SKEPTIC’S GUIDE TO INVESTING

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

October 1, 2025 41 mins

Please text and tell us what you like

Aradhana Kejriwal shares insights on her work as an Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) and discusses how women are reshaping the investment landscape with their growing control of wealth and unique perspectives on risk.

• OCIOs function as dedicated investment departments for advisory firms, providing sophisticated research and investment management while allowing advisors to fo...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

We delve into the controversial topic of allowing private equity, real estate, debt, and even cryptocurrency into 401k retirement accounts, offering a skeptical analysis of this potential shift in retirement planning.

• Government is willing to allow private markets and crypto in 401ks, though these options aren't widely available yet
• Private markets involve less transparency...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Retirement investing has lost its way. While Wall Street fixates on asset growth and total return, millions of retirees struggle with a fundamental question: how do I generate reliable income without depleting my savings?

Steve Selengut, veteran investor and former RIA owner who managed $100 million in assets, challenges the industry's growth-obsessed paradigm with a refreshingly o...

Mark as Played
September 10, 2025 37 mins

Please text and tell us what you like

The financial markets are running hot as we head into Q4 2025, but are we witnessing sustainable growth or dangerous froth? In this thought-provoking episode, Clem Miller and Steve Davenport tackle the pressing question on many investors' minds: what's ahead for the markets?

Steve kicks things off with a bold prediction - the market appears to be discounting an overly optimist...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Women are consistently outperforming men in investment returns—by about four basis points—yet they're starting later and investing less. This fascinating paradox lies at the heart of our conversation with financial services veteran Megan Smith, who brings decades of experience in alternative investments and client advising to the table.

"Investing is more about patience and co...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Gene Natali, CFA, joins us to discuss his mission to solve America's financial literacy crisis through his innovative platform Troutwood and his bestselling book "The Missing Semester." We explore how technology can scale financial education and planning to reach millions of Americans who lack basic financial knowledge despite good jobs and education.

• Gene's journe...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Joe Sroka of NovaPoint Capital shares his journey from West Point graduate and military officer to financial advisor, explaining how military discipline informs his investment approach for clients.

• From buying savings bonds during military service to becoming a financial advisor at Merrill Lynch
• West Point education provided strong math and analytical skills that transferred wel...

Mark as Played
August 13, 2025 43 mins

Please text and tell us what you like

What if your investment dollars could create positive change while still generating competitive returns? In this eye-opening conversation, financial expert Mimi Locke joins hosts Steve Davenport and Glenn Miller to explore the world of values-aligned investing and women's financial empowerment.

Mimi shares her journey from being the lone woman in a room of 60 stockbrokers to co-lea...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Joe Ryu, manager of Prospect Capital's private real estate credit fund, shares his journey from investment banking through the Great Financial Crisis to his current role in real estate credit investing. He explains how private credit offers attractive risk-adjusted returns through specialized financing structures that combine agency lending with subordinated positions.

• Real estat...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

When politics collides with economic data, investors face a troubling dilemma: can we trust the numbers that drive markets? The unprecedented firing of the Bureau of Labor Statistics head by President Trump signals a concerning shift in how government economic data might be manipulated for political gain.

The BLS produces critical labor and inflation statistics that power Federal Reserv...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Stablecoins represent a fascinating middle ground in the crypto universe - digital tokens backed by real dollars, designed to provide stability in the notoriously volatile cryptocurrency landscape. Steve Davenport and Clem Miller take you on a deep dive into this evolving ecosystem, examining the regulatory framework established by the recently passed Genius Act and what it means for companies l...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

What does the market look like through the eyes of a seasoned Wall Street veteran? Adam Parker, founder of Trivariate Research and CNBC contributor, joins us to share his institutional perspective on today's investment landscape.

The conversation begins with Adam's surprising take on political developments – while headlines focus on tariffs and tax policy, institutional invest...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

The political theatrics behind Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill" mask a troubling economic reality that could reshape America's fiscal landscape for years to come. This massive 900-page legislation, passed by the narrowest of margins, reveals how calculated political maneuvering drives fiscal policy more than sound economic principles.

Diving deep into the mechanics of th...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

Tariffs have moved from economic policy to political weapons, and smart investors need to understand the real impacts on markets and portfolios.

In this eye-opening exploration of the tariff landscape, we break down the fundamentals of international trade policy and how it affects your investments. From the recent 50% tariff on Brazil (imposed for political reasons) to the unrealistic e...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

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.

• Markets appear to be undervaluing risk despite geopolitical conflicts and economic uncertainties
• Economic consensus forecasts predict 1.5% growth this ...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

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 to becoming a financial advisor passionate about educating others.

"We didn't grow up rich, but we didn't realize we...

Mark as Played
June 19, 2025 23 mins

Please text and tell us what you like

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 and local stories over global context
• Bloomberg and Reuters provide better global perspectives on how various markets interconnect
• News ...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

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 and Labrador reveal how travel experiences can broaden investment perspective and inform financial decision-making.

• Planning for retirement shoul...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

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 developing nuclear weapons despite Iran's insistence that its nuclear program is for civilian use
• Iran's enrichment of uranium to near wea...

Mark as Played

Please text and tell us what you like

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 extends beyond Ukraine with increased military presence near Finland, telecommunications sabotage, and cyber warfare against Europe
• Ukraine ...

Mark as Played

Popular Podcasts

    If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

    Dateline NBC

    Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

    The Joe Rogan Experience

    The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.

    On Purpose with Jay Shetty

    I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

    The Bobby Bones Show

    Listen to 'The Bobby Bones Show' by downloading the daily full replay.

Advertise With Us
Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.