Faith Driven Entrepreneur

From the Locker Room to the Boardroom: Trent Dilfer on NIL, Institutional Failure, and the Peace That Held Him Together Key Topics: • The NIL earthquake — how a $471-a-month scholarship check gave way to a multi-million-dollar collision between money and college sports almost overnight • Why Trent believes the “quick-fix” entrepreneur mindset is a spiritual dead end, even when it pays • The coming clash between private equity and institutional leadership in college athletics • How Tim Tebow's boldness opened the door for a new generation of athletes to talk openly about faith • The hardest story Trent has ever told: losing his five-year-old son, and the peace that “transcends understanding” that carried his family through it Notable Quotes: “I think you could be spiritually bankrupt if you go chase the gold and forget about the soul.” — Trent Dilfer “I have a peace that transcends understanding. I am not my own.” — Trent Dilfer “Our God is a master of brokenness. He is the healer of the broken.” — Trent Dilfer Description: Trent Dilfer has seen the collision of money and college sports from every angle: as a Super Bowl-winning quarterback who earned $471 a month on scholarship, as a head coach at UAB who watched NIL rewrite the rules six weeks into his first season, and as a broadcaster who now studies the institutions trying to keep up. On this episode of Faith Driven Entrepreneur, Trent joins host Justin Forman for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens when entrepreneurial disruption crashes into institutions that were never built to move fast — and why he believes chasing money without character is its own kind of bankruptcy. The conversation moves from the mechanics of NIL and the coming wave of private equity in college athletics, to the deeper story of how faith became a normal, bold part of the conversation in locker rooms — tracing a line from Tom Landry and Reggie White through the Tim Tebow era to today's young quarterbacks. Then Trent shares the hardest chapter of his own story: the loss of his five-year-old son, and the supernatural peace that met him in the middle of it. It's a raw, honest picture of what it looks like to trust God when nothing about the outcome makes sense — and why Trent says brokenness, not polish, is where most people actually meet Jesus.

Join host Justin Forman for a candid conversation with Stephen Ellsworth, co-founder of Poppi, the prebiotic soda brand that went from a Dallas farmers market stand to one of the largest exits in beverage history when PepsiCo acquired it for $2 billion. Stephen walks through the pivotal decisions that shaped Poppi's rise — rewriting the formula a week before Shark Tank, the branding fight that determined whether Poppi would be sold as a health product or a soda, and the negotiating table where his team turned down a $1 billion offer because it “didn't feel right.” But the most striking part of Stephen's story isn't the exit — it's what came after. He opens up about the identity crisis, isolation, and unexpected grief that followed closing the deal, and how wrestling with purpose in the months afterward reshaped his understanding of calling, generosity, and what he calls this next season: not retirement, but “preferment.” Throughout, Stephen traces how his faith — dormant since he was a teenager — was reawakened through the entrepreneurial journey itself, from a providential tax refund that arrived the week his mortgage was due, to the conviction that let him walk away from billion-dollar offers that didn't align with what he and his team believed was right. Key Topics: • From a Wyoming kitchen to Shark Tank to a $2 billion PepsiCo acquisition • The branding pivot that turned an apple cider vinegar tonic into a prebiotic soda • Why Stephen's team walked away from a $1 billion Pepsi offer and a $1.65 billion Keurig Dr Pepper offer • The unexpected identity crisis and isolation that followed the exit • Moving from a Mormon upbringing to a faith renewed through entrepreneurship • Setting up a Donor Advised Fund and learning to give with the same rigor used to build a business Notable Quotes: “Sitting where we are now, a $2 billion exit from a farmers market stand is just wild.” - Stephen Ellsworth “Pepsi is a huge system. If you're gonna buy us, buy us.” - Stephen Ellsworth “The idea of coming to know God more fully through [the entrepreneurial journey] is one of the greatest side benefits of the whole equation.” - Justin Forman

Recorded live at FDE's annual staff retreat, host Justin Forman sits down with Mark Grunden and Addison Williams for a rare, on-the-ground look at what happens when entrepreneurs stop doing this alone. Rather than talk theory, the team shares real footage and real voices — from a London entrepreneur now supporting 260 fellow business owners, to a 57-campus church network in Nairobi, Kenya that has built the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Foundation course into its entire discipleship program. This episode unpacks what actually happens inside a Foundation Group, why entrepreneurship carries a unique kind of loneliness that even a great small group at church can't always reach, and why leading one of these groups requires no certification — just a willingness to open a Zoom call, press play on a video, and ask a few honest questions. Whether you're an entrepreneur longing for people who get it, or a pastor wondering how to serve the business leaders already sitting in your church, this conversation offers a simple, tested, ready-to-go path forward. Key Topics: ● Why entrepreneurship doesn't have to be a lonely journey — and real stories that prove it ● On-the-ground FDE Group stories from the UK, Kenya, and across the U.S. ● What a Faith Driven Foundation Group actually looks like (video + Scripture + honest conversation) ● Why churches are uniquely positioned to reach entrepreneurs — no certification required ● The global numbers: 25,000+ entrepreneurs served, 250 partnering churches, and one Kenyan church network with 700+ graduates ● The simple next step: how anyone can start a group this week Notable Quotes: "When you get entrepreneurs in a group, community and depth happens really quick." – Justin Forman "That's really where we start to unravel the fear of the enemy is isolation." – Addison Williams "You gotta be faithful rather than willful. You know, you gotta think of yourself as a steward rather than an owner." – Mark Grunden

