How Trade Wars, Interest Rates, and Inflation Are Shaping the Markets in Q3 2025 With Peter Madlem

Peter Madlem is the Chief Investment Officer at Avalan Wealth Management, a comprehensive wealth management firm specializing in personalized financial, business, and investment planning. With over 35 years of experience in high-net-worth and institutional investment management, Peter has held senior leadership roles at Northern Trust and Montecito Bank & Trust, where he rebuilt investment research capabilities and managed a billion-dollar bond portfolio. Peter is also an accomplished author of five investment books and a former studio musician and composer with credits on major labels.

Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

[2:16] Peter Madlem analyzes market resilience amid global conflicts and economic uncertainty
[6:20] Comparing the dot-com bubble to today’s AI-driven investment landscape
[10:24] How Avalan Wealth Management integrates AI into investment research and portfolio management
[12:01] A review of the third-quarter market performance and investor behavior trends
[18:45] Thematic investment opportunities in gold, AI, and electric grid infrastructure
[23:27] Why diversification and long-term strategy matter more than market timing

In this episode…

With markets hitting all-time highs despite global uncertainty, investors are asking: How long can the momentum last? From AI breakthroughs to shifting global trade dynamics, the financial landscape is evolving faster than ever. What lessons can we take from past market bubbles to navigate the next wave of innovation and volatility?

Peter Madlem, an investment expert and market strategist, explores these challenges by comparing past bubbles with today’s AI-driven optimism. He shares how investors can navigate today’s complex market by focusing on fundamentals rather than fear. Peter explains why recessions, not high valuations, typically cause bear markets and emphasizes the power of staying invested through volatility. He discusses his company’s approach to using AI for research efficiency, the importance of intrinsic value analysis over short-term indicators, and how diversification and thematic investing can capture long-term compounding returns over time.

In this episode of The Road Already Traveled, Rich Schuette interviews Peter Madlem, Chief Investment Officer at Avalan Wealth Management, about the current market outlook and the future of investing. Peter discusses how AI is transforming investment research, why diversification is key in volatile markets, and where long-term growth opportunities lie for investors.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

“High valuations don’t cause bear markets. Instead, recessions cause bear markets because they depress earnings.”
“AI is real. It’s actually impacting our business here at Avalan in meaningful, practical ways.”
“Once you develop a strategy, you stick with it; valuation tools are terrible at predicting prices.”
“The innovation that’s going to come from the application of AI is truly astounding.”
“Buy low, sell high — easier said than done. Design a portfolio that fits your constraints.”

Action Steps:

Stay invested through market swings: Maintaining discipline during volatility helps investors capture compounding growth and avoid emotional mistakes.
Diversify your portfolio: A well-balanced mix of assets reduces risk and stabilizes long-term returns.
Adopt AI tools wisely: Leveraging technology improves efficiency and insight without replacing critical human judgment in investing.
Prioritize intrinsic value analysis: Focusing on a company’s net worth helps avoid hype-driven decisions and supports sustainable growth.
Track emerging investment themes: Watching trends, like energy infrastructure and rare earth materials, positions investors for future opportunities.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is sponsored by Avalan, a wealth management firm dedicated to personalized financial, business, and investment planning.

We work with select high-net-worth individuals, corporations, and trusts, providing guidance tailored to their unique needs.

From supercar entrepreneurs to music industry entrepreneurs, our team employs proven investment strategies to help them preserve wealth, protect assets, and plan charitable giving.

With an unwavering focus on world-class service, our relationships are built to last generations, helping clients achieve lifelong goals through a thoughtful, consultative approach.

To learn how Avalan can empower you to reach your goals, visit https://www.avalanwealth.com/contact/.