Register for the 2025 FDI Conference at: faithdriveninvestorconference.org/

Introduction to guests Suzanne Daniel (Pilgrim Foundation) and Dana Wichterman (Impact Foundation), both speakers at the upcoming Global Faith Driven Investor Conference on February 7th, 2025

Discussion of their personal journeys:

• Suzanne's transformation from traditional grant-making to impact investing, sparked by a pivotal experience with a Haiti-based enterprise
• Dana's initial resistance to faith-aligned investing and her eventual embrace of integrating faith with investment decisions

Exploration of the three key approaches to solving world problems: building, investing, and giving

• How Pilgrim Foundation balances all three approaches
• The role of charitable capital in catalyzing transformational businesses

Insights on family stewardship:

• Suzanne's experience discussing money and inheritance with transparency
• The upcoming book "Stewards Not Owners: The Joy of Aligning Your Money with Your Faith" by Dana and Bill Wichterman

Current state of faith-driven investing:

• Progress in available investment options and advisory services
• Need for more accessible options for non-accredited investors
• Importance of developing spiritual metrics and standardized measurement frameworks

Details about the Global Faith Driven Investor Conference:

• Date: February 7th, 2025
• Theme: Courageous Capital
• Featured speakers including Jeremy Lin
• 122+ global watch parties
• Registration available at Faith Driven Investor website

In this premiere 2025 episode of Faith Driven Investor, host Richard Cunningham welcomes David Bahnsen, founder and CIO of the Bahnsen Group, alongside regular contributor John Coleman. The conversation begins with a comprehensive review of 2024's market performance, examining how corporate profits exceeded expectations despite earlier recession fears. Bahnsen provides detailed analysis of current market valuations, particularly focusing on the concentration risk in the top 10 companies of the S&P 500 and potential opportunities in small-cap stocks.

The discussion shifts to the implications of Trump's upcoming presidency, with particular focus on deregulation, M&A activity, and trade policy. Bahnsen offers a detailed critique of protectionist positions on the Nippon Steel deal, while Coleman provides perspective on global security implications. The episode also features insights from Coleman's recent piece on Pax Americana and the enduring strength of American innovation and economic leadership.

The conversation concludes with deeper reflection on purpose and meaning, drawing from Bahnsen's 2024 book "Full Time Work and The Meaning of Life," and exploring Christian perspectives on work as a divine calling rather than a curse. Both guests share powerful closing thoughts on God's work in history and the promise of new beginnings in 2025.

Time Stamps: 00:00 - Introduction and holiday reflections 09:45 - 2024 market review 18:30 - Current market valuations and concerns 27:15 - Trump administration and economic policy 35:40 - Discussion of Nippon Steel deal 42:20 - Global security and Pax Americana 48:15 - Work and meaning 53:30 - Closing reflections

Show Notes:

• The evolution and impact of Faith Driven Investor's first standalone conference in 2024
• Why wealth isolates and how FDI is creating safe spaces for high-capacity investors
• Inside look at FDI+ launch weekends and the movement's expansion plans for 2025
• The three personas showing up to FDI: the intimidated, the scaling entrepreneurs, and the teachers
• Key partnerships forming with Next and Blue Trust
• Details on the upcoming February 7th, 2025 global conference themed "The Riskiest Thing is to Do Nothing"
• How watch parties have spread from Chicago to Ukraine, building unexpected communities
• Behind-the-scenes look at how FDI's leadership team is structured
• Closing reflections on obedience and seeing the Holy Spirit's movement in unexpected places