Join host Justin Forman for a conversation with Christian Pinkston, CEO of the PR and marketing firm Pinkston, that starts with a simple question about marketing in the age of AI and ends somewhere far deeper: a near-drowning in the Persian Gulf, a camel accident in the Egyptian desert three days later, and a voice from God that Christian says he'll never forget. For decades, Christian built a life and a career on convincing the people around him that he was impressive, successful, and worth something — while hiding the shame underneath it. It took two brushes with death in the same week, thousands of miles from home, for that image to finally collapse. What followed was confession, grace that wasn't cheap, and a slow rebuilding of an identity rooted in something that could never be taken away. Along the way, Christian and Justin dig into why AI has made authenticity both harder to fake and more valuable than ever, why story is the foundation of every real relationship (in business and otherwise), and why the same principle that transformed Christian's life — approaching God empty-handed — is also, it turns out, good business. Key Topics: • Why story is proof: how AI is disrupting marketing and making authenticity both harder to fake and more valuable • The 45-year identity built on performance — and the soundtrack of shame that shaped it • Two brushes with death in three days: a riptide in Dubai and a camel accident in Cairo • Confession, grace, and the difference between “cheap grace” and the real thing • Why he now pours into young men, teaching an identity rooted in Christ instead of performance Notable Quotes: "I realized like I had been pretending for decades to be someone I wasn't, to impress people in my life so they think that I was worth something." — Christian Pinkston "The hero of that story is you. But we're not the hero of our story. There can only be one hero." — Christian Pinkston "We'll tell the success story. We'll tell those stories. But these are the stories that we need to be telling more of. Telling the stories of brokenness." — Justin Forman

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast – Episode 383 Release Date: July 14, 2026 Why the Leadership Pipeline Is a Myth, and What Actually Works What if the most widely accepted strategy for developing leaders in your church or business is fundamentally broken? In this episode, Justin Forman sits down with Pastor David Ashcraft, former lead pastor of LCBC Church, which grew to 25 locations and 28,000 weekend attendees, now serving with the Global Leadership Network. David pulls no punches: the leadership pipeline is a myth. What replaces it is a culture, one that produces leaders from within, in real time. David draws on decades of experience scaling a church from 200 to 28,000 and overseeing 300 staff, 275 of whom were developed from within the congregation. His insights on leadership development, faith-work integration, and measuring fruit over process offer a roadmap for any pastor, entrepreneur, or marketplace leader serious about building something that lasts. Key Topics: Why the "leadership pipeline" model fails, and the culture-based alternative that actually works How LCBC grew from 200 to 28,000 people across 25 locations by developing leaders from within The "just-in-time training" principle: why proximity to application accelerates leader development The Global Leadership Summit: roughly 400,000 leaders across 1,120 sites worldwide, and why it bridges pastors and marketplace leaders Data vs. fruit: how to measure discipleship and leadership without falling into box-checking traps How business leaders and churches can learn from each other, and why ministry happens everywhere, not just on Sunday Notable Quotes: “You can have the money, but if you don’t have the leaders, you’re not going anywhere.” — David Ashcraft “The whole idea of the leadership pipeline is a myth. It tends to be almost more of a class or a course. If you go through enough courses, somehow you’re going to come out on the other end a trained leader—and you’ve received training, but it doesn’t make you a leader.” — David Ashcraft “If you’re a leader, people are going to be attracted to whoever the leader is.” — David Ashcraft Guest Bio: David Ashcraft served for decades as the founding lead pastor of LCBC Church (Lives Changed By Christ) in Pennsylvania, scaling it from a church plant in 1991 to 25 locations serving 28,000 people every weekend, with 275 of 300 staff members developed from within the congregation. He now serves with the Global Leadership Network (GLN), which hosts the Global Leadership Summit, an annual event reaching approximately 400,000 leaders across 1,120 sites worldwide. GLN features speakers including Jim Collins, Andy Stanley, Craig Groeschel, Arthur Brooks, and Patrick Lencioni.

