Welcome back to the Finding Financial Freedom Podcast with Dr. Disha Spath.

Today’s guest is Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.—a board-certified surgeon turned social entrepreneur with a powerful story of reinvention. In this episode, Dr. Ryan shares his candid financial journey, from the operating room to business school, and how embracing entrepreneurship led him to a more fulfilling and financially secure life.

He unpacks the physician mindset shift that helped him navigate early mistakes, the surprisingly simple logic behind self-storage investing, and how his net worth transformed through calculated risk-taking and education.

Key Topics Covered:

1. From Medicine to Money Mastery

• How Dr. Ryan’s physician journey ignited his interest in financial literacy.

2. Why Self-Storage Stands Out in Real Estate

• Breaking down the complexity of commercial real estate—and why self-storage is the simplest entry point.

3. Learning Personal Finance from Scratch

• How Dr. Ryan went from financially overwhelmed to confident and capable.

4. How Dr. Ryan Dealt with His Transition from Being a Physician to Entrepreneurship

• The reactions he received from fellow physicians when he chose the entrepreneurial route.

5. Tracking the Financial Transformation

• How his net worth shifted as he embraced entrepreneurship, business school, and smart investing.

Listener Takeaways:

• Why commercial real estate—especially self-storage—might be worth exploring
• How to start your financial education, no matter where you’re at
• What to expect when you pivot from clinical work to entrepreneurship
• Real talk on the personal and financial growth that follows bold decisions

Resources Mentioned:

• The Medicine and Money Show by Dr. Ryan Smolarz

Connect with Us:

Host: Dr. Disha Spath, The Frugal Physician
Guest: Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.

Earned Wealth: Earned's unique Doctor Wealth Playbook includes tax planning, investing, insurance, career advisory, and more. It’s a holistic approach from advisors who get the financial pressures of your profession. And for a limited time, Frugal Physician listeners can visit Earned.com/Frugal for exclusive access to this comprehensive planning at a discounted rate.

Welcome back to Finding Financial Freedom with Dr. Disha Spath!

In today’s episode, we’re reimagining the traditional path to retirement with the powerful idea of mini-retirements. Instead of waiting decades to enjoy your life, what if you could take intentional breaks throughout your career to recharge, pivot, and pursue passions?

Dr. Disha is joined by Jillian Johnsrud, a trailblazer in the mini-retirement movement. By age 40, Jillian had taken more than a dozen breaks, traveled to 27 countries, adopted four children, and built a life of freedom through intentional living and smart financial strategies. Together, they explore how you can take time off—without blowing up your career or finances.

Key Topics Covered:

1. From Burnout to Mini-Retirement

• How Jillian embedded financial independence into her lifestyle early on.

2. Designing Intentional Breaks

• Different “phases” of mini-retirements—and how each one serves a purpose.

3. Making It Work with Your Career

• Why even high-demand professionals (like physicians) can take sabbaticals.

4. Affording the Life You Want

• How much a mini-retirement actually costs—and how to plan for it.

5. Figuring Out How to Pull from Investments

• Planning your withdrawal strategy while staying financially independent.

6. Organizing Your Work So It's Not a Detriment but a Value Add

• How to organize your work and life to find balance

Listener Takeaways:

• You don’t have to wait until 65 to start living your dream life.
• Mini-retirements are not only possible—they can be career-enhancing.
• Sabbaticals are realistic for both employed and self-employed professionals.
• With the right mindset and financial strategy, anyone can afford a break.

Resources Mentioned:

• Website: https://retireoften.com/
• Retire Often Book: https://retireoften.com/book/
• Book Purchasing Link: https://lnk.to/retireoften
• Free Opt-In Worksheets:
  • Planning: https://retireoften.com/mini/
  • Negotiating: https://retireoften.com/onemonth/
• Workbook: https://retireoften.com/workbook/
• Group Coaching: https://retireoften.com/group-coaching/
• Social Media:
  • Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jillianjohnsrud/
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/JillianJohnsrud/
  • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jillian-johnsrud/
  • Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@JillianJohnsrud

Connect with Us:

Host: Dr. Disha Spath, The Frugal Physician
Guest: Follow Dr. Jillian on LinkedIn

Earned Wealth: Earned's unique Doctor Wealth Playbook includes tax planning, investing, insurance, career advisory, and more. It’s a holistic approach from advisors who get the financial pressures of your profession. And for a limited time, Frugal Physician listeners can visit Earned.com/Frugal for exclusive access to this comprehensive planning at a discounted rate.

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?
• How Dr. Una built her practice around access, care, and boundaries.

6. Creating Boundaries While Building Trust

• The art of saying “no” and still attracting your dream patients (and clients).
• How Dr. Una balances business, medicine, and motherhood.

7. Her Personal Practice Story

• What building her own practice taught her about entrepreneurship—and herself.
• How her experience shaped EntreMD and its mission to reach 100,000 physician entrepreneurs.

Listener Takeaways:

• Why physicians are uniquely positioned to be entrepreneurs
• How to create a business aligned with your values and lifestyle goals
• How to balance purpose, profit, and peace on your journey to financial freedom

Connect with Us:

Host: Dr. Disha Spath, The Frugal Physician
Guest: Dr. Nneka Unachukwu or Dr. Una