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
