Financial Issues

In today's show, Shana Burt and Seth Udinski explore investment strategies and portfolio management. They discuss the pros and cons of mutual funds and ETFs versus building one's own portfolio, and touch on the importance of asset allocation and rebalancing. The hosts highlight the significance of Palm Sunday and Holy Week, presenting a stewardship verse from John 12:13. Shana and Seth emphasize t...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and Seth Udinski begin by exploring listener questions about diversification in investing. Shana presents her perspective on balancing sector exposure and avoiding over-diversification, particularly for younger investors who may be building their portfolios. The hosts also discuss perpetual preferred stocks, outlining their potential risks and benefits, and explor...

In today's show, Shana Burt hosts the first two segments, focusing on the latest market trends and providing insights into current economic indicators. In the third segment, Seth Udinski and Sam Case discuss recent tariff negotiations, including President Trump's proposed 60% tariff on Chinese imports and 10% on all other foreign goods. They analyze global responses from countries such as Vietnam,...

In today's show, Seth Udinski and Sam Case explore market volatility and discuss recent tariff negotiations between the US and various countries. They highlight comments from former host Dan Celia about staying the course during market downturns. The hosts present information on retail investors buying during the dip and introduce updates on companies like GM and Nissan responding to auto tariffs....

In today's show, Shana Burt and Seth Udinski open with a review of the latest market downturn, reacting to sharp losses across the Dow, S&P 500, and NASDAQ. They assess the broader economic climate and encourage long-term stewardship in the face of volatility. In the second segment, Shana and guest Jason preview President Trump's new tariff strategy, highlighting the proposed 60% tariff on Chinese...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Seth Udinski explore recent economic data, including jobless claims and non-farm payroll reports. They highlight the potential impact of government job cuts and discuss market expectations for interest rate changes. The hosts present their views on the current administration's economic policies and introduce a biblical perspective on stewardship. They also mention u...

In today's show, Shana Burt and guest financial advisor Jason MacDowell explore recent changes to Social Security benefits, focusing on the Social Security Fairness Act and its potential impact on public sector workers. They discuss the timeline for these changes and address a listener's concerns about scams related to Social Security payments. The conversation also highlights key claiming procedu...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Seth Udinski explore recent findings by DOGE regarding fraud and abuse in government spending, particularly in Social Security and immigration. They highlight concerns about illegal voting and the potential motives behind open border policies. The hosts introduce the concept of "Trumpinomics" as a potential alternative to current economic approaches, while emphasizi...

In today's show, Seth Udinski and Sam Case discuss recent market movements and the upcoming tariff news. They explore listener questions about Newsmax stock, suggesting caution and a wait-and-see approach before considering it as a long-term investment. The hosts highlight changes to the Financial Issues website and portfolio tracker, introducing new asset allocation models for different age group...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and Sam Case explore various financial topics in memory of founder Dan Celia. They discuss how politics and company fundamentals can influence investment decisions, emphasizing a long-term ownership approach to stocks. The hosts highlight the importance of disciplined rebalancing for mutual funds, typically once or twice a year, and explore portfolio allocation st...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Sam Case explore the possibility of a 2025 recession and its potential causes. They discuss the impact of government spending, NGOs, and immigration policies on the economy. The hosts highlight their investment strategy, suggesting a gradual approach to portfolio changes and rebalancing. They also introduce a stewardship verse from Psalm 119:14, emphasizing the impo...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Sam Case explore tax season topics, including document gathering and potential scams. They highlight the importance of being cautious about phishing schemes, fake tax preparers, and fraudulent phone calls claiming to be from the IRS. The hosts discuss the rise of crypto-related scams and introduce the idea of using Christian values when approaching tax preparation....

In today's show, Shana Burt and Sam Case explore the relationship between consumer confidence, the economy, and financial markets. They highlight that while consumer sentiment sometimes correlates with economic trends, it's not always a reliable predictor. The hosts introduce a biblical perspective on wealth, discussing King Solomon's riches and the importance of prioritizing one's relationship wi...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Sam Case discuss market volatility, Tesla's stock performance, and the impact of Elon Musk's recent actions. They explore the concept of using financial resources for spiritual purposes, highlighting a successful fundraising campaign for Crossroads Kids Club. The hosts present a listener question about preferred stocks and introduce potential options for portfolio d...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and financial advisor Jason MacDowell explore yield's role in portfolio construction and overall returns. They discuss a listener question about preferred stocks and their tax implications in different account types. The hosts highlight considerations for placing preferred stocks in traditional IRAs versus taxable brokerage accounts. They also touch on how investm...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and Sam Case explore recent Federal Reserve decisions and their potential impact on inflation and the economy. They discuss falling egg and gas prices, as well as possible tax cuts under the Trump administration. The hosts highlight the importance of biblical stewardship in financial matters, referencing Matthew 19:17. Burt and Case introduce the concept of Biblic...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and Sam Case explore biblically responsible investing and its application to personal finance. They highlight the importance of aligning investment choices with Christian values and introduce the concept of in-service rollovers from employer-sponsored plans. The hosts discuss options for gifting investments to grandchildren, such as custodial accounts or Roth IRAs...

Become a Financial Issues Partner today! For $132 a year, you get full access to our stock picks, asset allocation models, and so much more. Join right here! If you believe in and want to support the work of FISM, donate securely today. Today's show is sponsored by Timothy Plan. Learn how you can invest in a God-honoring way through biblically responsible ETFs, mutual funds, and retirement plans....

In today's show, hosts Shanna Burt and Sam Case introduce the upcoming launch of Financial Issues' new website on March 26th, highlighting improved features and user-friendliness. They explore the importance of Biblically responsible investing and discuss strategies for managing tax-deferred accounts. The hosts present a stewardship verse from 1 John 5:3, emphasizing the connection between loving...

In today's show, Shana Burt and guest financial advisor Jason MacDowell explore the possibility of an upcoming recession and its potential impact on the economy and investments. They discuss changes in how GDP is calculated, particularly regarding government spending, and how this might affect economic indicators. The hosts highlight the importance of long-term investing strategies in navigating m...

In today's show, hosts Shana Burt and Seth Udinski highlight the Crossroads Kids Club campaign, interviewing CEO Matt Armstrong about bringing the gospel to children in public schools. They explore recent economic developments, including inflation trends and market volatility. The hosts discuss biblically responsible investing and its potential impact on portfolios. Additionally, Shana and Seth pr...

In today's show, Shana Burt, Seth Udinski, and Jason MacDowell explore recent market movements and economic indicators. They highlight a Department of Justice probe into UnitedHealthcare and discuss President Trump's executive order on medical price transparency. The hosts introduce insights on savings habits, presenting strategies for building emergency funds and investing wisely. They also menti...

In today's show, Seth Udinski and Sam Case explore the importance of biblical knowledge in understanding American history and literature. They highlight Oklahoma's attempt to introduce Bibles in public schools and discuss the legal challenges it faces. The hosts present the story of the Madanat family and their involvement with Crossroads Kids Club, emphasizing the impact of bringing the gospel to...

In today's show, Shana Burt and Seth Udinski explore the concept of a "Trump session" and its potential economic impacts. They discuss Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant's view of the economy undergoing a detox process and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick's statements on inflation. The hosts highlight recent policy changes, including Senator Marco Rubio's cancellation of USAID contracts and investi...

In today's show, Seth Udinski interviews financial advisor Jason MacDowell about Social Security strategies. They explore the potential impact of the Social Security Fairness Act and discuss considerations for managing lump sum payments and increased monthly benefits. The conversation shifts to younger generations, with MacDowell sharing his perspective on the future of Social Security and how to...