Podcast
Faith Driven Entrepreneur
Hosted by Faith Driven Media · EN
Faith Driven Entrepreneur exists to encourage, equip, empower, and support Christ-following entrepreneurially-minded people worldwide with world-class content and community. Here, you'll find conversations with business leaders from around the world who will share how their faith affects their work.
22episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
The Marriage Mistake Costing Entrepreneurs Everything | John & Ash Marsh | FDE Ep. 376
3d ago00:43:31Tap to summarizeFaith Driven Entrepreneur Podcast — Episode 376 Release Date: May 26, 2026 Filmed at: Main Street Summit Who's on the Throne of Your Marriage? Running a Business and a Family With God at the Center Recorded live at Main Street Summit, host Justin Forman sits down with John and Ashley Marsh of The Marsh Collective for a raw, practical, and deeply encouraging conversation about what it really looks like to build a marriage, a family, and a business together—with Jesus as the foundation. John and Ashley are no strangers to hard seasons. After years of division, chaos, and nearly losing everything, they discovered what it means to place God on the throne of their marriage—not just in word, but in practice. That journey has since led them to walk alongside hundreds of families, seeing over 210 marriages reconciled and restored. From the 'vision vs. division' dynamic in marriage to the practical tools they use—like a Sunday afternoon spreadsheet review, calendar coding by values, and a structured weekly meeting they call 'engineered heated fellowship'—John and Ash bring equal parts humor, honesty, and hard-won wisdom. Whether you're a solo founder, a co-founder couple, or simply trying to honor God in every hat you wear, this episode will meet you exactly where you are. Key Topics: Vision vs. division: Why couples think they're unified when they're not—and how to find out The many hats of a married entrepreneur: How uncommunicated roles create chaos at home and work 'Engineered heated fellowship': The Sunday afternoon weekly meeting that transformed their marriage and team When John publicly dishonored Ash in front of the whole team—and what happened next The $7 million decision made without alignment—and the lesson it left behind The Five F's framework: Faith, Family, Fun, Fitness, and Finances—with numbers on every one What it means to 'let peace be your umpire' in every major decision Notable Quotes: "We think we have a vision and we really have division. Division's two visions." — John Marsh "Faith plus nothing gets us there, and repentance plus nothing gets us back." — John Marsh "A lot of husbands and wives don't have brave conversations with one another. Because they're more concerned about the response of their mate than the response of God in that obedience." — Ash Marsh About John & Ashley Marsh: John and Ashley Marsh are the co-founders of The Marsh Collective, a faith-driven organization dedicated to helping couples build marriages and businesses that honor God. Having navigated their own story of brokenness, reconciliation, and restoration, they now serve as mentors, coaches, and speakers to families and entrepreneurial couples across the country. They operate from the conviction that a marriage placed under God's authority is the most powerful unit of Kingdom impact—and that the tools and language of business, stewarded rightly, can serve that mission beautifully. As of this recording, The Marsh Collective has seen over 210 marriages restored.
Transcribe →
NFL Pro's Secret: Why Success & Achievement Can Never Heal You | Derwin Gray | FDE Podcast Ep. 375
1w ago00:41:30Tap to summarizeFrom the NFL to the Pulpit: How Entrepreneurs Can Outsmart Darkness and Flourish in Business Host Justin Forman sits down with Derwin Gray — former NFL safety turned pastor and author — for a conversation that hits as hard as a blindside blitz. Derwin brings his playbook from the gridiron, the locker room, and the pulpit to reveal what entrepreneurs are most often running from — and why the answer isn't another win, another deal, or another acquisition. Drawing on neuroscience, Scripture, and lived experience, Derwin unpacks the identity trap that snares high performers, the toxic shame-and-guilt cycle that fuels the hustle, and the one playbook that actually sets entrepreneurs free. This is not a soft conversation. This is a hard-hitting call to wholeness for people who build things. Key Topics: Why idolatry is the real engine behind entrepreneur ambition — and how to recognize it in yourself The neuroscience behind why achievement can never heal your soul How Derwin's lowest NFL moment (on all fours in a hotel bathroom) became his turning point Why entrepreneurs are the worst — and the most beautiful — at trying to outrun their wounds What pastors and entrepreneurs can build together when mutual intimidation is overcome The scripture passages to turn to in the middle of a hard day Notable Quotes: "Idolatry is I'm gonna find my self-worth, I'm gonna find my being in what I do versus what God has done." — Derwin Gray "You cannot fix your soul by accomplishing something, but there is someone who did do something to heal you." — Derwin Gray "BUSY is an acronym for being under Satan's yoke." — Derwin Gray
