Behind the scenes of the most successful faith-based media project in history, producers Chris Juen and Chad Gundersen reveal what every faith-driven investor needs to know about entertainment investment. Recording from the actual Sanhedrin set in Midlothian, Texas, John Coleman explores how The Chosen scaled from crowdfunding four episodes with no guarantee of episode five to reaching over 520 million viewers worldwide—and what that journey teaches us about investing in culture.

Chris and Chad don’t sugarcoat the risks. Entertainment investment is notoriously unpredictable, and they’ve watched countless well-meaning investors lose everything by backing the wrong teams or taking one-off bets instead of diversified approaches. But they also make a compelling case: Christians yielded culture and then complained when culture went bad. The question isn’t whether entertainment is risky—it’s whether the fight for culture is worth the risk.

Drawing from Chris’s 20 years inside major studios (Contact, Spider-Man, Polar Express) and Chad’s 20 years in independent film, they’ve built Out of Order Studios on a revolutionary model: studio-level quality without studio-level budgets. Their three-pillar investment framework—spark the next generation, build infrastructure, create content—offers faith-driven investors a roadmap for cultural impact that goes far beyond any single project. This is required listening for anyone considering entertainment investment or wondering how to steward capital toward lasting cultural change.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction from The Chosen Set

02:04 How Chris and Chad Joined The Chosen

02:49 Chad’s 20-Year Journey with Dallas Jenkins

05:27 Starting Out of Order Studios in 2015

06:27 The Script That Changed Everything

07:40 Christian Art Became a Dirty Word

09:12 The Perfect Hybrid Model

09:47 “I’m Tired of Crappy Christian Content”

11:49 Jonathan Roumie and Season One Production

14:32 The Kingdom Announcement vs. 50 People

16:01 COVID and the Explosion of Growth

18:26 When Season Two Sold Out in 7 Minutes

19:34 Red Sea Moments and Creating Set Culture

23:41 Why Non-Believers Work on The Chosen

24:21 12,000 People for Feeding of the 5,000

26:05 SAG Calls During Sermon on the Mount

29:34 The Unpredictable Nature of Entertainment

30:08 Why Most Investors Get Burned

32:03 The Disney Animator Who Can’t Run a Project

33:23 Media Investment: Worth the Risk?

34:48 Platforms, Not Projects

38:13 Out of Order’s Vision Beyond The Chosen

39:09 The Chosen Adventures Animated Series

40:39 Combining Studio and Independent Experience

42:36 We Can Handle $1M to $150M Budgets

43:20 Training the Next Generation

45:40 Developing Projects vs. Investing in People

47:11 AI in Animation and Film Production

50:55 Unexpected Choices Drive Great Art

54:04 Advice for Creators and Investors

55:44 Three Investment Pillars for Cultural Impact

56:24 Film Camp and Intern Programs

57:47 Infrastructure, Content, and Why You Invest

58:51 All Ships Rise Together

As 2025 draws to a close, John Coleman, Luke Roush, and Justin Forman join Richard Cunningham for an insightful year-in-review discussion covering both market dynamics and the faith-driven investing movement. This conversation reveals surprising economic resilience amid chaos, the continued dominance of AI-driven growth, and persistent affordability challenges that demand Christian investors’ attention.

The hosts explore four major market themes: continued US economic dynamism despite early-year concerns, the omnipresence of AI and mega-cap technology stocks, ongoing illiquidity in private markets, and the growing affordability crisis affecting housing and wealth inequality. They also celebrate encouraging signs in the faith-driven ecosystem, including explosive growth in Bible engagement and increasing openness about faith in Silicon Valley.

Beyond market analysis, this episode addresses the “how moment” facing faith-driven investors—moving from awareness that capital matters to practical implementation across diverse asset classes. From the maturity of faith-driven real estate strategies to discussions about meaningful work in an AI-disrupted economy, this conversation provides essential perspective for investors approaching 2026.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and Thanksgiving Plans

