Navigating Market Volatility: Strategies for Investing in Uncertain Times

Why This Episode Is a Must-Listen

Are swirling headlines and sharp market moves making you uneasy about your portfolio?

This Inspired Money episode delivers expert insights and actionable strategies for investing in volatile, uncertain markets. Four seasoned investors and strategists share how they interpret risk, deploy defensive tactics, and uncover opportunities where others see chaos.

Whether you're a new or experienced investor, this discussion provides clarity, tools, and confidence–especially when markets get stormy. 

Meet the Expert Panelists

Katie Stockton, CMT is the Founder and Managing Partner of Fairlead Strategies and a widely respected technical analyst known for her disciplined, signal-driven approach to market trends. A frequent CNBC contributor and portfolio manager of the Fairlead Tactical Sector ETF (TACK), she brings more than two decades of Wall Street experience advising institutional investors. https://www.fairleadfunds.com 

Mike Taylor is the Lead Portfolio Manager of the Simplify Health Care ETF (PINK), the first 100% pro bono ETF with all net profits benefiting the Susan G. Komen Foundation. With over two decades of experience managing long/short healthcare equity portfolios at firms like Citadel, Millennium, and Diamondback Capital, Mike is widely recognized for running one of Wall Street's top-performing healthcare hedge funds. https://simplify.us    

Seth Cogswell is the Managing Partner and Founder of Running Oak Capital, where he co-manages the Efficient Growth strategy using a disciplined, quality-focused investment approach. With experience spanning portfolio management, multi-strategy trading, and an MBA from The Wharton School, he brings a data-driven perspective to navigating market uncertainty. https://www.runningoaketfs.com 

Gary Brode, Managing Partner at Deep Knowledge Investing, brings over 30 years of securities industry experience to delivering independent, actionable stock ideas and market research for sophisticated investors. His career includes roles at Morgan Stanley, Seneca Capital, Brahman Capital, and John Levin & Co., as well as founding Akita Capital Management and Silver Arrow, reflecting a long track record of successful investing and leadership. https://deepknowledgeinvesting.com 

Key Highlights:

1. Making Volatility Work for You
Katie Stockton shares that "cycles in market sentiment" mean volatility isn't just chaos—it's actionable data. Her use of tools like the VIX and sector rotation models helps investors sidestep emotional reactions and reposition for opportunity, not fear.

2. Defending Your Portfolio with Purpose
Mike Taylor discusses how, for the first time in his career, gold has become one of his largest positions. Driven by macro risks like global overspending, he urges investors: "Gold is going to be a hedge for inflation and deflation. It will end up working both ways."

3. The Importance of Quality and Downside Protection
Seth Cogswell emphasizes that real risk is not volatility, but permanent loss of capital. His rules-based strategy focuses on high-quality, low-debt companies: "Nothing destroys exponential growth like big drawdowns. Avoiding major losses is our #1 focus."

4. Fundamental Discipline and Hedging for the Future
Gary Brode underlines the importance of sticking to your thesis and balancing optimism with protection. He avoids government bonds, preferring assets like Bitcoin and gold: "I want to own hard things that are difficult to replicate...and protect against emerging inflation risks."

Call-to-Action

Here's one thing to do this week: write down one rule you will follow the next time the market pulls back. It could be an allocation target, a rebalancing trigger, or even a simple statement like, 'I won't sell on fear.' Put it on paper. Your future self will thank you the next time emotions start running high.

---

Find the Inspired Money channel on YouTube or listen to Inspired Money in your favorite podcast player. Andy Wang, Host/Producer of Inspired Money