About the show
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.
Draw Near on social media
Episodes
-
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 3: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 2) w/ Tim Glemkowski
January 24th, 2023 | 3 mins 33 secs
big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show
We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!
Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this PREVIEW of the second part of our two part discussion with Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about? Why is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person help? These are some of the many questions we seek to answer as we sit down to discuss this generational moment and growing national movement. The full episode posts Tuesday, February 7!
My Lord & My God website
-
PREVIEW: My Lord & My God Ep 2: Eucharistic Revival (Pt 1) w/ Tim Glemkowski
January 24th, 2023 | 2 mins 57 secs
big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show
We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!
Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of the first part of our two part discussion with Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about? Why is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person help? These are some of the many questions we seek to answer as we sit down to discuss this generational moment and growing national movement. The full episode posts Tuesday, January 31!
My Lord & My God website
-
PREVIEW: My Lord and My God Ep 1: Doubting Thomas
January 24th, 2023 | 7 mins 13 secs
big news, eucharist, my lord and my god, new show
We have a new podcast coming out on January 24th, 2023! This weekly, year-long show is called, "My Lord & My God," based on the words of St. Thomas. Our focus in every episode will be helping listeners to encounter Christ in the Eucharist and to better understand this most beautiful and sacred mystery: Christ present, Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity. We will explore Scripture, the teachings of the Church, and the writings of the saints. We will also hear many powerful testimonies of how lives have been changed through encountering Christ in the Eucharist. What difference should this encounter with Christ make in our lives? How does it shape our relationship with the Lord and with one another? Listen to find out!
Be sure to subscribe/follow on your favorite podcast platform to catch all the new episodes. In the meantime, enjoy this preview of episode 1 in which we reflect on the inspiration for this show, "Doubting Thomas," and those beautiful words of encounter, "My Lord and My God." This episode will post Tuesday, January 24! Here, we take some time to reflect on the words of St Thomas, "My Lord and My God." He speaks these words after his famous doubt... "Unless I stick my fingers in his wounds I will not believe." Why did Thomas say this? What can we learn from him? How is St Thomas' encounter with the risen Christ similar to what we are invited into every time we attend Mass and receive Communion? These are just some of the topics we will explore in this episode!
My Lord & My God website
-
You talkin' about me?
January 18th, 2023 | 45 mins 25 secs
draw near, gossip, guest, love your neighbor, venting
"Treat me like a human being." These were the words of a friend of ours recounting a difficult situation to us recently. These words have stuck with us since. We - like so many we'd be willing to guess - often speak of the "dignity of the human person," and yet belief in that dignity is not always evident in the experiences of daily life. Christ tells us that the world will know us by our love for one another; that we are to love one another as he has loved us. Yet, we gossip, we slander. We are quick to desire empathy and we want to be given the benefit of the doubt, but we are not always so quick to extend that to others. How can we overcome this? What are the implications of the dignity of each human person, on the way we live our lives as social beings? These are some of the topics we dive into with our good friend, and special guest, Sr Fidelis Marie.
-
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!
-
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!!
-
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 -
BONUS: The Gift of the Magi
December 22nd, 2022 | 10 mins 57 secs
christmas, stories, the gift of the magi
Continuing to share some of our favorite Christmas stories this holiday season, here is a a classic that may just bring you to tears: "The Gift of the Magi" by O. Henry. For this reading, Fred is joined by Siouxland Catholic Radio's, Joanne Fox, who narrates. He is also joined by his wife, Krystal, in the role of Della and his daughter who plays the part of Mrs. Sofronie.
We both love inviting listeners into our homes and into our families as we celebrate this year by sharing some of our favorite Christmas stories. This is a purely "sit back and relax," "story time" sort of "shorty" episode. We hope this reading will be a blessing to you this Christmas season. Thank you for listening and allowing us to be a part of your lives this year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! -
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!).