Work–life balance isn’t a destination — it’s a feeling.

And according to executive life coach Rebecca Olson, that feeling is available to you even in the chaos of practicing medicine and parenting young kids. In this powerful, paradigm-shifting conversation, we unpack why so many clinicians feel overwhelmed, what’s actually happening inside your nervous system, and how to reclaim presence in the moments that matter most.Rebecca works with ambitious working parents — especially women — who want to go all in on their careers without sacrificing the relationships and values that matter most. Her approach blends mindset, emotional regulation, intentional decision-making, and practical tools you can implement immediately.

Inside this episode, we dig into:

✨ What “balance” really is (and why it’s not a time-management problem)

✨ Why your nervous system is running the show (and how to calm it in 30–120 seconds)

✨ The transition that makes or breaks your evenings as a working parent

✨ How to build boundaries that actually hold (even when it feels uncomfortable)

✨ Redefining success after becoming a parent

REBECCA OLSON COACHING https://www.rebeccaolsoncoaching.com/

DAILY KICKSTART RESOURCE https://www.ambitiousandbalanced.com/daily-kickstart

SPONSORS:

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

Keywords: work-life balance, clinician burnout, nervous system regulation, emotional regulation tools, boundaries for clinicians, working parent mindset, Rebecca Olson coaching, PA wellness, presence practices, redefining success

This week on The PA Is In, we’re going behind the scenes of my experience with the PANRE-LA, the NCCPA’s longitudinal recertification exam. After recertifying the “old-school” way eight years ago — one long test, one long day, one giant burst of stress — I decided to try something totally different this cycle.

In this episode, I’m sharing why I chose the PANRE-LA, how the experience compares to the traditional PANRE, and what it’s actually like to be four quarters into the eight-quarter process. If you’re approaching your own recertification window — or just curious about how the PANRE-LA works — this is your honest, unfiltered look at the inside of the process.

Inside this episode:

• The biggest differences between the PANRE and the PANRE-LA (and why the 10-year cycle matters)

• Why I originally said no way to the PANRE-LA

• What changed my mind as a practicing PA, parent of five, and business owner

• My real-time lessons learned after completing four quarters

• How to avoid unnecessary stress and set yourself up for success

• Why this exam format better reflects modern clinical practice

• Quarterly deadlines you need to know: March 10, June 10, Sept 10, Dec 10
  

I’m sharing exactly how I schedule my questions, how I use (and don’t overuse) reference materials, what I’ve learned from the questions I missed, and why pacing makes the biggest difference in this process.

Whether you’re a fan of the all-at-once testing experience or you want something more flexible, I hope this episode gives you clarity, peace, and a sense of what’s possible for your own recertification season.

If you’ve taken — or are considering — the PANRE-LA, come tell me about your experience on LinkedIn or Instagram. I’d genuinely love to hear.

SPONSORS

⁠CM&F INSURANCE ⁠

⁠www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn⁠

PANRE-LA review, PANRE-LA vs PANRE, PA recertification, NCCPA longitudinal exam, physician associate recertification, PA boards update, PANRE study tips, PANRE-LA experience, PA career sustainability, PA exam schedule, PANRE-LA deadlines, PA learning assessment, PA board requirements, how to prepare for PANRE-LA, PA continuing certification, NCCPA PANRE-LA tips, PA exam strategies, longitudinal assessment for PAs

This Thanksgiving, take a deep breath with me. 🍂 In this reflective episode of The PA Is In, I’m sharing a story about a quiet morning, a warm cup of apple cinnamon tea, and a moment of awe that stopped me in my tracks.

We’ll unpack what awe really is — how it helps us regulate stress, reduce inflammation, and reconnect to the world around us — and how awe naturally flows into gratitude.

You’ll hear about the A.W.E. Method (Attention, Wait, Exhale) from the book The Power of Awe, and learn how gratitude literally rewires your brain to recognize joy faster than fear.

If you’re feeling tired, busy, or stretched thin, this episode is your permission slip to pause. To notice something beautiful. To exhale. And to let awe lead you to gratitude this season.

