Financial Freedom and Peace of Mind. For all of us.
A podcast by The Frugal Physician for healthcare professionals looking to get their financial house in order and design their ideal lives.
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Ep113: How Doctors Can Access Fair Loans and Build Successful Practices: Financial Freedom with Doc2Doc CEO Dr. Zwade Marshall
Season 1 · Episode 113
Friday, November 21, 2025 • Duration 38:19
In today's episode, Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Zwade Marshall—Emory- and Harvard-trained anesthesiologist, interventional pain specialist, CMO of Regenerative Spine and Pain Specialists, and co-founder/CEO of Doc2Doc Lending, a lending platform built by doctors for doctors.
Dr. Marshall shares the real story behind why traditional banks misunderstand early-career physicians, how his own relocation struggle sparked Doc2Doc, and how their proprietary underwriting finally evaluates doctors based on potential, not current cash flow.
Whether you're an early-career doctor trying to get approved for a loan, or an experienced physician thinking about launching your own practice, this episode is full of practical, real-world financial advice that medical training never covered.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Why traditional banks undervalue physicians
How big student loans and low early income distort our financial picture and why banks overlook our recession-proof earning potential.
2. How Doc2Doc Lending was born
The moment Dr. Marshall realized the system was broken and how he built a lending model that evaluates physicians prospectively, not punitively.
3. What makes Doc2Doc underwriting different
NPI verification, training stage, specialty, geography, cash-flow behaviors, and machine-learning insights that actually reflect physician realities.
4. When using leverage makes sense
Why personal loans can be powerful tools for practice start-up costs, fix-and-flips, or bridging SBA delays and why they shouldn't be used for consumption.
5. Understanding loan types, rates, and flexibility
How Doc2Doc's unsecured personal loans work, the monthly rate model, no-prepayment-penalty structure, and common use cases among physicians.
6. Credit scores, shame, and starting from scratch
A discussion especially relevant for immigrants and young physicians with thin credit files plus why your early FICO score doesn't define your financial future.
Listener Takeaways:
How Doc2Doc evaluates doctors differently than banks
Why physicians are statistically low-risk borrowers (even with $300K+ in loans)
What new attendings need to know about credit scores, debt, and loan approvals
Accessing fair and fast personal loans as a resident, fellow, or new attending
How physicians can use lending to start a medical practice
The most common mistakes new practice owners make and how to avoid them
Why private practice and cash-based care models are creating new physician freedom
This episode is brought to you by Black Swan Real Estate, led by physician-investor Dr. Elaine Stageberg. Dr. Stageberg, a Mayo Clinic–trained physician, together with her husband Nick, has spent years building Black Swan Real Estate into a diversified, large-scale portfolio now approaching half a billion dollars across 2,000 doors.
Now, through their Secure Freedom Fund, a 10% fixed rate of return offering, you can invest alongside them. The Secure Freedom Fund offers institutional-quality real estate opportunities—designed to deliver strong cash flow, long-term growth, and remarkable tax advantages.
This fund is uniquely structured so that each investor can tailor it to their own individual goals: a minimum investment of just $25,000, the ability to choose monthly cashflow distributions or to elect the compounding option for higher overall growth, the option to exit the fund on your timing, the flexibility to invest in your personal name, a trust, an LLC, or a retirement account, and so much more.
If you're an accredited investor who's ready to diversify beyond Wall Street and invest with experienced, trust worthy operators who've been exactly where you are, visit SecureFreedomFund.com today to learn more. From there, you can review the slides, watch the webinar, and even a book a call directly 1:1 with Dr. Elaine Stageberg.
Ep112: Turning Fear into Financial Freedom: Dr. Elaine Stageberg on Building Passive Income
Season 1 · Episode 112
Friday, October 17, 2025 • Duration 53:20
In this inspiring episode of Finding Financial Freedom, host Dr. Disha Spath sits down with Dr. Elaine Stageberg, co-owner and principal of Black Swan Real Estate, to explore how she turned one rental property into a half-billion-dollar real estate empire—all while raising five kids and maintaining a career in psychiatry.
Dr. Elaine's journey from a difficult childhood marked by financial instability to becoming a leading real estate investor is a testament to resilience, intention, and the power of mindset. Together with her husband, she built Black Swan Real Estate, a diversified portfolio with over 2,000 doors and nearly $500 million in assets.
