Podcast
The Compound Commitment
Hosted by Mike Nilson · EN
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.
26episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Designing Your Next Chapter: How to Prepare for a Career Change w/ Spencer Ansett
2d ago00:48:52Tap to summarizeEpisode 035: In this episode, I sit down with Spencer Ansett, Executive Search Consultant at the Mullings Group, a nationwide MedTech search firm. Spencer has placed over 450 professionals across sales, marketing, finance, market access, and regulatory affairs—and has a front-row seat to what it really takes to make a successful career move.If you’ve ever felt stuck, unfulfilled, or simply curious about what’s next, this conversation will give you a practical and refreshing perspective on career change. Spencer shares what he’s learned from helping hundreds of professionals navigate transitions, including how to position yourself, what companies are really looking for, and the mindset shifts that separate those who thrive from those who stay stuck.At the core of Spencer’s work is a simple but powerful goal: helping people and companies flourish—growing in a way that’s healthy, intentional, and attracts the right opportunities.This episode isn’t just about changing jobs… it’s about becoming the person your next opportunity is looking for.
Transcribe →Turn Your Portfolio Into An Income Stream: Covered Call Strategy w/ Goldman Sachs Matt Mierezejewski
1w ago00:40:53Tap to summarizeEpisode 34: What if your portfolio could generate income in any market?In this episode, I sit down with Matt Mierzejewski of Goldman Sachs to break down one of the most talked‑about options strategies: covered calls. We start by talking about Matt path from being a college golfer to working in finance, and how that competitive mindset helped shape his approach to the markets.We then get into the basics of how options actually work, why covered calls can be a useful tool in certain market environments, and some of the most common mistakes investors make when they first explore options. Matt also explains options‑based ETFs, what investors should understand before using them, and how market volatility and conditions can affect outcomes when using a covered call strategy.If you’ve ever wondered how investors aim to generate income while staying invested — or whether covered calls might fit into a broader portfolio approach — this conversation will help simplify a complex topic and give you a clearer framework to think about options.Matt Mierezejewski is a vice-president at Goldman Sachs Asset Management where he works as a trusted partner to advisors - helping to create better systems for enhanced productivity, capital market research and investment analytics.
Transcribe →Who Am I & What's Next? Building Mental Strength for Life's Biggest Moments w/ Ryan Sawyer
2w ago00:55:15Tap to summarizeEpisode 033: In this episode, I sit down with Ryan Sawyer, a mental strength coach who shares his powerful journey from battling depression to helping others build resilience, clarity, and confidence under pressure. Ryan opens up about how his own struggles shaped his identity—and how that same work can help athletes, families, and organizations grow with intention.Ryan is a former national champion college football coach who went on to coach at Central Washington University and Eastern Washington University before founding the Heart First Mental Strength Academy. Today, he works with athletes, leaders, and high performers to build mental strength and high‑performance cultures using his Integrated Mindset and Competitive Edge frameworks.We talk a lot about identity and clarity—why knowing who you are and what you stand for matters more than motivation alone. Ryan also breaks down how shared vision and clear standards can completely change the environment of a team, an organization, or even a household. We dig into the role curiosity, consistency, and longevity play in real transformation, and Ryan shares practical ways to apply mental strength principles in everyday life.If you’re looking to perform better when it matters most and build environments that actually support growth, this conversation will give you plenty to think about—and put into action.
Transcribe →Funded Contentment: The Real Goal of Wealth w/ Brian Portnoy, PhD, CFA
3w ago00:53:56Tap to summarizeEpisode 032: In this episode, I sit down with behavioral finance author Brian Portnoy to explore what wealth really means beyond numbers on a balance sheet. We talk about the idea of funded contentment and how aligning your money with purpose, priorities, and decisions can lead to a more meaningful life. Brian also breaks down his “geometry of wealth” framework and the four C’s of contentment—connection, control, competence, and context.We dive into the psychology of money, including how childhood experiences shape our financial beliefs and why we’re wired to constantly want more, even when “enough” might already be within reach. This conversation is a powerful reminder that financial planning isn’t just about returns—it’s about purpose, meaning, and minimizing regret along the way.Brian Portnoy, PhD, CFA is the Founder and CEO of Shaping Wealth and a global leader on the psychology of money. He is the author of three behavioral finance books published in 15 languages, including the bestseller The Geometry of Wealth. Brian spent more than 20 years in the hedge fund and mutual fund industries and earned his PhD from the University of Chicago.