02:21 John Coleman’s 2025 Market Overview

07:48 US Economic Dynamism and AI Dominance

10:10 Private Market Illiquidity Continues

11:45 Affordability Crisis and Wealth Inequality

13:57 Green Shoots in Faith and Bible Engagement

14:45 Luke Roush’s Four Words for 2025

17:30 Chaos, Prosperity, and AI Investment

20:09 Faith-Driven Movement Maturity

20:44 Justin Forman on Movement Diversity

24:19 The “How Moment” for Faith-Driven Investors

26:56 Interest Rates and Historical Context

32:28 AI Valuations and Market Uncertainty

33:57 Energy Revolution on the Horizon

35:40 Affordability and Consumer Health Discussion

41:17 Purpose, Meaning, and the Future of Work

44:58 Seeds vs Silos: Re-Risking for Kingdom Impact

46:56 Historical Perspective on Jesus’ Transformation

Discover why Africa represents one of the world’s most compelling investment opportunities through the lens of Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, founder of Arura Capital. As Nigeria’s first woman to raise over $10M for a private equity fund, Adesuwa shares how she’s delivering top-quartile returns while creating massive social impact by investing in overlooked female founders across the continent.

Learn why female-founded businesses in Africa generate 2.5X more revenue per dollar invested than their male counterparts, yet receive only 2% of available capital. Adesuwa breaks down the $150 billion capital gap facing African SMEs and explains how digital transformation is enabling businesses to leapfrog developed markets through embedded finance, B2B commerce platforms, and innovative solar solutions reaching off-grid communities.

From Lagos to Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire, see how Arura Capital’s portfolio companies are transforming Africa’s $1 trillion informal economy while creating 205,000 jobs and generating $150M in value chain revenue. This is faith-driven investing at its finest – market-rate returns with kingdom impact.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction: Lagos Energy and Entrepreneurial Dynamism

02:32 Nigeria’s Demographics: 220M Population Growing to Third Largest by 2050

05:06 The Four Pillars Needed for Nigeria’s Next Decade of Growth

06:11 Africa’s $150 Billion Capital Gap and SME Financing Challenge

07:07 Digital Transformation and Leapfrogging Developed Markets

09:04 Government’s Role in Infrastructure and Economic Development

11:04 Faith-Driven Investors Shaping Cities and Nations

12:07 Building a Redemptive Capital Community in Nigeria

13:35 Living Life Beyond Self: The Legacy Perspective

14:56 Stewardship as the Gateway to Significance

15:59 Starting Arura Capital: Being What You Can’t See

17:14 Africa’s Female Entrepreneurship Rate: 4X Higher Than Europe

19:26 Fund One Results: Top-Quartile Returns with Measurable Impact

21:02 The Case for Commercial Returns with Social Impact

21:42 Measuring Value Chain Impact: $150M in Generated Revenue

22:47 Understanding Africa’s $1 Trillion Informal Economy

23:35 Portfolio Spotlight: Omni Retail’s B2B Commerce Platform

26:08 Portfolio Spotlight: Coolbox’s Solar Freezer Solutions

28:11 Why Africa Enables Seamless Impact and Returns

29:05 The Leapfrog Mindset: Building Rails Despite Infrastructure Gaps

29:43 Resilience and Innovation in Challenging Environments

30:48 Private Sector Solutions to Public Infrastructure Needs

32:03 Why Now Is the Best Time to Invest in Nigeria

33:31 The Innovation Coming from Nigeria’s Recent Challenges

34:43 The Luxury to Pick: Supply-Demand Mismatch Favoring Investors

36:08 Faith-Driven Investing in Africa: Heavenly and Financial Returns

37:14 Scripture and Strength: Daniel’s Contrarian Spirit

38:35 Seven-Year Fundraising Journey: First Nigerian Woman to Raise $10M Fund

39:55 God as Partner: No One Can Shut the Door God Has Opened

41:11 Encouragement for the Next Generation of Fund Managers

Over 130 faith-driven fund managers gathered at Wheaton College for a landmark event showcasing how Kingdom-minded investors are operating across private equity, venture capital, real estate, and private credit. Richard Cunningham hosts Luke Roush, Andrew Behrman, and Jonathan Carvalho Pruna to discuss key insights from the 3rd Annual Faith Driven Investor Fund Manager Gathering.

From healthcare and education investing amid regulatory upheaval to the explosive growth of secondary markets addressing liquidity constraints, this conversation reveals how faith-driven managers are navigating unprecedented market conditions. The discussion explores spiritual integration practices including broad-based employee ownership programs at Riverside Value Fund and chaplaincy initiatives at Brinley Fire Services, demonstrating how intentional faith integration creates both Kingdom impact and operational excellence.

