1. Economic Setup: Why "Quad 1" signals a shift toward growth and innovation.
2. Resilience over Predictions: How to stay flexible when market forecasts fail.
3. The "Why" of Money: Aligning your 2026 strategy with family and freedom.

"Prepare for 2026 without market predictions. Allan Malina discusses regime-based investing, Quad 1 setups, and purpose-driven financial planning in Forest, VA."

Episode Overview In this episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina explains why successful financial planning for 2026 isn’t about predicting markets, but about positioning thoughtfully through regime-based investing. As early Quad 1 conditions emerge—characterized by cooling inflation and stabilizing growth—Allan breaks down what this historical shift means for portfolio leadership, innovation, and broader market participation in the year ahead.

The conversation then pivots from macro trends to the bigger picture: building a purpose-driven financial plan that serves your life, not just your portfolio. Serving families and professionals in Lynchburg and Forest, VA, Allan outlines how clarity around family, freedom, and flexibility creates a "margin of safety." Learn how to design a resilient plan that adapts as markets and life change—without the pitfalls of over-optimization or unnecessary risk.

Q: What is regime-based investing? A: Regime-based investing is a strategy that focuses on identifying the current economic environment (growth and inflation trends) rather than trying to predict future market prices. By understanding if we are in a phase of rising growth and falling inflation (Quad 1), investors can position portfolios toward historically successful assets like innovation and growth stocks.

Q: Why are market predictions often unreliable for 2026? A: Market predictions fail because they rely on forecasting specific events that are often impacted by "black swan" volatility. Instead, disciplined investors look at macro setups—like the current cooling inflation and stabilizing growth heading into January 2026—to stay flexible and resilient regardless of short-term fluctuations.

Q: How does a "purpose-driven" plan handle economic changes? A: A purpose-driven plan builds a "margin of safety" by clarifying what your money is for—such as family experiences or financial freedom. By designing a plan that adapts as life changes, you create peace of mind that isn't dependent on "perfect" market timing.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.

1. Signal vs. Noise: Why 2025's recession headlines and inflation panic failed to derail the markets.
2. Regime Shift Lessons: How understanding the "Quad" sequence (4,3,2,1) provided the real roadmap for 2025.
3. The Year-End Clean-up: The critical difference between portfolio rebalancing and true "behavioral resets."
4. Accountability: Why "what we got wrong" is the most important question an advisor can answer on-air.

"Prepare for 2026 by reviewing what actually mattered in 2025. Allan Malina discusses macro regime shifts (Quads), market signals, and year-end planning in Lynchburg."

Episode Overview In this year-end episode of Purpose Driven Finances, Allan Malina steps back from the headlines to separate the signals from the noise that shaped markets in 2025. While much of the attention focused on recession fears and AI hype, the forces that truly mattered were liquidity conditions and shifting macro regimes. Allan explains the four economic “Quads” and how moving through those regimes determined market leadership over the course of the year.

The conversation then turns practical with a year-end reset for families in Lynchburg and Forest, VA, heading into 2026. Allan walks through key portfolio and planning items that shouldn’t be carried into a new year, including concentration risk, cash positioning, beneficiary designations, and estate basics. The episode closes with a “Hard Questions” segment—an honest look at where assumptions and models fell short in 2025, and how disciplined, rules-based guardrails can help families move forward with greater clarity and resilience in 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions: 2025 Year-In-Review

Q: What is the difference between "Signal" and "Noise" in investing? A: In 2025, "noise" consisted of sensationalized recession headlines and AI hype that led to performance chasing. The "signal" refers to the actual drivers of market returns: liquidity conditions, price trends, and macro regime changes (Quads). Focusing on signals helps investors avoid fear-based decisions.

Q: How did the economic "Quads" affect market leadership in 2025? A: Market leadership in 2025 was determined by the transition through macro regimes. By identifying whether the economy was in Quad 4 (deflationary) or shifting toward Quad 1 (growth), investors could move away from over-concentration and align their portfolios with the sectors historically favored by those specific liquidity conditions.

Q: What is included in a year-end financial planning "clean-up"? A: A comprehensive year-end reset includes portfolio rebalancing to manage concentration risk and a planning audit of beneficiary designations, cash flow needs, and estate basics. At Servus Capital Management, we also prioritize a "behavioral reset" to establish rules-based guardrails for the upcoming year.

Q: Why should a fiduciary advisor ask "Hard Questions" at year-end? A: Asking hard questions about where models or assumptions failed creates transparency and accountability. For families in Lynchburg and Forest, this honesty is a hallmark of a fiduciary relationship, ensuring that the planning process remains resilient and adapts to real-world outcomes rather than sticking to outdated narratives.

Allan Malina is a fiduciary financial advisor and founder of Servus Capital Management in Forest, Virginia. He specializes in purpose-driven planning for retirees and mission-aligned organizations.

Air Date: December 20, 2025

Episode: Purpose-Driven Giving — Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center of Lynchburg, VA

This episode connects market clarity with community impact. Allan begins with a portfolio and market update, then shifts the focus to purpose-driven giving, highlighting how local organizations strengthen families and provide stability during critical life moments.

📈 Segment One — Portfolio & Market Update

Allan breaks down several key developments shaping the current environment:

• AI & Hyperscale Data Centers: Headlines around uncertainty near a major AI-linked data center project raise questions about infrastructure spending. Allan explains why hyperscale data centers matter to AI development and why isolated headlines don’t necessarily signal a slowdown in long-term investment.
• CPI Inflation Report: Inflation cooled to 2.74%, below expectations and down meaningfully from prior readings, reinforcing the trend toward easing inflation pressures.
• Looking Ahead to 2026: Despite narratives suggesting challenges ahead, current data shows lower inflation and stabilizing growth—conditions increasingly consistent with an early Quad 1 environment.

The takeaway: markets are transitioning, and disciplined process matters more than reacting to headlines.

🧭 Segment Two — Purpose-Driven Giving: Investing in Our Community

Nonprofit Spotlight: Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center — Lynchburg, VA

Guests: Jane Oliver (Executive Director) & Adara Wright (Marketing Director)

The second half of the episode focuses on purpose-driven giving and the real needs facing women and families in the Lynchburg community. Jane and Adara share their personal purpose, what led them to serve, and the mission of Blue Ridge Pregnancy Center.

The discussion explores the challenges families face today, why local support matters, and how the Center provides care, guidance, and practical resources. Allan and the guests also discuss year-end giving opportunities and how listeners can support the Center through donations or involvement before year-end.

This conversation highlights how generosity, when aligned with purpose, creates real and lasting impact.

💬 Key Takeaway

Clear thinking in markets and purposeful generosity in community both stem from the same discipline: intentional stewardship.