Draw Near

By Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell

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Category: Spirituality

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Episodes: 225

Description

At Draw Near, we explore the beautiful truth that God, out of His deep and personal love for each of us, takes the first step to draw near. But this divine movement calls for a response—a response that shapes our lives and transforms our hearts. Together, we embark on this journey of faith, discovering the many ways God's grace and the power of the Holy Spirit work within us. Rooted in the Catholic faith, our podcast is a space where authenticity meets joy. We’re two best friends navigating life, family, and faith with honesty, humility, and a lot of love. Each episode is a heartfelt conversation—sometimes deep, sometimes lighthearted, but always real. We strive to be vulnerable, faithful, and passionate, sharing insights and stories to inspire you on your path toward Christ. This is more than a podcast; it’s a shared journey toward sainthood. So come laugh with us, reflect with us, and grow with us as we Draw Near to God and one another. Let’s set out together on this adventure of faith, friendship, and grace.

Episode Date
Real Ministry is Personal
May 07, 2026
Grafted Into God: The Interior Life of Romans 11
Mar 25, 2026
I Arise Today
Mar 18, 2026
Faith & Fatherhood: A Conversation With My Dad
Mar 04, 2026
Penance: The Desert Where God Transforms Us
Feb 18, 2026
BJ and Kara’s Date Night: The Power of Words in Marriage
Feb 11, 2026
What to Do When the Service is Bad
Feb 04, 2026
Clearing Up Catholic Misconceptions
Jan 28, 2026
Still Here
Jan 21, 2026
Guided Meditation: God Saw That It Was Good
Dec 17, 2025
If Jesus Is Lord, Life Looks Different
Dec 03, 2025
Wearing Your Heart on Your Sleeve
Nov 27, 2025
DN Classics: You Talking About Me?
Nov 19, 2025
Friend Day: Want to Join?
Nov 05, 2025
I Am Not Like the Rest of Humanity
Oct 29, 2025
The Hemorrhaging Woman: Desperate for Healing
Oct 22, 2025
Hot Takes and Life Updates
Oct 16, 2025
Surrender: Trusting God in the Waiting
Oct 08, 2025
Do Whatever He Tells You
Oct 05, 2025
Finding God in the Least Likely Movies
Oct 01, 2025
All Dogs go to Heaven... or Do they?
Aug 28, 2025
Encountering God in Scripture: Listening with Your Heart
Jul 27, 2025
Beyond "I’m Praying for You": Being There for Others
Jul 10, 2025
Life's Interruptions or Divine Invitations?
Jul 02, 2025
The Bread of Life: Rediscovering the Power of the Eucharist
Jun 25, 2025
Is God Your Best Friend? Prayer Meditation: Unlocking the Doors of the Heart
Jun 18, 2025
A Chosen People: Building the Kingdom of God
May 28, 2025
The Shepherd’s Voice: Trusting in God’s Guidance
May 14, 2025
Surprised by Mercy
Apr 30, 2025
Unbind Him: Finding Resurrection in the Midst of the Cross
Apr 16, 2025
Coming Home: A God Who Runs to Us
Apr 02, 2025
The Mountaintop Experience: Encountering Christ’s Glory
Mar 20, 2025
Into the Desert: Overcoming Temptation
Mar 13, 2025
The Cross Isn’t the End of the Story: Holding Onto Hope in Grief
Feb 18, 2025
Roses from Heaven: In Loving Memory of Catherine Thérèse Shellabarger
Jan 29, 2025
Washed and Chosen: Living Out Our Baptismal Call
Jan 15, 2025
Bonus: Songs for Frances
Dec 21, 2024
Advent Reflection: Already and Not Yet
Dec 18, 2024
Best of “Dad Jokes”, Bloopers and Shenanigans
Dec 16, 2024
200th Episode Special: "Best of Guests"
Dec 14, 2024
Early Preview: Take, Lord, and Receive All That I Have and Possess (ISAM S4E4)
Dec 09, 2024
DN Classics: There's Something About Mary
Dec 06, 2024
"In the Desert, I Praise You:" Gratitude Reflection
Nov 20, 2024
Wholly inadequate: Homily by Fr. Patrick Behm
Oct 16, 2024
An Inside look at our Catholic Friendship: Fred and Kara Interview one another
Oct 02, 2024
Friday the 13th
Sep 18, 2024
"Reckless Love" (Cover by Fred and Kara)
Aug 30, 2024
One Boat: Are We a Church Divided?
