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The Compound Commitment
The Compound Commitment
Author: Mike Nilson
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© 2026 The Compound Commitment
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Welcome to the Compound Commitment, where we focus on the small actions that compound over time. I'm your host, Mike Nilson. Join me every Tuesday as we build the habits that support wealth, health, and happiness.
Each week, we share insights on investing, wealth management, and financial planning alongside practical strategies for nutrition, sleep, relationships and happiness.
Check out compoundcommitment.com to sign up for a complimentary 30-Day Wealth, Health, or Happiness Commitment.
155 Episodes
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Episode 030: In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Issakainen from First Trust to break down how investment vehicles have evolved—and what that means for all of us trying to build smarter portfolios. Ryan and I talk through mutual funds, index funds, and ETFs, why they were created, and the unique advantages and challenges of each one. We get into the ongoing debate of active versus passive management, the importance of true diversification, and why understanding what you own matters more now...
Episode 029: Athletes today have opportunities to earn money that didn’t exist just a few years ago. From revenue sharing… to collectives… to individual brand deals—NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) has completely changed the game. But with new opportunity comes new complexity. In this episode, I sit down with Theresa Gralinski to break down how NIL actually works, where the money is coming from, and what athletes and families need to understand to make the most of it. We talk about: The three...
Episode 028: In this special episode, I get the honor of interviewing my favorite person in the world—my wife, Rhiannon. If you know Rhiannon, you already know this conversation is going to be fun, real, and full of great stories. We talk about our journey as a family and how we began thinking more intentionally about what we want our wealth to support. Together, we share the three core values we want our money to serve and the early steps we’ve taken to build a family legacy system around th...
Episode 027: In part 2 of the trilogy, I share how to intentionally build a Family Legacy System that helps your wealth strengthen your family instead of slowing dividing it. Drawing from my own family experiences, I walk you through the simple frameworks that can help families align their money with what matters most: Meaningful relationships, meaningful work, and meaningful giving. You’ll learn why money without structure often creates confusion, conflict or entitlement – and ...
Episode 026: This solo episode digs into the foundational question most people skip past: the true purpose of money. Reflecting on my own journey— I learned to earn, save, invest, and protect money, yet spent years without clarity on its actual role in my life. That missing piece created a gap: without knowing what money is for, it’s impossible to know how much is enough. My hope is that you’ll work towards building your own personal blueprint for money—one rooted in values, intentionality,...
Episode 025: In this week’s conversation, Licensed Marriage & Family Therapist Tommy Flick and I dive into the connection between the body and mind and why understanding both is so important for personal growth. We get into how the subconscious shapes what we believe, how we act, and even how we see ourselves—most of the time without realizing it. Tommy breaks down how tools like hypnotherapy can help us rewrite old patterns and create real change. We also talk about anxiety, why self-ref...
Episode 024: In this episode, I interview Jeff Walters from Hines Private Wealth Solutions on 1031 and 721 exchanges. If you’ve ever wondered how to keep more of what you’ve earned while leveling up your real estate strategy, this conversation breaks it all down in a simple, practical way. We talk through how 1031 exchanges can help you defer taxes when moving from one property to another, and why some investors choose to “retire from being a landlord” by using a 721 exchange to roll into a R...
Episode 023: In this episode, I sit down with Alan Stein Jr. to dig into the heart of his Next Play philosophy—a mindset built around resilience, presence, and the ability to move forward with purpose after any setback. Alan and I talk about how this idea was born on the basketball court, where he spent years as a high‑performance coach working with elite athletes, and how he’s since carried those same principles into the business world. We explore what “Next Play” really means on both a micr...
Episode 022: Dave Sonntag is the Chief Philanthropy Officer for the Innovia Foundation. In this role, Dave develops charitable solutions for people, families, and organizations that align their values with making an impact in their community. In this episode, I sit down with Dave to talk about the true power of generosity—and why it’s about far more than money. Dave shares how generosity can be life‑changing not just for the people on the receiving end, but for those who choose to live ...
