I invest in companies linked to war, climate change denial, child labour, and corporate corruption.
I also try to live by Buddhist principles.
So... can you be a good person with a bad portfolio?
In this episode, I wrestle with one of the hardest questions I’ve faced as a passive investor: what does it mean to own tiny pieces of companies whose values don’t align with your own? We explore the Buddha’s surprisingly direct teachings on ethical business, why ESG investing isn’t the simple solution it first appears to be, and what it means to live ethically in an imperfect economic system.
Along the way, I explain why I’ve decided to keep investing in VGRO despite its flaws, why time can be just as valuable as money when it comes to doing good, and how generosity may ultimately matter more than building the “perfect” portfolio.
Listen if: You’ve ever wondered whether your investments reflect your values, felt uneasy about participating in capitalism, or struggled with how to do the most good in a world where every choice seems to involve compromise.
Thanks for listening!
- The Buddh-ish Investor
Read the Substack post that inspired this podcast episode: Can You Be a Good Person With a Bad Portfolio?
Read more: TheBuddhishInvestor.com
Follow me on Bluesky: @buddhishinvestor.bsky.social
Email me at Sangha@TheBuddhishInvestor.com or drop a comment below!