Aug 21, 2024
Coping with Anxiety
Aug 07, 2024
A Future & A Hope: A Lectio Divina Discussion
Jul 24, 2024
Apologetics PART 4: How to share your faith
Jul 10, 2024
Apologetics PART 3: the Pope, Bible ALONE, Rapture, & Resurrection
Jun 26, 2024
Apologetics PART 2: Creation, Aliens, & Purgatory
Jun 12, 2024
Apologetics PART 1: Mary & Salvation
May 29, 2024
COVER SONG: "I Am Not Alone"
May 25, 2024
Ask and I Will Do It: A Lectio Divina Reflection on John 14
May 08, 2024
Christian tips on "How to Friend" in today's changing world
Apr 24, 2024
Source and Summit (MLMG Ep 27)
Apr 19, 2024
DN Classics: Virtuous Friendship
Apr 17, 2024
Catholic Calisthenics (MLMG Ep 26)
Apr 12, 2024
Why Can't non-Catholics Receive the Eucharist? (MLMG Ep 25)
Apr 05, 2024
Why do bad things happen to good people?
Apr 03, 2024
For You (DN Classics)
Mar 28, 2024
Chosen, Blessed, Broken, and Given
Mar 27, 2024
Emmaus Teaches the Mass (MLMG Ep 24)
Mar 22, 2024
God is in the Mess and in the Mass (MLMG Ep 23)
Mar 15, 2024
Struggles in the Interior Life
Mar 13, 2024
The Interior Life
Mar 06, 2024
Behold the Lamb (MLMG Ep 20)
Mar 01, 2024
The Last Supper (MLMG Ep 22)
Feb 23, 2024
The Soul of the Apostolate
Feb 21, 2024
The Sacrifice of Our Lives (MLMG Ep 21)
Feb 16, 2024
DN Classics: Doing Lent... Well?
Feb 14, 2024
I'll See You in the Eucharist (MLMG Ep 19)
Feb 09, 2024
Wrestling with God: A Lectio Divina Reflection on Genesis 32
Feb 07, 2024
Her Answered Prayer: Sonja Corbitt Testimony (MLMG Ep 18)
Feb 02, 2024
As You Did in Egypt (MLMG Ep 17)
Jan 26, 2024
Jesus, I Trust In You
Jan 24, 2024
I AM the Bread of Life (MLMG Ep 16)
Jan 19, 2024
I Was Made to Be A Priest (MLMG Ep 15)
Jan 12, 2024
New Day's Resolution
Jan 10, 2024
Feeding the 5000 (MLMG Ep 14)
Jan 05, 2024
Bread from Heaven (MLMG Ep 13)
Dec 29, 2023
Giving the Vineyard to "Others"-priesthood (MLMG Ep 11)
Dec 22, 2023
Love Builds the Church: a Lectio of 1 Cor 13
Dec 20, 2023
Christmas Classic: Xmas and Advent Traditions
Dec 18, 2023
"Gratitude" COVER by Fred and Kara
Dec 15, 2023
Your Heart is a Heaven For Him (MLMG Ep 12)
Dec 15, 2023
DN Classics: There's Something About Mary
Dec 08, 2023
To Each is Given: Discovering the Charismatic Gifts
Dec 06, 2023
Death Does Not Have the Final Say - Homily by Fr Patrick Behm
Dec 04, 2023
My Baptist Friends Led Me to Priesthood (MLMG Ep 10)
Dec 01, 2023
Authentic Christian Service (Homily by Fr. Behm: Solemnity of Jesus Christ, King of the Universe)
Nov 27, 2023
Lord, I am Not Worthy (MLMG Ep 9)
Nov 24, 2023
God Humbled Himself (MLMG Ep 8)
Nov 24, 2023
Dad Joke Rematch
Nov 22, 2023
Heaven: What God Has Planned for Those Who Love Him - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (33rd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Nov 20, 2023
The God Who Sees: Lectio of Genesis 16
Nov 15, 2023
Purgatory: Letting Our Eyes Adjust to the Light - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Nov 13, 2023
Is Mass Boring A Priest Responds (MLMG Ep 7)
Nov 10, 2023
Is Mass Boring? (MLMG Ep 6)
Nov 10, 2023
Hell: Understanding What's At Stake - Homily with Fr Patrick Behm (31st Sunday in Ordinary Time)
Nov 05, 2023
Fred's Testimony: From Heathen to Heaven (MLMG Ep 5)
Oct 27, 2023
Kara's Testimony: "I Am Here" (MLMG Ep 4)
Oct 27, 2023
Greatness Is... What you were made for
Oct 24, 2023
BONUS: The Book of Philippians
Oct 20, 2023
Being the Right Kind of Ass: A Reflection on Num 22
Oct 17, 2023
Encountering Christ in Adoration w/ Tim Glemkowsi (MLMG Ep 3)
Oct 13, 2023
Eucharistic Revival w/Tim Glemkowski (MLMG Ep 2)
Oct 13, 2023
The Still Small Voice: Finding God in Silence
Oct 04, 2023
An Invitation and a Challenge to Abide
Sep 30, 2023
Doubting Thomas (MLMG Ep. 1)
Sep 27, 2023
Trailer: My Lord and My God
Sep 27, 2023
One Year Later: What happened after quitting our jobs?