In this episode:

• A real-life story about slowing down and creating space for awe

• The science behind awe and its effects on stress and inflammation

• How gratitude reshapes your brain for empathy and resilience

• Simple ways to cultivate awe and gratitude in everyday life
  

Resources Mentioned:

• The Power of Awe by Jake Eagle & Michael Amster https://amzn.to/47mUVe3

• UC Berkeley (2018) Study on Awe & Inflammation https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25603133/

• USC (2017) Study on Gratitude & the Brain https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/human-neuroscience/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2017.00599/full
  

Listen now and take one small, sacred moment for awe this Thanksgiving.

SPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠

CONNECT

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

Keywords: awe and gratitude, awe method, power of awe, thanksgiving reflection, pa podcast, healthcare burnout recovery, stress relief for clinicians, gratitude and neuroscience, mindfulness for PAs, PA career sustainability, the PA Is In podcast

Even on the best days in medicine, it can feel like there just aren’t enough hours to get everything done. Between charting, follow-ups, messages, and the endless stream of “urgent” things… it’s easy to lose your rhythm.

In this episode, Tracy shares her favorite touchstones—small, intentional habits and micro-moments that help clinicians stay grounded, focused, and calm even in the middle of chaos.

You’ll hear about the origin of the term “touchstone” (yes, it comes from testing the purity of gold!) and learn how to apply that metaphor to your day as a way to test your focus, presence, and peace.

From morning momentum to mid-day resets and evening recovery, Tracy walks through simple, actionable ways to bring rhythm back to your clinical days—so you can feel less scattered and more steady, even when the day goes sideways.

✨ You’ll learn:

• The science and symbolism behind touchstones

• Simple ways to build morning momentum that lasts

• How to use handwashing, breathing, and movement as energy resets

• Systems for charting, batching, and time-blocking that reduce overwhelm

• Why boundaries are essential for focus and sustainability

• How to create transition rituals to leave work at work
  

🎯 Try this: Choose one new touchstone this week—something to help you re-center during your day—and notice how it changes your energy and focus.

💡 Take the Clinician Career Sustainability Quiz: Feeling pulled in every direction? Take my free quiz to see where you land on the spectrum between burnout and sustainability. 👉 tracybingaman.com/sustainability

SPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠

CONNECT

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

Keywords: PA burnout recovery, clinician touchstones, stay grounded at work, PA mindfulness habits, productivity tips for healthcare providers, sustainable medicine, clinician stress management, morning routine for PAs, charting efficiency tips, how to leave work on time as a PA, daily rhythm for healthcare workers, Tracy Bingaman podcast

“It’s not if you get sued; it’s when.” That’s what one of my preceptors told me when I was in PA school. I was floored. Now that I’ve been practicing as a PA for over a decade, I’ve seen colleagues be named in lawsuits and better understand the liabilities I face in my job.

This is why it’s imperative for PAs to have medical malpractice insurance. As the PA profession is modernizing, PAs have more exposure to patients, which is excellent to be able to care for more people but also opens up a greater possibility of being sued.

My guest today is Will Sullivan, the executive vice president of CM&F group, a leading malpractice insurance company that has been serving PAs and other healthcare professionals for decades. In today’s episode, Will explains the nuances of different types of malpractice policies and how your premium can be determined. We also discuss whether or not you can rely solely on your employer-sponsored malpractice policy or whether you should purchase your own.

As Will says in today’s episode, your license is your biggest asset as a healthcare provider. Learn how you can best protect it.

SPONSORS 🏆

CM&F GROUP: www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING, LLC: advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi

COACHING 🎓

THE PART-TIME PATHWAY

⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com/pathway

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate

⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST 👍

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

Think negotiation is just about salary? Think again.In this episode, Tracy shares real-world examples of creative things clinicians have successfully negotiated — from travel stipends and flex days to protected charting time and customized schedules.

You’ll learn how to think outside the paycheck, advocate for your quality of life, and finally stop waiting for permission to ask for what you need.

By the end, you’ll know: ✅ What’s possible to ask for (and how to do it) ✅ How to frame your negotiation so it benefits you and your employer ✅ Why “no” isn’t failure — it’s data

Action Step:Write down three things — beyond pay — that would make your job more sustainable, fulfilling, or flexible.

Download the PA Negotiation Roadmap: tracybingaman.com/roadmapThis free guide walks you step-by-step through your next negotiation.

