Faith Driven Investor

Join host Justin Forman as he sits down with John Coleman, a leading investor in faith-driven entertainment, on the set of The Chosen to explore the explosive growth happening in faith and family content. This conversation reveals how Christians are reclaiming their place as culture-shapers through strategic capital deployment in Hollywood.Key Topics: • The shift from philanthropic "passion projects" to commercially viable platform-based investing in entertainment • How Wonder Project raised $100 million from faith-driven investors to unlock hundreds of millions more from Amazon and Sony • Why investing in platforms (not individual projects) creates sustainable cultural impact • The business infrastructure required to make faith-driven content commercially successful • How to apply private equity rigor to entertainment investing while maintaining creative authenticityPowerful Quotes:"My philosophy right now is bet on platforms, not projects. How can I ally with teams that are producing at the highest level of what they do and allow them to do the hard work of sorting through projects across multiple different projects." - John Coleman"The studio system puts $250 billion into content around the world every year. A lot of people have made a great deal of money in these production studios, but Christians had not really cracked the code." - John Coleman"If these projects are philanthropic, that money runs out one day. If you can create a return on investment consistently enough to get institutions confident in this as an asset class, that will unleash more capital." - John ColemanAbout John Coleman:John Coleman is a leading investor in the faith-driven entertainment space, helping to raise capital for platforms like Wonder Project that partner with major studios including Amazon Prime Video and Sony. His investment philosophy emphasizes backing proven teams and platforms rather than individual projects, applying venture capital rigor to create commercially sustainable faith-driven content. Coleman believes that by applying business discipline to entertainment investing, the faith community can unlock institutional capital and create a self-sustaining ecosystem that shifts culture while generating market-rate returns for investors.

Join hosts Richard Cunningham and John Coleman alongside special guest Tim Macready for FDI's October Marks on the Markets episode. This roundtable discussion examines Q4 2025's complex investment landscape: Fed rate cuts colliding with government shutdowns, sticky inflation at 2.9%, and markets continuing their remarkable 14% year-to-date climb despite mounting uncertainties.Key Topics:Federal rate cuts and their impact on private credit markets and real estateThe bifurcation of the US economy: wealth creation at the top versus challenges for lower-income householdsAI revolution's early effects on employment across different sectors and wage bandsPrivate markets landscape: venture capital resurgence, private equity stagnation, and real estate headwindsTariffs, H-1B visa changes, and the reshoring debate's practical implicationsFaith-driven investing movement update: growth in ETF options, impact measurement frameworks, and theological deepeningNotable Quotes:"The workforce in this country is so mobile relative to other parts of the world, willing to move for economic reasons... there's so much entrepreneurial drive, and this impetus to create and create new ideas and new products." - Tim Macready"I'm of the personal opinion it would actually be quite healthy for financial markets if we saw a 10, 15% correction over the next 12 months or so concentrated in those really highly valued growth stocks at the top end." - John Coleman"We're seeing more products, more assets, more options. We're also seeing a deepening of the recognition of integrity, impact integrity, of authenticity, of being able to articulate not just, hey, we're a Christian organization and we're investing, but what that means in practice." - Tim MacreadyEpisode Description:As Q4 2025 begins, faith-driven investors face a paradox: soaring public markets alongside economic bifurcation, technological disruption, and policy uncertainty. This October Marks on the Market episode brings together three seasoned investors to dissect what's really happening beneath the surface of headline numbers.Richard Cunningham, John Coleman, and Tim Macready examine the Fed's recent rate cut against the backdrop of a government shutdown, 3.8% GDP growth, and inflation that refuses to fully retreat. The conversation moves beyond macro headlines to explore what matters for faith-driven capital deployment: Are small and mid-cap stocks finally poised for their moment? How will AI's early employment impacts ripple through different economic strata? What does authentic impact measurement look like as the faith-driven investing movement matures?The discussion tackles private markets with particular nuance. Venture capital is resurging as IPO markets reopen, but private equity remains sluggish as firms wait for better exit conditions. Real estate continues working through its post-pandemic adjustment, while private credit faces questions about sustainability as rates potentially decline. John shares profound reflections from a recent World War II historical tour, connecting lessons about human courage and evil to today's calling for faithful stewardship. Tim provides encouraging updates on the faith-driven investing ecosystem's growth, including new ETF launches and the Christian Impact Framework's development for authentic impact measurement.

