Healthcare providers and patients often feel frustrated, burned out, and powerless... but what if they're not actually fighting each other?

In this episode, I sit down with returning guest Jordan Grumet, MD, hospice physician, author, and host of the Earn & Invest podcast, to discuss his new book, The Healthcare Heist. Jordan argues that many of the challenges facing healthcare today aren't caused by clinicians or patients, but by third-party entities whose incentives often conflict with both.

We discuss the "culpability myth" that has led clinicians to become scapegoats for systemic problems, the rise of insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies, private equity, and electronic medical records, and how these forces have contributed to what Jordan calls the "intimacy gap" between providers and patients as well as rising healthcare costs.

Most importantly, we explore how clinicians and patients can work together to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships, and advocate for meaningful change.

In this episode, you'll learn:
• What the culpability myth is and how it impacts healthcare providers
• How third-party interests influence patient care
• Why healthcare costs continue to rise
• The unintended consequences of electronic medical records
• What the intimacy gap is and why it matters
• How shared storytelling can help clinicians and patients become allies again
• Why financial independence and career optionality may give clinicians more freedom to advocate for change

Whether you're a physician associate, physician, nurse practitioner, nurse, therapist, other healthcare team member, or patient, this conversation will challenge the way you think about healthcare and who is really responsible for the problems facing the system today.

Connect with Jordan and learn more about The Healthcare Heist: jordangrumet.com

Order your copy of The Healthcare Heist on Amazon (associate link)

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

Burnout often feels worse when you believe you have no options.

In this episode, we’re talking about career optionality — the ability to create more flexibility, freedom, and choice in your PA career and life. From finances and scheduling to skills, identity, and burnout, we’ll explore why feeling trapped can intensify burnout and how small intentional steps can help you build more breathing room, flexibility, and freedom in your life and PA career.

Whether you’re considering a career pivot, reducing hours, exploring new opportunities, or simply trying to create a more sustainable life in medicine, this episode will help you start thinking differently about what freedom can look like for physician associates.

Download your free copy of The Burned-Out PA Career Freedom Audit here

If this episode helped you realize you want more clarity, flexibility, and freedom in your career and finances, join the waitlist for The PA FREEDOM Method: www.pathefiway.com/waitlist

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway

In this episode, I review how better communication and deeper conversations can improve your relationships, patient care, emotional wellness, and overall quality of life. Inspired by concepts from The 5 Types of Wealth, we explore practical tools to help you become a better listener, ask better questions, and create more meaningful connection in everyday interactions.

We cover conversation “doorknobs,” the repeat + follow method, how to become a “loud listener,” situational eye contact, and the “Helped, Heard, Hugged” framework for stronger relationships. Whether you’re talking with patients, coworkers, family, friends, or fellow PAs at conferences, these communication skills can help others feel truly seen, heard, and valued.

Resource Mentioned:

The 5 Types of Wealth book by Sahil Bloom (Amazon Associate)

Sponsor Mentioned:

You’ve probably heard of the AAPA Salary Report, but it’s more than just a list of numbers.

It’s an interactive tool that allows you to compare PA salaries and bonuses based on:

State

Specialty

Years of experience

Practice setting

Cost of living

In just a few clicks, you can see how your salary stacks up and download data to use in conversations with your employer. 👉 Learn more at: aapa.org

🎙️ About the Podcast PA the FI Way is for PAs who want more control over their time, money, and career.

We talk about:

Financial independence

Burnout prevention

Career strategy

Building a life that actually feels sustainable

If you're early in your financial independence journey, make sure to download your free copy of the PA the FI Way Beginner’s Workbook.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

✔ Define your “why” for financial independence
✔ Track your spending and build awareness
✔ Start aligning your money with what matters most

Download it here: https://www.pathefiway.com/download-the-free-pa-the-fi-way-beginner-s-workbook

Website / Blog: pathefiway.com

Follow PA the FI Way on Instagram: @pathefiway https://www.instagram.com/pathefiway/

Connect with Kat on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katarina-kat-astrup-mspas-pa-c-175848255/

Watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@pathefiway

Join the private Facebook group created for current and future PAs on their journey to financial independence: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pathefiway

Like the Facebook page to follow along for updates: https://www.facebook.com/pathefiway