Youth for Truth

What Actually Is Hell and Am I Going There?

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 be perfect, and how the sacraments are God reaching down to us instead of us trying to climb up to Him.
And yes… because we're talking about hell, we did the "Hot Ones Challenge." You won't want to miss that!
If you’ve ever felt like God is just waiting for you to mess up, or if the checklist version of faith is wearing you out, this one’s worth your time.
We mentioned our episode on scrupulosity — it’s linked below if this hits close to home.
Scrupulosity Episode: https://youtu.be/AFaNBG-Go9s?si=5vTHIBm7PIpSPKGu
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Why Your Favorite Movies Keep Reminding You of Faith

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 credits roll, and how movies have a way of making you slow down and actually think about life, suffering, responsibility, friendship, and hope.
They get into Star Wars’ take on suffering and how it compares to what Scripture says, Spider-Man’s constant inner conflict, why friendship sometimes means telling someone what they don’t want to hear, and how it’s often the smallest, most ordinary characters who end up carrying the biggest weight in the story.
 

Do Ambitious Women Have to Sacrifice Their Dreams for Marriage?

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 building a career and the comments they hear about settling down. We talk about what it’s like to want both — a meaningful path and a family one day — and how faith shapes the way they think about it all.
If you’re a young Chaldean, Middle Eastern, or Christian woman feeling caught between your ambitions and what your family or culture expects, or if you’re trying to understand where these girls are coming from, this conversation is worth your time.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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Young Men Get Real About Money, Marriage, & Why They Hide Their Feelings

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 already has them exhausted at 21 and 22.
They also get real about trying to keep up with taking care of themselves, what happens when life throws failures and isolation at you, and why so many guys in today's world feel like they have to bottle up emotions, “man up,” and never admit they’re struggling.
It’s raw, relatable, and full of hope — talking faith, leaning on God when things feel out of control, the power of real friendships, and why being vulnerable might actually be one of the manliest things you can do.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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Christian Women on Relationships, "Situationships," & Red Flags for Guys

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 or break you. - The in-law drama that quietly destroys so many marriages. - Attachment styles, purity, boundaries, and why waiting actually builds real love. - The scary reality that people change… and how faith and willingness to grow matter more than any checklist.
If you’re single, dating, or thinking about marriage, this one hits different. It’s honest, relatable, and full of the kind of straight-talk advice you actually need.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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Why “Good Church Kids” End Up Spiritually Lukewarm

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 when you’re one of the “good Church kids.”
Fr. Simon walks through that heavy Bible verse in Revelation where God basically says, “I’d rather you be cold than lukewarm—I’ll spit you out of my mouth.” They break down why being lukewarm is actually more dangerous than being straight-up cold, what it looks like in real life (mind wandering during Mass, singing the words but not feeling them, doing stuff just because it’s expected), and how to fight it without faking a spiritual high.
You’ll hear why simply showing up still matters, how love for God is more about action than feelings (just like a real marriage or friendship), and why the valleys in your faith don’t mean you’re failing. Plus there’s boba, fun stories, and a lot of laughs along the way.
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00:00 Why Lukewarm Happens 04:21 Staying Present at Mass 06:00 Showing Up Still Matters 08:07 Revelation Lukewarm Verse 10:45 Take Your Vocation Seriously 12:21 Peaks and Valleys 16:05 Spiritual Highs 19:57 Love Is Action 22:56 Faith As Relationship 28:10 Teaching Kids The Faith
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▶️ Video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/EpgThArSig4
 📲 Follow us on social media: "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia
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College or Straight to Hustle? How to Plan Your Future & God's Will

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 started his pancake side gig as a freshman, and Angel breaks down his whole Pokémon card reselling game.
We also get real about the dark side of chasing money: how it can tear families apart, plus a J. Cole bar that hit home and some straight-from-the-Bible talk on greed. Most importantly, we chat about how to go after a good future while still keeping God first so you don’t lose your peace or your relationships.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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00:00 Future Planning Fears 03:02 College Or Business? 09:02 AI And College Costs 14:00 Faith Over Money 18:11 Vocation And Priesthood 19:42 Money And Family Feuds 23:18 J Cole On Chasing Cash 26:52 Using Money in Godly Ways 27:26 Mini Pancakes! 28:57 Pokemon Cards Side Hustle 32:19 Scalping Ethics And Pricing –––
▶️ Video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/2DCu7wWJLE0
 📲 Follow us on social media: "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia
📧 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!
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Why We Gossip & How to Stop

