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Feeding Fathers

Qurbana Media

Fr. Simon Esshaki hosts engaging conversations and shares a meal with three of his brother priests. This Catholic podcast offers candid, informal discussions on theology, faith, and contemporary issues, seen through a distinct Chaldean Catholic lens.

Explore the profound ancient spirituality of the Church of the East, bringing unique and fresh perspectives to Christianity and modern culture. This show is for anyone seeking spiritual insights, Catholic wisdom, and meaningful dialogue about faith in today's world.

Listen in for discussions that truly nourish your soul, enlighten your understanding, and make you hungry!

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25 episodes
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Avg 49 min
English

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#103
October 1 · 43 min
How to Trust a Catholic Influencer: Is That What the Church Teaches? [Ep. 103]
Somebody online says they’re Catholic, then tells you this is a sin, this is the tradition, and this is what the Church has always done. How are you supposed to know if that’s actually true? We get into the part most Catholic content skips: what the Magisterium actually is, why an encyclical isn’t automatically dogma, and why “the Church teaches” is a much smaller category than your feed makes it. Using examples like receiving Communion in the hand vs. on the tongue and prayer after Communion, we critique absolutist online claims and highlight how customs, rubrics, intention, and circumstances matter when evaluating whether something is sinful. We also address AI and impersonation scams, including fake priest accounts and AI-generated content, urging discernment about whether content draws viewers toward Christ or fuels anger and attachment to influencers. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Chris Somo, Fr. Tristan Farida ––– 00:00 Who Speaks for the Church 00:27 Coffee and Milk Debate 04:03 What Makes Catholic Content Trustworthy 06:21 Ordinary vs Extraordinary Teaching 08:24 Hand or Tongue for Communion? 10:35 Prayer After Communion Controversy 13:15 "Our Father" Gestures 17:28 Custom Tradition and Innovations 21:52 "Is This a Sin?" Culture 27:13 Church Teaching vs Opinion 31:00 Impersonators and AI Scams 36:48 Discernment for Catholic Media 37:42 Faith in Sports –––
#102
September 24 · 48 min
Fulton Sheen Gets Beatified. Catholic Media Still Has a Long Way to Go. [Ep. 102]
A Catholic bishop used to own Friday night television. 30 million people watched every week tuned in to watch Fulton Sheen crack jokes, write on his chalkboard, and preach the truth. Today, he is beatified in St. Louis. On the day of Fulton Sheen’s beatification, we reflect on his primetime media impact (30 million weekly viewers on "Life Is Worth Living") and what made him effective: lived faith, storytelling, humor, a compelling voice, and devotion to daily Holy Hour. We compare today’s “culture of convenience” and short-form media to Sheen’s call for effort and meditation and link it to Catholic media today, stressing fidelity to Church teaching while engaging the wider culture through outlets like ours, EWTN, Catholic Answers, Word on Fire, and Bishop Barron’s appearance on Theo Von’s podcast. Naturally, we react to Catholic influencer clips, answer listener questions, and invite locals to the upcoming Chaldean American Festival. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Chris Somo, Fr. Tristan Farida –––
#101
September 17 · 44 min
Kathryn Krick & Deion Sanders Speaking in Tongues [Ep. 101]
Self-proclaimed apostle, Kathryn Krick, looks into a camera and tells a room that the baptism of the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues are for every one of you. Deion Sanders walks into a post-game press conference, "calms himself down," and everyone just stares. Nobody here is trying to talk you out of the Holy Spirit. That’s not the argument. The argument is what happens when you lift the word “baptism” off the sacrament Christ actually gave the Church, staple it onto a feeling, film it, and leave half the internet wondering why their prayer life looks so quiet. If you’ve ever watched someone fall over, speak in a language nobody in the room knows, and then gone home wondering what you’re missing... tune in. Not to mock it, but to ask whether the feeling is the point. A listener also wrote in: how do you even go to confession when you already know you’ll probably sin again? Kathryn has thoughts on that sacrament, too. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Augustine Joseph ––– 00:00 Controversial Crew 02:31 Reacting to Viral "Tongues" Clips 04:48 Baptism Language Objection 08:50 Meaning Of Language And Word 17:36 Charisms And Discernment 21:25 Feelings vs Faith 30:07 Confession Questions 32:56 Cardinal's Aura Farming Tweet 40:02 Kathryn Cult Vibes 41:52 Bishop Barron's New Movie –––
#100
September 10 · 50 min
Episode 100! No Topic. Just Your Questions.
