Entrepreneurship, Resilience, and the Future of Film with Jordan Harmon

From VidAngel to Angel Studios | Jordan Harmon on Lawsuits, Storytelling, and the Angel Guild | Roots and Branches of LehiIn this episode of Roots and Branches of Lehi, host Ryan Harding sits down with Lehi resident and entrepreneur Jordan Harmon, co-founder of Angel Studios, to explore a journey defined by risk, resilience, and reimagining how stories reach audiences. From growing up in rural Idaho to building companies in Utah, Jordan shares the experiences that shaped his entrepreneurial path.Jordan walks through the origins of VidAngel, a platform created to help families filter content, and the high-profile lawsuit with major studios, including The Walt Disney Company, that followed.That pivot led to the rise of Angel Studios, including breakout successes like The Chosen and Dry Bar Comedy, and the introduction of innovative models like “Pay It Forward” and the Angel Guild—a community-driven platform where millions of members help decide which projects get made. Jordan shares how this approach is reshaping the relationship between creators and audiences, giving everyday viewers a voice in the storytelling process.The conversation also explores Angel Studios’ mission to produce values-based content, its theatrical release strategy, filmmaker profit-sharing incentives, and its growing presence in Utah County. Jordan offers insight into the future of media, including the role of technology and AI in a new creative era.It’s a compelling look at what happens when innovation meets conviction—and how one company is working to change the entertainment landscape.📌 Interested in stories about entrepreneurship, media, and innovation? Subscribe for more Roots and Branches of Lehi episodes featuring people shaping industries and communities.🏡 Brought to you by Work Hard Mortgage — helping families go from renting to rooted.⏱ Key Moments in This Episode• 00:00 – Podcast Welcome• 00:37 – Meet Jordan Harmon• 00:56 – From Idaho to Lehi• 01:49 – Early Entrepreneurial Roots• 02:33 – What Was VidAngel?• 03:04 – The Disney Lawsuit• 06:29 – Bankruptcy & Settlement• 09:01 – “Pay It Forward” Breakthrough• 11:54 – Transition to Angel Studios• 13:39 – The Chosen & Crowdfunding• 15:33 – The Angel Guild Model• 21:00 – How Audience Feedback Shapes Content• 23:01 – Values-Based Storytelling• 27:22 – Crowd-Driven Greenlighting• 29:08 – Release Pipeline & Member Perks• 30:28 – Theatrical Strategy & Marketing• 31:49 – Budgets & Creator Incentives• 35:29 – Long-Term Vision• 37:32 – New Talent & Upcoming Projects• 39:09 – Growth in Utah County• 40:58 – AI and the Future of Creativity• 42:58 – Final Thoughts👣 Related Topics:Angel Studios • VidAngel • The Chosen • Film Distribution • Crowdfunding • Creator Economy • Streaming Platforms • Utah Tech • Entrepreneurship • Roots and Branches of Lehi🎧 Listen to More Roots & Branches of LehiApple: [https://apple.co/40J53Ln](https://apple.co/40J53Ln)Spotify: [https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7v](https://open.spotify.com/show/7BC8a3YpULFYMSRgtfqF7v)YouTube Playlist: [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM](https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLlz4rzd_rsGZcR4Kscsck4ez_bWSLCuwM)🏠 Ready to go from renting to rooted?✔️ Want to know the value of your home? → [https://workharding.hifello.com/lp/6888f21970143a6397c98ea4](https://workharding.hifello.com/lp/6888f21970143a6397c98ea4)✔️ Curious how much home you can afford? → [https://workharding.com/affordability-calculator.php](https://workharding.com/affordability-calculator.php)✔️ Take the 60-second Homebuyer Readiness Quiz → [https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/survey/aAl6tzfvetiS329QNypM](https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/survey/aAl6tzfvetiS329QNypM)#RootsAndBranches #LehiUtah #AngelStudios #VidAngel #Entrepreneurship #StreamingMedia #CreatorEconomy #WorkHardMortgage #FromRentingToRooted