Join 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.

• The $129 billion remittance market and why diaspora communities are economic powerhouses
• From failing high school to Stanford MBA: A miracle story of divine provision
• Building payment rails in Africa vs Asia: Infrastructure challenges and opportunities
• Why 30-35% of Nala customers are entrepreneurs funding businesses back home
• The power of rejection letters as entrepreneurial fuel
• Going church to mosque: The gritty early days of customer acquisition
• How migrants enable local economies to thrive in exponential ways

"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

Join 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."

• The entrepreneurial isolation crisis: Why there's "no default community" for business leaders
• Mutual intimidation: Why pastors feel inadequate around entrepreneurs and vice versa
• The spiritual gift of entrepreneurship: Learning from the Apostle Paul's business model
• Moving beyond volunteer tasks to meaningful engagement for high-capacity leaders
• How churches can serve as "incubators" for Kingdom-minded business ventures
• The difference between "real friends" and "deal friends" in entrepreneurial communities
• Practical steps for pastors to start entrepreneur-focused ministries

"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

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.

• Raymond's journey from pre-med to architecture and his bold request to become a partner at age 27
• Building a firm that completed 8,000 projects for Walmart over 37 years
• The 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 impact
• Innovative approaches to inheritance: giving to children when they need it most, not when they're in their 60s
• The danger of achievement as an addiction and the importance of authentic brokenness
• Why donor-advised funds can become "storage warehouses" if not deployed strategically

"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.

Have you ever noticed how unhurried Jesus seems to be in the gospels? He always shows up for the people who need him, but he never seems to panic or rush to get there. 

Entrepreneurs can sometimes do the opposite. Even the words we use imply hurry: we sprint. We hustle. We flow. These aren’t inherently bad things, but they can have negative effects on us if they go unchecked. 

That’s what happened with today’s guest: Terry Looper. Terry is the Founder and CEO of Texon LP, an energy company with over $6 billion in revenue. He’s also the author of the book, A Sacred Pace which tells the story of how his unchecked ambition led to burnout and how he redirected his life by slowing down and aligning himself with God’s will. 

He joins the show to talk about his book A Sacred Pace, share how entrepreneurs can create better boundaries around their time, and give us a 4-step process we can use to hear from God.  

Make sure to follow the show for more great content from global leaders and give us a rating if you enjoyed the content.

We’ve never had someone on the show be compared to a Tom Cruise character before until today. 

Molly Fletcher is a leadership coach and former sports agent who CNN once called “the female Jerry Maguire” for her work representing hall of famers and champions. 

These days she focuses on empowering leaders to unlock their full potential, and she joins us to talk about overcoming barriers, developing drive, and centering our identity on something bigger than our output. 

Don’t forget to rate and follow the show on your favorite podcast streaming service.

Seeing captives set free and walking the last mile of restoration through sustainable employment. That is what motivates Taylor Blom, as the Co-Founder and CRO at Next Door Photos. As a rapidly growing real estate photography company, Next Door Photos partners with impact-driven entrepreneurs to create businesses that serve realtors locally, while redeeming global supply chains. Taylor shares about running a business that’s built to bring freedom to people’s lives.

What motivates you as an entrepreneur? When was the last time you even asked yourself that question?

It’s easy to get caught up in all the building, growing, advancing, and disrupting that you forgot why you’re leading in the first place.

This talk from Patrick Lencioni will help you reconnect with your why so you can avoid the pitfalls that stifle your organization. He originally presented the content at the 2022 Faith Driven Entrepreneur Conference, and we’re excited to share it with you here.

How does a pediatric physician become an entrepreneur?

It’s not a common path, but it’s the journey God has given Dr. Mark Piehl. While he continues to work in hospital ICUs, Dr. Piehl also founded 410 Medical after losing a patient. 

Dr. Piehl was sparked by the tragedy and set out to use the skills and resources God had given him to serve patients by offering timely and effective care. Now, 410 Medical aims to save the lives of critically ill patients by developing innovative tools that assist healthcare providers by improving resuscitation.

He joins the show to talk about his unique entrepreneurial journey and to share how God can use our experiences–both good and bad–to create something incredible that serves others. 

If you enjoy this episode, leave us a rating or share the episode with your friends, and be sure to follow the show for new episodes every week.

