Draw Near

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.

200th Episode Special: "Best of Guests"

December 13th, 2024  |  55 mins 37 secs

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Fred and Kara could think of no better way to celebrate the 200th Episode of the Draw Near Catholic Podcast, than spotlighting some "Best of Guests" moments. The truth is, there are too many to fit in one episode... but this is a good start! We have Catholic Speakers and friends: Matthew Leonard, Sonja Corbitt, Sister Fidelis Marie, Julie Storr, and Father Patrick Behm

BONUS: Who You Say I Am (Cover Song)

May 26th, 2023  |  3 mins 11 secs

cover song, draw near, fred and kara, praise and worship, who you say i am

Who You Say I Am by Hillsong (Cover by Fred and Kara with Draw Near)
To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and the launch of our new ministry effort, "I See a Movement", we decided to make some cover songs available for everyone. For access to MORE covers, become a PATRON for as low as $5 a month.
Patrons, you will have access to our music simply by being a patron. To become a Patron, go to: https://www.patreon.com/drawnear

BONUS: I Shall Not Want (Cover Song)

May 18th, 2023  |  3 mins 37 secs

cover, draw near, fred and kara, fred shellabarger, i shall not want, kara kardell, praise and worship

I Shall Not Want by Audrey Assad. Cover by Fred and Kara with Draw Near.
To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and the launch of our new ministry effort, "I See a Movement", we decided to make some cover songs available for everyone. For access to MORE covers, become a PATRON for as low as $5 a month.
Patrons, you will have access to our music simply by being a patron. To become a Patron, go to: https://www.patreon.com/drawnear

BONUS: It is Well (Cover Song)

May 18th, 2023  |  5 mins 14 secs

cover, draw near, fred and kara, fred shellabarger, it is well, kara kardell, praise and worship

It Is Well by Bethel Music. Cover by Fred and Kara with Draw Near.
To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and the launch of our new ministry effort, "I See a Movement", we decided to make some cover songs available for everyone. For access to MORE covers, become a PATRON for as low as $5 a month.
Patrons, you will have access to our music simply by being a patron. To become a Patron, go to: https://www.patreon.com/drawnear

BONUS: Goodness of God (Cover Song)

May 18th, 2023  |  4 mins 7 secs

cover, draw near, fred and kara, fred shellabarger, goodness of god, kara kardell, praise and worship

Goodness of God by Bethel Music. Cover by Fred and Kara with Draw Near.
To celebrate the Feast of Pentecost, and the launch of our new ministry effort, "I See a Movement", we decided to make some cover songs available for everyone. For access to MORE covers, become a PATRON for as low as $5 a month.
Patrons, you will have access to our music simply by being a patron. To become a Patron, go to: https://www.patreon.com/drawnear

Jesus, Mary, and the Saints: Ch. 10 - I Believe in Love

January 25th, 2023  |  23 mins 3 secs

book study, conference 10, draw near, i believe in love, jesus, mary, saints

Week 10 discussion on "Jesus, Mary, and the Saints" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the [Draw Near](drawnear.me) podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee

You talkin' about me?

January 18th, 2023  |  45 mins 25 secs

draw near, gossip, guest, love your neighbor, venting

"Treat me like a human being." These were the words of a friend of ours recounting a difficult situation to us recently. These words have stuck with us since. We - like so many we'd be willing to guess - often speak of the "dignity of the human person," and yet belief in that dignity is not always evident in the experiences of daily life. Christ tells us that the world will know us by our love for one another; that we are to love one another as he has loved us. Yet, we gossip, we slander. We are quick to desire empathy and we want to be given the benefit of the doubt, but we are not always so quick to extend that to others. How can we overcome this? What are the implications of the dignity of each human person, on the way we live our lives as social beings? These are some of the topics we dive into with our good friend, and special guest, Sr Fidelis Marie.

The Cross: Ch. 8 - I Believe in Love

December 30th, 2022  |  28 mins 25 secs

book study, catholic, conference 8, draw near, i believe in love, the cross

Week 8 discussion on "The Cross" from the I Believe in Love book study led by Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell from the Draw Near podcast!!
This book is a personal retreat based on the teachings of St. Therese of Lisieux written by: Book by Fr Jean C J D'Elbee

BONUS: The Christmas Story

December 13th, 2022  |  5 mins 42 secs

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Following up on the surprising popularity of our reading of "Yes, Virginia There is A Santa Claus" last year, we decided to share some more Christmas stories this holiday season. We both will be inviting listeners into our homes and into our families as we celebrate this year by sharing some of our favorite Christmas stories. We invite you (and your family) to enjoy... in the words of Linus from the Peanuts, what Christmas is all about. This is a purely "sit back and relax," "story time" sort of "shorty" episode. We hope this reading will be a blessing to you this Christmas season. Thank you for listening and allowing us to be a part of your lives this year! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!