Feeding Fathers

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
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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 Distinctions46:52 'Hot Takes' Game
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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
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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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Slowing Down: Fighting Hustle Culture & the Craziness of Life [Ep. 83]

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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Don’t Let Your Heart Be Troubled: Finding Peace in Jesus [Ep. 82]

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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Trump "Roasts" Pope Leo... How Should Catholics Feel About It? [Ep. 81]

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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Plenary Indulgences: What They Really Do (& Don't) + Divine Mercy Sunday [Ep. 80]

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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Chaldean Church at a Critical Moment & the Silence of Holy Week [Ep. 79]

🌿 As Palm Sunday approaches and Holy Week begins, many of us are carrying a mix of hope and heaviness — especially in a time when the Church feels wounded and uncertain as we await the election of a new Patriarch of the Chaldean Church and a new Bishop for the Eparchy of the Western United States.
In this episode of Feeding Fathers, we sit down with the powerful letter from Bishop Saad Sirop Hanna, the Apostolic Administrator of the Eparchy of St. Peter the Apostle in San Diego. With honesty and a true father’s heart, he speaks directly to the tiredness, confusion, and questions so many are holding right now. He reminds us: You are not alone. The Lord has not abandoned His Church. He calls us to walk the narrow path of truth that heals rather than destroys and charity that protects without becoming complicity — a beautiful balance of justice, transparency, and genuine communion.
From there, we move into the heart of Holy Week. We reflect on something striking: how Jesus grows quiet as the Passion unfolds. After years of teaching, the Word made Flesh speaks less and acts more. In the silence before Pilate and on the cross, we see a powerful invitation — sometimes words fall short, and it’s time for surrender, presence, and trust in the midst of chaos.
We also dive deep into the rich Chaldean tradition during these sacred days:
- The moving “Oh Adam” prayers that wake the prophets and bring all of salvation history to its climax at the Cross.
- Dramatic vigils, the washing of the feet, and liturgies filled with poetry and symbolism that invite us to experience the mystery rather than just hear it explained.
- Why silence in the presence of the divine can be so healing — especially when our world and our hearts feel loud and unsettled.
We talk openly about what Holy Week looks like for priests — the long hours hearing confessions, the temptation to over-fast, and the call to pour ourselves out completely for the people. And we explore the difference between Peter and Judas: not in the betrayal itself, but in whether we can accept God’s mercy when we’ve failed. Holy Week isn’t about pretending everything is fine — it’s about bringing our wounds, our doubts, and our tiredness to the foot of the Cross, where Jesus meets us with both truth and love.
Featuring: Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Fadi Auro, Fr. Augustine Peter, Fr. Tristan Farida

Kiss Jesus' Feet or Post for Likes? Shia LaBeouf & Virtue Signaling [Ep. 78]

This one’s pretty straightforward: we’re talking about virtue signaling — that thing where people post their “good deeds” or hot takes online mostly to look good or feel important. We get into why it feels like everyone has to say something about everything these days, how filming charity for views can actually make the whole thing feel kind of gross, and why St. Joseph’s quiet, private life is honestly the better way.
We cover:- How even priests catch themselves wanting to look holy online. - How silence and just doing your job for God beats all the noise. - That viral clip of Shia LaBeouf saying he’d just kiss Jesus’ feet and nothing else — raw faith or virtue signaling? - The trap of judging the people closest to you while preaching to strangers on the internet.
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00:00 Hospital Visit Story 02:01 Pride and Hidden Motives 03:35 St Joseph and Silence 06:33 Social Media Noise 12:57 Charity for Views 16:23 Judgment at Home 18:24 Priesthood Not Politics 21:53 Wonder vs Curiosity 27:37 Mother Olga Hidden Works 29:15 Old Internet Nostalgia 31:33 Shia LaBeouf's Honesty 34:27 Saints Who Struggled 36:00 Embracing the Fight 38:35 Shia LaBeouf Clip 41:33 Meeting Jesus Today 46:03 Tacos and Party Game 53:11 Chaotic End
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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/7aw2sHO8GhM
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Jesus' 3 Temptations: Dostoevsky's Grand Inquisitor & How Love Wins [Ep. 77]