Transcribe →
Episode 374 - The Bible Mentions Money 2,300X. Here’s the Good Money Framework | John Coleman
2w ago00:41:57Tap to summarizeGood Money: A Framework for Human Flourishing Through Your Finances What if the way you relate to money is quietly undermining everything you're working toward? Host Justin Forman sits down with investor, author, and Harvard Business Review contributor John Coleman for a candid conversation about money, meaning, and what it actually means to flourish. Drawing on 15 years of writing on purpose and leadership — and a front-row seat to both great wealth creation and its casualties — John has written Good Money, a framework for entrepreneurs who want their finances to serve their lives, not consume them. Together they unpack the psychology of money, the danger of the hedonic treadmill, and why setting a financial finish line isn't giving up — it's the turbocharge entrepreneurs didn't know they needed. John connects rigorous mainstream research with ancient wisdom, showing that what Scripture has always said about money is now being confirmed by Harvard, Baylor, and Gallup. Key Topics: Why only 17% of Americans find meaning and purpose at work — and what entrepreneurs can do about it The six areas of money every entrepreneur must master: earning, spending, giving, investing, and saving Hedonic adaptation: the psychological trap keeping you on a financial treadmill that never ends What a financial finish line actually is — and why setting one isn't quitting, it's liberating The research-backed case for generosity: reductions in mortality, dementia, heart attack, and stroke Why wealthy societies score lower on human flourishing — and what that means for faith-driven entrepreneurs Building accountability communities around money: spouses, advisors, kids, and close friends Notable Quotes: “The Bible mentions money over 2,300 times. It never says money is evil, but it says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” — John Coleman “I believe firmly there is no success without significance.” — John Coleman “100% of the time is easier than 98% of the time.” — Clayton Christensen, as quoted by John Coleman About John Coleman: John Coleman is an investor at Sovereign’s Capital, a longtime Harvard Business Review contributor, and author of Good Money. A two-time class president (high school and college), former speech team competitor, and management consultant, John has spent 15 years writing about purpose, meaning, and human flourishing in the workplace. His work bridges rigorous academic research with the ancient wisdom of Christian tradition.
Transcribe →
Episode 373 - Why Christian Entrepreneurs Must Take Their Blinders Off | Brandon West
3w ago00:50:49Tap to summarizeBranding, Business, and Breaking Hearts: How One Creative Agency Is Ending Sex Trafficking Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with Brandon West, Chief Purpose Officer and founder of PHOS Creative, in an honest conversation about what it really means to build a faith-driven business from the inside out. Brandon shares how a 12-year journey from a home office — teaching Greek, Latin, and algebra on the side — became a 24-person creative agency on a mission to cultivate flourishing in people and organizations everywhere they touch. But this episode goes far beyond marketing strategy. Brandon opens up about the year his mom died, his team faltered, and his leadership was tested — and how that same season became the catalyst for a vision so big his leadership team laughed when he first said it out loud: launching North Central Florida's first-ever sex trafficking safe house. Today, PHOS has launched 37 care centers around the world — five years ahead of schedule. This is a conversation about awareness and trust, excellence and authenticity, uppercase Purpose and lowercase purpose — and what happens when an entrepreneur finally asks: what if God positioned this business for something greater? Key Topics: Why excellence alone isn't enough — the case for authentic, Christ-driven branding in the marketplace The "Flourishing Framework": PHOS Creative's six-dimensional model for caring for team, clients, and community From one Compassion International child to 37 care centers: the stewardship mindset that changes everything How a cleaning crew employee became the first sex trafficking survivor reached in Gainesville, Florida Why the problems of the world can't just be someone else's fight — and how to take your first step The difference between ‘uppercase P’ Purpose and ‘lowercase p’ purpose — and why it matters to your team "It is not your business to succeed": How C.S. Lewis's words reframed how Brandon measures everything Notable Quotes: "God has positioned this business for something greater. As we live that out and be that authentically to the world — authentically behind the scenes and then authentic in public — I do think that is where the sweet aroma of Christ begins to be so beautiful." — Brandon West "Do for the one what you wish you could do for the many." — Brandon West (quoting a mentor) "If you have something that's enough to chase, maybe you have enough to share." — Brandon West
