Faith Driven Entrepreneur

Flipping the Script: How Entrepreneurs Can Rewire Their Mental SoundtrackJoin host Justin Forman for an intimate conversation with bestselling author and entrepreneur Jon Acuff in his Nashville home office. Surrounded by international editions of his books and personal reminders of his journey, Jon shares hard-won wisdom about the mental battles every entrepreneur faces—and how to win them.This episode dives deep into the soundtrack constantly playing in every entrepreneur's mind, exploring practical strategies to retire broken thought patterns and replace them with empowering ones. From his early days with "Stuff Christians Like" to building an 11-book writing career while scaling his business, Jon reveals the mindset shifts that separate successful entrepreneurs from those stuck in cycles of self-doubt.Key Topics:Why entrepreneurs need new levels of fear at new levels of growthThe "CEO of your actions, not outcomes" mindset that changes everythingHow to retire broken soundtracks and build empowering thought patternsThe difference between burnout and boredom in entrepreneurial lifeBuilding sustainable rhythms when transitioning from solopreneur to team leaderCreating practical tools for meaningful family conversations about entrepreneurshipWhy resilience is just giving yourself permission to start againNotable Quotes:"You should always have new levels of fear at new levels of growth. If you tell yourself, 'I've beaten fear forever,' guess what you feel like when you find new levels of fear? You feel like a failure." - Jon Acuff"I'm the CEO of my actions, not the CEO of my outcomes." - Jon Acuff"Great thoughts turn into great actions. Great actions turn into great results." - Jon Acuff

Building Faith-Driven Culture: The Four Human Needs Every Team Member HasJoin host Justin Forman as he sits down with Stephen Phelan, Chief Spiritual Integration Officer for Faith Driven Entrepreneur, in the iconic red-walled Movement Mortgage offices. Stephen shares practical, proven strategies for creating workplace cultures that truly love and value people—addressing the crisis where 98% of Gen Z feels burned out at work.Drawing from over a decade of experience at Movement Mortgage, Stephen reveals the four fundamental human needs every employee has and how meeting them transforms both culture and business outcomes. From launching "Love Works" benevolence programs to implementing mentoring systems that make disciples, this episode provides actionable steps any business can take, regardless of size.Key Topics:The four fundamental human needs every employee has when they come to workHow to implement "Love Works" programs that create authentic community (from 5-person teams to 57,000 employees like Hobby Lobby)Why mentoring isn't another burden for entrepreneurs—and who should actually lead itBuilding small groups in business that mirror successful church modelsCreating cultures where 91% of stressed Gen Z workers find life and purposeFrom "sneaky Jesus" conversions to baptizing employees: real transformation storiesPractical systems for loving teammates, customers, and communitiesNotable Quotes:"People that are walking through your doors, they have four fundamental human needs. Here's the first one - when they come in, they want to have friends at work." - Stephen Phelan"We all want these relationships at work. And as a follower of Jesus, you want to be able to say yes to Jesus." - Stephen Phelan"Jesus snuck up on me at movement, people just started loving me, and they started living out the things that they believed." - Stephen Phelan (sharing employee testimony)

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with bestselling author and pastor Francis Chan for a profound conversation about the tension between building and being, success and faithfulness, and the danger of running on life's treadmill without stopping to ask why. Speaking from his experiences in Hong Kong's fast-paced culture, Francis shares vulnerable insights about his own journey from mega-church pastor to someone seeking deeper relationship with God.This episode challenges entrepreneurs to examine their motivations, embrace dependence on God, and discover the freedom that comes from living with eternal perspective. Francis opens up about his decision to give away book royalties, the wisdom of Proverbs 30:7-9, and why he believes entrepreneurs have a unique opportunity to live differently and impact others through their choices.Key Topics:Breaking free from the cultural treadmill of endless achievement and busynessWhy Francis wishes he could tell his younger self to focus on the main commands of ScriptureThe danger of coveting in entrepreneurship and how to combat it through eternal perspectiveLearning to be quick to listen, slow to speak in a world that rewards constant talkingHow entrepreneurs can use their success as a platform to live counter-culturallyThe relationship between taking risks of faith and experiencing deeper fellowship with GodWhy Francis asked God not to make him rich and what that prayer teaches usNotable Quotes:"He tells me whether I eat, drink, whatever I do, do it all for the glory of God, and so even now, are the words coming out of my mouth giving glory to him." - Francis Chan"Don't you want to be a person that is known for their love and to be so much like Christ, who didn't consider equality with God something to be held on to." - Francis Chan"You don't want to be lazy with what God's given you, I would just challenge you to go, Hey, once you're on that road to success and it's actually happening, you have an incredible opportunity to live differently." - Francis Chan 

