Draw Near

Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another.

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.

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Episodes

  • Wives and Wine

    October 12th, 2022  |  45 mins 39 secs
    catholic, draw near podcast, fred and kara, marriage, motherhood, recipes, wives

    The ladies had to get their 2 cents in on this family series! If you enjoyed the husband/dad episodes, you'll love this one more. Tune in to hear Kara chat with her good friend (and Fred's wife) Krystal Shellabarger about marriage and motherhood.

  •

    Fatherhood: Baptism by Fire (Wives and Whiskey)

    September 28th, 2022  |  1 hr 8 mins
    being a dad, catholic, dad, family, family life, fatherhood

    Kara is back in this episode!!! We are continuing the series on family life, and joined by none other than Kara's husband Beej, as well as our friend Taylor Schroll. In this episode three dads share from their own experience and offer some perspective on the struggles and the joys of being a father. Complete with a few sports analogies, whiskey sipping, and Kara poking fun (in love of course), we hope you enjoy this lighthearted discussion on fatherhood.

  • Embracing Fatherhood

    September 28th, 2022  |  48 mins 2 secs
    being a dad, catholic, dad, family, family life, fatherhood, silas, take up your cross

    Becoming a father, and the reality of being a father in the day to days of life can be both stressful, terrifying and joyfully rewarding all at once! Phillip Grothus joins us once again for an authentic, reflective, but lighthearted look at being a dad. Sharing both the highs and the lows, Fred and Phillip share from their own experience, how their relationship with Christ and the faith they profess shapes the kind of fathers they strive to be. They also discuss perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms that tend to make being a father a challenge some times and offer some advice on overcoming these obstacles.

  • St Luke's Take on The Our Father (and Kara's)

    September 28th, 2022  |  19 mins 4 secs

    Kara is back in this episode!!! With a reflection on the Our Father as it appears in the Gospel of Luke.

  • PREVIEW: Embracing Fatherhood

    September 19th, 2022  |  52 secs
    embrace, fatherhood, help, simon, the cross

    Here is a short heartfelt preview of what you have to look forward to in our next episode in a series on marriage and family life. We are joined once again by, Phillip Grothus (and others). Topic: Fatherhood. Enjoy!

  • BONUS: Dad Jokes with Phillip Grothus - Part 2

    September 14th, 2022  |  5 mins 17 secs
    dad, dad jokes, jokes

    So bad, they are good. In the midst of recording several episodes on marriage and family life, we thought it would be fun to provide listeners with some behind the scenes bonus content. Enjoy!

  • Don't Go to Bed Angry? - With Taylor Schroll

    September 14th, 2022  |  40 mins 20 secs
    advice, catholic, don't go to bed angry, family life, growing, husbands, learning, love your wife, marriage, tips, wedding, wedding day

    Beginning a series on marriage and family life, Fred is joined by friend and co-host of the Forte Catholic Podcast, Taylor Schroll for a fun and lighthearted discussion on marriage. What have they learned? What advice would they give themselves on their wedding day? How much more do they still need to grow? Why does Fred insist on mentioning Cobra Kai in every episode of Draw Near? Find out in this episode!

  • Husbands, Love Your Wives - With Phillip Grothus

    September 14th, 2022  |  40 mins 41 secs
    advice, catholic, family life, growing, husbands, learning, love your wife, marriage, tips, wedding, wedding day

    Beginning a series on marriage and family life, Fred is joined by Draw Near listener and fellow Cobra Kai super fan, Phillip Grothus for a discussion on marriage. What have they learned? What advice would they give themselves on their wedding day? How much more do they still need to grow? Find out in this episode!

  • BONUS: Dad Jokes with Phillip Grothus - Part 1

    September 14th, 2022  |  4 mins 25 secs
    dad, dad jokes, jokes

    So bad, they are good. In the midst of recording several episodes on marriage and family life, we thought it would be fun to provide listeners with some behind the scenes bonus content. Enjoy!

  • Saying Goodbye

    August 30th, 2022  |  12 mins 30 secs
    draw near, encouragement, future, goodbye, love, plans

    Exciting news! Major life changes! And the future of Draw Near. All these are discussed in this episode. We also take a few moments to consider the problems with the way we typically say goodbye and the need to encourage one another. Why should we express gratitude and not take for granted that those closest to us know how much we love and care for them.

  • Our Father Part 6: Lead Us Not Into Temptation & Deliver Us From Evil

    August 17th, 2022  |  13 mins 19 secs
    deliver us from evil, lead us not into temptation, our father, series, small group, spiritual warfare, study

    Concluding our series on the Our Father, we look at the last two petitions in this prayer. Every human person faces trials and temptations. Scripture refers to a battle between flesh and spirit. What does this mean? What does this petition have to do with it? What value is there in temptation? What does these two petitions teach us about the battle between good and evil. In this episode we will answer all of these questions!

  • Our Father Part 5: Forgive Us Our Trespasses

    August 9th, 2022  |  10 mins 13 secs
    forgiveness, our father

    "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us." This petition in the Our Father offers us both a challenge and an invitation. Each time we pray this, we acknowledge that we are forgiven and so we too must extend forgiveness. But how do we live this? In this episode Fred reflects on this petition and offers some advice from his own experience of finding forgiveness.