Feeding Fathers

Qurbana Media
  • 5.0 (40)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Fr. Simon Esshaki hosts engaging conversations and shares a meal with three of his brother priests. This Catholic podcast offers candid, informal discussions on theology, faith, and contemporary issues, seen through a distinct Chaldean Catholic lens. Explore the profound ancient spirituality of the Church of the East, bringing unique and fresh perspectives to Christianity and modern culture. This show is for anyone seeking spiritual insights, Catholic wisdom, and meaningful dialogue about faith in today's world. Listen in for discussions that truly nourish your soul, enlighten your understanding, and make you hungry!

  1. 1D AGO

    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 ––– 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 ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/LVybYB9PxhM  📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    42 min

  2. APR 9

    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 ––– 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 –––

    52 min

  3. MAR 26

    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

    1h 2m

  4. MAR 5

    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. ––– 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 ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/7aw2sHO8GhM  📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    59 min

  5. FEB 19

    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 ––– 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) ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/65XzF8s52qY    📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    57 min

  6. FEB 12

    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 ––– 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 ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/SoWajyxtRT0    📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    57 min

  7. FEB 5

    Healing Family Trauma, Parenting Advice, & AI Therapy [Ep. 75]

    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 ––– 00:00 Why Family Relationships Are So Hard 01:48 Religious Life Teaching Us to Resolve Conflict 07:08 Catholic Parenting: How Methods Have Shifted Over Time 12:13 Raising Children with both Faith and Reason 27:59 Healing Family Trauma 32:58 Finding Emotional Support in a Digital Age 35:41 Why AI Can't Provide True Empathy 38:39 Vital Importance of Real Human Connection 44:21 'Bless or Pass?' Chaldean Food Edition 50:35 Comment of the Week! ––– ▶️ Video version of this episode: https://youtu.be/v2h987Fiims  📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    52 min

  8. JAN 22

    Ba'utha and Jonah: What Fasting Can Reveal About Ourselves [Ep. 74]

    Fr. Andy's Narsai Book: https://a.co/d/9lCSfFa ––– 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 ––– 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" ––– ▶️ Video versions of 'Feeding Fathers' available on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@QurbanaMedia  📲 Follow us on social media: "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia/ "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@qurbana.media 🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter 📧 Email us at media@qurbana.org if you'd like to hear about ways you can support Qurbana Media or if you're a content creator wanting to collab!

    42 min
See All (80)

5
out of 5
40 Ratings

About

Fr. Simon Esshaki hosts engaging conversations and shares a meal with three of his brother priests. This Catholic podcast offers candid, informal discussions on theology, faith, and contemporary issues, seen through a distinct Chaldean Catholic lens. Explore the profound ancient spirituality of the Church of the East, bringing unique and fresh perspectives to Christianity and modern culture. This show is for anyone seeking spiritual insights, Catholic wisdom, and meaningful dialogue about faith in today's world. Listen in for discussions that truly nourish your soul, enlighten your understanding, and make you hungry!

Information

  • Creator
    Qurbana Media
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    ©2024. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    Feeding Fathers

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