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 Catechism and Jesus actually say about it. We also get into the telephone game effect, how one small comment can blow up into something huge, and how jealousy and curiosity sneak in so easily.
Most importantly, we discuss practical ways to shut gossip down and redirect conversations without sounding preachy, plus the simple Golden Rule: Would you say this in front of the person? What would Jesus do?
The Girls' First Appearance on Qurbana Media: https://youtu.be/Hv13RyRm6zA?si=EFyEacQOEILFPGx4
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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00:00 Is Gossip a Sin? 02:58 Rumors and Exaggeration 04:55 When Truth Is Gossip 07:52 Jealousy and Mindset 10:25 Jesus and Human Nature 12:18 Stopping Gossip in Groups 18:45 Damage You Can't Undo 22:26 Snack Time! 25:35 AI Trust And Errors 30:21 Redirecting Gossip Gently
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▶️ Video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7AOcQUUXJhQ
 📲 Follow us on social media: "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia
📧 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!
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I Keep Confessing the Same Sins Over and Over: Scrupulosity & Gravity

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 slip-up.
We break down the three conditions for mortal sin, chat about scrupulosity (that anxious voice that makes every little mistake feel like the end of the world), and why God isn't a strict judge waiting to punish you—He's a loving Father who wants to heal you and feed your soul with the Eucharist.
You'll hear real talk about building better habits, not depriving yourself of Communion over venial stuff, and seeing confession as a reset instead of a loop of guilt. Plus, we touch on Bible shows, snacks, and keeping your faith balanced without burning out.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon
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00:00 Why Confession Feels Stuck 02:10 What Mortal Sin Feels Like 03:50 Donuts and Grave Matter 06:22 Mortal Sin Checklist 08:46 Breaking Commandments Examples 11:01 Venial Sins Add Up 13:36 Scrupulosity Explained 16:50 "Pebble to Mountain" Mindset 17:55 Confession Before Communion 18:21 God as Father Not Judge 21:35 Chip Snack and Gummies 24:35 Bible Shows and Adaptations 30:59 Jokes and Reverence
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▶️ Video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/AFaNBG-Go9s
 📲 Follow us on social media: "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia
📧 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!
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How to Actually Forgive Someone (Even When You Can't Forget)

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 it never happened or forcing yourself to be besties again. You can forgive without forgetting, set healthy boundaries, and still treat people with respect and love like Jesus calls us to.
We talk about:
- The difference between loving someone and actually liking them - When to walk away slowly from toxic friendships (and why family is a little different) - Why the “put yourself first” self-care advice from the world doesn’t always line up with being Christ-like - And this perspective: if we’re gonna spend eternity together, why not start making peace now?
If you’ve ever wondered “Do I have to forget to forgive?” or “How do I protect my peace without being selfish?” — hit play.
Youth for Truth Podcast with Fr. Simon Esshaki
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00:00 Setting Up Forgiveness 03:17 Forgive But Not Forget 06:31 Boundaries After Getting Hurt 10:58 Love Versus Like 13:16 Selfishness And Self Care 18:52 Choosing Friends Wisely 21:20 Time Heals Old Grudges 23:57 Forgive Then Step Back 24:22 "Unforgiving Servant" Parable 26:26 Can People Change? 28:49 Dubai Chocolate Strawberries 30:53 What is Temecula? 33:12 Church Community Growth
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▶️ Video version of this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WiYfbLWLaVo
 📲 Follow us on social media: "Youth for Truth" IG: https://www.instagram.com/youthfortruthshow/ "Qurbana Media" IG: https://www.instagram.com/qurbanamedia
📧 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!
🗞️ Sign-Up for our newsletter: https://www.qurbanamedia.org/newsletter