Host Justin Forman sits down with John Cortines, author, generosity advocate, and a leader at the Maclellan Foundation, to unpack the heart transformation at the core of every faith-driven entrepreneur's relationship with money. Recorded at the Kingdom Advisors conference, this conversation begins in a Harvard Business School Bible study and ends with a vision for professionally managed giving funds that could rival the mutual fund industry in scale. John traces his journey from a young oil-and-gas professional whose online banking password was literally "retire@40!" to a husband, father of six, homesteader, and passionate advocate for Kingdom generosity. Drawing from his two books, God and Money and True Riches, John shares both the practical mechanics and the deep heart work required to move from asking "How much do I need to give?" to "How much do I really need to keep?" Key Topics: The wrong question most Christians ask about money, and the reframe that changes everything Why giving felt like a spreadsheet cell working against retirement, until joy broke through Financial finish lines: setting lifestyle and net worth guardrails before wealth arrives The four heart conditions around money (pride, coveting, anxiety, and indifference) and their gospel antidotes Why King Nebuchadnezzar and King David are the ultimate contrast study for entrepreneurs How collaborative, professionally managed giving funds could become as common as index funds Practical first steps for busy entrepreneurs ready to go on the generosity offensive Notable Quotes: “The right question isn’t how much do I need to give, it’s how much do I really need to keep?” — John Cortines “All things come from you and of your own have we given you.” — John Cortines (quoting King David, 1 Chronicles 29) “By definition, giving is actually a source of joy and freedom and purpose in the Christian walk.” — John Cortines Guest Background: John Cortines is the co-author of God and Money (2016) and True Riches, books exploring biblical stewardship and the heart transformation behind generous living. A Harvard Business School graduate, John began his career in oil and gas at Chevron before pursuing a calling to equip Christian business leaders with a theology and practice of generosity. Today he helps lead generosity and giving strategy at the Maclellan Foundation, which opens its global grant-making engine to families deploying resources worldwide. John and his wife Megan live on 12 acres in East Tennessee with their six children, where they homeschool, homestead, and raise everything from egg-laying hens to Thanksgiving turkeys.

What does it look like when 40 years of faithfulness meets a brand-new playbook? Rob Hoskins, president of OneHope, joins host Justin Forman for a wide-ranging conversation about the moment we're living in—and why the pioneer era of missions must give way to a new collaborative missiology. From a father’s prophetic vision of children having access to evil things on handheld devices (before mobile phones existed) to building one of the world's most far-reaching children's Scripture engagement ministries, Rob's story is a masterclass in generational faithfulness, innovative disruption, and Kingdom-minded collaboration. OneHope has delivered God's Word to children in every country of the world, in hundreds of languages, through print, film, and digital platforms—including the Bible App for Kids in partnership with YouVersion. Now, as the pace of change accelerates and the global church diversifies, Rob makes the case that collaboration isn't just smart strategy. It's biblical obedience. Key Topics • The prophetic vision that launched OneHope: decades before the smartphone, Rob's father saw how the enemy would target children through devices in their hands. He heard God say, "The only thing that will overcome these lies is truth. My word is truth. Take my word, give it to every child in the world." • From pioneer to collaborative missiology: Why the tactics that grew Christianity in sub-Saharan Africa from 4% to 65% in a century won't be enough for the challenges ahead. • Innovation requires failure: How two failed mobile scripture experiments cost millions—and made the Bible App for Kids possible. • The intergenerational handoff: Rob's father stepped down at the top of his game, saying 'It's when you're at the top of your game that the game's about to change.' • Close the Bible Gap collaborative: Six agencies pooling resources for Bible access in the world's least-reached places—creating shared measuring systems, logistics, and one-stop resourcing for frontline church planters. • Why 1.6–1.8 million nonprofits signals a problem: Comparing the fragmented ministry landscape to the market's consolidating instinct—and why 'God told me' can become a sacred cow that blocks accountability. • Democratizing missions: The global church is 75% non-Western—and collaborative missiology finally gives the majority world church not just a seat at the table, but a hand in building it. Notable Quotes "The only thing that will overcome these lies is truth. My word is truth—take my word, give it to every child in the world." — Rob Hoskins (quoting his father's vision), Page 2, 00:02:19 "What got us here isn't gonna get us to where we need to go." — Rob Hoskins, Page 5, 00:14:57 "I would be very unfaithful if I wasn't collaborating." — Rob Hoskins, Page 7, 00:23:02