From Sports Anchor to FinTech Pioneer: Building Payment Infrastructure for the Next BillionJoin host Justin Forman as he sits down with Benjamin Fernandes, founder of Nala and Rafiki, for an extraordinary conversation about resilience, rejection, and revolutionizing cross-border payments. From covering the World Cup as a 21-year-old sports anchor in Tanzania to building infrastructure that serves millions across Africa and Asia, Benjamin's journey is filled with divine appointments, Stanford miracles, and the grit required to solve problems for the next billion customers.This episode explores the massive diaspora remittance market ($129 billion to India alone), the entrepreneurial challenge of building FinTech infrastructure in emerging markets, and why the greatest export from developing nations might just be talent. Benjamin vulnerably shares the power of rejection as fuel, the importance of gratitude, and why sometimes you have to build the bridge for the next 200 entrepreneurs coming after you.Key Topics:The $129 billion remittance market and why diaspora communities are economic powerhousesFrom failing high school to Stanford MBA: A miracle story of divine provisionBuilding payment rails in Africa vs Asia: Infrastructure challenges and opportunitiesWhy 30-35% of Nala customers are entrepreneurs funding businesses back homeThe power of rejection letters as entrepreneurial fuelGoing church to mosque: The gritty early days of customer acquisitionHow migrants enable local economies to thrive in exponential waysNotable Quotes:"There's something that's very powerful when someone tells you you can't do something." - Benjamin Fernandes"With privilege comes responsibility." - Benjamin Fernandes"I don't believe the lowest income region the world should be charged the most amount for fees, for payments." - Benjamin Fernandes

Breaking the Silence: Why Pastors and Entrepreneurs Need Each OtherJoin host Justin Forman for an enlightening conversation with Carey Nieuwhof, leadership expert and former lead pastor, as they tackle one of the most important conversations in the modern church: bridging the gap between pastors and entrepreneurs. From his unique perspective of having served in both pastoral ministry and entrepreneurial ventures, Carey reveals why there's mutual intimidation between these two groups and how churches can unleash the untapped potential of their entrepreneurial members.This episode explores the crisis of community in entrepreneurship, why 50% of retired CEOs die within two years, and how churches possess the "convening power" to create lasting connections. Carey shares practical insights from leading churches that are successfully engaging their business leaders beyond "handing out programs and parking cars."Key Topics:The entrepreneurial isolation crisis: Why there's "no default community" for business leadersMutual intimidation: Why pastors feel inadequate around entrepreneurs and vice versaThe spiritual gift of entrepreneurship: Learning from the Apostle Paul's business modelMoving beyond volunteer tasks to meaningful engagement for high-capacity leadersHow churches can serve as "incubators" for Kingdom-minded business venturesThe difference between "real friends" and "deal friends" in entrepreneurial communitiesPractical steps for pastors to start entrepreneur-focused ministriesNotable Quotes:"I think for entrepreneurs, there's no default community. You're on your own. It's sort of the hero's journey. You start by yourself, that pioneer spirit. Within two years of retiring as a CEO, 50% of CEOs are dead." - Carey Nieuwhof"Pastors are thinking, I don't make a million dollars a year like I haven't got staff and employees like you do. I don't feel like I measure up, and I don't know, I've talked to so many pastors who are like, I know this guy or woman could give $3 million I'm terrified of making the ask." - Carey Nieuwhof"You've got some in your church, and they don't know how to contribute, and they're feeling alone and they're feeling isolated." - Carey Nieuwhof