We’ve covered many topics since we started this podcast, but we haven’t ever had an episode dedicated to intellectual property.

Until now.

Today’s guest, JiNan Glasgow George, is an inventor, entrepreneur, patent attorney, and an author. She also happens to be a world-renowned expert on intellectual property with a history of advising startups and entrepreneurs on the subject.

She joins Henry and Rusty for a lively discussion about who owns ideas, the ethics of patent trolling, and the role entrepreneurs play in transforming ideas to assets that multiply their businesses. 

----

Like this episode?

Give us a rating, share the show with your network, and follow along for more great content every week.

Steve Cuss is one of the leading voices on anxiety and leadership in the U.S. His platform Capable Life is growing, while his book “Managing Leadership Anxiety: Yours and Theirs” has become a go-to resource for managers of capital in volatile markets and any leader who struggles with anxiety. 

His professional journey began as a trauma and hospice chaplain, where he quickly learned that in order to help people in the worst moments of life, he had to know what was bubbling under the surface in himself: his fears, assumptions, exhaustion, and anger. If he didn’t, those things would infect his ability to connect with people when they needed it the most. 

The counterintuitive life lesson: to deeply connect to God and others, we must connect to ourselves first. Steve joins us today to discuss how entrepreneurs can go from being managed by anxiety to managing their anxiety in health and productive ways.

Remember to rate and follow the show for more great content from leaders across the Faith Driven Entrepreneur movement.

We talk a lot about good work as entrepreneurs driven by our faith, but how does rest play into our roles?

In this special episode, author and frequent contributor to the show, Andy Crouch, explains how we have a duty to not just create good work but to create good rest as well. For him, the two go together: “good rest is the fruitful contemplation of good work.” 

----

Hear the whole talk originally recorded for the 2022 Faith Driven Entrepreneur Conference and don’t forget to follow the show for more great content every week.

You’ve heard the phrase “it takes a village to raise a family.” Well, Kenyan entrepreneur Joram Mwinamo thinks it applies to businesses as well.

Joram founded and runs SNDBX International, a collaborative co-working space unlike any other. Entrepreneurs who join the community gain access to over 30 expert consultants in non-competing fields, from digital marketing to law. It’s truly a one stop shop for founders to build and scale their businesses.

He joins the show to talk about his uniquely African approach to business and to show us what the rest of the world can learn from the continent.

There’s a lot of chatter out there about the challenges around recruiting and retaining employees. Dave Dunkel is an expert on these issues. The recently retired CEO has been leading an employment agency for over 40 years and has been on the front lines of major changes. In 1995, he played a pivotal role in taking the company–Kforce–public, a dream of his father’s who founded the organization decades earlier. Dave helped the team adapt to the staffing changes that came with the rise of the internet. He’s adapted to cultural and generational changes, and he’s stayed faithfully dedicated to excellence throughout. He joins us today to talk about how companies can attract and retain the right people, why community is so critical for Christian entrepreneurs, and what his favorite songs to play when he was in a cover band.

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.

• How separating identity from company outcomes leads to better decision-making and freedom from emotional choices
• Why Renji builds Immersed because he "hates remote work" - creating connection in a disconnected world
• The transition from software to hardware and launching Visor - a revolutionary AR headset that's 70% lighter than competitors
• Competing with tech giants like Apple, Google, and Meta while being guided by faith
• The importance of believers influencing culture through technology rather than being mere consumers
• Balancing 80-hour work weeks with faithful stewardship and avoiding willfulness
• How Immersed is positioned to impact humanoid robotics through human pose estimation data

"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.

Growing up, Jo Saxton assumed that most women worked outside the home. Her mother and grandmother modeled grit and hustle for her at an early age. 

She even says they had to “force” her grandma to retire at age 97. There was never any doubt that women could do great work in the marketplace in Jo’s family. 

Now, as a leader and entrepreneur herself, she is passionate about making that perspective a norm for people around the world by equipping and inspiring women leaders to rise up to their God-given calling.

In this episode, she has an open discussion with Henry and a good friend of the show, Paula Faris, who has plenty of insight to share about the topic as well. Throughout the conversation, the three discuss the competitive advantages to female leaders, creative solutions to big problems, and how male founders can play a role in empowering female leaders to create lasting impact.

