Financial Issues

Jesus says in the Gospel of Matthew, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden." On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to discuss what it means to live out our faith through biblical stewardship. Later, the team examines the latest developments in the oil markets and how the Trump administration is responding to cal...

In this episode of Stewardship Today, we examine how stewards can recognize and manage the risks that come with investing. The discussion explores market, company, concentration, valuation, interest rate, inflation, liquidity, and other risks, emphasizing that risk is not the same as recklessness. We also look at practical ways to manage risk through diversification, proper position sizing, asset...

On today's episode, we want to thank you, our faithful partners and listeners, for your continued support over the years. By equipping believers to be wise stewards of their finances and resources, together we are impacting families, local churches, and our nation. Join host Mark Minnella, along with co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case, as they celebrate the Financial Issues family and the ongoing...

The Federal Reserve raises interest rates for the first time in three years, but is it a good move? On today's episode, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to break down the Fed's interest-rate decision and discuss whether it will have any impact on inflation. Mark also gives his latest take on Fed Chair Kevin Warsh and what he might be trying to achieve at the centr...

Semiconductors took a beating earlier this week, with major stocks like Nvidia facing the biggest pressure. On today's episode, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to look at the rotation in the tech sector as investors begin to give software stocks a second look. Mark also shares his thoughts on tech CEOs calling for more regulation of AI. Is there good reason for i...

Donor-advised funds may seem like a complicated way to give, but in reality, they can make charitable giving much easier in the long run. On today's episode, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to break down how donor-advised funds work, how they can simplify giving, and how they may even enhance the tax benefits of your donations. Also joining the program are FISM B...

Join Financial Issues as we kick off our year-end giving campaign, The Ripple Effect. Host Mark Minnella, along with co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case, celebrates the ministry's impact over the past year and shares a vision for where Financial Issues is headed in 2027. If you've been blessed by Financial Issues, please prayerfully consider giving before September 30. Visit financialissues.org/the...

In this episode of Stewardship Today, we examine how to choose the right type of investment account based on the purpose God has given you for your money. The discussion explores Roth and traditional IRAs, taxable brokerage accounts, employer retirement plans, and health savings accounts, including their benefits, restrictions, tax treatment, and investment options. We also consider how factors su...

If the government is going to own stakes in American companies, who is going to keep politics out of the boardroom? On today's show, host Mark Minella and co-host Sam Case take a look at the United States' growing investment portfolio and ask whether this will actually be a good move in the long run — especially under future administrations. The team also takes time to remember the 25th anniversar...

The mainstream media is sounding the alarm over oil crossing $100 a barrel. But what does the data actually tell us about the state of the economy? On today's show, Mark Minnella joins co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to examine current oil prices and how they compare with historical levels. The team also reflects on the assassination of Charlie Kirk one year after his death, considering his leg...

Is the economy being held up by data centers? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to examine the Fed's latest Beige Book report and its focus on data centers. What is the Fed's Beige Book, and does it have any real relevance to the broader economy? The team discusses these questions and more. Later, for Winning Wednesday, the guys celebrate another v...

Some politicians believe the U.S. can grow its way out of its mounting debt—but is that really true? On today's show, host Mark Minnella, along with co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case, tackles the issue of the growing national debt and explores what the possible solutions might be. Later, the team looks at the latest jobs numbers, addresses questions about potential threats to the economy, and con...

How do we develop and maintain a strong work ethic, and how can we view our work as an act of worship for God's glory? In this special Labor Day edition of Financial Issues, host Mark Minnella joins co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to explore the biblical view of work, Christian work ethic, and what it means to honor and glorify God through our daily work. Discover how our approach to work can r...

In this episode of Stewardship Today, we examine the biblical and practical principles of investment diversification. The discussion explores how spreading investments across different companies, sectors, and asset types can help manage risk and protect a portfolio from a single company or economic event. We also look at how diversification works alongside asset allocation, why too much diversific...

It's Focus Friday, where listener calls and questions take center stage on faith, finance, and current events. On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to examine record-breaking corporate profits in the second quarter. Mark breaks down what the data reveals about the state of the economy and the factors driving these recent blowout results. Become a Fina...

They say cash is king—but how much should it rule over your portfolio? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to discuss cash as an asset class and its proper role in an investment strategy. Mark explains what factors you should consider when determining how large your cash allocation should be at any given time and breaks down the difference between mo...

On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to break down the risks associated with cryptocurrency and explore whether it can ever be a good fit for a Biblically Responsible portfolio. Later, for Winning Wednesday, the team celebrates the tens of thousands of young people who came to Christ during Forrest Frank's latest tour. Become a Financial Issues Partne...

Is freezing your credit enough to safeguard your personal information? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by Financial Issues IT expert Elijah Kelley to answer questions about cybersecurity, identity theft, and the rise of new scams with the advent of AI. Later, Financial Issues Ag Reporter Craig Haugaard joins the show to discuss President Trump's plan to import ground beef from Argent...

In this episode of Stewardship Today, we examine what it means to take a long-term approach to investing and why patience, discipline, and wisdom are important to faithful stewardship. The discussion explores the benefits of allowing quality investments and compounding to work over time while avoiding emotional decisions, speculation, and the temptation to get rich quickly. We also explain why lon...

Will Scott Bessent's move to double government debt buybacks have negative consequences for the bond market? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to discuss the 30-year bond yield and the potential effects of these buybacks. Mark also discusses whether growth investors should even be concerned about bonds, or whether bonds are more relevant to income-...

  Do the personal beliefs and opinions of a company's owner affect whether a business is considered biblically responsible? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to explore the connection between business owners, corporate practices, and biblically responsible investing (BRI). Together they explain how investors can distinguish between the personal act...

Do you have to own every sector to be properly diversified? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to discuss what to do with weak sectors and whether investors need to be invested in sectors that are out of favor to maintain proper diversification. Later, for Winning Wednesday, the team celebrates the latest victory in the fight for life as Oklahoma cr...

With kids heading back to school, future education costs are on the minds of many parents. On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to explore the most common education savings plans. Mark explains how he would approach investing for a child's education if he were starting today. Later, the team tackles questions about rental properties, home repairs, and...

Are we teetering on the edge of hyperinflation? On today's show, host Mark Minnella is joined by co-hosts Seth Udinski and Sam Case to answer listener questions about diversification strategies that could help protect against a falling U.S. dollar. Later, the team discusses the importance of starting to invest early and explores the psychological types of spending money. Financial Issues has partn...

In this episode of Stewardship Today, we examine the steps involved in building an investment portfolio from a biblical stewardship perspective. The discussion explores how purpose, time horizon, risk tolerance, and cash flow needs help determine an appropriate investment style and portfolio structure. We also look at the different types of investment accounts, asset allocation models, and investm...