Fred Shellabarger

Friend Day: Want to Join?

November 5th, 2025  |  45 mins 6 secs

authenticity, catholic life, christian living, community, conversation, discipleship, encouragement, everyday holiness, faith, friend day, friendship, friendship with god, joy, laughter, ministry, prayer, reflection, relationships, spirituality

New Draw Near Episode! When life gets heavy, sometimes you just need a Friend Day.
Fred & Kara pour some coffee, ask each other fun (and deep) questions, and invite you to join the conversation.

I Am Not Like the Rest of Humanity

October 29th, 2025  |  25 mins 56 secs

catholic faith, catholic spirituality, christian life, discipleship, gospel reflection, humility, interior life, mercy and grace

A Catholic reflection on Luke 18:9–14 and the battle between pride and humility. True holiness isn’t about what we do for God but about the heart. In this episode of Draw Near, Fred and Kara explore these themes.

The Hemorrhaging Woman: Desperate for Healing

October 22nd, 2025  |  26 mins 6 secs

catholic spirituality, desperation, draw near podcast, encounter with christ, faith, gospel reflection, healing, hemorrhaging woman, jesus, lectio divina, mark 5, reflection, scripture study, shame, spiritual healing, suffering and hope

A Lectio Divina reflection on the hemorrhaging woman in Mark 5. In this Catholic podcast episode of Draw Near, we reflect on her desperate faith, twelve years of suffering, and the moment Jesus stops everything to heal her and call her out of shame.

Hot Takes and Life Updates

October 16th, 2025  |  1 hr 8 mins

friendship, hot takes, life updates, opinion episode

Hot takes, honest opinions, and a little real life... join us for a fun, off-the-cuff episode. We share personal updates, talk reality TV, social media habits, DIY projects, pet peeves, and more in this lighthearted Christian podcast conversation of Draw Near.

Surrender: Trusting God in the Waiting

October 8th, 2025  |  46 mins 8 secs

draw near podcast, faith, fred and kara, god’s timing, hope, meditations, prayer, surrender, trust, waiting

What does it mean to truly surrender to God? In this episode of Draw Near, we explore how surrender isn’t giving up. It’s stepping out in faith like Peter on the water and trusting God’s slow, faithful work of grace. So, how can we actually begin to surrender?

Do Whatever He Tells You

October 5th, 2025  |  56 mins 37 secs

calling, conversion, encouragement, obedience

Imagine building a thriving career, only to hear a call so strong you can’t ignore it. That’s exactly what happened to Rob “Mr. Theology” Reynolds and Shevin McCullough. In this episode, the founders of Studio 316 share how they traded corporate success for a life of ministry—and how they’re using creativity and media to lead kids to Christ.

Finding God in the Least Likely Movies

October 1st, 2025  |  1 hr 14 mins

catholic, catholic podcast, christian entertainment, christian podcast, draw near, draw near podcast, fred and krystal, movies, pop culture, spirituality, tv shows

Join us for a lighthearted conversation on discovering Christian themes in the most unexpected movies and shows. From wizards to zombies to fantasy adventures, we’ll show you how faith can shine through the movies we love in this Draw Near podcast episode.

Encountering God in Scripture: Listening with Your Heart

July 27th, 2025  |  39 mins 47 secs

catholic bible, faith journey, hearing god, prayer, scripture, spiritual growth

In this episode of Draw Near, we explore how Scripture becomes a living encounter with the voice of God. We talk about how to prepare our hearts to hear him, the power of knowing the full story of salvation, and how God speaks uniquely and personally through his Word. With personal stories, practical tips, and favorite passages that have carried us through suffering and joy, we hope to inspire you to trust that God is speaking to you.

Whether you’re new to reading Scripture or longing to go deeper, this conversation will help you move from simply reading the Bible to truly encountering the God who loves you.

Beyond "I’m Praying for You": Being There for Others

July 10th, 2025  |  9 mins 55 secs

discipleship, empathy, healing, love, prayer, presence, support

Prayer is essential—but sometimes, it’s not the only thing someone needs. In some seasons, words can fall short if they aren’t paired with presence and love. This episode invites you to reflect on how we can truly support one another—not only by praying for someone, but by walking with them.

Drawing from Scripture, the wisdom of the saints, and real-life experience, we explore the power of showing up, listening well, and offering small acts of mercy. Let’s become the kind of people who pray deeply—and live that prayer out with compassion.

The Bread of Life: Rediscovering the Power of the Eucharist

June 25th, 2025  |  46 mins 1 sec

catholic church, catholic faith, catholicism, christian living, devotion, discipleship, eucharist, healing, prayer, sacraments, spiritual growth, worship

In this episode of Draw Near, we reflect on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ and invite you to rediscover the power, beauty, and reality of the Eucharist. More than a symbol, the Eucharist is the living presence of Jesus—true food for the soul, strength for the weary, and healing for the brokenhearted.

A Chosen People: Building the Kingdom of God

May 28th, 2025  |  8 mins 44 secs

catholic, church, community, discipleship, holy spirit, scripture, unity

What does it mean to be a "living stone" in God's Church? How can we live as a royal priesthood, and build communities that truly reflect the love and unity of Christ?

In this episode, Fred explores the readings for the Sixth Sunday of Easter and unpacks our identity as chosen people—called not just to believe, but to build. Drawing from Acts, Revelation, and John’s Gospel, we’ll dive into what it means to be part of something eternal and radiant: the Kingdom of God.

🔹 Discover how God is building his Church through us
🔹 Learn what it means to offer spiritual sacrifices in daily life
🔹 Be inspired to live your faith with peace, purpose, and unity

Whether you're new to the faith or a lifelong disciple, this episode will challenge and encourage you to take your place in God’s spiritual house.

The Shepherd’s Voice: Trusting in God’s Guidance

May 14th, 2025  |  42 mins 58 secs

catholic, discernment, faith, good shepherd, hearing god, john 10, prayer, st ignatius, trust

How do we hear the voice of Jesus in a world full of noise, distraction, and doubt? And what does it mean to truly follow him—especially when the road is uncertain or difficult?

In this episode, we reflect on John 10 and Jesus’ words: “My sheep hear my voice; I know them, and they follow me.” We explore how to discern the voice of the Good Shepherd through prayer, silence, and Scripture—and we introduce insights from St. Ignatius of Loyola on the discernment of spirits to help you grow in spiritual clarity and trust. If you’re longing for peace, direction, or deeper intimacy with Christ, this conversation is for you.