Tune in as Dr. Elaine shares how she overcame scarcity thinking, leaned into fear, and built financial freedom through strategic investing.
Key Topics Covered:
1. Overcoming Adversity and Finding Purpose
Elaine's early life shaped by financial scarcity and addiction in her family.
The role of love and stability in the midst of chaos—and how it formed her values today.
2. From Medicine to Mindset
Why Elaine chose psychiatry and how her background influenced her specialty.
The importance of paying it forward and mentoring others.
3. The Accidental Landlord Story
How an underwater mortgage led Elaine and Nick to rent out their first home.
What she learned about property management, cash flow, and providing housing.
Discovering the joy and purpose of real estate beyond spreadsheets.
4. Building Black Swan Real Estate
Their first intentional investment: turning a vacant, foreclosed home into a thriving rental.
The philosophy behind building value and creating "sacred work" through housing.
Ep103: How to Build a Profitable Direct Primary Care Practice Without Burnout with Dr. Una of EntreMD
Season 1 · Episode 103
Friday, June 13, 2025 • Duration 52:39
In this episode of the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast, Dr. Disha Spath is joined by powerhouse physician entrepreneur Dr. Nneka Unachukwu, also known as Dr. Una—board-certified pediatrician, bestselling author, and founder of EntreMD.
Dr. Una built a seven-figure business while practicing medicine and raising four children—and now she's on a mission to help 100,000 physicians do the same. Through her groundbreaking EntreMD Business School and top-ranked podcast, she's changing the narrative around what's possible for doctors beyond the clinic.
This conversation unpacks the mindset, strategy, and vision behind her journey from overwhelmed clinician to CEO. Dr. Una shares how physicians can build profitable businesses, master leadership, and take ownership of their time, income, and purpose—without sacrificing their calling.
Key Topics Covered:
1. From Medicine to Mission
How Dr. Una's journey began with a love for medicine—and a desire for more freedom.
The financial turning points that opened the door to entrepreneurship.
2. Becoming the CEO of Your Life
Why most physicians aren't trained to think like business owners—and how to change that.
3. The Mindset Shift
The limiting beliefs physicians carry—and the mental reprogramming needed to succeed in business.
4. Making Success Inevitable
Identifying your "why" and the strategy behind building a business that grows with you.
What she teaches inside the EntreMD Business School makes results repeatable.
5. The DPC Model Explained
What is Direct Primary Care and how does it create freedom for physicians and patients alike?
Ep12: Physician Advocacy in Insurance - From Mental Health to Coverage with Dr. Stephanie Pearson
Season 1 · Episode 12
Friday, August 11, 2023 • Duration 37:48
Dr. Stephanie Pearson, a former OB-GYN who suffered a career-ending injury, discusses her journey of navigating disability insurance claims. She shares her personal experience of battling a torn labrum, a frozen shoulder, and the emotional toll of being denied coverage for work-related injuries. Dr. Pearson's determination to educate and advocate for physicians' disability insurance needs led her to become an insurance broker. The conversation delves into the historical approach to mental health coverage for physicians, the changes in recent years, and the challenges physicians face when seeking mental health support and coverage.
Bio / Links:
Stephanie Pearson, MD, FACOG, is a board-certified OB/GYN and a licensed broker specializing in disability and life insurance for physicians. Injured in the prime of her career as an OB/GYN, Stephanie was forced to pivot; through her own firsthand experience, she found a new calling in advocating for and educating her peers on their insurance needs. Stephanie's goal is to empower others to protect their most valuable asset: their ability to earn income. As a speaker, Stephanie combines her hard-won insurance expertise with her personal experience to address the physical and mental impact of physician disability, emphasizing the importance of proper coverage. Stephanie's background includes 9 years of medical practice after receiving her M.D. from Drexel Universities MCP/ Hahnemann College of Medicine (now Drexel University College of Medicine), and completing a residency at Pennsylvania Hospital. She currently lives in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania with her husband, their two children, and dogs.
Ep11: Financial Baby Step 8 - Invest, Live, and Give
Season 1 · Episode 11
Friday, August 4, 2023 • Duration 19:12
Despite having COVID, Dr. Disha proceeds to recap the previous Baby Steps, which involve achieving financial milestones like paying off debts, investing, and building emergency funds. Baby Step 8 involves saving for children's college education, potentially buying a house, and considering various investment options. Dr. Disha encourages her listeners to make intentional decisions, seek professional advice if needed, and ultimately create financial stability and freedom in their lives.
Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
Looking for something specific in this show? Here you go!
[00:05:00] - Investment options for kids' college savings.
[00:16:00] - Considerations for buying a home.
[00:18:00] - Paying off the mortgage and investing for financial freedom.
[00:23:00] - Wrapping up the eight steps to financial freedom.
Ep10: Financial Baby Step 7 - Building a Three to Six Month Emergency Fund
Season 1 · Episode 10
Friday, July 28, 2023 • Duration 17:19
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, MedicalExpertWitness.com – helping you build your medical expert witness agency.
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The episode covers Baby Step 7 in the financial journey. It starts with a recap of the previous steps, which include protecting loved ones through insurance and estate planning, saving up a starter emergency fund, investing, paying off debt, and maxing out retirement accounts. Baby Step 7 is to save up a three to six month emergency fund, which is crucial for doctors who may need to leave their job or relocate. The emergency fund should cover fixed and variable expenses but can exclude wants. It is recommended to keep the fund in a place that is easily accessible and can earn some interest, such as a high-interest savings account.
Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, MedicalExpertWitness.com - grow your expert witness practice today!
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This story recounts a near-drowning incident of a three-year-old in Dal Lake, nestled in the Himalayas. Saved by a shikara rower, the experience teaches her the importance of not panicking during a crisis. Fast forward, she uses this lesson to conquer her massive debts as a physician, paying off over a million dollars in three years. The narrative then explores two effective debt repayment methods: the debt avalanche and the debt snowball. By applying an extra $1,000 each month, the protagonist becomes debt-free in just nine years, achieving financial independence.
Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
Ep8: Financial Baby Step 5 for Physicians Cont'd
Season 1 · Episode 8
Friday, July 14, 2023 • Duration 20:52
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, @PearsonRavitz– Life, Disability, and Long-Term Care Coverage for a secure future.
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We're STILL on Baby Step 5 - Max Out All Tax Protected Space!
In this episode, Dr. Disha continues with the 8 Baby Steps of financial independence, discussing asset allocation and building an investment portfolio. She emphasizes the importance of passive index investing and diversification, providing tips on choosing funds with low costs.
Dr. Disha also delves into the concept of asset location and covers the insurances available for different types of investments. The episode concludes with a reminder of the significance of investing and compounding over time.
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Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, @PearsonRavitz– Life, Disability, and Long-Term Care Coverage for a secure future.
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We're on Baby Step 5 - Max Out All Tax Protected Space!
In this episode, Dr. Disha discusses the importance of maximizing tax-advantaged retirement accounts. She explains the concept of compound interest and how it can contribute to long-term wealth building. Dr. Disha also provides an overview of various retirement account options, including 401(k)s, 403(b)s, IRAs, and HSAs. She emphasizes the need to assess individual circumstances and choose the most suitable retirement accounts to maximize contributions.
Dr. Disha also addresses different investment options, including mutual funds, index funds, ETFs, bonds, cash equivalents, alternative investments, commodities, cryptocurrencies, hedge funds, private equity, and collectibles. She highlights the benefits and risks associated with each asset class and provides an overview of their characteristics.
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Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
Special thanks to our Title Sponsor, PearsonRavitz, empowering physicians to protect their income.
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The episode covers Baby Step 4, which focuses on paying off high-interest debt. It highlights the negative impact of high-interest debt on cash flow and wealth building. Listeners are encouraged to identify their debts and their interest rates, with credit card debt being a significant concern due to its high average interest rate. Strategies for finding extra money to pay off debt are discussed, such as increasing income or cutting back expenses. The benefits of budgeting are emphasized, including the sense of control, freedom to spend without guilt, and the ability to align spending with values. The zero-based, line-item budgeting method is explained as an effective approach, and the process of tracking spending is explored, along with options like spreadsheets and budgeting apps.
Resources Mentioned:
Lending Tree: Average credit card interest rate in America today is 20%
Budgeting apps: YNAB, Personal Capital, Every Dollar
Dr. Disha created this podcast to share her story and provide guidance to those who feel trapped in their financial circumstances. Let's join forces, take charge of our finances, and work together towards the ultimate goal of financial freedom.