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Jordan Raynor to explore why most biographies fail to inspire and how reimagining these stories can transform faith-driven entrepreneurs. Through the lens of LEGO's miraculous founding story and innovative AI-powered storytelling, discover how play, perseverance, and proximity to our heroes can reshape how we view our calling in the marketplace.Jordan shares his mission to create "binge-worthy biographies" that compete with Netflix and TikTok for attention, revealing untold stories of mere Christians who weren't pastors but transformed industries. From CS Lewis's scandalous past to Ole Kirk Christiansen's Job-like trials in building LEGO, these stories prove that the same Holy Spirit who empowered history's heroes is at work in today's entrepreneurs.Key Topics:Why traditional biographies are "way too freaking long" and boringThe untold faith story behind LEGO's founding through fires, Nazis, and family tragedyHow AI video technology is revolutionizing storytelling for modern audiencesThe theology of play: Why entrepreneurs need permission to find joy in their workMoving from retreat to redemption: Why entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to engage darknessThe four counterfeit quests that distract from true Kingdom workNotable Quotes:"It wasn't the founder of Lego going to work every day. It was the Holy Spirit in him." - Jordan Raynor"We can play within the business. We can play within the four walls of the mission." - Jordan Raynor"Entrepreneurs every day say, I go into a space talking to people that don't think like me, don't act like me, don't talk to me, don't get me." - Justin Forman

From Pastor to President: Transforming Africa Through Faith-Driven InvestmentJoin host Justin Forman from a stunning lakeside location in Malawi as he sits down with President Lazarus Chakwera, one of the rare world leaders who transitioned from pastoral ministry to the presidency. In this remarkable conversation, President Chakwera shares his extraordinary journey from leading the Assemblies of God for over 30 years to answering God's call to "pastor the nation."This episode explores the critical shift happening across Africa—from aid dependence to investment partnerships—and reveals why Malawi's vision for becoming an "inclusively wealthy, self-reliant economy" represents a blueprint for continental transformation. President Chakwera offers profound insights on how faith-driven investors can partner with African nations to create lasting impact while maintaining dignity and mutual respect.Key Topics:The miraculous journey from 30+ years of pastoral ministry to the presidencyWhy Africa is shifting from aid to investment—and why this matters globallyMalawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as pathways to prosperityHow faith-driven investors can avoid exploitation and build trust-based partnershipsThe power of synergy: When pastors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders uniteNotable Quotes:"I didn't leave ministry. This is ministry." - President Chakwera"You cannot reap without sowing... we can prosper together, just like God can prosper everyone without him running out of stuff." - President Chakwera"Investing for me is using what God has given me in order that I might be a blessing to other people." - President Chakwera

Navigating Pandemonium: How Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs Can Rebuild Trust in a Broken WorldJoin host Justin Forman for a compelling conversation with Andy Crouch, bestselling author and senior fellow at Praxis, about the cultural moment we find ourselves in—one he describes as "pandemonium." In this thought-provoking episode, Andy unpacks why institutional trust has collapsed, what it means for entrepreneurs, and how the church's calling to serve offers a pathway forward.Drawing from his deep understanding of cultural dynamics and three-generation rebuilding cycles, Andy reveals why small businesses and the military are the only institutions maintaining trust above 50%—and what that means for Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs navigating uncertain times.Key Topics:Why our current moment is best described as "pandemonium" rather than chaosThe collapse of prestige hierarchies and rise of dominance-based leadershipHow COVID accelerated institutional trust erosion that was decades in the makingThe three-generation cycle of cultural rebuilding (lessons from Genesis)Why small businesses maintain high trust levels while other institutions failJesus's radical alternative to both dominance and prestige hierarchiesPractical strategies for lean, mission-focused entrepreneurship in uncertain timesNotable Quotes:"Institutionalism is when the actual mission of the institution becomes less important than just protecting the institution itself. You go off mission, and your mission becomes just protect our thing." - Andy Crouch"In the kingdom of God, anyone can be great because anyone can serve." - Andy Crouch (quoting Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)"If you aim for community, sometimes you get community, but rarely do, but if you aim for mission, oftentimes community is just a natural byproduct, and you're probably gonna get mission too." - Justin FormanAndy Crouch is a bestselling author, cultural commentator, and senior fellow at Praxis. His books include "Culture Making," "Strong and Weak," and "The Tech-Wise Family." He brings decades of experience analyzing cultural shifts and helping leaders navigate complex societal changes with wisdom and faith.

