The Medicine and Money Show

J. Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.
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A podcast for high-performing doctors who want to escape financial dependency and build lasting wealth. Join Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz as he shares practical strategies for shifting from consumer to investor, without needing a finance degree. 

  1. 2d ago

    The Financial Playbook Every Physician Needs: A Deep Dive with CFO Carl Stoddard

    Send us Fan Mail Running a successful medical practice requires more than providing excellent patient care. Behind every sustainable and profitable practice is a strong financial strategy, effective leadership, and a clear understanding of the numbers driving the business. In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, Dr. Ryan Smolarz sits down with Carl Stoddard to discuss the critical role of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in medical practices and why financial management is essential for physicians looking to build, scale, and eventually exit their businesses. From understanding cash flow and practice profitability to strategic planning and long-term financial sustainability, Carl breaks down how physicians can take control of the business side of medicine. Whether you're an independent practice owner, healthcare entrepreneur, or physician considering expanding your business, understanding the financial health of your practice is essential to making smarter decisions. In This Episode, We Discuss: The Role of a CFO in Healthcare: Why medical practices need strong financial leadership and strategic financial oversight.Medical Practice Financial Management: Understanding revenue, expenses, cash flow, and overall financial performance.Strategic Business Planning: Making financial decisions that support long-term practice growth.Understanding Financial Health: Why physicians need to understand the numbers behind their businesses.Physician Entrepreneurship: Transitioning from practicing medicine to thinking like a business owner.Delegation and Leadership: Why physicians shouldn't try to manage every aspect of their practice themselves.Technology and Efficiency: Leveraging technology to improve financial operations and business performance.Medical Practice Exit Strategies: Why physicians should plan their eventual business exit well before retirement.Building Long-Term Value: Positioning a medical practice for future success and sustainability. Why This Conversation Matters Many physicians spend years developing their clinical expertise but receive very little formal education in accounting, business management, or financial strategy. As a result, physicians often find themselves running complex businesses without fully understanding their financial performance. Learning to evaluate your practice like a business, delegate effectively, and make decisions based on accurate financial information can make a significant difference in your profitability, independence, and long-term financial future. Your medical practice is more than your livelihood. It's a business, an investment, and potentially one of your most valuable assets. Start treating it that way. Subscribe to The Medicine and Money Show for more conversations about physician finance, medical practice ownership, healthcare entrepreneurship, investing, and building financial independence.

  2. Apr 30

    AI Is Replacing More Than You Think: What Every Doctor & Investor Must Know

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when AI stops being a tool—and starts reshaping medicine, business, and decision-making? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, I sit down with Bryan Trilli to break down what AI actually means for physicians and investors. We explore how doctors can shift from a traditional clinical mindset to one that embraces technology, automation, and capital allocation in a rapidly changing world.  We dive into how AI is already transforming workflows—from patient intake to diagnosis—and why the real disruption isn’t just efficiency, but a complete redesign of how healthcare operates. We also discuss the risks: governance, ethics, and the growing influence of a small number of AI platforms shaping decisions at scale. On the investing side, we cover why many SaaS and knowledge-based businesses may lose their edge, how barriers to building software are collapsing, and what that means for future opportunities. At its core, this episode is about one thing: the people who learn to think and operate alongside AI will have a massive advantage—while those who don’t risk being left behind.

  3. Apr 23

    Think Like an Investor: The Strategy Doctors Need to Escape Income Caps and Build Wealth

    Send us Fan Mail What actually separates investors who consistently build wealth from those who stay stuck earning a high income—but never achieve true financial freedom? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, I sit down with multidisciplinary investor, attorney, and software engineer David Awad to break down the real principles behind value investing—and why mindset matters more than tactics.  We explore how physicians can transition from thinking like employees to thinking like capital allocators, and why that shift is the foundation for long-term wealth. David explains investing as more than numbers—it’s a reflection of how you see the world, where value is created, and how capital moves markets.  We also dive into the reality facing doctors today: declining purchasing power, limited pricing control, and the necessity of investing to offset those constraints. From inflation and market inefficiencies to identifying “wonderful businesses” with pricing power, this conversation gives a clear framework for building wealth outside of medicine.  Along the way, we connect value investing to broader themes—entrepreneurship, AI, and the intersection of code, capital, and law—showing how modern investors can position themselves ahead of major shifts in the economy.  At its core, this episode is about one thing: if you learn how to think like an investor, you can take control of your financial future—regardless of your profession. Topics Covered: • Value investing fundamentals (buying great businesses at the right price)  • The mindset shift from physician to investor  • Pricing power, inflation, and protecting purchasing power  • How markets actually work (and where inefficiencies exist)  • Entrepreneurship and solving real-world problems for profit  • Code, capital, and law in modern investing  • AI, automation, and the future of capital allocation This episode is for physicians, investors, and high-income professionals who want to move beyond trading time for money—and start building scalable, lasting wealth.

