Mile High FI Podcast

Pursuing Passion Projects In Early Retirement - David Gillis | MHFI 328

July 14, 2026·48 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Doug chats with David Gillis about finding meaningful projects after retiring and how identity can be tied to corporate roles.  David shares his financial journey from paying off consumer debt to finding FI and eventually testing “semi-retirement”.  He also discusses his beginnings as “the quiet kid on the bus”, improving his communication skills over time (via Toastmasters, improv classes, coaching, & involvement with TEDx Omaha) to launching his own conference called “The 1% Better Conference”. Do you like the podcast and want to support the show?  Follow the link to find out how: https://milehighfi.com/support/ Curious to know exactly what products Doug uses?  Check out his Amazon lists below. *Affiliate links below, so if you buy something or spend money, we might earn a commission. That helps the show and doesn’t cost you anything extra. Thank you! Guitar Accessories Hiking & Outdoor Essentials for Sleep Want to order MHFI stickers/temporary tattoos or create your own custom stickers?  Of course you do!  We ALL do!  Order them here using our affiliate link so that we might earn a commission: https://www.stickermule.com/dougcunnington Links Spark Financial Wellness The 1% Better Conference TEDxOmaha Toastmasters MilMoneyCon MHFI Facebook group Doug’s site Check out Producer Chris’s blog: Epic Financial Journey — Join the Mile High FI Club – It’s the email list! Get MHFi Merch – It helps support the show. Get t-shirts & more **Disclaimer: The podcast is for informational purposes. Maybe entertainment but we won’t even make such a claim. You shouldn’t take the info as financial, legal, or tax advice. We aren’t certified financial planners or advisors. We’re not qualified for much. So get advice from professionals.** Brought To You By: The Doug Show, aka Affiliate Marketing & Side Hustles Email the show: doug@milehighfi.com 0:00 Introduction 1:19 Finding FI 6:35 Debt payoff & identifying blind spots 11:52 Building communication skills 18:28 Improv 22:52 Launching a conference 28:03 Keeping it intimate & coordinating speakers 32:35 Future conference plans 37:45 Retirement planning & community 44:18 Soundcheck – Summer plans

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