Join host Justin Forman for a crucial conversation with Dave Blanchard, CEO of Praxis, as they pause to reflect on where the faith-driven entrepreneurship movement stands today. In a year marked by uncertainty and rapid change, Dave shares insights from Praxis's annual letter, exploring how entrepreneurs can navigate challenges while staying true to their calling.This episode dives deep into the "moral ecology" that defines authentic faith-driven entrepreneurship - moving beyond buzzwords to examine what it truly means to build redemptively in today's marketplace. From practicing what we preach to embracing meaningful risk, Dave and Justin unpack the essential code that separates genuine Kingdom builders from those merely using faith as a marketing tool.Key Topics:The moral ecology of faith-driven entrepreneurship: 8 core principlesWhy "practicing what you preach" is the foundation of authentic leadershipThe three types of risk every entrepreneur must consider: money, comfort, and reputationHow to maintain Kingdom identity while building in the marketplaceThe difference between driven leaders and called leadersWhy people are eternal and projects are temporalNavigating the shift from faith being risky to mention to potentially exploiting itBuilding businesses that demonstrate redemptive practices, not just talk about themNotable Quotes:"People are eternal and projects are temporal. So how do we operationalize that?" - Dave Blanchard"Culture is not codified until someone loses their job because they violated it." - Dave Blanchard"There's a chance anytime the door opens up for us that we say, 'Oh, man, we felt exploited for so long by not being able to say this.'" - Dave Blanchard"When you find yourself exploding at a situation, something's gone haywire with your need for an outcome, your desire for control." - Dave Blanchard

When Church Meets Business: Unlocking the Power of PartnershipJoin host Justin Forman as he reunites with Mark Grunden, who brings a unique perspective from both the business world and pastoral ministry. Their unexpected connection at the DMZ in South Korea leads to a compelling conversation about why society trusts entrepreneurs twice as much as pastors—and how this presents an unprecedented opportunity for Kingdom impact.Drawing from groundbreaking research with Barna Group, this episode reveals how 70% of entrepreneurs believe that when churches and business leaders partner together, they can solve the world's greatest problems. Mark shares practical insights from his journey through missions, entrepreneurship, and ministry at Saddleback Church, offering a roadmap for churches ready to empower their entrepreneurial members.Key Topics:Why society respects entrepreneurs 2x more than pastors (and why that's an opportunity, not a threat)The faith and work movement goes mainstream: Insights from Lausanne 2024How Saddleback Church pioneered faith and work ministry since the 1990sBreaking the "parking jacket and coffee" ministry trap for high-capacity leadersWhy entrepreneurs are the natural first step for churches entering faith and workBuilding sustainable church networks that empower business leadersPractical tools: Foundation Groups and annual conferences that transform communitiesNotable Quotes:"Society at large, they respect entrepreneurs two times more than pastors of the community." - Mark Grunden"The way that we're gonna make a positive contribution or impact in the communities that our churches sit within, is really by empowering the entrepreneurs, business leaders of our communities and of our congregations to take that front row leadership voice." - Mark Grunden"Nearly seven out of 10 entrepreneurs believe that when the church and when business leaders and entrepreneurs kind of come together that man, there's a really good chance of solving some of the big problems of the world." - Justin Forman

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Sadiq Edu, co-founder of Pika, in Lagos, Nigeria, for an extraordinary conversation about faith transformation, entrepreneurial courage, and the power of data to lift nations. Sadiq shares his remarkable journey from being the grandson of a Sultan to encountering Christ through a series of miraculous events, including being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury.This episode explores how God works through business to address both spiritual and financial poverty, the challenges of building a fintech startup in Africa's informal economy, and the importance of staying true to your calling even when it costs everything.Key Topics:The miraculous conversion story: From Islamic royalty to follower of ChristBeing baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury after a divine appointmentBuilding Pika: Transforming Africa's $1 trillion informal retail sector through dataWhy you can't address spiritual poverty without addressing financial povertyThe cost of faith: Navigating family rejection while honoring God and spouseFrom Techstars rejection to acceptance: Trusting God's timing in businessHow bookkeeping apps can unlock credit, insurance, and economic development for 40 million tradersNotable Quotes:"You don't have the license to speak on someone's spiritual poverty until you've addressed their financial poverty." - Sadiq Edu"Entrepreneurship is pulling back all the noise to see what's true - whether in faith or business." - Justin Forman"If we lost everything tomorrow, doesn't matter. We know that the most important thing we have is Jesus." - Sadiq Edu

