Advertise on podcast: The Locums Lounge

In this episode of Locums Lounge, Dr. Jamila Goldsmith sits down with Dr. Mark Royer, ENT surgeon, MBA, and physician leader behind Specialty Locums, to unpack how locums can evolve from short-term coverage into a long-term platform for autonomy and impact. Dr. Royer shares his journey from employed practice to building a physician-led locums company, breaking down how ownership, ethical staffing, and service-line development can restore both quality of life and patient care. The conversation dives into direct contracting, VMS systems, physician commoditization, rural healthcare access, and what doctors need to know to protect themselves while navigating locums strategically. This episode reframes locums not as a fallback, but as a powerful business and lifestyle tool for physicians ready to practice medicine on their own terms.

Locums is often misunderstood as a temporary fix or an escape hatch from burnout. In this episode, Dr. Jamila Goldsmith sits down with Ebony Thyme, Travel Nurse Practitioner and 1099 career coach, to break that myth wide open. They talk candidly about why locums work should be approached as a business, not a short-term hustle. From negotiating contracts and setting boundaries to understanding seasonal demand, financial leverage, and long-term freedom, this conversation reframes locums as a strategic career move for clinicians who want control over their time, income, and energy. If you have ever felt boxed in by a W2 role, burned out by hospital systems, or unsure how to advocate for your worth, this episode will challenge how you think about stability, success, and what is actually possible in medicine.

Flight delays, cancellations, and long connections can throw your entire assignment off schedule — and your paycheck with it. In this episode, live from the airpot, Dr. Mimi breaks down how to protect your time, money, and sanity when traveling for locums work during a chaotic travel season. She shares practical strategies to stay one step ahead, including: - Why you should fly in a day early to avoid last-minute chaos - How to choose assignments that keep you close and flexible - What to consider when booking through travel agencies - When to say no to “high-paying” gigs that are too far or risky - How to make sure you still get paid — even when plans change If you are a locums physician planning your next assignment, this one is your travel survival guide.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi meets with Dr. Joffre Johnson to share practical strategies every locums doctor can use to make their money work harder. From travel rewards to tax structure, Dr. Johnson breaks down how to turn everyday expenses into long-term benefits while avoiding burnout along the way. You’ll hear: How to use credit cards and loyalty programs to earn travel rewardsWhy setting up a C-corp or S-corp can help you keep more of what you earnThe importance of separating your income goals from your shift count If you’ve ever wondered how to manage the financial side of locums work like a pro, this conversation will give you the tools to maximize your income and your freedom.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi meets with Dr. Niki Thran to talk about what it really feels like to leave a full-time job and step fully into the world of locums. From exploring new places to building meaningful connections, Dr. Thran shares how locums gave her a renewed sense of freedom, flexibility, and confidence. You’ll hear: -The biggest benefits of leaving a permanent W2 role for locums work -Why flexibility and travel make locums uniquely rewarding -How community and connection make the locums journey less isolating If you’ve ever wondered if it’s possible to create more freedom and actually enjoy practicing medicine again, this conversation will inspire you to take that next step.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi reconnects with Dr. Temi to talk about what happens when you finally recognize your value, and start negotiating like it. Dr. Temi shares how embracing locums work helped her take control of her schedule, increase her income, and spend more time with her family. You’ll hear: -How confidence and good work lead to stronger negotiation power -Why reputation matters in securing consistent locums assignments -The freedom and flexibility that come from designing your own schedule If you’ve ever questioned whether locums can offer stability, freedom, and family time, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you know your worth and take control of your career.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi sits down with Dr. Eric Toone to talk about stepping into locums straight out of residency, learning how to negotiate, and why knowing your worth is the key to freedom in medicine. From his first single-coverage shift to leading teams and balancing family life, Dr. Toone shares hard-won lessons about opportunity, value, and control. You’ll hear: Why locums gave him flexibility and the power to design his own scheduleThe importance of setting your rate and never working for less than your worthHow 24- and even 48-hour shifts shaped his perspective on time and opportunityWhy leadership roles can come with hidden costs and how to avoid the trapThe difference between “F-you money” and “F-you opportunity” — and why the latter matters most If you’ve ever wondered whether you can step off the traditional path, take control of your schedule, and build a career that works for your life, this conversation will show you what’s possible when you know your worth and stand on it.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi sits down with Dr. Joffre Johnson to talk about the twists and turns of his career—from part-time roles with benefits, to contract changes that forced him to pivot, to finding freedom and leadership through locums work. He shares lessons from practicing in both rural and urban ERs, the grind of COVID, and how stepping into leadership shaped his view of medicine and life. You’ll hear: - How contract buyouts and canceled benefits pushed him toward locums - Why COVID shifted the locums market and created unique opportunities - The mindset change that turned dysfunction into leadership growth - Tips for balancing career and parenthood without burning out - What new grads should know about sign-on bonuses, contracts, and the real value of their time If you’ve ever wondered whether you can build a sustainable, flexible, and fulfilling career in medicine, this conversation will show you that you can choose your path, and protect your time and energy along the way.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi sits down with Dr. Temi (@moneymindsetmd), founder of Money Mindset MD, to talk about the heavy weight of student loans, the reality of burnout, and the wake-up call that forced her to choose herself first. From $500,000 in debt to walking away from a steady job, Dr. Temi shares how she built a new career on her own terms. You’ll hear: - How massive student loans and RVU cuts pushed her to the breaking point - Why ignoring burnout can cost more than money—it can cost your health - The turning point that made her say “enough” and walk away - The mindset shift every locums doctor needs to thrive without fear - How to claim your value and negotiate from a place of strength If you’ve ever felt trapped by debt, burned out by the system, or scared to step off the traditional path, this conversation will remind you that you are in demand, you bring value, and you have the power to design medicine around your life.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi reflects on the holidays she missed, the family moments she wished she had more control over, and the wake-up call that led her to redefine her career. She shares how locums work allows physicians to plan their job around their life rather than the other way around. You’ll hear: Why holiday shifts taught her the value of time and freedomHow permanent jobs can trap physicians into sacrificing health and familyThe mindset shift that makes practicing locums possibleA vision exercise to help you picture the life you actually want as a doctorHow stepping away from the “traditional path” led her to fulfillment and freedomIf you are feeling burned out, trapped, or unsure how to balance medicine with your personal life, this episode will challenge you to sit down, write the vision, and create a career that truly serves you.

