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 fundsKey advantages of ETFs: tax benefits, liquidity, transparency, and lower minimum investmentsHow 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 presentationExamines how Jesus engaged with sinners rather than avoiding themApplies this model to faith-driven investing: avoid, seek, engage frameworkMakes 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 changeHow Christians can use capital ownership to influence corporate behaviorThe 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 actions70-85% of investors want values-aligned options while only 9% of advisors initiate these conversationsEvidence 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 goalsAnalysis of four key administration objectives: reducing trade deficits, leveling playing fields, securing critical supply chains, and changing allies' position toward ChinaColeman'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 sentimentThe phenomenon of "home bias" in investment portfoliosThe 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 capacityFaith perspective on economic disruption from AI and technology advancementBiblical frameworks for approaching economic uncertainty with confidence