Closer Than a Brother Podcast

Epizode

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  Resilience: How God Builds Unbreakable Men | Anthony Zaccariotto | Closer than a Brother ep 8 07.09.2026 1h 14min

  What does it take to become truly resilient?In Episode 8 of Closer Than a Brother, we’re joined by Anthony Zaccariotto to explore why modern comfort can leave men unprepared for hardship—and how God uses struggle, failure and waiting to shape us into stronger men.We discuss resilience in our careers, relationships, mental health and spiritual lives.How do you know when to endure and when to move on? Is asking for help a sign of weakness? What does it mean to trust God while still taking action? And why does God sometimes allow every solution we rely upon to fail?From David facing Goliath to Joseph enduring prison, Scripture repeatedly shows us that the crown comes after the struggle.Christian resilience does not mean pretending that nothing hurts. It means refusing to remain down when you fall, allowing others to support you and trusting that every hardship surrendered to Christ can produce resurrection.You may be hard-pressed—but through Christ, you cannot be crushed.🎙️ Closer Than a Brother Podcast — Episode 8 Featuring Anthony Zaccariotto.Subscribe and join us for the full conversation.#ChristianResilience #ChristianMen #ChristianPodcast #FaithThroughTrials #CloserThanABrother
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  Captured or Free? The Truth About Addiction | CTB LIVE PODCAST with Exodus & Dr Mark Sidhom | Ep 7 28.08.2026 1h 26min

  Recorded live in front of the youth meeting at St Mark’s Coptic Orthodox Church in Sydney, Episode 7 brings David and Tad together with returning guest Dr Mark Sidhom and counsellors Jess and Tamar from Exodus—a Sydney-based not-for-profit supporting people through addiction, mental health challenges, family difficulties and other seasons of crisis.The panel confronts an important question: are we truly free, or are our desires quietly controlling us?Together, they unpack how dopamine and instant gratification shape addiction; why gambling, pornography, substances and technology can become so destructive; how to interrupt the addiction cycle; the importance of sexual purity; choosing friendships that lead us towards God; and supporting someone you love through addiction and relapse.This conversation is honest about how addiction begins, what it can cost and why shame should never prevent anyone from asking for help. No struggle has to be carried alone. In Christ, healing, freedom and resurrection are always possible.This episode contains frank discussions of addiction, gambling, pornography, substance use and mental health.
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  When I Became a Man, I Put Away Childish Things | Fr Elijah Iskander | Closer than a Brother ep 6 10.08.2026 1h 13min

  What does it really mean to become a mature Christian man?In Episode 6 of Closer Than a Brother, the boys welcome Fr Elijah Iskander from St Mark’s Church in Sydney for an honest conversation about growing up, taking responsibility and putting away childish things.Guided by St Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 13—“When I became a man, I put away childish things”—the conversation explores why maturity is about far more than age, marriage, fatherhood, career success or reaching society’s usual milestones.What is the foundation of a mature man? How do we know whether we’re truly becoming more like Christ? Can humility coexist with strength? How should a man respond when his ego is bruised, he is disrespected or life doesn’t go according to plan?Fr Elijah shares practical wisdom on spiritual growth, confession, accepting God’s forgiveness and learning to see adversity as a teacher rather than simply a test. The boys also discuss leadership, gaming, anger, sacrifice, letting go of the past and finding our security in God instead of success, money, control or the praise of others.This episode is a reminder that spiritual maturity does not happen automatically. It is a lifelong journey of abiding in Christ, owning our failures, receiving His grace and choosing faithfulness in the everyday opportunities placed before us.Expect deep reflections, plenty of laughs, questionable jokes and, somehow, a lesson involving women’s shoes.Welcome to the Lions Den.If this conversation encouraged you, subscribe to the channel, share the episode with a brother and tell us in the comments: What does spiritual maturity look like in your life?#CloserThanABrother #LionsDenPodcast #ChristianMen #ChristianPodcast #SpiritualMaturity #OrthodoxChristianity #Masculinity
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  Does the World NEED Men?! Sydney CBD Street Interviews | Closer than a Brother Podcast 04.08.2026 9min

  Does the world still NEED men? 👀We took the question to the streets of Sydney—and the answers sparked an honest conversation about masculinity, leadership, protection, faith and what it means to be a good man today.The full street interview is OUT NOW on YouTube! 🎥Search: “Does the World NEED Men?! Sydney CBD Street Interviews” on the Closer Than a Brother Podcast YouTube channel.What’s your answer—does the world need men? Let us know below 👇#CloserThanABrother #StreetInterviews #SydneyCBD #Masculinity #ChristianMen #Podcast #YouTube
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  The Porn Conversation Every Father Should Have | Dr Mark Sidhom | Closer than a Brother ep 5 29.07.2026 1h 54min

