Episode 100 of Faith & Retirement marks a milestone moment, pausing to reflect on why faith-aligned investing matters and how it works in real life. Jay Peroni, CFP® is joined by special guests Steve Nelson, CEO of Faith Investor Services, and John Rowley, Co-Portfolio Manager of the Christian Stock Fund (ticker: PRAY).

In Segment One, the conversation pulls back the curtain on why PRAY exists. Jay explains that many Christian investors have long felt forced to choose between financial discipline and biblical conviction. PRAY was created to close that gap, combining professional, fundamentals-based portfolio management with clearly defined Christian values. Steve and John share their personal journeys as investors and outline PRAY’s philosophy: a GARP (Growth at a Reasonable Price) approach with a quality bias, global opportunity set, and a long-term mindset designed to help investors stay steady through full market cycles.

Jay adds real-world stories from his work with retirees and pre-retirees, emphasizing that faith and discipline are not enemies of performance. In fact, aligning values with investments often removes emotional friction, helping investors stay committed when markets get difficult.

Segment Two widens the lens to the broader market environment. The group discusses late-cycle markets, the “Goldilocks economy,” tariffs, inflation, Federal Reserve policy, valuations, and the ongoing evolution of artificial intelligence. Jay frames market volatility through the lens of stewardship, preparation without fear, discipline without panic.

Looking ahead to 2026, the episode reinforces a central theme: faith-aligned investing isn’t about prediction or perfection. It’s about understanding what you own, why you own it, and having the confidence to stay invested when it matters most. Listeners are encouraged to seek a second opinion and ensure their portfolios reflect both their long-term goals and their deepest convictions.

In this week's episode, Jay Peroni, CFP helps listeners step back from confusing headlines and focus on wise, faith-filled preparation for 2026. With markets swinging, jobs data sending mixed signals, and retirement approaching for many, the message is clear: retirement confidence doesn’t come from predicting the future, it comes from preparing wisely.

Jay explains why economic reports, especially the Jobs Report, matter more as retirement nears. While headlines often sound reassuring, the underlying data can reveal important shifts that affect earnings, interest rates, and portfolio withdrawals. Drawing from Scripture, Jay reminds listeners that faithful stewards are called to “read the signs of the times” without panic or fear.

The conversation explores how employment trends influence Federal Reserve policy, interest rates, and market leadership, particularly in late-cycle environments. Jay cautions retirees against chasing momentum during strong market years, emphasizing that retirement is not a scoreboard but a paycheck. Using historical patterns like the Presidential Cycle, he notes that 2026 has historically been a strong market year, but stresses this is a yellow light, not a green light, requiring balance and discipline.

In the second half of the episode, Jay focuses on the critical years surrounding retirement, where sequence-of-returns risk can permanently impact income. He explains why consistency, protection, and income planning matter more than ever. Growth alone isn’t enough, retirement requires stability, predictability, and a strategy built to endure volatility.

The episode closes with a reminder that money is never morally neutral. Wise planning aligns finances with faith, purpose, and stewardship, so retirees can live with confidence, regardless of market conditions.

Listeners seeking clarity heading into 2026 are encouraged to visit faithandretirement.com or call 800-270-7310 for a second-opinion retirement review.

In this week's episode, Jay Peroni, CFP, tackles one of the biggest challenges facing today’s retirees: how to maintain confidence amid market volatility, inflation, tax uncertainty, and nonstop financial noise. Jay explains that retirement investing isn’t about chasing returns, it’s about building a reliable plan that provides predictable income, manages risk, accounts for longevity, and supports generosity no matter what the markets are doing.

The conversation explores how volatility affects retirees differently than younger investors, why sequence-of-returns risk can derail retirement income, and how predictable income can dramatically reduce stress and emotional decision-making. Jay also discusses the appropriate role of insurance-based tools, the growing importance of tax and inflation planning, and why many retirees underestimate how long their money must last.

In the second segment, the focus shifts from financial confidence to moral and emotional confidence. Jay explains why values matter in investing, how retirees are often unknowingly invested in companies they disagree with, and how Faith Investor Services’ "Screen & Clean" process helps align portfolios with biblical principles without sacrificing discipline or long-term fundamentals. Real-world examples illustrate how corporate values decisions can impact business performance, reinforcing that faith-based investing is not about politics, but stewardship and sound fundamentals.

The episode closes by defining what a truly confident retirement looks like: peace of mind, dependable income, investments aligned with personal convictions, and a plan designed to finish life’s race well: financially, emotionally, and spiritually.

Key takeaway: Retirement confidence comes from clarity, conviction, and intentional planning—not from reacting to headlines or market fear.