Chris Ayoub, the executive producer behind the thought-provoking miniseries "The Religion Business," joins us to unravel the tangled web of business and religion. Our discussion casts a spotlight on the financial practices of religious institutions, particularly during the televangelist era, as Chris bravely shares his personal challenges and unwavering commitment to truth. His insights lead us into the complex terrain where religion, politics, and commerce intersect, revealing the historical grip religious entities have held on political power to preserve their influence.   As we venture further, we confront the deception that can lurk within religious institutions, where narcissistic traits sometimes find fertile ground in leadership roles. Our conversation critiques the vast resource disparities within religious organizations, where wealth contrasts starkly with unresolved social issues like poverty and homelessness. The phenomena of televangelism are dissected, exposing how vulnerable individuals are often manipulated while personal stories and cultural critiques, such as "The Righteous Gemstones," question the accountability of religious sectors in addressing societal needs authentically.   Transparency is our rallying cry, urging religious organizations to lift their veils and embrace accountability. We discuss the innovative software platform, Broken Shepherds, designed to bring financial transparency to nonprofits. Despite resistance, the courage to advocate for change is underscored, as we explore the cultural pressures that silence voices within religious communities. Our closing reflections touch on the intersection of religion and commerce on social media, encouraging a mindful approach to resource allocation and the broader implications of our actions, leaving listeners with much to ponder about the role of faith in a modern world.   CHAPTERS    (00:00) - The Business of Religion (11:46) - The Deception Within Religious Institutions (22:36) - Demanding Transparency in Religious Institutions (34:07) - The Influence and Corruption of Religion (47:41) - Religion Business and Social Media   💬 Did you enjoy this podcast episode? Tell us all about it in the comment section below!    ☑️  If you liked this video, consider subscribing to Escaping The Drift with John Gafford  ************* 💯 About John Gafford: After appearing on NBC's "The Apprentice", John relocated to the Las Vegas Valley and founded several successful companies in the real estate space.   ➡️ The Gafford Group at Simply Vegas, top 1% of all REALTORS nationwide in terms of production. Simply Vegas, a 500 agent brokerage with billions in annual sales Clear Title, a 7-figure full-service title and escrow company.   *************   ✅ Follow John Gafford on social media:   Instagram ▶️ / thejohngafford   Facebook ▶️ / gafford2   🎧 Stream The Escaping The Drift Podcast with John Gafford Episode here: Listen On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7cWN80gtZ4m4wl3DqQoJmK?si=2d60fd72329d44a9 Listen On Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/escaping-the-drift-with-john-gafford/id1582927283    *************   #escapingthedrift #chrisayoub #business #religion #financialpractices #televangelist #politicalpower #influence #deception #narcissism #wealthdisparities #transparency #nonprofits #taxexemptstatus #faith #truth #accountability #socialissues #homelessness #poverty #televangelism #exploitation #faithdevelopment #spiritualgrowth #accountability #courage #advocatingforchange #corruption #power #tithing #technologicaladvancement #economicmotivations #socialmedia #visibility #mindfulness #resourceallocation #implications #faithinmodernworld See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.