Host Justin Forman sits down with Billboard-charting Christian hip hop artist and entrepreneur Tedashii for a raw, unforgettable conversation about identity, loss, and what it really means to build something that lasts. From writing his first song in elementary school to reaching #1 on the Billboard charts, Tedashii shares how grief transformed his entrepreneurial ambition—and how losing his one-year-old son Chase became the defining moment that changed everything he was building toward. Tedashii opens up about the difference between running from something, running to something, and the third road God placed before him: running for something. He shares his vision for a nonprofit called Chase Life, his passion for dismantling the shame narrative that holds entrepreneurs back, and why the church's next great revival may depend on artists and business leaders heralding the name of Christ with excellence. Tedashii (born Tadashi—a Japanese name meaning loyal, faithful, true, and correct) grew up biracial in Texas, discovered Christ at Baylor University, and went on to become one of Christian hip hop's most recognized voices through Reach Records alongside Lecrae. Today he's expanding into public speaking, acting, filmmaking, and nonprofit work, all anchored by the conviction that what he's called to do, nobody else can do. Key Topics: From missionary-minded musician to intentional entrepreneur—and what made the shift click Why authenticity in creativity transcends listenership and becomes a two-way highway The moment Tedashii's son Chase passed away—and how grief redirected his entire entrepreneurial vision Running from something vs. running to something vs. running for something Identity, Imago Dei, and why the enemy uses shame to hinder the entrepreneur Notable Quotes: "I decided to learn how to meet the needs of people, and that made me an entrepreneur." — Tedashii "There's so much pressure on arriving to the thing you're running to, to help you battle the demons that you're running from. And now because I'm running for something, getting to the things I'm running to doesn't, it's no pressure on it anymore." — Tedashii "You're a lousy someone else, but the best you there is. There is not another you. You are a rarity." — Tedashii

Episode: Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast — Episode 379 Release Date: June 16, 2026 Guest: John Rinehart, Author & Founder of Gospel Patrons The Generosity Revolution: Rediscovering the DNA of Gospel Patrons What if the most powerful force for global Kingdom impact isn't in the pulpit—it's in the marketplace? Host Justin Forman sits down with John Rinehart, author and founder of Gospel Patrons, to trace the remarkable thread of God-fueled generosity that runs from the early church all the way to modern entrepreneurs. From William Tyndale's cloth merchant patron to the couple who funded the Jesus Film and went bankrupt the very next year, this conversation unearths the stories that prove one thing: when you give to the Kingdom of God, losing is impossible. John shares his own journey—from a 25-year-old businessman asking "what's all this for?" to circling the globe for 132 days to discover what it means to be a gospel patron. Together, he and Justin wrestle with the three enemies of Christian generosity, expose the subtle lies of the world's definition of wealth, and reveal how focused, intentional giving is the quickest path to joy there is. Key Topics: The three villains of Christian generosity: the world, the flesh, and the devil — and how to fight them with generosity, humility, and integrity Why "radical generosity is normal Christianity" — what the early church in Acts 2 and Acts 4 can teach entrepreneurs today The jaw-dropping stories of gospel patrons throughout history: William Tyndale's cloth merchant, the patron behind Amazing Grace, and Bunker & Caroline Hunt funding the Jesus Film Why focused, intentional giving produces more joy and Kingdom impact than scattered, reactive giving The three marks of a true gospel patron: financially invested, personally involved, and advancing the gospel Notable Quotes: "Radical generosity is normal Christianity." — John Rinehart "I think when we give to the kingdom of God, losing is impossible." — John Rinehart "Generosity is the quickest path to joy there is." — John Rinehart Guest Background: John Rinehart is the founder of Gospel Patrons and the author of multiple books documenting the stories of business and professional leaders who have partnered with ministry to fuel great movements of God throughout history. After careers in business and seminary, John and his wife took a 132-day trip around the world to become global Christians. His newest book, 31 Gospel Patrons, profiles 31 modern-day business and professional leaders living out the gospel patron calling today.

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Pastor JD Greear at South by Southwest for a conversation that every entrepreneur in the church needs to hear. JD makes a bold, biblically-grounded case that marketplace work is not auxiliary to the gospel—it is the gospel in action. Drawing from his book Everyday Revolutionary and decades of pastoral experience, JD challenges both pastors and entrepreneurs to see business not as a platform for ministry, but as ministry itself. From the story of Daniel's excellence in Babylon to the unnamed "them" in Acts 11 who planted the most significant missionary-sending church in history, this episode reframes what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ in the workplace—and why it matters more right now than ever before. Key Topics: Why the Great Commission is not the First Commission—and what that means for your work The five characteristics of an "Everyday Revolutionary" entrepreneur from JD's book How Daniel's quiet excellence gave him credibility to speak the gospel to kings The ROI of Kingdom investment: Summit Church's church planting data that will reframe how you think about impact Why entrepreneurs are the "tip of the gospel spear"—and what pastors need to do about it Notable Quotes: "The first interface of the gospel and culture is in the workplace." — JD Greear "Daniel lived quietly and testified loudly—but his quiet life was the way that he was excellent, more excellent than all the other people in his class." — JD Greear "I want people in our community to say, 'We don't believe what those crazy people at Summit believe, but thank God they're here.'" — JD Greear About the Guest: JD Greear is the pastor of Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina, and the author of Everyday Revolutionary, a practical guide to integrating faith and work using Daniel as a model. He served overseas in missions and has led Summit to become one of the most prolific church-planting churches in the United States, sending out more than 2,000 members who now worship in over 100,000-person-strong planted churches. He also serves on the board of Chick-fil-A.

