Colin and Wheeler unpack the profound meaning behind Rick Rubin's quote: "Great is better than now." They dive deep into the concept of deferred gratification and how prioritizing the "great" future over the "good enough" present influences major life decisions, from buying a house to building a successful business. Using real-life examples like the famous Marshmallow Experiment and the persistent engineering of the Porsche 911 , they explore the necessity of process, patience, and repetition in achieving true, lasting greatness. This discussion offers a balanced, thoughtful perspective, like a trusted friend, helping listeners think more clearly about their own goals.

The conversation then pivots to the practical struggles of recognizing when a goal is truly achieved—the tension between the "infinite horizon" of ambition and appreciating the "now great" things in your life. Colin and Wheeler introduce powerful tools like journaling and thought partnership (even with AI) as ways to break mental circles, process conflicts in core values, and define a clear end goal for major life changes, whether it’s a career shift or moving to a new location. The hosts emphasize that while instantaneous choices often lead to regret, true pride is built through a massive amount of sustained effort over time, creating a valuable legacy rather than something quick and fleeting.

Tune in to discover how embracing the journey and trusting the process is essential to personal and financial growth. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, an investor, or someone seeking to live more intentionally, this episode will inspire you to pause, check your information diet, and commit to the ongoing evolution of making things great. It serves as a cornerstone for the Compound Growth community—a space where thinking people gather to stay curious, optimistic, and grounded in a noisy world.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

In this month’s "What Just Happened" recap, Colin and Wheeler take a look back at November to make sense of the mixed signals in the economy. We start by breaking down the shift in retail season—why Black Friday deals feel different this year and how "sales season" has morphed into a month-long event. We also discuss the cooling auto market and ask a controversial question: Did "Peak EV" excitement actually happen back in 2015?

The conversation then pivots to the biggest question on investors' minds: Is Artificial Intelligence a bubble waiting to burst? We analyze the data comparing today's market to the Dot-Com crash, looking specifically at how current S&P 500 earnings are actually moving in lockstep with valuations—suggesting we aren't seeing the "irrational exuberance" of the past. We also look at global market concentration to show that, despite the headlines, the U.S. market is surprisingly well-diversified compared to other major economies.

Finally, we address the human side of the numbers. Despite strong corporate earnings, consumer sentiment remains low, driven by a rising fear of job insecurity that is hitting younger generations the hardest since 2008. We explore the disconnect between a booming stock market and the real-world anxiety many are feeling, aiming to help you process the noise and navigate your own growth with a clearer perspective.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

We kicked off this episode with a great question: What's a purchase you've never regretted? That surprising discussion then led us into a much deeper topic: gifting, legacy, and charitable giving. We unpack how intentional gifting can actually be a core part of your financial plan, aligning your money with your personal values. Colin and Wheeler break down various strategies for giving, including the annual exclusion amount for family and friends , options like super funding a 529 for college , and using a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) from your IRA to save on taxes.

In this episode, we dive into more advanced charitable strategies like Donor-Advised Funds (DAFs) and Charitable Remainder Unitrusts (CRUTs). Wheeler and Colin explain how a mechanism like the CRUT can allow you to receive income for life while benefiting a charity and even fund a life insurance policy (ILIT) to leave a tax-free legacy for your beneficiaries. We also discuss the big tax changes coming in 2026, especially regarding charitable floors and ceilings.

The biggest takeaway is that you don't need a lot of money to be charitable —small acts of kindness and giving your time count just as much. We encourage you to move past any sense of guilt and focus on the positive outcomes of giving, seeing it as a powerful tool for building wonderful things and a way to embrace your capacity for more.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

This week's episode starts with a surprise: a script written by ChatGPT titled "The Costco Cart Incident". It involves a forgotten item, an unplanned kayak purchase, and an $842 receipt—a perfect, relatable anecdote illustrating the danger of trading on emotion. The story immediately sets the stage for the topic: why emotions and money don't mix. The hosts also explore why a single word like 'segue' or 'Caesar' can send you down a rabbit hole of learning, and Wheeler shares his experience falling down the "tinned fish" rabbit hole.

The episode centers on the striking disconnect between current financial indicators and pervasive consumer pessimism. Financially, the market is up (S&P at 15.5%), mortgages are getting more affordable, and unemployment is relatively low. Yet, the hosts observe that "everybody's miserable". They reveal why consumer sentiment is tied to historically low levels, matching June 2022 and the 1980s. A powerful historical pattern is uncovered: years following a period of historically low consumer sentiment have almost always resulted in a massive market rally. The hosts discuss whether this current "lull" could signal a coming period of prosperity, as seen after past downturns.

