Feeding Fathers

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

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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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We talk about something that feels almost counter-cultural today: the power of slowing down.

From Fr. Fadi's beautiful multi-course Italian dinner for the Bishop to the everyday grind most of us live in, we explore how constant work, hustle culture, and “rise and grind” thinking are quietly harming our faith, families, and peace of mind.

We unpack why true leisure isn’t laziness—it’s actually one of the most human and Christian things we can do.

We discuss "Babette’s Feast," how shared meals have shaped Christian culture for centuries, the beauty of real conversation and presence, and why the Sabbath is meant to be a protest against the worship of work and money. We also get honest about the struggle: busy parents, priest life, economic pressures, and how hard it is to break the habit of constant busyness.

Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Fadi Auro, Fr. Christopher Somo

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00:00 A Special Seminary Dinner
02:31 Faith, Culture, and Meals
03:35 Babette's Feast
05:54 Table Manners and Virtue
09:57 Jesus Ministry at Table
12:05 Books, Films, and Slow Art
14:15 Doomscrolling and Lost Attention
16:57 Sabbath and Rest
19:59 Defining Leisure
27:45 Grind Kills Wonder
33:15 Worship Shapes Identity
36:43 Slow Food and Shared Meals
40:37 Dinner with Friends

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We sit down and talk through Christ's’ words in John 14: "Let not your hearts be troubled... I am the way, the truth, and the life."

He says this right after telling Peter he’s going to deny him and just before the whole crucifixion. He’s getting the apostles ready for what’s coming and offers them a kind of peace the world can’t touch.

We get into the honest stuff—our own weaknesses, the guilt when we drop the ball, and how running into Christ’s truth can really shake you. We talk about living a Eucharistic life, walking with Jesus instead of trying to sprint ahead, and why a real relationship with Jesus and being vulnerable matters way more than just following the rules.

We also react to agnostic Bible scholar Bart Ehrman and what he says about the resurrection appearances, digging into the empty tomb, how the disciples completely changed, and why their willingness to suffer and die for it points to something a lot bigger than hallucinations or myths.

Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Augustine Joseph, Fr. Tristan Farida

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00:00 John 14 Context
02:12 Peter’s Denial Foretold
04:44 Hold Onto Christ’s Peace
06:09 "The Way, the Truth, the Life" Explained
09:10 Eucharist as the Way
14:05 Rules vs Relationship
20:13 Peter Restored by Love
22:42 Facing Inevitable Suffering
23:44 St Maximilian Kolbe Example
28:57 Walking With Christ
35:16 Keep Struggling Forward
38:27 Pizza and Reacting to Ehrman on Resurrection
44:57 Empty Tomb and Martyrs

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We couldn’t ignore this story: President Trump’s fiery Truth Social post calling Pope Leo XIV “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” plus that weird (and quickly deleted) AI image that had everyone talking.

We break down what actually happened, why the tone feels so off, and what it means for faithful Catholics who supported Trump but also love the Church. We talk respect for the Vicar of Christ, the Pope’s role as the world’s moral conscience (not a politician), why Catholics have to put faith first before any party, and how this whole thing reminds us not to "put our trust in princes."

We also celebrate the new Chaldean Patriarch from Alqosh, Mar Paul III Nona, chat about the quiet revival happening among young Catholics, and end with some great middle eastern food and a fun “Saint or Ain’t” game.

What do you think we should do as Catholics when politics and faith clash like this?

Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sippo, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Fr. Fadi Auro

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00:00 A New Patriarch
02:51 Patriarch Paulos Legacy
05:21 Trump Truth Social Post
08:46 Why It Feels Disrespectful
10:39 Catholics Before Politics
17:58 Media Labels and Papacy
18:59 Gen Z Catholic Revival
20:55 Pope Quote and Viral Image
22:17 Vance Defends the President
23:57 Henry VIII Parallel
24:55 Pope and War Morality
28:33 Say Sorry and Repent
34:01 Pope Leo Africa Tour
37:41 'Saint or Ain't' Game

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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/LVybYB9PxhM

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On this Easter episode, we discuss Divine Mercy Sunday and the plenary indulgence that many Catholics pursue every year. We explain what a plenary indulgence actually does — and what it does not do — including common misunderstandings about complete forgiveness of temporal punishment, attachment to sin, and purgatory.

Then we share why the traditional meaning of New Sunday (the Second Sunday of Easter in the Chaldean tradition) — the renewal of the human race through Christ’s Resurrection — should remain central to Chaldean & Assyrian Catholics and not be prioritized over other "popular" devotions.

The conversation covers:

• Why devotions are like “dessert” while the Mass, Gospels, and sacraments are the “protein” of our spiritual life
• How replacing authentic tradition with newer practices affects organic development in the Church
• The real purpose of indulgences: purification rooted in love rather than settling a debt with God
• Shifting from “how much can I get away with?” to building a genuine relationship with God
• The actual conditions for a plenary indulgence on Divine Mercy Sunday and why total detachment from sin is essential

Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Andrew Younan, Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Roni

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00:00 Good Friday Confessions
01:44 New Sunday Meaning (Khoshaba Khatha)
03:34 Devotions vs. Tradition
05:03 "Dessert" and "Protein" Faith
09:02 Private Revelation
13:59 Indulgences Explained
16:53 Purgatory As Purification
20:42 Saints and Salvation
22:53 Relationship, Not Credits
28:03 St. Thomas And New Life
29:40 Sacraments Beyond Legalism
34:58 Quiet Prayer Over Checklists
42:24 Praying The Psalms Deeply
47:04 Book Recommendations & Fr. Andy Annoyed

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