Host Justin Forman sits down with Chad Spencer — entrepreneur, Ashley Furniture dealer, and co-founder of the For Others Collective — in Nashville for a deeply personal conversation about what it looks like when God doesn't just own your business, but every dimension of your life: your giving, your family, your calling, and your pain. Chad's story begins in a Memphis apartment where three little girls slept on one sleeping bag, and it leads through a decade of infertility, failed adoptions, a business in freefall, and a premature baby born with a life-threatening condition — all converging on a single night in a hospital closet with a Tim Keller book he didn't choose to pick up. What follows is one of the most honest entrepreneurial testimonies you'll hear: a man who ran hard toward success, hit rock bottom on every front simultaneously, and found that God had been engineering every moment of it — including the son who changed everything. Today, Chad channels that journey into For Others, a nationwide initiative to end the child welfare crisis in America — not through charity alone, but through the same business rigor he applies to growing a furniture company. Vision. Path. Leadership. Team. Execution. The math, he says, is actually solvable. Key Topics: How a home makeover contest in Memphis sparked Beds for Kids — now 200,000 beds given nationwide through Ashley's Hope to Dream charity The decade-long adoption journey: failed adoptions in Russia and domestically, and what it cost Chad and his wife Kelly spiritually Hitting rock bottom simultaneously in business, marriage, and faith — and what God used to break through How a randomly grabbed Tim Keller book and Romans 8 in a hospital room became the moment everything changed The birth of For Others alongside worship artist Chris Tomlin — and the business framework Chad brought to the foster care crisis Why 400,000+ churches and 400,000+ kids in foster care is math any entrepreneur can understand The VPLTR framework: how Chad structures kingdom impact the same way he runs a business Notable Quotes: "God, I've got nothing. I am empty. I don't know what to do... but God, I need to hear from you." — Chad Spencer "Above all else, guard your heart, for it's the wellspring of life. I'd lost life there. I wasn't guarding it." — Chad Spencer "Purpose becomes a pillar. Not an addendum, not an attachment. Make it a part of the way we do things." — Chad Spencer

Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast — Episode 376 Release Date: May 26, 2026 Filmed at: Main Street Summit Who's on the Throne of Your Marriage? Running a Business and a Family With God at the Center Recorded live at Main Street Summit, host Justin Forman sits down with John and Ashley Marsh of The Marsh Collective for a raw, practical, and deeply encouraging conversation about what it really looks like to build a marriage, a family, and a business together—with Jesus as the foundation. John and Ashley are no strangers to hard seasons. After years of division, chaos, and nearly losing everything, they discovered what it means to place God on the throne of their marriage—not just in word, but in practice. That journey has since led them to walk alongside hundreds of families, seeing over 210 marriages reconciled and restored. From the 'vision vs. division' dynamic in marriage to the practical tools they use—like a Sunday afternoon spreadsheet review, calendar coding by values, and a structured weekly meeting they call 'engineered heated fellowship'—John and Ash bring equal parts humor, honesty, and hard-won wisdom. Whether you're a solo founder, a co-founder couple, or simply trying to honor God in every hat you wear, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Key Topics: Vision vs. division: Why couples think they're unified when they're not—and how to find out The many hats of a married entrepreneur: How uncommunicated roles create chaos at home and work 'Engineered heated fellowship': The Sunday afternoon weekly meeting that transformed their marriage and team When John publicly dishonored Ash in front of the whole team—and what happened next The $7 million decision made without alignment—and the lesson it left behind The Five F's framework: Faith, Family, Fun, Fitness, and Finances—with numbers on every one What it means to 'let peace be your umpire' in every major decision Notable Quotes: "We think we have a vision and we really have division. Division's two visions." — John Marsh "Faith plus nothing gets us there, and repentance plus nothing gets us back." — John Marsh "A lot of husbands and wives don't have brave conversations with one another. Because they're more concerned about the response of their mate than the response of God in that obedience." — Ash Marsh About John & Ashley Marsh: John and Ashley Marsh are the co-founders of The Marsh Collective, a faith-driven organization dedicated to helping couples build marriages and businesses that honor God. Having navigated their own story of brokenness, reconciliation, and restoration, they now serve as mentors, coaches, and speakers to families and entrepreneurial couples across the country. They operate from the conviction that a marriage placed under God's authority is the most powerful unit of Kingdom impact—and that the tools and language of business, stewarded rightly, can serve that mission beautifully. As of this recording, The Marsh Collective has seen over 210 marriages restored.

