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
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Come, Holy Spirit
February 2nd, 2022 | 52 mins 26 secs
charismatic, charisms, gifts, holy spirit, love
Who is the Holy Spirit? Why is a relationship with Him so important? In Scripture, Christ promises the gift of the Holy Spirit, the love of God poured out into our hearts (Rom 5:5). How can we learn to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit? How can we experience his promptings in our daily lives? What does this have to do with the love of God? And how has God gifted you in the power and grace of the Holy Spirit to renew the face of the earth? We will discuss all these things in this episode!
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COVER SONG: "Amazing Grace"
January 19th, 2022 | 6 mins 26 secs
amazing grace, cover, fred and kara
We LOVE recording and playing music. Please enjoy our cover (with all original verses added) of Amazing Grace (My Chains Are Gone) by Chris Tomlin.
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No Longer Slaves
January 5th, 2022 | 3 mins 22 secs
fred and kara, no longer slaves, worship cover
We LOVE recording and playing music. Please enjoy this cover of "No Longer Slaves" by Bethel Music that Fred and Kara recorded.
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Christmas Bonus: Yes, Virginia There is a Santa Clause by Francis Church
December 24th, 2021 | 6 mins 55 secs
bonus, christmas, santa clause, virginia
Following up on our Christmas Spectacular episode, we invite you (and your family) to enjoy a timeless story that Fred reads to his children every year!
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Draw Near Christmas Spectacular!
December 22nd, 2021 | 49 mins
advent, chit chat and banter, christmas, christmas traditions, family traditions, new year's, resolutions, shave your face off
Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell invite you into their friendship and family lives this Christmas season… sharing a few tears from laughing so hard, favorite Christmas memories, traditions, and ways to make this season and Christ’s light shine in the home. Come laugh with us, enjoy Advent and Christmas, and pick up some traditions for your family. Draw Near, Podcast, New Year's, Resolutions, Chit chat and banter, interview
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Full of Grace
December 8th, 2021 | 29 mins 1 sec
draw near, full of grace, immaculate conception, kara kardell, mary, scripture, shorty
December 8th is the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. Listen to this Draw Near podcast "shorty" to learn more about this feast. Mary was set apart for all of time! Scripture shows this. The Blessed Mother was preserved from original sin from the moment of her creation. Listen to Kara teach a Scriptural study on Mary and the Catholic dogma of her Immaculate Conception.
Tags: Full of Grace, Annunciation, Mary, Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception, Marian Dogma, Draw Near podcast, Kara Kardell, Original Sin -
Until the King Returns
December 6th, 2021 | 29 mins 4 secs
catholic church, draw near, kara kardell, papacy, podcast, popes, shorty
In this shorty, Kara gives an in-depth teaching on the Catholic Church and the Papacy (Popes). Why does the Church have a Pope? Where is the idea of a Pope in the Bible?
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God's Ways are Desert Ways: An interview with Sonja Corbitt on her book "Just Rest"
November 24th, 2021 | 55 mins 59 secs
book just rest, draw near podcast, exodus bible study, fred and kara, just rest, sonja corbitt
Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell speak with guest, Catholic speaker, author, and podcaster, Sonja Corbitt! Sonja is the Bible Evangelista! This episode unpacks some content in her book, "Just Rest." What does the Exodus teach us? How are God's ways desert ways? God's ways are ALWAYS desert ways. He shows us this throughout the Scriptures, specifically through the Exodus.
God wants to bring us to the promised land! But before the promised land comes the desert. There are lessons to be learned and "dew" to be given within the desert. Listen to this episode to hear this in depth discussion of "Just Rest" and some profound experiences of Fred and Kara in reading this book. -
What Am I Supposed to Do?
November 10th, 2021 | 54 mins 26 secs
catholic, discernment, draw near podcast, fred and kara, guest, holiness, sister fidelis marie, vocations
Fred Shellabarger, Kara Kardell, and guest-Sister Fidelis Marie talk about living holiness in our every day lives on this episode of the Draw Near podcast. It's easy to get bogged down discerning the future options, vocations, or the many choices placed in front of us. Sister Fidelis gives wonderful, spiritually balanced, guidance on discerning where God calls us. We also talk about making decisions in life, consolation and desolation, wounds, and the importance of living out the call to holiness each day. We shouldn't wait until a future date to become who God created us to be! Simply say yes to God.
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St. Therese of Lisieux: Living the Heart of the Gospel
October 27th, 2021 | 52 mins 47 secs
lessons from therese, life lessons, small things with great love, st. therese, the hidden way, the little flower
In this episode, we take up the theme of “life lessons” from the Saints. We share our encounters with St. Therese of Lisieux, the “Little Flower,” and share some deeply personal experiences of how her words, and no doubt her intercession, helped us draw near to the Lord during very difficult times. We consider St. Therese a very dear friend and we hope that this episode will help you to also discover just how relatable she is; and how her “Little Way” can help you also find joy and fulfillment even in the smallest and seemingly insignificant moments.
Draw Near podcast, Fred Shellabarger, and Kara Kardell, drawnear.me, St. Therese, Catholic -
Coping with Feelings of Failure
October 13th, 2021 | 48 mins 58 secs
calming the storm, failure, feelings or failure, gospels, overcoming failure, prayer, scripture
We have all wrestled with discouragement, thoughts of our own failures and shortcomings. Where is God in the midst of our failures? How do we overcome these feelings. Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell cover the topic of failure in this episode of the Draw Near podcast.
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Praying the Catechism and God's Incredible Love for You
October 9th, 2021 | 7 mins 40 secs
catechism of the catholic church, draw near podcast, fred and kara, prayer, reflection, scripture
In this Shorty, Fred Shellabarger shows us how to not only pray with Scripture, but also how to pray with the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is itself filled with Scripture. This book, a summation of the Catholic faith, is not merely a reference book. The Church teaches Truth, and we are invited to not simply learn this truth, but pray with it! Fred presents a method for praying the Catechism, and reflects on the profound truth and beauty that is revealed in the process.