Because once you realize what’s possible… you’ll never go back to settling for less.

SPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠

CONNECT

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠

Keywords: PA salary negotiation, physician associate compensation, healthcare negotiation tips, creative compensation packages, work-life balance for PAs, clinician burnout prevention, part-time PA jobs, negotiation roadmap, non-monetary benefits, flexible scheduling for PAs

This is the final episode in our Back to Basics Money series. We’re wrapping up the series with a Q&A covering the top questions sent in by listeners.

Thank you for joining us in this Back to Basics series. Feel free to go back and relisten to any episodes that you want to dig a little deeper into or that might pertain to a new stage of life you’re in.

If you have any more questions beyond the ones we discuss in this episode, please reach out to us at themoneypa [@] gmail.com. If you have any other money topics you’d like us to cover in the future, let us know those, too!

Sarah is a personal finance nerd who learned about finances and investing from an early age from her father and grandfather, who both spent their careers in the corporate finance world. As an adult, Sarah immersed herself in the personal finance and FIRE spheres, learning from top experts. Sarah is my personal go-to for all financial questions, and she’s here to share her knowledge with all of you!

SPONSORS 🏆

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING, LLC: advancedpracticeplanning.com/fi

CONNECT WITH SARAH 👫

Email: sjmvirtualsolutions@gmail.com

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarah-miller-pa-va/

RESOURCES 📚

Previous episodes in Back to Basics Money Series:

283: Back to Basics: Meet Sarah

287: Back to Basics: What Actually IS Investing?

290: Back to Basics: Traditional versus Roth - What’s the Difference?

293: Back to Basics: The Best Investments for Long-Term Success

296: Back to Basics: How Much Money Do I Need to Retire?

311: Back to Basics: Short-, Medium-, and Long-Term Savings Goals

335: Back to Basics: Investing for Your Kids

339: Back to Basics: How to Protect Your Wealth

341: Back to Basics: Do You Really Need a Financial Advisor?

COACHING 🎓

THE PART-TIME PATHWAY

⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com/pathway

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com

SUPPORT THIS PODCAST 👍

https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/thepaisin/support

Feeling like your paycheck is your only safety net? It’s time to change that. In this episode, Tracy Bingaman—PA, career coach, and your go-to brainstorming buddy—shares practical and creative ways to diversify your income as a clinician.

From investing beyond retirement to medical surveys, teaching, consulting, and creative work like medical writing or coaching PA applicants, Tracy walks you through both active and passive income ideas that can help you build security and freedom.

💡 You’ll learn:

• Why diversification matters (and how millionaires do it)

• The difference between active and passive income

• Easy entry points for clinicians looking to start small

• Creative ways to leverage your medical expertise

• Flexible clinical options that fund your bigger goals
  

🎧 Plus: Tracy shares insights from real clinicians and offers a free resource packed with 48 specific ideas to help you get started.

Keywords: clinician side hustles, diversify clinician income, passive income ideas for PAs, active vs passive income, medical survey companies Sermo ZoomRx InCrowd, PA preceptor stipend, healthcare consulting, medical writing CME, investing beyond 401k, physician associate side gig guide, multiple streams of income for clinicians, financial independence for PAs, how to earn extra as a PA, PA part-time income ideas, Tracy Bingaman PA podcast, The PA Is In side gig ideasSPONSORS

CM&F INSURANCE

www.cmfgroup.com/ThePAIsIn

ADVANCED PRACTICE PLANNING⁠ ⁠https://www.advancedpracticeplanning.com/⁠

CONNECT

⁠FREE 30-MINUTE COACHING CONSULT⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/gen-call⁠ ⁠⁠

⁠1-ON-1 NEGOTIATION CONSULT⁠ ⁠https://calendly.com/the-pa-is-in/negotiate⁠⁠⁠

CONNECT WITH TRACY 🤝

⁠LINKEDIN⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

⁠INSTAGRAM⁠ ⁠https://www.instagram.com/mrstracybingaman/⁠⁠⁠

WEBSITE⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.tracybingaman.com⁠⁠

🎁 Bonus Freebie: Grab your free guide with 48 healthcare-specific side hustle ideas at 👉⁠ ⁠⁠tracybingaman.com/gig⁠