Faith Driven Entrepreneur

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 boring
• The untold faith story behind LEGO's founding through fires, Nazis, and family tragedy
• How AI video technology is revolutionizing storytelling for modern audiences
• The theology of play: Why entrepreneurs need permission to find joy in their work
• Moving from retreat to redemption: Why entrepreneurs are uniquely positioned to engage darkness
• The four counterfeit quests that distract from true Kingdom work

Notable 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 Investment

Join 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 presidency
• Why Africa is shifting from aid to investment—and why this matters globally
• Malawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as pathways to prosperity
• How faith-driven investors can avoid exploitation and build trust-based partnerships
• The power of synergy: When pastors, entrepreneurs, and government leaders unite

Notable 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 World

Join 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 chaos
• The collapse of prestige hierarchies and rise of dominance-based leadership
• How COVID accelerated institutional trust erosion that was decades in the making
• The three-generation cycle of cultural rebuilding (lessons from Genesis)
• Why small businesses maintain high trust levels while other institutions fail
• Jesus's radical alternative to both dominance and prestige hierarchies
• Practical strategies for lean, mission-focused entrepreneurship in uncertain times

Notable 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 Forman

Andy 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 principles
• Why "practicing what you preach" is the foundation of authentic leadership
• The three types of risk every entrepreneur must consider: money, comfort, and reputation
• How to maintain Kingdom identity while building in the marketplace
• The difference between driven leaders and called leaders
• Why people are eternal and projects are temporal
• Navigating the shift from faith being risky to mention to potentially exploiting it
• Building businesses that demonstrate redemptive practices, not just talk about them

Notable 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 Partnership

Join 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 2024
• How Saddleback Church pioneered faith and work ministry since the 1990s
• Breaking the "parking jacket and coffee" ministry trap for high-capacity leaders
• Why entrepreneurs are the natural first step for churches entering faith and work
• Building sustainable church networks that empower business leaders
• Practical tools: Foundation Groups and annual conferences that transform communities

Notable 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 Christ
• Being baptized by the Archbishop of Canterbury after a divine appointment
• Building Pika: Transforming Africa's $1 trillion informal retail sector through data
• Why you can't address spiritual poverty without addressing financial poverty
• The cost of faith: Navigating family rejection while honoring God and spouse
• From Techstars rejection to acceptance: Trusting God's timing in business
• How bookkeeping apps can unlock credit, insurance, and economic development for 40 million traders

Notable 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 phenomenon
• Recognizing entrepreneurial traits in "imaginative" (sometimes rule-breaking) kids
• How to affirm creativity in frustrating parenting moments
• The balance between faith and business in building a company
• Why the creator economy is pulling entrepreneurship conversations earlier
• Practical ways to nurture your child's unique wiring and gifts
• The importance of early affirmation and creating safe spaces for failure

Notable 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 wisdom
• The theological imagination that shapes radical business practices
• How "prophetic emptiness" - leaving space for God to fill - birthed a transformative school
• The power of church-business partnerships in community transformation
• Practical examples of living out gospel economics in the marketplace
• Why achievement and control can be more dangerous idols than money

Quotable 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 Chien

Watch 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 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

Quotable 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 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

Quotable 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.