Holy Spirit & Pentecost: Speaking in Tongues Means Speaking in Love [Ep. 86]

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 –––

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 ––– 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 –––

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 ––– 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 –––