We hit 100 episodes. Wow. We have to thank YOU, the listener, for making this possible. We wouldn't be here without you. Last week’s episode set people off with five seconds about Harry Potter, the gluttony comments, the usual... So, in appreciation of our amazing audience, we are celebrating 100 episodes by answering YOUR questions! And you asked us EVERYTHING. Some questions you can look forward to: Should you ask God for something if His will is already set? Why is Fr. Andy mad? What do you tell a little kid when the lights go out and she wants to know why God did it? Are we starting a Twitch channel? What does becoming holy mean in the Chaldean tradition? We got way too much food, there’s cake, and we might even sing you a song. If you’ve watched every episode, you already know how this goes. If you only showed up because last week made you mad, start here and enjoy the ride. Fr. Andy Blog on Why We Pray for Stuff: https://younan.blog/2020/10/12/why-pray-for-stuff/ Purchase "The Book of Before and After" Liturgy of the Hours of the Church of the East: https://a.co/d/08k5ft4c Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Tristan Farida, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Chris Somo ––– 00:00 100th Episode 02:34 Gluttony Backlash 06:20 Favorite Movies 08:32 Do We Watch Anime? 10:12 Should We Start a Twitch Channel? 11:54 God in the Storm 20:22 Andrew Finally On Camera 21:36 Would You Rather 22:33 Mental Health Stigma 25:20 Priesthood Surprises 28:57 Chaldean Rite Reading List 31:04 Fulton Sheen 34:45 Books That Build Faith 37:24 Praying With Confidence 41:27 Why Is Father Andy Mad? 42:34 Chai Chat Throwback 45:13 100 Episodes Reflection –––
#99
September 3 · 42 min
Are Parents Raising Atheists? Is Harry Potter Evil? Pray Less, Do More? [Ep. 99]
What do you do when prayer starts feeling like homework? When you’ve said every novena, every rosary, and your kid still won’t talk to you? When church is packed but the way people treat their families doesn’t match the words? When you don’t know the “right” form of prayer, so you just… don’t start? We get into the prayers that sound impressive and go nowhere, the tiny honest ones that actually do something, the difference between inviting God in and asking Him to do your job for you, and why jumping straight to a holy hour can backfire. We react to neuroscientist Andrew Huberman’s comments on daily prayer and peace, and emphasize prayer as an authentic reaching beyond oneself toward God, whether through formal prayers like the Our Father or a simple cry for help. We also settle a very serious question involving Harry Potter, sandwiches, and whether you should panic about every witch in a story. Next week is episode 100! Drop a question, a favorite moment, or something you’ve always wanted to ask the fathers. Very good chance we’ll read them on the show! "Chai Chat" on YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkQq1cQqNPTDNyXv4JxzflbItqFiDWzID&si=RLsqkle6ZMkFfun4 Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Augustine Joseph ––– 00:00 Throwback Content 00:58 Huberman On Prayer 04:02 Authentic Prayer Matters 06:50 Pharisee Vs Tax Collector 09:30 Prayer And Responsibility 14:18 God Initiates Friendship 18:17 Grace Through Practice 21:02 Practical Prayer Tips 24:15 Daily Sacrifices As Prayer 26:42 Guilt And Prayer Burden 28:43 Aquinas On Prayer Time 30:24 Make Prayer Interesting 33:45 Harry Potter Panic 40:36 Start Small Family Prayer 41:03 Episode 100 –––
#98
August 27 · 41 min
If My Phone Isn’t Clear, My Brain Isn’t Clear [Ep.98]
Some of us wake up and grab the phone before we even know what day it is. If the notifications aren’t cleared, the brain doesn’t feel settled. And at a red light, 30 seconds of silence is suddenly too much. The question underneath all of it isn’t “Am I efficient?” It’s the one Jesus asked Peter on the shore after breakfast: "Do you love me?" We discuss how phone overuse affects attention, mental health, and spiritual life, starting with morning routines and rules. We contrast modern sensory overload with older, simpler life rhythms and highlight how constant distraction can weaken silence, emotional processing, and genuine connection. Fr. Simon also opens up about how he almost became a monk a couple years ago... like WOAH! And we react to Joe Shmid's conversion to the Catholic Faith and what he believe's are atheists' number one argument against God. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Dany Shaba, Fr. Augustine Joseph ––– 00:00 Phone Habit Confessions 04:07 Dopamine Notification Fix 08:19 Coffee And Morning News 11:36 Tasks And Spiritual Health 14:43 Depression And Distraction 16:59 Information Overload And Love 19:28 Do You Love Me? 23:26 Silence and Overstimulation 25:34 Instant Gratification Culture 28:21 Doomscrolling Emptiness 29:32 Fr. Simon Almost Became a Monk?? 35:06 Acai Bowl Break 37:02 Reacting to Atheism Argument 39:33 Free Will and Animal Suffering –––