Check out this riveting episode and don’t forget to follow along and rate the podcast on your favorite streaming platform.

When you think of the accomplished basketball player, Jeremy Lin, you may not picture an entrepreneur right away. But after Linsanity took the world by storm, the young star had to think of himself as a brand as well as an athlete.

Fast forward to today and Jeremy is still balancing the two worlds, especially as he grows his company, JLINN LLC. 

Over the years, Jeremy saw the transformative power businesses can play in communities. Mix that with the desire he had to steward the success he has had as an athlete, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for an entrepreneur. 

Originally aired on our Faith Driven Entrepreneur Asia show, Jeremy Lin and his business partner, Patricia Sun, talk about the Linsanity journey that made him a superstar, why he’s stepping into entrepreneurship, and how he and others can fight pride and stay rooted in Christ.

Alongside University of California-Berkeley teammates, former NFL running back and Baltimore Ravens Pro Bowler Justin Forsett created a sanitary wipe to help athletes on the go stay hygienic. 

Despite the challenges they faced as Black entrepreneurs, Justin and his co-founders encountered immense success, being featured on Shark Tank, Fox, CBS, and NBC, and landing partnerships with Target, Crunch Fitness, and Pharmaca. 

After rebranding to HustleClean, the founders devoted their company to doing more than selling products. They established a sports scholarship program to provide opportunities for underserved youth to play sports. Justin and his company also brought support and awareness to communities in need. 

He joins the show to share how his faith shapes his heart and pushes his hustle.

Want more great content like this? 

Don’t forget to follow the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast on your favorite streaming service.

Starting a business isn’t sexy. Sometimes, the road to success isn’t either. 

When Ashot quit his job to grow Shopmonkey, an auto repair shop management software, he had three months of runway-income for his family. He was signing up one customer at a time, creating designs for marketing, and doing live chat support while raising capital to ensure the business continued. 

In 2021, Shopmonkey raised 75 million in Series C funding, allowing the business to grow into 4,000 shops across US and Canada. 

In this episode, Ashot gets honest about the trappings of ambition, growth, and taking on risk as a Faith Driven Entrepreneur. 

At Faith Driven Entrepreneur, we want to connect and equip business visionaries like you to fulfill your call to create and transform the world around you. Learn more at  faithdrivenentrepreneur.org

Entrepreneurs are frontline ministers in the workplace. 

As a pastor and the former Vicar of Holy Trinity Brompton, the largest Anglican church in Britain, Nicky Gumbel believes that it is his task to equip the saints for ministry in the places where they work and live. For the past 3 decades, Nicky Gumbel has pioneered the Alpha course, created as an introduction to the Christian faith primarily for non-churchgoers. The Alpha course has attracted hundreds of young people who otherwise had no interest in Christianity. It has been run in churches, prisons, government institutions, and workplaces around the world. 

Nicky joins us at Faith Driven Entrepreneur to talk about uniting the church through the goal of activating believers and making the gospel accessible to all. 

Robin John believes investing can help the world rejoice. 

In 2007, he founded Eventide Asset Management, a firm that helps people invest without compromise. In this podcast, Robin shares the tension he felt early in his career while sleeping on a brand new bed in India as the guesthouse cook slept on the cold hard kitchen floor. While American management could have had a redemptive impact on the guesthouse they outsourced to, they chose not to, and that didn’t sit right with Robin. 

At that moment, he felt a conviction that many Christian investors face at some point: that wealth can be more responsibly deployed and stewarded. The institutions we trust with our capital somtimes let us down, so he started Eventide as a way to offer an uncompromising Christian voice in the industry.

Robin joins the show to talk about how to identify ETF and Mutual Funds that align with your values, and what mafia wives have to do with Faith Driven Investing. 

To learn more about Eventide visit their website at https://www.eventideinvestments.com/.

At Faith Driven Entrepreneur, we want to connect and equip business visionaries like you to fulfill your call to create and transform the world around you. Learn more at  faithdrivenentrepreneur.org.

