The Doctor's Crossing Carpe Diem Podcast Episode #239: Your Career Doesn't Have to Be One Thing. Hello Portfolio Career!
What if your career didn't have to be just one thing?
In today's episode of the Doctors Crossing Carpe Diem podcast, we explore the idea of a portfolio career—a professional life made up of multiple aligned roles rather than a single, linear path. Using a powerful real-world example, we talk about how physicians can create more fulfillment, connection, and sustainability by thoughtfully diversifying how they work.
I'm joined by Dr. Jess Beachkofsky, a psychiatrist who affectionately calls herself The Sunny Psychiatrist. Jess shares her journey from military medicine to telepsychiatry, private practice, and eventually a portfolio career that blends clinical work, nurse practitioner supervision, disability evaluations, teaching, and speaking. Her story is a beautiful example of how clarity often comes from experimentation—not from having it all figured out upfront.
Together, we talk honestly about what wasn't working, what was missing, and how small "yeses" opened doors to a career that now feels deeply aligned. We also discuss the practical considerations of portfolio careers, including time management, income variability, benefits, and insurance—so you can explore your options with eyes wide open.
If you're feeling stuck, lonely, under-stimulated, or simply curious about what else might be possible, this episode offers both inspiration and grounded guidance.
In this episode we're talking about:- What a portfolio career really looks like in real life
- How to recognize what's missing in your current role
- The emotional and practical benefits of career diversification
- Physician-friendly portfolio options inside and outside of medicine
- Nurse practitioner supervision as a meaningful side role
- The importance of small experiments instead of big leaps
- Questions to ask before moving away from a traditional W-2 role
Connect with Jessica Beachkofsky
Jessica Beachkofsky's LinkedIn
Episode #59: Want to Test Drive Your Career Idea?
Thank you for listening!