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

  • Being the Right Kind of Ass: A Reflection on Num 22

    October 17th, 2023  |  28 mins 59 secs
    balaam's donkey, hearing god's voice, love, reflection, relationships

    In this at times humorous, but always heartfelt (and honest) reflection, Fred brings our "Hearing God's Voice" series to a close by sharing some insights from the story of Balaam and his talking... @$$... er... eh... donkey. What can we learn about the Christian life, hearing the Lord's voice and the importance of relationships? Listen to find out!

  • Encountering Christ in Adoration w/ Tim Glemkowsi (MLMG Ep 3)

    October 13th, 2023  |  25 mins 55 secs
    eucharist, eucharistic revival, real presence, tim glemkowski

    In this second part of a two part discussion, we are joined by Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. In this episode, Tim shares his own profound encounter with Christ in the Eucharist and the very heart and foundation of the national Eucharistic Revival efforts led by the USCCB.

  •

    Eucharistic Revival w/Tim Glemkowski (MLMG Ep 2)

    October 13th, 2023  |  22 mins 28 secs
    eucharist, eucharistic revival, real presence, tim glemkowski

    In this first part of a two part discussion, we are joined by Tim Glemkowski, who is helping to lead the Eucharistic Revival in the United States. What is the Eucharistic Revival? How did it come about and is it necessary? What does it have to do with the mission and identity of the Church? And, how can the average lay person get involved? 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 Still Small Voice: Finding God in Silence

    October 4th, 2023  |  35 mins 50 secs
    hearing god's voice, silence

    Why are so many uncomfortable with silence? We live in a world where there is always noise. There's always something to consume. We are never without entertainment. However, God is found in the silence; the still small voice. Why is this both scary and amazing? How can we set aside silence in our lives?

  • An Invitation and a Challenge to Abide

    September 30th, 2023  |  15 mins 17 secs

    Surprise! We've got some Saturday morning bonus content for you! Fred provides an update on what is coming up in the next week, shares some news, and finally offers a reflection on what it means (well... at least SOME of what it means) to ABIDE!

  • Doubting Thomas (MLMG Ep. 1)

    September 27th, 2023  |  24 mins 26 secs
    doubting thomas, episode 1, my lord and my god

    In our very first episode of My Lord and My God, 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 Fred Shallabarger and Kara Kardell will explore in this episode!

  • Trailer: My Lord and My God

    September 27th, 2023  |  2 mins 53 secs
    eucharist, my lord and my god, podcast trailer

    The hosts of Draw Near, Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell, have a second show, My Lord & My God, focused on the Eucharist! This show is based on the words of St. Thomas. Over the next few months, this show will make it's way over to be hosted on the Draw Near podcast page, too! Enjoy this additional weekly content, and if you're already a MLMG listener, enjoy these re-runs!

  • One Year Later: What happened after quitting our jobs?

    September 20th, 2023  |  32 mins 5 secs

    What has this past year held for Fred, Kara, and their families? How has God worked and How has he spoken?

  • Four Steps to Hearing God's Voice

    September 4th, 2023  |  24 mins 11 secs
    god speaks, hearing god's voice, prayer, relationship, sheep, shepherd, steps, tips

    This episode serves as a companion and follow up to our "Does God Speak to Me?" episode. Here we are joined by Julie Storr, from Lectio the Liturgy. Julie presented at our recent Draw Near Retreat in which the theme was, "Hearing God's Voice." Julie offers some great practical steps for not only hearing the Lord's voice, but also building a lifestyle in which a relationship with God characterized by talking with your loving Father is not just a wish, but an actual lived experience, rooted in prayer, in Scripture, and in the life of the Holy Spirit.

    Our journey with the Lord is one that is lived step by step! So many effective spiritual disciplines that help us grow in the life of prayer and relationship with Christ walk us through a process of steps (e.g. Lectio Divina, Ignatian Discernment, the ACTS prayer method, etc). If you are looking for a way to grow deeper in your relationship with Christ, if you are not sure if you have ever heard the Lord speak, this may just be a great place to start!

  • Hearing God: Ask and You Shall Receive

    September 2nd, 2023  |  16 mins 27 secs
    hearing god's voice, shorty, tips

    This shorty serves as a follow-up to the episode, "Does God Speak to Me?" Here, Kara offers two practical tips for your spiritual life to grow in your ability to hear God's voice and familiarity with his voice.

  • Hearing God: Does God Speak to Me?

    August 30th, 2023  |  30 mins 20 secs
    god speaks, hearing god's voice, relationship, sheep, shepherd

    We are back!!! In this episode, we reflect on our experiences coming back from our summer "break", unplanned home renovations and being a sheep. In all these things, the Lord was speaking! But what do we mean by the Lord was "speaking?" What does it mean to hear the Lord's voice? Is hearing the Lord's voice something we all can do? What does this have to do with sheep and our identity? These are the questions we seek to answer in the first of a series on "Hearing the Lord's Voice." Hearing the Lord's voice is not a privilege to be earned, but rather an inheritance, a promise from our loving Father. As such, we hope this series will help you grow in your relationship with the Lord, and hear the voice of our Shepherd.

  • BONUS: Revelation Song (Cover Song)

    June 8th, 2023  |  5 mins 31 secs

    Revelation Song by Kari Jobe (Cover by Fred and Kara with Draw Near)
    We decided to make another cover song available for everyone. For access to MORE bonus content, become a PATRON for as low as $5 a month.
    Patrons, you will have access to simply by being a patron. To become a Patron, go to: https://www.patreon.com/drawnear