Episode 021: In this episode, I sit down with Gary Gray for a wide‑ranging conversation on movement, mindset, and what it really means to live well in three dimensions. Gary has spent decades teaching that movement isn’t just something we do—it’s how we learn, grow, and navigate life. And if we don’t understand movement in all three planes, we’re missing the full picture. We talk about the PST process (Principle–Strategy–Technique) and why understanding the why behind our actions matters just...
Episode 020: Phil Town is an investor, teacher, and bestselling author of Rule #1, known for making long‑term investing more understandable and more approachable. Before becoming a professional investor, Phil lived an unconventional life that included river guiding in the Grand Canyon—an experience that shaped his perspective on risk, decision‑making, and patience. Over the years, he’s helped millions of everyday investors think differently about money by focusing on clarity instead of comple...
Episode 019: Jen and Lee Wirth are identical twins, former Division I basketball players at Gonzaga, and now powerhouse entrepreneurs. We dive into the lessons sports taught them, the confidence that comes from embracing who you are, and why small, consistent habits are the foundation for long-term wealth, health and happiness. Jen and Lee share their journey from athletes to business owners, the importance of sustainability in fitness and nutrition, and how community and accountability...
Episode 018: Jay Crowell has spent more than 22 years in the mortgage world—most of them at Cornerstone—driven by a genuine heart for service and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Today, he leads Cornerstone’s National Retail Division, but he’s also been recognized among the top 1% of loan originators nationwide for over two decades. We dig into the real questions people face when deciding whether to rent or buy, why location matters more than most people think, and how understanding ...
Episode 017: In this episode, I sit down with Gonzaga Men’s Basketball Assistant Coach, R-Jay Barsh, to talk about something that goes way beyond X’s and O’s—building real relationships in coaching. R-Jay shares incredible insights on why authenticity is non-negotiable, how listening can be just as powerful as speaking, and why understanding generational differences matters when connecting with athletes. We dive into his personal journey, from growing up with seven brothers (which taugh...
Episode 016: What if your New Year’s resolutions weren’t just about getting in better shape—but also about getting your finances in shape? In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Daryl Geffken for a powerful conversation about why wealth resolutions might be even more impactful than health resolutions. We talk about the emotional side of money—like why losing a dollar feels 2 times worse than gaining one—and how automation can help remove those roadblocks. Daryl shares his journey fro...
Episode 015: In this episode of The Compound Commitment, I sit down with Damian and Ann Putney to talk about what it really means to stay committed. These two have been running a mile every single day for five years - rain, snow, sick days, all of it. We dive into the challenges they faced, the lessons learned, and why having a strong “why” behind your commitments matters so much. We also chat about how small daily actions may compound into big results, the difference between commitment and m...
Episode 014: In this episode of Compound Commitment, I sit down with Peter Clark to talk about his journey from sports performance to multifamily real estate investing. We dive into what makes multifamily different from single-family, why location matters, and how property management can make or break a deal. Peter shares practical tips on evaluating properties, understanding cap rates, and the tax advantages that come with real estate ownership. We also cover some wins and lessons lea...
Episode 013: Jennifer Ferch is the Chief Operating Officer at NBC Camps with a master's degree in counseling psychology and a strong background in leadership. She's also a speaker for sports leadership ministries and a passionate advocate for personal growth and community development. She's made a lasting impact in both my personal and professional life. Early in my marriage, Rhiannon and I learned from Jen a powerful framework for asking forgiveness. Before that, I didn't even know tha...
Episode 012: Maddy is a Financial Advisor and a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER® professional at TEN Capital. Driven by a deep passion for financial literacy and a genuine commitment to educating and supporting others, she guides her clients to feel secure and ready for what lies ahead. In this conversation, Maddy explores the complexities of holiday gifting, financial planning, and the emotional aspects tied to money during the Christmas season. She discusses the importance of communicatio...
Episode 011: Dr. Laura Fralich is a dual board-certified Primary Care Sports Medicine physician and the owner of Northwest Sports and Exercise Medicine in Spokane. In this episode, she discusses her journey from being a young athlete to a sports medicine physician, emphasizing the importance of active recovery, understanding common injuries in aging athletes, and strategies to counteract the effects of aging. This interview highlights the significance of movement, proper n...