If you joined us for the Faith Driven Entrepreneur conference, you’re in for a treat. This is the full interview with Strive Masiyiwa , Founder and Executive Chairman of the Econet, and one of Africa’s most respected business leaders. In this episode, Strive speaks about Africa’s role within the global marketplace. He also shares how faith has empowered him to operate in the world without fear and how other entrepreneurs can go bravely into the spheres God called them. 

If you weren’t there for the live event, you can still access the conference recordings here.

Check out more from Faith Driven Entrepreneur Africa at africa.faithdrivenentrepreneur.org.

Michael Jr. is a comedic thought leader. Using comedy and dynamic storytelling, he brings laughter and encouragement all over the world as he inspires audiences to discover and activate their purpose. This unique skill set has landed him on stages like “The Tonight Show” on NBC, Tedx Talks, and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” You can find him in Sony Pictures' feature film “War Room,” as well as starring roles in “Selfie Dad,” “Laughing On Purpose,” and “More Than Funny.” He is funny for a reason as he works to make laughter commonplace in uncommon places.

What is it like to sleep with the accountant? When your spouse is your business partner, it’s easy for business decisions to get personal, and personal decisions to seep into the business operations. John and Ashely Marsh know the tension first hand. The husband and wife team are the co-founders of the Marsh Collective, pioneering the redemption of Opelika historic downtown. Opelika’s story, an account of beauty from brokenness, mirrors their personal story. Through the sharing and walking out of their personal testimony of reconciliation, John and Ashely have given hope to hundreds of couples facing divorce and have inspired thousands of business leaders who aspire to live out their faith through their work. On this podcast, the couple shares helpful tools and stories for entrepreneurs who are partners in business and life.

David Green founded the well known American retail company, Hobby Lobby, in 1972. He has continued to run the company with his family for 50 years, earning billions in revenue. Even through the financial success they experienced, the values of the Green family put Hobby Lobby’s future on the line when they refused to comply with the Affordable Care Act’s mandate to provide employees abortion-inducing drugs as a part of their healthcare plan. Hobby Lobby faced fines upwards of $1.3 million a day for refusing to comply. But the faith and convictions of the Green kept them steadfast through the trial season. This episode was recorded after viewing the Hobby Lobby Decision documentary video by RightNow Media. In a conversation with Faith Driven Entrepreneur Executive Director, Justin Forman, and Director of Operations, Sue Alice, David shares about remaining committed to the mission of God in business decisions and passing those convictions to the next generation.

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 SXSW

01:32 Breaking the Guinness World Record for pushing a car

05:11 Sports background and rugby foundation

07:11 South African entrepreneurial mindset

10:01 Meeting world-class entrepreneurs in Aspen

10:29 First business venture and FBI investigation

15:00 Building a dream clinic treating billionaires

18:33 The healthcare crisis in America

19:59 Personal tragedy: daughter's stroke

21:21 Creating Second MD to connect patients with specialists

23:57 Demonstrating the AI health scanning technology

28:09 How the facial scan works and what it reveals

30:00 Dr. Gabby: The world's smartest preventive AI doctor

32:36 Global impact potential and African expansion

34:09 Fighting the $5 trillion healthcare industry

36:02 How AI could help doctors be doctors again

39:01 Biggest challenges: lobby groups and regulation

42:42 Mission work in Zambia: schools, clinics, and Miracle Dam

46:13 How mission trips transformed his marriage

50:54 App download and free access code

Tim Tebow is a two-time national champion, Heisman Trophy winner, first-round NFL draft pick, and a former professional baseball player. The four-time New York Times best-selling author, speaker, and football analyst shares about his most recent book, “Mission Possible.” In it he explores how the secret to a truly meaningful life is not more comfort or ease, but a clear mission and understanding of our God-given significance. We’re excited to have Tim discuss life, work, and making sure the spotlight is always shining on Jesus.

We talk with former Electronic Arts co-founder and VP Dave Evans. Dave is now the co-founder of Stanford University’s Life Design Lab. He is also the author of the New York Times #1 Bestseller “Designing Your Life,” about how design-thinking enables us to take up our role as co-creators with God. Design-thinking is now globally recognized as a powerful tool for innovation. And it’s especially helpful for solving “wicked problems,” the kind of problems that don’t readily lend themselves to easy answers with questions or spreadsheets. But how can Christ-centered innovators and entrepreneurs think about designing their lives and endeavors while following the will of God? In this episode, Dave tackles sovereignty and free will, the scandal of particularity, and how the word evangelism was first introduced in a business context. 