Join hosts Justin Forman and Dana Roefer as they go behind the scenes with Coby Cotton, one of the founders of Dude Perfect, to explore his journey from college basketball tricks to building one of the world's most trusted family entertainment brands reaching millions globally.This episode dives deep into recognizing and nurturing the entrepreneurial spirit in children, even when it shows up in unexpected ways. Through Coby's story and practical parenting insights, discover how to identify creative seeds in your kids and foster their God-given talents.Key Topics:The Dude Perfect origin story: From backyard trick shots to global phenomenonRecognizing entrepreneurial traits in "imaginative" (sometimes rule-breaking) kidsHow to affirm creativity in frustrating parenting momentsThe balance between faith and business in building a companyWhy the creator economy is pulling entrepreneurship conversations earlierPractical ways to nurture your child's unique wiring and giftsThe importance of early affirmation and creating safe spaces for failureNotable Quotes:"Entrepreneurship is a funny word. What was the word that was upstream of that? It's really just creativity." - Justin Forman"They start to show themselves really early on. And so as a parent, the hat that we're wearing is how do I see the ways that God has wired my kid? And then how do pull that out?" - Dana Roefer"I feel strongly that God has used Dude Perfect, which is a business for His glory in a way that if I had gone and done vocational Ministry, I don't think would have happened." - Coby Cotton

In this powerful episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, hosts Justin Forman and Kevin Kim sit down with Chi-Ming and Juliette Chien to explore their radical decision to relocate their successful tech company from San Francisco's financial district to Bayview - a neighborhood where 25-30% of children live below the federal poverty line.Chi-Ming shares how Dayspring Technologies embodies "bearing witness to God's redeeming of the workplace, marketplace, and community" through unconventional business practices like refusing to use leverage in negotiations, maintaining only three months of cash reserves, and implementing a pay structure where CEO compensation is capped at 3x the lowest paid employee.Juliette reveals how their partnership with Redeemer Community Church led to the founding of RISE, a Christian high school where 80% of seats are reserved for first-generation college students from low-income families, with a mission of 100% four-year university admission.Key Highlights:Why Dayspring moved from downtown San Francisco to Bayview, defying conventional business wisdomThe theological imagination that shapes radical business practicesHow "prophetic emptiness" - leaving space for God to fill - birthed a transformative schoolThe power of church-business partnerships in community transformationPractical examples of living out gospel economics in the marketplaceWhy achievement and control can be more dangerous idols than moneyQuotable Moments:"I think a lot of times we call something impractical when it's largely left untried." - Juliette Chien"In order to love a place, you need to know it. In order to know it, you need to learn it, so you gotta spend time." - Chi-Ming Chien"If somebody takes your coat then give them your tunic also... That actually has implications for how we think about relating to our marketplace neighbors." - Chi-Ming ChienWatch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.

In this profound episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, host Justin Forman sits down with Raymond Harris, a distinguished architect, executive producer, and venture capitalist who founded one of the largest architectural firms specializing in corporate architecture. Raymond shares his remarkable journey from questioning whether he missed his calling to building an 8,000-project portfolio with Walmart while revolutionizing his understanding of wealth, stewardship, and Kingdom impact.From giving away his entire wedding gift with only $600 in the bank to developing the concept of "Kingdom currency," Raymond's story challenges conventional thinking about success, generosity, and the true purpose of business.Key Highlights:Raymond's journey from pre-med to architecture and his bold request to become a partner at age 27Building a firm that completed 8,000 projects for Walmart over 37 yearsThe transformative realization: "I was really created not to be an architect, but to be a steward of his kingdom. Architecture was just the economic engine to do that."Why practicing generosity early matters: "If you're not generous when you don't have anything, you're certainly not gonna be generous when you have a lot"The concept of "Kingdom currency" - converting earthly assets into eternal impactInnovative approaches to inheritance: giving to children when they need it most, not when they're in their 60sThe danger of achievement as an addiction and the importance of authentic brokennessWhy donor-advised funds can become "storage warehouses" if not deployed strategicallyQuotable Moments:"Did I miss the turn by not going into ministry? And I didn't want to. I wanted to be an architect... about 25 years after running a firm, the Lord said, no, you never missed the turn. You've always been on the right road. You've been trying to drive the car by looking in the mirror, look through the windshield.""Why does he entrust wealth to people? But he gave it to us. So that we could steward it into his kingdom to take care of those that can't take care of himself.""If we think that we can keep hold of earthly money and make more money on earth and then give away more money and that's really pleasing to God, I think he's more interested in us giving early so that he can compound what is really his money anyway.""I call it kingdom currency. What is kingdom currency? Kingdom currency in my thinking is wealth and assets on this earth that will transfer into the next kingdom, which is eternity."Watch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.

