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

August 20, 2025 41 mins

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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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...

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June 19, 2025 23 mins

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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 ...

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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...

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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...

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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 ...

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May 23, 2025 3 mins

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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 All
Nonsense for None

We want to give people an interpretation of what the mainstream media passes off as information although disinformation might be more accurate.  There is so ...

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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 management with Chris Guarino of Alpine Strategic Partners.

• Private equity access is becoming more democratized, with quality boutique manag...

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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 the US and Canada
• Canada's competitive advantage in natural resources was ignored under Trudeau
• The historical importance of the p...

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April 23, 2025 62 mins

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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 brings his professional perspective as a portfolio manager at a $6 billion investment firm and his academic insights as a 12-year finance professor.

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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 ETFs provide liquid exposure without needing physical storage
• Target allocation of 5-15% depending on market conditions and risk tolerance
• Go...

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April 18, 2025 21 mins

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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 safety and income, but inflation and economic uncertainty have changed this dynamic
• Bond vigilantes reacting to tariff announcements revealed...

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