Jennie Allen is the founder and visionary of the women’s organization IF:Gathering, the host of the top rated Made for This podcast (17 million downloads) as well as the New York Times bestselling author of Get Out of Your Head, which was the #1 bestselling religion title of 2020. Her latest book is Find Your People: Building Deep Community in a Lonely World. She has appeared on shows such as Hallmark Home & Family, Fox News at Night with Shannon Bream, and been featured in various outlets such as Woman’s World, Brit+Co, Cosmopolitan.com, and Christianity Today. The estimated viewership for 2021’s IF:Gathering exceeded one million women in all 50 states and 144 countries., live streaming from Dallas, Texas, into thousands of churches, family rooms and dorm rooms. We’re excited to talk with Jennie on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast. Together, we’re going to discuss in depth some of the powerful topics she writes about and how they relate to us as entrepreneurs.

Inspired by deep compassion for others and informed from a Christian perspective, psychiatrist and author Curt Thompson shares fresh insights and practical applications for developing more authentic relationships and fully experiencing our deepest longing: to be known. With a considerable dose of warmth, and surprising measure of humor, Curt weaves together an understanding of interpersonal neurobiology and a Christian view of what it means to be human—to feel known, valued and connected. His unique insights about how the brain affects and processes relationships help people get unstuck and move toward the next beautiful thing they’re being called to make. Curt joins us to dive deeper into the soul of an entrepreneur.

Jordan Raynor is a serial entrepreneur, best selling author, and community builder who speaks to the eternal impact of work. He has written several best selling books including, “Called to Create: A Biblical Invitation to Create, Innovate, and Risk,” “Redeeming Your Time,” and “Master of One.” Today, we talk to Jordan about his most recent book, “The Creator in You,” which is written specifically for kids. Jordan wants the next generation to understand that on the sixth day of creation, God gave us the calling to be his image bearers and to fill the earth by doing what he did first: create.

Makoto Fujimura is a leading contemporary painter, a well known writer, curator, and founder. At his core, he is a creator. Perhaps best known for his bicultural artwork, Makoto fuses abstract expressionism together with the traditional Japanese art of Nihonga and Kachoga (bird-and-flower painting tradition). His desire is to reframe how we talk about art, love, and beauty from a biblical perspective, and provide a hub that draws creative minds together from around the world. Makoto shares more about partnering with God and the coming of his New Creation.

Peter Greer serves as the President and CEO of HOPE International. Chris Horst is the Chief Advancement Officer. Peter and Chris have co-authored the books Mission Drift and Rooting for Rivals. Just this year, they published their latest book, The Gift of Disillusionment: Enduring Hope for Leaders After Idealism Fades. Based on stories of Christians around the world, this book reframes disillusionment as an invitation to dependence on God in difficult circumstances.

Armed with their faith and a deep conviction that coordinating events should be easier for everyone, Angel and Dan Rutledge created SignUpGenius in 2008. Since then, the tech company has won numerous awards, produced millions in annual revenue, and serves over a million users a year. Although the couple exited the company last year, they continue supporting faith driven entrepreneurs in their home city of Charlotte, NC. 

They join the podcast today to discuss their unique entrepreneurial journeys and encourage up-and-coming founders.

Together with speaker and entrepreneur Liz Bohannan, this episode of the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast is one of a three-part series focusing on female founders and business owners who are pursuing entrepreneurship in different industries. Today, our conversation is with spiritual leader, author, and justice advocate Danielle Strickland. She has written several books and we’re going to spend much of our time talking about her newest title “Better Together: How Women and Men Can Heal the Divide and Work Together to Transform the Future.” Join us for an impassioned discussion about imagining a better world, embracing our differences as women and men, finding ways to end oppression, and learning how to work better together. 

Paula Faris has spent well over two decades in broadcast television. Most recently, she spent nine years at ABC News where she co-anchored “Good Morning America Weekend,” co-hosted “The View” and launched the “Journeys Of Faith with Paula Faris”. The Emmy-Award winning journalist released her first book, “Called Out: Why I Traded Two Dream Jobs For A Life of True Calling.” When she’s not speaking or writing, Paula is running CARRY Media, a company she founded to amplify the story of the working mom. As part of a series of episodes focusing on women entrepreneurs, we’re joined by Liz Forkin Bohannon who serves as co-host today. Liz is a renowned business owner and a previous guest on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast.

