The Gospel According To Hobby Lobby

The Gospel According To Hobby Lobby

Author: The Media Project September 8, 2026 Duration: 33:45

Every billionaire eventually takes advantage of their wealth. Even Warren Buffet, famously more frugal and plain in the way he spends his money, eventually bought a private jet.


Absurd money continues to enable absurd purchases.


Jeff Bezos bought a super Yacht.


Elon Musk bought Twitter.


Mark Zuckerberg bought a 7 foot statue of his wife.


But as for the Greens, the family behind the arts and crafts superstore empire Hobby Lobby, they bought tens of thousands of ancient Biblical artifacts and manuscripts.


With over 1,000 stores and 46,000 employees Hobby Lobby did 8 Billion dollars in revenue last year. 


Hobby Lobby famously donates half of their pre-tax income to a variety of charities every year—most of which have to do with advancing worldwide Bible access and education.


But along their quest for global Biblical literacy, the Greens have engaged with politics in a way which leads some to call them Christian nationalists.


One of those people is Michael Blanding author of “The Gospel According to Hobby Lobby.”


Blanding’s book details the family’s business, influence, and surprising archeological scandal, and how their faith has shaped it all.


In a world where faith is often reduced to headlines or soundbites, Religion Unplugged offers a different kind of space. This podcast, from The Media Project, engages with the profound and complex ways belief shapes our lives, politics, and history. You’ll hear candid conversations and stories drawn from original reporting by a global network of journalists. We move beyond simple debates to explore the nuanced realities of spirituality and religious practice as they intersect with culture, conflict, and community. Each episode is an opportunity to listen deeply to narratives that are frequently overlooked, understanding that religion remains a powerful and growing force across the globe. This isn’t about doctrine; it’s about the human experience at the intersection of the sacred and the everyday. Tune in for a grounded, journalistic approach that unplugs the stereotypes and connects you to the authentic stories defining faith in the 21st century.
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