Transcribe →
Episode 372 - Your Industry is Broken. Are You Called to Fix It? | Zachary Levi
Apr 2800:43:13Tap to summarizeHollywood Is Broken—And That's Why Zachary Levi Is Building Something New Actor, entrepreneur, and faith-driven creator Zachary Levi (Chuck, Shazam!) sits down with Justin Forman at SXSW to pull back the curtain on Hollywood, authentic storytelling, and his bold new venture: Wyldwood—an independent studio and intentional community designed to fix what's broken in entertainment and in the way we live. From the untold true story of Sarah Rector—a 10-year-old Black girl in early 1900s Tulsa who prayed over her land, struck oil, and became the richest woman in America—to the AI flood rising around us, Zachary shares why he believes faith-driven creators are called to build arks, not abandon ship. Key Topics • Sarah's Oil: The remarkable true story of a 10-year-old girl whose childlike faith turned 160 acres into the largest pure oil reserve in North America • Why excellent storytelling—not preaching—is how faith gets metabolized by culture • Zachary's faith journey: from near-suicidal darkness eight years ago to a deeper, wider, more grace-filled walk with God • The identity trap: what acting taught him about separating your work from your worth • Wyldwood: building a modern-day Hershey, Pennsylvania for artists—intentional community, redemptive storytelling, and an answer to AI • Why AI is a biblical flood—and why that's the reason to build, not retreat Notable Quotes "When I started working in Hollywood and I got my first look behind the curtain and I saw how all the sausage was made, I was heartbroken because I care too much about other human beings and excellence to find myself working in an industry that doesn't care about either of those things." — Zachary Levi "There is a way to get messaging in your art that is not proselytizing. There's a way. And that is the way." — Zachary Levi "A biblical flood is coming. It's not rain, it is technology. And the ground is already permeating. The water is rising." — Zachary Levi
Transcribe →
Episode 371 - 1 Billion People Still Don’t Have the Bible: Here’s the Plan | Mart Green
Apr 2100:54:30Tap to summarizeFrom ROI to EROI: How One Entrepreneur Is Helping Eradicate Bible Poverty by 2033 What happens when a retail entrepreneur has a Holy Spirit moment at a Bible dedication ceremony in Guatemala — and never looks at business the same way again? In this episode, host Justin Forman sits down with Mart Green, co-founder of Mardel Christian bookstores and a driving force behind Illuminations, a collective impact initiative uniting Bible translation organizations around the world with one audacious goal: eradicate Bible poverty by 2033. Mart shares the origin story of Illuminations — from a small table of five CEOs and five resource partners meeting monthly in a Dallas airport admirals club — to a movement now involving 300+ people from dozens of organizations who've helped accelerate Bible translation from a projected finish date of 2150 down to 2041, with faith believing for 2033. He also opens up about his family's mission statement, his daily rhythm in God's Word, and what stewardship really looks like when you stop being an owner and start being a steward. Key Topics: The Guatemala moment that shifted Mart's lens from ROI to EROI (Eternal Return on Investment) How Illuminations was built brick by brick — starting with three organizations and growing to a 300-person annual gathering The Stanford Collective Impact framework — and the sixth element Stanford missed (communal prayer) How AI and technology are accelerating Bible translation, cutting projected timelines by decades Why generosity, humility, and integrity are the only character traits Mart looks for in a partner The Green family mission statement: "Love God intimately. Live extravagant generosity." Mart's daily scripture rhythm and the O-I-O-I framework (Open, Insight, Obey, Intimacy) Notable Quotes: "In that moment, I kind of went from ROI to EROI. What's the eternal return on investment?" — Mart Green "Satan always attacks at the point of unity. I guess it's because it's powerful." — Mart Green "There's only two things that last forever — God's Word and the souls of men and women. So if I can get those two combined, it's less of a responsibility." — Mart Green About the Guest: Mart Green is a second-generation entrepreneur and son of Hobby Lobby founder David Green. He co-founded Mardel Christian bookstores at age 19 and has since become a major force in faith-based philanthropy. He is a key resource partner in Illuminations, the world's largest Bible translation collective impact initiative, which is working to ensure that every people group has access to God's Word in their heart language by 2033. Mart and his family of 50 — all living in Oklahoma City — operate from a shared mission: to love God intimately and live extravagant generosity.