The Current Challenges Facing Teens:

• 60% of today's students will work in jobs that don't exist yet
• Social media pressure and public identity formation
• College costs forcing earlier career decisions
• Record levels of anxiety and depression among young people

The Three-Part Framework:

1. Identity Discovery - Using tools like Working Genius to help teens understand their God-given strengths
2. Redemptive Imagination - Exposing kids to diverse entrepreneurial stories and possibilities
3. Conversation Starters - Creating opportunities for meaningful dialogue about faith, work, and purpose

AI and the Future of Work:

• How machine learning is automating predictable tasks
• Why creativity, curiosity, and question-asking will be essential skills
• The shift from needing specific degrees to developing entrepreneurial mindsets

• Lecrae's journey as both artist and business creator
• Phil Vischer's VeggieTales story of failure and redemption
• Dude Perfect's entrepreneurial success
• Personal stories of kids engaging with entrepreneurial content

• How families can use the course for summer activities
• Ways schools and churches can implement the curriculum
• The importance of adults calling out gifts in young people
• Creating environments that foster entrepreneurial thinking

• "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"

Keren Pybus is the Co-founder of Ethical Apparel Africa, an impact-driven company based in Ghana and Benin. Ethical Apparel Africa was founded based on the core belief that all manufacturing can and should be done ethically. And they work with international brands who are interested in growing a manufacturing base in Africa with a positive social and environmental impact. Keren joins us on the Faith Driven investor Podcast to discuss the importance of leading a company that is committed to more than just looking good.

With a $200 loan and a pocket full of old bullet casings, Carmin Black set out to wage war on hunger. Today, HALF UNITED is sold in more than 300 stores globally and has been able to provide more than 1 million meals to children in need and gainful employment to artisans all over the world. 

Mindy Caliguire is the founder of Soul Care, a spiritual formation ministry that exists to increase “soul health” in the body of Christ. She contributes to Leadership and Conversations journals and she is an author. Her books include “STIR: Spiritual Transformation in Relationship” and “Soul Searching and Simplicity,” among many others. We talk to Mindy about why the wellbeing of our souls matters, the dangers of our journey as Faith Driven Entrepreneurs, and how we can practically care for the health of our souls.

Today’s episode is part of a two-part series that will spotlight ways pastors and the local church engage in the conversation of impacting the marketplace for God’s glory. Joining us as co-host is JD Greear, Pastor of The Summit Church in Raleigh-Durham, NC. We’re going to be talking with Chris Evans, an entrepreneur that JD pastors and author of “Fruit at Work”. Chris shares more about how we can successfully integrate Christian virtues with business. Co-hosting our conversation is pastor JD Greear, who is currently walking with Chris on his journey as a Faith Driven Entrepreneur.  

Pastor Kyle Kaigler grew up in Dallas, TX, and attended Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, OK. After working in the Employee Benefits business for five years, he made the switch to full-time ministry with Lake Highlands Young Life. In August 2015, Kyle, his wife and several other families started the Plano Campus where he served as Campus Pastor. Kyle has moved to CityBridge Church in Plano, TX, where he is continuing his pastoral ministry. We’re excited to talk with Pastor Kyle on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to discuss some practical ways we all can live out our faith on a daily basis. 

We often talk about the lonely road many entrepreneurs travel. But rarely do we discuss the pitfalls that come with the pressures to perform. It may sound like hyperbole, but for Mickey Peters, this combination of isolation and expectation ushered him to the doorstep of ruin. Mickey was leading a subsidiary of Duke Energy in Lima, Peru, with hundreds of employees looking to him for guidance. Mickey had no support network to lean upon, no friends to confide in. He soon found himself involved with a prostitute. Not long after, Mickey’s extramarital affair resulted in the birth of a child. Most marriages would have crumbled under the weight of this kind of devastation. Mickey admits that his would have, too, had it not been for the grace and forgiveness of God.

