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.

Draw Near on social media

Episodes

  • Apologetics PART 1: Mary & Salvation

    May 29th, 2024  |  1 hr 6 mins
    apologetics, bible teaching, catholic teaching, mary, salvation

    Who loves Q&A? We do! Fred and Kara answer common Catholic questions, among Catholics, Protestants, or even atheists. Enjoy part 1 of this extended series and tune in to the additional episodes to come!
    Questions in this episode:

    1. Why do Catholic Worship Mary? What's the deal with Mary?
    2. Why do Catholics pray to Mary and the Saints?
    3. What do Catholics believe about salvation? How are you saved?
  •

    COVER SONG: "I Am Not Alone"

    May 25th, 2024  |  4 mins 17 secs
    christian music, cover song, i am not alone, worship music

    Enjoy this Draw Near Cover of "I Am Not Alone" by Kara Kardell and Fred Shellabarger (originally by Kari Jobe)

  •

    Ask and I Will Do It: A Lectio Divina Reflection on John 14

    May 8th, 2024  |  30 mins 32 secs
    discouragement, doubt, faith, hope, prayer

    In John chapter 14, Jesus says, "Whatever you ask in my name, I will do it." But what do these words mean? What can we learn from this? How should it effect the way we live our lives? The way we pray? In this episode, we reflect on the words of Jesus in John 14:12-14 as we look for answers to these questions.

    NOTE: We are currently moving into our new studio space and working on the renovations needed. That said, YOU WILL HEAR THE KIDS in this epsiode. #catholicfamilylife

  •

    Christian tips on "How to Friend" in today's changing world

    April 24th, 2024  |  45 mins 58 secs
    friendship, holiness, how to make friends, virtue

    We were made for relationship and friendship. Yet, so many of us often feel alone; lost in a sea of acquaintances, with few "real" friends. We feel alone. How are we to overcome this? How are we to actually "Add Friend" in real life? Why is it more important to "belong" in a friendship, rather than to simply "fit in?" What can we learn from Jesus about what true friendship looks like?

  • Source and Summit (MLMG Ep 27)

    April 19th, 2024  |  31 mins 28 secs
    eucharist, eucharistic revival, source and summit

    In this final episode of My Lord and My God, we explore the meaning of the phrase, drawn from Church teaching, "The Eucharist is the Source and Summit of our Faith." Why is it important? In Scripture, Christ wants to abide in us; to cast our anxieties upon Him. We are reminded that it is only in Him that we have life in the fullest and truest sense.
    We also read that He will be with us even until the "close of the age"; He invites us to that great heavenly wedding feast as the true and final SUMMIT!
    What does this all have to do with the Eucharist or your life? ...Everything!

  • DN Classics: Virtuous Friendship

    April 17th, 2024  |  55 mins 15 secs
    friends, friendship, holiness, virtue

    Drawing from our vault, we share one of our earliest (but most downloaded) episodes as we lay a foundation for an all new follow up episode next week! In today's culture, it is not uncommon to find ourselves feeling like we have many "friends," or more accurately, "best acquaintances," but still lack meaningful relationships; the friendships we long for that are characterized by love, vulnerability, mutual encouragement and accountability. What does friendship look like? Find out on this episode of Draw Near as Fred and Kara discuss all of this and share from their own close friendship!

  • Catholic Calisthenics (MLMG Ep 26)

    April 12th, 2024  |  34 mins 29 secs
    catholic, mass postures

    What's with all the sitting, standing, and kneeling at a Catholic mass? What is the meaning behind the different postures, because there IS meaning. There is a reason, and that reason brings us deeper into prayer!

  •

    Why Can't non-Catholics Receive the Eucharist? (MLMG Ep 25)

    April 5th, 2024  |  28 mins 38 secs
    church fathers, fred's testimony, teaching, why can't non-catholics receive the eucharist

    Fred's struggle with the protestant teaching on "communion" actually led him to believe the Catholic understanding! Kara grew up not knowing that, as a Catholic, she shouldn't receive "communion" in other Churches. And why can't non-Catholics receive the Eucharist in the Catholic Church?

  •

    Why do bad things happen to good people?

    April 3rd, 2024  |  57 mins 18 secs
    scripture, suffering

    As we celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus at the beginning of this Easter season, we revisit the topic of suffering and reflect on its relationship to the Resurrection; and the experience of resurrection in our own lives. Why do we suffer? What purpose does it serve? How should we approach it? Why does the Lord allow it? And can anything good come from it? In this episode we pull ALOT from Scripture, get a little personal and honest, and reflect suffering in our own lives, and the life of Job, in reflecting on the answers to these questions.

  • For You (DN Classics)

    March 28th, 2024  |  41 mins 4 secs

    Going back to one of our earliest episodes, we pull this discussion of the Passion, Death and Resurrection of Christ from the vault. We pray that it will be a blessing to you as you prepare your hearts for the Paschal Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter).

  • Chosen, Blessed, Broken, and Given

    March 27th, 2024  |  57 mins 45 secs

    In this episode, taken from the third season of the I See a Movement podcast, we are joined by Eric Gallagher as we discuss our own personal victories through struggles and crosses. We take a look at how suffering and trials give way to resurrection! We also reflect on the necessity of embracing our own brokenness and weaknesses, and how, by grace, this helps us to trust the Lord more and become better instruments of healing in the world. We also reflect on what it means to live a Eucharistic life as we discuss the necessity of embracing our own brokenness and weaknesses.

  • Emmaus Teaches the Mass (MLMG Ep 24)

    March 22nd, 2024  |  24 mins 53 secs
    eucharist, scripture, teaching, the mass

    Did you know the Road to Emmaus reveals a lot about our encounter with Christ in the Mass? This is one of Fred and Kara's favorite passages!