The Catholic Retreat That Converted Me: Feeling Spiritually 'High' & Low [Ep. 88]

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 [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 –––

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 –––

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 –––

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 –––

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 –––