Youth for Truth

Ever catch yourself thinking “If I do this one thing, am I going to hell?” In this episode, we talk about why that framing keeps so many young people anxious and stuck in “lawyer mode,” treating faith like a checklist or a "battle pass" you have to grind. We get honest about what heaven and hell actually are, the freedom God gives us, why real repentance is more like turning around than trying to...

Sometimes you’re watching a movie or show and something just hits you — like it’s speaking to something deeper, even if it wasn’t trying to. In this episode, Fr. Chris (filling in for Fr. Simon) and producer Andrew are joined by brothers Nick and Kyle for a conversation about how faith and pop culture keep running into each other. They talk about why certain stories stick with you long after the c...

We sat down with two smart and successful young Chaldean women, who just graduated from college, to talk about the pressure they’re feeling right now. Like many young women in our community, they’re ambitious, driven, and trying to follow their dreams — but they’re also navigating strong cultural expectations around marriage and timelines. In this episode, they open up about the tension between bu...

Two young guys sit down with us for a very honest chat about what life actually feels like right now as young Catholic men trying to make it. They don’t hold back on the biggest pressures: wondering if they’ll ever be able to afford a wife and kids while staying in the city they love, the gap between their parents’ single-income traditional families and today’s reality, and how the 9-5 grind alrea...

Two young Chaldean women sit down and say what a lot of us are thinking but nobody says out loud. They talk about how terrifying it feels to hand your whole life to one person in front of God, why "situationships" are straight-up emotional torture, and the pressure in our community that’s making dating feel impossible. We get brutally honest about: - Why the person you marry will either make you o...

Ever feel like you’re physically at Mass or singing in choir but your mind is a million miles away? Like you’re just checking “faith stuff” off your list instead of actually meaning any of it? That’s exactly what our guests open up about in this Youth for Truth episode. These two have been in choir since they were kids and they get super honest about how easy it is to slip into lukewarm faith even...

Sometimes the biggest thing on a young person's mind is that quiet fear of “what if I mess up my future and let my whole family down?” We chat with three teens about the pressure they feel to be “successful,” why so many dads flip out if their daughter wants to marry a guy without a college degree, and whether you actually need college or if you can go straight into hustling. Alden tells us how he...

Today we’re diving into one of those everyday struggles we all deal with — gossiping. Is it really a sin? When does it cross the line into something serious? And how do you even know if you’re doing it without realizing? We talk about why gossip feels so natural, especially in group chats, or at school or work, the difference between venting, getting advice, and straight-up gossip, and what the Ca...

Hey, if you go to confession a lot but keep falling into the same sins over and over, you're not alone—and this episode is for you. Fr. Simon sits down with two high school guys who are super active in their faith and talk honestly about what mortal sin actually feels like, why some "sins" aren't as big a deal as we think, and how to tell the difference between something grave and just a small sli...

Fr. Simon sits down with three young women from Temecula to have a real, no-filter conversation about one of the hardest things ever: forgiveness. We all get hurt by friends, family, or people we trusted. You want justice when someone does you wrong… but when you mess up, you’re hoping for grace. Sound familiar? We dive into what real Christian forgiveness actually looks like — it’s NOT pretending...

🚨 Can You Get Rich AND Keep Your Faith in Jesus Strong? What if you could chase big money, build real success, and still keep God FIRST? We try to answer the exact question many young Christians are asking: Is it okay to want to be rich? How do you hustle hard without losing your soul? And what does the Bible actually say about wealth? We sit down with two very successful young brothers and have...

Teen girls and young women: feeling torn between your culture, school drama, social media pressure, and trying to stay true to your faith? You’re not alone. In this episode we’re diving deep into the real struggles young women face today — from toxic friendships & gossip, to modesty battles, cultural clashes (Iraqi/Middle Eastern home vs. Western world vibe), insecurity, seeking love in the wr...

High school can be tough—peer pressure, parties, drinking, and staying true to your faith don't always mix. Fr. Simon chats with a couple teenage boys about real struggles: temptation at parties, the "you only live once" mindset, lust, disconnection from God, and how to have fun without sinning. They share honest confessions, why drinking to get drunk isn't worth it, and practical ways to build st...