Join host Richard Cunningham as he sits down with Richard Okello, founder and managing partner of Sango Capital, at the 10th Anniversary Lions Den in Dallas, Texas. Richard shares his remarkable journey from a chicken arbitrage business in Uganda at age 12 to becoming a partner at Bridgewater Associates and ultimately founding one of Africa's premier institutional-grade investment firms.This episode explores the compelling investment thesis for Africa, the evolution of risk perceptions, and why faith-driven investors should seriously consider African markets for both commercial returns and kingdom impact.Key Investment Topics:Africa's growth trajectory now matching China's economic expansionCurrency stabilization across major African economies for the first time in historyPrivate equity opportunities in a market with 35 years of institutional developmentThe critical minerals opportunity beyond traditional gold and platinumWhy African political risk perceptions are 10-15 years outdatedPowerful Quotes: "Africa today provides an opportunity for commercial returns which the faith driven investor is interested in and high level of impact with variety." - Richard Okello"I think a faith driven investor needs to lock in on what they are called to do with the money that they are entrusted with." - Richard OkelloRichard's story demonstrates how God orchestrates divine appointments—from a scholarship opportunity through a friend's sacrifice, to meeting a dean of admissions in Wales, to joining Bridgewater the only year they recruited three-year graduates. Now managing nearly $600 million in assets, Sango Capital focuses on private equity, venture capital, and private credit across select African markets, delivering institutional-grade returns while driving meaningful economic transformation across the continent.

Energy Markets Deep Dive: Faith, Finance, and the Future of Oil & GasJoin hosts Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush as they take their first deep dive into the energy markets with two legends from the Permian Basin in Midland, Texas. Jordan Strebeck of Fortress Energy Partners and Chas Perry of PBEX offer insider perspectives on oil and gas investing, geopolitics, and how energy production enables human flourishing globally.This Marks on the Market episode explores the technological revolution that transformed American energy independence, the capital discipline reshaping the industry, and why natural gas could be the key to both domestic prosperity and global development.Key Topics:The Permian Basin's role as America's energy epicenter - producing half of US oil within 200 miles of MidlandHorizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technology that revolutionized unconventional oil recoveryCapital discipline versus "drill baby drill" - why the industry learned to prioritize shareholder returnsGeopolitical implications of US energy independence and LNG export capacityHow abundant natural gas could enable cheaper electricity and AI infrastructure developmentEnergy density and human flourishing - why hydrocarbons remain essential for economic advancementNotable Quotes: "OPEC doesn't really care a whole lot about what we think. And I've learned also, like President Trump, neither he nor anyone in his administration, has called and ask me my opinion." - Jordan Strebeck"You can't always rely on [renewable energy]. Natural gas, we've got a ton of it in the United States. All of us on this podcast will be dead and gone before we're out of fossil fuel." - Chas Perry"There is no such thing as an economically advanced economy that does not require energy." - Jordan Strebeck

Join us for an extraordinary conversation as Faith Driven Investor shares a special crossover episode from the Faith Driven Entrepreneur podcast, where host Justin Forman sits down with President Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi at his lakeside residence. President Chakwera brings a unique perspective as both a former pastor who led the Assemblies of God for 24 years and now as the leader of a nation, sharing profound insights on the intersection of faith, investment, and nation-building.In this powerful discussion, President Chakwera reveals how God called him from the pulpit to the presidency, his vision for transforming Malawi from an aid-dependent nation to an investment-driven economy, and the critical role faith-driven investors can play in Africa's development. He shares candidly about the importance of shifting from poverty alleviation to wealth creation, the untapped potential in Malawi's agriculture, tourism, and mining sectors, and why partnership—not paternalism—is the key to unlocking Africa's vast resources.Key Investment Topics Discussed: • The transition from aid to investment: Creating sustainable economic growth through strategic partnerships • Malawi's ATM strategy: Agriculture, Tourism, and Mining as key investment sectors with massive potential • Infrastructure development as the critical enabler: From 11% to 75% electricity access by 2030 • The $1 trillion+ opportunity in rare earth minerals, including the world's largest rutile deposits • Why Africa's youth demographic (average age 18 in Malawi) represents an unprecedented investment opportunityPowerful Quotes from President Chakwera:"Investing for me is using what God has given me in order that I might be a blessing to other people.""We need to re-engineer ourselves and how we look at all these resources and say, how do we now become a productive oriented community, rather than a consumption oriented one?""A faith-based investor recognizes that we've got to build on the trust we have, and then our dealings will not be based on any corrupt practices."President Chakwera's journey from pastoral ministry to presidential leadership offers unique insights for investors seeking both financial returns and Kingdom impact. His vision for Malawi to become "an inclusively wealthy, self-reliant, upper middle income economy" by 2063 presents compelling opportunities for faith-driven capital to make a transformative difference in one of Africa's most beautiful and resource-rich nations.