#97
August 20 · 44 min
Plastic Surgery, Botox & the Pressure to Stay Young Forever [Ep. 97]
Pope Leo just said something most of us aren’t ready to hear about beauty, aging, and the pressure to stay young forever. In his homily on the feast of the Assumption, he talked about Mary’s body, the way icons always show her young, and what that has to do with the wrinkles, gray hair, and “signs of love” that show up on the rest of us. We get into the cultural stuff nobody wants to say out loud: plastic surgery, Botox, Ozempic, balloon faces, filtered photos that make you hate your real face, and the quiet panic that hitting a certain age means you’ve become useless. This isn’t a lecture. It’s us priests talking honestly about the fear of looking older, the difference between taking care of yourself and trying to outrun death, and why the people we actually want to be loved by aren’t the ones who only notice the surface. If you’ve ever looked in the mirror and felt the pressure, or watched someone you love chase a version of beauty that doesn’t exist, this one’s for you. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andrew Younan, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Roni Schamoun ––– 00:00 Nose Job 06:34 Plastic Surgery Culture 09:46 Honoring Old Age 12:13 Wisdom Tradition 20:46 Authenticity Over Image 23:47 Marriage Fear and Vanity 27:40 Stop Faking Love 31:34 Plastic Surgery Ethics 34:24 Filters and Fitness Lies 37:18 Beauty Across Life Stages 40:24 Bible Trivia Game –––
#96
August 13 · 52 min
Mary As Our Model: Chaldean-Assyrian Youth Convention 2026 Recap [Ep. 96]
The 2026 Chaldean-Assyrian Youth Convention in Sacramento left more than just trophies: Scorching turf that hit around 170 degrees, feet that still haven’t recovered, antibiotics, and a championship curse finally broken for St. John's. The theme was "Mary As Our Model," so we reflect on why her obedience cuts against the grain of modern culture. We also react to a viral video claiming Catholics worship statues and invent a different Mary. We reflect on the residual feeling that still hits after you leave an event like the convention that contains a sense of family, the hope of seeing youth actually love each other, and the reminder that we’re not meant to do this alone. And then we end things with a wild game of "Saint or Movie Quote!" Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Tristan Farida ––– 00:00 Post Convention Injuries 01:26 Championship Wins Recap 04:17 Shoutouts to Leaders 06:02 Hope And Community 08:38 Mary Our Model Theme 14:42 Assumption And Marian Glory 19:40 "No Wine" Obedience Lesson 28:22 Modern Freedom Vs Obedience 31:42 Catholics Worship Mary? 34:08 Incarnation and Ark Objections 37:03 Saints as Mediators 45:08 Saint or Movie Quote –––
#95
July 23 · 50 min
Catholics Are Forming to Defend the Faith, But Tremble Before Nothing [Ep. 95]
We fear we’re forming a whole generation that can defend every dogma online… yet never actually tremble in front of God. We reacted to a video that argues the point that a religion without mysticism is just philosophy. Then we got honest about the difference between knowing about God and actually encountering Him. We look to St. John of the Cross, Thomas Aquinas, and the quiet old man who simply looked at Jesus and let Jesus look back. We also explain why some of the most “courageous” online defenders of the faith are just being jerks in the name of orthodoxy. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Ankido Sipo ––– 00:00 Mysticism vs. Intellect 01:53 Defining Mysticism 05:20 Aquinas And Holy Silence 10:13 Heaven and the Body 13:39 Encounter Depends On God 16:29 Feelings And Retreat Highs 25:47 Beauty That Creates Awe 32:22 Calling Out Heresy Online 36:25 Prodigal Son Lessons 39:56 Joyful Christianity 41:19 Road Trip Story 43:01 Pizza! 44:24 Amazon Price Game
#94
July 16 · 45 min
Feeling Lonely in a Crowded Room [Ep. 94]
You can be completely alone and feel peace. You can be surrounded by people and feel empty. We get into solitude vs. loneliness, why your social battery dies as you get older, the quiet time parents with little kids desperately need (and how to actually get it), and the kind of loneliness Jesus felt in the Garden even though the disciples were right next to Him. We talk about the people who scroll for hours while the lonely person is sitting in the next room, why cliques make the Church feel colder than it should, what to do if you’re the new one trying to break into a friend group without looking needy, and why the most Christian thing you can do is sometimes just walk up to the person sitting alone and start a conversation. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Daniel Shaba –––