  4. Apr 16

    Why Your Income Doesn't Matter Without This Strategy

    Send us Fan Mail What actually separates those who build scalable businesses and financial freedom from those stuck trading time for money? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, I sit down with entrepreneur and leadership coach Ray Young to break down why leadership—not strategy—is the real key to growth. We explore how physicians and professionals can transition from operator to CEO by building systems, hiring effectively, and creating accountability that drives execution. We also connect leadership to financial independence—why saving capital, investing outside your profession, and building income streams beyond your time is critical for true autonomy. We dive into real frameworks for hiring, SOPs, and managing teams, along with how AI and workforce shifts are changing the game for business owners today. At its core, this episode is about one thing: if you build the right leadership foundation, you can scale your business, your income, and your life. Topics Covered: • Leadership vs strategy in business  • From operator to CEO  • Hiring and accountability systems  • SOPs and scalable processes  • Financial independence for physicians  • Escaping the time-for-money trap  • AI and workforce challenges This episode is for physicians, entrepreneurs, and professionals ready to think bigger, scale faster, and build lasting freedom.

  5. Apr 9

    U.S. Immigration for Doctors & Professionals: How to Move, Build Wealth, and Win the American Dream (AI, Investing & Strategy)

    Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to move your life—and your future—across borders in pursuit of opportunity, freedom, and the American dream? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, I sit down with immigration attorney Hillary Walsh to unpack the realities behind coming to the United States—not just from a legal standpoint, but from a financial, strategic, and mindset perspective. Hillary and I break down the different pathways available for professionals—especially physicians—and why taking control of your own immigration process can be one of the most powerful decisions you make. We talk about self-petitioning, employer-sponsored options, and how high-level professionals can position themselves to create opportunity instead of waiting for permission. This conversation goes beyond paperwork. We get into what actually happens when someone uproots their life—setting up bank accounts, navigating taxes, integrating into a new system, and dealing with the chaos that comes before stability. Hillary shares why having the right connections and even concierge-level support can dramatically change the outcome of that transition. We also explore the deeper parallels between immigration, entrepreneurship, and investing. The same traits that allow someone to successfully move across the world—resilience, adaptability, and long-term thinking—are the exact traits that create successful entrepreneurs and investors. I share how these themes show up in my own world—from building businesses to integrating AI into my medical practice—and how technology is reshaping both healthcare and legal industries. Hillary also breaks down how her firm is leveraging tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini to improve client experience, streamline workflows, and stay on the cutting edge. We go even deeper into strategy—discussing global citizenship, second passports, and how some individuals are effectively “buying time” by leveraging alternative countries to bypass long immigration backlogs. At its core, this episode highlights a powerful idea: building a life—whether through immigration, business, or investing—is a strategic process. And the people who win are the ones who take ownership, build a plan, and stay resilient through the uncertainty. Topics Covered: • Immigration pathways for physicians and high-level professionals  • Self-petition vs. employer-sponsored visas  • The real logistics of relocating to the U.S.  • Financial setup: banking, taxes, and infrastructure  • Why networking and “connectors” accelerate success  • Cultural adaptation and the 6-month adjustment reality  • Immigration as a parallel to entrepreneurship  • Resilience, risk tolerance, and long-term thinking  • How AI is transforming legal and medical workflows  • Tools like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini in modern businesses  • Second passports and global mobility strategies  • Why planning your life like a business changes everything This episode is for physicians, professionals, and entrepreneurs who are thinking bigger—about where they live, how they work, and how they build a life with intention and leverage. Learn More:  Visit MedMoneyShow.com for insights on investing, entrepreneurship, and building financial independence.

  6. Apr 2

    AI Is About to Replace Software (And Create Million-Dollar Solo Businesses)

