for an episode packed with practical advice, personal anecdotes, and plenty of laughs along the way. ▶️ WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Send us a message HERE!Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comPodcasting Course: www.docswhopodcast.comMerch: 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!Set For Life Insurance. What the Darkos use for great disability insurance at a low cost!! Check them out HERE!

Mar 14, 2025 • 19min
You Need a PLAN When Paying Off Student Loan Debt. #452 Part 3
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!The weight of medical school debt can feel overwhelming. When navigating student loan repayment in an uncertain political landscape, the big question is, should you pursue Public Service Loan Forgiveness or aggressively pay down debt? By understanding your complete debt profile, exploring all available options, and creating a personalized strategy aligned with your priorities, you transform overwhelming obligations into manageable steps toward financial freedom. Having a PLAN makes all the difference.FREE DOWNLOAD - 7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7-considerations-before-locumsLINKS MENTIONED Wealth-Minded MD podcast Website - http://Wealthmindedmd.comQ&A and Suggestions Form - https://forms.clickup.com/9010110533/f/8cgpr25-4614/PEBFZN5LA6FKEIXTWFSend us a Voice Message - https://www.speakpipe.com/docsoutsidetheboxSIGN UP FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!WATCH THIS EPISODE ON YOUTUBE!Have a question for the podcast?Text us at 833-230-2860Twitter: @drniidarkoInstagram: @docsoutsidetheboxEmail: team@drniidarko.comMerch: https://docs-outside-the-box.creator-spring.com