#93
July 9 · 51 min
SSPX Excommunicated & Chaldean Priests Ordained: What Real Unity Costs [Ep. 93]
We got back from Michigan a few days ago after witnessing two new priests, Fr. Brandon and Fr. Lucian, for the Chaldean Eparchy of St. Thomas get ordained. The humidity was brutal, but the time with the Chaldean Sisters and our brother priests was very special. This example of unity contrasts the recent SSPX news. We discuss what actually happened with the excommunications under Pope Leo, why consecrating bishops without the Holy See matters so much, and how the Church has always handled moments like this. We got into the difference between valid and illicit, why excommunication is meant to be temporary medicine instead of a final door slam, and what real obedience looks like when it costs something. We also talked about organic development versus just breaking off when things get hard — and why staying in the Body, even when it’s hard, is the only way any of this actually holds together for the long haul. We try some frozen yogurt from our friends at Yogurt Express and play the most chaotic game of describing Church stuff without saying the obvious words. There always seems to be some tension between loving tradition and staying united, so tune in to learn how to process what’s happening in the Church right now. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Roni Schamoun –––
#92
July 2 · 51 min
We Finally Address All the Church Gossip You've Been Hearing About Us [Ep. 92]
You know how something gets said in one corner of the community and somehow reaches the exact person it’s about in under two hours? Yeah… we’re that episode. We get honest about why gossip moves so fast around here, how you literally can’t take words back once they’re out, and why “but it’s true though” still doesn’t get you off the hook. We also talk about whether just being curious is a problem (Aquinas had some thoughts on that), the difference between venting to someone who will actually check you versus just spreading it, and why holding onto that grudge for three years might be hurting you more than the person you’re mad at. It’s the conversation we’ve all kind of needed. And yes, we’re very aware of the irony of priests making an entire episode about gossip. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Fadi Auro, Br. Sinan ––– 00:00 Travel Rumors and New Assignment 02:04 How Gossip Spreads 04:03 St Philip Neri Feather Lesson 07:59 Truth vs. Gossip vs. Slander 13:58 Gossip Can Ruin Lives 18:19 Forgiveness and Letting Go 26:59 Venting Is Still Gossip 30:41 Curiosity As A Vice 35:11 Wonder vs. Trivial Questions 37:48 Celebrity Knowledge Trap 42:33 Church Gossip And Family 43:27 Dream Dinner Draft –––
#91
June 25 · 51 min
Chaldeans in the Diaspora: Preserving Our Language & Culture in the West [Ep. 91]
What happens when most Chaldeans and Assyrians now live outside Iraq? Will our language disappear? How do we stop our culture from dissolving in the West without losing our Catholic Faith? On this episode we talk about the Church itself as the glue holding our scattered people together — more than land, more than language — and why preserving our Eastern identity actually matters to the whole Catholic Church. Fr. Simon and Fr. Tristan just got back from a pilgrimage in France where they visited St. Thomas Chaldean Church in Sarcelles and were blown away. They describe the most beautiful Chaldean church they’ve ever seen, a packed Mass, and being welcomed with a massive lunch and full-on khigga dancing. They also met young French-born Chaldean priests who speak Sureth with a French twist and are fully living both worlds. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Tristan Farida, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Augustine Joseph –––
#90
June 19 · 54 min
The Problem with "Bible Alone" and "Faith Alone" [Ep. 90]
This episode is all about the two most common objections that come up between Catholics and Protestants — Sola Scriptura and Sola Fide (Scripture Alone and Faith Alone). We lay out why “Scripture alone” sounds straightforward until you ask the obvious follow-up questions: Who decided which books actually belong in the Bible? Why did the Church already have the faith, the liturgy, and the Eucharist long before the canon was settled? And what happens when the same text gets interpreted in completely different ways with no living authority to settle it? We point out that “Do this in memory of me” already assumes tradition and practice that go beyond the text itself. On the salvation side, we take on the “faith alone” claim directly. We explain how baptism actually makes us new creations, how Christ lives and works in us, and why “I never knew you” is such