Episode 338 - Why Most "Faith-Driven" Businesses Fail the Authenticity Test | Dave Blanchard

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