Sep 20, 2023
Four Steps to Hearing God's Voice
Sep 04, 2023
Hearing God: Ask and You Shall Receive
Sep 02, 2023
Hearing God: Does God Speak to Me?
Aug 30, 2023
BONUS: Revelation Song (Cover Song)
Jun 09, 2023
Behind the Scenes BLOOPERS!
Jun 07, 2023
What Makes Us Different? (ISAM PREVIEW 1: Ep. 1)
May 26, 2023
Be Like Lincoln (ISAM PREVIEW 2: Ep.1)
May 26, 2023
The Holy Spirit and Hope (ISAM PREVIEW 3: Ep. 1)
May 26, 2023
A Step of Faith (ISAM PREVIEW 1: Ep. 2)
May 26, 2023
Swimming Upstream (ISAM PREVIEW 2: Ep. 2)
May 26, 2023
Let's Be a Church of Hope (ISAM PREVIEW 3: Ep. 2)
May 26, 2023
By Whose Authority: Catholic teaching on Divine Revelation
May 19, 2023
BONUS: It is Well (Cover Song)
May 18, 2023
BONUS: I Shall Not Want (Cover Song)
May 18, 2023
Lectio Reflection of Phil 4: How to follow Christ
May 03, 2023
I See a Movement
Apr 19, 2023
Crippled Beggars: A Reflection of Acts 3
Mar 29, 2023
I Will Give You Rest
Mar 15, 2023
Return to Me With Your Whole Heart
Feb 22, 2023
Sports and Sainthood
Feb 15, 2023
One Hour with Our Son
Feb 01, 2023
Jesus, Mary, and the Saints: Ch. 10 - I Believe in Love
Jan 25, 2023
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 5: Fred's Testimony
Jan 24, 2023
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 4: Kara's Testimony
Jan 24, 2023
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 3: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 2) w/ Tim Glemkowski
Jan 24, 2023
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 2: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 1) w/ Tim Glemkowski
Jan 24, 2023
PREVIEW: My Lord and My God Ep 1: Doubting Thomas
Jan 24, 2023
You talkin' about me?
Jan 18, 2023
NEW PODCAST COMING! My Lord and My God
Jan 18, 2023
Dad Joke Challenge
Jan 04, 2023
The Eucharist: Ch. 9 - I Believe in Love
Dec 30, 2022
The Cross: Ch. 8 - I Believe in Love
Dec 30, 2022
The Apostolate: Ch. 7 - I Believe in Love
Dec 30, 2022
Fraternal Charity: Ch. 6 - I Believe in Love
Dec 26, 2022
BONUS: The Gift of the Magi
Dec 22, 2022
Great Desires, Humility, and Peace: Ch 5 - I Believe in Love
Dec 21, 2022
Abandonment to Jesus: Ch 4 - I Believe in Love
Dec 21, 2022
Unshakeable Confidence: Ch 3 - I Believe in Love
Dec 21, 2022
Humble Confidence: Ch 2 - I Believe in Love
Dec 21, 2022
Love for Love: Ch 1 - I Believe in Love
Dec 21, 2022
BONUS: The Christmas Story
Dec 13, 2022
BONUS: 'Twas the Night Before Christmas
Dec 13, 2022
There's Something About Mary
Dec 07, 2022
BONUS: Hearing God's Voice in the Liturgy
Nov 26, 2022
You Can't Do This by Yourself... (PREVIEW: I Believe in Love Book Study)
Nov 25, 2022
What Are We Thankful For?