a sobering warning. Intellectual agreement with the right facts isn’t enough if it never becomes real transformation and relationship. We also squeezed in some World Cup banter, Zlatan quotes, celebrate someone's birthday, and play a game of "Holy Hot Takes" while we were at it. If these two topics have ever left you with more questions than answers, this one’s worth your time. Featuring: Fr. Christopher Somo, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Roni Schamoun ––– 00:00 Protestant Label 01:41 World Cup Tangent 06:07 Sola Scriptura Origins 14:41 Church and Canon 18:44 Interpretation and Authority 24:47 Sola Fide Explained 33:55 Faithfulness Not Belief 35:38 Ratzinger On Faith Alone 38:50 Saved By Love And Fruit 41:25 Birthday Cake! 42:45 Holy Hot Takes 44:57 Underrated Saints 47:03 Underrated Bible Books 48:36 Seminary Hot Takes 50:15 Viral Bible Characters 51:21 Popes With Podcasts 52:32 Prayers Not Prayed Enough –––
#89
June 11 · 47 min
Chaldean Funerals: Are We Grieving the Right Way? [Ep. 89]
You ever sit at a Chaldean/Assyrian funeral gathering and feel like something about it just doesn’t sit right, even though everybody’s there for a good reason? We get into what actually happens in those halls — the way the room splits, the "hired" wailers doing their thing to get people crying, and how the men usually end up talking business or church stuff while the women are on the other side. We discuss the pressure that falls on the women especially, the black clothes, the 40 days, the skipping weddings and celebrations, and how that can turn into something heavier than anyone meant it to be. We also call out the part that’s harder to say out loud: how mourning can quietly become a competition, or how family drama and judgment show up right when people are already hurting. And the question that keeps coming back is the one that matters most — where is Jesus in the middle of all of it? If you’ve ever left one of these and felt like the traditions were running the show more than the actual grief or the faith, this conversation is gonna feel familiar. Featuring: Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Andy Younan, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Daniel Shaba ––– 00:00 Wailing and Grief 08:36 Gender Split Dynamics 10:51 Black Clothing Pressure 14:37 Faith Over Formalities 17:56 Grieving With Structure 24:59 Hope Versus Despair 27:26 Praying for the Dead 28:46 Guardian Angel Myth 32:52 Legacy and Being Forgotten 36:08 Do Dogs Go Heaven 39:46 Mexican Food! 43:05 "30-Second Homily" Game ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/lhLN-AP03Jw 📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!
#88
June 4 · 57 min
The Catholic Retreat That Converted Me: Feeling Spiritually 'High' & Low [Ep. 88]
Coming off the heals of the latest "Emmaus Retreat," Fr. Augustine shares how he converted through this retreat years ago when he was barely showing up to Church. Now he leads them. That part is strong on its own. But what we really got into is what happens after a retreat for most people. You come home on fire, then real life shows up. The feeling starts to fade. Your family looks at you like they don’t quite recognize you. And you catch yourself wondering how much of it was even real once you’re back in your normal routine. We talked about the honest parts that usually don’t get said out loud. Why chasing the good feeling can actually pull you in the wrong direction. What it costs when you try to go back to your old life after something real happened inside you. And whether you even have to be “ready” before you sign up for a retreat in the first place. If you’ve ever left a retreat or any kind of spiritual experience feeling close to God and then watched it slip away once you got home, you’ll probably recognize a lot of what we said. For the young Chaldean Catholic adults in our diocese, the youth convention is coming up: https://spyouthconvention.org Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Christoper Somo, Fr. Fadi Auro ––– 00:00 Back from Emmaus 03:16 Emmaus Passage Walkthrough 08:48 Why Retreats Matter 13:03 Retreat Versus Vacation 18:51 After The Spiritual High 23:07 Consolation And Desolation 34:16 Am I Ready For a Retreat 40:53 Perpetual Conversion 47:07 Youth Convention Preview 49:16 Burrito "Draft Day" & Kanafa 53:22 Leo Elects First Female Prefect –––
#87
May 29 · 53 min
Pope Leo XIV’s First Encyclical on AI Just Dropped & We Actually Read It [Ep. 87]