From the NFL to the Pulpit: How Entrepreneurs Can Outsmart Darkness and Flourish in Business Host Justin Forman sits down with Derwin Gray — former NFL safety turned pastor and author — for a conversation that hits as hard as a blindside blitz. Derwin brings his playbook from the gridiron, the locker room, and the pulpit to reveal what entrepreneurs are most often running from — and why the answer isn't another win, another deal, or another acquisition. Drawing on neuroscience, Scripture, and lived experience, Derwin unpacks the identity trap that snares high performers, the toxic shame-and-guilt cycle that fuels the hustle, and the one playbook that actually sets entrepreneurs free. This is not a soft conversation. This is a hard-hitting call to wholeness for people who build things. Key Topics: Why idolatry is the real engine behind entrepreneur ambition — and how to recognize it in yourself The neuroscience behind why achievement can never heal your soul How Derwin's lowest NFL moment (on all fours in a hotel bathroom) became his turning point Why entrepreneurs are the worst — and the most beautiful — at trying to outrun their wounds What pastors and entrepreneurs can build together when mutual intimidation is overcome The scripture passages to turn to in the middle of a hard day Notable Quotes: "Idolatry is I'm gonna find my self-worth, I'm gonna find my being in what I do versus what God has done." — Derwin Gray "You cannot fix your soul by accomplishing something, but there is someone who did do something to heal you." — Derwin Gray "BUSY is an acronym for being under Satan's yoke." — Derwin Gray

Good Money: A Framework for Human Flourishing Through Your Finances What if the way you relate to money is quietly undermining everything you're working toward? Host Justin Forman sits down with investor, author, and Harvard Business Review contributor John Coleman for a candid conversation about money, meaning, and what it actually means to flourish. Drawing on 15 years of writing on purpose and leadership — and a front-row seat to both great wealth creation and its casualties — John has written Good Money, a framework for entrepreneurs who want their finances to serve their lives, not consume them. Together they unpack the psychology of money, the danger of the hedonic treadmill, and why setting a financial finish line isn't giving up — it's the turbocharge entrepreneurs didn't know they needed. John connects rigorous mainstream research with ancient wisdom, showing that what Scripture has always said about money is now being confirmed by Harvard, Baylor, and Gallup. Key Topics: Why only 17% of Americans find meaning and purpose at work — and what entrepreneurs can do about it The six areas of money every entrepreneur must master: earning, spending, giving, investing, and saving Hedonic adaptation: the psychological trap keeping you on a financial treadmill that never ends What a financial finish line actually is — and why setting one isn't quitting, it's liberating The research-backed case for generosity: reductions in mortality, dementia, heart attack, and stroke Why wealthy societies score lower on human flourishing — and what that means for faith-driven entrepreneurs Building accountability communities around money: spouses, advisors, kids, and close friends Notable Quotes: “The Bible mentions money over 2,300 times. It never says money is evil, but it says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” — John Coleman “I believe firmly there is no success without significance.” — John Coleman “100% of the time is easier than 98% of the time.” — Clayton Christensen, as quoted by John Coleman About John Coleman: John Coleman is an investor at Sovereign’s Capital, a longtime Harvard Business Review contributor, and author of Good Money. A two-time class president (high school and college), former speech team competitor, and management consultant, John has spent 15 years writing about purpose, meaning, and human flourishing in the workplace. His work bridges rigorous academic research with the ancient wisdom of Christian tradition.

Branding, Business, and Breaking Hearts: How One Creative Agency Is Ending Sex Trafficking Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Brandon West, Chief Purpose Officer and founder of PHOS Creative, in an honest conversation about what it really means to build a faith-driven business from the inside out. Brandon shares how a 12-year journey from a home office — teaching Greek, Latin, and algebra on the side — became a 24-person creative agency on a mission to cultivate flourishing in people and organizations everywhere they touch. But this episode goes far beyond marketing strategy. Brandon opens up about the year his mom died, his team faltered, and his leadership was tested — and how that same season became the catalyst for a vision so big his leadership team laughed when he first said it out loud: launching North Central Florida's first-ever sex trafficking safe house. Today, PHOS has launched 37 care centers around the world — five years ahead of schedule. This is a conversation about awareness and trust, excellence and authenticity, uppercase Purpose and lowercase purpose — and what happens when an entrepreneur finally asks: what if God positioned this business for something greater? Key Topics: Why excellence alone isn't enough — the case for authentic, Christ-driven branding in the marketplace The "Flourishing Framework": PHOS Creative's six-dimensional model for caring for team, clients, and community From one Compassion International child to 37 care centers: the stewardship mindset that changes everything How a cleaning crew employee became the first sex trafficking survivor reached in Gainesville, Florida Why the problems of the world can't just be someone else's fight — and how to take your first step The difference between ‘uppercase P’ Purpose and ‘lowercase p’ purpose — and why it matters to your team "It is not your business to succeed": How C.S. Lewis's words reframed how Brandon measures everything Notable Quotes: "God has positioned this business for something greater. As we live that out and be that authentically to the world — authentically behind the scenes and then authentic in public — I do think that is where the sweet aroma of Christ begins to be so beautiful." — Brandon West "Do for the one what you wish you could do for the many." — Brandon West (quoting a mentor) "If you have something that's enough to chase, maybe you have enough to share." — Brandon West

