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Docs Outside The Box

Docs Outside The Box

Dr. Nii Darko 564 Episodes Jul 30, 2026

Hosts Dr. Nii (Ghanaian) and Dr. Renee (Haitian) are first-generation physicians who paid off $662,000 in student loans in 3 years. They share strategies on contract negotiation, career decisions, debt repayment, and wealth building for first-gen doctors. Each episode covers topics that medical colleagues learned at home but first-gen physicians often miss. The podcast provides real strategies from doctors who had to figure it out on their own.

Episodes

We Were Paying Off $700K in Student Loans. And Doing IVF at the Same Time. #480
We Were Paying Off $700K in Student Loans. And Doing IVF at the Same Time. #480 Jul 30, 2026 3116 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We got married in our thirties. Started IVF in the middle of paying off $700,000 in student loan debt. And Nii was working locums shifts several states away — the very thing funding our fertility journey was also making it harder.This is the episode we've never been able to fully tell. Until now.You'll
2 Docs No Nanny. #479
2 Docs No Nanny. #479 Jul 14, 2026 2806 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Nearly 50,000 people watched our co-parenting reel and asked the same question: "Why don't you just get a nanny?"People expected us to have full-time help. We don't. Not because we can't afford it. Because we made a different choice.In this episode, Nii and Renee pull back the curtain on
7% of Med Students Don't Match. Do These Things Instead. #478
7% of Med Students Don't Match. Do These Things Instead. #478 Apr 6, 2026 4808 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!You didn't match. Now what?Every year, roughly 7% of U.S. medical students don't match into residency. If you're one of them, you're not alone—and this isn't the end.Reddit Question We're Answering: "M4 here. Didn't match into the only specialty I cared about. No backup pl
I Couldn't Run a Mile in Residency. #477
I Couldn't Run a Mile in Residency. #477 Mar 30, 2026 2921 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode, we share our honest struggle with fitness as first-generation doctors - from not being able to run a mile in residency to building a consistent 5-6 day per week workout habit using the Atomic Habits framework.You'll hear:Why Nii couldn't run a mile by year 3 of surgery residency (and t
Is 40 Too Old For Med School? Here's The Truth. #476
Is 40 Too Old For Med School? Here's The Truth. #476 Feb 23, 2026 3284 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!Two first-gen doctors answer your real questions: How to open a business bank account, and whether starting Medical school at 40 is still possible. This week's Q&A covers two questions that represent completely different stages of the first-gen doctor journey: a neurology resident finishing training and
How We Paid Off $662K With No Family Help #475
How We Paid Off $662K With No Family Help #475 Feb 2, 2026 1530 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode, we share our complete story - how we went from $662,000 in medical school debt to completely debt-free in just three years, as first-generation doctors without any family financial blueprint.You'll hear:Why we accrued over $100,000 in interest (and how to avoid it)The exact moment we decide
Are You Ready for Locums? #474 Part 4
Are You Ready for Locums? #474 Part 4 Dec 16, 2025 914 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!We answer a listener who asks how to know if locums is the right move and whether they’re truly ready for independence. We break down confidence, clinical readiness, and the mindset shift needed to succeed as a 1099 physician.This episode hits home for: ● Medical students ● Residents & fellows ● Attending ph
Life With a Tenant Upstairs + Kitchen Renovation #474 Part 3
Life With a Tenant Upstairs + Kitchen Renovation #474 Part 3 Dec 16, 2025 997 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode we're discussing a life update which is renting out part of our home + kitchen renovations we are doing.We are breaking down the financial lessons we’re learning as a physician household with tenants. FREE DOWNLOAD -  7 Considerations Before Starting Locum Tenens - https://darkos.lpages.co/7
Wale’s New Album “Everything Is A Lot” + HSA Deadline #474 Part 2
Wale’s New Album “Everything Is A Lot” + HSA Deadline #474 Part 2 Dec 16, 2025 960 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!In this episode, we’re diving deep into: 1. Wale’s new album. Is it worth playing in the OR? A quick, fun review: focus, vibe, and OR compatibility.  2. HSA Deadline Reminder. LAST MONTH to contribute We’re making ours… are you? If you’re a med student, resident, or attending in a high deductible plan, this is t
DOE Says Nursing Isn’t a Professional Degree?! #474 Part 1
DOE Says Nursing Isn’t a Professional Degree?! #474 Part 1 Dec 16, 2025 1516 SEND US A TEXT MESSAGE!!! Let Drs. Nii & Renee know what you think about the show!This episode hits EVERY corner of healthcare. Medical students, residents, nursing students, and attendings. We’re diving deep into: 1. The Department of Education’s classification of nursing as not a professional degree ● What does this actually mean? ● Does it affect student loans? ● Will this change the futur
PSLF Guilt, Family Expectations, and Financial Reality. #473 Part 2
PSLF Guilt, Family Expectations, and Financial Reality. #473 Part 2 Dec 8, 2025 1056 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 DOW
ACA Premium Spike 2026: What Doctors, Residents & 1099 Physicians MUST Know. #473 Part 1
ACA Premium Spike 2026: What Doctors, Residents & 1099 Physicians MUST Know. #473 Part 1 Dec 8, 2025 1943 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

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