Transcribe →Growing Bodies, Different Strategies: How Nutrition For Kids Differs From Adults w/ Julia Chase, RD
Apr 2100:51:05Tap to summarizeEpisode 031: In this episode, I sit down with dietitian Julia Chase to unpack what nutrition really looks like for kids—and why it’s so different from the way adults eat. We talk about her path from competitive dancer to sport nutrition, and how that journey shaped the way she thinks about healthy eating, weight management, and the messy, emotional side of food. Julia and I explore how children build their relationship with food from such a young age, why carbs matter more than people think, and how to support kids who need to gain or lose weight without creating shame or fear around eating. We get into snacks, picky eating, desserts, and the reality that joy has to be part of a healthy diet. We also talk about the influence of social media, how to keep communication open at home, and the simple but powerful idea that parents decide what’s for dinner—and kids decide how much they eat.This conversation is all about helping families build healthy habits, honoring individuality, and remembering that you are not someone else. Your nutrition needs are your own, and the same is true for your kids.
Transcribe →The Power of ETFs: A Simple Tool for Compounding Wealth w/ Ryan Issakainen
Apr 1400:45:15Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 than ever. Ryan also explains the rapid growth of ETFs, how they work behind the scenes, and why they tend to be more tax‑efficient than traditional mutual funds.We touch on the rise of thematic investing, the democratization of investing tools, and how the right structure may help investors stay disciplined through different market cycles. Whether you’re new to ETFs or just want to sharpen your understanding, this conversation will give you a clearer picture of how today’s investment vehicles fit into a long‑term strategy.
Transcribe →The NIL Opportunity: What Every Athlete & Family Needs to Know w/ Theresa Gralinski
Apr 700:43:45Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 primary ways athletes are earning NIL income Real-world examples of deals (including opportunities beyond football and basketball) Why many athletes—especially those playing professionally overseas—may be missing out The importance of building the right team (agent, advisor, CPA, attorney) What athletes need to know about taxes, spending, and long-term planning Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone advising athletes, this episode will help you better understand one of the biggest shifts in sports today—and how to turn short-term income into long-term impact.Because NIL isn’t just about making money…It’s about what you do with it
Transcribe →Part 3: The Nilson Family Legacy System w/ Rhiannon Nilson
Mar 3101:00:39Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 those values.It’s not perfect, and it’s definitely still a work in progress—but that’s part of the point. Creating a family legacy isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about starting the conversation and building something meaningful over time.If you’ve ever wondered how to begin aligning your money with your family’s values, this episode will give you a behind-the-scenes look at how we’re doing it in our own home.
Transcribe →Part 2: How to Build Your Family Legacy System
Mar 2400:22:13Tap to summarizeEpisode 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 how a clear system can turn wealth into a tool that builds connection, opportunity, and purpose across generations. If you want your money to do more than just grow… if you want it to strengthen your family and your legacy, this episode will give you a powerful place to start.
Transcribe →Part 1: What is money for?
Mar 1700:22:02Tap to summarizeEpisode 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, and the life you want to create. When you define the purpose of money, you gain the ability to make aligned decisions about when to spend, when to save, and when to share. The episode encourages listeners to see money not as a scoreboard, but as a tool for relationships, meaningful work, and generosity.Take a listen if you want to discover:The purpose of money in a meaningful life — moving beyond accumulation to clarity and intention.Values-driven financial planning — how knowing what matters most shapes every money decision.Redefining “enough” — why understanding the purpose of money helps you determine sufficiency.Timing and intentional use — recognizing when it’s the right moment to spend, invest, or give.Money as a tool for connection — using resources to deepen relationships, support meaningful work, and contribute to others.
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