Justin Dillon has been working at the intersection of technology and human rights for over a decade. While advising the White House, United Nations, Fortune 500's and even The Vatican about slavery in supply chains, Justin saw a gaping hole in supply chain transparency tools and began to build what became FRDM. Investor Wesley Lyons is a general partner at Eagle Venture Funds and he recognized the need for accountability as well, which is why he has partnered with FRDM to redeem the supply chain. Justin and Wesley join us on the Faith Driven Investor Podcast to talk more about the demand for better supply chains.

President and COO Meagan McCoy Jones grew up at McCoy’s. She has worked as receptionist, advertising intern, and even shadowed in various departments throughout the company, becoming acquainted with many aspects of her family’s business along the way. Today, she is the fourth generation to lead this family business. Megan joins us on the Faith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast to share with us the bigger story of McCoy’s and what drives her to build better relationships with her employees and customers.

On today’s podcast we have the joy and privilege to hear from an investor and entrepreneur team that met via the Faith Driven Marketplace. Investor Tom Lernihan was moved by the mission and simple solution of the company Pureflow founded and led by Jared Fulks and Collin Wenrich. 

After traveling around the world to Uganda, Collin had a revelation as his calling zipped past him on the road in the form of a motorcycle… also known as a boda. Anyone who has visited this part of the world knows that motorcycles are the one primary way to get around. In fact, being a “Boda Boda” driver is one of the fastest growing occupations in East Africa–home to more than 1 million motorcycle drivers. However, after further research, Collin discovered that less than 20% of all these drivers actually own their motorcycles. And so began Pureflow. 

After investing a few thousand dollars of his own money and striking up a deal with only 6 boda boda drivers, Collin went pedal to the metal. Since launching Pureflow and partnering with Tom, Pureflow has grown to more than 100 drivers and counting. Together Collin, Jared and Tom share why they do what they do and how they continue to grow without outscaling their culture, purpose and impact.

Amy King is the founder and CEO of Pallet, a social purpose company working to end unsheltered homelessness and give people a second chance at employment. And while this endeavor alone would be enough for most people, Amy’s involvement doesn’t stop there. She’s also the owner of Square Peg Development, a general contractor, and a founding member of Weld, a nonprofit that provides previously incarcerated people with housing, employment, and other resources to help them reintegrate back into society. We’re talking to Amy about her desire to do more than just eradicate homelessness. She’s on a mission to demonstrate God’s abundant love through practical and tangible ways.

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.

• Brent's journey from atheism to faith and how it transformed his perspective on business, family, and achievement
• The dangers of "acceptable sin" that starts small but eventually leads to devastating consequences
• Why living in the light through authentic relationships is essential for both personal healing and business success
• How Permanent Equity's unique model of 30-year capital and no debt creates true alignment with business owners
• The concept of "cathedral thinking" - building something that may take generations to complete
• The importance of community and authentic relationships in combating isolation, especially for successful entrepreneurs
• Why achievement, control, and self-reliance can be more dangerous addictions than substances

A 20-year veteran of the financial industry, Helen Young Hayes has survived a bear market that gutted her funds portfolio in the early 90’s and a horrific plane crash that nearly took her life in 1989. Serving as portfolio manager of the Janus Worldwide and Overseas funds, Helen built and invested a $50 billion franchise in global and international equities. In 2016, she changed course and founded Activate Workforce Solutions to help employers find and keep loyal and engaged employees. Helen is a respected voice and staunch advocate for the overlooked and undervalued workforce.

Sharing food is a powerful way to bring people together. Feast World Kitchen enables refugees and immigrants to serve their traditional recipes to local residents, who get to learn about—and enjoy—authentic, international cuisine without leaving town. This food business incubator is building bridges between cultures and knitting its local community together. Executive Director Ross Carper is partly responsible for making this idea a reality in Spokane, Washington. Listen to Ross’ story and how God has uniquely called him to welcome the foreigner among us.

Janitorial services is a notoriously transitional job that experiences a 400% annual turnover on average. Yet in the midst of a challenging employment landscape, JANCOA has discovered what it takes to solve this people problem. For them, it all began with listening to their employees and then purchasing a 15-passenger van. CEO Mary Miller joins the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast to share her experiences and provide insights when it comes to retention and turnover. If you’re looking to solve a people problem, then this episode is for you.