Join host Richard Cunningham with John Coleman and Brian McClard (Chief Investment Officer at Blue Trust) for the first-ever video edition of the Faith Driven Investor Marks on the Markets podcast. In this comprehensive market analysis, our panel discusses the Fed's decision to hold rates steady, the economic impact of Trump administration tariffs, and the exciting developments in AI and cryptocurrency regulation.

Key Investment Topics Discussed:

• Federal Reserve rate decisions and their 4.25-4.50% range - are we seeing appropriate monetary policy?

• Trump administration tariff strategies with the EU, Japan, and their impact on inflation vs. economic growth

• Market valuations at the 97th percentile historically - what this means for future returns

• The breakthrough GENIUS Act providing regulatory clarity for dollar-backed stablecoins

• AI's disruptive potential across industries and job markets - opportunity or threat?

Notable Quotes:

"We're paying 40% more now for earnings than we were 10 years ago, as we're looking at 22 times forward earnings. I think US returns going forward are likely to be more muted than what we've experienced the last five or 10 years." - Brian McClard

"Anytime you have a spirit of fear, it's really originating from a lack of control. He's not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind." - Brian McClard

This marks-on-the-markets episode provides essential investment insights for faith-driven investors navigating today's complex economic landscape. Richard, John, and Brian bring decades of investment expertise while maintaining a biblical worldview on stewarding capital in uncertain times.

Please note that the views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Faith Driven Investor.

In this episode, Faith Driven Movement’s co-founder, Henry Kaestner, sits down with Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of the ONE Campaign and serial social entrepreneur from Nigeria. With a background spanning McKinsey, Harvard Business School, and founding multiple organizations including LEAP Africa and Sahel Capital, Ndidi brings a unique perspective on Africa's role in the global economy.

• The current state of global advocacy and the retreat from international cooperation
• How the flattening of USAID affects Africa and global stability
• The power of individual voices in shaping policy (PEPFAR example)
• Investment opportunities in Africa's food ecosystem
• Why Africa is the continent of the future with 2.5 billion people by 2050
• The role of faith-driven investors in transforming African agriculture

• "You interact with Africa every day, whenever you have a cup of coffee, when you have a chocolate bar, it's not a continent of lack, it's a continent of opportunity."
• "We've been too dependent on a few men and their ideologies, and we've kind of drifted away from the foundations of our faith."
• "$1 invested today saves $103 in defense action."

• Every individual has a voice that can influence policy decisions
• Africa's food ecosystem presents significant investment opportunities across the spectrum
• The continent's young workforce (70% under 35 by 2050) represents the future global workforce
• Faith-driven partnerships can create sustainable change beyond government programs

Episode 200 marks a major milestone—not just for the podcast, but for an entire movement that's reshaping how investors think about capital, impact, and stewardship.

In this celebration episode, Faith Driven Investor founders Henry Kaestner and Luke Roush take us back to the very beginning—from their first meeting at Joe's Diner in Durham (famous for hot dogs with mustard, chili, or just hot dog) to building Sovereign's Capital and eventually launching a global movement that now spans nearly 100 countries.

The Origin Story Behind the Movement:

• How a matchmaker pastor named J.D. Grear connected two investors who would change everything
• The "Eastern Block Bodega" problem: too little product on the shelf and no line of customers
• Why turning away 99 out of 100 entrepreneurs led to a "heartbreaking" realization
• The Holy Spirit moment that shifted everything from scarcity to abundance thinking

From Fund to Movement:

• The transition from Sovereign's Capital to Faith Driven Entrepreneur to Faith Driven Investor
• Why they decided to expose their own LPs to competing fund managers
• The infamous John Porter story from Rwanda and what it taught them about being "tight-gripped"
• How a gathering at a French bistro with 25-30 leaders sparked something bigger

The Philosophy That Changed Everything: Henry and Luke dive deep into the shift from traditional "biblically responsible investing" (focused on what to avoid) to "faith-driven investing" (focused on what to support). This isn't just about screening out "sin stocks"—it's about actively seeking investments that promote human flourishing and build God's kingdom.

