SKEPTIC’S GUIDE TO INVESTING
Straight Talk for All, Nonsense for None
About - Our podcast looks to help improve investing IQ. We share 15-30 minutes on finance, market and investment ideas. We bring experience and empathy to the complex process of financial wellness. Every journey is unique, so we look for ways our insights can help listeners. Also, we want to have fun😎
Your Hosts - Meet Steve Davenport, CFA and Clem Miller, CFA as they discus the latest in news, markets and investments. They each bring over 25 years in the investment industry to their discussions. Steve brings a domestic stock and quantitative emphasis, Clem has a more fundamental and international perspective. They hope to bring experience, honesty and humility to these podcasts. There are a lot of acronyms and financial terms which confuse more than they help. There are many entertainers versus analysts promoting get rich quick ideas. Let’s cut through the nonsense with straight talk!
Disclaimer - These podcasts are not intended as investment advice. Individuals please consult your own investment, tax and legal advisors. They provide these insights for educational purposes only.
Episodes
92 episodes
Markets, Politics, and Debt: Insights with Rich Weiss
Rich Weiss, CIO of Multi-Asset Strategies at American Century, brings 40 years of investment experience to discuss market reactions to global turmoil and why the VIX index remains surprisingly calm despite international tensions.• Marke...
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52:18
Local Meets Global: Wisdom from Marcus Sturdivant
Financial literacy isn't just about knowing investment terms—it's about transforming your relationship with money. Marcus Sturdivant, founder of ABC Squared in Charlotte, shares his journey from a loving household where money wasn't discussed t...
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47:22
Icebergs, Puffins, and Investment Wisdom
Clem Miller recounts his month-long journey through Eastern Canada, sharing observations about icebergs, puffins, and whales along with insights into Canadian economics and culture with relevance for investors. His adventures to Newfoundland an...
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31:17
Breaking News: Media is Broken
We explore how news media affects investment decision making and identify reliable sources of financial information in today's fragmented media landscape.• Traditional media networks (ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, FOX) prioritize sensationalism a...
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23:46
Israel-Iran Standoff: What Investors Need to Know
The complex dynamics of the Israel-Iran conflict have broad implications for global stability and investment strategies as Israel conducts preemptive strikes against Iran's alleged nuclear weapons program.• Israel claims Iran is develop...
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25:33
Weapons, Wheat, and Rare Earths: The Real Stakes in Ukraine
The Ukraine conflict shows no signs of resolution despite early predictions, with Russia taking a long-term strategic approach that suggests we may be only halfway through what could become a six-year confrontation.• Russia's aggression...
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48:27
Introduction
Skeptic's Guide to Investing introduces the co-hosts, Steve Davenport and Clem Miller.This episode also goes into the hosts experiences and the mission for the podcast.Straight Talk for AllNonsense for None
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Season 1
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3:06
Analog is the New Digital: Chris Guarino's Surprising Take on Finance
The wealth management industry is transforming through fragment consolidation, increased democratization of investment opportunities, and technology-enabled customization of client services. Today's episode of Skeptics Guide discusses wealth ma...
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42:31
US & Canada : Partners in Prosperity
We explore the potential seismic shift in US-Canada relations following Mark Carney's election as Prime Minister of Canada and the implications for North American economic integration.• Moving back to centrist economic policies in both ...
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1:17:36
The Debt Crisis Time Bomb
America stands at a fiscal precipice, with national debt approaching 100% of GDP and projected to reach 130% by 2035 if current policies continue. This podcast features an illuminating conversation with fixed income expert Steve Gattuso, who br...
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1:02:39
The Messy Middle: Navigating Alternative Investments
Alternative investments offer potential diversification but come with significant trade-offs in liquidity, transparency, and fees that many investors overlook. We explore why the famous "Yale approach" to investing that worked brilliantly in th...
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22:45
Bonds in Turmoil
Steve and Clem examine how bonds have shifted from reliable safe havens to potentially risky investments in today's economic landscape, challenging conventional wisdom about treasuries as risk-free assets.• Bonds traditionally provided ...
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21:57
Beyond the Vault: Why Gold Matters When Markets Falter
Gold serves as a portfolio stabilizer during volatile markets while offering upside potential when traditional assets falter. We explore how this precious metal fits into a diversified investment strategy during uncertain times.• Gold E...
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27:01
Trump Unleashes Tariff Chaos: Portfolio Protection, Powell, and Penguins, too!
When markets plummet in response to unexpected policy shifts like Trump's tariff announcements, distinguishing between panic reactions and thoughtful investment strategy becomes crucial. Steve Davenport and Clem Miller cut through the market no...
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45:10
America in Chaos: Tariffs and Taxes
The extension of Trump-era tax cuts presents critical planning decisions as exemption amounts could drop from $14 million to $7 million per person without congressional action.• Estate tax exemption likely to receive a four-year extensi...
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1:03:50
Uncle Sam's Maxed-Out Credit Card
We examine the debt ceiling crisis and its implications for investors, revealing how this political standoff reflects deeper problems in America's fiscal health that could impact global financial markets and your portfolio.• Debt ceilin...
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30:48
Steel, Aluminum, Wine and Trade Wars: Oh My!
By repeatedly threatening, imposing, and withdrawing tariffs, the Trump Administration is creating uncertainty for businesses who depend on international trade. The result is a sharp drop in the stock market, with additional declin...
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36:55
Big Debate: Tech, Finance and Health Stocks to Own
Join us as we navigate through the intricacies of stock investing as we approach 2025. This episode delves deep into the predictions of the stock market, highlighting significant players across technology, finance, and healthcare.- In-d...
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54:43
Are You Prepared for Market Volatility?
We explore the critical theme of managing investment risk amid heightened uncertainty. This discussion revolves around proactive strategies to mitigate risk in a volatile market and achieve financial resilience.• Navigating the tumultuo...
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44:35
Higher Inflation Numbers: Fed Policy Challenged
Inflation expectations and their impacts on the economy take center stage in this episode, as we explore the challenges facing the Federal Reserve and the resulting market volatility. We discuss the interconnected roles of tariffs, immigration,...
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50:49
A U.S. Sovereign Wealth Fund: Is it Realistic?
This episode tackles the contentious concept of a U.S. sovereign wealth fund, dissecting its potential feasibility, funding challenges, and political implications. With existing programs already serving similar purposes, the necessity of a new ...
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37:43
DeepSeek: China’s AI Disruptor (Part 2)
In the second part of our discussion of DeepSeek, we explore the potential investment implications of DeepSeek for U.S. technology companies and the the competitive landscape in AI. Is DeepSeek really “better” than the models...
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48:54
DeepSeek: China’s AI Disruptor (Part 1)
Can a Chinese company with a modest $6 million investment truly disrupt the global AI landscape and challenge tech giants like Google and OpenAI? Join us as we explore the audacious rise of DeepSeek, founded by hedge fund manager Liang Wenfang,...
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34:21