Against The Grain
Spiritual Son talks Faith and Footy.
Episodes
This week’s episode takes a different turn as Sarah steps into the host’s seat and Anthony becomes the guest. He opens up about his upbringing, the role of faith in his life, the impact of his father’s passing, and his perspective on relationships — from personal experiences to his views on dating today. It’s a personal and heartfelt conversation that gives listeners a deeper insight into the man behind the microphone.
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Jasmyn Boulos and Melinda Tannous join Anthony to share their experiences of pilgrimage, their mission trip to the Philippines, and living out their faith in their professions. Jasmyn reflects on her vocation as a Catholic teacher, while Melinda speaks about the vital role her faith plays in her work as a nurse.
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Sydney Roosters front rower Xavier Va’a joins Anthony to share his testimony, opening up about his past, how he rediscovered Christ, and what his faith looks like today. He also reflects on his journey to first grade, his hopes for the future, and the unique record he holds—the fastest try scored in an NRL career.
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Anthony sits down with Fayez Khattar (Fayez K) to unpack his journey to the Catholic faith, his passion for Catholic rap, and the joys of married life. The two also share some laughs and honest chat about their beloved Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs.
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Georgie Mark joins Anthony to share his powerful testimony of faith. He opens up about his past life of crime and addiction, and the life-changing encounters that drew him to God. Today, Georgie lives a Christ-centred life as a husband and father, and his story is a witness to God’s transforming grace.
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Wests Tigers NRLW star Christian Pio joins Anthony to share her journey of faith, family, and footy. From Mount Druitt to the bright lights of Campbelltown Stadium, Christian opens up about her upbringing, her love for rugby league, and the way her faith continues to shape her on and off the field.
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Michael Jaksic joins Anthony to share his remarkable testimony and unique vocation story. He also speaks about his role as the Life, Marriage, and Family Officer, exploring the roles of men and women in family life, and promoting two exciting upcoming events in the Archdiocese of Sydney, for men.
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Anthony sits down with former work colleague Taine Fredericks, who shares his journey to the Catholic faith—one that took off following an MMA injury. Taine talks about exploring Islam, then attending a Pentecostal church, before ultimately finding his way to baptism in the Catholic Church.
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Chrystian Semann joins Anthony for the second time on the podcast to talk all things footy. They catch up on some of the biggest talking points from recent weeks — from standout performances and surprise results to selection dramas and positional shifts.
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In this special live edition of the podcast, Anthony takes you inside Purpose Fest 2025. While the full experience included live audience interaction and the ever-popular "Pass the Ball Challenge," this episode brings you the heart of it all: one-on-one conversations with a mix of new voices and returning favourites.
Recorded across both the Day and Night sessions, Anthony sits down with familiar faces like Dr Robert Hadda...
Simon Carrington from Fire Up Ministries sits down with Anthony to explore the beauty and joy of married love, while also acknowledging the real struggles that come with it. They also discuss how parents can raise their children with purity in a world where exposure to pornography is a constant threat. How do you protect your child without making them more curious? And what should you do if they’ve already been exposed?
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Michael Aboufram joins Anthony for a wide-ranging conversation on the Eucharist — the source and summit of the Christian life — and dives into other faith topics in today’s world.
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Rising musician Chris Keryakos joins Anthony to share his powerful journey back to the Catholic faith—and how it’s transformed his life and career. From chasing fame and fleeting pleasures to pursuing holiness and purpose, Chris opens up about the moments that changed everything and how his creative path now points to something far greater than success.
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For the first time this season, Fr Ben returns to Against the Grain as he sits down with Anthony to recap State of Origin Game 1 and the NRL season so far. They also go in depth about suffering through the lens of our faith, and how hope gives meaning to pain, helping us persevere with purpose—even in the toughest moments.
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Social media sensation Hectic Fred joins Anthony to share his journey of faith through hardship, how he started making footy videos online, and his passion for the game. They dive into all things footy, take a deep look at the Bulldogs, and give their predictions for State of Origin, Game 1.
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In this episode, Anthony is joined by Shareen Nair, who shares her powerful journey of conversion from Hinduism to Catholicism. She opens up about the challenges she faced, including the loneliness and relational struggles that came with such a life-altering decision. But amidst the trials, Shareen also speaks about the deep joy, peace, and purpose she discovered in her new faith. Her testimony is one of courage, conviction, and th...
In this episode, JeanClaude Attieh @jc.your.mb sits down with Anthony for a raw and heartfelt conversation about loss, faith, and purpose. JeanClaude opens up about the passing of his father and the impact it had on his life and family. He shares how his journey into the Catholic faith brought both healing and tension within his household. They explore the intersection of Psychology and Theology, and JeanClaude reflects on his deep...
Fr Dan McCaughn joins Anthony to explore the powerful connections between sport and the Catholic faith. From on-field discipline to spiritual growth, they delve into how athletic principles mirror Christian living. In this episode, they take a deeper dive into the Church’s teachings on the Sanctity of Life—unpacking what it means, why it matters, and how it speaks to our culture today.
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Anthony is joined by Charbel Eltarraf, Joe Raish, and Elias Hanna—three fathers navigating the unique journey of raising a child with a disability/special needs. From the moment they found out, to the daily challenges and unexpected blessings, these men open up about the realities most people never hear about. It’s raw, real, and full of powerful truths about fatherhood, faith, and unconditional love.
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Spiritual Coordinator of St Charbel’s Youth Association, Joseph Boulos joins Anthony to explore the depth of Maronite spirituality. They discuss university and parish ministry, the call to sainthood, and the boundless love of God. Plus, a quick chat about the footy to round things out.
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