Global Vision and What's Next:

• Why Africa represents the most exciting investment opportunity of our generation
• The math that doesn't add up: $100+ trillion in managed assets globally, but only a couple hundred billion in explicitly faith-aligned products
• Why 60% of Americans identify as Christian but the investment numbers don't reflect it
• The "top of the second inning" reality: we're still incredibly early in this movement

Key Insights for Investors:

• The power of being known for what you're FOR rather than what you're against
• Why "one size fits one" when it comes to faith-driven investing approaches
• The importance of seeking Godly counsel, prayer, and Scripture in investment decisions
• How spiritual integration looks different across asset classes (even oil and gas)

Robin John had a problem. He looked at the biggest mutual funds in America and realized he couldn't invest in their top holdings without compromising his values. So he and co-founder Finny started asking a different question: if investing is just allocating capital, where should Christians actually put their money?

What started as a simple conversation about avoiding "ill-gotten gain" evolved into something much bigger—a framework for investing as an act of neighborly love. Instead of just screening out tobacco and pornography, Eventide began hunting for companies that actively serve their customers, employees, and communities.

The results speak for themselves. Robin shares stories of biotech companies getting kids out of wheelchairs, trucking firms that let 90% of drivers sleep at home every night, and businesses that prove you don't have to choose between doing good and doing well. The data backs it up too—19 years of research shows values-based investing performs just as well as traditional approaches.

This isn't feel-good investing. It's a fundamental rethinking of what stewardship looks like when you're managing serious capital. Robin's new book "The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World" releases July 22nd, and this conversation reveals why he believes we're still in the first inning of a movement that could reshape how Christians think about money, work, and calling.

The economic landscape is shifting beneath our feet, and this episode of Marks on the Markets delivers the clarity you need to navigate what's ahead.

Richard Cunningham and John Coleman sits down with Matt Monson, Partner of Public Equity at Sovereign's Capital, to dissect the most pressing issues facing investors today. The conversation begins with Moody's recent downgrade of US creditworthiness and what it signals about America's unsustainable fiscal trajectory—a $36 trillion debt problem that's finally getting the attention it deserves.

Market Concentration and Hidden Risks The hosts dive deep into the Magnificent Seven phenomenon, revealing why having 30% of the S&P 500 concentrated in seven companies creates more portfolio risk than most investors realize. Monson shares his framework for analyzing tariff impacts across revenue and supply chains, while Coleman explains why this isn't just about stock picking—it's about understanding correlated risk factors that could catch investors off guard.

Tariffs: Beyond the Headlines Moving past the political rhetoric, the discussion explores the real-world impact of trade policy on American businesses. From the company sourcing 100% of its goods from China to the complex web of global supply chains, listeners get an inside look at how tariff uncertainty is forcing businesses to stockpile cash and delay investment decisions. The hosts examine whether the current 90-day pause with China signals a path toward resolution or deeper economic disruption.

Middle East Partnerships and AI Infrastructure The episode takes a strategic turn as Coleman and Monson analyze Trump's Middle East tour and the massive foreign direct investment commitments in AI infrastructure. They discuss why these partnerships matter for America's technological competitiveness and how they fit into the broader geopolitical and economic picture.

Federal Reserve in an Impossible Position With inflation pressures from tariffs and a still-strong labor market, the Fed faces an unprecedented challenge. The hosts explain why rate cuts seem unlikely despite market volatility, and what this means for mortgage rates, business investment, and the broader economy.

Faith-Driven Investing Insights The conversation concludes with practical insights for faith-driven investors, including Monson's compelling math on why your investment balance sheet—often 100 times larger than annual giving—represents an enormous opportunity for kingdom impact. The hosts share how the movement is evolving beyond traditional ESG frameworks toward employee flourishing and cultural excellence.