In our big Lenten episode, we explore Jesus's three temptations in the desert and all things Sawma Rama (the Great Fast). We break down Matthew's account of Jesus tempted by Satan and reflect on how Jesus overcomes each temptation through love—and how we can apply the same strength during Lent through fasting, prayer, and almsgiving to grow in love of God, love of neighbor, and proper love of self.
In this Lent special, we cover:
- The deeper meaning of Jesus entering the wilderness to be tempted
- The unforgettable Grand Inquisitor scene from Dostoevsky's "The Brothers Karamazov"
- Why Jesus had to face real temptation as a man?
- Pope Leo's practical Lenten message
- We revisit the topic of mixed marriages in the Chaldean and Assyrian diaspora: balancing cultural preservation, language, heritage, and community concerns with the Church's priority on salvation of souls and sacramental validity.
- And we BLIND RANK our favorite Lenten foods!
Featuring: Fr. Chris Somo, Fr. Andrew Younan, Fr. Tristan Farida, Fr. Augustine Joseph
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00:00 Sawma Raba Begins 02:51 Dostoevsky’s Grand Inquisitor: Love as Christ’s Response 08:37 First Temptation (Bread): Deeper Hunger & Deuteronomy 13:28 Temptation vs. Exorcism: Grace, Sacraments, and Spiritual Realism 15:21 Second Temptation (Temple): Pride, Forced Faith, and Misusing Religion 23:06 Why Jesus Had to Fast: New Adam, Identity Tested, and Defeating Sin 30:45 Pope Leo’s Lent Message: Fasting from Hurtful Words 33:17 Beyond ‘Not Sinning’: Lent as Freedom to Love 35:20 Do Priests (and the Pope) Forget Their Homilies? 38:01 Responding to Comments on Marrying Outside the Culture 49:38 The Top 7 Lenten Foods (Blind Ranking)
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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/65XzF8s52qY
 
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Escape Doomscrolling: The Epstein Files & The Weight of Constant Bad News [Ep. 76]

🤯 Feeling overwhelmed by the 24/7 news cycle? Trapped in a loop of doomscrolling? You're not alone.
On this episode, we tackle the monumental challenge of digital well-being in an age of constant information overload. We dive deep into our personal battles with endless scrolling, the mental toll of consuming a relentless stream of bad news – including topics like the Epstein files – and the surprising freedom found in disconnecting.
What you'll discover in this episode:
- Strategies to escape doomscrolling - The true cost of constant news consumption and how to set healthy boundaries. - Practical tips for navigating social media overload without losing touch. - Insights into processing difficult news and other heavy topics without being consumed by them.
Plus, a fun segment called "Faith or Fiction" and a mouth-watering Korean BBQ review!
This isn't just about turning off your phone; it's about finding clarity, focus, and joy in a chaotic digital world. If you're looking for heartfelt conversation, practical advice, and a path to better mental health in the digital age, this episode is for you.
Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Fr. Peter Patros, Fr. Augustine Peter, Fr. Fadi Auro
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00:00 Impact of News and Social Media on Mental Health 06:49 Balancing Awareness and Mental Well-being 09:33 The Virtue of Limiting Information 11:16 Practical Advice for Managing Information Overload 18:33 The Role of Curiosity and Wonder 25:07 Navigating Social Media Addiction 30:09 Advice for Parents and Professionals 33:59 The Trap of Gossip 38:45 The Challenge of Correcting Others 45:36 "Faith or Fiction" & Korean BBQ 54:17 Comment of the Week
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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/SoWajyxtRT0
 
 📲 Follow us on social media:
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