The Generosity NOW Podcast

Investing for Eternal Impact: A conversation with Don Simmons

In this enlightening episode of the Generosity Now podcast, hosts Eric and Laurie are joined by the insightful Don Simmons, a seasoned investment expert and author. With a rich background in building a successful boutique investment firm and a unique blend of financial expertise and Christian values, Don provides a thought-provoking perspective on steward-investing.
 
About Don
Don has over thirty years of experience building and managing a boutique investment firm in upstate New York that he founded in 1988. A CFP® Professional with a degree in counseling and post graduate training as a portfolio asset allocation specialist, Don fuses professional portfolio strategy with investor psychology and behavior to provide  a well-informed perspective on our role as Christian steward-investors.  With nearly a quarter billion dollars of assets under management, his firm consistently ranks among the top 1% of financial  advisor practices in the United States. 
Being a fiduciary of his clients’ assets has enlightened Don’s understanding of our role as God’s “oikonomos”—His designated asset managers.  Additionally, Don believes that business itself is an incarnational witness, much like the ministry of Young Life through which Don began his own personal relationship with Christ and with which Don has been involved as staff, volunteer, and committee chair for over four decades.  
While serving as chief operations officer for a London-based Christian economic development fund,  Don observed first hand the great chasm between societies where capital is hoarded in abundance compared to locations where it is in short supply and desperately needed to fulfill God’s redemptive plan. Don was responsible for coordinating a global management team that deployed dozens of mentors and coaches and financial capital to transformational businesses across more than twenty  countries and among the most impoverished communities in the world. Furthermore, as he has traveled extensively both personally and professionally to dozens of frontier market  countries since 2003, he’s gained an awareness of the physical and spiritual poverty that are too often met with ignorance and apathy of American Christians regarding their plight. 
Don’s passion for meeting these needs through the expansion of business as mission, as well as being a long-time steward of his clients’ assets, has led him to not only help his clients prepare for retirement, manage their wealth, and consider charitable giving, but also to help investors match their investment decisions to God’s purposes.  
Don has been married to Amy since 1989. Their home is a hub of activity for their four children and a steady stream of guests. In addition to family, Don’s passions include flying an antique (1948) seaplane, cooking pizza in his wood-fired pizza oven, and serving as a board member for numerous charities.
Connect with Don:
Website: https://thestewardinvestor.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/The-Steward-Investor/100083214676167/
Twitter: @DonaldESimmons
Instagram: @DonaldESimmons
https://www.linkedin.com/in/donald-simmons-51616623/
More from the Generosity Now Podcast
www.generositynow.org
 

Economic, Social and Spiritual Capital: A conversation with Pete Ochs

On this episode, hosts Eric and Laurie sit down with Entrepreneur, Speaker, and author Pete Ochs for a transformative conversation about what it takes to live a high impact life.
 
About Pete
Pete Ochs is founder and chairman of Capital III, an impact investment company with investments in the US and Central America.  Enterprise Stewardship is an initiative of Capital III that equips marketplace leaders with resources to transform their personal LIFE and business enterprises. During his four decades in business he has invested and operated companies in the energy, manufacturing, banking, and education sectors, often times focusing on places devoid of human flourishing such as prisons and poverty-stricken countries. Pete’s passion in life is to educate, equip, and empower business leaders around the world to live for something greater than themselves by using their business platform to impact the world for Christ.  
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Pete lives by four simple principles: Honor God; Serve People; Pursue Excellence; and Steward Capital.   These four simple but powerful principles when brought to bear on creating Economic, Social and Spiritual Capital result in a High Impact LIFE.   
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Before launching his impact investment company Capital III, Pete spent 8 years in the commercial banking industry. Pete and his wife Debbie have been instrumental in founding and growing several nonprofit enterprises. They live in Valley Center, Kansas.  They have 2 children and 8 grandchildren.
Pete’s first book, “A High Impact LIFE,” and other leadership resources are available at www.EnterpriseStewardship.com.
 
Connect with Pete
https://www.peteochs.com/;
https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-ochs/
 

Purpose Driven Investing: A conversation with Greg Lernihan

On today's episode, Eric and Laurie have an engaging conversation with entrepreneur and faith based investor, Greg Lernihan about impact investing. 
 
About Greg
Greg is committed to making a positive difference in the lives of others and has refocused his life with this purpose. As a faith based investor, Greg dedicates his time and talents to mentoring and investing in for-profit businesses that address the worlds greatest social challenges. Greg is dedicated to helping others who are passionately changing the world. He seeks to partner with Christ centered leaders that produce spiritual, social and financial returns by serving the less fortunate in Chicago and internationally.
 

