Draw Near

Penance: The Desert Where God Transforms Us

February 18th, 2026  |  40 mins 33 secs

almsgiving, ash wednesday, catholic podcast, catholic spirituality, christian living, desert spirituality, discipleship, draw near podcast, faith journey, fasting, hope, lent, new life in christ, penance, prayer, resurrection, sacrifice, spiritual growth, suffering, transformation

Suffering is where transformation begins, but what does that have to do with Lent?

In this Ash Wednesday episode of Draw Near, Fred and Kara explore the meaning of penance, the purpose of the desert season, and how suffering can become a place of spiritual growth that leads toward resurrection. Why does Lent begin with ashes and words about death? How does penance train the heart? And how does the journey through sacrifice open us to new life in Christ?

BJ and Kara’s Date Night: The Power of Words in Marriage

February 11th, 2026  |  50 mins 13 secs

catholic marriage, catholic podcast, christian life, communication, couples, date night, draw near, faith and family, intentional living, marriage, marriage resources, near to you, prayer, relationships, scripture

What happens when date night turns into a recorded conversation? This week, Kara invites her husband BJ on the podcast for an at-home date drawn straight from Draw Near's soon-to-be released marriage resource, "Near to You." With prayer, Scripture, vulnerability, and a lot of fun, they explore how words can either build intimacy or quietly erode it... and how God meets us right in the middle of our marriages.

Finding God in the Least Likely Movies

October 1st, 2025  |  1 hr 14 mins

catholic, catholic podcast, christian entertainment, christian podcast, draw near, draw near podcast, fred and krystal, movies, pop culture, spirituality, tv shows

Join us for a lighthearted conversation on discovering Christian themes in the most unexpected movies and shows. From wizards to zombies to fantasy adventures, we’ll show you how faith can shine through the movies we love in this Draw Near podcast episode.

All Dogs go to Heaven... or Do they?

August 28th, 2025  |  27 mins 54 secs

afterlife, catholic podcast, draw near, faith and life, heaven and earth, pets

Do our pets go to heaven? It’s a question that’s both fun to ask and deeply personal when you’ve loved and lost a furry friend. In this episode, Kara shares her family’s experience of saying goodbye to their dog, opening up a conversation many of us can relate to. Together we explore Scripture and the Catechism to see what the Church actually says about heaven, creation, and God’s plan to make all things new.

Unbind Him: Finding Resurrection in the Midst of the Cross

April 16th, 2025  |  23 mins 33 secs

catholic podcast, christian discipleship, draw near, easter preparation, encouragement, gospel meditation, holy week, joy in sorrow, lazarus, new life in christ, prayer and healing, resurrection, spiritual reflection, suffering and hope, the cross

Is it possible to feel joy in the midst of sorrow? Can we call Holy Week happy even while meditating on the suffering of Jesus? In this short and heartfelt Holy Week reflection, Fred and Kara share a deeply personal and spiritually rich meditation on John 11—the raising of Lazarus.

Together, we explore what it means for Jesus to stand before our tombs and call us by name, how we’re invited into community to help “unbind” one another from the grave clothes of fear, shame, and sin, and how the resurrection is not just something we believe in—it’s something we’re called to live.

Whether you're walking through grief, wrestling with God's timing, or just longing for renewal, this episode is a companion for your journey toward Easter joy. You’ll also hear stories from our own lives, encouragement for your spiritual walk, and a Holy Week challenge to invite God into your deepest burdens.

Coming Home: A God Who Runs to Us

April 2nd, 2025  |  43 mins 5 secs

catholic lent, catholic podcast, catholic teaching, christian love, coming home to god, confession, faith and forgiveness, god’s mercy, gospel reflection, grace and mercy, parables of jesus, prayer and reflection, prodigal son, returning to the father, spiritual journey

This week on Draw Near, we dive into one of the most beloved parables in all of Scripture—the Prodigal Son. But this time, we ask three questions that challenge us to look deeper:

How is God’s love different from the love we experience from others—or even from ourselves?

What does “coming home to the Father” look like in real life?

And how do we respond when grace feels... unfair?

With humor, vulnerability, and heart, we reflect on the extravagant mercy of God, the wounds we carry in how we love (and fail to love), and the real-life humility it takes to return home—again and again. Whether you relate most to the younger son, the older son, or the waiting father, there’s something here for you.

Into the Desert: Overcoming Temptation

March 13th, 2025  |  1 hr 4 mins

almsgiving, catholic faith, catholic podcast, christian discipleship, cs lewis, faith journey, fasting, jesus in the desert, lent, overcoming sin, prayer life, resist temptation, screwtape letters, spiritual renewal, spiritual warfare

Lent isn’t just about giving things up—it’s about conversion, renewal, and drawing closer to Christ. In this episode, we dive into Jesus’ time in the desert (Luke 4:1-13) and what it teaches us about resisting temptation, deepening our faith, and embracing the call to holiness.

🔥 We also explore:
✔️ How The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis reveal the battle of temptation.
✔️ The distractions that sabotage our prayer life—and what to do about them.
✔️ For some reason, we talk about zombies and we share some news on some big changes coming in April!

Plus, practical ways to grow this Lent through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—not just as obligations, but as pathways to real transformation.

Roses from Heaven: In Loving Memory of Catherine Thérèse Shellabarger

January 29th, 2025  |  5 mins 13 secs

catholic grief, catholic podcast, child loss, christian podcast, heaven’s little saints, hope coping with miscarriage, infant loss, pregnancy loss, stillbirth, support grieving parents

This episode is a tribute to Catherine’s life, an acknowledgment of the deep grief of losing a child, and a witness to the hope we hold in Christ.

Washed and Chosen: Living Out Our Baptismal Call

January 15th, 2025  |  55 mins

baptismal call, beloved child of god, bible study, catholic living, catholic podcast, catholic teachings, catholic theology, christian discipleship, christian inspiration, christian spirituality, dance dance revolution, faith in action, faith journey, identity in christ, living your faith, missionary discipleship, pokemon, practical discipleship, prayer and reflection, renewing faith, spiritual renewal

In this inspiring episode of Draw Near, we delve into the transformative power of our baptism and its enduring impact on our identity and mission as disciples of Christ. Through meaningful reflection and practical insights, we explore the deep truth that each of us is a beloved child of God, uniquely called to live out our baptismal mission with purpose and joy. This episode offers not only spiritual depth but also actionable ways to deepen your relationship with God in the midst of life’s busyness. You’ll be inspired to embrace your identity, rediscover your mission, and live as a light in the world.

A Future & A Hope: A Lectio Divina Discussion

July 24th, 2024  |  39 mins 40 secs

catholic podcast, prayer, spiritual

In this surprisingly personal episode of Draw Near, Fred and Kara share how the words of Jeremiah 29 can change hearts.
It gives a "map" of how to find God and what God wants to bring into your life! Where can hope be found as we look at the future? Listen to this Catholic Podcast.