Nov 23, 2022
He Still Has You! (PREVIEW: I Believe in Love Book Study)
Nov 22, 2022
Why Can't Women Be Priests?
Nov 21, 2022
PREVIEW: I Believe in Love Book Study
Nov 21, 2022
I Never Thought I'd Be a Yelling Mom
Nov 09, 2022
Reckless Love?
Oct 26, 2022
Wives and Wine
Oct 12, 2022
Embracing Fatherhood
Sep 28, 2022
Fatherhood: Baptism by Fire (Wives and Whiskey)
Sep 28, 2022
St Luke's Take on The Our Father (and Kara's)
Sep 28, 2022
PREVIEW: Embracing Fatherhood
Sep 19, 2022
BONUS: Dad Jokes with Phillip Grothus - Part 2
Sep 14, 2022
BONUS: Dad Jokes with Phillip Grothus - Part 1
Sep 14, 2022
Husbands, Love Your Wives - With Phillip Grothus
Sep 14, 2022
Don't Go to Bed Angry? - With Taylor Schroll
Sep 14, 2022
Saying Goodbye
Aug 31, 2022
Our Father Part 6: Lead Us Not Into Temptation & Deliver Us From Evil
Aug 17, 2022
Our Father Part 5: Forgive Us Our Trespasses
Aug 09, 2022
Our Father Part 4: Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread
Aug 08, 2022
Our Father Part 3: Thy Kingdom Come, Thy Will Be Done
Jun 27, 2022
Our Father Part 2: Hallowed be Thy Name
Jun 16, 2022
Our Father: Part 1
Jun 08, 2022
Be a Saint or go to Hell (Pt 1)
May 25, 2022
Why do THEY have a podcast?
May 11, 2022
Fr. Stu: A Story of Mercy
Apr 27, 2022
Saints, Karate and Holy Week
Apr 13, 2022
Spiritual Direction
Mar 30, 2022
Take Courage, I Have Overcome the World
Mar 16, 2022
Doing Lent... Well?
Mar 02, 2022
Leading Children to Christ
Feb 16, 2022
Come, Holy Spirit
Feb 02, 2022
COVER SONG: "Amazing Grace"
Jan 19, 2022
No Longer Slaves
Jan 05, 2022
Christmas Bonus: Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Clause by Francis Church
Dec 24, 2021
Draw Near Christmas Spectacular!
Dec 22, 2021
Full of Grace
Dec 08, 2021
Until the King Returns
Dec 06, 2021
God's Ways are Desert Ways: An interview with Sonja Corbitt on her book "Just Rest"
Nov 24, 2021
What Am I Supposed to Do?
Nov 10, 2021
St. Therese of Lisieux: Living the Heart of the Gospel
Oct 27, 2021
Coping with Feelings of Failure
Oct 13, 2021
Praying the Catechism and God's Incredible Love for You
Oct 09, 2021
The Word is Alive
Oct 07, 2021
Mary: Ark of the New Covenant
Oct 05, 2021
Life Lessons from Assisi
Sep 29, 2021
Virtuous Friendship
Sep 15, 2021
Ask a Priest
Jul 12, 2021
Episode 19: Chit Chat and Banter
May 26, 2021
Most Humble
Apr 28, 2021
Made For Greatness
Apr 14, 2021
For You
Mar 31, 2021
Discernment and Decision Making
Mar 03, 2021
WHY Give Up?
Feb 17, 2021
4 People You Need in Your Life
Feb 04, 2021
As We Forgive
Jan 20, 2021
Life of Prayer
Jan 06, 2021
Prayer: Intimate Friendship with God
Dec 23, 2020
Why are you Catholic?
Dec 09, 2020
Come Follow Me
Nov 25, 2020
Redemptive Suffering
Nov 18, 2020
Willingness to Suffer
Nov 11, 2020
The Invisible World: Spiritual Warfare
Oct 30, 2020
The Invisible World: Demons
Oct 26, 2020
Episode 3: The Invisible World: Angels part 2
Oct 23, 2020
The Invisible World: Angels Part 1
Oct 20, 2020
Why Draw Near?
Oct 16, 2020