In his very first encyclical, Pope Leo XIV tackles artificial intelligence and the massive technological shift happening right now — comparing it directly to the upheaval of the Industrial Revolution 135 years ago when Leo XIII wrote Rerum Novarum. We walk through the heart of the letter: how AI risks turning human dignity into a “social score” based on productivity, the dangers of transhumanism and posthumanism, and why the Pope says our limitations, struggles, and relationships are actually the most beautiful and important parts of being human. You’ll hear about the Tower of Babel versus the rebuilding of Jerusalem, why AI can never replace real friendship or creativity, the need for real limits and oversight on this technology, and what Catholic social teaching has to say about building a civilization of love in the digital age. What do you think — is AI just a powerful tool, or is it quietly reshaping who we are? Drop your thoughts in the comments! Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Fadi Auro, Fr. Christopher Somo –––
#86
May 22 · 50 min
Holy Spirit & Pentecost: Speaking in Tongues Means Speaking in Love [Ep. 86]
With Pentecost Sunday right around the corner, we sit down to talk about the Holy Spirit and why the "upper-room moment" still matters for everyday Catholics. We cover the Acts passage about the violent wind, tongues of fire, and the apostles suddenly speaking in other languages—but we take it further than the usual explanation. We get real and practical about evangelization and why yelling the truth, winning online arguments, or nagging your adult kids about church usually backfires, and why just being a normal, sincere human being who listens and builds real relationships actually works. New episode every week—subscribe and join the table! Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Tristan Farida, Fr. Augustine Joseph –––
#85
May 14 · 53 min
Uniting the Church of the East & A New Chaldean Patriarch [Ep. 85]
His Beatitude Mar Paulos III Nona is now leading the Chaldean Church, and it feels like we’re stepping into a genuinely hopeful new chapter. In this episode we talk about the direction he’s already setting for our Church, what it really means to have a patriarch, and how our ancient structure is meant to carry us forward. We walk through the patriarch’s role as father of the Church, how the synod actually governs, and how we live in full communion with Rome while staying true to our own tradition. We also get real about life in the diaspora — where the vast majority of Chaldeans and Assyrians now live — and what it’s going to take to keep our liturgy, the ancient Anaphora of Addai and Mari, our language, music, and entire patrimony alive far from our historical homeland. One of the most exciting parts of the conversation is the real hope for deeper unity and eventual reintegration with the Assyrian Church of the East — returning together to our shared roots in the historic Church of the East. We also talk about the Sons of the Covenant Monastery and how communities like this are living out our consecrated life and identity right here in the diaspora. This is an honest, hopeful conversation about where our Church is headed. The installation of Patriarch Mar Apolos III Nona is May 29th — please keep him and the entire Chaldean Church in your prayers. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Fadi Auro ––– 00:00 Meet the New Patriarch 03:04 What Makes a Patriarch 05:13 Patriarchs vs Major Archbishops 06:04 Synods East and West 07:50 Patriarchal See and Origins 18:45 Preserving Tradition in Exile 22:04 Ecumenism and Reintegration Vision 26:59 Language Loss and Identity 32:42 Reviving Chaldean Monasticism 43:03 Diaspora Distinctions 46:52 'Hot Takes' Game –––
#84
May 7 · 51 min
What Does a Priest Really Go Through? The Side People Rarely See [Ep. 84]
Have you ever wondered what a priest actually thinks and feels at the end of the day? The real joys, the tough times, and everything in between? In this honest, funny, and laid-back conversation, we open up about our seminary years, the brotherhood that still means everything to us, what being a spiritual father to a whole community is actually like, and the very human side of priesthood that most people never see. We talk about the formation that shaped us, the frustrations that come with the job, the humility we try to lean on, and why we still need confession and support just like everyone else. Whether you’re curious about priest life, thinking about discernment, or just want to understand us better, sit down with us over some food and hear our real story. Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Tristan Farida, Fr. Augustine Joseph ––– 00:00 Joys and Challenges 02:44 Seminary Brotherhood 08:29 Growing Up in Seminary 11:04 Priesthood as Fatherhood 17:44 Humility 21:22 No Climbing the Ranks 25:49 Priests Go to Confession 28:47 Can Priests Drink? 30:20 Priest Privilege 32:22 Retreats Build Relationships 37:41 Laity Make Ministry Work 43:33 'One Has To Go' Game 49:40 Annoying Questions Priests Get –––

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