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 164 Episodes.
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NEW PODCAST COMING! My Lord and My God
January 18th, 2023 | 3 mins 1 sec
big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show
The hosts of Draw Near, Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell, have a new podcast coming out on January 24th. This show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. It will be centered on the Eucharist... helping people understand this great mystery and come to a deeper encounter with the love of Christ through the Eucharist.
Be sure to subscribe/follow to catch all the new episodes. -
Dad Joke Challenge
January 4th, 2023 | 23 mins 46 secs
dad jokes
Enjoy some lighthearted fun and conversation with our good friend, Phillip Grothus! Back by popular demand, in this bonus episode as we begin the new year, Fred and Phillip battle in an exchange of dad jokes to see who can make Kara laugh. Will she crack? Who will be the winner? This is really just pure silly fun and we hope you enjoy it! Happy New Year!
We will be back with the usual Draw Near discussions in our next episode!
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The Eucharist: Ch. 9 - I Believe in Love
December 30th, 2022 | 24 mins 11 secs
book study, catholic, chapter 9, i believe in love, the eucharist
Week 9 discussion on "The Eucharist" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the Draw Near podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee -
The Cross: Ch. 8 - I Believe in Love
December 30th, 2022 | 28 mins 25 secs
book study, catholic, conference 8, draw near, i believe in love, the cross
Week 8 discussion on "The Cross" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the Draw Near podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee -
The Apostolate: Ch. 7 - I Believe in Love
December 30th, 2022 | 24 mins 2 secs
book study, conference 7, i believe in love, the apostolate
Week 7 discussion on "The Apostolate" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the Draw Near podcast!!
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Fraternal Charity: Ch. 6 - I Believe in Love
December 26th, 2022 | 29 mins 37 secs
book study, catholic, conference 6, fraternal charity, i believe in love
Week 6 discussion on "Fraternal Charity" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the [Draw Near](drawnear.me) podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee -
Great Desires, Humility, and Peace: Ch 5 - I Believe in Love
December 21st, 2022 | 23 mins 4 secs
For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the fifth chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss the desires of our hearts, how are we to follow and discern those desires, and how the Lord has given us gifts to build the kingdom. Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).
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Abandonment to Jesus: Ch 4 - I Believe in Love
December 21st, 2022 | 24 mins 8 secs
For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the fourth chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss what it means to abandon one's self to Jesus; to live the prayer, "Thy will be done." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).
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Unshakeable Confidence: Ch 3 - I Believe in Love
December 21st, 2022 | 27 mins 5 secs
For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the third chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss the danger in becoming too dependent upon ourselves, how our weaknesses are actually opportunities to encounter the Lord and why we must "become like little children." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).
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Humble Confidence: Ch 2 - I Believe in Love
December 21st, 2022 | 26 mins 19 secs
For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the second chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss times in our lives when we have needed his mercy, when we have felt alone and afraid and like God is far from us, and what it means to have a "living faith." Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).
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Love for Love: Ch 1 - I Believe in Love
December 21st, 2022 | 24 mins 3 secs
For a limited time, as a "Christmas gift" to our listeners, please enjoy our full discussion from our I Believe in Love book study on the first chapter of this life changing book. Here we discuss our relationship with Christ, whether or not we see ourselves as a "joy" for Jesus, and what it means to "abide" in Him. Shorter than a typical episode of Draw Near, but also a bit more personal at times, we hope and pray, but also believe, that these discussions will be a blessing to you (whether you have read the book or not - but we hope you will!).
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There's Something About Mary
December 7th, 2022 | 1 hr 1 min
blessed mother, catholic, catholic teaching, conversion, december 8, encouragement, full of grace, healing, identity, immaculate conception, mary, scripture, trauma
In the deeply personal first half of this episode, Fred and Kara reflect on their relationship with Mary, and how that has changed and grown over the years. Fred shares more of his testimony about converting to Catholicism and the role Mary played in that process. He also reflects on issues such as identity, childhood trauma, mistrust, and difficult family experiences and how these can effect our relationship with God; as well as with Mary. He shares the story of his relationship with Mary, and how she has helped him to find healing. In the second half, we return to Kara's teaching on the Immaculate Conception, which we celebrate on December 8. Kara dives into a scriptural study of key texts that point to Mary’s Immaculate Conception with hopes that each listener would be drawn deeper into the celebration of this Holy Day of Obligation.