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    <title>Draw Near - Episodes Tagged with “Family”</title>
    <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/tags/family</link>
    <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
    <description>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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    <itunes:type>episodic</itunes:type>
    <itunes:subtitle>Helping each person to draw near to Christ and to one another. </itunes:subtitle>
    <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
    <itunes:summary>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.
</itunes:summary>
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    <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
    <itunes:keywords>Faith; Christ; Podcast; Catholic; Friends; Draw Near</itunes:keywords>
    <itunes:owner>
      <itunes:name>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:name>
      <itunes:email>drawnear.me@gmail.com</itunes:email>
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<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality">
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  <itunes:category text="Christianity"/>
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<itunes:category text="Religion &amp; Spirituality"/>
<item>
  <title>What Are We Thankful For? </title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/66</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 23 Nov 2022 02:00:00 -0600</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/3ba5010a-a387-43ad-9c8d-6819fbcfaf54.mp3" length="9243322" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>bonus</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year,  we have found ourselves reflecting a lot on gratitude and the Lord's faithfulness. It's always good to take some time and reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Because we enjoy sharing our own lives with our listeners, we thought we would discuss those things that we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving. We hope this will be a blessing to you this year. As Scripture and experience both make clear, the word of our testimony is a great way to edify one another and inspire gratitude. 

Even during a season of quiet, where at times it seems like the Lord has been asleep in the boat during the storm (more on this in our I Believe in Love book study), we have found ourselves overwhelmed with thankfulness. Listen to hear why! </itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>10:21</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
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  <description>As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year,  we have found ourselves reflecting a lot on gratitude and the Lord's faithfulness. It's always good to take some time and reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Because we enjoy sharing our own lives with our listeners, we thought we would discuss those things that we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving. We hope this will be a blessing to you this year. As Scripture and experience both make clear, the word of our testimony is a great way to edify one another and inspire gratitude. 
Even during a season of quiet, where at times it seems like the Lord has been asleep in the boat during the storm (more on this in our I Believe in Love book study), we have found ourselves overwhelmed with thankfulness. Listen to hear why! 
Want to join the study? You can purchase I Believe in Love here! (https://amzn.to/3swlYhH) Sign up to join the book study and/or learn more about us by visiting our home page.  (https://www.drawnear.me/) Join the Draw Near Community Space on Suscipe.co (https://community.suscipe.co/share/M1CQceCQ6cMeBTIB?utm_source=manual)
Click here (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a supporter/patron! "Like" and follow us on Facebook! (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara) You can even find us on Twitter. (https://twitter.com/fredandkara) Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near (Alternate) Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell
*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>Thanksgiving, Gratitude, Fred and Kara, Draw Near, Friendship, Family</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year,  we have found ourselves reflecting a lot on gratitude and the Lord&#39;s faithfulness. It&#39;s always good to take some time and reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Because we enjoy sharing our own lives with our listeners, we thought we would discuss those things that we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving. We hope this will be a blessing to you this year. As Scripture and experience both make clear, the word of our testimony is a great way to edify one another and inspire gratitude. </p>

<p>Even during a season of quiet, where at times it seems like the Lord has been asleep in the boat during the storm (more on this in our I Believe in Love book study), we have found ourselves overwhelmed with thankfulness. Listen to hear why! </p>

<p>Want to join the study? You can purchase <em>I Believe in Love</em> <a href="https://amzn.to/3swlYhH" rel="nofollow">here!</a> Sign up to join the book study and/or learn more about us by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a> Join the Draw Near Community Space on <a href="https://community.suscipe.co/share/M1CQceCQ6cMeBTIB?utm_source=manual" rel="nofollow">Suscipe.co</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a supporter/patron! &quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a> You can even find us on <a href="https://twitter.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Twitter.</a> Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near (Alternate) Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p>

<p>*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>As we celebrate Thanksgiving this year,  we have found ourselves reflecting a lot on gratitude and the Lord&#39;s faithfulness. It&#39;s always good to take some time and reflect on what we have to be thankful for. Because we enjoy sharing our own lives with our listeners, we thought we would discuss those things that we are most thankful for this Thanksgiving. We hope this will be a blessing to you this year. As Scripture and experience both make clear, the word of our testimony is a great way to edify one another and inspire gratitude. </p>

<p>Even during a season of quiet, where at times it seems like the Lord has been asleep in the boat during the storm (more on this in our I Believe in Love book study), we have found ourselves overwhelmed with thankfulness. Listen to hear why! </p>

<p>Want to join the study? You can purchase <em>I Believe in Love</em> <a href="https://amzn.to/3swlYhH" rel="nofollow">here!</a> Sign up to join the book study and/or learn more about us by visiting our <a href="https://www.drawnear.me/" rel="nofollow">home page. </a> Join the Draw Near Community Space on <a href="https://community.suscipe.co/share/M1CQceCQ6cMeBTIB?utm_source=manual" rel="nofollow">Suscipe.co</a></p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click here</a> to become a supporter/patron! &quot;Like&quot; and follow us on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook!</a> You can even find us on <a href="https://twitter.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Twitter.</a> Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near (Alternate) Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p>