  Pornography is reaching boys earlier than ever—and silence allows the internet to become their teacher.In this episode, Dr Mark Sidhom explains why fathers must begin an open, honest conversation with their sons before pornography finds them. He shares the moving exchange he had with his own 12-year-old son: some dangers were not yet appropriate to explain in detail, so he simply asked him to “just trust your dad.”This conversation is for every father wondering what to say, every son who never received that guidance, and every man struggling to find freedom.Together, the panel explores the effects of pornography on developing minds, relationships and spiritual life; how parents can respond to natural curiosity; the importance of trust, accountability and prayer; and why a loving Christian marriage may be one of the most powerful examples a father can give his children.Freedom is possible. Healing is possible. And the conversation cannot wait.
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  LIFE'S NOT FAIR, Here’s What Christians Get Wrong! | Closer Than A Brother Ep. 4 13.07.2026 1h 25min

  Life isn’t fair—and pretending it should be can leave us frustrated, bitter and questioning God.In this episode of Closer Than A Brother, we discuss what Christians often misunderstand about suffering, justice and hardship. Does following God mean life should go smoothly? Why do good people suffer while others seem to get ahead? And how should Christians respond when life feels completely unfair?We unpack the difference between trusting God and expecting an easy life, why comparison can destroy your peace, and how difficult seasons can shape your faith, character and purpose.Closer Than A Brother — Episode 4#CloserThanABrother #ChristianPodcast #Faith #Christianity #Suffering #TrustGod #GodsPlan
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  Dealing with Failure | Closer Than A Brother Episode 3 22.06.2026 1h 7min

  Failure is an event — not an identity.In this episode, we talk about one of the heaviest burdens men carry: not just failing, but believing we are failures.Comparison, shame, marriage, fatherhood, finances, calling, silence, isolation, and the feeling that everyone else is further ahead — these are battles many men carry quietly. But failure does not have to become your identity. In Christ, failure can become formation.We speak honestly about what happens when men feel behind in life, when they fail at home, when shame makes them withdraw, and how brotherhood, confession, repentance, and humility bring men back into the fight.The Bible does not hide the failure of men — David, Moses, Samson, Jonah, Peter — it shows what God does with broken men.God does not discard broken men.He restores.He reforms.He calls them forward again.You are not your worst moment.You are not your income bracket.You are not your timeline.In Christ, failure is not final — its the formation.Watch, listen, and share this with a brother who needs hope.#CloserThanABrother #LionsDen #MensPodcast #ChristianPodcast #DealingWithFailure #Brotherhood #Faith #Repentance #CopticOrthodox #MensMentalHealth #FailureIsNotFinal
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  MEN HAVE NEVER BEEN LONELIER | Closer Than a Brother Ep 2 08.06.2026 47min

  In episode 2 of the Closer Than a Brother podcast, we talk about the connection crisis facing men today.Why are so many men lonely? Why do so many men struggle to form deep friendships? And what does true brotherhood actually look like from a Christian perspective?This episode explores loneliness, friendship, brotherhood, isolation, social media, the role of the Church, and why men need real connection, not just acquaintances or online interaction. We also discuss what it means to carry one another’s burdens, how true friends help lead each other closer to God, and why the simple message of this episode is: let people love you.If you are feeling isolated, struggling with friendships, or trying to find stronger Christian brotherhood, this episode is for you.Topics covered:Loneliness among menThe difference between being alone and being lonelyWhy men need brotherhoodChristian friendship and communityThe danger of isolationHow to leave unhealthy friendshipsWhy the Church must be a place of connectionHow to become the friend you wish you hadCloser Than a Brother is a podcast about faith, brotherhood, masculinity, and honest conversations for men trying to follow Christ in the modern world.“Carry one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.”Galatians 6:2#CloserThanABrother #MenHaveNeverBeenLonelier #MensMentalHealth #ChristianPodcast #Brotherhood #CopticOrthodox #Loneliness #ChristianMen #FaithAndFriendship
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  Men Are In Crisis | Closer Than a Brother 25.05.2026 58min

  Welcome to the pilot episode of Closer Than a Brother.In this first episode, the boys introduce the heart behind the podcast, why it exists, and why conversations around men, brotherhood, loneliness, faith, identity, and community matter today.This podcast was created as a space for men to be seen, heard, encouraged, challenged, and reminded that they are not alone. Through honest conversation, humour, personal stories, and a Christian lens, we explore what it means to build real brotherhood in a world where many men are silently struggling.This episode is not a formal interview or a theological lecture. It is a group of lads sitting together, speaking openly, joking around, and starting a conversation that we hope becomes a home for men.In this episode, we talk about:• Why Closer Than a Brother exists • The need for brotherhood and community • Men’s mental health and loneliness • Faith, identity, and purpose • What true masculine friendship can look like • What to expect from future episodes If this episode encouraged you, share it with a brother, friend, cousin, or someone who needs to hear it.Follow Closer Than a Brother for more honest conversations about life, faith, men, and brotherhood.