The hosts dive into the driving forces behind this widespread unhappiness, pinpointing FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) and the "Keeping Up With the Joneses on steroids" driven by social media. They explore how constant exposure to unattainable wealth leads to negative anchors and dissatisfaction, even when one is outperforming the market. The discussion turns to the impact of social media and division on mental health , including a debate on whether podcasting itself is social media. Finally, they consider the need for unification and a "universal basic lifestyle" to solve the country's deepest problems.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

In this powerful episode, Colin and Wheeler welcome Tara Ryan, Co-founder and CEO of Confidante, an AI-driven platform supporting mothers as they navigate the invisible weight of modern motherhood. Tara opens up about the inspiration behind Confidant, which evolved from a custom GPT for her coaching clients to a dedicated, mother-centered AI designed to be an accessible "thought partner" and "advocacy helper". The conversation unpacks the heavy realities of the gendered division of unpaid labor, exploring the domestic, emotional, and cognitive labor that often falls disproportionately on women. This discussion aligns with the Compound Growth mission of helping listeners think more clearly and feel more grounded in life's complexities.

The hosts dive deep into the technical and ethical challenges of building a specialized AI, including the necessity of a "human in the loop" to monitor for safety and ethical alignment. Tara discusses how her team meticulously engineers the AI's "personality" and uses frameworks like RAG (Retrieval-Augmented Generation) to ensure Confidante remains a values-based decision-helper, focused on maternal support rather than profit-driven data sales. Colin and Wheeler reflect on their own experiences as partners and parents-to-be, appreciating the value of a non-judgmental space to process complex emotional and relational challenges.

Finally, Tara, a certified Fair Play facilitator, breaks down the Fair Play method—a system for fairly dividing household tasks based on defining a "minimum standard of care" and owning a task's Conception, Planning, and Execution. This conversation is a compelling exploration of personal development and societal progress, illustrating how thoughtful technology can lead to deeper human connection and better self-advocacy. Tune in to understand how the intersection of AI and human growth can help cultivate a healthier "information diet" and a more intentional life.

Find Tara:

Confidante: https://www.confidantemoms.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tara-ryan-cpc-bb147a20/

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

What if everything you thought you knew about October in the markets was wrong? In this episode, Wheeler and Colin dig into the so-called “October Effect” — why history says it’s a bad month for investors, and why this year flipped that narrative on its head. From the 1907 panic to 2008’s crash, they trace how superstition and seasonality shape investor psychology far more than we realize.

Then, the conversation pivots to what’s really driving today’s markets: a record $7.4 trillion sitting in money market accounts, historic highs in the NASDAQ, and why volatility isn’t always the enemy. The hosts unpack why risk is back on, what breadth expansion means for the health of the bull market, and how professional managers are scrambling to catch up before year-end.

Finally, Wheeler and Colin explore the deeper ripple effects beyond Wall Street — from sweeping layoffs to the shrinking value of a college degree, the rise of AI in white-collar work, and how Americans are redefining what “work” even means. It’s a conversation that moves from macroeconomics to mindset — and might just change how you look at your own career path.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

The “996” work culture — 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week — has found new life in Silicon Valley. But is working yourself to exhaustion really the key to success? In this episode, Wheeler and Colin sit down with returning guest Jessica Crowley to unpack the glorification of overwork, the myth of hustle culture, and the personal toll of tying your entire identity to your job.

They explore how the 996 mindset, originally born in China’s tech boom, has resurfaced in the U.S. startup scene — and why its effects can be devastating. From burnout and isolation to the pressure of ego and competition, the hosts reflect on the fine line between ambition and obsession. Jessica brings her expertise in burnout prevention and “life design” to explain how to build a career that serves your life, not the other way around.

This episode isn’t about rejecting hard work — it’s about redefining it. The hosts share lessons on balance, legacy, and how to create impact without sacrificing joy. Because real growth isn’t found in the grind; it’s in designing a life you actually want to live.

Find Jessica:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicamoorecrowley/
SubStack: https://jessicacrowley.substack.com/

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims

What does the American Dream really mean today? In this episode, Wheeler and Colin sit down with Tori to unpack how our idea of “making it” has evolved—from owning a home and climbing the corporate ladder to building a life defined by flexibility, purpose, and balance. They dig into the generational shift from stability to freedom and how financial independence now looks more like personal choice than a picket fence.

The conversation moves from the roots of the American Dream to what’s shaping it now: the changing job market, the value of higher education, and how timing can determine opportunity. Wheeler shares data showing a surprising rise in unemployment among college graduates, while Colin reflects on how his own version of the dream has transformed with age and experience.

They close by talking about gratitude, perspective, and the power of redefining success at every stage of life. Whether your version of the American Dream means owning a home, traveling the world, or simply having the freedom to choose, this episode challenges you to rethink what you’re really working toward.

Follow Us:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/compoundgrowthpod
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CompoundGrowthPodcast
• TikTok: http://www.tiktok.com/@compoundgrowthpod
• Wheeler’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wheeler-crowley-0a63933b/
• Colin’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/colin-walker-mba-6099a038/

Credits:
Created By: Wheeler Crowley and Colin Walker
Production Assistance: Tori Rothwell
Editing and Post-Production: Steven Sims