<p>*As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>Fatherhood: Baptism by Fire (Wives and Whiskey) </title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/59</link>
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  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/53650265-a797-4043-b4c2-3f960862af6b.mp3" length="52372176" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Kara is back in this episode!!! We are continuing the series on family life, and joined by none other than Kara's husband Beej, as well as our friend Taylor Schroll. In this episode three dads share from their own experience and offer some perspective on the struggles and the joys of being a father. Complete with a few sports analogies, whiskey sipping, and Kara poking fun (in love of course), we hope you enjoy this lighthearted discussion on fatherhood. </itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>1:08:04</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/episodes/5/53650265-a797-4043-b4c2-3f960862af6b/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>Kara is back in this episode!!! We are continuing the series on family life, and joined by none other than Kara's husband Beej, as well as our friend Taylor Schroll. In this episode three dads share from their own experience and offer some perspective on the struggles and the joys of being a father. Complete with a few sports analogies, whiskey sipping, and Kara poking fun (in love of course), we hope you enjoy this lighthearted discussion on fatherhood. 
Click to Donate (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>fatherhood, Catholic, family, family life, being a dad, dad, </itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Kara is back in this episode!!! We are continuing the series on family life, and joined by none other than Kara&#39;s husband Beej, as well as our friend Taylor Schroll. In this episode three dads share from their own experience and offer some perspective on the struggles and the joys of being a father. Complete with a few sports analogies, whiskey sipping, and Kara poking fun (in love of course), we hope you enjoy this lighthearted discussion on fatherhood. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click to Donate</a> to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a>. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Kara is back in this episode!!! We are continuing the series on family life, and joined by none other than Kara&#39;s husband Beej, as well as our friend Taylor Schroll. In this episode three dads share from their own experience and offer some perspective on the struggles and the joys of being a father. Complete with a few sports analogies, whiskey sipping, and Kara poking fun (in love of course), we hope you enjoy this lighthearted discussion on fatherhood. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click to Donate</a> to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a>. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
<item>
  <title>Embracing Fatherhood</title>
  <link>https://drawnear.fireside.fm/58</link>
  <guid isPermaLink="false">ce5dbdf3-3b06-49bd-b609-a3c06de5ea64</guid>
  <pubDate>Wed, 28 Sep 2022 02:00:00 -0500</pubDate>
  <author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</author>
  <enclosure url="https://aphid.fireside.fm/d/1437767933/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/ce5dbdf3-3b06-49bd-b609-a3c06de5ea64.mp3" length="47990396" type="audio/mpeg"/>
  <itunes:episodeType>full</itunes:episodeType>
  <itunes:author>Fred Shellabarger and Kara Kardell</itunes:author>
  <itunes:subtitle>Becoming a father, and the reality of being a father in the day to days of life can be both stressful, terrifying and joyfully rewarding all at once! Phillip Grothus joins us once again for an authentic, reflective, but lighthearted look at being a dad. Sharing both the highs and the lows, Fred and Phillip share from their own experience, how their relationship with Christ and the faith they profess shapes the kind of fathers they strive to be. They also discuss perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms that tend to make being a father a challenge some times and offer some advice on overcoming these obstacles. </itunes:subtitle>
  <itunes:duration>48:02</itunes:duration>
  <itunes:explicit>no</itunes:explicit>
  <itunes:image href="https://media24.fireside.fm/file/fireside-images-2024/podcasts/images/e/e1ddec60-ea89-4a32-a14b-8340909d71a5/episodes/c/ce5dbdf3-3b06-49bd-b609-a3c06de5ea64/cover.jpg?v=1"/>
  <description>Becoming a father, and the reality of being a father in the day to days of life can be both stressful, terrifying and joyfully rewarding all at once! Phillip Grothus joins us once again for an authentic, reflective, but lighthearted look at being a dad. Sharing both the highs and the lows, Fred and Phillip share from their own experience, how their relationship with Christ and the faith they profess shapes the kind of fathers they strive to be. They also discuss perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms that tend to make being a father a challenge some times and offer some advice on overcoming these obstacles. 
Click to Donate (https://www.drawnear.me/donate) to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara). Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near "booking page (https://www.drawnear.me/booking)."
Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! 
Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp;amp; Kara Kardell 
</description>
  <itunes:keywords>fatherhood, Catholic, family, family life, being a dad, dad, take up your cross, silas</itunes:keywords>
  <content:encoded>
    <![CDATA[<p>Becoming a father, and the reality of being a father in the day to days of life can be both stressful, terrifying and joyfully rewarding all at once! Phillip Grothus joins us once again for an authentic, reflective, but lighthearted look at being a dad. Sharing both the highs and the lows, Fred and Phillip share from their own experience, how their relationship with Christ and the faith they profess shapes the kind of fathers they strive to be. They also discuss perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms that tend to make being a father a challenge some times and offer some advice on overcoming these obstacles. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click to Donate</a> to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a>. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </content:encoded>
  <itunes:summary>
    <![CDATA[<p>Becoming a father, and the reality of being a father in the day to days of life can be both stressful, terrifying and joyfully rewarding all at once! Phillip Grothus joins us once again for an authentic, reflective, but lighthearted look at being a dad. Sharing both the highs and the lows, Fred and Phillip share from their own experience, how their relationship with Christ and the faith they profess shapes the kind of fathers they strive to be. They also discuss perceptions, experiences, and cultural norms that tend to make being a father a challenge some times and offer some advice on overcoming these obstacles. </p>

<p><a href="https://www.drawnear.me/donate" rel="nofollow">Click to Donate</a> to become a supporter/patron! Join the community by following the Draw Near <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fredandkara" rel="nofollow">Facebook page</a>. Book Fred and/or Kara to speak by visiting the Draw Near &quot;<a href="https://www.drawnear.me/booking" rel="nofollow">booking page</a>.&quot;</p>

<p>Like our podcast? Hit that “subscribe” button AND the notification button/bell to know when new episodes are posted! Give us a rating! Leave a review! Tell your friends! Even more, pray for us! </p>

<p>Draw Near Theme © Fred Shellabarger &amp; Kara Kardell</p><p><a rel="payment" href="https://www.patreon.com/drawnear">Support Draw Near</a></p>]]>
  </itunes:summary>
</item>
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