Nathan Apffel

Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker and director of The Religion Business, dives deep into the murky waters of megachurches and their financial practices. He unveils how these institutions prioritize profits over community, with 94% of donations kept within church walls. Apffel shares personal experiences of faith and the ethical issues in church leadership, advocating for transparency and accountability. He highlights the need for reforms to ensure that resources are truly allocated to help those in need, challenging the status quo of organized religion.

Nathan Apffel, a filmmaker and investigative reporter focusing on megachurch finances, and Chris Ayoub, a tech innovator for ethical governance in religious nonprofits, discuss their docuseries, exposing financial abuse in Western religion. They delve into how Christianity transformed from a counterculture into an institutional empire, the troubling ease of declaring a church, and the opacity of financial practices in churches. The conversation also touches on the psychological factors keeping congregants in abusive systems and the need for transparency in religious organizations.

In a revealing discussion, guests TJ Malden, a pastor advocating for transparency, David Rubel, co-founder of the Religious Trauma Network, and filmmaker Nathan Apfel expose the misuse of NDAs in churches. They share personal experiences and define what silencing NDAs are, emphasizing the need for accountability and ethical standards in church leadership. Their project aims to create a Public Disclosure Database to combat these practices, restoring trust and fostering healthier communities. The conversation highlights the power dynamics at play and the urgent need for transparency in spiritual settings.