The Spiritual Art of Business: A conversation with Barry and Linda Rowan

On today's episode, we sit down with Barry and Linda Rowan for a in depth conversation around the spiritual art of business. This is a much needed conversation that not only challenges us to dive deeper into our faith but also offers hope and encouragement. 
About our Guests
Barry Rowan
Barry Rowan is a Harvard Business School graduate who spent his entire career serving in C-Suite roles. He has been instrumental in building and transforming eight businesses, primarily in the technology and communication space, with one selling for $10 billion. His leadership experience spans both private and public companies, including Gogo (the inflight connectivity company), Vonage, Nextel Partners, and Fluke Corporation.
Based on his belief in giving back, Barry serves on both for-profit and non-profit boards, mentors young leaders, and leads international study trips. His non-profit boards have included InterVarsity Christian Fellowship, Seattle Pacific University, Gordon College, the Gonzaga University Entrepreneurial Leadership Program, and advisory boards for Harvard Business School. He also served as president of Bellevue Christian School.
Deeply immersed in Scripture and the classic spiritual writers, Barry is deeply committed to contemplation and prayer which led him to complete a month-long silent retreat immediately following his retirement from a full-time executive career. His friends have dubbed him a “corporate mystic.”
Barry is married to Linda, his wife of over forty-two years, and they have two adult sons. Together they are now engaged in multiple lines of service including walking with the poor and investing in the next generation of leaders. Their commitment to the poor has taken them to Central America over twenty times. They are members of the National Leadership Council of World Vision and support local organizations breaking the poverty cycle through sustainable programs.
 
Linda Rowan
Linda earned her CPA and worked first in public accounting and then in corporate accounting, spending ten years in financial management roles with Hewlett-Packard before retiring to become a “tennis shoe mom”.  As a “community entrepreneur”, she has started and led prayer groups, co-chaired capital campaigns, started the Parent Advisory Council at Seattle Pacific University, and invests her time in event planning for many non-profit organizations.  Linda has served on nonprofit Boards for the past 40 years and is currently investing her time on the Legatus Denver Board, is a member of the Christianity Today President’s Council, World Vision National Leadership Council and Strong Women Strong World Advisory Council.  
Linda and Barry combined their heart for the poor and investing in the next generation of Christ-following leaders as they led six trips to Central America with their family and Harvard graduate students.  Based on their desire to continue investing in the intergenerational friendships formed on these trips, they designed a three-year experience called “An adventure with God” based on living a surrendered life:  As God transforms us, he transforms the world through us.  Linda is passionate about breaking the poverty cycle through sustainable programs with a current focus on bringing clean water and education to the “least of these” in remote areas of Central America.
In her spare time Linda enjoys skiing, golfing, biking, and traveling (she has visited all 50 states with their sons and visited 26 countries).  Barry and Linda welcomed two beautiful daughters-in-law into the family and have three wonderful grandchildren.
 
Resources mentioned
The Spiritual Art of Business: https://www.ivpress.com/the-spiritual-art-of-business
 

The ministry of business: A conversation with Chad Roach

On todays episode, Eric and Laurie sit down with kingdom serial entrepreneur Chad Roach for a great conversation about business, Kingdom economics, and the ministry of business.
 
About Chad
Homeschooled his entire life, Chad graduated at the age of 16. For his higher education, Chad studied at Oak Brook College of Law and was mentored for six years by Kevin Swanson – Director of Generations with Vision and host of Generations Radio. Chad started his first sales business at the age of 17. Since then, Chad has started multiple companies in various fields including credit card processing, pre-paid payment cards, venture capital, precious metals and asset investments. Now at the age of 35, Chad makes a full-time income from his businesses and continues to spend much of his free time working and learning in ministry and church.
Connect with Chad
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadroach/
 
 

Not tax efficient but fun and needed generosity

On todays episode, Eric and Laurie wrap up part three in our What Is series with a deep dive into Non Receiptable Giving and the creative ways we can be generous with what we have and bless those around us.
 
Resources Mentioned
https://www.ncfgiving.com/stories/23-simple-ways-to-be-generous-this-summer/
https://www.ncfgiving.com/rockymountains/a-lesson-in-practical-generosity-what-he-can-do-with-unexpected-delays/

What is: Whole LIFE Stewardship?

On today's episode and part two in our What Is mini series, Eric and Laurie dive into the topic of Whole LIFE Stewardship, it's importance as a mandate, and the privilege that comes with stewarding everything we have as uniquely created image bearers of Christ.
 
Resources Mentioned
https://tifwe.org/resource/whole-life-stewardship-the-call-to-greatness/
 
 

What is: Impacting Investing?

Have you ever heard a term used to explain something and you just don't fully get what it means? When it comes to finances, investing, and giving, you may find yourself confused over some of the terminology but we have you covered! 
On this episode, we're kicking off a three part mini series where we'll be answering some key questions like "what is impact investing?" "What is whole-life stewardship?" And "What is non traditional Giving?" 
These are shorter episodes and our hope is that each one will better equip you to make a positive kingdom impact with your resources. 
 
Resources mentioned 
Faith Driven Investor - https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/
Faith Driven Marketplace - https://www.faithdriveninvestor.org/marketplace
Impact Foundation - https://www.impactfoundation.org/
Talanton https://www.talantonllc.com/
Lion’s Den DFW - https://www.thelionsdendfw.org/
Eventide Investments: https://www.eventideinvestments.com/
Sovereigns Capital https://sovereignscapital.com/
CrossMark Global https://www.crossmarkglobal.com/
Masada Creamry https://www.masakafarms.com/