Transcribe →
Episode 370 - What @theschoolofhardknocks Creator Has Learned Interviewing Billionaires
Apr 1400:28:53Tap to summarizeHumility, Legacy, and the Why Behind It All: Building a Global Media Platform with James Dumoulin Host Justin Forman sits down with James Dumoulin, co-founder of the School of Hard Knocks, for a candid conversation about what it really takes to build something that lasts. With 21 million followers and a media empire generating over a million dollars a month in revenue, James shares the surprising pivot that changed everything — and why humility, not hustle, has been his greatest business asset. From interviewing Tim Tebow on the streets to sitting across from billionaires who still have questions, James unpacks what he's learning about legacy, lifelong curiosity, and keeping God at the center of it all. Key Topics: The early pivot that launched School of Hard Knocks: Why they stopped making content about business and started interviewing those who built it Why the greatest entrepreneurs never stop asking questions — and what "reverse mentorship" really looks like The dangers of chasing wealth without a why — and what billionaires who "got it right" actually look like How James stays grounded while building fast: The entrepreneur's blessing and curse What James is asking the faith-driven community to pray for him Notable Quotes: "Broke people know everything. You can't teach a broke person anything." — James Dumoulin "The most important relationship we have is that one that we have with God." — James Dumoulin "Legacy is less about what you have or what you pass on. It's what you put in motion." — Justin Forman
Transcribe →
Episode 369 - If Gen Z Won’t Come to Church, Meet Them Online Instead | Sean Dunn
Apr 700:34:36Tap to summarizeReaching Gen Z Where They Are: Digital Evangelism, Data, and the $2.30 Soul Host Justin Forman sits down with Sean Dunn, CEO and founder of GroundWire, for a conversation that reframes how entrepreneurs think about ministry, marketing, and mission. Sean has spent decades as an evangelist, speaker, and author — but in 2017, he made a radical pivot: going 100% digital to reach the generation that has stopped walking through church doors. The result? Over 2 million people raised their hand to receive Christ in 2025 alone, at a cost of just $2.30 per commitment. This episode is equal parts spiritual conviction and entrepreneurial strategy. Sean unpacks how GroundWire uses data-driven iteration, targeted digital interruption, and multi-URL messaging campaigns to meet young people in their brokenness — wherever they scroll. Key Topics: Why 76% of Gen Z and millennials have no connection to the local church — and what to do about it The genius of "interruption" marketing for the Gospel: meeting people where they already are How GroundWire went from $6.51 to $2.30 per profession of faith through data and iteration Why "our innovation becomes our rut" — and how to keep pivoting before you plateau The motivation vs. access framework for disciple-making in a digitally addicted generation How businesses can "champion a day" and watch souls come to Christ in real time The collaborative giving opportunity at solving.org Notable Quotes: "Some people relate better to whenlifehurts.com than jesuscares.com. So we just started to iterate on that." — Sean Dunn "In business as well as in ministry, a lot of times our innovation becomes our rut." — Sean Dunn "The hunger is real, the messaging is right, and God's on the move. And those three things add up to some phenomenal results." — Sean Dunn About Sean Dunn: Sean is the CEO and founder of GroundWire, a digital evangelism ministry. Called to ministry at 14, Sean spent years as a traveling speaker and author before pivoting fully to digital ministry in 2017. GroundWire operates a network of Gospel-centered websites — JesusCares.com, WhenLifeHurts.com, IFeelBroken.com, DoIMatter.com, and more — using targeted digital ads to interrupt and engage Gen Z and millennials at their point of need.
