Kara Kardell
Co-Host of Draw Near
Kara is a wife and mother of 2. She was raised Catholic, but really FELL IN LOVE with the faith later in life. She loves fried-food and wine date nights with her husband and dance parties in the living room with her kids. She loves teaching her kids about the faith and watching them fall in love with Jesus!
She has a Master's Degree in Theology and some other degrees, but who cares! God works in each heart and reveals himself to every person in his living Word--the Bible! Because of this, Kara loves the Scriptures. She "nerds" out when teaching from Scripture, and tries to bring the Word of God to life in the heart of all who listen. Jesus encounters us each time we read the Bible!
Kara Kardell has hosted 170 Episodes.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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All Dogs go to Heaven... or Do they?
August 28th, 2025 | 27 mins 54 secs
afterlife, catholic podcast, draw near, faith and life, heaven and earth, pets
Do our pets go to heaven? It’s a question that’s both fun to ask and deeply personal when you’ve loved and lost a furry friend. In this episode, Kara shares her family’s experience of saying goodbye to their dog, opening up a conversation many of us can relate to. Together we explore Scripture and the Catechism to see what the Church actually says about heaven, creation, and God’s plan to make all things new.
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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.
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Life's Interruptions or Divine Invitations?
July 2nd, 2025 | 18 mins 2 secs
christian spirituality, discipleship, draw near podcast, everyday holiness, living the gospel, scripture reflection, short episode
What if the interruptions in your day aren’t distractions… but invitations?
When Jesus was interrupted, he didn’t push people away—he welcomed them. In this short podcast episode of Draw Near, Kara reflects on how embracing life’s interruptions can lead us to unexpected grace. What if the distractions are actually divine invitations? -
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.
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Is God Your Best Friend? Prayer Meditation: Unlocking the Doors of the Heart
June 18th, 2025 | 23 mins 33 secs
In this powerful and reflective episode of Draw Near, Kara invites you to explore the deeply personal and transformative nature of prayer as an intimate friendship with God. Using the story of Doubting Thomas in John 20, Kara reflects on how God responds to us when we ask, and gives us exactly what is needed. Jesus enters the locked rooms of our lives... those places we try to keep hidden.
You’ll be guided through a visual prayer meditation that helps you encounter Jesus in those very spaces. Is there a room in your life where you've closed the door on God? He’s already standing among you, ready to meet you with peace and transformation.
Whether you're seeking a deeper relationship with Jesus, struggling with doubt, or yearning for vulnerability in your spiritual life, this episode offers a quiet, sacred space to reconnect with the God who calls you friend.
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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.