Share this podcast with friends and colleagues who may benefit from this transformative journey. It's time to embrace change and embark on the path to financial freedom.
If you enjoyed the show, find and follow Dr. Disha everywhere else:
This episode is brought to you by Black Swan Real Estate, led by physician-investor Dr. Elaine Stageberg. Dr. Stageberg, a Mayo Clinic–trained physician, together with her husband Nick, has spent years building Black Swan Real Estate into a diversified, large-scale portfolio now approaching half a billion dollars across 2,000 doors.
Now, through their Secure Freedom Fund, a 10% fixed rate of return offering, you can invest alongside them. The Secure Freedom Fund offers institutional-quality real estate opportunities—designed to deliver strong cash flow, long-term growth, and remarkable tax advantages.
This fund is uniquely structured so that each investor can tailor it to their own individual goals: a minimum investment of just $25,000, the ability to choose monthly cashflow distributions or to elect the compounding option for higher overall growth, the option to exit the fund on your timing, the flexibility to invest in your personal name, a trust, an LLC, or a retirement account, and so much more.
If you're an accredited investor who's ready to diversify beyond Wall Street and invest with experienced, trust worthy operators who've been exactly where you are, visit SecureFreedomFund.com today to learn more. From there, you can review the slides, watch the webinar, and even a book a call directly 1:1 with Dr. Elaine Stageberg.
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
Looking for something specific in this show? Here you go!
[00:02:30] A three to six month emergency fund.
[00:06:12] High interest savings accounts.
[00:11:33] Roth IRA withdrawal exceptions.
[00:14:30] Investing emergency fund money.
[00:17:29] Roomba price tracking.
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
YouTube (Coming Soon!)
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Looking for something specific in this show? Here you go!
[00:00:00] Introduction and sponsor acknowledgment
[00:02:00] Recap of previous baby steps
[00:03:32] Overview of asset allocation for investment portfolios
[00:05:36] Recommended percentages of stocks, bonds, and other asset classes
[00:07:25] The benefits of passive index investing
[00:08:55] Factors to consider when designing a portfolio
[00:12:04] Evaluating the expense ratios of funds
[00:15:26] Allocating investments based on account types and tax efficiency
[00:17:55] Choosing a fee-only fiduciary advisor for professional assistance
[00:19:00] Understanding FDIC and SIPC insurance coverage
[00:23:21] Importance of investor behavior and setting investing goals
[00:25:00] Final thoughts on the power of compounding
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
Looking for something specific in this show? Here you go!
[00:00:00] Introduction and podcast overview
[00:01:17] Recap of previous baby steps
[00:02:01] The power of compound interest
[00:02:40] Tax advantages of retirement accounts
[00:04:05] Explaining the backdoor Roth IRA strategy
[00:05:00] The benefits of health savings accounts (HSAs)
[00:06:00] Overview of different retirement account options
[00:07:01] Considerations for maximizing tax-advantaged space
[00:08:00] Importance of taking advantage of available retirement accounts
[00:21:44] Understanding mutual funds and load fees
[00:22:00] Introduction to index funds and their passive nature
[00:22:35] Actively managed funds vs. index funds
[00:22:46] Jack Bogle's quote on index fund investing
[00:23:00] Exploring exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
[00:23:28] Introduction to bonds and their fixed income nature
[00:24:00] Different types of bonds, including municipal bonds and treasury bonds
[00:25:00] Risks associated with bonds, such as credit risk and interest rate risk
[00:26:00] SVB's collapse as an example of interest rate risk
[00:27:01] Overview of cash equivalents, including CDs and money market funds
[00:28:00] Introduction to alternative investments like real estate, REITs, and commodities
[00:29:00] Exploring cryptocurrencies, hedge funds, private equity, and collectibles
[00:30:52] Acknowledging the variety of asset classes available for investment
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
[00:24:45] Say goodbye to the weight of high-interest debt, welcome financial liberation.
[00:26:15] Break the chains of high-interest debt and embark on a journey to financial prosperity.
[00:26:30] High-interest debt: Conquer it, rewrite your financial story, and thrive.
[00:29:00] Embrace the journey of conquering high-interest debt and unlocking financial abundance.
Please note: The content shared on the podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be considered individualized financial advice. It is essential to consult with professionals such as accountants, financial advisors, or attorneys to receive personalized guidance based on your specific needs.
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