Join host Richard Cunningham with John Coleman and Brian McClard (Chief Investment Officer at Blue Trust) for the first-ever video edition of the Faith Driven Investor Marks on the Markets podcast. In this comprehensive market analysis, our panel discusses the Fed's decision to hold rates steady, the economic impact of Trump administration tariffs, and the exciting developments in AI and cryptocurrency regulation.Key Investment Topics Discussed:• Federal Reserve rate decisions and their 4.25-4.50% range - are we seeing appropriate monetary policy?• Trump administration tariff strategies with the EU, Japan, and their impact on inflation vs. economic growth• Market valuations at the 97th percentile historically - what this means for future returns• The breakthrough GENIUS Act providing regulatory clarity for dollar-backed stablecoins• AI's disruptive potential across industries and job markets - opportunity or threat?Notable Quotes:"We're paying 40% more now for earnings than we were 10 years ago, as we're looking at 22 times forward earnings. I think US returns going forward are likely to be more muted than what we've experienced the last five or 10 years." - Brian McClard"Anytime you have a spirit of fear, it's really originating from a lack of control. He's not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and a sound mind." - Brian McClardThis marks-on-the-markets episode provides essential investment insights for faith-driven investors navigating today's complex economic landscape. Richard, John, and Brian bring decades of investment expertise while maintaining a biblical worldview on stewarding capital in uncertain times.Please note that the views expressed by the hosts and guests are their own and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Faith Driven Investor.

Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of the ONE Campaign and a dynamic social entrepreneur from Nigeria, shares her insights on Africa's pivotal role in the global economy. She emphasizes the continent’s potential with a projected 2.5 billion people by 2050, urging investment in its rich food ecosystem. Ndidi discusses the importance of individual voices in shaping policy and advocates for faith-driven investors to make a real impact. She highlights that Africa is not a land of lack, but rather a treasure trove of opportunities for transformation.

Episode OverviewIn this July 2025 episode of Marks on the Markets, we dive deep into the venture capital landscape with two battle-tested VCs who've weathered the storm from COVID boom to AI revolution. Key Themes ExploredThe "Quiet Freakout" PhenomenonWhy even well-funded startups are secretly terrified about the next 6-18 monthsHow AI has created a "boxing match during an earthquake" for entrepreneursThe unprecedented uncertainty facing venture founders in 2025The Great Liquidity CrisisWhy LPs haven't seen distributions in years and what it means for new fundingThe IPO market's slow reopening and what it signals for exitsHow the DPI (distributions to paid-in capital) drought is reshaping the industryAI's Seismic ImpactWhy this technological shift dwarfs previous internet revolutionsThe emergence of AI-native companies and what it means for traditional softwareWhy we're likely underestimating AI's transformative powerThe Hardware RenaissanceHow software commoditization is driving investment toward "hard tech"The rise of American dynamism and defense technology startupsWhy friction is becoming the new competitive moatFaith-Driven InnovationLearning from social media's mental health failuresWhy Christian entrepreneurs feel called to shape AI's developmentBiblical frameworks for understanding technology's role in societyStandout Quotes"Everybody is quietly freaking out. You might have money in the bank, you might have venture backers, and yet everybody's quietly freaking out because you just don't know what's going to happen in three months, six months, three years." - Jake Thomsen"We are on the precipice of what could be the biggest series of technological changes in human history... more radical than at any point in history." - John Coleman"I continue to believe we are much more likely to underestimate the impact of AI than we are to overestimate it." - Rob Go"We kind of missed the boat in social media... We can't miss the boat with AI. Believers have to step in." - Jake ThomsenDeep Dive SegmentsThe Venture Market Transformation (03:22-15:36) Jake Thomsen provides a masterclass overview of venture's roller coaster ride from pre-COVID normalcy through the 2021-22 bubble, the 2022 crash, banking crisis, and today's AI-driven uncertainty.Four Forces Reshaping Early-Stage Investing (15:36-25:00) Rob Go breaks down the industry's permanent structural changes: maturation and concentration, Y Combinator's dominance, mega-fund competition, and the AI supercycle's 20-30 year horizon.The Optimist vs. Realist Debate (25:00-35:00) John Coleman makes the bull case for venture while Rob and Jake wrestle with ground-level challenges, exploring the disconnect between macro optimism and micro struggles.Hardware's Moment (35:00-45:00) Why the pendulum is swinging from pure software plays to capital-intensive "hard tech" solutions, and whether this represents a fundamental shift or temporary trend.Faith and Technology (45:00-49:07) A powerful discussion on how Christian entrepreneurs are approaching AI development with lessons learned from social media's unintended consequences.Guest ProfilesJake Thomsen - Partner at Sovereign's Capital, focusing on faith-driven founders and early-stage ventures. Previously worked in venture capital and strategic consulting.Rob Go - Co-founder and Partner at NextView Ventures, a seed-stage VC firm. 15+ years in venture capital with investments spanning consumer, enterprise, and frontier tech.Key Takeaways for InvestorsThe Power Law is Real: Top quartile VCs still dramatically outperform public markets, but the gap between best and worst performers has widened to 2,000+ basis points.Timing Matters: We're in the infrastructure phase of the AI revolution—similar to early internet days where enabling technologies capture initial value before applications flourish.Defense Through Friction: As software becomes commoditized, companies with hardware, services, or regulatory moats may prove more defensible.Liquidity Patience Required: The venture asset class needs patient capital as exit timelines extend and public market windows remain selective.Values-Driven Advantage: Founders building with clear ethical frameworks may have competitive advantages in an AI-dominated future.Resources MentionedHallow (Catholic prayer app)"God Looks Like Jesus" by Greg BoydAll-In PodcastY CombinatorReindustrialized Conference (Detroit)Connect with Our GuestsJake Thomsen: Sovereign's CapitalRob Go: NextView Ventures

