

Docs Outside The Box
Dr. Nii Darko
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!
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 20, 2019 • 45min
109 - I Hate My Job But should I really burn this bridge?!!
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!What’s good everyone! On this episode, Dr. Bonnie Mason (previously from Episode 18) joins me on how to properly handle difficult non-clinical situations. We’re talking about how to leave without burning bridges even though you absolutely hate your toxic job. By now, it’s pretty standard knowledge to have a lawyer review your hospital/employee contract. Dr. Bonnie has a hot take on whether you should allow your lawyer to take the extra step and negotiate on your behalf. You’ve heard of non-disclosure agreements (NDA), right? Okay, well have you heard of non-disparaging agreements?! Yup, they exist and I was shocked to hear about them also. This is an episode for everyone, whether you’re still a resident or a fresh new attending; there’s plenty of bombs being dropped by Dr. Bonnie. Follow Dr. Bonnie Mason: Beyond the Exam Room Info@beyondtheexamroom.co Instagram Twitter

May 13, 2019 • 32min
108 - Balancing being a doc, family man, and podcaster [Q&A Episode]
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!What’s good everyone! I’ve been doubling down on my Instagram presence. Every Sunday, I give followers the opportunity to ask me questions about various topics. On today’s show I’m answering your questions from Instagram. Here’s a list of the questions I answer on the show: How do you manage a podcast and maintain your busy schedule as a doctor and family man? What drives you to be successful in the field? Review some basic podcast equipment. Hey Unc, I wanted to start my own podcast after I graduate and wanted to know how you keep your podcast topics versatile while still maintaining a core agenda? Do you recommend working for more than one agency to increase job options? What do you think is the biggest advantage and disadvantage of locums? How much experience must you have before becoming locum? Did you start doing locums straight out of residency? Is that favorable/unfavorable?

May 3, 2019 • 5min
107 - Strategy to get past fear with Dr. Berry Pierre [5-Minute Friday]
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Here is some fresh insight from previous guest Dr. Berry Pierre (Episode 96) on the strategy he’s using to get past fear!

Apr 26, 2019 • 8min
106 - How to get past fear with Dr. Carolyn McClanahan [5-Minute Friday]
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Welcome back to 5 Minute Friday! On this episode, you will hear how a health scare forced Dr. Carolyn (Episode 102) to realize her mortality and never allow fear to hold her back.

Apr 22, 2019 • 41min
105 – Wealth and Wellness with The Physician Philosopher
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!It’s been three years since Docs Outside the Box debuted on the podcast scene. It went very fast and I have learned a lot during this time. Check out Episode 100 for the lessons learned during this journey. On this episode, we have former anonymous physician personal finance blogger - The Physician Philosopher. Like so many of his blogging counterparts, Dr. Jimmy Turner initially started out anonymous, but as of this year, he revealed his secret identity and hasn’t looked back since. I brought him on the show to discuss his philosophy towards personal finance. I’ve enjoyed his approach, which focuses on the WHY behind our personal finance decisions. We often learn more from our mistakes than our wins, and Dr. Jimmy is not different. It seems he’s very comfortable discussing how his past mistakes has set him up for big wins now and in the future. Resources: 3 Ways Financial independence Causes Harm Physician Financial Interview Series Living an Intentional Life: The Three Kinder Questions Book: The Physician Philosopher's Guide to Personal Finance: The 20% of Personal Finance Doctors Need to Know to Get 80% of the Results

Apr 19, 2019 • 5min
104 - Focus on Your Purpose to get Past Fear with Dr. Drai [5-Minute Friday]
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We’re back with another 5 minute Friday! Take a listen to Dr. Drai’s short, but sweet take on how he handle’s fear and inaction.

Apr 15, 2019 • 26min
103 – How to work with a virtual assistant
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Hi All, On this episode, you’ll get a glimpse into my new “team” approach with the podcast. Over the past several months, I’ve been consistently working with my assistant (Sheryl) to help with streamlining and systematizing my life as an entrepreneur. Rather than writing a long piece on working with virtual assistants, I decided to interview her so that you can see what our working relationship is like. For you all who are on the fence about hiring a virtual assistant, I think this conversation will bring down the anxiety and help you take action! Resources: Upwork Virtual Assistant Savvies FB group

Apr 8, 2019 • 39min
102 - Financial Planning with Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, From MD to CFP
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Today’s guest can not only save a patient’s life, but also advice on how well diversified the patient’s retirement portfolio is. Okay, maybe this is an exaggerated example, but it’s really not that far from the truth. She is Dr. Carolyn McClanahan, Director of Financial Planning at Life Planning Partners, a fee-only financial advisory firm. She completed her undergraduate degree at Mississippi University for Women and medical school at the University of Mississippi. After residency in Family Medicine at the Medical College of Virginia, she entered private practice and emergency medicine practice in Richmond, Virginia. After developing a passion for In this episode, we’re going to talk about how helping her significant other’s investments turned into a passion that led to her leaving medicine and practicing full-time as a certified financial planner (CFP). We’ll also hear her thoughts on medicine’s gender pay way gap, as well as her tips for a healthy relationship with your financial advisor. To learn more about Dr. McClanahan, please visit www.lifeplanningpartners.com or you can email her at cmcc@lifeplanningpartners.com. Things you’ll learn in this episode: Going from MD to CFP How she helped her significant other with his investment The gender pay wage gap Tips for a healthy relationship with your Financial Advisor How she answers #Imnotjustadoc Resources: NAPFA - https://www.napfa.org Inbox Zero FollowupThen

Apr 1, 2019 • 32min
101 - My Wife Hates My Locums Schedule
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!What's up & April Fools' Day! My wife, Dr. Renee Volny-Darko, joins me on this very personal episode where we discuss how my locums schedule puts a strain on our relationship. A lot of times, locums is described only in positive ways - you rarely hear about the negatives of this lifestyle. In keeping with me being more transparent about juggling my career and path as an entrepreneur, I wanted to share this episode with you.

Mar 29, 2019 • 37min
100 - The road from passion project to entrepreneurship
SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!What's good everyone! It's a special episode for me because this Episode # 100!! On this episode, I'm talking about things that have stood in my way and I have gotten past on the road from passion project to entrepreneurship. Starting April 7th I'll be apart of a free online speaker series called The Relaxed Doctor: Creative tips to boost your resilience and create the work/life balance you always wanted. And I have a complimentary ticket for you to attend. I teamed up with Dr. Sheila Parai and she has gathered 15 business-minded speakers who are passionate about sharing their wealth of knowledge. If you want to find out the secrets to working smarter, living better and reaching your full potential, then register here therelaxeddoctor.com/drniidarko You can even watch from your home, office or on the go!