In this powerful episode recorded at SXSW, host Justin Forman sits down with Renji Bijoy, founder and CEO of Immersed, the most-used application in the AR/VR space. Renji shares his journey from PhD student to tech entrepreneur, his mission to build faith-driven technology that brings people together rather than isolates them, and why he believes believers should be at the forefront of building the next generation of computing platforms.Key Highlights:How separating identity from company outcomes leads to better decision-making and freedom from emotional choicesWhy Renji builds Immersed because he "hates remote work" - creating connection in a disconnected worldThe transition from software to hardware and launching Visor - a revolutionary AR headset that's 70% lighter than competitorsCompeting with tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta while being guided by faithThe importance of believers influencing culture through technology rather than being mere consumersBalancing 80-hour work weeks with faithful stewardship and avoiding willfulnessHow Immersed is positioned to impact humanoid robotics through human pose estimation dataQuotable Moments:"If we do what I think the Lord calls us to do, which is to separate our identity from what our work is... actually it's a lot more freeing.""I'm building Immersed because I hate remote work... I think that there is a more God-glorifying version of that that makes us all feel very connected.""I believe that if you have a world that the most common devices that we use, built by believers, I think that's going to be a lot more of a optimistic, bright future."Watch the full episode on YouTube or continue to stream audio on your favorite podcast platform.

Recorded live at SXSW, this episode features Clint Phillips, the healthcare entrepreneur who broke a Guinness World Record and is now revolutionizing medicine with AI technology. Clint shares his journey from South African rugby player to treating billionaires in Aspen, and how his daughter's stroke led him to create solutions that could make healthcare "practically free" worldwide.Discover how Dr. Gabby, an AI doctor, can analyze your health through a 30-second facial scan and provide personalized medical advice 24/7. Learn why Americans take 22 times more drugs than the rest of the world and how technology could change everything.[Chapters]00:00 Introduction and SXSW01:32 Breaking the Guinness World Record for pushing a car05:11 Sports background and rugby foundation07:11 South African entrepreneurial mindset10:01 Meeting world-class entrepreneurs in Aspen10:29 First business venture and FBI investigation15:00 Building a dream clinic treating billionaires18:33 The healthcare crisis in America19:59 Personal tragedy: daughter's stroke21:21 Creating Second MD to connect patients with specialists23:57 Demonstrating the AI health scanning technology28:09 How the facial scan works and what it reveals30:00 Dr. Gabby: The world's smartest preventive AI doctor32:36 Global impact potential and African expansion34:09 Fighting the $5 trillion healthcare industry36:02 How AI could help doctors be doctors again39:01 Biggest challenges: lobby groups and regulation42:42 Mission work in Zambia: schools, clinics, and Miracle Dam46:13 How mission trips transformed his marriage50:54 App download and free access code

Key Topics DiscussedThe Current Challenges Facing Teens:60% of today's students will work in jobs that don't exist yetSocial media pressure and public identity formationCollege costs forcing earlier career decisionsRecord levels of anxiety and depression among young peopleThe Three-Part Framework:Identity Discovery - Using tools like Working Genius to help teens understand their God-given strengthsRedemptive Imagination - Exposing kids to diverse entrepreneurial stories and possibilitiesConversation Starters - Creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue about faith, work, and purposeAI and the Future of Work:How machine learning is automating predictable tasksWhy creativity, curiosity, and question-asking will be essential skillsThe shift from needing specific degrees to developing entrepreneurial mindsetsFeatured Stories and ExamplesLecrae's journey as both artist and business creatorPhil Vischer's VeggieTales story of failure and redemptionDude Perfect's entrepreneurial successPersonal stories of kids engaging with entrepreneurial contentPractical ApplicationsHow families can use the course for summer activitiesWays schools and churches can implement the curriculumThe importance of adults calling out gifts in young peopleCreating environments that foster entrepreneurial thinkingKey Quotes"Curiosity is a superpower""The only time you have to be good at everything is at this point in their life""Change starts with us and change starts at home"