Episode 200 marks a major milestone—not just for the podcast, but for an entire movement that's reshaping how investors think about capital, impact, and stewardship.In this celebration episode, Faith Driven Investor founders Henry Kaestner and Luke Roush take us back to the very beginning—from their first meeting at Joe's Diner in Durham (famous for hot dogs with mustard, chili, or just hot dog) to building Sovereign's Capital and eventually launching a global movement that now spans nearly 100 countries.The Origin Story Behind the Movement:How a matchmaker pastor named J.D. Grear connected two investors who would change everythingThe "Eastern Block Bodega" problem: too little product on the shelf and no line of customersWhy turning away 99 out of 100 entrepreneurs led to a "heartbreaking" realizationThe Holy Spirit moment that shifted everything from scarcity to abundance thinkingFrom Fund to Movement:The transition from Sovereign's Capital to Faith Driven Entrepreneur to Faith Driven InvestorWhy they decided to expose their own LPs to competing fund managersThe infamous John Porter story from Rwanda and what it taught them about being "tight-gripped"How a gathering at a French bistro with 25-30 leaders sparked something biggerThe Philosophy That Changed Everything: Henry and Luke dive deep into the shift from traditional "biblically responsible investing" (focused on what to avoid) to "faith-driven investing" (focused on what to support). This isn't just about screening out "sin stocks"—it's about actively seeking investments that promote human flourishing and build God's kingdom.Global Vision and What's Next:Why Africa represents the most exciting investment opportunity of our generationThe math that doesn't add up: $100+ trillion in managed assets globally, but only a couple hundred billion in explicitly faith-aligned productsWhy 60% of Americans identify as Christian but the investment numbers don't reflect itThe "top of the second inning" reality: we're still incredibly early in this movementKey Insights for Investors:The power of being known for what you're FOR rather than what you're againstWhy "one size fits one" when it comes to faith-driven investing approachesThe importance of seeking Godly counsel, prayer, and Scripture in investment decisionsHow spiritual integration looks different across asset classes (even oil and gas)

Robin John had a problem. He looked at the biggest mutual funds in America and realized he couldn't invest in their top holdings without compromising his values. So he and co-founder Finny started asking a different question: if investing is just allocating capital, where should Christians actually put their money?What started as a simple conversation about avoiding "ill-gotten gain" evolved into something much bigger—a framework for investing as an act of neighborly love. Instead of just screening out tobacco and pornography, Eventide began hunting for companies that actively serve their customers, employees, and communities.The results speak for themselves. Robin shares stories of biotech companies getting kids out of wheelchairs, trucking firms that let 90% of drivers sleep at home every night, and businesses that prove you don't have to choose between doing good and doing well. The data backs it up too—19 years of research shows values-based investing performs just as well as traditional approaches.This isn't feel-good investing. It's a fundamental rethinking of what stewardship looks like when you're managing serious capital. Robin's new book "The Good Investor: How Your Work Can Confront Injustice, Love Your Neighbor, and Bring Healing to the World" releases July 22nd, and this conversation reveals why he believes we're still in the first inning of a movement that could reshape how Christians think about money, work, and calling.