Faith Driven Investor

Host John Coleman sits down with Brent Beshore, founder of Permanent Equity, for a conversation about what changes when an investor stops carrying weight that was never theirs to carry.

Brent Beshore did his first private equity deal before he knew what private equity was. Today he runs a firm that buys companies with no intention of selling, and he is convinced the opposite of faith is self-reliance. Recorded live at the final Main Street Summit in Columbia, Missouri, this conversation moves from the boardroom to Ecclesiastes and back again.

Brent Beshore is the founder...

The Crash Everyone Is Waiting For

Host Richard Cunningham and co-host Luke Roush sit down with Hank Bowen, who helps lead investor relations and capital formation at Sovereign's Capital, for a conversation that reads the market from the allocator's chair and grounds it in Scripture.

Investors have been saying "this can't go higher" for years, and markets keep proving them wrong. Hank's explanation is simple: it's hard to get a dramatic repricing when everyone is waiting for one. Meanwhile, private market distributions are flowing again for the first time in years, yields sit...

Discipleship of the Balance Sheet
Host Justin Forman sits down with Aimee Minnich, Co-Founder of Impact Foundation, for a conversation that traces the shift from writing checks to deploying capital as an act of discipleship.

Aimee Minnich says the donor-advised fund era taught a generation of Christians how to give money away. It didn't teach them how to invest it. Nearly two decades into building one of the fastest-growing platforms for faith-driven capital, she's convinced the next chapter of generosity isn't about writing bigger checks — it's about learning a whole new language.

Ai...

What Comes After You Win

Scott Highmark has spent two decades watching high achievers reach the very top of their field — competitively great, by any definition — and arrive there lonely. That question sits underneath this month's Marks on the Market, too: what does a market pricing in near-5% rates, a resilient jobs report, and an AI-fueled earnings boom actually ask of the people stewarding capital through it?

Hosts Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush sit down with Scott Highmark, Co-Founder, President & Principal of Mosaic Family Wealth in St. Louis, for a conversation that moves from...

When Dr. Ola Brown's 12-year-old sister needed emergency care in Nigeria, the nearest air ambulance was seven hours away, in South Africa. The family lost her. Dr. Brown made a promise to God that day — and kept it, building an air ambulance service that would go on to serve over 40 African countries and fly more than 5,000 emergency requests a year.

Dr. Ola Brown is a British-Nigerian medical doctor turned investor, and the Founder of HealthCap Africa, a venture capital and infrastructure fund investing in healthtech and fintech across the continent. After founding and scaling Flying Doctors Nigeria, sh...

Host Henry Kaestner sits down with Matthew Rohrs, leader of Synapis, to explore one of the most overlooked opportunities in frontier-market investing: the "missing middle" — businesses too large for microfinance but too small (or too early) to attract private equity and venture capital. Matthew shares how Synapis has spent over a decade training and accelerating entrepreneurs across Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda, and why this segment drives up to 70% of job creation in emerging economies.

This episode digs into Synapis's Kingdom Business Framework — a three-part model built around relationship with God, stewardship, and impact — and unpacks why African entrep...

Record Highs, Negative Gas Prices, and the Discipline Dividend

Host Richard Cunningham sits down with co-host Luke Roush and returning guest Jordan Strebeck of Fortress Energy Partners for a conversation that starts at the S&P 500's all-time high and ends at a Permian Basin wellhead where operators are paying to get rid of their own natural gas.

The numbers alone are worth the listen: four hyperscalers on pace for more than $700 billion in AI infrastructure spending this year, an IPO market that just absorbed the world's largest offering, and a global oil...

Host Richard Cunningham welcomes co-host John Coleman for July's Marks on the Market, joined by two veteran venture investors: Phil Jung, who helps lead the venture investing business at Sovereign's Capital, and Mark Phillips, co-founder and managing partner at Eleven Tribes Ventures. The panel digs into a historic first half of 2026 for venture capital, the "barbell" strategy reshaping early-stage investing, and why faith-driven investors need to understand both the opportunity and the constraints of the AI boom.

Phil and Mark bring an early-stage, seed-focused lens shaped by operator-led, vertically focused founders — from wire harnessing to waste management — whil...

What if the most freeing financial decision you could make had nothing to do with your portfolio returns?

In this episode, host Justin Forman sits down with John Cortines, co-author of God and Money and True Riches and a generosity leader at the Maclellan Foundation, for a practical, spiritually grounding conversation about generosity, stewardship, and freedom.

John shares how his journey began at Harvard Business School with a banking password that read "retire@40!" and how God used a men's Bible study, serious biblical research, and interviews with radically generous Harvard MBA alumni to completely reframe...

