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- Fides Entrepreneurship: 3 lessons from James Fishback
Fides Entrepreneurship: 3 lessons from James Fishback
Luca Zocche
October 22, 2025
Thank you to everyone who joined us last night! (No pictures this time!).
James truly made it a powerful evening in showing what it means to speak truth and evangelize admits the times we live in.
Nonetheless are 3 golden takeaways from James that we hope will stay with you:
1. Give People the Option to Seek the Truth
“We put Mass on the schedule of our Incubate Debate National Conferences. It at least gives students the option to think about the deeper things that guide them to truth.
We now have students converting because of this.”
James reminded us that evangelization begins not by force, but by invitation.
This is the power of presence.
Our role is to open that door. God does the converting in his time.
2. Defend the Truth, Not Versions of It
“If you believe you can defend a Double mastectomy of a 15-year-old girl who is suffering from gender confusion, then you have something else coming.
I think we have to, one, be honest about what this process is about which is to get to truth.
And when I mean truth, I don’t mean versions of the truth, I don’t mean his or her truth. I mean the truth. Singular.I have yet to see a student go up and argue for transgenderism, who can argue for abortion up until the moment of birth and do it in a way that is genuinely convincing and persuasive. What they often do is they learn that through that process they’re not on the winning side and their minds begin to change and that is a very powerful example of humility at work.”
For James, debate is indirectly about conversion and faith through reasoning.
Formation, that go beyond feelings. The truth speaks for itself and that is what James is pushing forward with his Debate Conferences.
3. Fear God, Not the World
“‘Lord, do I know how people act like they fear You but live as if You don’t exist.’
Realizing these words from the Lord, I saw that I needed to change and broke off my previous engagement.”
One of the core paths of aiming for sanctity is honesty. Always having honesty leads to a transformation of oneself admits our fear of it.
When we stop living as if God were absent and start ordering our lives around His presence and honesty we find freedom.
James truly believes in the words “The Truth Shall Set You Free”.
Conclusion
Likewise we truly cannot thank you enough for your support in making these events possible as we hope you’re inspired to make true change through the lense of your faith and our trust in God.
God bless!
Upcoming events
Thursday November 13th, 2025 at 19:00
Our November speaker is Anthony Viscogliosi, Founder & Principal of Viscogliosi Brothers, a single-family office with 21 companies focused on orthopedics and spine surgery innovation. He is also a parishioner and altar server as well at Old Saint Patrick's Cathedral.
Anthony’s story is one of resilience, faith, and mission as at just 14 years old, he survived a near-fatal accident that left him with severe orthopedic injuries a moment he calls the greatest gift God gave him. That suffering became the seed of his vocation: to dedicate his life to supporting doctors and inventors who relieve the suffering of others.
“The accident was the greatest gift that the Lord gave me. He gives us the greatest troubles so we can do the best work for him and for humanity.”
Anthony will share:
The turning points that shaped his faith and entrepreneurial vision
How one can start their own family office to do good
How God uses suffering as a gift that transforms us
This Dinner will take place in Lower Manhattan*.
*Location subject to change.
Thursday December 4th 2025 at 19:00
Our December Speaker is Rob Kaczmark, Co-Founder & Executive Director of Spirit Juice Studios, an Emmy Award-winning creative firm dedicated to spreading the Gospel through media.
Rob’s story is one of faith, creativity, and conviction. From his roots in youth ministry and BMX culture (punk rock, tattoos, ect) to building one of the most recognized Catholic media production company in the country, which has worked with Jonathan Roumie, Hallow, Bishop Baron and Mark Wahlberg.
During COVID, when churches were closed, Rob and his team livestreamed daily Masses from their in-office chapel, offering hope to thousands. His short films like The Veil Removed to launching a Catholic kids’ channel on YouTube continue to shape how Catholics experience and share their faith.
“A small little video, a livestream Mass or Divine Mercy hits the right person at the right time… Sometimes even just the appearance of someone on camera praying that looks a little different can bring someone in.”
Rob will share:
How his creative journey led to founding Spirit Juice Studios
Why incorporating a chapel into his office and offering mass there changed his company’s culture
How media can be used to plant seeds of faith in unexpected places
This Talk will take place at The Catholic Center at NYU in Lower Manhattan*.
We are deeply thankful to the support of Father Cassian and his team for making this possible!
Sign up here to confirm your attendance. *Location subject to change.
If you are an NYU Student or work for the university please reach out to us to get a free ticket, at [email protected] .
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