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