In this America 250 special edition of Marks on the Market, Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush sit down with Donna Harris — founder and CEO of Builders and Backers, venture investor, and co-author of the redemptive investing playbook at Praxis — for a wide-ranging conversation on the state of American entrepreneurship, the limits and promise of venture capital, and how the AI revolution is democratizing who gets to build.

As the country approaches its 250th birthday, Donna brings a decade of venture investing experience and a conviction that America's greatest competitive advantage isn't its capital markets — it's its people. Builders and Ba...

Hosts: Richard Cunningham, John Coleman, Luke Roush Guest: Kyle Brown, CEO, Trinity Capital (TRIN)

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John Coleman sits down with Kristian Andersen — co-founder and partner at High Alpha, the Indianapolis-based venture studio and fund — live at the Main Street Summit in Columbia, Missouri. Kristian traces his unlikely path from freelance designer to venture capital pioneer, unpacking how High Alpha's hybrid studio-fund model is navigating the most disruptive era in software history, and why he believes faith calls investors and builders alike to an adventure mandate and a creation mandate.

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Host Luke Roush sits down with Kyle Kutz, Private Family Office Director, Senior Family Office Advisor, and Senior Partner at Blue Trust — a faith-driven wealth advisory firm managing $60 billion in assets across 11,000 client families nationwide. Together, they unpack what it looks like to build wealth with an eternal purpose, define a financial finish line, and break the cycle of anxiety that wealth can bring.

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Faith Driven Investor Podcast | Ep. 221 | Marks on the Market: The State of Faith-Based Investing in Public Markets — with Tim Macready of Brightlight

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Episode Title: Solving the World's Greatest Problems: How Collaborative Giving Funds Are Reshaping Impact Capital

Guests: Zac Sicher (Fund Manager, Hunger & Joblessness — Solving the World's Greatest Problems) and Rebecca Yuschak (Grants & Operations Lead — Faith Driven Investor) Host: Justin Forman with Henry Kaestner

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Eternal Perspective: Rewiring How Faith-Driven Investors Think About Reward, Heaven, and Stewardship

Host Justin Forman sits down with author and theologian Randy Alcorn — founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries and author of 65 books including Treasure Principle, Heaven, and Law of Rewards — for a conversation that challenges some of the most deeply held misconceptions in Christian life and investing culture. From the Protestant Reformation's unintended legacy on how we think about reward, to a vision of the new earth that reframes the very purpose of stewardship, this episode is essential listening for anyone who wants their financial decisions anchored in e...

Marks on the Markets: Geopolitics, AI Disruption & Where Smart Capital Is Moving in 2026

Host Richard Cunningham is joined by co-host John Coleman and market experts Matt Monson (Public Equities, Sovereign's Capital) and Brian McClard (CIO, Blue Trust) for the March 2026 edition of Marks on the Markets. With Operation Epic reshaping global energy dynamics, AI rewriting the rules of markets and labor, and private equity at a critical inflection point, this panel of seasoned investors offers grounded, faith-driven perspective on navigating one of the most complex macro environments in recent memory.

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The Future of Faith-Based Financial Advice: Rob West on Kingdom Advisors, Biblical Stewardship, and the $22 Trillion Opportunity

Host John Coleman sits down with Rob West, CEO of Kingdom Advisors and host of the nationally syndicated Faith-Fi radio program, to explore how biblically-wise financial advice has moved from the fringes to the forefront of Wall Street—and what that means for the trillions of dollars in Christian hands today.

From a founding cohort of 16 advisors to a network of 4,000, Kingdom Advisors is building an entire industry where faith and finance fully integrate. Rob shares the trends, da...

Faith Driven Investor Podcast - Episode 216

Join hosts Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush as they sit down with Steve Cook, Executive Managing Director of LFM Capital, for a deep dive into the state of US manufacturing and the reshoring revolution transforming American industry. From the deck of an aircraft carrier to the shop floor to private equity boardrooms, Steve brings a unique perspective on what it takes to build manufacturing companies that strengthen both portfolios and national security.

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Faith Driven Investor Podcast - Episode 215

Carl Edwards, NASCAR Hall of Famer and one of the 75 greatest drivers of all time, sits down with host John Coleman to share his remarkable journey from a Columbia, Missouri Volkswagen shop to the pinnacle of motorsports—and his courageous decision to walk away from it all at age 36.

This conversation goes far beyond racing. Carl vulnerably discusses the dangers of building identity on performance, the cost of fame, and the miraculous moment on a mountaintop that transformed his understanding of faith. He opens up about stewarding wealth with a...