Hollywood Is Broken—And That's Why Zachary Levi Is Building Something New Actor, entrepreneur, and faith-driven creator Zachary Levi (Chuck, Shazam!) sits down with Justin Forman at SXSW to pull back the curtain on Hollywood, authentic storytelling, and his bold new venture: Wyldwood—an independent studio and intentional community designed to fix what's broken in entertainment and in the way we live. From the untold true story of Sarah Rector—a 10-year-old Black girl in early 1900s Tulsa who prayed over her land, struck oil, and became the richest woman in America—to the AI flood rising around us, Zachary shares why he believes faith-driven creators are called to build arks, not abandon ship. Key Topics • Sarah's Oil: The remarkable true story of a 10-year-old girl whose childlike faith turned 160 acres into the largest pure oil reserve in North America • Why excellent storytelling—not preaching—is how faith gets metabolized by culture • Zachary's faith journey: from near-suicidal darkness eight years ago to a deeper, wider, more grace-filled walk with God • The identity trap: what acting taught him about separating your work from your worth • Wyldwood: building a modern-day Hershey, Pennsylvania for artists—intentional community, redemptive storytelling, and an answer to AI • Why AI is a biblical flood—and why that's the reason to build, not retreat Notable Quotes "When I started working in Hollywood and I got my first look behind the curtain and I saw how all the sausage was made, I was heartbroken because I care too much about other human beings and excellence to find myself working in an industry that doesn't care about either of those things." — Zachary Levi "There is a way to get messaging in your art that is not proselytizing. There's a way. And that is the way." — Zachary Levi "A biblical flood is coming. It's not rain, it is technology. And the ground is already permeating. The water is rising." — Zachary Levi

From ROI to EROI: How One Entrepreneur Is Helping Eradicate Bible Poverty by 2033 What happens when a retail entrepreneur has a Holy Spirit moment at a Bible dedication ceremony in Guatemala — and never looks at business the same way again? In this episode, host Justin Forman sits down with Mart Green, co-founder of Mardel Christian bookstores and a driving force behind Illuminations, a collective impact initiative uniting Bible translation organizations around the world with one audacious goal: eradicate Bible poverty by 2033. Mart shares the origin story of Illuminations — from a small table of five CEOs and five resource partners meeting monthly in a Dallas airport admirals club — to a movement now involving 300+ people from dozens of organizations who've helped accelerate Bible translation from a projected finish date of 2150 down to 2041, with faith believing for 2033. He also opens up about his family's mission statement, his daily rhythm in God's Word, and what stewardship really looks like when you stop being an owner and start being a steward. Key Topics: The Guatemala moment that shifted Mart's lens from ROI to EROI (Eternal Return on Investment) How Illuminations was built brick by brick — starting with three organizations and growing to a 300-person annual gathering The Stanford Collective Impact framework — and the sixth element Stanford missed (communal prayer) How AI and technology are accelerating Bible translation, cutting projected timelines by decades Why generosity, humility, and integrity are the only character traits Mart looks for in a partner The Green family mission statement: "Love God intimately. Live extravagant generosity." Mart's daily scripture rhythm and the O-I-O-I framework (Open, Insight, Obey, Intimacy) Notable Quotes: "In that moment, I kind of went from ROI to EROI. What's the eternal return on investment?" — Mart Green "Satan always attacks at the point of unity. I guess it's because it's powerful." — Mart Green "There's only two things that last forever — God's Word and the souls of men and women. So if I can get those two combined, it's less of a responsibility." — Mart Green About the Guest: Mart Green is a second-generation entrepreneur and son of Hobby Lobby founder David Green. He co-founded Mardel Christian bookstores at age 19 and has since become a major force in faith-based philanthropy. He is a key resource partner in Illuminations, the world's largest Bible translation collective impact initiative, which is working to ensure that every people group has access to God's Word in their heart language by 2033. Mart and his family of 50 — all living in Oklahoma City — operate from a shared mission: to love God intimately and live extravagant generosity.