In this special episode recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas, hosts Justin Forman and Richard Cunningham sit down with Brent Beshore, founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, to discuss what it means to take a long-term, cathedral-like perspective in business and investing.Brent shares his transformation from an achievement-driven atheist to a faith-focused entrepreneur, highlighting how his approach to private equity challenges industry norms with long-term capital, zero debt, and transparent fee structures. Throughout the conversation, Brent reveals how vulnerability and authentic relationships have been crucial both in his personal faith journey and in building a successful investment firm.Key Highlights:Brent's journey from atheism to faith and how it transformed his perspective on business, family, and achievementThe dangers of "acceptable sin" that starts small but eventually leads to devastating consequencesWhy living in the light through authentic relationships is essential for both personal healing and business successHow Permanent Equity's unique model of 30-year capital and no debt creates true alignment with business ownersThe concept of "cathedral thinking" - building something that may take generations to completeThe importance of community and authentic relationships in combating isolation, especially for successful entrepreneursWhy achievement, control, and self-reliance can be more dangerous addictions than substances

In this episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast, host Justin Forman sits down with Steve Preston, CEO of Goodwill Industries, to discuss his remarkable journey from Wall Street executive to nonprofit leader. Unlike the typical path of chasing wealth and status, Steve shares how he made intentional decisions to prioritize purpose over prestige throughout his career.After starting at Lehman Brothers, Steve felt a tug that his faith was calling him toward a different path. He made a deal with God that he would "never make a decision for money, for prestige, or for power," which ultimately led him to leave banking on the cusp of making partner. His journey continued through corporate America, government service (including running the Small Business Administration during Hurricane Katrina recovery), and eventually to Goodwill, where he now leads one of America's most recognized nonprofit organizations.Key Highlights:Steve's countercultural decision to leave Wall Street's wealth and prestige to follow God's callingThe rich history of Goodwill beginning as a church-based ministry to help Boston's poorest residentsHow Goodwill provides holistic support to help people overcome barriers to employmentThe innovative prison education programs helping reduce recidivism rates to just 5%The power of corporate partnerships in scaling social impactHow writing a personal mission statement helped Steve identify his callingThe importance of seeing potential in people that they don't yet see in themselvesQuotable Moments:"I felt like God said, I've taken you thus far. Will you really go where I'm taking you? And worse, most of the people in my close-in circle said, you're crazy... And I had this moment where I thought to myself, I have been like every other American watching these horrific stories on television and wondering what I could do.""Our founder's story and our founder's vision 125 years later is still very much a part of who we are... It was all deeply based in the conviction that every human being has embedded potential.""I often say, when somebody comes through our door, we often see more in them than they see in themselves."

Mark McClain, founder and CEO of SailPoint Technologies, shares his non-traditional path to entrepreneurship after 10 years in corporate America. He discusses building a successful tech company with faith-based values, navigating multiple funding rounds (VC, PE, IPO, and back again), and balancing business ambition with family priorities.[Chapters]0:00 - Introduction2:10 - Mark on South by Southwest and Austin's tech scene6:08 - The evolution of faith in the workplace10:26 - Mark's journey from corporate career to entrepreneurship15:32 - Understanding SailPoint's identity management technology18:47 - AI as both threat and opportunity in cybersecurity20:34 - Navigating different funding methods as an entrepreneur24:15 - The value of community vs. coaching for entrepreneurs29:01 - The importance of staying connected to church community31:40 - Building a successful business without sacrificing family35:29 - Four S's of Christian leadership: Son, Sheep, Stock, and Stewardship39:02 - A biblical perspective on retirement and stewardship44:23 - Closing thoughts on community and faithIn this authentic conversation, Mark reveals:Why success rates increase for entrepreneurs who start after age 35The value of both peer community and expert coachingHow to stay connected to your faith while scaling a businessA biblical perspective on stewarding resources and opportunityPractical advice for staying present with family while building a company#FaithDrivenEntrepreneur #EntrepreneurialJourney #BusinessLeadership #FaithAndWork #ServantLeadership