Join Richard Cunningham and John Coleman for the first Marks on the Markets episode of 2026 as they welcome Brandon Pizzurro, President & Chief Investment Officer at GuideStone Capital Management, to unpack what investors need to know heading into the new year. After three consecutive years of double-digit returns, the conversation explores whether markets can sustain this momentum, the future of AI investing, and the opportunities emerging in small caps and private markets.

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Join hosts Henry Kaestner, Justin Forman, and Luke Roush as they preview the upcoming 2026 Faith Driven Investor Conference, exploring the transformative theme "Seeds vs. Silos" and what it means for how we steward capital in service of God's kingdom.

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Behind The Chosen: Faith, Film, and the Fight for Culture

Join host John Coleman on the set of The Chosen in Midlothian, Texas, for an unprecedented conversation with producers Chris Juen and Chad Gundersen of Out of Order Studios. From the Sanhedrin throne room itself, Chris and Chad share the untold story of how a crowdfunded Jesus project became a global phenomenon reaching 520 million people—and what it means for faith-driven investors seeking to impact culture through entertainment.

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Join FDI hosts Richard Cunningham, John Coleman, and Luke Roush, along with Justin Forman of Faith Driven Movements, as they recap an extraordinary year in markets and ministry. Recording just before Thanksgiving, this special year-end episode explores the key economic trends that shaped 2025 and the remarkable growth of the faith-driven investing ecosystem.

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Join Justin Forman in Lagos, Nigeria for an inspiring conversation with Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, founder and Managing Partner of Arura Capital. Adesuwa shares her journey from J.P. Morgan to building the first female-led private equity fund in Nigeria focused on female-founded, female-led, and female-focused businesses across Africa.

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Why Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurship globally (4x more than Europe) yet women receive only 2% of capital

How Arura Capital's $20M Fund One delivered top-quartile returns above global benchmarks while creating 205,000 jobs and $150M in value chain revenue

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Join hosts Richard Cunningham and Luke Roush alongside special guests Andrew Behrman and Jonathan Carvalho Pruna of Sovereign’s Capital for FDI’s November Marks on the Market episode. With over 130 general partners from across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and private credit in attendance, this episode captures the heart of a movement where faith and capital are converging for Kingdom impact.

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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 infrastr...

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.

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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.

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Energy Markets Deep Dive: Faith, Finance, and the Future of Oil & Gas

Join 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...

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...

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.

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• 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 infl...

In this episode, Faith Driven Movement’s co-founder, Henry Kaestner, sits down with Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of the ONE Campaign and serial social entrepreneur from Nigeria. With a background spanning McKinsey, Harvard Business School, and founding multiple organizations including LEAP Africa and Sahel Capital, Ndidi brings a unique perspective on Africa's role in the global economy.

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Episode Overview

In 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 Explored

The "Quiet Freakout" Phenomenon

The Great Liquidity Crisis

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:

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.

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The economic landscape is shifting beneath our feet, and this episode of Marks on the Markets delivers the clarity you need to navigate what's ahead.

Richard Cunningham and John Coleman sits down with Matt Monson, Partner of Public Equity at Sovereign's Capital, to dissect the most pressing issues facing investors today. The conversation begins with Moody's recent downgrade of US creditworthiness and what it signals about America's unsustainable fiscal trajectory—a $36 trillion debt problem that's finally getting the attention it deserves.

Market Concentration and Hidden Risks The hosts dive deep into the Magnificent Seven phenomenon, re...

In this special episode recorded at SXSW in Austin, Texas, hosts Justin Forman and Richard Cunningham sit down with Brent Beshore, founder and CEO of Permanent Equity, to discuss what it means to take a long-term, cathedral-like perspective in business and investing.

Brent shares his transformation from an achievement-driven atheist to a faith-focused entrepreneur, highlighting how his approach to private equity challenges industry norms with long-term capital, zero debt, and transparent fee structures. Throughout the conversation, Brent reveals how vulnerability and authentic relationships have been crucial both in his personal faith journey and in building a successful...

In this May 2025 episode of Faith Driven Investor, hosts Richard Cunningham and John Coleman welcome Deirdre Gibson, ETF Specialist and National Sales Director at Praxis Investment Management, for a wide-ranging discussion on faith-driven investing and current market conditions.

Episode Highlights:

Understanding ETFs vs. Mutual Funds (2:31-4:42)

Jesus as a Model for Engagement (7:39-12:03)

Can you build a thriving business while facing back-to-back life-threatening crises? Travis Penfield did exactly that, transforming his brush with death from a brain tumor and his wife's cancer battle into clarity for scaling 49 Financial to 200+ advisors. His blueprint for bridging the trillion-dollar advisor succession gap prioritizes mentorship over metrics, revealing how personal trials became his greatest business advantage.

Join us for this special joint episode of the Faith Driven Investor & Entrepreneur podcast. 

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