Podcast Summary: The Isabel Brown Show

Episode: Is Money Really The Root of All Evil?
Date: March 25, 2026
Host: Isabel Brown
Guest: John Coleman, investor and author

Episode Overview

This episode dives into the often taboo subject of money, especially within Christian circles, examining whether it truly is "the root of all evil," how wealth interacts with values, and how generational shifts are changing the conversation on financial responsibility, generosity, and purpose. Isabel Brown sits down with John Coleman—faith-driven investor and writer—to explore how Christians and modern Americans can pursue wealth without letting it consume their identities, and how a meaningful, flourishing life depends on far more than money.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Money and Human Flourishing

[01:00], [08:19]

• Recent global research (Harvard, Baylor, Gallup) reveals an inverse relationship between prosperity and overall human flourishing: “Middle and low income countries that were safe actually had people who were flourishing more than prosperous societies.” (John Coleman, [01:00], [08:19])
• “We've got this kind of prosperity paradox now where the richest people, the richest societies in the world…we’re lonelier, we’re angrier, we’re more disconnected from one another.” (Coleman, [01:21], [08:20])

2. Why Talk About Money?

[01:58], [03:52]

• Money is a discomforting, rarely-discussed topic in Christian and family settings.
• Isabel notes a “generational paradigm shift” where young people want to talk about money and building wealth responsibly.

3. Is Money Evil?

[04:31], [05:36]

• “Money is not inherently evil… the Bible does anything, it says the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” (Coleman, [04:31])
• Money as a neutral tool/gift: "Money can be a tool that some people are very good at creating. The parable of the talents… is explicitly about money, too, where [God] commands us... to use [resources] for his purposes." (Coleman, [05:36])
• Flourishing through biblical values: The real danger is when love of money supplants higher values.

4. The Dangers of Money

[07:04], [08:19]

• Money’s unique temptation: “Money has immediate satisfaction to it… it’s a clear scorecard.” (Coleman, [07:04])
• Sudden wealth can destroy lives: Lottery winners and pro athletes file for bankruptcy and suffer increased mental health crises at much higher rates than the general population.

5. What is True Human Flourishing?

[09:35], [11:22]

• Two frameworks were highlighted:
  • University of Pennsylvania’s PERMA: Positive Emotions, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, Accomplishment.
  • Harvard’s Five (now Six) Intrinsic Goods: Meaning/purpose, spiritual/mental/physical health, deep relationships, happiness/fulfillment, character/virtue, and (separately) financial stability.
• “Financial and material stability is not an intrinsically good thing. It simply enables those more important ends.” (Coleman, [09:35])

6. The Financial Education Gap

[12:44]

• Gen Z and Millennials often received "no financial literacy education whatsoever." (Brown, [11:22])
• Major cultural messages equate “net worth” with personal worth; parents and schools often fail to anchor children in healthy money values.

7. Money, Children, and Apprenticeship

[12:53], [14:22], [15:27], [16:22], [16:59]

• Families and parents must intentionally “apprentice” kids in money management—connecting money lessons to family values and mission.
• Practical examples: physical ledgers, allowances tied to chores, generosity sessions (e.g., children giving to charity and seeing the impact).
• “We want them to learn that when you earn, you should earn with purpose.” (Coleman, [18:32])

8. Generosity: Calling and Benefits

[21:16], [21:53]

• Generosity is biblically commanded and empirically linked to flourishing: “Even if you were just a selfish person…generosity is one of the greatest unlocks to human flourishing.” (Coleman, [21:53])
• Physical and psychological benefits include lower instances of depression, greater relationship satisfaction, and even lower mortality rates.

9. Money as Identity & Social Media’s Role

[24:44], [27:48], [28:11]

• American society increasingly values money above family, religion, and patriotism (Wall Street Journal poll).
• The “comparison trap” and “hedonic treadmill” explain why chasing material possessions never brings lasting satisfaction.
• Social media amplifies material envy and unattainable lifestyles, making it harder for young people to avoid unhealthy comparisons.

10. Rejecting Extremes: Wealth, Poverty, and Calling

[30:11], [30:59]

• Rejecting both radical poverty and unchecked materialism—Christians are called to steward resources for good.
• Coleman shares examples from his family and firm, investing in projects with long-term social and spiritual purpose.

11. Practical Steps to Purposeful Living

[34:42], [37:09], [39:06]

• “Think about what matters to you. What is your conception of the good life?" (Coleman, [34:42])
• Anchoring career and personal decisions in values rather than money alone; prioritize relationships and meaning.
• Practical tips: start investing early, avoid consumer debt, be careful with student loans, live generously.

12. Money, Happiness, and What Matters Most

[39:06], [39:21], [41:48]

• “Happiness is love, full stop.” (Harvard Grant Study, cited by Coleman, [41:48])
• Money and discipline are important, but “if what you're trying to achieve materially takes your eye off the ball on those things [relationships, character, service], your priorities are out of bounds.” (Coleman, [41:08])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• John Coleman:

  • “Money is not inherently evil. The love of money is the root of all kinds of evil.” ([04:31])
  • “Prosperity is not actually making us happier or more fulfilled because we’ve lost our focus on what is human flourishing and how to achieve that.” ([08:20])
  • “Generosity is one of the greatest unlocks to human flourishing… it even has physical benefits.” ([21:53])
  • “Happiness is love, full stop.” ([41:48])
  • “The comparison trap… is the idea that we’re not happy with material things based on our absolute level of material wealth. We get our happiness out of: How wealthy are we relative to other people I see?” ([24:44])
  • “If you’re not reflective… you’re always looking a little bit up that chain and you’re never going to be satisfied.” ([26:44])
  • “You should start becoming a percentage giver right at the beginning. That means taking off the top of whatever you own, living on the rest.” ([22:41])
  • "I want my kids to be on a mission with their work. I want them to believe in what they’re doing." ([33:22])
  • “Discipline is the biggest part of building a financial wealth portfolio because it’s small decisions compounded over time.” ([39:36])

• Isabel Brown:

  • “From my vantage point as a Gen Zer… our society is not achieving any of those five [intrinsically good things].” ([11:22])
  • “The pressure feels so intense. What is that manifesting like in American culture right now?” ([27:48])

Important Timestamps

• [01:00] – Harvard study: wealth vs. flourishing
• [04:31] – Money vs. the love of money
• [08:19] – Prosperity paradox and examples of sudden wealth destroying lives
• [09:35] – Defining human flourishing (PERMA and Harvard’s Five/Six Intrinsic Goods)
• [12:44] – Generational failure in financial literacy
• [15:27] – Money apprenticeship for children: family mission and practical systems
• [21:16] – The call to financial generosity: why giving matters for flourishing
• [24:44] – Social comparison, social media, and money as identity
• [30:59] – Investing for flourishing: practical examples and calling
• [34:42] – How to build a purpose-driven life (concrete steps)
• [37:09] – Financial literacy: basic investment math, dangers of debt
• [39:21] – Prioritizing what truly brings happiness: love and relationships

Conclusion

This episode unpacks the complex relationship between money, faith, and well-being. Isabel and John explore how money is not itself evil, but our relationship to it—and the priorities we set—determine whether it serves us or enslaves us. Listeners are encouraged to get intentional about their values, pursue generosity, and build financial and personal habits that enable flourishing far beyond their bank accounts.

Further Reading:
John Coleman's new book Good Money is available everywhere. Follow him on Substack (“On Purpose John Coleman”) and at johnwilliamcoleman.com.