Humility, Legacy, and the Why Behind It All: Building a Global Media Platform with James Dumoulin Host Justin Forman sits down with James Dumoulin, co-founder of the School of Hard Knocks, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build something that lasts. With 21 million followers and a media empire generating over a million dollars a month in revenue, James shares the surprising pivot that changed everything — and why humility, not hustle, has been his greatest business asset. From interviewing Tim Tebow on the streets to sitting across from billionaires who still have questions, James unpacks what he's learning about legacy, lifelong curiosity, and keeping God at the center of it all. Key Topics: The early pivot that launched School of Hard Knocks: Why they stopped making content about business and started interviewing those who built it Why the greatest entrepreneurs never stop asking questions — and what "reverse mentorship" really looks like The dangers of chasing wealth without a why — and what billionaires who "got it right" actually look like How James stays grounded while building fast: The entrepreneur's blessing and curse What James is asking the faith-driven community to pray for him Notable Quotes: "Broke people know everything. You can't teach a broke person anything." — James Dumoulin "The most important relationship we have is that one that we have with God." — James Dumoulin "Legacy is less about what you have or what you pass on. It's what you put in motion." — Justin Forman

Reaching Gen Z Where They Are: Digital Evangelism, Data, and the $2.30 Soul Host Justin Forman sits down with Sean Dunn, CEO and founder of GroundWire, for a conversation that reframes how entrepreneurs think about ministry, marketing, and mission. Sean has spent decades as an evangelist, speaker, and author — but in 2017, he made a radical pivot: going 100% digital to reach the generation that has stopped walking through church doors. The result? Over 2 million people raised their hand to receive Christ in 2025 alone, at a cost of just $2.30 per commitment. This episode is equal parts spiritual conviction and entrepreneurial strategy. Sean unpacks how GroundWire uses data-driven iteration, targeted digital interruption, and multi-URL messaging campaigns to meet young people in their brokenness — wherever they scroll. Key Topics: Why 76% of Gen Z and millennials have no connection to the local church — and what to do about it The genius of "interruption" marketing for the Gospel: meeting people where they already are How GroundWire went from $6.51 to $2.30 per profession of faith through data and iteration Why "our innovation becomes our rut" — and how to keep pivoting before you plateau The motivation vs. access framework for disciple-making in a digitally addicted generation How businesses can "champion a day" and watch souls come to Christ in real time The collaborative giving opportunity at solving.org Notable Quotes: "Some people relate better to whenlifehurts.com than jesuscares.com. So we just started to iterate on that." — Sean Dunn "In business as well as in ministry, a lot of times our innovation becomes our rut." — Sean Dunn "The hunger is real, the messaging is right, and God's on the move. And those three things add up to some phenomenal results." — Sean Dunn About Sean Dunn: Sean is the CEO and founder of GroundWire, a digital evangelism ministry. Called to ministry at 14, Sean spent years as a traveling speaker and author before pivoting fully to digital ministry in 2017. GroundWire operates a network of Gospel-centered websites — JesusCares.com, WhenLifeHurts.com, IFeelBroken.com, DoIMatter.com, and more — using targeted digital ads to interrupt and engage Gen Z and millennials at their point of need.

Eternal Perspective: Rewiring How Entrepreneurs Think About Rewards, Heaven, and the Joy of Work Host Justin Forman sits down with Randy Alcorn—author of 65 books including the bestselling Treasure Principle and Heaven—for a conversation that will upend some of the most common misconceptions entrepreneurs carry about rewards, happiness, holiness, and what work looks like in eternity. Recorded with the kind of candor that only comes from two people who genuinely love ideas, this episode digs into why so many Christians—especially driven, ambitious entrepreneurs—have quietly believed things about heaven and reward that simply aren't in the Bible. Randy unpacks the Protestant Reformation's unintended legacy, the Greek roots of "blessed" and "happy," and why Jim Elliot's most famous quote is actually about gain. He also shares the surprising rhythm behind decades of prolific writing—and what it means to partner with God to set something in motion that lasts. Key Topics: Why the happiness vs. holiness debate gets both wrong—and how God actually calls us to both How the Protestant Reformation created an overcorrection against rewards that still shapes evangelical thinking today What entrepreneurs get wrong about heaven—and why a "bucket list" mentality actually reveals a low view of eternity Work before the Fall: Why the new earth will have real labor, real joy, and real collaboration The through line across 65 books: Eternal perspective as the framework for stewarding time, money, and calling Notable Quotes: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." — Jim Elliot (quoted by Randy Alcorn) "God has not simply called us to holiness. God has called us also to happiness, and there is no conflict whatsoever between them." — Randy Alcorn "We affirm a belief in the resurrection but it's as if we're not wrapping our minds around what it means." — Randy Alcorn