Hear about the evolution from capital structure-driven returns in the 1980s to today’s reality where 60-70% of private equity returns must come from operational value creation. Learn why secondary transaction volume has nearly doubled since 2019 and is projected to reach $330 billion by 2029. Discover how faith-driven approaches to stewardship, employee care, and portfolio company culture are setting new standards for excellence in asset management.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction to Fund Manager Gathering Recap

02:26 Overview of 130+ Managers Across Asset Classes

03:45 First Panel: Healthcare, Education, Growth Equity & Secondaries

09:41 Diversity of Approach Across Faith-Driven Managers

11:09 Healthcare System Challenges and Faith-Driven Solutions

14:18 Operational Value Creation as Primary Return Driver

16:54 Healthcare and Education Sector Transformation

19:00 Secondary Markets: The Perfect Storm

23:02 Democratizing Access to Private Markets

24:14 Spiritual Integration: Employee Ownership Programs

26:53 Riverside Value Fund’s Countercultural Approach

29:49 Ownership Works and Broad-Based Employee Equity

31:29 Workplace Chaplaincy as Universal SI Practice

34:20 Afternoon Sessions: Markets, Culture, Founder Care

36:54 Stewardship and Frontline Employee Impact

38:47 Standing in Awe of God’s Movement

40:47 Alex Jones on Hallow: Recognizing God’s Authorship

42:21 Challenge to Steward Resources Faithfully

43:51 If Not Us, Who? If Not Now, When?

45:50 Scripture Discussion: Service, Love, and Reproducing Leaders

What happens when faith-driven investors apply venture capital rigor to Hollywood? John Coleman reveals how the entertainment landscape is transforming as Christians reclaim their historical role as culture’s greatest storytellers. From The Chosen’s 520 million views to Wonder Project’s partnerships with Amazon and Sony, discover why this moment represents the “first inning” of a cultural shift decades in the making.

Learn how Wonder Project raised $100 million from faith-driven families to unlock hundreds of millions more from major studios, creating commercially viable infrastructure for authentic faith storytelling. John shares why betting on platforms rather than individual projects creates sustainable impact, how to apply private equity diligence to entertainment investments, and why this asset class can generate both market-rate returns and massive cultural influence.

This conversation explores the business side of faith-driven content—from tax credit financing and bank leverage to distribution agreements and portfolio approaches—revealing how strategic capital deployment can shift culture while building a self-sustaining ecosystem.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction on The Chosen Set

01:28 Why Entertainment Matters for Cultural Impact

02:46 Israel Trips and The Chosen’s Faith Impact

04:16 Christians Seeding Culture: The Lost Art of Storytelling

05:51 Explosion of Faith Content at Hollywood Scale

07:35 Beyond Movies: The Full Entertainment Spectrum

08:01 Gaming, Social, Animation: Reaching Every Generation

09:54 Foundation Groups: Faith Driven Investor Community

10:47 From Unicorn Creators to Complete Teams

11:43 Entertainment as Complex Business Infrastructure

12:50 Starting with Audience vs Passion Projects

13:40 Platform Shift: Wonder, Sycamore, Angel Studios

15:25 Creative Control and Studio Partnerships

15:58 Amazon Partnership: Collaboration Not Conflict

17:25 Public-Private Partnerships in Entertainment

18:07 Leveraging $100M to Access Billions

18:51 Wonder Project: How the Deal Came Together

21:02 Investment Rigor in Entertainment

22:11 Applying Private Equity Discipline to Content

23:50 Tax Credits, Bank Financing, and Leverage Tools

24:54 Portfolio Approach: Venture Capital Mindset

26:20 From Philanthropy to Sustainable Returns

27:32 Capital Needed: $200M Annual Commitment

29:12 Faith Driven Investor Conference Announcement

30:00 Measuring Cultural Impact You Can See

30:23 House of David: Viral Impact Stories

32:21 YouVersion Bible Spikes After Episodes Air

33:21 Entertainment vs Scripture: Pointing Not Replacing

34:43 Heroes in Museums vs Brothers in Story

35:46 God Chose the Weak to Lead Movements

37:27 Divine Timing: God Weaving Stories Together

38:38 Biblical Universe and Christian-Inspired Art

40:13 Gratitude and Encouragement

41:10 Invitation: Investing in Entertainment Course

42:19 Join Faith Driven Investor Community