Struggling with 7+ hours of doomscrolling everyday? You're not alone! Fr. Simon has an honest conversation with two young Catholic women from the Chaldean diocese in Michigan, and they open up about social media addiction, the spiritual dangers of endless scrolling, brain rot, and how it pulls us away from prayer, adoration, and true rest in God. We share real screen time numbers, practical tips l...

A nun who grew up reading the Bible AND Quran becomes a media missionary?! Sr. Orianne Pietra René (Daughters of St. Paul) shares her incredible journey: multi-faith home (Protestant dad + Druze/Islamic mom roots), confusion about God, accidental First Communion in Catholic school, personal conversion at age 12, and finding Jesus MOST fully in the Eucharist. Now a joyful Daughter of St. Paul, she...

Welcome to an incredibly exciting episode of Youth for Truth! Today, we're honored to host professional baseball player, Trevor Williams, for a candid conversation that goes beyond the diamond. In this exclusive interview, Trevor opens up about the unique challenges and blessings of balancing a demanding MLB career with a strong Catholic Faith. Discover his journey from a childhood Padres fan to p...

The way we teach modesty is broken. For years, Catholic women heard one message: "Cover up so men don't sin." But what if that approach misses the point entirely? In this special episode, Emily Wilson joins Fr. Simon, Fr. Chris, and Andrew to completely re-frame the modesty conversation—moving away from shame and toward dignity. If you are tired of the "Modesty Police" or feel pressured by a cultu...

We welcome Sisters Rose and Cecilia, who share their inspiring journeys of faith and their lives in the convent. From heartfelt stories of their personal transformations to the joy of community life, they give us a rare glimpse into the daily routines and missions of the Chaldean nuns. Discover how they balance prayer, teaching, and even recreation while deepening their relationship with Jesus. 00...

On another edition of 'Youth for Truth' coming to you from #SEEK26, we discuss the wildly popular show 'Stranger Things' (spoiler-free) and its themes of fighting against demonic attacks and possible connections to Christian figures. We, along with a couple young ladies from the Chaldean community in Michigan, reflect on how the show's depiction of unseen realities parallels our spiritual battles...

"How to Discern Boldly" presented by Seton Teaching Fellows. In this workshop led by Fr. Simon Esshaki, we explore the journey of discerning God's will in our lives. Whether you're considering the priesthood, the convent, marriage, or a career path, this talk gets into the complexities of making choices between multiple good options God may present us in life. Fr. Simon shares personal stories fro...

What does it really take to stay faithful when the whole world is watching—and judging—your every move? On this very special episode recorded live at SEEK26 in Columbus, we were blessed to sit down with Matt Fradd, host of Pints with Aquinas , for an honest, behind-the-scenes conversation about faith, pressure, life in the public eye, and the BIG elephant in the room. Matt opens up about his journ...

Our guests Stella and Jennifer get real about self-image, gossip, and what it feels like to constantly be seen and judged. Framed through the story of Mother Mary, they talk about the pressure to fit certain expectations—especially within the Chaldean community—and how that pressure can wear on your mental health. They open up to Fr. Simon about their own experiences, what’s helped them cope, and...

Fr. Simon and our guests dig into the cultural pull toward revenge—and what it looks like to respond instead with a Christian mindset. Our guests, Nathan and Donovan, are college students and they share what they’ve learned from navigating the “tough guy” persona, managing ego, and finding a healthy balance between competitiveness and humility. The conversation widens to explore the deeper themes...

We’re talking all things manifesting, “signs from God,” and whether these trends are actually helpful or just… a little chaotic. Our guests, siblings Matthew and Mary, bring their real-life stories, questions, and thoughtful takes. We react to viral manifestation videos and break down why it hits so hard with the youth — and where it might be steering people off course. We get into that tricky mix...

Welcome to the debut episode of the Youth for Truth Podcast! On this first one, Fr. Simon Esshaki is joined by a couple young men to talk about true friendship, drawing from their experiences and looking at how an ancient thinker like Aristotle defines it. They discuss the balance of having fun while maintaining Christian life, the impact of social media, and what 'hanging out' looks like for them...