Transcribe →
Episode 368 What Entrepreneurs Get Wrong About Heaven | Randy Alcorn
Mar 3100:55:17Tap to summarizeEternal Perspective: Rewiring How Entrepreneurs Think About Rewards, Heaven, and the Joy of Work Host Justin Forman sits down with Randy Alcorn—author of 65 books including the bestselling Treasure Principle and Heaven—for a conversation that will upend some of the most common misconceptions entrepreneurs carry about rewards, happiness, holiness, and what work looks like in eternity. Recorded with the kind of candor that only comes from two people who genuinely love ideas, this episode digs into why so many Christians—especially driven, ambitious entrepreneurs—have quietly believed things about heaven and reward that simply aren't in the Bible. Randy unpacks the Protestant Reformation's unintended legacy, the Greek roots of "blessed" and "happy," and why Jim Elliot's most famous quote is actually about gain. He also shares the surprising rhythm behind decades of prolific writing—and what it means to partner with God to set something in motion that lasts. Key Topics: Why the happiness vs. holiness debate gets both wrong—and how God actually calls us to both How the Protestant Reformation created an overcorrection against rewards that still shapes evangelical thinking today What entrepreneurs get wrong about heaven—and why a "bucket list" mentality actually reveals a low view of eternity Work before the Fall: Why the new earth will have real labor, real joy, and real collaboration The through line across 65 books: Eternal perspective as the framework for stewarding time, money, and calling Notable Quotes: "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." — Jim Elliot (quoted by Randy Alcorn) "God has not simply called us to holiness. God has called us also to happiness, and there is no conflict whatsoever between them." — Randy Alcorn "We affirm a belief in the resurrection but it's as if we're not wrapping our minds around what it means." — Randy Alcorn
Transcribe →
Episode 367 - Running a Business Inside a Maximum Security Prison | Pete Ochs
Mar 2400:47:31Tap to summarizeManufacturing Hope Inside a Maximum Security Prison What happens when a faith-driven entrepreneur moves his manufacturing business inside prison walls? Pete Ochs did exactly that — and what started as a labor solution became one of the most remarkable stories of business as mission in the modern faith-and-work movement. Main Topics: How Pete moved his manufacturing company into a maximum security prison in Hutchinson, Kansas — and what happened next The "triple bottom line" framework of economic, social, and spiritual capital that guides all of Pete's business decisions The transformational power of a job: why employment is one of the most powerful upstream solutions to recidivism, hopelessness, and broken communities The "how much is enough?" question — and how Pete and a group of peers built a 25-year commitment around capping lifestyle and stewarding the delta Why generosity is a subset of stewardship — and how inmates at Sea King out-give their civilian counterparts three to one Guest Quotes: "When you give a man a job and have high expectations for him, and then love him like you love yourself, really befriend him, and then talk about a purpose in life — powerful things happen. It is amazing." — Pete Ochs "I thought the purpose of business was to make money and give it away… God really reoriented me to what true stewardship is. I really think generosity is a subset of stewardship." — Pete Ochs "It's an unbelievable thing to see a man that has no hope come to hope. I think business is really about people. I think we should be in business to really transform society." — Pete Ochs Description: Pete Ochs didn't set out to change the prison system. In 2005, he needed entry-level labor for his rapidly growing manufacturing company in Hutchinson, Kansas. A work release program gave him ten inmates. He wanted twenty more. Instead, he got an offer: move part of his business inside a maximum security prison. Thirty days later, he did. What followed was a 20-year journey that would reshape Pete's understanding of business, stewardship, generosity, and the gospel. Today, Sea King — the business Pete operates inside Hutchinson Correctional Facility — has seen men come to Christ, complete three-year seminary programs, raise $15,000 for a fellow inmate's mother whose house burned down, and walk out of prison as business owners. Two former gang leaders who once tried to kill each other now stand before 60 to 80 men daily, mentoring new inmates in the church Pete built inside the prison walls. In this conversation with Justin Forman, Pete unpacks the "triple bottom line" of economic, social, and spiritual capital — and why leading with a job, not a sermon, is often the most powerful thing a faith-driven entrepreneur can do. He also shares the defining question that changed his life: How much is enough? — and what it looks like for entrepreneurs to cap their lifestyle, steward the delta, and finish well. About the Guest: Pete Ochs is a businessman, entrepreneur, and advocate for prison ministry and business as mission. He is the founder of Capital III and operates manufacturing businesses — including Sea King and Capital Electric — inside the Hutchinson Correctional Facility in Kansas. Pete has spent more than 20 years championing the idea that business is one of the most powerful tools for human transformation and Kingdom impact.
Transcribe →