In this episode of The Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi gets real about what it means to walk away from jobs that no longer serve you and why quitting does not equal failure. After experiencing a devastating personal loss, she reflects on how it pushed her to re-evaluate her career, her time, and the boundaries she needed to set. Dr. Mimi introduces the concept of Organizational Stockholm Syndrome and explores how medical training conditions physicians to tolerate overwork, burnout, and toxic loyalty to jobs that drain them. She breaks down how this mindset shows up as stress, lack of inspiration, and even poor creativity in the workplace. From her own journey of quitting two jobs in one year, starting a locums business, and building a coaching practice, she shares how taking back control has made her a better doctor, a more present mom, and a happier human. What you’ll hear in this episode: The moment Dr. Mimi knew she had to quit (twice) How med school and residency culture normalize overwork Why she calls it Organizational Stockholm Syndrome The hidden ways burnout shows up in patient care and relationships How locums work gave her freedom, flexibility, and renewed purpose If you have ever felt stuck, exhausted, or loyal to a job that is breaking you down, this conversation is for you. Follow Dr. Mimi and the Locums Lounge on Instagram: @mimimedschool @locumslounge

Welcome back to The Locums Lounge! Are you a physician yearning for change, but held back by the comfort of familiarity? Dr. Mimi, your host and locum tenens expert, delves into the power of embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth and success in this episode. Dr. Mimi's journey from engineering to medicine is a testament to stepping out of your comfort zone, even when it feels daunting. Join her as she shares her personal experiences and the lessons she's learned along the way, illustrating the invaluable growth that comes from pushing boundaries. Learn why staying in a stagnant situation, no matter how comfortable, can inhibit your professional development. Discover the resilience and adaptability that emerge when you confront discomfort head-on. Dr. Mimi encourages you to ponder your own path and contemplate whether the discomfort of change is a necessary step towards your goals. Whether you're considering locum tenens work or any other endeavor, this episode serves as a powerful reminder that the road to success often begins with embracing the unfamiliar. Don't miss this opportunity to reflect on your journey and consider the possibilities that lie beyond your comfort zone. Feeling inspired? Reach out to Dr. Mimi on Instagram at @thelocumslounge and explore more on her website at thelocumslounge.com. Tune in for more thought-provoking episodes that empower you to take control of your medical career and practice on your terms in The Locums Lounge!

Welcome to The Locums Lounge! Are you a physician caught in the relentless cycle of burnout, seeking freedom to practice medicine on your own terms and increase your income? Dr. Mimi, your host and board-certified emergency medicine physician, is here to revolutionize your mindset and help you reclaim your medical career. In this episode, she shares her journey from engineering to medicine, unveiling the unspoken conditioning that occurs during medical education. Join us as Dr. Mimi dissects the various types of conditioning in medical training, including intellectual, emotional, professional, clinical, and time management conditioning. Discover what's missing from your medical education: the essential business acumen required to thrive as an entrepreneur in medicine. Learn how your innate skills and critical thinking abilities can be leveraged to create a thriving side hustle or even transition away from traditional medical roles. Dr. Mimi challenges you to reflect on the skills you left behind before entering medical school and how you can harness them to shape your future. Imagine a world where medicine becomes your side hustle, and your true passions take center stage. If this resonates with you, don't hesitate to connect with Dr. Mimi on Instagram at @thelocumslounge and explore more on her website at thelocumslounge.com. Tune in and start your journey to breaking free from medical conditioning and embracing your inner entrepreneur. Your future awaits in The Locums Lounge!

In this episode, we dive into the fear and anxiety that comes with leaving a permanent job to pursue locum tenens work. Dr. Mimi shares her personal experience of leaving a full-time job after only one year and the guilt she felt about wanting to create a better life for herself and her family. She talks about the mindset shift she had to make and the work she had to do to overcome her fear of not meeting her monthly goals or not getting enough work. Dr. Mimi also shares how she was able to bet on herself and create a career that allowed her to control her life and have control over her time. She encourages other doctors who may be hesitant to pursue locum tenens work to believe in themselves and not let fear hold them back. Tune in to this episode to hear an inspiring story of how she took a leap of faith and created the life and career she always wanted.

In this episode of the Locums Lounge, Dr. Mimi, a board-certified emergency medicine physician and full-time locum tenens doctor, shares her experience of transitioning from practicing full-time locum tenens to a permanent full-time job as an associate director. She discusses the frustrations of sacrificing important aspects of her personal life, such as scheduling doctor and dentist appointments, and not being able to plan important events with her family. Dr. Mimi highlights the benefits of being a locums doctor and how it allows you to plan your job around your life, rather than planning your life around your job. As a takeback coach, Dr. Mimi shares how she can help potential clients successfully develop strategies to break free from the mindset that you work for your job, and instead, take back your career and let your job work for you!