    Send us Fan Mail What happens when artificial intelligence stops being a tool—and starts becoming the engine behind how we think, operate, and build businesses? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, I sit down with Len Ward, founder and managing partner of Comexus, to break down one of the biggest shifts happening right now: the move from a “search and retrieve” world to a “solve my problem” world powered by AI. Len and I dive into how AI is transforming marketing, operations, and decision-making—and why the people who don’t adapt their mindset are going to get left behind. We talk about what it actually means to unlock your data, layer AI on top of it, and start interacting with your business like it’s a 25-year employee who knows everything. I also share how we’re implementing these exact strategies inside my own practice—using AI to automate workflows, reduce friction, and allow me to step into more of an editor and decision-maker role instead of being buried in tasks. We go deep on where this is all heading: the end of traditional software, the rise of one- and two-person companies doing millions in revenue, and why this moment is one of the biggest opportunities I’ve seen for entrepreneurs. For physicians, this conversation hits home. We talk about the gap between clinical training and business literacy, why not understanding your numbers is a liability, and how ego can quietly hold you back from leveling up. At its core, this episode reinforces something I strongly believe: AI isn’t just changing how we work—it’s changing who wins. Topics Covered: • The shift from “search and retrieve” to “solve my problem”  • How AI is changing marketing and customer expectations  • Unlocking your data and using AI to make better decisions  • Why traditional software is becoming obsolete  • The rise of one- and two-person million-dollar businesses  • How I’m using AI inside my medical practice  • Why physicians must understand P&L and balance sheets  • Ego, mindset, and making the shift into business and investing  • The role of human oversight in an AI-driven world  • Where agents and automation are headed next This episode is for physicians, entrepreneurs, and anyone who wants to stay ahead of what’s coming—while building systems that create leverage, efficiency, and ultimately, freedom. Learn More: Visit MedMoneyShow.com for insights on investing, entrepreneurship, and building financial independence.

  7. Mar 31

    The Power of Behavioral Finance in Investing

    Send us Fan Mail What separates investors who build lasting wealth from those who get derailed by market swings—and how can discipline shape outcomes over decades? In this episode of The Medicine and Money Show, Ryan Smolarz sits down with Brian Pultro, a financial advisor with a military background, to break down the role of discipline, behavioral finance, and long-term thinking in investing. Brian shares how the mindset forged in the military translates directly to navigating uncertainty in the markets—and why emotional control often matters more than strategy. The conversation explores how investors should think about market downturns—not as threats, but as expected and necessary parts of the cycle. Brian emphasizes the importance of preparing clients psychologically for volatility, helping them stay the course when it matters most. He also explains how simplifying complex financial concepts—like dividends and compounding—can empower individuals to make better decisions and stay engaged with their financial future. They dive into risk management, the influence of political and economic shifts on markets, and why a multidisciplinary approach to financial health is essential. A key theme throughout is education—both for clients today and for the next generation—so that financial literacy becomes a foundation, not an afterthought. At its core, this episode reinforces a simple truth: success in investing isn’t about predicting the market—it’s about controlling your behavior within it. Topics Covered: • How military discipline translates into investing success • Why behavioral finance drives long-term outcomes • Reframing market downturns as opportunities, not threats • The importance of emotional control during volatility • Simplifying investing concepts like dividends and compounding • Risk management and navigating political/economic uncertainty • Teaching financial principles to the next generation • Building a long-term, disciplined investment strategy • Why education is the foundation of financial success • Practical ways to stay consistent through market cycles This episode is for physicians, investors, and professionals who want to build wealth with clarity, discipline, and a long-term perspective—without being thrown off course by short-term noise. Learn More: Visit MedMoneyShow.com for insights on investing, entrepreneurship, and building financial independence.

  8. Mar 29

    Financial Freedom - Strategies for High Income Earners with Dr Spath

    Send us Fan Mail Finding Financial Freedom as a Physician with Dr. Disha Spath In this episode of the Medicine and Money Show, we are joined by Dr. Disha Spath, founder of The Frugal Physician, to discuss financial management for doctors. Dr. Spath shares her journey of tackling student loans and learning financial skills, the importance of tracking income and expenses, and investing wisely. She emphasizes the need for medical professionals to understand and utilize tax-advantaged accounts, and provides practical advice on getting started with personal finance. Dr. Spath also talks about the psychological aspects of investing and the significance of having a long-term perspective. This episode is packed with insights and actionable tips to help physicians gain financial freedom. Tune in to learn how you can take control of your finances and secure your future as a medical professional. 00:00 Financial Freedom - Strategies for High-Income Earners with Dr. Spath 01:00 Meet Dr. Spath: The Frugal Physician 02:51 The Journey to Financial Freedom 06:16 Understanding Financial Advisors and Tax Strategies 12:37 Real Estate Investing for Physicians 19:10 Getting Started with Personal Finances 22:34 Investing Basics and Strategies 32:15 Navigating Market Fluctuations 37:08 Final Thoughts and Resources

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About

A podcast for high-performing doctors who want to escape financial dependency and build lasting wealth. Join Dr. Joseph Ryan Smolarz as he shares practical strategies for shifting from consumer to investor, without needing a finance degree. 

Information

  • Creator
    J. Ryan Smolarz, M.D., M.B.A.
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Medicine and Money Show
  • Show Website
    The Medicine and Money Show