In this episode, hosts Pelar Esshaki and Jeff Kassab get personal, sharing real stories of suffering from their own lives and the moments that tested their faith the most. They talk honestly about pain, doubt, and what it actually looks like to keep going when things fall apart. But this isn't just a conversation about hardship, it's about what suffering can become when we let God use it. Pelar and Jeff explore how suffering, when united to Christ, becomes sanctifying rather than senseless, and why hope isn't a naive add-on to faith but the thing that carries us through the darkest seasons. A raw, faith-filled conversation for anyone walking through a hard season and looking for a reason to keep hoping.

Why does God allow suffering? And what do we do when life hands us a cross we never asked to carry?

In this episode of The Catholic Avengers Podcast, hosts Pelar Esshaki and Jeff Kassab dive into one of the most difficult—and most transformative—themes of the Christian life: suffering.

Beginning with the story of Simon of Cyrene, the man who was compelled to carry Christ's cross, we explore how God can bring extraordinary fruit from burdens we never chose. Simon likely had no idea that a single moment of reluctant obedience would echo through history and impact his own family for generations.

From there, we share our own personal testimonies of unexpected crosses, the struggles they've brought, and the ways God has used them to draw us closer to Him. Sometimes we don't understand the purpose of our suffering while we're living it—but faith reminds us that God is always at work, even when we can't yet see the harvest.

Whether you're carrying a heavy burden, questioning God's plan, or simply looking to deepen your understanding of redemptive suffering, we hope this conversation encourages you to embrace the cross with hope, knowing that Christ never asks us to carry one He hasn't already carried Himself.

"If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me." — Luke 9:23

Jesus said the road to life is narrow and few find it. So what does it really take to walk it? In this episode, Jeff Kassab and Pelar Esshaki dig into the danger of becoming a "check the box" Catholic — someone who fulfills the minimum requirements while missing the heart of the faith entirely. Tune in for an honest, challenging, and ultimately hopeful conversation about what it means to pursue holiness with everything you've got.

Catholic Avengers Return Summer 2026 by Catholic Avengers

Jeff and Pelar continue the year of Virtue with a discussion about Prudence. As the foundation of all virtue, Pelar and Jeff break down what it is and how to gain prudence in your daily life. Also, Pelar bought a smoker and it was a total disaster.

Jeff and Pelar kick off the 2023 podcast season by introducing this year's theme of Virtue. They discuss the importance of virtue in our lives and break down how we can start to prepare ourselves to increase in virtue and holiness. If you have ever wondered what it meant to be a virtuous person or are wondering where to start to increase in virtue, this episode is a must listen.

Jeff and Pelar discuss the upcoming Michigan Proposal 3 and it's contents in detail. If you have any questions about this proposal and what if anything your faith has to do with your vote - don't miss this episode.

In this episode Jeff and Pelar tackle one of the most common Protestant complaints about Catholics - "Why do you pray to saints?". If you ever wondered how to combat this question, don't miss this podcast where Jeff lays out the dogmatic and scriptural backing behind our belief in relying on saints to intercede for us here on earth.

Jeff and Pelar address the common misconception that Hell is not real. By siting the Catechism, scripture and the lengths that Christ himself went to make the reality of Hell very clear to his disciples and us. They also address the common argument that a merciful God would never damn his beloved children to Hell. If you have ever had questions about Hell or wanted to know what's at stake on this earth, this is a can't miss episode.

----stay tuned for bloopers at the end.

Pelar and Jeff clarify one of the most challenged Dogmas of Catholic teaching - the existence of Purgatory. By diving into scripture and using simple logic to explain it's existence, Jeff blows Pelar's mind with the simplicity of this truth and the obvious answer to this question - Purgatory is real.