Key Topics Covered:

• US credit downgrade implications and fiscal sustainability
• Magnificent Seven concentration risks and portfolio diversification
• Tariff impact analysis and business uncertainty
• Federal Reserve policy constraints and rate outlook
• Middle East AI partnerships and foreign investment
• Small vs. large cap performance cycles
• Faith-driven investing trends and cultural impact

This episode offers both macro-economic analysis and practical investment insights for anyone seeking to understand how current events will shape markets and investment opportunities in the months ahead.

In this special episode recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas, hosts Justin Forman and Richard Cunningham sit down with Brent Beshore, founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, to discuss what it means to take a long-term, cathedral-like perspective in business and investing.

Brent shares his transformation from an achievement-driven atheist to a faith-focused entrepreneur, highlighting how his approach to private equity challenges industry norms with long-term capital, zero debt, and transparent fee structures. Throughout the conversation, Brent reveals how vulnerability and authentic relationships have been crucial both in his personal faith journey and in building a successful investment firm.

• Brent's journey from atheism to faith and how it transformed his perspective on business, family, and achievement
• The dangers of "acceptable sin" that starts small but eventually leads to devastating consequences
• Why living in the light through authentic relationships is essential for both personal healing and business success
• How Permanent Equity's unique model of 30-year capital and no debt creates true alignment with business owners
• The concept of "cathedral thinking" - building something that may take generations to complete
• The importance of community and authentic relationships in combating isolation, especially for successful entrepreneurs
• Why achievement, control, and self-reliance can be more dangerous addictions than substances

In this May 2025 episode of Faith Driven Investor, hosts Richard Cunningham and John Coleman welcome Deirdre Gibson, ETF Specialist and National Sales Director at Praxis Investment Management, for a wide-ranging discussion on faith-driven investing and current market conditions.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding ETFs vs. Mutual Funds (2:31-4:42)

• Gibson explains the structural differences between ETFs and mutual funds
• Key advantages of ETFs: tax benefits, liquidity, transparency, and lower minimum investments
• How ETF structure makes diversified investing more accessible to everyday people

Jesus as a Model for Engagement (7:39-12:03)

• Gibson shares insights from her Kingdom Advisors conference presentation
• Examines how Jesus engaged with sinners rather than avoiding them
• Applies this model to faith-driven investing: avoid, seek, engage framework
• Makes the case for strategic engagement with companies rather than only screening them out

The "Sullivan Principles" and Christian Influence (12:03-15:19)

• Coleman discusses how the Episcopal Church's 1971 engagement with GM over apartheid led to industry-wide change
• How Christians can use capital ownership to influence corporate behavior
• The missed opportunity when Christians only avoid rather than engage

Research on Faith-Aligned Investing (20:50-24:24)

• Praxis research reveals significant gap between investor desires and advisor actions
• 70-85% of investors want values-aligned options while only 9% of advisors initiate these conversations
• Evidence that clients are making investments outside advisor relationships when values-alignment isn't offered

Tariffs and Market Analysis (29:01-41:42)

• Comprehensive breakdown of the Trump administration's tariff strategy and goals
• Analysis of four key administration objectives: reducing trade deficits, leveling playing fields, securing critical supply chains, and changing allies' position toward China
• Coleman's five-point framework for achieving a "soft landing" through modest and reciprocal tariffs

Market Outlook and Behavioral Finance (42:11-47:05)

• Disconnect between resilient economic data and fearful consumer/investor sentiment
• The phenomenon of "home bias" in investment portfolios
• The importance of maintaining business confidence to avoid recession despite uncertainty

Closing Thoughts on Human Dignity in Economics (48:33-53:19)

• Discussion of valuing human contributions beyond productive capacity
• Faith perspective on economic disruption from AI and technology advancement
• Biblical frameworks for approaching economic uncertainty with confidence