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

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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

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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

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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

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

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00:00 Good Friday Confessions

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🌿 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

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:

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00:00 Hospital Visit Story

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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/7aw2sHO8GhM

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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

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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/65XzF8s52qY

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🤯 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

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

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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/SoWajyxtRT0

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Family is where we learn to love, but it’s often where we experience our deepest wounds. Whether it's navigating conflicts with siblings, figuring out how to raise kids with faith in a secular world, or the difficult journey of healing family trauma, home life is rarely simple.

We aren't just giving generic advice, we look at family dynamics through the lens of those who live in intense community life, like monks and nuns, to see what they can teach us about resolving conflict. We also have an honest conversation about when family situations turn abusive, and how therapy, community, and our Catholic Faith play a role in true healing. Plus, is AI replacing human connection? We react to what Pope Leo recently said about AI being "too affectionate" and discuss why an algorithm can never replace the empathy of a real person.

Featuring: Fr. Simon Esshaki, Abbot Ankido Sipo, Fr. Tristan Farida, Fr. Fadi Auro

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00:00 Why Family Relationships Are So Hard

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▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/v2h987Fiims

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Fr. Andy's Narsai Book: https://a.co/d/9lCSfFa

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We talk about the upcoming Chaldean mini-season of Ba'utha, the Supplication of the Ninevites, and the story of Jonah — and why all of it still hits close to home today. We get honest about what it means to face ourselves, why we often run from the things we know we should deal with, and how discomfort can actually be part of healing and growth. We connect Jonah’s journey to everyday life, talk about fasting, and even throw in some surprisingly good fasting-friendly food ideas – falafel anyone? While we eat we play an entertaining round of "Would You Rather" that goes off the rails pretty quick...

Featuring: Fr. Christopher Somo, Fr. Andy Younan, Fr. Daniel Shaba, Fr. Tristan Farida

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00:00 Significance of Ba'utha in the Church of the East

05:07 The Role of Discomfort and Fasting

14:55 Jonah's Reluctance and Racism

20:25 Cultural and Religious Identity in Marriage

24:50 Embracing Pain During Fasting

27:56 Misconceptions About Fasting

29:49 Uniting Suffering with Christ

33:27 BOMB BUNS

34:47 "Would You Rather"

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▶️ Video versions of 'Feeding Fathers' available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@QurbanaMedia

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