Podcast episode
Episode 213 – Seeds vs. Silos: A Sneak Peek of the 2026 FDI Conference
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.
All opinions expressed on this podcast, including the team and guests, are solely their opinions. Host and guests may maintain positions in the companies and securities discussed. This podcast is for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as specific investment advice for any individual or organization.
Episode Notes
As the Faith Driven Investor Conference approaches its seventh year, the movement stands at a pivotal moment. Henry Kaestner, Justin Forman, and Luke Roush preview the 2026 conference theme “Seeds vs. Silos,” examining how faith-driven investors are moving from accumulation mindsets to seed-scattering strategies that bear fruit in unexpected places.
This episode explores the maturation of faith-driven investing over six years—from a movement struggling with both supply and demand to an ecosystem with top-quartile performers across asset classes, engaged advisors serving as river guides, and investors hungry for alignment between faith and portfolio. The hosts discuss the convergence of giving, investing, and building into unified mission-focused asset allocation, real-world examples of first-loss capital strategies in emerging markets, and why excellence in stewardship requires both diligence and courage to act on urgent opportunities like Africa’s growing economy.
The conversation challenges conventional risk frameworks, asking what it means to truly steward capital when eternal outcomes matter more than avoiding financial volatility. With stories from Bible translation collaboration to Kenyan agricultural enterprises, this preview sets the stage for a conference designed not for hype, but for mobilizing capital toward solving real problems in community.
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction and Conference Theme Overview
01:27 Welcome and Six Years of FDI Conferences
02:17 Understanding the J-Curve in Investing
03:10 Seeds vs. Silos: Our Relationship with Money
04:07 The J-Curve of Seeds: Planting for Future Harvest
05:46 Movement Stages: Storming, Forming, Norming, Performing
06:59 Movement Measurement and Cultural Mindset Shifts
08:12 Supply, Demand, and the River Guide Advisor
09:31 Asset Allocation Convergence: One Pocket, Not Three
10:58 John Cortines on Good Money and Unified Motive
11:24 Hopeful Expectancy and Community in Investing
12:47 Peer Groups and CEO Encouragement Stories
13:31 The Need for Examples and Courage
15:32 Top Quartile Performance: Excellence Because of Faith
17:27 Beacon Power and Sustainable Business Solutions
18:08 Different Flavors: One Size Fits One
18:45 Build, Invest, and Give: Solving Problems
19:58 Solving the World’s Greatest Problems Under God’s Power
21:04 Power Balance: Recognizing We’re Problems Too
22:01 A Call to Arms: The Body of Christ Mobilized
22:40 Darkness Coordinated vs. Church Unity
23:32 Barns All Around Us: Margin and Retirement
24:45 Repositioning Philanthropy as Early Catalyst
25:00 First-Loss Capital Example in Kenya
26:56 Emergency Response Analogy: Means vs. Ends
29:26 The Africa Strategy: Urgency and Opportunity
30:18 Partnering with Local Faith-Driven Entrepreneurs
31:30 High Risk Appetite in Generosity
32:07 Jesus as First Adopter and First Responder
32:27 Rethinking Risk from an Eternal Perspective
33:35 The Joy of Doing It Together
34:11 Illuminations: Bible Translation Collaboration Story
34:55 Mart Green: Cheaper, Faster, and Better Together
35:34 The Motive Question: What’s in It for Us?
36:35 Blessed to Be a Blessing
37:01 The Fun and Joy of Kingdom Investing
37:56 Call to Action: Watch Parties and Community